Quick Update: Victoria had a difficult time in January but life goes on – even for Pets of the Undead!

Considering how horribly January went, February passed relatively smoothly. Initially I was tense around Eric, when he left I was worried I would not see him for days. When he came home I could not keep the relief from my face. He began to call or text more often, he was never talkative but he let me know he was on his way home and even occasionally when he wouldn't be home.

I believed that Eric realised that if he let me know in advance that he was on his way home then he didn't have to see the relief in my face when he got here. All he saw was his happy, smiling pet ready and waiting for him.

We fell into the old routine of him being away at weekends but back home before dawn for most of the week nights. Anya and the week he stayed away were never mentioned.

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Eric did give me an update on Teresa. She returned to work after ten days paid leave, her bruises cleared up and she was getting a lot of attention at Fangtasia for saving Frankie.

Eric had been in touch with Frankie's sheriff and maker. He asked that they correct the appalling glamouring, apparently all three of them thought nothing of convincing humans that they were human too. They did things differently in New York. I got the impression they had bluntly refused Eric's request. Eric had to be careful not to cause too much trouble, he didn't want to be the cause of a political incident between New York and Louisiana. However he had threatened to make a complaint against them for ruining a member of his staff and because Frankie had taken Longshadow's human without permission.

Apparently by the time Frankie's maker collected him they were happy to adjust the glamouring, probably to keep the peace and get out of Louisiana.

Teresa knew Frankie was a Vampire, they had told her his maker needed him in New York so he was forced to leave without her. I assumed she would be upset but at least she knew something of the truth.

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I missed Michael. I realised I had begun to rely on seeing a smiling face and sharing a joke and a chat occasionally. The guards barely spoke to me anymore. I was sure Michael's fellow pack members blamed me for his decision leave. It seemed he was more popular with them than he realised. However I felt more comfortable avoiding them. I started to arrange to have everything I ordered to arrive on Friday, so it could be delivered with my food order. Soon the guards and I only had to deal with each other once a week.

It might seem strange but I did still feel safe around them, they still did their job and there didn't seem to be any trouble at the estate. At least there was no trouble that I was told about.

My isolation was eased by Megan and her husband returning from holiday. Already the days were getting longer, even warmer. I walked to and from The Edwards' house alone, in the daylight, without worrying.

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I was worried about how Pam would react with me after our disagreement. I had tried so hard to be friendly with her in the past, I thought we had turned a real corner with the couple of phone conversations we'd had about Anya. I assumed my refusal to do as she wished in Fangtasia had brought to a screeching halt any camaraderie she had felt towards me. I didn't see much of Pam so I made an effort not to worry about her, I certainly didn't discuss her with Eric.

I was fairly amazed when she called me, with a warning, on Valentines night.

"Good evening, Victoria."

"Hi Pam." I tried not to sound too surprised to hear from her. I did notice she actually used my name rather than 'little pet' or 'sweetie'.

"Why are you panting?" She asked an understandable question but I needed a second before I could answer.

"I was running… on my machine."

"Oh." Pam sounded a little mystified but then got back to business. "Eric is on his way home."

"Really?" It was Saturday night, barely past midnight and Valentines Night, surely Fangtasia would be busy. It certainly sounded chaotic from what I could hear down Pam's phone.

"I am calling to ask if you have planned anything sweet and romantic for the two of you tonight."

"No! Should I have? I didn't think Valentines would be Eric's cuppatea."

"It is certainly not 'Eric's cup of tea'." She replied. I blushed, glad that she couldn't see me. Some phrases didn't really work with Vamps. "Eric is not a fan of Valentines Night. We have never really dealt with it before. He doesn't approve."

"Why's he coming home so early? Has something gone wrong?"

"A lot of our customers have been ridiculously generous. Too generous. When Eric reached his office this evening he could hardly get to the door. Cheap red roses mainly, vile things, smelling only of chemicals. Lots of synthetic, stuffed bears holding red hearts even a few red devils." Pam sounded appalled, I tried not to giggle. "Some foolish girl filled a vial with her blood."

"Eww!"

"Exactly, the blood had gone off. It was of no use to us at all." She gave a theatrical sigh. "The corridor still smells of those nasty roses, even though they have been dumped in the trash. Eric had a meeting with a vampire from another area, he asked Eric what the odour was!"

