7/24/09: Edited for original upload errors caused by text editor.

Touched By An Angel was about angels helping people.

Forever Knight was about a vampire family--one of whom sought redemption.

I wrote the crossover, but don't own either property.

Chapter 13: The Bloodkiss

It was the beginning of twilight outside the Raven, the main business of which had been closed by the Elder's expressed order: the bouncers were only to allow in members of the Community that the Roman was on friendly terms with until a formality was concluded. Any who should appear this early were to get their drinks quickly before settling in seats to watch the event if they cared to stay for it.

So far, none had come save those the Elder had purposely invited, their clothing still smelling faintly of smoke to attest what they had risked by answering Lacroix's unexpected summons; pieces of thick, dark fabric that they had swathed their faces and hands in to protect themselves from the last, fading rays of sunlight hung on chairs near the bar. Such an early meeting virtually assured that the only 'walk in' audience would be those young, forgotten ones that Janette had taken under her wing.

Just now, assorted fledglings were fidgeting quietly around the perimeter of the dance floor, made nervous by the electrified air around the distinguished elders in the middle. More of the very youngest were stumbling in, awakened earlier than was their wont by the sense of anticipation from the others, their drowsy murmurings hastily quieted by their more awake fellows.

Lucien Lacroix's ice-blue eyes stared hard into Andrew's as they stood facing each other within the designated area of the room. The vampire master looked very impressive in his all-black suit with the sword-shaped silver stickpin jutting through his high collar. Totally healed too, the angel noted---not a trace of disability from his earlier wounds evident.

Andrew on the other hand felt very uncomfortable as he and the vampire master were the focal point for a loose circle of six very serious faced vampires. Of those, he recognized the ones from earlier: Janette, Feliks, Merlin, Miklos...and now another one wearing glasses and having a balding head. The latter sensed old--- older than even Lacroix---yet was attired more like the youngsters surrounding the circle: very casual off-the-rack as opposed to famous designer originals. The glasses had to be an affectation as no vampire would need such physical aids.

"Aristotle," Lacroix had gravely welcomed the nerdish-looking vampire inside as if no other introduction was necessary, "How are the American Communities doing these days?

Andrew had nodded his own polite greeting to the one it seemed everyone should know, hoping his face didn't betray that he hadn't a clue why he was so important. Whereas the vampire certainly felt old enough to be the famous one of history, he doubted the Night People cared one whit about the Greek's theories on philosophy.

Aristotle frowned at him through his glasses in a funny manner, but nodded back. He seemed more curious than anything else by Andrew's presence.

"My daughter, my trusted friends, my fellow children of the night," the Elder began, momentarily taking his eyes off the angel in order to acknowledge the growing crowd, "I have called you all here as witnesses. This newcomer among us---an Ancient---" he indicated Andrew---"has professed a desire to interact with my family. Now normally, I would not hesitate to fulfill the request of one of authority..." an anonymous cough was hastily stifled as the Elder glared in its direction "but there is a problem. It seems that no one can really vouch for our friend here's veracity." He turned to the spectacled vampire.

"Aristotle?"

The casually attired vampire shrugged. "I've no record of that name being attached to any of the very Ancient, nor do I recognize him at all from a more personal view. I'm certain he has never directly used any of my services."

Lacroix remained silent a moment longer to let that sink in.

"A vampire that Aristotle does not recognize?" the Roman lifted an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Has never needed his paper-trail modified or a new identity created? Still, he is old enough to be with the Council. But that does not explain how Interviewer Kurkan had to ask him who he was."

Mutterings and speculating whispers could be heard from beyond the circle as the more knowledgeable informed their infant brethren of Kurkan and how nearly all vampires used Aristotle's considerable resources when it came time to move from one assumed name to another.

Lacroix smiled at the crowd with palms raised in false supplication. "You see, my children, my reason for hesitating on giving this one what he asks? I am responsible for the well-being of my family..."his tone turned threatening "and you know how seriously I view that commitment."

Dead silence prevailed. They knew. Those that didn't were mixed with the dust of the earth.

The pleasant smile smoothly returned. "But I am not unreasonable. It could be he is who he purports himself to be. Therefore, I am requesting this indisputable assurance of his good will toward my own."

He faced Andrew.

"Do you accept the taking of blood to honor the truth?"

Andrew gulped. He really, really wished he could get out of this. However...

"I do."

Fangs appeared within the victorious smile of the Elder. He reached for the top fastener of Andrew's primly buttoned up shirt.

"But not," Andrew qualified, "by you. I demand the right to choose who I reveal myself to." He gave a mental sigh of relief as the former general withdrew his hand.

Growling low in his throat, the Roman narrowed his eyes at him. He was clearly disgruntled about not learning the mysterious vampire's secrets for himself.

"Who, then?"

"Ja..." Andrew caught himself, feeling a gentle nudge from within. "Aristotle."

The vampires blinked.

Lacroix inwardly fumed. With any of the others, he could have used his authority to get the information he wanted either verbally or by compelling another bloodkiss with the ancient's partner before the taken blood had mixed together. But special rules applied to Aristotle because of the wealth of personal data he had on so many vampires' current and past histories. Aristotle was untouchable as far as taking was concerned; thus, a secret given to the Greek was safer than a brick of gold in Fort Knox.

"You understand that by choosing Aristotle, you cannot bite back?" Lacroix reminded him in hopes that Andrew would change his mind. "His blood contains too much information on the Community to be shared with another of even the High Council. An infraction of that rule will result in your immediate and complete immolation."

"Yes," Andrew replied. Not that it mattered to him. He had no intention of biting any of those present. He would, in fact, happily go through this entire assignment without doing it at all. "That's fine."

"Very well."

And the Roman exchanged places with the Greek who smiled somewhat shyly up at the taller vampire as he took off his glasses to wipe the lenses and pocket them.

"Well...then..." Aristotle coughed. "Since it's your blood... Which do you prefer?"

"Excuse me?" Andrew asked. Had he missed something?

"From the neck or the wrist, sir?"

"Oh." The angel hastily unbuttoned his left cuff and extended his wrist, inwardly cringing as the unassuming fellow moved back the fabric before extending his fangs. He'd never been bitten by anything bigger than a mosquito and a doctor's hypodermic before. This would probably hurt a lot.

To Andrew's surprise the dual assault of the canine teeth through his skin did not hurt at all. And the gentle sensation of blood being sucking from his veins was actually sort of pleasant. Unconsciously purring as Aristotle swallowed his first mouthful, his eyes became golden and his own fangs erupted as his Vampire awakened. Suddenly, he had the almost overwhelming desire to sink his own teeth into the other as his acquired beast sought to complete the ancient instinct of blood sharing.

Andrew wasn't sure if he could control it.