Chapter 36

Soon enough they are really there, being announced by a servant, an uneven number but Vincent supposes Lukas is used to being the loose end most of the time. He doesn't seem to mind, he would probably feel caught in a traditional marriage. And right now he is ready to have some fun, that much is very obvious.

Their friends are not afraid at all to fall under Mr Grey's spell, and Victor and Vincent know to stay close to their spouses, or one of the others. It feels a bit demeaning to not be able to keep himself from being photographed nude with whichever accoutrement suits Mr Grey best at a given moment, but he did promise to visit one of these parties, and Mr Grey has spent a lot of money on tickets to see his show. It would have been rude to refuse the invitation, and Adison will not leave without him. Still, he feels vulnerable.

But for now he has Adison on his arm and gazes at the opulence of Mr Grey's house critically. He's getting used to seeing expensive interiors, and he guesses Lord Douglas' mother has the most expensive things, but still Paul's home, small though it is, is in the best taste in his opinion. This one might be a good second, though his own house, decorated by Catherine, was very beautiful, in a lady's style, but still beautiful.

Suddenly he remembers a totally different place, the same kind of house as his own but in a better neighbourhood. A very middle-class hall, but behind the doors, opulence combined with exquisite taste. Like Sir Malcolm's interior, but less the explorer's and more the thinker's. A few beautiful paintings, the best curiosities ever. The master's place. This is how memory works, and Vincent files the memory away for contemplation, he will use these images to associate further into Heathcliff's memories, but not now, not on a party.

As they reach the hall where the dancing takes place, it is clear that this night the dancing will be slower than their evening at the public dance. The music is very professional, it must be a veritable orchestra playing, and there are at least twenty couple dancing already, of all ages, but all dressed expensively and dancing very elegantly.

Vincent is glad they are a bit late, he would have hated to be studied in a smaller crowd, he feels rustic, he knows his suit is the height of fashion, Victor's taste is impeccable, but whereas the public dance made him feel light and eager to dance, this place and the people in it oppress him. Still, dancing with Adison will be good, and their party is great fun to be with, and the food and drinks will be the best available.

Looking around, he cannot spot Mr Grey, and Paul observes: 'He is probably waiting to make an entrance. Didn't the card say that a girl named Angelique was going to have her coming out? That is a formal occasion, a perfect reason for a grand entrance.

Let's have a nice, slow dance before they make their appearance!'

And he's off with Melissa, forgetting that this is not a public dance, with regulars. As Victor and Mina also dance away, Lukas asks: 'I have never been at a ball like this, can I ask any girl to dance with me, or are there rules I don't know about?'

Frankly, Vincent has no clue either, this is his first ball as well, he had plenty of cash in his former life, but not enough standing to be invited to private balls. But Adison comes to the rescue, and she tells Lukas which ladies he can ask to dance, and which he cannot. 'But I suppose things are less strict on Mr Grey's dance, for he is not a very traditional character,' she adds.

And to prove that, a beautiful middle-aged woman who looks vaguely familiar comes towards Vincent and asks him to dance with her. He checks out Adison, and she nods imperceptibly. He takes the lady's hand and they dance away, after which Lukas feels free to dance with his friend's wife, of course.

'I hope Vincent remembers to steer clear of Mr Grey without any of us,' Adison observes to Lukas. 'Better keep an eye on him anyway,' Lukas says laughing, 'I bet that lady was a fan of his, she looked very hungry. Do people skip rounds on these dances?'

Adison looks surprised: 'You know I have no idea. They might, in fact, they probably do. People will be people after all, and according to Frances, Mr Grey's private parties have quite the reputation. But I'm going to trust Vincent. He's an adult, and he has all those memories of Heathcliff's life, a first class scoundrel, he must remember every trick in the book to con, charm or cajole someone into doing something they don't want. He will be safe.'

A glint in Lukas' eye shows he is planning something, and Adison realizes he is not sorry to be more or less on his own, at all. More opportunity for mischief.

He is such a good dancer, at this speed as well, that Adison soon forgets all her possible worries and lets him lead her in total trust. His scent is as enticing as ever, Catherine says he compares it to a horse's smell, all satyrs smell more or less the same, but though Adison knows no other satyrs, she has smelled plenty of horses, and none of them made her feel this safe and titillated.

'Does your scent make all women want you, Lukas?' she asks cheekily.

He looks at her steadily and replies, just as cheekily: 'No, just the ones I want to want me. I have a theory that my scent changes when I find a woman attractive, making that attraction mutual instead of hopeless.'

Is he truly joking, or is he coming on to her in a very circumspect way?

Adison hasn't much experience with men, and she doesn't have a clue, so she turns it into a real joke: 'So if you hated me, I'd find you smelly?'

'Yes, the fact that I like you a lot makes my scent irresistable.' He seems serious, but what he says is ludicrous, so it must be a joke. Still, she is going to enjoy this dance, and she leans into him and relishes the experience, and he seems to do the same. All too soon, the dance ends, and Vincent comes towards them. He says: 'That was interesting, apparently that was a fan of mine. She was very free with compliments, I'm afraid I'm a bit spoiled from now on.'

