Chapter Nine

Blair was sitting close enough that Jim could hear the brisk movement of blood through his veins. He could feel the warmth radiating off his body and it was hard to pay attention to the words coming from the mortal's mouth, but he knew if he didn't there was a chance he'd never get a taste and that was unacceptable.

He'd shared the story of his Making, something he'd only ever shared with Antoine; not even Sharyn knew, just as he wasn't privy to her story. Antoine would never have approved sharing something so personal with a mortal, but Jim knew Blair was somehow more than that. The mortal knew about Sentinels, had been able to find out that one had been turned into a vampire, and now he was asking about Guides.

"The monks tried to talk to Antoine about that, I think." Jim tried to cast his mind back, but there was a lot about those first years that were just a jumble of random impressions. "He never discussed it with me and I assumed it was something I didn't need."

Blair rubbed a hand over his face and took a deep breath. "Not to speak ill of your Maker, but if he had any knowledge of Sentinels he'd have understood the importance of the Guide."

It was clear that the mortal was struggling to hold on to his temper, and Jim amused himself by monitoring his rise in heart rate and body temperature. Clearly the subject of Guides was important to him.

"Look, Jim, this is really crucial okay? Every Sentinel needs a Guide. How long did you say it took to get your senses under control? Thirty-some years?"

"Thereabouts, but it wasn't only the Sentinel senses working against me."

Blair spread his arms out. "See, that's the point! The senses shouldn't have been working against you, they wouldn't have if you'd had a Guide."

"I don't have any trouble now," Jim pointed out.

"But I bet you haven't reached your Sentinel potential either. You can't, not without a Guide to anchor you." The mortal got to his feet and began pacing. "Of course, factoring in vamp powers on top of those, who the hell knows what you'd be capable of."

"Sounds like a lot riding on one person, Sandburg." Jim didn't like the idea of such power and potential resting in someone else's hands. His enhanced senses already gave him an edge on other vamps his age; how much more would he be able to do if the had a Guide?

"It's like that story you just told me." Blair continued to pace. "The only way he could be defeated was to destroy his heart. His Guide. It must've been either his wife or his second in command. With his Guide he was able to keep his clan safe, and prosperous. With his Guide he was impossible to defeat."

Jim sniffed derisively. What he took away from that story was that the Guide made Fionnlagh alternately very strong and completely vulnerable. He wasn't sure it was a good trade-off.

"Mock me if you will, but it all comes back to destiny, man. Your Maker totally screwed with yours." Blair sat beside Jim, so close their thighs pressed together. "You were on your way to Boston, right? If you'd made it there you would've met your Guide. Your coming had been foretold to her, but then you were a no show."

"How do you know that?" Instant suspicion. "I didn't even know what I was then."

"Sentinels and Guides can't be boiled down just to genetics," Blair explained patiently. "There's a huge spiritual aspect that comes with it. Visions, prophetic dreams, that kind of thing."

"So that's what you are? A Guide?" That would certainly explain that little extra something he could sense in the mortal, that something that made him more than merely human.

"The woman you were supposed to meet was my ancestor," Blair said softly. "She waited for you but you didn't come. So she married and lived her life, but she never forgot you. She visited me in a dream, almost as soon as I met you."

Jim held his tongue, though he wanted to scoff at the idea of the dead contacting the living. He supposed that was a hypocritical point of view coming from a vampire, but he'd long ago given up dwelling on what his life would've been like if Antoine hadn't intervened. And now here was this mortal with yet another version, one where he could've made a life for himself in Boston as a Sentinel.

"Bonnie," he said, surprising himself. For just an instant he could see her in his mind's eye, a young woman with long red hair and familiar blue eyes. "Her name was Bonnie."

"That's…how did you know?"

"Search me. But you have her eyes." He couldn't look away from them. Big and beautiful and entirely without guile. Something else fell into place as well, and now he understood his instant attraction to the curly-haired mortal, as well as the obsession that drove him so hard. He reached out, wrapping one finger around a chestnut-colored curl.

"You're my Guide. Aren't you."

Blair nodded, his face slightly flushed. "I have nothing empirical to base that on. I just feel that it's right."

Jim could smell his arousal, mixed in with a sour bit of fear. He leaned forward, scenting the hair he still had hold of. Various hair care products, and beneath them just the faintest whiff of sweat.

