A.N. – Notice how the chapter titles never make sense? There are two reasons for that. One – I used so much of my brain to make artistic chapter titles in my last fic IG, that I can't be bothered anymore. And two – I just wanted to use my favourite singer's (HYDE!) song titles because I wuv him so much.

Everyone, take a minute's silence to pray for hyde, lead vocal of the greatest rock band L'arcenCiel. He just turned 36 last Saturday, and still manages to look like a 16 year old, and be as tall as a 6 year old. Incredibly, incredibly, cute little guy. And oh so goodlooking. And oh so slashable with anyone, for that matter. Damn his stupid wife. He's gay, I tell you! Anyway, this is completely off the topic of Darren Shan. Sorry. Ahem. I will write now.

Am currently working on another VanezKurda picture for you, Inyx. It'll probably be up on my diary again when it's done. Kurda is going to be sleeping on Vanez's crotch. Yay!

Taste of Love

VII : Horizon

Darkness. Blades. Hissing. Dizziness. Pain. I run. But there is no exit. No exit. I fall – a thousand switches click, and I fall over –

'Vanez!'

I yelled, jumped up, and grabbed the arm next to me. I was breathing so fast and coarsely – someone wiped my face with a cold, wet cloth. It was just a dream – just a dream, I told myself, and settled my breathing. I looked at the arm I was holding, and then up at the person the arm belonged to. His green eyes were smiling peacefully – his pale lips curling into a dimpled grin. Seyle. He wiped my sweating face again, and then my bare chest.

'Good morning, Kurda. You don't mind me calling you by your first name, do you?'

He smiled. His voice was a medium-toned husky one, and was very pleasant to listen to. I could even hear a slight Irish accent hidden there, too. I cleared my throat unsurely.

'Of course not. Good morning...er...'

'Seyle. Though I think you already know me.'

He said, blushed, stared at the ground, and continued awkwardly;

'Vanez told me that you saw us...uh...getting...um...friendly.'

He finished very vaguely, and coughed to hide his embarrassment. He shook his messy black hair out of his face, cleared his throat again, and grinned.

'Anyway. How are you feeling?'

'Awful...'

I said honestly. Not physically, but mentally. I had remembered why I was angry at Vanez, and what happened last night. I begged him to kiss me. I swear it was the snake's poison getting to my brain. Honestly. Ugh. I feel like killing myself, right now.

'That's no good...'

Seyle sighed, and looked at my bandages.

'My herbs mustn't be working too well, then...'

'Your herbs?'

'Yes. I used to be a herbologist when I was a human. I recently started a small plantation just outside the Mountain – the medics use the plants there to make medicine and antiseptics.'

'So you did my bandages?'

I asked, looking at the neatly and skilfully tied bandages. Seyle scratched his head and smiled embarrassedly.

'I'm a qualified medic, you see.'

'Wait – I thought you were a guard!'

'Well – now, I am. I used to be a medic. I didn't even last a month, though. I kept passing out when there were disgusting gory accidents that I had to attend to. The fact is, I'm not really good with blood. Pretty pathetic, don't you reckon? A vampire who hates blood!'

He chuckled shyly, his straight-long black hair falling onto his flushed cheeks.

'I almost passed out when I saw all your wounds and bites, too. Shit, you must have had a hard time in there.'

'Yeah.'

I laughed. I was starting to like this guy. He's very...sweet. He's not like the other muscly, overly-confident, war-loving vampires – he was quite slender, shy, and fainted at the sight of gore and blood! No wonder Vanez likes him. Vanez. Speaking of which – where is he?

'Where's Vanez?'

I asked. Seyle smiled innocently and answered;

'Oh, he's out taking a long crap.'

I frowned and stared at him, speechless. Seyle cracked up, flicked some hair off his face and said;

'That's what he told me to tell you. He just doesn't want you to know what he's really doing.'

'What's he doing?'

I asked, incredibly curious. Seyle shrugged and looked away, smiling.

'I can't tell you.'

'Oh please!'

'Nope.'

'Pleeeease?'

I begged, fluttering my eyelashes. Seyle looked at me, grinning mischievously.

'...Only if you let me kiss you.'

