Fates Traced in Blood - Chapter Ten

Author Note: Happy New Year everyone. :)

It has taken me a bit longer to post this than I'd have liked. I did aim to get 12 chapters done by the end of last year, however with work and the holiday period it slowed me down. To be fair, I didn't start posting this story until the end of January 2019 anyway (I really should write faster tbf), so I should be able to do it still.

Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for reading.

Amelia was sitting near the windows in the private terminal lounge. Through the glass, she was looking onto the airfield, the lights of the taxiways and runways glinting in the darkness. Their aircraft, a Bombardier business jet, was visible waiting there. She'd only been here for about fifteen minutes.

They had travelled here in the limousine sometime after nightfall. She had been up since the morning, helping Leticia and others to finish the preparations they had worked on for the past week. Once dusk came, she could feel the minutes and seconds pass; knowing that he'd awaken soon and the sooner the time would come for them to leave. They left a couple of hours after he awoke.

A sense of anticipation - some dread, but excitement too. She had always enjoyed this first part of travelling. Nighttime drives on quiet, deserted roads which wound through the bleak beauty of countryside and moors; a sense of eeriness enhanced by night... That was the way to the airport when she went on holiday with her parents.

This was different. While she could enjoy the night, there was no quiet respite in New York and its teeming masses. High-rise buildings. The city lights. Car lights a blur in the evening. So busy outside… The limousine - a sanctuary. LaCroix sat in his seat, while she and Leticia had sat next to each other, apart from him. But she felt alone; unsure of what awaited, nor did it seem she'd return home again. Apart from the traffic, the arrival was smooth. An experience quite apart from her usual airport experience. There were no long queues, waiting times, no need to drag large luggage around, nor arduous security procedures to deal with. The reception was more like that of a luxury hotel, nothing like a typical airport check-in desk lobby.

Now, she was just relaxing in the chair while they waited, but it was likely this wouldn't be a long time. Their lounge suite was private, but she saw the attendant at the reception through the glass panels of the black-framed French doors. A woman in her late twenties with long, straight blonde hair that almost reached her waist. She was on the telephone. Perhaps they would board soon.

At present, it was just herself, Leticia, LaCroix and one of his security personnel, apparently human. The unsettling, giant-like creature that was LaCroix's primary bodyguard was nowhere to be seen. But he would be too conspicuous. He must be hidden somewhere. Perhaps in the hold. Or even with the large items that had been shipped separately. Leticia had gone to liaise with the staff here and aboard the plane, to take the hand luggage on. The aircraft was quite large. It couldn't just be them aboard it, but she wasn't quite sure how many others would join them. This was a business trip as much as personal for him, so some other business associates would join them too. He said that the expansion at the LaCroix Foundation offices in the 100-storey skyscraper Venture tower in Downtown Los Angeles was already in process, so some had already relocated. Likewise, he had already had business trips there while making inroads, but now it was to have more permanency. She was still not fully aware of why Sebastian LaCroix was doing this, thinking it was just a simple business expansion like any other. Indeed, it was in a way, but of course that was not the whole story.

Amelia glanced over at LaCroix, who was not sat with her, such that it would appear to a stranger's eye that they were not together. He was doing his own thing, reading something. She looked back out of the windows again. It was completely dark now of course, or else he wouldn't be here, but she reflected on how the twilight hour before night had been - a lovely but cold blue and burnt orange-red horizon with the last rays of the setting sun. Thinking also about the conversation with her Aunt she'd had on the telephone.

A week previously…

Amelia had returned to her apartment after talking with LaCroix. A little shaken up from seeing the giant, ashen-faced figure, silent but intimidating; also a vampire of some sort, and LaCroix's main bodyguard. He didn't hurt her but was terrifying to first encounter. There had been a lot to think about, and she had slumped down on the sofa in the lounge when she got in. There was his praise of her work, and the extra money he had given her - she had gazed down at the envelope still in her hand. Twenty fifty-dollar bills - definitely real. This sum was just small change to him, so there was no significance to giving her this bonus, but to her it was and he knew that. Anyway, she had still been elated by the good feedback.

She sighed, looking at the other larger envelope he had also given to her. One item in there was another visa, plus some other documentation. So he'd obtained that then. Well, it wasn't surprising if he had the contacts to pull a few strings… He was giving her a job; had employed her, and she had an advanced degree plus professional-body membership, so there was probably enough evidence to justify it. One less thing not to worry about then. But it brought home that the reality of going to Los Angeles was fast approaching. Too fast, in fact. She felt it would hit her at full speed before she had prepared for it.