"I feel it too," he murmured. It was all the affirmation he needed and he struck fast, his hand wrapping around the back of Blair's neck as he pulled him in for a kiss. The first taste was heady, a mix of wine and tea and honey. Jim chased the flavor deeper into Blair's mouth, and was accepted without hesitation.

Blair moaned, the vibrations moving through Jim's skin. He'd forgotten the simple pleasures of kissing, the sensual glide of tongue against tongue. Or maybe it was just this particular mortal, with his delicious scent and hands clutching at Jim's thighs. His fangs dropped down, unbidden, and a shiver ran through him when Blair explored them, tongue stroking along each one in turn.

Jim pulled back and admired the effects of the kiss on Blair; the mortal was flushed, panting, and his eyes had glazed over. There was more still to come; he hadn't forgotten the promise of blood, knew he could take it at any time. He waited, though. Wanted it offered freely.

"Wow," Blair breathed. "That was…intense."

Jim couldn't help but agree. It had been a very long time since a mere kiss had affected him the way this one had, though the only other one that had wasn't his fondest memory. Before his thoughts could start traveling down a dark road Blair swung his leg over Jim's and settled into his lap as if he had every right to be there. There was a very good chance this was true.

"You're amazing, Jim." The mortal stole another quick kiss. "I'm ready."

A bolt of pure desire shot down Jim's spine. He didn't need to ask for clarification – he could smell the truth of it coming off Blair in waves. He'd been serious when he said he preferred the thigh, but he was fairly certain that getting Blair naked would be far too distracting and not advisable for their first intimacy together. If things went well, which he assumed they would, this wouldn't be just a one-time offer; he needed to make it good. He ran his hands down Blair's arms, feeling the texture of the Henley shirt, and stopped just short of the silver cuff on the mortal's wrist.

"You need to take this off," he murmured in Blair's ear.

The mortal complied without question, reaching behind to let the shiny accessory drop with a clank to the coffee table. Jim then continued his path down his arms to the wrists, and this time he frowned.

"What's this?"

Blair's scent changed, arousal dampened by something that smelled bitter. He moved to cover his wrist but Jim stopped him. He lifted the mortal's arm, bringing it eye level, and saw a mass of scarring, lumpy and ugly. It could've been the result of an animal bite or an unfortunate run-in with a piece of machinery, but Jim's keen eyes saw it for what it was and rage burst forth, sudden and completely unexpected.

"You let a vampire feed from you?" His hand clamped hard on the offending wrist, but to his credit Blair didn't back down or try to pull away; instead he met Jim's flinty gaze with one of his own.

"It happened during my second interview, over a year ago."

"A Master did this?" It was unconscionable. Most Masters were powerful enough to control their bloodlust, but the savagery that Jim could read in those scars told a different story. He absolutely refused to acknowledge the jealousy he felt at knowing another vamp had laid fang on this mortal. My mortal, he thought.

"Let's just say that my timing was lousy and my common sense even worse." Blair held his gaze, unapologetic. "I made a deal without having all the facts. It never happened again."

"Until now," Jim fairly growled.

"Until now," he agreed. He brought his free hand up and laid it against Jim's cheek. "This time it's different. I know you won't hurt me."

"You don't know that."

"I do. I can feel the difference, Jim. I want this as much as you do."

Jim captured Blair's lips with his own, hard and hungry. That other Master hadn't fed from the mortal, he'd mauled him, purposefully made him suffer incredible pain. He was familiar with a few vamps that got off that way but he refused to ask for a name; the way he was feeling right now he'd end up causing an incident that would undoubtedly involve the Council.

All thought fled when one of Jim's fangs scraped the inside of Blair's lip, flooding their kiss with blood. He moaned, almost overcome with the flavor of it. He'd never experienced anything so rich, so sweet, and it took incredible force of will to break that kiss.

"Do it," Blair gasped, pheromones thick around him. "Please."

Jim ran his tongue over the points of his fangs, then licked a bead of blood off the mortal's bottom lip. He slowly pushed the sleeve of Blair's shirt up, stopping briefly to press a kiss to the scarred mass on his wrist.

"Jim…"

Ignoring that moaned plea he bunched the shirt sleeve up past Blair's elbow and took a moment to taste him at the bend of his elbow. He closed his eyes and listened to the sound of a racing heart forcing blood through veins and arteries just below the skin. With the ease of experience Jim rested his fangs against the delicate epidermis just below Blair's elbow. One moment more to enjoy the anticipation and with a quick motion he sank his fangs into Blair's arm and began to feed.