Then the music halts, and Mr Grey appears on top of the stairs, with a lady in a very tasteful dress in black and blue. Her figure is ravishing, and remarkably, lady Angelique seems to actually be a very young man. A very handsome, elegant one, but still unmistakeably a man.

The couple descends the stairs together, and the music sets in, with the two of them leading the dance. Other couples form, and they watch the lead couple dance for two dances, talking about the house and the guests, until it is Victor's time to be asked to dance by one of their patients, a very rich older noble lady, and they all pair off once more.

Vincent finds himself dancing with Melissa, very different from dancing with Adison because she is so much taller, and a bit disconcerting because when she wears a stunning green dress as she is now, bringing out her voluptuous curves to her advantage, she catches a lot of attention from men and women alike. Suddenly he understands why she usually wears suits, it must be impossible to be taken seriously when every man is thinking of your body, not of what you are saying, and it is a similar problem when every woman is jealous of you and you're not even trying to catch the attention they envy you.

But dancing with her is a real pleasure, and at this speed they can talk, which is always interesting with tells her Lord Douglas' story of the friend who found himself photographed with angel's wings, and Melissa tells him she plans to study Mr Grey with her sight, as soon as she gets the opportunity. She can see through anything, so the results will undoubtedly be interesting.

Melissa has noticed how Lucy took to Vincent from the start, and she tells him a little more of the girl's history. Then the dance ends, and Vincent finds himself addressed by Mr Grey himself, and as Vincent practically grabs for Melissa's hand, Mr Grey introduces his lovely Angelique, and in a flash of memory Vincent imitates Heathcliff's charming manners and requests her hand to kiss it elegantly, Melissa now touching Vincent's other hand discreetly.

Vincent's formal manners score points with Mr Grey, who begs to be introduced to his charming partner, and Vincent does the young man the honour of introducing him to Mrs Melissa Kenwick, a well-known noble name in upper-class London, though Melissa herself is of working-class origin and Paul is only a youngest son. Mr Grey is clearly very impressed with Melissa's stunning looks, and he asks her to dance with him, which Vincent finds rather rude since the party is in honour of Miss Angelique, whose tender shape is totally overblown by Melissa's creamy skin, voluptuous figure and wealth of copper hair.

Melissa concedes to Mr Grey's request, of course she cannot resist a chance to take a good look at their host, and besides, refusing would be very impolite. Left standing with Miss Angelique, Vincent is determined to make up for Mr Grey's rudeness, and despite his companion clearly being a man in a dress, he asks: 'Miss Angelique, since both our partners are engaged for a dance, will you do me the honour of dancing with me?'

Miss Angelique clearly didn't expect that, and she looks very relieved and thankful. To be left standing on one's coming out ball would be the ultimate humiliation, and she replies: 'Thank you very much, Mr Heathcliff, you are so kind. You must be Dorian's favourite actor? He has mentioned admiring you, I can see why, you have a certain tragic air he favours.'

Chatting freely, they dance across the room, and Vincent finds he doesn't mind dancing with Miss Angelique at all, she is very nimble, used to being led, and her conversation is piquant, Vincent can see why Mr Grey is attracted to her. After one dance, Mr Grey is still not letting go of Melissa, he is clearly rather struck by her, and she is not finished with her study of him. Vincent dances another dance with Miss Angelique, and then he finds himself relieved by Paul, who asks the lady of the ball for a dance.

Vincent is proud to be his friend, and with a very good feeling he takes Adison in his arms, to finally get a dance in with his very own wife. They totally lose themselves in their dancing, glad to be together, they talk, but in a low voice, and Adison commends him for taking pity on poor Miss Angelique, who was left standing by her lover, who is still monopolizing Melissa.

After two more dances, they are starting to worry that she may have fallen under Mr Grey's spell after all, but as they dance past her they get a big wink, a sign nothing is amiss. They can hear her say to Mr Grey: 'I've had a great time dancing with you, Dorian, but I think it is time for both of us to return to our own partners.'

And indeed, when the music changes, Paul is waiting to take Melissa in his arms, and she looks only a little tired, but Paul takes her to a chair beside the dance-floor anyway, where they are instantly joined by Lukas, who has been dancing with a ravishing blonde lady of around thirty but of course wants to know what Melissa has seen.

Despite enjoying this slow dance hugely, Adison and Vincent are also very curious what Melissa has learned, and leave the floor to join their friends, who have moved to a little table by now, undoubtedly to offer their friends a space by their side to discuss her findings. As they reach the table, Mina and Victor have joined them, too, and they all look at Melissa expectantly.

She waits for everyone to be seated before she starts to speak, not too loud, for this is not something everyone should hear. Paul is keeping an eye on the crowd to make sure no-one comes too near, but Vincent has noticed that since they have danced with Miss Angelique, a lot of other guests eye them strangely and keep some distance. But since everyone is now attentive, Melissa is starting to tell what she has seen.

'At first sight, it was much like looking at Vincent here, except that this chap has no talent of his own. All his physical assets are tied up in one large spell, and it doesn't connect his body with his talent, but to something else.