And this meant she would have to let her Aunt know at least that she wasn't coming back. For most of her life, she hadn't known her Aunt that well. But, as she was her mother's half-sister, it was understandable now. Otherwise, Amelia was a free-agent. No parents; no siblings; no significant other; a fresh graduate so not tied to any area because of work or social circle. It was quite late in New York and the early hours of the morning in England. There was no point in calling then, despite LaCroix's insistence that she should do so as soon as possible. She'd have to do it in the morning.

The following day, Amelia had awoken in the mid-morning. It had been dark, with the curtains not yet opened. Loitering around; not dressed straight away. She hadn't felt like having breakfast yet, just some water. But, eventually, she sat at the telephone and dialled a number. Listened to the ringing and waited...

The ringing stopped. "Hello, this is Diana speaking," came her Aunt's voice down the down line. A slight unsure tone as the telephone number was probably unfamiliar.

"Hi, It's me - Amelia," she responded.

"Oh, Amelia, I didn't realise it was you at first, but I think you've called from this number before, now I think of it."

"Yeah, it's a phone at work. Obviously, I've not called often due to the cost, you know."

"Yes, of course. It's nice to hear from you again. How are you?"

"Fine. Everything's fine," Amelia said automatically, but as a script rather than depth of feeling. "I've finished my work assignment now."

"Oh, I thought you might have. How was the response?"

"Good actually," Amelia's voice coloured with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. His praise did make her happy. "The client I'm working gave me good feedback for it. He said it was very thorough and instructive. And you know, he is, um, well, not easy-going to be honest. I was so surprised. I thought I could have done a few things better."

"You are too harsh on yourself sometimes. And, it is your first job since qualifying you know, and you did well to get it," her Aunt reassured her. "That's very good to hear."

"I know." She paused. "I've got something else to tell you as well actually," Amelia said, twirling the phone cord in her fingers. "You know I said that I might get a work extension?"

"Yes?" Her Aunt replied. An air of anticipation. The phone crackled. "Any news?"

"Well, I - I've got it." Saying this seemed to make her nerves; the knot in her stomach dissipate. "He'd like me to work for him on a more long-term basis. Probably for knowledge and records management, at some point." But for now, it seemed LaCroix would have her as a personal assistant of some sort.

"And are you going to accept it?"

Amelia shrugged, not that her Aunt could see this. She pushed back the curtains around the window just slightly, looking down at the view in the morning. "Yes… I have. You're… not surprised I got it?"

"Not really. When you mentioned it I thought you might get offered, or else it wouldn't have been suggested at all." A few moments of silence. "This client you've been working for… he's high up in the company you did your internship with, isn't he?"

"Yes," Amelia responded. Very high up in fact - he's the CEO, she thought. Part of the agreement was not to disclose exactly who she worked for, which was not unusual for the private staff of individuals like Sebastian LaCroix. All she could say that it was an executive of the LaCroix Foundation. Now she knew there to be a more disturbing reason for it.

"Well, I told you it would pay off going to London for that internship and the course you went on there. I know you didn't really want to go to London since it's so big and expensive. But, unfortunately, most things are there, so you've got to take opportunities when you can. And, it's helped you make some useful contacts."

"I guess." The graduate school she went had a good reputation and specialised in professional qualifications notably law, business management and finance, besides her area. And, it was partly through knowing one manager at the LaCroix Foundation that she had come under the radar of Sebastian LaCroix himself. But did she now wish that she hadn't taken the semester abroad in New York? Then, none of this would have happened. But it was not her fault - just sheer luck, or perhaps misfortune, that she had crossed paths with him.

"So, you think I should accept it then? You're okay with it?" Amelia pressed, revealing her uncertainty.

"Well, it would be nice to have you back, but you've got to take opportunities when they come to you, and it won't be forever," her Aunt said warmly.

Not sure about that, Amelia thought. "I know it's just…"

"Overwhelming. That's normal and understandable. But you'll be fine - it's not so bad as you're already there. You were the same when moving to London. Have you got things sorted?" She had asked and Amelia went through a list of what preparations she had made.

"But it's not that really," Amelia trailed off. She could hardly tell her Aunt that LaCroix was a vampire, could she? An unspoken truth was like a weight upon her shoulders. It could not be told, though it would be a relief.

"Then what is it?"

Amelia took a deep breath. "Nothing. It doesn't matter. I guess it's just the suddenness of it all."

