Chapter 28:

Heart pounding, Ivy narrowed her black eyes, slowly running her gaze down Dani's face. I can do this, she thought as she knelt before the dancer.

Dani's green eyes blinked slowly as she blankly watched the predator before her, not knowing if the slightest movement on her part would trigger something in Ivy. She never dropped her gaze, only shivering slightly as she pressed her hand more firmly against her neck.

Don't look, Ivy thought as she forced her eyes to stay focused on Dani's mouth. Still heady from Piscary's power and blood lust ringing in her, it was a force of will to push down her instincts. The sight of Dani's ravaged neck might prove to be too much.

"Ivy?" Dani's voice waivered, sounding small and lost.

Breathing in deeply, Ivy stiffened as the fear in the room flowed through her. Her body demanded she give in, and she felt pained with the control needed to stop herself. Closing her eyes, she repeated her mantra; I control my blood lust, it doesn't control me.

A spark of anger was kindled as Piscary flashed through her mind. He used me, manipulated me this whole time. And for what? A night club? A list of names that he can extort later? I'm sick of being his puppet. Frowning, Ivy slowly opened her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Dani asked.

Ivy's jaw ached and she forced her teeth to unclench as she met Dani's worried stare. "I'm fine," she muttered, using her anger toward the master vampire to distract her from her body's cry for more blood. "It's you who I'm worried about."

Allowing herself to look down at Dani's throat, Ivy's attention was drawn to a strip of plastic still around Dani's wrist. Somehow, during the tussle, Piscary must have snapped it.

"Here," she said reaching out to wrap her fingers around the piece of plastic. "Let's get this off you." The zip strip snapped off easily, not much of a challenge against Ivy's vampire strength, and she pocketed the plastic. Dani lowered her hand from her neck, using the other to carefully rub her wrist. Ivy's eyes flashed to the twin trickles of crimson, and she felt her face go cold. Stifling a shiver, Ivy felt a wave of self-disgust.

Eyeing the vampire speculatively, Dani's motions ceased. "Is it that bad?"

Fixing her face into a bland expression to hide her concern, she blinked slowly. "The wound is still bleeding, but it's a clean puncture." Ivy swallowed hard. "He didn't tear the skin."

Dani carefully covered it with her hand. "It's starting to hurt," she said looking down. "Almost as bad as my head." Dani glanced across the room and then back at Ivy. "Do you think you can help me over to the bathroom? I want to take a look at it."

"Put your arm over my shoulder," Ivy instructed. Standing, she scooped Dani up in her arms and carried her across the office.

"Can you stand on your own?" she asked as she used her elbow to turn on the bathroom light.

"Let's find out," Dani said.

Ivy carefully set her down and took a tentative step back. Propped against the sink, Dani leaned closer to the mirror, first inspecting her pupils, and then cautiously angling her head back to see the bite.

"Why is it still bleeding?" she asked as her fingertips gently probed the skin. "Your bite never did this."

Face still neutral, Ivy handed her one of Piscary's towels. "He's an undead. His teeth are longer than mine." Lowering her eyes from Dani's reflection, a blush rose to Ivy's cheeks. "I was always careful with you. Making sure I didn't go too deep." Ivy's eyes slowly lifted to meet Dani's in the mirror. "He wasn't trying to be careful."

Dani looked down at the sink, Piscary's hand towel pressed firmly against the side of her neck. "So now what?" she asked tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard what he said to you before he left…"

"And yet, you're not trying to get away." Ivy interjected, a hint of skepticism in her voice as she took a step back. "Aren't you afraid?"

Turning to face Ivy, Dani slowly shook her head. "I saw you jump on him and knock him off me. You saved me. Again." She smiled weakly and dropped her gaze.

Ivy stepped closer to Dani, reaching out to place her hand on her waist. "He doesn't control me. He may think he does, but he's wrong." Ivy leaned toward her, wishing her eyes were back to her normal brown. "I plan on getting you out of here," she said tenderly, her forehead touching Dani's. "To a hospital and then somewhere far away from here. From me."

Dani took a step back until Ivy's hand fell from her waist. "How…"

"I have a plan," Ivy said. "But first, I need to know how bad you think that is."

Dani pulled the towel away and looked at the growing stain. "I'm feeling a little dizzy, but that could be from hitting my head. There would be way more blood if he would have nicked the carotid. It's bad, but I'm not critical. Not yet. I just need to get this to stop."

In the heavy silence that followed Dani's prognosis, Ivy could hear her own steady breathing and the thump of her heartbeat racing in her chest. And then ,softly, Ivy said, "What can I do? Tell me, how do I help you?"

Dani rested back against the sink, her gaze jumping to Ivy's. "You can slow the bleeding. You did it before."