I couldn't spot what, so I went in deeper, fortunately he led very well for it's hard to do when moving. The spell went extremely deep, I saw its influence in the very essence of his being, it must virtually control his body. I couldn't make out its function, it didn't seem to be controlling his mind, it may very well be used to enhance his physical assets, I would have to look at Vincent really well to see the similarities. I think I could also see whether his is by the same maker, there was a clear signature on it that I could compare.

'And what about the pull on people around him?' Victor asks.

Melissa replies: 'As he has no talent, I think that is what feeds the spell, I saw it reach out for me all the time, and for anyone else getting within a certain distance.'

'And it didn't have a connection to those ley-lines, as you told me I had?' Mina observes.

Surprised by the question, Melissa says: 'I forgot about that, but no, there was no connection like that, not even on the deepest level, I would have seen. The only connection was to other people, without regard for gender. Miss Angelique had a permanent bond, I suppose them being involved more closely make her a constant source of power. But that didn't stop the spell from reaching out for others, like their involvement didn't stop him from giving attention to me.'

Since their host is now coming towards them, their conversation necessarily changes to other subjects, but they have learned some interesting things so far. Mr Grey's body is influenced by a spell, and it's fed with physical intimacy. Or maybe it just feeds on other people without the intimacy. Vincent decides he can allow Melissa the chance to check.

Mr Grey indeed aims for Vincent, who winks at Melissa and Adison, hoping they will understand his intent. It seems Adison does at least, for she does not touch him to keep him from falling under Mr Grey's spell, now hopefully Melissa can do her magic once more and see what happens.

As Dorian takes a seat on Vincent's other side, where Mina and Victor have left to dance or maybe get some drinks, Vincent feels himself literally pulled into his beautiful eyes, his slender shape very enticing.

'How are the rehearsals going, Vincent?' Dorian asks, touching his hand, and Vincent feels a little thrill, but manages to reply: 'Very well actually, Dorian, I have been accepted in the group really well, and I'm learning an incredible lot. Mr Alexander is a superb director as well as an excellent actor.'

'I'm very glad to hear that,' the handsome young man says, 'and I want to thank you for standing up with Angelique just now, when I was dancing with your beautiful companion.' Dorian looks towards where Melissa is sitting and acknowledges her, Vincent can only hope she doesn't show her using sight too much. Still, their host didn't seem to notice her doing it when she was dancing with him.

Dorian now lowers his voice until only Vincent can hear it: 'I'm so glad you came tonight, I admire your talent so much. Will you allow me to give you a tour of my home later?' The seduction in his voice is almost tangible, and Vincent feels his temples throb and his loins tighten, and he heartily agrees: 'I'd love to, Dorian, I've been very curious about your house, it's very impressive.'

Getting up immediately, Dorian bows to Vincent and says: 'Enjoy yourself, and I'll see you later.'

Vincent finds himself staring after Dorian with regret, until Adison touches him and his head clears instantly. He cannot remember how he felt before, and then Melissa says: 'As soon as he neared you, something reached out from Mr Grey and attached itself to you, Vincent, it didn't seem to prefer a specific part of you, it just took the nearest point. Then Mr Grey touched you with his hand, and the link became active somehow. Energy started to flow from you to him, not a great deal, he never harms his victims physically, does he?'

Vincent and Adison find themselves absorbed by Melissa's observations, and Vincent replies: 'As far as I know, he only makes them feel embarrassed and used. Not even really angry, for apparently he is actually quite a good lover.'

Nodding, Melissa adds: 'I suppose that the act of love significantly increases the flow of energy, supplying Mr Grey with his daily dose of power.'

After this conversation, they eat and drink some fabulous fare, Mr Grey's reputation is not exaggerated when it comes to his parties, this is the best food they have ever had on a ball. Vincent keeps running into admirers, and he dances with a few, though he takes his time to dance with Adison as well, and when Victor claims Adison for a few dances, Vincent is quite happy to dance with Mina, they have seen a lot of each other lately, but have had little opportunity to talk. Everything has been so overwhelming.

It feels good to have Mina in his arms again, and despite her own strength she surrenders to his lead with relish: 'That is just so good, you're so broad and so strong, I feel totally safe,' she says, 'I like dancing fast, but this has something special, too. Did you notice people leaving the floor all the time? Do you think they are skipping rounds here as well?'

'I didn't notice, yet, ' Vincent replies, 'I have been distracted most of the time. I'll keep an eye out. Lord Douglas did hint things like this happened at Mr Grey's parties.'

'I'm sorry I bit you again without asking, Vincent,' she says, and of course Vincent replies: 'Don't be Mina, it's your survival instinct, and it didn't do me any harm. I understand why it happened, you were in a bad state, and my throat was right there in front of you. Who would have resisted a cure for their ills being only half-conscious? I don't blame you for anything, I will spare you some of my blood gladly, any time you need it.'

She kisses him, chastely, and says: 'Thank you, Vincent, you're such a good friend. I still feel it in me, your blood, it mingles very well with Victor's. See them dance, those two, if there is a name for what they share, it must be love, not just friendship.'

