Authors Notes: Ya'll gon' hate me after this chapter…just sayin'. XDXD HEY ALSO like the new cover for LOB? I drewed it :3 Let us carry on and let the hate commence!

WARNING: This Chapter is rated M. You have been warned.

Love or Blood

Chapter Twenty Two: Courier

I fled into the night, down the winding streets, unable to see anything but cobblestone paths and stone buildings. I searched desperately for doors as I ran past them. I needed help and might have been able to alert someone before whoever that man was caught me. I knew my stalker was not far behind as the lamps above me died out and cruel quiet laughter carried on the wind. I dared not to turn around.

The idea made me run faster but I didn't get very far. As I rounded a corner I ran smack into someone as solid as stone. The collision made me fall to the ground and grab the back of my head that had collided with the pavement. I groaned and looked up. My vision was hazy, but there before me was the robed man. I-impossible! H-he was behind me!

"Hello my lady." The robed man smiled, teeth flashing, his eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.

I scrambled to my knees as the world swam before me. I tried to turn around but felt a large, strong arm loop around my waist. My voice found its way from my throat in the form of a small cry. I was hauled to my feet as though I was nothing but air. A gloved hand was placed over my mouth and I was pulled into an alley.

I fought desperately against the man. I wriggled and twisted violently as he pulled me back into a faraway corner.

"There, there now." He purred, pulling my back tightly to his chest. "You're only going to wear yourself out faster this way."

He was right. This man was strong, surprisingly so. If I wanted to get away I needed all the strength I could muster, so useless struggling was only more damaging. I loosened in his grip but whimpered into his glove, feeling so helpless. I no longer knew what to do in order to free myself, though I was trying my best to remember.

In the blink of an eye he procured a rope and bound my hands in front of me. He had done it so quickly that I had not even reacted. It had been so long since I had to literally be unmoving and pliant in order to save my life. And this man…he was so unlike anyone I had ever encountered before. I felt it in my very soul. It seized me with fear and told me that any trick I tried would not do.

"Here, let's have a look at you again." He easily twisted me around to face him, pressing my back into the cold stone walls, keeping a hand firmly on my mouth. "My, my, you are indeed as pretty as a picture." His free hand reached up to touch my cheek and I remembered long ago when I had been attacked by a drunken Breton. I seized the opportunity to raise a knee to his groin, trying to reenact my escape from years ago. However he seemed to have expected this trick. He moved quickly to the side and effortlessly dodged the blow. He then used his hips to part my thighs and pressed himself between them.

I was cold from fear, perspiring from my struggle and hot with rage and shame. I did not know what to do but my mind was spinning out of control. I doubted that this man could be reasoned with. What could I do?

His hand came up again but this time it was to his own mouth. He pulled at the finger of his glove with his teeth to remove it. It fell between us and his now pale, ungloved hand reached out to touch my cheek. The smile that spread across his lips upon the contact was crazed and wicked. His skin was rough, and his hand eventually ventured up into my hair.

I mumbled in protest against his hand and did my best to keep from acting on instinct. I knew violence on my part would get me nowhere. I was not strong. He handled my hair gently and brought my ponytail to his face. He pressed it to his cheek, where it caught on his stubble. He inhaled it deeply and I cringed. "Like sweet silk." He smoothly commented.

I felt his eyes burn into me then. "You are to listen to me now, girl. I am going to take my hand away from you, but if you so much as scream…well, I'll give you something to scream about. I'm sure you understand?" He cooed, and the coolness of his tone chilled me as much as his words did. But I nodded, though hesitantly.

He did as he said he would and carefully removed his hand. I let out a shaky breath and bit down hard on my lip. He watched me for a moment. "I'm glad to see you are as smart as you are beautiful. I would have hated to have to use force with you." I swallowed hard, my body began to shudder. I was wracked with shakes that I could not subdue. I turned my face away from him.

Now, with me pinned to the wall only by our conjoined hips, he used his free hands to run up my sides. He began to snicker lightly. It frightened me more so. "By Sithis," he laughed in disbelieve. "How did Janus Hassildor get his hands on you?"

I thought I could not have been more afraid, but there it was. He now had my rapt attention and I stared up at him in abject horror and disbelief. Tears finally began to form in my eyes but I did not cry, despite it all I stayed silent as the grave. I only shook my head. How did this man know of me? Of the Count?!

"I bet that vampire counts his lucky stars every night." He murmured and brought me closer to him. One might have called the hold a lovers embrace, had I not been a hapless victim, and he a…specter. "Tell me,"he wrapped his arm tighter around me and used his free hand to tilt my face up to him. "Do you miss the warmth of a living man's flesh?"

I said nothing and refused to look at him despite him wanting me to do so. They always want you to look at them. Although I was afraid I was also angry. The way he spoke of the Count as if he were a beast made me squeeze at the ropes that bound me. My breath came heavily through my nose. If I could, I would hurt this man.