'WHAT?'

I froze in my blankets, and stared at Seyle in shock. Seyle laughed again. He touched my hair and slowly combed through it with his fingers. He then touched my cheek for a second, and sighed.

'No wonder Vanez is so into you. You're so beautiful and innocent, you even make me want you. You certainly are worth more than all the mountain's men and women put together – just as Vanez said.'

'...He...said that to you?'

'Yes. Just after kissing you to sleep last night, he called me over and told me – that he's going to stop being a disgusting flirt once and for all, and drop all his side interests. He said he doesn't want to make his main interest jealous when he's the person Vanez cares for the most.'

'What...do you mean?'

'He means that he's had enough tongue-biting and jaw-dislocating because he thinks he'll be disabled by the time he's done with you.'

'You...mean...'

'Yes. You are the one he cares for the most, Kurda. And I was dropped, just like all his other toys.'

Seyle said, sadness in his eyes, but still smiling softly.

'You know – I always thought I was straight, until just a few days ago. I was doing my boring everyday duty as a guard, standing in front of the Princes' Hall – when this incredibly good-looking tall guy just walked up to me and started talking to me. And for the first time in my life, I thought that a guy was sexy. I'm pretty new in this mountain, so I didn't know that he was the biggest slut in the mountain – or perhaps on earth – but I couldn't stop thinking about him. So I went and told him that – and then he said that he couldn't stop thinking about me either – and, well...you saw...what happened next.'

'...'

'Vanez is a liar. He never thought about me nearly as much as he thought about you – and I knew that all the while he was holding me, he was thinking about someone else. And I knew it was you. So all yesterday I was wishing that you'd die in your trial. I'm a bastard, aren't I?'

Seyle smiled wryly, and sighed.

'Vanez was so worried the whole way through your trial – he didn't move, he didn't even smoke – and I think he's forgotten about smoking up to now. And I knew – the second Vanez ran into the tunnel for you, leaving me outside – I knew I had no chance. I was no where as important to him as you were. I was just a face, a body – you were his student, bound to him even in death.'

He paused for a second, and looked straight at me.

'So right now he's out there dropping everyone he's having a relationship with – it must be an awful lot, I imagine – so he can concentrate on making you happy. And...,' he grinned, '...maybe you can make him happy, too.'

Seyle winked, clearly implying something I refused to think about. It saddened me to know that Vanez had let Seyle down – Seyle is so honest and kind. And he loves Vanez. I don't see why Vanez would pick me over Seyle. When I just cringed and said nothing, Seyle smirked and added;

'Don't worry – he's a professional. It was my first time yesterday, but he lead the way perfectly. His techniques are amazing. I assure you it won't hurt...that much.'

He said, and smiled that innocent, dimpled smile again. I shuddered, refusing to take his advice. Just then, the door opened and Vanez stumbled in, rubbing his swollen cheeks and groaning.

'Girls really are diamonds, aren't they?'

He mumbled, and sank into a chair. He saw Seyle and me sitting close together, and narrowed his eye suspiciously.

'I hope you haven't been letting anything slip, Seyle?'

'Of course not. Don't you trust me?'

Seyle said, suddenly looking as innocent as a little puppy, but winking at me quickly when Vanez looked away and laughed.

'Of course I do. But I bet you've been fooling many people over the years with that "innocent look".'

'What "innocent look"?'

Seyle said, eyes wide open, grinning from ear to ear.

'That one, just there!'

Vanez said, walked over, and beeped Seyle's nose. Seyle poked his tongue out and pulled a face.

'...I'll let you two talk privately, then.'

He said, winked at me meaningfully, then walked out of the room.

Vanez waved to him, then came and sat on the edge of my bed, and started stroking my hair lovingly.

'How are you feeling?'

'Disgusting.'

'That's no good...Is there anything I can do for you? Perhaps kiss some hurties better?'

He said, smiling, rubbing my forehead with a thumb. I pulled a face.

'No hurties, sorry. But I do have a favour to ask you.'

'Ask me anything.'

'Anything?'

'Anything.'

'Forget everything I said after the trial.'

'...Anything but that.'

'Hey, you said anything!'