"Probably. But I'm sure you'll be fine." Her Aunt said, "you don't have to accept it if you don't want to, you know?" Some background noise. "You said he could be difficult though - is that why you're unsure?"

"Kind of. But then, he said I did well so… and he's been generous with giving this assignment - with the accommodation and all. Plus, the job offer he's given me now."

"Hmmm, he must like you a lot," her Aunt said, half-joking, but the insight was almost too close for comfort. Amelia almost choked on the water she had sipped. Then her Aunt's tone became a touch more serious, "I'm joking. He's been all right with you, hasn't he?"

"Yes," Amelia replied immediately. Apart from the fact that he was a vampire, LaCroix was generally hospitable. But that may just make it worse, not better. "I mean, he's quite… haughty, sometimes. But, you know, he's fine… mostly. And, I see little of him, anyway. He's not there most of the daytime." Should I have said that? Amelia grimaced. "The other staff are nice."

"I see. Well, if you don't see him often, it doesn't matter too much. You should be wary of course, but you're sensible so I'm sure you know that," her Aunt said with caution, intuitive to the possibility that LaCroix seemed to take a lot of interest in her. Too much perhaps. "It sounds like you already have accepted, so you must be happy enough. It's probably just nerves, that's all. I'm sure you'll be fine. I hope you do well. After not knowing what to do with yourself for a year or so - and that's understandable all things considered," her Aunt alluded softly to Amelia finding herself more or less an orphan after her father's apparent disappearance on the work contract abroad he'd had. She had withdrawn from the previous master's programme she had meant to do straight after her undergraduate, due to depression. "It's good to see that your hard work with your volunteering, working jobs that you didn't like that much, internship and studying is paying off. Your mum and dad would be really happy that you've got some direction now."

"Yes, I know. Especially my mum… she'd worry," Amelia said, feeling herself starting to well up; hanging on to the phone closely like a lifeline.

"Miss Siddall."

A sound, distant to hear, cut through her thoughts.

"What?" she gasped, flinching out of this reverie.

"Miss Siddall, are you ready? We are boarding now," LaCroix told her. His voice suddenly seemed louder though there was no real difference. She must not have taken notice of him even though his reflection was visible in the window glass.

"Oh, yes. I'm coming!" she practically jumped up out of her seat, and grabbed her handbag and cabin bag, rolling it along. Not before discreetly wiping her eyes, not wanting him to see.

The flight attendant asked, "let me take that for you."

Amelia replied self-effacingly, "oh thanks, it's fine. You don't have to."

"Don't worry we'll put that on for you," they replied, encouraging her to relax and be taken care of.

"Ok, yes thank you," she said in gratitude. LaCroix just breezed through this like he was so accustomed that it was insignificant.

When they went into the aircraft cabin, she had to pinch herself as she entered. The interior of the cabin was spacious - luxurious, in fact. It was divided into a few different zones. For the moment, there was time to explore. On entry, the front of the plane had the service area - a kind of miniature kitchen and which had a seating area for the flight attendant. Moving beyond this, the interior seemed to open up onto an airy, luxurious and spacious lounge with several roomy recliner seats. Then, there was a further seating area, but this time for dining as the seats were around a good-sized table. She ran her hand on the lacquered wood as she passed. Beyond this was a door, open at the moment, which led to a private suite. It had sofas either side and cabinetry storage. The attendant told her it could be made up as a bedroom too. As silly as it sounded, she was most impressed by the bathroom, as it was not at all like the tiny onboard toilet on most economy class commercial planes. It was a proper bathroom, the sink set within a quartz countertop and cabinetry; hand towels, luxury soap and toiletries. There was even a shower.

"This is amazing," she breathed and turned back into the private lounge smiling widely, her face lit up in her excitement as she rushed back to LaCroix, but stopped short. Suddenly, the gleeful manner dropping back into guarded reserve. Realising, she was wary of being too receptive to all this. He just looked at her unmoved - to him this was normality, but for a faint amusement like he found her reaction quaint. She dreaded to think of the cost. Why did he even want her on here? Maybe it was just a kind of seduction. Perhaps there was a sinister reason. But regardless, she was still excited.

Amelia occupied a seat which had a small side table and was opposite another seat in which Leticia had put her handbag in, but she was doing something in the serving galley at the moment. Amelia looked out of the window next to her. It was just blackness outside, lit by the twinkling of the runway lights.

