CHAPTER 37

At the reception, Mick had Beth in his arms, dancing, needing a diversion from the subject of freshies when once again his violent vampire world intruded and shattered the illusion that he would ever be allowed to leave it behind.

The all star athlete's killer had turned out to an aging vampiress who threatened all in his world. Exposure was top among what vampires feared most; that one of their own could even threaten such had to be dealt with harshly. And so he found himself at Beth's apartment, the smell of death by fire still clinging to his clothes, trying to explain the unexplainable. How he had chosen his world over hers.

But he didn't understand. Why had this become The Issue?

Or rather, how had this precipitated her decision?

All he knew was he was being dumped so he stormed out the door. TO HELL WITH HER ... yet ... the thought of living without her brought him up short. He leaned against the wall, letting the emotion well up.

No. All his vampire life he had run away, yearning for love yet fearing involvement. Being safe. But this was Beth, his Beth, and she had lost her confidence in their future. He thought of the two lovers who just chosen to perish together ... and he started pounding on the door.

He had to find a way to convince her, to let Beth know that he would never again choose them over her.

He forced the door.

CHAPTER 38

Mick had stalked out and Beth sobbed, her whole world changed in one day after making the biggest decision of her life. She just couldn't do this .... this tightrope of emotions anymore.

Just yesterday it had seemed so perfect.

There Beth had been, churning up her closet looking for the perfect dress but it was not be found. She called an old friend in the fashion business who knew just what was needed and within the hour, Beth was back at the apartment with that I-spent-an-entire-month's paycheck shellshock. Still it was beautiful and really hugged her curves. Mick had given her a smouldering look, and, later, she hoped Josef would find her presentable. She smiled. Josef was being honored tonight by Hearst College for being a philanthropist. Who knew he was such a humanitarian?

The white stretch Kostan limo had pulled up containing only Mick, looking cool and yet so hot, and she felt like Cinderella, going to the ball. Things were going so well between them, she had high hopes tonight would be the night! They had sipped champagne and Josef had admired her dress. He even claimed to have started the college on a bet with William Randolph Hearst.

She tried to tease Josef since she had seen him looking jealous, having spotted Mick with an attractive brunette who turned out to be Josef's lawyer -- and his willing freshie. So that's how they get their fresh blood -- and their sex. It dawned on her that Mick had been keeping both parts of that equation from her (bloodbank, indeed!); and here she was thinking he had been pure as the driven snow until he met her. Something hurtful had laced through her and sharply she asked him how many he'd had ... and then the murder of the college all-star took over, eventually leading her to the inescapable conclusion that she would never be able to be part of his world.

For she knew she would never willingly become vampire and he could never become human again.

No, its best to just end it now. Maybe after a lifetime, her heart would heal. She sobbed on.

He's returned ... he's saying something ... he doesn't care about the future ... he wants only the now. Could it be that he really loves her? She must have proof, proof that he will put her before his vampire world.

And Beth recalls what just yesterday a murderess had told her about how she knew it was love. How silly but she asked it anyway.

He remembered what she wore -- even down to her being barefoot!

Wonderingly, she said "How can you remember that?"

And her man finally said the words that would make all of whatever their future will be, come true.

"Because I love you."

And she went into his arms.