And indeed, Victor and Adison make a great couple, Vincent can truly enjoy watching them, without the slightest hint of jealousy. They're very intimate, enjoying just being together, not talking now, just dancing. Mina is right, there is some kind of love between them, not just friendship, it is a strange bond, maybe it's their mututal love for science. Dancing this slowly is clearly their thing, and Vincent enjoys it, too, with Mina in his arms.

'You were spectacular with Lukas, Mina, at the rave-party. How did that feel?'

'It was totally exhilarating,' she replies, 'he is so fast, and he leads so well, I really felt as if I was flying. If we ever have a private dance somewhere, you really have to try. You would make the most of it, too, you're fast enough. Though you'd probably get stuck trying to lead.'

After two more dances of quiet conversation with Mina, Vincent searches out Adison once more, until she is asked for a dance by a client. 'Will you be all right?' she asks, and Vincent looks around and says: 'I'll join Paul, Melissa and Lukas at that table over there, I'll be safe.' And as she dances away, Vincent walks towards his friends, looking around to spy out couples skipping rounds. He can see several going upstairs, and some are kissing in corners by now.

His heart skips a beat as he feels a touch on his hand, and suddenly he finds it hard to think clearly. Dorian has approached him from behind, taking his hand, and now he whispers: 'Time for your tour, come with me.' And he leads Vincent away before any of his friends can do anything about it.

Without the slightest hesitation, Dorian leaves his lady of the evening and a room full of guests to take a totally bemused Vincent through a side door and out of view, Adison dancing with someone else, Mina and Victor totally involved with each other, and Paul and Melissa sitting at their table, watching him leave.

When Adison looks for her beloved after her dance, she can see Melissa and Paul sitting exactly where they were before, but Vincent is not with them, nor is Lukas. As she reaches the table and they tell her what has happened, Adison is livid. How can Dorian Grey expect to get away with abducting Vincent?

First she needs to calm down and think of what to do, he is helpless against Dorian, besides, what would that guy want from him? Of course she can retrieve Vincent any moment she likes, she has a party of friends with her, and Dorian Grey has no visible guards in his house, but is the situation that urgent?

Is there enough time to harm Vincent? What if this guy is in league with their enemy, packing him off to some unknown place to kill him or try to subvert him once more?

Before she has decided, Melissa says soothingly: 'Lukas saw it happen, Adison, and he is already after them. Mr Grey has no talent and will not spot him, and Lukas can take care of himself in every possible way. You'll have your man back unravished in no time.'

Adison feels great relieve: 'Thank you so much for taking care of him. I feel awful for having allowed him to fall under Dorian's spell.'

Melissa laughs and replies cheekily: 'I think Lukas doesn't want to save your man from being ravished by Dorian for you, my guess is that he wants to ravish him himself. Lukas doesn't mind sharing his love, but he dislikes to share his lovers, if you catch my meaning.'

If Melissa can make jokes, she must be very sure Lukas can handle this, and Adison feels her own tension lessen a little. Now, Melissa asks: 'Doesn't that bother you, hearing me joke about Lukas being after your husband?' Adison returns the cheeky look and says honestly: 'Frankly, I wouldn't mind sharing a little love with Lukas myself, so how could I fault either Vincent or Lukas for wanting such a thing? I'd rather he choose to be with Lukas, than have him taken by Dorian Grey against his will. If that is even what the man is after, he may very well be in the service of the enemy, of Vincent's former master.'

'I trust Lukas, Adison,' Paul now interjects, 'and if Vincent is in trouble, Lukas has ways of letting us know so we can help. But there is not much that he cannot handle himself, he cannot be spelled, and you've seen how fast he is.'

'I will believe you and stay put and reasonably calm,' Adison says, and she does, until her anger flares up once more and she says angrily: 'How dare he steal Vincent from under my very nose and abuse him!' Adison fumes, 'how does he expect us to ever notice him again?'

Melissa replies: 'Actually, Adison, most of his victims never suspect they have been used, and Mr Grey may not realize he is abusing them. He may think they like him so much that they leave friends and family behind to please themselves. Mr Grey has probably never felt the consequences of his actions, because none of his victims ever realized what was happening.'

'They just let themselves be photographed in all manner of demeaning poses. I'll boil his blood!'

Now Melissa has to laugh, and remarks: 'I'm sure Lukas will be pleased to tell you how, you can heal, so you can do it. I wonder what that would do to Mr Grey's spell.'

Mina and Victor now come to check why they are not dancing, and when they see Adison's livid face, so uncharacteristic of her, and hear that their friend has been abducted, Mina says coldly: 'If Lukas cannot find them, I can. I always know where Vincent is, and I can catch a shade of his feelings. It hasn't been too long since I had his blood, I can feel him clearly, his feelings are a little vague, but not alarmed or afraid. You tell me when it's needed, and I'm with him in less than a second. He is still in this house, shall I find him if he leaves it?'