Light footsteps coming down the walkway. Some other people emerged from the dark entrance passage into the front lounge. Amelia glanced up at them briefly. More vampires, mostly. It was something in their manner, and in appearance - an abnormal pallor. They were LaCroix's guests and went to him; he greeted them - a formality. Amelia was discreetly watchful as they went and settled into their seats there. She may as well be just a casual observer. A stranger to this party, not one of them. They were mostly unfamiliar to her.

Once all were seated, it was not long before take-off. As always, it gave a feeling of anticipation, excitement and some fear too. Amelia didn't suffer a phobia of flying though, except for slight apprehension that was natural. Soon they were flying through the night. The sky just blackness. Cutting through wisps of clouds. Below, were city lights that gradually grew to nothing as they left the city and suburban territory into wilderness, mountainous forest reserves and lakes, probably of Pennsylvania. Nothing could be seen in the night, which was a shame as the geography was probably quite beautiful in the day.

An hour later...

Amelia was trying to keep herself to herself sitting at her end of the lounge compartment reading a book but was becoming uncomfortable. She could cope with LaCroix to a degree since she used to him, but having these others too now was unnerving. She glanced over at their group - like a coven of sorts. They seemed cordial enough with each other, but not close. Like business associates rather than friends.

One of them was Marian Stewart. The only one familiar, she seemed to be an intern of sorts to LaCroix, something like a personal assistant. Amelia had not seen her since the first week of working for LaCroix and hadn't gotten to know her much. Marian wore her dark blonde hair up in a high ponytail, and her appearance was well-kept subtle elegance, wearing a dark blue jersey shift dress - comfortable, but of some expense. According to LaCroix, she had not been a vampire long, but what did this mean? A few months? Or years, even decades? What would be a long-time to her may seem short to him? For simplicity's sake, she took it at face value, assuming that Marian hadn't been this way for more than a year. They may even be the same age as each other, more or less. She was nice enough but had a certain distant air despite general civility. Amelia believed that the woman had an affluent background, probably had attended exclusive schools et cetera, as she left a similar impression to some she encountered at the university she'd attended. Sometimes, that had given her a feeling of imposter syndrome - they fit like a glove into what seemed was their natural habitat, whereas she felt like infiltrating new territory. Judging by LaCroix and the others, there seemed to be a preferred type to Embrace in this Clan.

With her was a man. He was like LaCroix with haughtiness and bearing that suggested social elite, which someone not of that background may find intimidating and remote. Amelia wondered if this was the one that had - what was the word for it LaCroix used - "Embraced" - her? Physically, he appeared slightly older than LaCroix, who looked as if he were in his mid-twenties at most. A strange illusion. In reality, LaCroix could be the elder, though he seemed so youthful in the face. They had the commonality of a masterful presence. Perhaps they must all be of the same Clan. Marian, however, had a slight uneasiness about her, and her presence was more of an elegant but ornamental prettiness than authority.

Amelia looked away quickly when one of them looked at her, catching her gaze in theirs which seemed to peer into her too long. Although Leticia was here, and the other vampires had their attendant with them too, Amelia felt very much alone. The thought of being stuck on a plane for hours at night was frightening. Their thirst for blood would gnaw at them soon, so she hoped they had supplies with them. Perhaps that's what their human aide was really for.

She sipped the complimentary glass of Lauren-Perrier. Never much of a champagne fan, this one was very good, but it was mostly to ease her nerves. They would have dinner soon - before the flight, she'd been asked to choose food and drink requests from an extensive and enticing menu. There had many options to choose from, including an extensive breakfast menu; soups, salads and sandwiches; desserts; a variety of sharing platters; customizable meal choices. The wide variety of entrée selections included choices such as Pan-seared filet mignon with a truffle red wine jus. Lobster linguine with Thermidor sauce. Chicken ballotine with sautéed potatoes, tender stem broccoli, and chicken jus. Dover Sole in Meunière sauce with watercress, new potatoes, spinach and a caper beurre noisette. A very good wine list… Of course, none of this was suitable for Sebastian LaCroix and his vampiric peers. But the flight was several hours, so there had to be something for him. She was wary of what his complimentary drink might be.

When their food arrived, she tried to concentrate on enjoying it. Herself and Leticia had a shared starter and then their mains. The food was great, and it was odd to her to have something so good on a plane. Leticia seemed unperturbed by being in this company, "this is delicious," she said of her meal, "do you like yours?"

"Yeah, it's nice actually. Better than I expected." At the same time though, she found it difficult for her mind not to wander into anxious thoughts about what LaCroix and the vampires at the other end of the cabin would be feasting on. She glanced past Leticia, who sat opposite her, down at them, her eyes lingering on LaCroix's profile as he looked out of the window next to him. His grey eyes happened to meet hers unexpectedly, and she blinked quickly looking down at her plate of food.