Ivy took a breath to protest. "Dani," her eyes dropped down to the tiles on the floor, "you don't know what you are asking me to do. In the state I'm in right now, just being this close to you…" Ivy paused and looked up, seeing the alarm in the dancer's eyes.

"It's okay," she said. Reaching out she took Ivy's hand in hers. "I'm not afraid." Dani's scent told Ivy otherwise, but as she drew her closer, Ivy gave up trying to resist her.

"I never meant for this to happen." Ivy sighed, as her pulse hammered.

Dani's grip on Ivy tightened and she smiled. "I know." Her green eyes looked deeply into Ivy's vampire black. "This is the best way. It will buy us more time…"

Ivy nodded, even though her stomach clenched. Reaching out, Ivy cupped her hand over Dani's and slowly lowered the towel. The blood welled up to the surface, two ruby red droplets glistening in the fluorescent lights. Ivy nervously licked her lips as the droplets grew fatter, spilling down the length of Dani's throat. "His toxins are much stronger than mine," Ivy began, her voice low and husky. "Your reaction to my touch will be more… extreme."

Dani's hands moved, one sliding behind Ivy's neck, the other dropping the towel to curve around Ivy's waist. Her head tilted and Ivy ducked down to seal her parted lips around the wound.

Groaning in pleasure as the master vampire's toxins sprang back to life, Dani pressed against Ivy. With a quiver, Ivy fought the urge to bite down. Her tongue slowly circled the wound, Dani's blood tasting so different than Piscary's. Gone was the intoxicating feeling of power, but present was the feeling of love and trust.

Pulling back, Ivy moaned, looking down at Dani's face. Her eyes opened sluggishly, pupils dilated and lids heavy as she met Ivy's heated stare. The hand that was behind Ivy's neck gently drew her back down as she rose up to meet her lips. Running her tongue over the cut, she tasted Dani's blood once more. Hunger and passion growing, Ivy lifted Dani, setting her on the edge of the sink, and eased her way between her knees.

The vampire ran her finger along one soft, flushed cheek, making the dancer tremble as she looked into the depths of Ivy's gaze. "How could anyone do that to you?" Ivy asked. Her voice was liquid, soft and deep and sensuous. She stroked Dani's hair languidly, almost possessively. With a soft exhalation, Ivy shifted her head, her lips tracing a trail down Dani's neck.

Lips parted and breath coming fast, Dani twined her hands behind Ivy's neck. Wrapping her legs around her, she pulled Ivy closer. A torrent of heat flowed through her as the smoothness of Ivy's teeth across her skin sent her pulse pounding. Slipping her hands behind Dani's hips, Ivy's fingers pressing into Dani grew firmer and her breath quickened. With a rush of panic, Dani realized Ivy had been roused to a fevered pitch.

Ivy's mouth reached Piscary's wound, the bleeding already slowed to barely a trickle. The hunger was fast upon her, but she was still it's master. Although barely. Burying her face against Dani's neck, she breathed in her scent.

A glimpse of her reflection drew her gaze and Ivy stared at herself in the mirror over Dani's shoulder. The dancer groaned as the vampire's lips pulled away from her, and a smile, unseen and wicked spread across Ivy's face as she stared into her own dark-eyed reflection.

Piscary trained her well, and she was enjoying her mastery over Danielle. The dancer's body slumped against her, worn out from the sensations Ivy was drawing from the master vampire's bite. Ivy pushed Dani back, tipping her chin to raise her face to hers. Dani's eyes were heavy and sated. Ivy bent her lips to Dani's and kissed her roughly.

"Such a beauty," Ivy muttered when she broke free of her, lips moist. She smiled down at Dani, her eyes dark and hot.

"Please, Ivy," Dani implored with a shudder. Blood ran slowly, darkly down from her lower lip. Ivy's kiss had reopened her wound.

Ivy's smile faltered around the edges. What am I doing? Blinking quickly, Ivy raised Dani's chin slightly toward the light. The dancer was still shaking, but she didn't resist.

"Dani, your lip..." Ivy said softly. "I'm ...I'm sorry." Compassion swirled up from nowhere, shifting her mood from domineering to empathetic. Piscary was right, Danielle was too fragile. She got hurt too easily.

Dani's legs fell away from Ivy's waist and breathing heavily, she leaned back. Staring at the vampire, she raised her fingertips to bleeding lip. Ivy stood above her, Dani's blood staining her lips. She reached out, gently touching Dani's cheek. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Dani said, her breathing haggard.

"No, you're not," Ivy insisted. "I hurt you."

"No," Dani objected, then closed her eyes, trying to find the words. "It's my own fault," she said softly. "I pushed you."