'Yes, please,' Adison says. 'Let Lukas have the satisfaction of snooping around in Mr Grey's house, but if things heat up please find my love and keep him safe. Or even better, get that bemusement off him and he'll help you keep the two of you safe.'

Dorian really gives Vincent a tour of the house, starting with the very first room they enter after leaving the ballroom. It is lighted profusely, and Vincent notices but doesn't care that that is a waste of fuel, nor does he really see any of the paintings and talking pieces gathered there. He is not totally will-less, he can imagine Adison being livid when she finds out Dorian has taken him away like that, but he doesn't really care about the consequences, or expect her to follow him or make a scene.

He pretends to be interested in the things Dorian shows him, and finds compliments and observations somewhere within him, but his main feeling is heat. If he were with Adison, he'd say the creature was on his way, and Adison would notice and become all flushed and excited. But the creature is no longer a separate entity, is it? How can it still come out?

They move to another room, no, it's a corridor, Dorian is taking him somewhere else now, maybe he did expect someone to follow and was covering his exit by really showing him something in case someone came in. This should worry Vincent, but in fact he doesn't care, Dorian's hand burns on his own, and he already feels like kissing him. Totally detached from reality he can see everything around him, he can even think clearly and reflect on the things that are happening, he just doesn't care. He wants Dorian, as quickly as possible.

The creature stirs inside him, and Vincent knows that whatever Dorian is expecting to do with Vincent, Dorian is in fact getting it himself. Soon, and hard. It can't mean that, hard? It seems that part of him does care after all, is not bemused with the spell, the part he used to call the creature, a part of his subconscious, and it is letting him know that if Dorian lays a hand on Vincent, he is going to get it rough. See how he likes that.

Weirded out by some kind of conversation within himself, but still not really caring, he enters an opulent room, still led by his slender host. He finds himself appraising Dorian, the guy feels confident, and is surprisingly pleased to have Vincent along, suppose he doesn't know he's practically forcing people to have relations with him, then he must really be very attracted to Vincent, kind of flattering actually. Such a bored, experienced creature, wanting him?

Vincent is really confused, where did that observation come from? How can Dorian be a bored, experienced creature? He's much younger than Vincent's body is, he cannot be much over twenty. It is pretty complicated, to have two separate consciousness.. what are two of those called? Who cares, two different personalities in him.

The creature is taking stock of Dorian Grey, it likes him, but as a predator likes its prey, it wants to hunt him and take him. Roughly. Yes, Vincent knows that by now, one hand on him and Dorian gets it hard. All right, he knows it is to protect him, he is defenseless because of the spell, and still he doesn't care, but he would like to know whether Dorian knows Vincent is unable to do anything against him.

The bedroom is beautiful, opulent, but in rather good taste. Not as good as Heathcliff''s, but actually that was Cathy's, and rather feminine. This is very masculine, a sturdy hardwood bed with bedclothes of the most valuable silk imaginable in a sober dark grey. The curtains, crushed velvet, also grey, but lighter, shimmering. The furniture, polished dark wood with a beautiful grain and very elegant legs.

Dorian now turns towards him, hand still holding his, and he takes Vincent's other hand. A flash of heat is followed by the dry comment from his other half that holding hands doesn't count. Yet.

Fixing him in a loving gaze, Dorian speaks: 'Vincent, you may wonder why I am insulting Angelique, your wife, and all my guests by taking you here. And I will probably rue this and pay for my rash action many times over, but I just couldn't help myself. I love you, I must have you, just this once, no matter the cost.'

Vincent still doesn't care, he just wants Dorian to kiss him, and stroke him, get on with it, but his inner voice is getting positively sarcastic now, interfering with his bemused thoughts: 'You hear that Vincent, he really loves you, and he's going to rape you with love. He does seem to think you're here of your own free will. Shall I have mercy on him, or shall I show him what the cost is?'

Of course Vincent still doesn't care, but now Dorian embraces him carefully, tenderly actually, and kisses him, and Vincent finally gets what he wants, though he is still conscious that it is not really what he wants, he is very much aware of being spellbound. But that is probably because he knows he is, other victims wouldn't know, they would just go along.

Still, Dorian has a mighty good kiss, and Vincent does enjoy it. But Dorian has a hand on Vincent's trousers now, releasing the buttons with a single hand, isn't that a bit quick? He hasn't even touched his face, yet. Still kissing him passionately, Dorian unbuttons his own pants, just before turning Vincent's lower body around with both hands on the larger man's hips, releasing the kiss, ready to move straight to the final level.

That does it for the creature, and at the same time that he takes over the bemused part of Vincent's mind and reaches out to turn the tables on Dorian Grey, a shape releases itself from a dark corner of the room and touches Vincent's cheek, nothing more, it just touches him coolly, saying: 'I think that's quite enough, Mr Grey, that's not how love works in my experience.'

But Lukas is too late, the creature is unleashed, and Dorian has prepared everything just perfectly for Vincent's darker side to give it to him, hard, just as he promised. The slender youth is no match for the immensely strong man, and right in front of Lukas, Vincent takes Dorian Grey in a crushing embrace and kisses him, not passionately, but with brutal force, and Dorian makes his first sound since his profession of his love and lust, as a frightened mewl escapes from his lips.