'I said "ask me anything" – I don't recall promising granting them.'

'...'

I glared at him, puffing my cheeks out.

'I swear it was the snakes' poison! I don't know why I...why I...'

'Begged me to kiss you?'

'...Yes.'

I said through gritted teeth. Vanez laughed.

'It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's not like you didn't enjoy it – all those soft moaning noises you made in my mouth...'

He maded little moaning noises – I wanted to throw my blanket at him, but that would mean getting completely naked, so I just glared, blushing. Vanez chuckled, then fluttered his eyelashes and said in a sweet voice;

'Vanez...ooh Vanez...I think my lips are bleeding...oohh...kiss me better, please...gimme a big wet one...'

He closed his eye and made loud kissing noises – I growled, jumped at him and started punching him in the chest. He just laughed and grabbed my wrists. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

'Come in!'

Vanez yelled, still laughing.

'Sure I'm not...er...interrupting anything?'

Gavner's worried voice echoed from behind the door.

'NO!'

I shouted, blushing slightly, remembering about last night, how Gavner had walked in on us. The door opened, and Gavner came in, holding a mug of blood and smiling broadly.

'Good. I was a little worried because this tall guard I met down the hallway told me that I shouldn't go visit you right now because...uh...'

'Because?'

Vanez urged, grinning amusedly. Gavner cleared his throat awkwardly and continued:

'Because there'll be fierce, passionate love-making goin' on very soon in this room.'

He finished. Vanez cracked up laughing. I cursed Seyle under my breath. Vanez, choking from laughter, said:

'Indeed, Gavner, we were very close to starting that. Now, what was so important that you had to interrupt our foreplay?'

I pulled my arms free from Vanez's hands, and started whacking him in the head with a tissue box I found on the bedside table. Gavner laughed.

'Well, Prince Mika wanted you guys to come and draw Kurda's next trial soon, or else there'd be no time to practice. Are you well enough to go, Kurda?'

I opened my mouth to say yes – but Vanez was quicker. 'He just needs me to kiss and lick his hurties better, and then he's ready to go, Gavner.'

'...Right. I'll leave you to it, then.'

Gavner said, looking slightly uncomfortable – then handed the mug of blood to me. I thanked him, planning in my mind when to splash the contents over Vanez's head and to run away with Gavner. But Vanez grabbed the mug from my hands, and said to Gavner –

'Kurda's arms are still to numb to work, he'd better not hold anything too heavy, you know.'

'Oh...really? I thought I saw him whacking you over the head with a tissue box just before?'

Gavner laughed, then added:

'I guess I'll go get a straw for you, then.'

He said, and left the room. I glared at Vanez.

'I can drink on my own!'

'No you can't.'

Vanez smirked – he took a mouthful of blood, and before I could register what he was about to do and stop him – his mouth was on mine, pouring warm liquid into my mouth and down my throat. When he had finished, he took his mouth off, took a quick mouthful again, and did the same. I clenched the bedsheets, trying hard not to choke on the precious liquid or spill it out of my mouth. Vanez took his mouth off again – I quickly breathed in and tried to argue:

'Vanez, don't...! mnmmhh...!'

It was no use – he was too quick for me. He mouth-fed the last of the blood, then took his mouth off, and wiped my face with his shirt.

'Now, that wasn't too bad, was it?'

He grinned – I raised my fists to hit him – but he grabbed both my wrists and smirked.

'No more bashing up, thank you very much. I've had enough of that already for today. Why don't we go draw your trial now? Do you want me to pick you up and carry you there like a princess, or can you stand up on your own?'

He said, raising an eyebrow. I looked away, sat up, and put my feet on the ground. I tried to stand up – but my legs gave way and Vanez had to catch me in mid-air. I pushed him away and stood up again, this time succeeding to balance. My thigh still aches. Vanez smiled, and pulled my arm over his shoulders. Though reluctantly I leaned on him, as we made our way to the Princes' Hall.

'Trial number 11, the Maze of Water.'

Mika announced simply, continuing to stare at me. I looked up at Vanez, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable. Vanez glared at Mika, then took my hand and pulled me towards the exit, muttering under his breath:

'Dirty old bastard.'