"It's nice to sit down and relax once in a while," Leticia said.

"I guess you're enjoying the break," Amelia replied. "Thanks for helping me get everything together by the way."

Leticia just shrugged, "no problem. Everything had to be ready." Of course, LaCroix had instructed her to assist Amelia, and she couldn't refuse that.

The flight attendant swept past down to LaCroix. He must have summoned her to him to request something. Soon after, some glasses were brought to LaCroix and the others. Her gaze met Leticia's as the attendant went past with the tray of glasses - the red liquid too thick for wine. Blood no doubt. Leticia simply looked back at her knowingly. The crew of this flight must know what clientele they had abroad. It was difficult not to watch them drink it. They had genteel sophisticated ways, but somehow it was not quite dainty. Herself and Leticia had a nice meal, but the vampires got theirs too. This cheered her spirits somewhat, as it least LaCroix may not be planning on serving her up on the menu.

Another Two hours pass...

Dinner was cleared away. She had a glass of water on the side panel. Leticia was reading a magazine. She stared at LaCroix, working on something after a discussion earlier. Perhaps business or whatever other machinations he had. His glass now empty. You could just about see a light bloody residue when the light caught the glass at certain moments. How much blood must he drink in a night?

At one point, she noticed that one of the other vampires and the human with them seemed to disappear into the private lounge for several minutes. Only the vampire came back out again, and their attendant didn't appear again for an hour, a shade paler and less vital. Oh, dear. Leticia looked at her steadily and slid a piece of paper to her across the tabletop. A note:

Can't talk out loud. Don't be nervous, you'll be alright. The others will probably leave you alone as you're LaCroix's, and they're Ventrue too, so you may not suit them. But try not to go on your own where you can be isolated. Sometimes, they do want to try to bite you if they think they can get away with it. And they'll get thirsty being cooped up here for several hours, even though we arranged supplies… They like it best fresh... But, it's alright. They probably won't bother you. He will not want them to :)

Amelia read this note and looked back at Leticia. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," she said, not quite sure if it reassured her much, or just confirmed her fears that vampires were opportunistic and likely saw her as dinner. And it didn't rule out LaCroix. If he wanted to feed, she'd be his first choice - probably the only choice since he was choosy and no other was suitable. He'd probably brought her with him just for this purpose. Naturally, that was why LaCroix would not want the others to get a chance. He had told her he hadn't bitten her yet… why would he do that? With her so conveniently and easily accessible for two months, it was unbelievable that someone whose existence relied upon predatory and opportunistic acts wouldn't sample her at least.

Another two hours pass. Still another hour and a half left.

They would not arrive until around midnight Los Angeles time. The flight was about six hours long. She had been awake for over twelve hours already, and could feel herself being pulled into sleep. The seats were spacious and comfy, which made it even more tempting. Sleeping arrangements could be made, the cabin was spacious and had some separation of areas. There was the private lounge that could become a bedroom… But she could hold on until the end. She didn't want to sleep on the flight, despite being tired. Not with this company anyway.

It was good to have so much room to move around in. She had got up from her seat to go to the bathroom, tempted almost to jump in the shower to wake herself up, but decided against it. After a while she came out and would have sat on the sofa in the private lounge to be alone - fed up with paranoia of being watched and unable to not observe the vampires there. But when she came out, she found LaCroix opposite her, just closing the door behind him as he entered. Leticia's advice of not creating opportunities to isolate herself was accurate, and she felt a bit stupid for letting this happen. He had watched her go in here, no doubt.

He lingered there, his hand still lightly on the door. "Miss Siddall," he said softly, his attention not fully on her yet, "are you enjoying the flight so far?"

It was the worst when he was urbane like this, as she found it disarming and lulled her into a feeling of comfort. Unsure what to do, she just stood in the middle of the room. "Um, it's great," she said looking at the surrounding luxury. "Very comfortable."

"Good to hear," he replied, moving away from the door further into space. "You did seem more enthusiastic earlier though," he noted, probably noticing that she was a little too uneasy to enjoy it. "Has anything been not to your liking, or are you simply grown accustomed now?"

"Oh no. No. It's just, I'm still a bit… overwhelmed." That's one way of putting it. "It's good. Better than usual flights I've been on," she shrugged.

"I see."

She kept her eyes on him as he moved further into this room. He looked out of the window to her left. "I expect it shall not be long before arrival."