That gets a laugh out of Vincent, a short scathing bark, and a sarcastic: 'Still so much in love with Vincent, Mr Grey?' comes from his lips, in a totally different voice from his usual clear baritone. This voice is rough, and it means business. 'You told him you liked him best as villain, didn't you? Why make a victim out of him then? I'll be very pleased to give you a villain, a ruthless, enraged villain.'

And Dorian is thrown to the bed with staggering force, face down, and he seems to realize what is about to happen, for he shows intense fear now, and total bewilderment at what happened to the polite, soft-spoken actor he adores.

Then his conveniently loosened trousers are pulled down, and one supernaturally strong arm lifts his bared lower half easily, holding it up against his assailant's midsection, his upper body and head dangling, forgotten. The other hand strokes his bared thighs and buttocks roughly, then prepares to let Vincent's trousers down as well.

This all happens within seconds, and Lukas is totally shocked at the violence of it all, his friend, capable of rape? For that is exactly what is going to happen if he doesn't interfere, brutal rape. Dorian Grey may be a rapist himself, and whatever has taken over Vincent's body may not be his friend, but Lukas is not going to watch a helpless man being violated.

Just before Vincent's trousers fall, Lukas takes Vincent by his shoulders and turns him around. Lukas may be slender, but he is also a blacksmith, and his arms and upper body are very strong, supported by his powerful, non-human legs. Vincent is forced to release Dorian Grey and follow those arms to face Lukas.

Dorian crumples on the bed, crying out in pain and humiliation, as Vincent's sulphurous eyes grab hold of Lukas' mild brown ones and burn him with the anger of the creature's mad rage totally unleashed. Lukas can feel the fearsome strength in those arms as they take him by the shoulders and lift him high.

But Lukas is not afraid anymore. In the eyes of his friend he has seen the mild Vincent, unable to stop this by himself, Dorian's spell has had a totally averse effect on him, his dark side's brutal reaction in a way understandable, the wild part of Vincent trying to protect the mild side the only way he can think of, with violence.

Lukas takes Vincent's face in both hands and pleads to the yellow orbs: 'Please Vincent, you're free now, the threat is over, let go.'

Something does change, the violence seems to drain out of the man in front of him, but his friend is not yet back, there is still someone else in control, and he speaks, no longer in a sarcastic voice, but rather huskily: 'You spoiled my fun, though I guess I should thank you for stopping me. But I want satisfaction nonetheless.' And before Lukas has any idea what he means by that, the thing wearing Vincent's body has Lukas in his iron embrace and kisses him with ardour. The strength is incredible, there is no way Lukas could ever free himself from this grip, but to his surprise he doesn't even want to.

He should be shocked at this violation of his body, but somehow the creature is different now, in control of himself, though very dominant, and Lukas finds himself feeling rather heated by his touch, answering that kiss with relish. There has been a certain tension between Vincent and himself from the beginning of their friendship, and it is starting to take over from their reaction to the violent situation narrowly averted. Still totally helpless in Vincent's iron embrace, Lukas puts his arms around his friend's neck and keeps the kiss going.

As Lukas lets himself be taken over by his ardour, he feels the body holding him loosen steadily, until it is only supporting him, not gripping him anymore. Then he feels himself being put on the ground, and next to him he hears the baritone he has come to know very well say: 'Hmm, that was good, I really wanted to kiss you. Thank you so much, Lukas, for saving me from something I would have regretted forever.'

The change is just incredible, the raving monster is gone, and the man replacing it carefully re-buttons his trousers, then braves getting spelled again by moving towards the bed and very carefully approaching the man he almost ravaged. And who tried to abuse him first, for though it was decidedly less violent, Vincent was as little able to defend himself against Mr Grey's attempt on him.

Only then, Lukas sees Mina standing in the doorway, and he asks: 'Did you see what happened? How long have you been here? How did you find us?'

And Mina replies: 'Quite some time, I've fed on Vincent recently and somehow that creates a bond. I always know where he is, and I can feel if he's experiencing strong emotions. I didn't get anything but confusion until a few minutes ago, then I felt an overpowering rage, and I decided my help might be needed. I saw nearly everything, but you seemed to have things well in hand so I just stuck around to make sure that piece of thrash didn't escape. Though I think he's not going anywhere.'

And indeed Mr Grey is still totally overcome by having the gentle actor he admires turn on him so suddenly, and with such violence. He is lying on the bed where he fell, face down, trousers still on his knees, there seems to be no life in him at all, except that he eyes Vincent with stunned fear all over his face.

Vincent shows no remorse, no feeling at all, save a slight concern for their host. He sits on the bed next to Mr Grey, and strokes his stunned body gently, as if he's a skittish animal, despite worsening the fear in the man beside him. Then he says dryly: 'Let's get you decent again, Mr Grey, then have a little talk.'