I found it funny that Vanez disliked Mika so much – I mean, it's not like he harms me or anything, he just stares weirdly. And Vanez – well, he harms me in every way possible. So theoretically, I should like Mika more than Vanez. Theoretically. I sighed. In spite of all the things he's done to me, I can't stop feeling happy that he dropped everyone just for me. I looked up at his frowning face, smiling. I shook my smile off – I'm happy because all those poor vampires won't have to suffer the slut any more, I'm happy for everyone, I repeated in my mind sternly. I'm not happy because he's all mine. No way. Just then, Mika Ver Leth growled behind us:

'You should watch your tongue, Vanez Blane. Just because you are not a General does not mean that you will be excused for everything – your job and your life in the mountain depends on the Princes.'

With that, he turned around, and continued on with his deskwork. Vanez poked his middle finger at the Prince's back. I frowned, slightly worried.

'He heard you, Vanez. That's not good...What if you lose your job?'

'Ooh I'm so scared! God – does he seriously think I want to stay in the Mountain? I'd gladly leave. Half the vampires here hate me now anyway.'

'Because you dropped them all?'

'Yeah...wait a sec...How on earth do you know that?'

I grinned, poked my tongue out at him, and ran off into the corridors (my legs were finally working). Vanez swore behind me, muttering something about Seyle – and ran after me.

'So. Is this maze thing hard?'

I asked, sitting on the edge of one of the bars used for fights. Vanez took out a cigarette, kissed it, then lit it with one of the candles lighting the hall.

'Depends. Can you swim?'

'Yes.'

'Good. Then it's as easy as riding a blind donkey one handed.'

He smiled, then took a long breath from his newly lit cigarette. I frowned. I had never ridden a blind donkey, so I had no idea whether that was a hard thing or an easy thing.

'...You mean it's easy?'

'Yeah.'

He puffed some smoke out, and smiled. I stared at him.

'Last time you said that a trial was easy, I almost died!'

'But you didn't die, did you?'

He smirked triumphantly. I decided to shut up. Everything I say seems to amuse Vanez, and makes me end up feeling stupid. He stood up, tied his hair up as usual, and looked at me seriously.

'There's a practice room for this trial. It's a smaller maze than the real one, but we can practice there. We'll practice first without weights – all you have to concentrate on is making a map inside your head. That's the hard bit. If you can do that, you've passed this trial.'

He winked, and led the way to the practice room.

'Churna's guts, Kurda! Are you sure you've never had any experience with mazes?'

'Never.'

'That was five minutes flat! Even I wouldn't find the exit so quickly!'

Vanez whistled, and pat my head. I smiled at him, flattered.

'My sire used to teach me some cartography, though... Maybe that helped.'

'Cartography, eh?'

He raised an eyebrow – I pouted and argued:

'It's not as boring as you think, Vanez. You might laugh at me, but I quite like it!'

'Of course I won't laugh at you, Kurda! I think it's wonderful that your cartography skills are helping you with this trial. Maybe you can teach me one day, hey?'

He smiled, and I knew he wasn't being sarcastic or mocking. He meant it. I smiled happily.

'Maybe.'

I said, then stood up and walked over towards the middle of the maze again.

'Let's start again, Vanez! I want you to time me one more time – maybe I can finish it in less than 5 minutes!'

'Wait – Kurda, we need to progress a little. Let's try with the stone weight this time, and see if you can keep your time.'

We walked to the middle of the maze again, after Vanez changing the format a little (so it won't be identical to the last maze I went through), and sat down. The walls were high around us, and the atmosphere seemed darker than outside because there weren't any candles.

Vanez dragged a huge rock (he said it weighed around half my weight) up, and tied some ropes around it. He then tied those ropes around my waist, and beckoned me to stand and move. I stood, but the rock was so huge and heavy that I tripped and fell over. The rock only moved a little. You must be kidding, I thought, staring in horror at the rock.

Vanez smirked and walked over to me, his eye glinting oddly. I dragged myself towards the wall, staring up at him.

'You wouldn't dare...'