"Oh, no." I was a little too close to giggling.

"Victoria, this is no laughing matter."

"I'm sorry, Pam. You can get air fresheners which might help?"

"They smell just as bad! We have the back doors open, some fresh night air should solve the problem. Eric sat in the bar for maybe five minutes but he got three bunches of stupid flowers laid at his feet. Fortunately he decided to leave before his temper got the better of him."

"So he's on his way here?"

"Yes, I recommend avoiding the subject of Saint Valentine."

"It's really good of you to call, thanks Pam." I was very surprised that she had called and a little alarmed. Just how bad was his mood?

I wondered if now would be a good time to build bridges with Eric's favourite child.

"Pam, I am really sorry about that night at Fangtasia." I hoped I sounded sincere. I was sorry Pam and I had not agreed, but not at all sorry that I hadn't tried to humiliate Anya.

"I thought it would have been fun. But it is not an issue." She brushed it off, maybe we were OK again after all. "Did Eric tell you what I found out about her?"

"No..." I wasn't sure I wanted to know but Pam seemed to like a gossip so she carried on.

"Anya used to model in California. Apparently someone recommended she should try botox so she got a little over anxious about saving her looks."

"Oh my God!"

"Your God?" Pam sounded confused.

"Sorry, Pam. It's just a saying… Botox at her age is ridiculous! How old is she?" I was stunned. I would have guessed she was in her early twenties.

"I have no idea. It seems that now she has gone back to the vampire whom she used to feed in California. Eric is apparently the second vampire who has refused to change her." Pam said with triumph.

"So she did once see a vampire. That's why she was so comfortable with Eric?"

"I knew it!" Pam was crowing now.

"Poor girl!"

"I am just pleased to see the back of her and you should be too. Think of your position, little pet."

I had to smile, Pam calling me 'little pet' said a great deal about my position with Eric and herself.

"Pam, it's been lovely to talk to you, but I should go if Eric's on his way."

"Have a fun evening! Good luck!" She put the phone down.

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I kept running. I considered stopping the machine and being ready for Eric to get home, but if he didn't want 'sweet and romantic' then me wanting to drag him off to bed might not be appropriate. I would let him decide what he wanted to do. I had a programme set on the running machine so I stuck to it.

The running machine faced the windows so I had my back to the door and didn't know I was being watched. I slowed down as the programme wound down and finally stopped. I leant forward on the machine taking steady, deep breaths.

"Nice ass!" Eric was stood right next to me.

"Hi!" I managed to gasp. "Sorry, I get a bit... breathless... with this thing."

"Great outfit." He murmured and pulled me close for a kiss.

"Sorry Eric, I'm a bit sweaty."

"I like that." He was grinning more than I had expected after the conversation with Pam. I moved closer for another kiss while I had the chance.

But Eric got distracted, he was looking at my running machine. "I have never seen this working. Do you enjoy it?"

"Yeah, I do. Well, most of the time."

"Should I have a go?"

"On the machine?" I watched in surprise as he stood on the treadmill and studied the controls. "But you don't really need to keep fit, Eric."

"Do I just run or do I have to switch it on?"

He wasn't really dressed for this. He was still in his Fangtasia outfit of leather trousers and a fitted, dark red shirt. He had taken his boots off because his feet were bare. I almost told him that he should be careful on the machine in bare feet but it was hardly going to hurt him. I was more worried for the machine!

"It needs to be set," I started to adjust it wondering just how fast he could run. "You'll have to go pretty slowly Eric, I'm not sure if this could cope with you at full speed."

He was grinning at that thought.

"OK, it starts at a walk, then speeds up slowly. Ready?" I flipped the switch when he nodded.

I stepped back watching him start slow and gradually break into a run. I really hoped he wouldn't break my machine!

I was tense watching him, but he looked tense too. After a couple of minutes he tugged at his shirt, "Too tight", he complained and dropped it on the floor. He carried on like a metronome, on and on. But he was smiling now. I stripped off my sweaty running outfit and sat on the bed, huddled in a towelling dressing gown. I desperately needed a shower but I couldn't miss this show. His chest, arms and shoulders were relaxed and beautiful, he could even be described as graceful as he ran on and on.