That is the moment when Mina addresses Vincent directly: 'It may be wise if I tell Adison and the rest that you are relatively all right, Vincent, or they may storm in to save you after all. I take it you will escort our host back to his guests once he's fit to be seen again?' She cannot believe Vincent is this calm after what happened, he is probably saving his guilt for when this is over, when Adison is with him to share it.

'Will you please let Adison know that I am all right?' Finally he shows some feeling, he practically begs Mina, 'she will be worried sick, I cannot think of what might have happened if Lukas hadn't been here. Who would have thought that our host would be so very driven, even if he did love me one would think he'd give a fellow some tenderness first. I don't wonder that my dark self wanted to give it to him hard.'

As Vincent says this, his feelings rush back in, a combination of remorse and considerable anger. Mina leaves to tell their friends, and Vincent can feel some life coming back into the young man who almost managed to rape him and then nearly got his due ten times over. Lukas has settled in a chair, and is watching him closely. As if he's going to assault someone again.

No, of course not, he's making sure Vincent is not falling back under Mr Grey's spell, that is what friends do. Better get the little pervert on his feet quickly, so they can leave, suddenly Vincent feels a strong urge to cry, he nearly raped a man in extreme violence, he wants Adison to hold him and tell him she can still love him.

Mr Grey looks around him and lets himself be helped up, he even lets Vincent pull up his trousers and fasten them. Then he asks, truly bewildered: 'Why did you do that to me, Vincent? You were going to hurt me, badly, I only wanted to make love to you.'

'It's Mr Vincent, Mr Grey,' Vincent says, anger flaring up again, 'my new stage name. Better get used to it, for we're no longer on first-name basis. You might have wanted to make love to me, but I didn't want you to. You tried to rape me.'

'I did not do such a thing!' Mr Grey protests, regaining some more spirit in the process, 'you didn't resist my attentions at all!'

'I couldn't resist them, you had me under some kind of enchantment, it left me totally helpless against you. You've been thinking you were making love to willing admirers, instead leaving behind a trail of people wondering what happened and why they allowed you to do that to them.'

Mr Grey is all incredulity.

'Think, man!' Vincent says, 'have you never wondered why people let you go to the lengths they did? What it cost them to let you do it? I love my wife to distraction, why would I want you to take me like that? And remember Lord Douglas' friend? He didn't like you very much anymore after the angels' wings and the dwarfs, did he?'

Mr Grey's face is a study in crushing realization: 'You mean I've been magicked? They wanted to resist but couldn't? I've been taking people against their wills for scores of years, thinking they loved me or at least found me attractive?'

'You don't seem surprised at me telling you that something has been done to you, and through you to many others, by use of magic. Most people deny its existence.'

'Oh no,' Mr Grey blurts out, 'I sure know of the existence of magic.'

Vincent is now surprised by the sound of Lukas' voice, not his usual light boyish tone, but the voice of a much older, dignified man: 'It has extended your life beyond imagination, hasn't it? You're not the twenty-something you seem to be.' Mr Grey looks up at the authority in that voice, and replies: 'I'm not. But no-one must find out or I will be severely punished. What is going on? If I spell people, how come you resisted it then? Just you?'

'Not just me, Mr Grey, other resist it more easily, my wife, most of my friends, the stunning young lady you danced with this evening.'

That brings Mr Grey back to life: 'She is gorgeous! I did wonder why she only danced with me, then went back to her stodgy husband.' That gets a reaction out of Lukas, Mr Grey seems very able at bringing out his disdain, something Vincent guesses few can, Lukas being such a sweet end gentle soul: 'Take care what you say about Paul Kenwick in my company, Dorian Grey. If you keep insulting my husband, I might leave.'

Vincent is almost enjoying himself, Lukas has Mr Grey in total confusion, reminding him Melissa's husband is a Kenwick, a family so powerful they can make or break anyone in London, then stating he is married to a man as well as a stunning woman. And it hurts Vincent only a little to see Mr Grey eye him in fear at Lukas' threat to leave the guy alone with him. He did throw him around like a ragdoll after all, intent on using him with brute force, and with less consideration for his victim than he'd feel for an object.

But Mr Grey has his mental capacity still, for he retorts: 'So why didn't you just refuse me then, Mr Vincent?' Having to address him formally hurts Mr Grey, good, better rub it in.

'I couldn't resist your spell, Mr Grey, it had me following you like a puppy, didn't you notice? But there is something in me, something dark, that from time to time separates itself from this good-natured, gentle man we all know and love, and your imminent abuse of the gentle me enraged it to the point of taking over my body and giving you what it thought you deserved. Don't be mistaken, Mr Grey, it was still me, I saw and felt everything happen as if I did it myself, I felt your weight in my arms and your quivers of fear at my touch, but I would not have been able to stop myself from forcing myself on you with brute violence if my friend here hadn't interfered. Which I might say, Lukas, was a very brave thing to do, I know what my dark self looks like, though Adison seems to love him, maybe even more than she loves the gentle me.'

Ignoring Mr Grey completely, Lukas replies: 'I understand her totally. I would love to meet him again someday, without him present,' this at Mr Grey of course, 'and show your strong side some tricks that will just murder him.' Vincent knows how his dark self reacted to Lukas, he will be very welcome.