I started, but the rest turned into a loud purr when Vanez quickly leaned down and licked my ear. He whispered into it hoarsely:

'The idea of you being tied onto something, unable to move – always excited me. Then I'd dream of 'educating' you with whips, my dear student...'

'...Sadist.'

I spat in his face, disgusted. Vanez laughed.

'We have time to spare anyway, Kurda, 'cause you're so good at this anyway.'

He stroked my cheek, and kissed me lightly.

'No one can see us here...'

He whispered into my ear again – his hot breath was ticklish – I tried to move, but the rock and the wall wouldn't let me. I was trapped. Between the wall and Vanez. Why didn't I notice the danger of coming here with Vanez, earlier? He kissed my thoughts quiet again, and smiled.

'Aren't you getting sick of stopping at a kiss every time? I certainly am...'

He reached down and unbuckled my belt, pulling the zipper down – I quickly grabbed his hand, blushing. Vanez smirked.

'Bingo. I always thought you were a boxers sort of guy. I guessed right. You even match the colour of it with your cloak, I see. Very stylish. Shame you didn't let anyone see up till now.'

'...You speculated on my underwear?'

I gasped, shocked and disgusted. Vanez winked at me and whispered;

'Yeah, and what's underneath them, too...'

Vanez looked down longingly at my boxers again as I blushed and fumbled with the zip on my trousers.

'God, Vanez, can't you restrain your animal instincts for a change?'

'Believe me, Kurda, I've been doing my very best. If I hadn't been, you'd be on the floor right now, flowering beautifully underneath me, shouting out my name, and breathing like a...'

'Stop. I get the point. Thankyou. Now will you teach me the rest of the trial? If I die, you die, remember?'

I smiled, kissed Vanez lightly on his forehead, and stood up. Vanez grinned up at me, and nodded.

A.N. – This was one of the chapters I was particularly looking forward to writing. I'm pretty pleased with it, I guess. Lots of Seyle, lots of pervy Vanez... And I hate to tell you, but Vanez's perviness is bound to increase by about 30 from now on. He's dropped all his side interests now, so he won't be getting any, if you know what I mean. Which means that there will be a lot of sexual frustration. Poor, poor, Kurda. Oh how I love tormenting him.

Oh – and everyone, my computer is extremely stuffed up. I can't check the e-mail at all, so I haven't been able to even read my e-mails. If you've been e-mailing me reviews or letters, I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply – I'm getting it fixed this weekend, hopefully, so please wait patiently!

Silver Sky Magician

Kya! I heard that song when I was in Japan – Wish you the best – it sounds awesome! Go Mai K! Oh – nooo, Kurda didn't really forgive Vanez. He'd just forgotten that he was mad at him. Hmmmm... Okay. Maybe. Maybe I'll write a ShinichiRan. It's just – I can't come up with any sort of plot, you see. Maybe if you gave me an idea, I could build on it. I doubt I'd even make 100 reviews, though.

Inyx

Vancha? I can't imagine writing a slashy picture of Vancha except for one of him with Harkat. XD. Hurry up with more of your VanchaHarkat, Inyx! I will strangle you if you don't! Poor demons in hell. But I guess they'd be happy if a good-looking hot-bodied guy like Vanez falls down from above. They'd all feed on him, I think. Oh – Seyleypoo is all yours now. Yours to take. He may be in little snippets of the story, but his major role's done. Do you still want him, or are you sick of him now? Kya! Paris with a baseball cap – I should so make him do that soon. Kurdie's going to be fine for the next trial, don't worry. Vanez has kissed all his hurties better, and Seyle has healed him with his cream (or herbs, he likes to put it). And I made Kurdie purr for you again. We really should start a forum or something, my e-mail's not working...I mean, I just can't log into my mailservice. Hmph. NOOOO! Vannie is NOT a PE teacher. He is a martial arts TUTOR. You don't know my PE teacher. He's ALL HAIR. He's like 'cousin it'. He's like a gorilla but I don't say that because that would be an insult to gorillas. He is SICK. And he picks on me. And he is OOOLD. Ew. And he can't pronounce my name right. Bloody sponge-brain. It could be a trial, eh? Calling Mika Mikkie. I quite like Mika. He seems to have this dark, hidden horniness. I'd think he likes using whips and chains and collars, too. But but but but but, Gohan and Veggie and Trunks and Piccolo and all of them – they're all so MUSCULAR! They're not vulnerable and thin and molestable like Kurda and Darius... They'd fight back... Yay! I get Kurda in cream! And Mr Tall! Yay! You can have naked Gavner with cream, glued to Larten who is also naked.