Ducking her head, Ivy rested her forehead against Dani's. "This isn't right," she whispered, their bodies barely touching. "You had nothing to do with it. It was all me." A tear slipped from her and fell between them to the countertop. "Piscary's right. I am a monster," Ivy breathed, closing her eyes.

Dani pulled back from Ivy. "Don't say that. It's not true." Her fingers lightly touched Ivy's shoulder, making her look up.

Shaking her head slowly, she looked at the dancer with haunted eyes. "I was seconds away from biting you." Looking away from Dani's wide eyes, Ivy took a breath. "You taste so good, and your scent..." Ivy swallowed hard. "You have Piscary's scent all over you." Ivy looked up, her eyes pleading with Dani's. "I'm so sorry Dani. I got carried away."

"But you stopped," Dani said, her expression intent as she clutched Ivy's hand.

Ivy blinked slowly and gave Dani a sad smile. She could sense Dani's desperate need, her want for security. She accepted Ivy for what she was regardless of how vulnerable it made herself, or the risks she had to endure to be with her. Not since Skimmer had someone loved her so unconditionally. She couldn't let this continue, knowing that Dani would forgive her anything and refuse her nothing. To exploit her this way would end up destroying what made her so special, and would destroy the last small bit of decency that Ivy clung to.

Leaning toward her slowly, Ivy's lips parted. Placing a gentle kiss against her lips, Ivy cupped her hand against Dani's cheek. "I stopped this time," she breathed, "what happens next time if I can't?"

Dani shivered and closed her eyes. "I don't want to lose you."

"I want to stay with you so badly, I ache," Ivy said, her voice like darkness flowing, liquid and inevitable. "But we can't, so I have to get you out of here. Someplace safe." Ivy looked up and Dani met her eyes.

"You deserve better than me Dani," Ivy said, wiping away a tear that ran down the dancer's face. "Let me do this for you. For us," Ivy said with a small smile. "Knowing you are safe will make me happy."

Closing her eyes, Dani nodded, and Ivy stepped back and away from the counter. "I'll let you get cleaned up. I have some calls to make, but I'll be right here. Okay?"

Dani wiped her cheek with the heel of her hand. Slipping down from the counter, she tried to turn away from Ivy to hide her emotions. "Okay," she agreed huskily.

Ivy's heart sunk as she closed the door carefully behind her and walked into Piscary's office. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her cell phone and sent Kisten a text.

Need to speak to you in private. Call me.

As Ivy began picking up the strewn furniture and cleaning up the office, her phone began to vibrate.

"What's up?" Kisten asked.

"Where's Piscary," Ivy questioned as she walked over to the undead vampire's desk.

"In the kitchen. Why?"

"Where are you?"

"What is this, twenty questions?" Kisten snarked. "I'm over near the banquet rooms. I can talk."

Ivy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her plan hinged on Kisten's decision. If he went along with this, it may work. If not... "I need you to do something for me," Ivy began.

"I know," Kisten said quietly. "Piscary told me you would call me when it was over. I'll be right in."

"No, wait," Ivy interjected. "I can't do it, Kist. I won't."

Leaden silence for a moment, then hesitantly, "Are you asking me to?"

"No," Ivy whispered, sounding broken. "I need your help to get her out of here." Kisten fell silent once more, and with mouth dry, Ivy stood next to Piscary's desk, afraid to continue.

"If you want things to go back to the way they were...for us to go back, you'll do this for me," Ivy said, pain and self-reproach in her voice. "Please."

"Go on," Kisten said calmly. "What do you need me to do?"

Ivy's breath rushed out as relief washed over her. "I'm going to call Rat and tell him to pick Dani up and drop her off at the hospital. You just have to make sure Piscary doesn't see us when I slip her out the back door."

"That shouldn't be too difficult," Kisten said reluctantly. "The place is really filling up, and he'll be making his rounds through the dining room soon. Text me when Rat gets here and I'll make sure the coast is clear."

"Thanks," Ivy whispered. "I'm getting her out of the city and someplace where she can start over."

"Lucky girl," Kisten said as he hung up.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Ivy turned as she heard the bathroom door open. Smelling of Piscary's soap, Dani walked into the office looking a little worse for wear, but more like her old self. Her red-rimmed eyes met Ivy's and Dani sniffed, half in sorrow, half in bitter amusement. "So? How do I look?"

"Lovely, as always." Ivy walked over to where Dani stood. Reaching out her hand, Ivy clasped Dani's in hers and led her over to the small leather sofa. "More importantly, how do you feel?"

"I've felt better," Dani said with a little shrug. She sat down and looked down at her lap. Ivy sat next to her , placing her hand over Dani's.