Blair jerked and Jim wrapped an arm around his waist, palm flat against his back to hold him in place. The pain for him would be a momentary, fleeting thing quickly replaced with pleasure. The air surrounding them quickly turned into a thick soup of arousal and lust, and Jim's lips curled up in a grin at the soft, needy noises the mortal was making.

The blood was intoxicating in a way SynthLife could never be. It was the perfect temperature, the perfect texture. Jim could taste power there as well, an indescribable tang that wasn't present in any mortal blood he'd ever tested. He felt his own desire rise, felt himself hardening and knew that Blair also had a raging erection.

"Oh God," the mortal moaned. "Didn't know…it would feel…so good."

He started rolling his hips in Jim's lap, free hand fisted around black silk. The motion brought their heated groins together and that shock of feeling, even through layers of clothes, almost brought Jim up off the couch. He added a little extra suction to the skin beneath his lips and suddenly Blair was thrashing, his breath stuttering out in tiny sobs as he came. The scent of the mortal's release was enough to put Jim over the edge as well, and if vampire reproduction systems worked properly he'd have been creaming his jeans like a teenage boy. He pulled his fangs and threw his head back as he arched up beneath Blair. It was the most intense orgasm he'd ever had, especially while still fully clothed.

Languid satiation flooded his limbs and he closed his eyes, savoring the moment. His heart started, beating sluggishly in his chest as the mortal's blood circulated in his system. Blair was amazing, so incredibly vital; his skin practically hummed with life. There was no way Jim could let him go, not now that he'd tasted. He reached up to run a hand through Blair's curly hair but encountered only empty space.

Jim's senses told him something was wrong even before he opened his eyes and saw that Blair was gone. This would've been mildly worrisome, but the loft was likewise missing. He'd had some good orgasms in his life, but none that had transported him out of reality and into a blue jungle.

*o*o*o*

Jim was immediately on the defensive, opening his senses to detect a sign of the enemy that had somehow transported him from his very comfortable sofa to this jungle. The light was wrong here, the colors all shades of blue and gray. The air was full of animal sounds but there were no corresponding heart beats. The smell of the place was all wrong, too; no rich, earthy scent perfumed by wildflowers, instead it smelled vaguely like wet tweed.

His senses told him there were no mortals here, nor were there any vamps, but that didn't mean there was no danger. Jim weighed his options. He could stand here in the false jungle, waiting for this hallucination to pass, or he could get moving and try to determine why he was here. He decided it was not a time for stillness and unanswered questions. He made it three steps when he detected a presence behind him, one that didn't register on any of his senses.

Jim spun around with vampire speed, fangs dropping down as he prepared to defend himself. The apparition who stood waiting didn't appear at all intimidated; if anything, the man dressed in a loin cloth with black tribal paint on his bare torso and red on his face looked mildly amused.

"Who are you? Why have you brought me here?"

"I have grown weary waiting for you, Sentinel."

"You didn't answer my question," Jim growled. He didn't take the relaxed posture or calm manner at face value; he hadn't survived this long trusting only what his eyes could see. It was always better to anticipate an attack than be caught out unawares.

"I am called Incacha." The man dipped his head. "You have found the Guide. This pleases me."

Jim's eyes narrowed. This ghost – vision, whatever – knew he was a Sentinel. More than that, he knew about Sandburg and Jim himself hadn't known that until just a little while ago.

"Is he here? What have you done with him?"

"The Shaman will come in his own time. This moment is for the Sentinel alone."

Shaman? "Listen, pal…"

"Incacha."

"Send me back. Right now." Jim put all the power of compulsion behind that command, but Incacha merely grinned.

"Vampire powers will not work here."

"What do you want with me?"

"To greet you, Sentinel. This meeting should have taken place long ago."

Jim relaxed his stance just a bit, and retracted his fangs. He was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to bite Incacha since the man was merely an apparition of some kind. Blair had said there was a mystical side to being a Sentinel and clearly that wasn't a lie.

"Has a Sentinel ever become a vampire?" he asked, honestly curious.

"You are unique."

"Am I…wrong?" However much Jim had come to terms with having been turned, he still knew it was unnatural. Particularly when faced with someone like Blair who fairly shone with the life he held in his body.

"You are as you were meant to be," Incacha said solemnly. "But not yet all you should be."