clam theif

Yay! You MUST put up your yaoi fic! My dad gets freaked when I talk about yaoi stuff. He's like '...what the heck?'. Poor men. They can't stand it. I want to read more of Sister Vamp! I love Aldra so much... Aww... And Kurda came back! Yay! WHAT? Lian dies? Ohmygod...poor Lian...You're free to kill Lilian too if you want to. Truth or dare? I must check on that as well, although I don't usually read anything to do with people other than Kurda. You should! Please draw a KurdaVanez picture!

cold-night09

Kurdie, or Kurdy, it doesn't really matter, lol. Yeah. Poor Kurda. All those snakes giving him lovebites. I don't really like happy ending chapters. They leave you all fluffy and happy – I like being left in suspense, or sadness, or shock – it's all so exciting, I think! So how have you been? Have you been doing well in school?

Fear The Walls Of Jericho

Thanks for waiting, and your advice, as always! You really should write a story – you seem to have really good skills, and your reviews never have spelling mistakes or anything, either – you should write something soon. I'll go and read it! I think it will get pretty obvious, Kurda and Vanez's relationship, when they start kissing in public and all that, lol. Yeah. Last chapter was a little hard to read, I admit. I hope this one was better. It's mostly dialogue so it muts have been easier to read.

Showjumper916

NOOOO. Gavner doesn't have lust for Kurdie! They're just...very close. And Gavner likes Kurda. But Gavner would never take Kurda from Vanez. It's unrequited love. Oh how sweet. Wait until the weekend with the sign-up thing, because my e-mail's not working till then. I'm so sorry!

SilentlyCrying

Yay! They should go to a Gay bar and have a Gay disco! yaaay! I'm so looking forward to reading this! Please put it on fanficnet soon!

S-A

You're sick? My God, that's awful! I'm praying for you every night, my friend. I hope my prayers (and the ants') reach you in time. you got a laptop? How cool! I'm sure it'll help make you feel much better. I truly hope your illness is nothing too serious. I'm extremely worried. Seyle – if Inyx doesn't want him after this chapter, then you can probably own him, but you have to ask her. Yup. Inyx is a girl, I'm pretty sure. I'd love to talk to you on IM or e-mail (when it starts working...). The ants are really really happy with the gift basket. They send a whole basket full of mangoes (they're from my garden) for you and your ants. And Mosier. He can have the leftovers, okay? Hoping you feel better soon!

Kirin the Vampiress

I'm so sorry it took long to update! But I'm glad you're still reading it. Thankyou. yea! I so want to read silentlycrying's Vanez in Gaybar fic... I wish she'd post it... Oh – I live in Japan half the time, and live here the other half. At the moment I'm in Australia, cause Japan is freezing cold. And I can't update when I'm in Japan, so that's why I was so late in updating. Kurda Slash! Yay! You should try writing slash, too. It's really interesting when you start, you know.

The Freaky Butt Mate

Yup, he purrs. And he purrs a lot. I just read book 12 over the holidays, and I'm really really sad that it ended. Waaah! T.T Nope. You cannot have Seyle because Inyx owns him. You have to rent him out if you want him. WHAT? A KurdaHarkat? Ohmygod you are a genius. Well, I know what I'm writing next, then (hums and starts plotting ideas). Oh, you can have Gavner, though. If the author lets you XD. Thanks for your compliment with the characters – I really think that they're kind of out of character, but thankyou! You mean by your latest chapter, Steve's story? My author alerts haven't been coming (or rather I can't read them because of my stupid e-mail) so I didn't know! I'll go read asap.

Moose

Yay! My animal friend! Are you more of a Gavner fan, or a Kurda fan? I really like Gavner. But I suck at writing him... Anyway, thanks for your review, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!