Amelia peered at the window. She couldn't see anything. She lent on the sofa to look closer. It just looked dark outside. "I still can't see anything, how do you know?" she half-laughed and turned back to him.

"Well, I can see better than you." He seemed to be almost toying with her, which was odd. A quietness then.

Naturally, she wondered what his purpose was. Considering what she had seen and what Leticia had said earlier, she was still suspicious. She felt tired having been awake for so many hours. "I should go back now."

"Stay here," he said softly, with a sense of ease that contrasted her feeling of terror.

"What for?" she asked him directly.

"There's no particular reason," he said, "you're welcome to stay in this room if you wish to."

"You know what I mean."

"Of course," he looked at her steadily.

"Well, I," she swallowed, taken aback by his directness, "I just wish you'd get on with it then, rather than all this waiting," she sat down on the sofa, almost in defeat.

"The offer is much appreciated, but it isn't essential."

She stared at him aghast. "But… Are you sure? Isn't that why you've brought me on here? Isn't the onboard meal all part of the experience? I've had mine - which was great by the way, but I know it's nothing you'd be interested in. I know there's the glasses of blood you've had, but that's not quite the same is it? No. if you want something served up that'll be me," she ranted in whispered tones. She had warmed to the prospect of being bitten by him. On the surface, she was resigned to accepting the inevitable. Yet, her curiosity and attraction to the idea of him doing it, was a buried truth. "And probably for your friends too."

"No," his reply was sudden, "In any case, I don't believe they're interested in you."

"Ok," she replied cautiously. What if they were though? You wouldn't let them?

Sitting next to her, "that's why your enthusiasm lessened then, I take it?" He continued, lecturing in a reassuring but paternalistic way, "you will have to acclimate - you will encounter more Kindred from now on."

Amelia just nodded; watching him. "So," she took a breath, "are you going to?" she referred obliquely to it, thinking that's what he would want. But she was reluctant for it to happen here. The thought in her imagination of being met with knowing looks that she'd been bitten was unsettling. And, in her mind, would then be judged not as a person, but just an object to consume. Unimportant, like most people, who they regarded as just prey, like cattle.

He looked at her for a long moment. And she wondered what his thoughts were. "You look tired. You should rest. These nerves are worsened by lack of sleep." He added in a matter of fact tone, "they can make sleeping arrangements, you know."

"No. It's fine," she replied suddenly; her pulse-raising. Under no circumstances did she want to go to sleep on here. Not with these other vampires around. As for LaCroix, she had come around to the idea that she might be comfortable with being bitten by him, but no one else. She was tired. Almost dropping off into sleep now and then. "You said it wouldn't be much longer?"

"Another hour at least."

"I can stay awake for that time."

"No, no," he said dismissively. "I shall have that arranged. Go to sleep."

"But..."

Amelia woke. Almost falling off the sofa in the private lounge. Still not quite fully awake, she sat up and needed a moment to adjust. She was unsure if she had dreamed the previous conversation. It seemed very real, but she wondered what had happened in the intermission between that and her waking now. Had she fallen asleep? This was an uneasy prospect, given the vampiric passengers onboard. Whatever LaCroix said about them being disinterested in her, she was weary of trusting that they would have no predatory thoughts. And then there was LaCroix himself to consider. Her gaze shifted to her wrists, pulling back her sleeves and touched them lightly across the veins, and then touched her neck self-consciously, looking for signs. She thought he would. Surely he was thirsty for fresh blood? I can't believe he would wait, but there seems to be nothing. Sighing in thought - or at least there's no evidence.

She went back to her seat in the main cabin, as they neared arrival and steadily began the descent for landing. Leticia looked at her, and Amelia felt as if she were wondering what had happened.

"Look, we'll be arriving soon," Leticia indicated the window. The night sky black, the city lights glowed, almost an amber haze on the horizon, and the many tall skyscrapers of Downtown L.A. seemed to rise above this urban sprawl.

They arrived in Los Angeles without incident. Disembarking from the aircraft, a convoy of black limousines awaited. The other vampires had their own, and it seemed they would go their separate ways for now. Amelia and Leticia got in with LaCroix since they were his attendants. The car ride - uneventful. A calmness that shielded from the reality of this city that was turbulent, hostile and sordid beneath its veneer of glamour.

Author Note: Thanks for reading. :) I should have the next chapter up soon as it runs directly on from this one more or less, but it'll probably be a few more days at least before the next one is on. It will be worth waiting for though I think :)