And as an afterthought Lukas adds: 'But I like you, too, Vincent, and I'm certain Adison doesn't love your violent self more. He just needs her more.'

And as if to give his words extra force, Lukas comes towards him and kisses him straight on the mouth, this is the kiss Vincent wanted to share with him from the first, totally himself, aware of every blessed second of it. Mr Grey is completely forgotten for a few moments, and as they embrace and repeat that kiss, Vincent can feel Lukas' mind brushing his, requesting permission to remove his guilt at having lost control once more. Seeing no use for the guilt, the situation was after all so incredibly unique and so totally outside his own influence, he assents, and with a delicate touch the memory passes his mind again and again until it loses its strength. When Lukas is done with his mind, he steps up his efforts in Vincent's arms for a few heartbeats, then breaks off the kiss.

As they stand there beside the bed, both a bit out of breath and Vincent truly astounded by the experience of having his mind relieved of a very nasty memory, Mr Grey has not moved an inch, nor even blinked by the look of it. Apparently just watching a hot scene makes him very happy, though a bit envious, for he realizes he has never been truly loved himself. That is not a pleasant thought, and he asks: 'But what will happen to me? Apparently I cannot stop seducing everyone around me, how will I know who loves me and who is under my spell?'

'It gets worse,' Vincent observes, 'for all this started with an effort to see how the spell in you worked. We have learned that you have no magic of your own, and that the spell feeds on the love you take from your victims. Without it, the spell will cease to work...' Vincent still thinks they don't know yet what the spell does, but of course the information is all there by now.

Mr Grey can connect the dots, but he must also know what the spell does that was put on him years ago.

'….and I will die,' he says, managing to keep any pathos out of his voice.

Vincent cannot help gawking.

'Yes, Mr Vincent,' Mr Grey observes, 'I didn't know what was done to me exactly, all those years ago, but its results were as promised: eternal youth. I thought I had merely sold my soul to get it, but now it seems others paid a price as well. That was not the deal I made with the devil, which is why I don't feel bound to my part of the agreement either.

Mr Vincent, Mr ' and he looks inquiringly at Lukas, who supplies: 'Hermeides.'

'Mr Vincent, Mr Hermeides, may I make a proposal?' They just look at him in amazement, Mr Grey seems to be recovering rather quickly from his shock and his hurt, he must hurt after being thrown about like that, but he is back to his usual, elegant self: 'Why don't I bring this party to its supposed conclusion, and we have a long talk at another time and another place?'

It is very annoying to see Mr Grey this self-assured, Vincent actually preferred him lying on the bed in a miserable heap. Vincent states: 'What business do we have talking any further to you, Mr Grey? I cannot say that what happens to you is of any concern to me. Either you keep abusing people and you live, or you better yourself, and you die. I don't see any possible reason for our continued involvement in your affairs. We will leave your party immediately and I for one will hope that this is the last time I ever have had to speak to you.'

That takes care of the arrogance Mr Grey was starting to assume, his stance crumples and he practically begs: 'Don't be like that, Vincent, please! I didn't do it on purpose, I didn't know you were helpless. I'll die if I have to but what if the master comes for me first, for letting my secret get out?'

'I really don't care Mr Grey,' Vincent observes stoically. 'There is no way you can convince me you didn't have a clue all those years. If you spend time on a person, you know whether they want to be with you or not. But seeing the time you spent on me before you thought to have the right to just take me, I know enough.

You caused me to lose control worse than ever, and I'm not going to forgive you for that. I'm done with you.

Will you come with me, Lukas?'

And without a greeting, Vincent turns on his heels and leaves Mr Grey standing there, by himself, since Lukas does follow him out the bedroom, through the hall and the room with paintings, into the ballroom, where Adison is in his arms instantly, and his friends are gathered around the table closest to the door through which he disappeared.

He says: 'I'm leaving this instant, I'll tell you what happened wherever you want, as long as it's not here.'

They retrieve their coats and put them on, it's the middle of november and it's getting cold.

As they file outside, Melissa suggests to Vincent: 'Your place? It's closest, and I would really like to take a good look at you as well.' They all agree, but as they start to make for their bicycles, a high male voice calls out urgently: 'Mr Heathcliff!' Vincent turns around to see Angelique running towards him, very lady-like but still very fast. She hands him a little box, longer than it is wide, and says: 'I found this in Dorian's wonder-room, hidden in a drawer. Even if it doesn't belong to you, it should be yours by rights. You'll see when you open it.

You were so nice to me, and what Dorian did defies description. I've packed the few things I have, and I'm off straight away.'

And indeed, she is no longer wearing a ball-gown but rather a practical ladies-suit, and carrying a large bag. More spoils? 'Good luck, Angelique,' Vincent says, trying not to think of what Angelique witnessed, 'and thank you.' She disappears from view fast, she must feel relieved somehow.

He pockets the box, and wonders what's inside, and what will become of Miss Angelique. Somehow he doesn't think it will be a worse fate than she'd meet with Mr Grey, he just isn't the type to form a lasting bond with anyone.