I should have timed him but there wasn't a clock in the room. I wanted to take a look at the reading on the machine but didn't want to disturb him. His pace didn't falter. He wasn't going especially fast, maybe 400 meters pace rather than 100 meters, but it was constant.

I thought the smell was my imagination, but no, there was a definite smell of electrical burning.

"Eric, I think the machine's had enough."

He shook his head but I went to the control panel at the front of the machine and touched it. "It's really hot, I'm sorry…"

Eric slowed down to a halt and scowled at the machine.

"Maybe someone will invent a heavy duty machine, strong enough to cope with you?" I sympathised.

"I doubt they would make money out of them, as you say we don't exactly need to exercise but it was enjoyable... in a strange way." He stepped off the machine towards me.

"Will this be safe do you think?" I was worried about the machine bursting into flame but I was more than a little excited by his display and he was very close to me now.

"I'm sure it will be fine." He tugged at the belt on my robe.

"How about a shower?" I suggested.

"Later... How about a fuck?"

I had to laugh at his bluntness but he quietened me with a kiss as he peeled the robe off my shoulders. I was naked and stood close to him, I pressed my centre and stomach against his leather trousers.

"But I'm still sweaty and horrible from my run." I murmured.

"You smell delicious." He brushed his nose down my neck, his hands exploring lower. "And we have never used this bed. We should put that right."

His fingers teased me as I gripped him through the leather. If he had no objection then neither did I, now how did these trousers unfasten?

Eric solved my problem by lifting me by my waist and dropping me on the centre of the un-tested bed. I got the giggles as I bounced a little more than I expected and had to put my hands out to steady myself. He got rid of the trousers in the blink of an eye, his fangs were down and he was above me on the bed.

"Mmm, you're hungry!"

"I am..."

Our fingers and hands were busy as I reached up to kiss him. I grazed my tongue against a fang, making a just scratch to give him a taste of me as we entwined together.

The running machine didn't burst into flames but I felt like I had.

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We did eventually share a shower in the master suite upstairs. I needed a little break so Eric was lounging in the bed, texting on his phone while I dried my hair. If he had been irritated by Valentine's day then that feeling seemed to be forgotten.

"It was good to talk to Pam earlier." I said as I joined him. I assumed he knew she had called.

"It is good that you two are friendly again. I was pleased that she thought to call you when I left."

I almost asked about his dislike of Valentine's Day but decided that peace and quiet and snuggling under the covers was more fun. I was surprised that he put down his precious phone and moved down from the headboard to join me.

"I have a gift for you." He murmured in my ear.

"For Valentine's Day?" That just bounced out of my mouth!

"Of course not."

"Sorry, that was silly... but why?"

"Does there have to be a reason to buy a gift?" He sounded really defensive but I couldn't work out why.

"No... I suppose not. But there usually is."

"Maybe there is a reason." He admitted.

I tried not to smile but any chance of smiling disappeared at his next words. "I have to go away, I didn't want you to worry."

"Go away? When?... For how long?" No. No. No. I had just got him back.

"Victoria... Already you are worrying for no reason."

"Sorry... sorry..." I tried to force myself to calm down. I realised he had said he had to go. This was work, I needed to accept it. "Please tell me what you can."

"Don't you want your gift first?"

I scrunched up my face, making him smile and replied "Bad news first, then the gift... Thank you for getting me something."

"You haven't see it yet." He was still smiling.

"But any gift is nice... Is there anything you can tell me about why you need to go away?"

"I need to go to New Orleans. The first anniversary of our reveal is almost upon us and My Queen wishes to discuss matters with her sheriffs and advisers."

I nodded, that made sense. The reveal had been in early April, so the anniversary was about six weeks away. I still had questions but kept quiet so he could tell me what he wanted me to know.

"The date of the meeting is not set. It could last one or two nights, it may last a week. I wanted you to know in advance. I may leave in a hurry."

"But the meeting will be before the anniversary?"

"Yes, the celebrations are one item to discuss."

"Party time!" I smiled to try and prove I was fine about him going away. "Are you having a party at Fangtasia?"