"It won't be long. I'll get you to the hospital so they can check you out." Ivy's thumb smoothed over the top of Dani's hand, gently rubbing the soft skin. "I have everything all set." It was a gentle, hesitant statement, but Dani took a noisy breath.

"I can't..."

"I have a good friend coming from the I.S.," Ivy continued, voice gentle as Dani began to cry again. "I'm going to walk you out the back and he's going to take you straight to the hospital. When you get back to your studio, I want you to take your brother's money and go. Leave the city. Leave Ohio and start over. You can take the boards later, or use the money and open your own studio."

Ivy carefully pushed a piece of hair back from Dani's face and smiled. "Look at this as a second chance. Not many people get to do that. Besides, this place holds nothing but bad memories for you..."

Dani shook her head. "You're here. I don't want to leave you," she begged Ivy with her eyes as she took a shuddering breath.

Ivy cupped her face in her hands. "You have to. You and I weren't meant to be." Ivy blinked back a tear and tried to keep a brave face. "You made me feel so special while we were together. I'll never forget that. Or you."

Ivy's phone chimed and she took a deep breath. "That's him. He said he would text me when he's in the back parking lot."

Dani looked away as Ivy slowly stood. She sent Kisten a text and waited for his response.

"So this is really it?" Dani asked. "I'll never see you again?"

Ivy tucked her phone away and reached out her hand to Dani, helping her to her feet. "I make it a point to never say never," Ivy answered as she pulled Dani close. "Let's just say good bye for now."

Dani wrapped her arms tightly around Ivy's back, hugging her close. "Promise that you'll call me every once in a while. Once things calm down." She closed her eyes and rested her head against Ivy's shoulder.

Ivy smiled, clutching the dancer firmly against her body, breathing in her scent for possibly the last time. "That I can promise you, Dani."

As the two women embraced, the phone chimed again; Kisten's signal that the coast was clear.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"So," Kisten began cautiously as he slid his phone back into his pants pocket, "you're OK with this? You're going to just let her walk out?"

Piscary stood facing the dining room as he and Kisten blended into the shadows of the restaurant. It was busy early and the place was packed with Inderlanders looking to unwind.

With a sigh, Piscary turned to give his scion a look of brief contempt. "No, I'm not ok with it, but yes, they are going to get to walk out of here unhindered. After her little performance back in the office, she deserves it. My little Ivy is growing up," Piscary said with a slight shrug. "She has shown that she will disobey me to protect her possessions; a useful tidbit of information for me to store away for later."

"And this doesn't anger you?" Kisten demanded.

"If you wish to know the truth, I'll tell you. I expect it from her. She becomes more like me every day, no matter how hard she tries to fight it." Piscary smiled, his teeth long and white in the dim light of the dining room. "She does what it takes to get her way. Even if it means disobeying me." The master vampire blinked slowly and turned his attention back out to the floor. "It's better this way. She can have this little victory."

"It just doesn't make sense..." Kisten objected.

"The ultimatum I gave her was just a whim, to see what she would do. What happens to the human matters not to me. She is unimportant. I have other plans for my Ivy girl," Piscary explained. "This way, with her human escaping unharmed, Ivy believes she bested me. It gives her back her dignity and her confidence. I want her on my side when I explain what I have in mind for her next. Not pouty and petulant for having to kill her little girlfriend."

Piscary turned his gaze back to Kisten and he smiled. "I'm like a good magician. I use misdirection, getting everyone to look where I want them to look. Or think what I want them to think." Piscary laughed, and it was as cold as the moonlight. "In the end, I get my way."

Kisten looked stricken. "And about tonight," he muttered. "Are you going to tell her about this?"

"Don't worry, I won't speak of this to her. It will be our little secret." The undead vampire amiably patted Kisten's shoulder. "It's unfortunate Ivy doesn't feel I can keep secrets. She never divulges any to me," he said ruefully. "Not like you do." Kisten looked downcast and anxious, suddenly feeling ashamed for his betrayal.

"Don't look so torn." Piscary smiled sardonically, his brown eyes amused. "You are my scion Kisten. I count on you to tell me everything." Piscary leaned forward and laid a hand on Kisten's sleeve. "Besides, I'm sure if your places were reversed, she would have done the same to you."

Giving a slight wave to a table of vampires in expensive business suits, Piscary adjusted his tie. "Someday you both will see I am full of secrets. And surprises." Tipping a wink to Kisten, he flashed a mocking smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, my customers await."

The End

A/N: Well, there it is. I hope that you all enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. I wanted to thank all those who took time to review, especially Savior, Blackcat's hat and Chefca. I loved reading your reviews and they really spurred me on! Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. Here's to more adventures, especially those involving Ivy. -Annde