Just language this time-
You all know the spiel by now.

Chapter 10

There was never any chance for Jack to escape. Not from the moment that he encountered Pitch again. Why go for anything but Jack's complete loyalty and utter submission?

Pitch found himself calm for once, and though busy metabolizing his latest meal, he did not feel rushed in any way to deal with the problem of the Guardians. Their need for secrecy was for naught, as soon, Pitch would be parading his prince to all the other spirits. There would be a victory feast afterwards, a feast for his eyes only. But that could wait, there were more pressing matters than his own unjustified lust. With each day, the Guardians presence enclosed on his domain, and though he'd been stockpiling food, he only had enough to last he and Jack for about 3 weeks.

If would be twice as much if Jack had actually helped in hunting last week. But that- that was in the past, and Pitch had been working on Jack's metastasis. Even now as he rested against his throne, Pitch could see the steady stream of nightmare sand as it moved him and into Jack's body. Jack's eyes, dull in the sleepy state post-meal, seemed to be aware of the transparent stream, yet they cared little for it...Pitch could almost feel bad for Jack, had it not been for his own need to be surrounded by others- Jack would not be being hunted. But decades of loneliness do take a toll eventually. Pitch had hit his limit years ago. Even if Pitch himself would never admit it, he had been enjoying Jack's company. Even the little foals had come to enjoy Jack's presence. Pitch would not let the little family he had built be separated by the meager truth of what he had been feeding Jack. A brief flash of anger crossed him, and Pitch did little to maintain the surge of nightmare sand sent in Jack's direction.

After all, why leave anything to chance?

So what if he had influenced Jack's state of mind?
Who cared if he threw out Jack's morals?
In fact, what was ever to say that he had done anything at all?

So it was that Pitch stood, once again weak in his own home. His skin appeared almost transparent over bones the color of raw iron. Pitch's clothing hung loosely from his shoulders. If not for the painfully bright pleasure in his eyes, could he not be mistaken for the dead man everyone thought he was? The spirits were fools to think he could die. There was no need for anger though- because of them, he had a companion now. He looked down at Jack's face. Not asleep, but resting- were it not for his foolish need for company, Pitch would have been back to full strength a while ago, back to scaring rather than eating people. Still he could cut his losses. But he was torn between the desire to eat Jack, and the need to make him a part of his family. Damn his duality! He nearly reached down to get him. Just for a little taste… but he did not want to risk losing himself- or ruining what he had worked for. His fingers brushed Jack's skin- so close was the line between survival, and reproduction. He left quickly, before he did something stupid, besides, there was much more to do, and the Guardians were getting too close for comfort.

And if he spent most of dawn outside of the lair, it had little to do with the growing tension inside.

x~o~~O~~o~x

Pitch strengthened the shadows over the forest whilst golden sand scoured the sky.

An: I really have to give some kudos to ChucklingDevil and Chibissima- they review on every chapter and I really do appreciate it. This chapter is for ChucklingDevil...and you too dawn chase, as I felt the decisions last chapter were rather abrupt and needed to be explained. I do apologize for the short chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed and as usual reviews are appreciated.