"We will, I would prefer to be there but I will probably be required to be in New Orleans. Queen Sophie-Anne will want some event there to show off to everyone."

"So you will be away then too?" Damn.

"Yes... but I may be able to take a guest there." He winked. I felt stunned. Did he mean me? "No promises, my pet. It may be an event only for vampires but I think the Queen will want to reward loyal humans as well as loyal vampires."

"You might take me to your Queen's party? In New Orleans?"

"Might..." He confirmed. "You will need the perfect dress. If you see something you think you will want to wear then buy it. Take a look on the internet. It will be best if you are ready to go."

"I'm not sure if I am terrified or excited!" I admitted.

"Try not to think anything until you know. I am sure that if you cannot find anything then Pam will get you something easily, so don't worry too much. But something you choose will be best."

I did seem strange that Eric didn't know exactly what was going on. He seemed to be planning ahead for any eventuality. I wished I knew more about his Queen, although it was probably safer not to know.

"So do you want to see your gift?"

"Oh... yes please." My head was trying to get around what he had told me, I had forgotten about the gift.

"Stay put..." He winked and left the bedroom. I watched his spectacular, naked ass leave and then took a quick check of the time. We still had more than an hour before dawn.

Before he came back into the bedroom he called, "Eyes closed, my pet."

I sat up in the middle of the bed with the duvet around me and my eyes closed. I felt the bed move and he said "Open up."

He was knelt at my side, still gloriously naked except for black leather gloves on his clenched fists. He held them out to me. "Choose..."

I tapped the back of his left hand and he opened it up to show a beautiful round-cut ruby with a silver setting. That explained the gloves.

"Eric! Thank you so much, it's amazing!" I took it from him, more than a little stunned.

"You might get lucky twice, choose again." He was still holding his other hand in a fist. I tapped the back of that and there was an emerald that took my breath away. Again the jewel seemed to be set in silver, but this was cut in a rectangle. The colour was perfect.

I tried to thank him but he stopped me. "There's a condition. They go on your silver chain, you wear it all day and all night while I am away." I must have looked worried. "I am just being paranoid. If something happens, then it will happen while I am away, but nothing will happen. Take it..."

"Both?" I was trying to catch up.

"Both. This way your chain goes with everything. Take it so I can get rid of these gloves." He was grinning now, amused that he had stunned me. The sexiest of grins from him gave me an idea that made me blush, but I liked the idea.

"No, no... just hold still a second." I murmured, he was surprised I said 'no' but he let me take the emerald from him and watched as I wriggled out from the duvet. I put the jewels on the bedside table, below the lamp where they glowed wonderfully. I returned to Eric and knelt up, facing him. I held one of his leather clad hands, winding my fingers around his. I watched entranced.

I held his other hand, putting it on my hip and holding it there with my hand over his. I glanced up at him, biting my lip a little. He gave an encouraging smile. Dare I do this?

I dare.

I brought his other hand to my breast, holding his leather covered fingers against my soft skin. I gasped at the sensation, slowly he ran his thumb across my hardening nipple. I ached.

His other hand gently ran up and down my thigh until we moved closer and his hand moved to roam over my back and bottom. We kissed slowly until I tipped my head back and his kisses continued down my throat. I reached for him, hard, so hard. Leather clad fingers brushed against my centre.

"I can feel your heat, my pet... But you need to wait until we get downstairs. Once I'm deep inside you I will not want to move and the sun will rise soon."

I nodded, in a hurry to be on our way. He scooped me up and went towards the stairs.

"Eric... I need you to buy me a gift from New Orleans." I heard myself blurt out.

He raised his eyebrows. "You are very demanding tonight, Victoria." I think he was amused but he might have been irritated. He had just given me two beautiful gifts and I was asking for more.

I was sure he would understand when I explained.

"I want a pair of gloves. Please could you choose some for me... gloves for me to wear for you?" I blushed but was very pleased to see his grin widen.

"Yes, my pet. I think I would like that..."

Thank you for all the lovely comments!

I am trying to move the story along, there is still a long way to go but I am beginning to get there. Feel free to ask any questions – I'm not giving any spoilers away though!

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27th February 2011 – FanOTheFang on twitter

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