Jim frowned at the cryptic words, but the air around him began to shimmer and something told him that it was time to go. "Wait! I have more questions!"

"Keep the Guide close," Incacha advised as he started to fade away. "He will be your salvation."

*o*o*o*

"…on, big guy. Give me a sign here."

Jim shook his head, confused by the jarring transition from jungle to loft. Blair was still sitting in his lap, but his eyes were filled with concern now instead of darkened with lust, hands tightly gripping Jim's shoulders.

"Relax, Sandburg." He put his hands on the mortal's hips, grounding himself.

"You really know how to kill the mood, man. Did you zone out?" Blair relaxed but didn't look any less concerned.

"Sorry. How's the arm?"

The deflection was obvious but Blair let it slide, instead holding out his arm for inspection. The bite mark was clean and already partially healed; if a vamp intended to please, quick healing was almost always a direct result. Jim could still taste blood on his tongue, already wanting more.

"That was…I can't even describe it." Blair dropped his head on Jim's shoulder. "I didn't know it'd be that good."

"Neither did I," Jim admitted. He sniffed at the mortal's hair. It wasn't just blood he wanted, it was more of everything, more of whatever Blair would give to him. The strength of his feelings was alarming, but he could be just as much a slave to his own desires as anyone else.

"Stay," Jim murmured.

Blair pulled back, a smile on his face. He leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss on his lips. "I don't think that's a good idea."

He slid off Jim's lap and pulled a bit at the waistband of his jeans, wincing. Clearly he was uncomfortable with the mess he'd made of himself. Jim forced himself to stay where he was even though everything in him wanted to keep the mortal in the loft and hold him close until the sun came up. It was a frivolous and romantic notion and he frowned at himself for it.

"Thank you," Blair said, slipping the silver cuff back on his wrist. "I had a…nice time."

"Nice? I wasn't really aiming for nice, Chief."

"I don't want to over-inflate your ego," Blair replied.

"Thoughtful."

"I know."

Jim pulled out his cell phone and called down to the security room. "Carl. Mr. Sandburg will be leaving shortly. Please make the Charger available to him."

"You don't have to do that," Blair protested, though Jim could see the desire to drive the car plainly showing on his face.

"It's just a loaner, Sandburg." He stood, smoothing his shirt as he did so. "You wouldn't steal from the Master of the City, would you?"

"Who, me? No way, man. I don't have a death wish."

Jim would argue that point, but he wanted to end the night on a high note. He advanced on the mortal until he had him backed against the door. It was gratifying to see that spark of desire flare up in his eyes again.

"We should…I'd like to talk more with you. Another time." Blair's gaze fell to Jim's lips and he flushed.

"Okay," Jim agreed readily. He put a finger under Blair's chin and tilted his head back, kissing him with all of the desire that had passed between them earlier. He wouldn't force the mortal to stay, but he'd damn sure make him regret leaving.

Blair whimpered, pressing himself against Jim in an altogether needy fashion. Once again Jim lost himself to the warm, silky touch of the mortal's tongue against his, all of his senses wide open and soaking up every bit of input possible. He thought perhaps Blair would change his mind, but when they moved apart he still had one hand on the doorknob.

"I have to go."

"Right." Jim took a few steps back, putting space between them. Blair gave him another big smile and then he left. Jim followed his progress, head tilted a bit to the side as he listened. Carl met him on the second floor landing and escorted him to the garage. All too soon the Charger's engine roared to life and the mortal was gone.

Jim looked around the loft, his home and sanctuary from the outside world. It had never felt empty, not the way it did now, and that made him a little angry. It was a mistake, getting involved with a mortal. Blair called it destiny, and the vision of Incacha had given the same impression. He didn't know what to think anymore, but any vamp knew there could be no future with a mortal; you either had to watch them die, or turn them, and he didn't like either of those options.

He went on the balcony, looking out at the city he had sworn to watch over as a Master and as a Sentinel. Would his involvement with Blair affect his ability to do his job? He hoped not, but this whole Guide thing was a new and unknown factor. One feed and already he was having mystical visitations; he still wasn't sure what to make of that and he couldn't get Incacha's words out of his head.

He will be your salvation.


AN: This chapter comes to you courtesy of countless late nights, so hopefully my lack of sleep didn't reflect negatively on the content. LOL! So we finally got the part everyone wanted, with kissing and biting and other fun adult activities. Rest assured, now that they've conquered their first time there will be more. Woot!