He waited a moment before chuckling again, the sound a soft rumble in his chest. "Go on, you may speak now. But do so quietly, my dear lady." He whispered.

But only then as I looked up into the shadows of his hood, into his blackness of his eyes did I know who this man was. 'My dear lady, you look distressed. May I be of some assistance?'

"Y-you…" I said in a whisper. The realization struck me dumb.

"Yes," He smiled wistfully, twirling a lock of my hair, "Me."

"Why are you doing this?" I pleaded. I had spoken to this man hours before and I did not like him then. His arrogance, the way he made himself known, all left a bad feeling. Like something was off. Now I knew what that something was. I was shocked and furious. How could I have not known? How long had he been watching me? Why on Nirn did I leave the inn alone?! "Why are you doing this?" I repeated, near hysteria. Violence was coiling within me. I wanted to hurt this man.

"Doing what? Holding you?" He asked, feigning innocence. "Because you are beautiful and I quite like it. Besides, if I were to let you go you'd run away." He looked at me approvingly. "And rightfully so. You didn't trust me from the beginning, did you? You are quite perceptive, my lady. While your Nord friend…not so much. You were right to be leery of me."

He brought himself closer, grinning ear to ear. "I am quite dangerous."

"I do not doubt! But I have nothing to give you! Let me go." I rasped. It was injustice. The one time I leave the Castle, the one time I am alone, I was to be accosted by some twisted man from the marketplace? Were the Gods so cruel?

I thought of how attractive this man looked at the bakery. His dark chocolate hair kept neatly in a ponytail, the light stubble on his cheek, his black searching eyes, shockingly white teeth, and ruggedly handsome face. He did not need to torment me. As Tualga had said earlier, he could easily get himself a woman. But here he was assaulting me and it was arousing him.

"Then perhaps I can give something to you?" He probed, his hands making their way up my body to my breasts. I turned my chest as far from him as I could.

"I want nothing from you! Do not touch me!"

"You are quite brave for someone in no position to be so bold." He smirked, his hands still making their way upward. He began to unbutton my blouse; I turned my body so violently this time that it shocked the both of us. My shoulder knocked his hands away and caused him to falter. That one step back was all I needed. I pushed past him and ran for the alley's entrance.

I yelped as I was jerked backward by my hair and again was in his arms. "And here I thought you were a smart girl." He hissed in my ear.

Suddenly all the quiet rage inside of me came forth. "He'll kill you! He'll kill you if you dare presume to touch me!"

To my further outrage he laughed and pushed me into the wall again, though this time I was not facing him, but the stone. "Will he now? Well I'm afraid he's not here. I presume we are speaking of your Count, yes?"

"I am his property! Killing me is theft from him!" I scorned, cheek pressed into the cold stone wall. "It is punishable by death! They will find my body and he will find you! He will get you, Lucien Lachance! He will get you and tear you apart! I am his! Not to be touched!"

My outrage had blinded me. Was I to die here in this alley all because I refused this man's advances? Then I would be afraid no longer. I knew what I spoke was true, I knew it in my heart. The Count would hunt this man down. That alone would satisfy me.

After a moment of my heavy breathing he spoke again. "You know…" He began slowly. "I have never liked men who thought of women as property." There was a long pause then he started to chuckle. "What animals they are!" He laughed into my hair and I clenched my teeth.

His laughter soon faded. "You are a delight. You know this, correct?" I said nothing to him. I stared into the stone. "You don't know how glad I am to have met you. Despite what you may think, the Dark Brotherhood isn't all fun and games. It's so lovely to share an evening with an innocent."

My eyes bugged and my body went rigid. An assassin? The Dark Brotherhood?! But why? Who?

I was jarred from my thoughts by a sharp smack to my backside. I turned as much as I could to see this assassin. This purely insane man. "If you are to kill me –"

"I'm not here to kill you, Abigale." He said thoughtfully while kneading the flesh he had just struck. "Quite the contrary actually. I'm not supposed to even touch you." He emphasized the word by applying more pressure to his administrations. "But I couldn't help myself; I wanted to play with you. You are so very beautiful." I was baffled. I was being molested in an alley by an assassin with no motive?

"Then what?" I spat, now more confused than afraid. "You are to rape me then?"

"Hmmm," He paused for a dreadfully long moment. My blood turned to ice. "No." He shook his head and continued. "I'd rather have you willing, it would be much more fun." A shred of relief came to me then but it was so muddled by my fear and confusion that it was disregarded. I still did not know what this Lucien Lachance wanted.

"I shall have you willing in the end, of that I am sure." He nodded to himself. I didn't say anything or move a muscle. Half of me was hoping that if I stayed motionless he would get bored and leave me. "But for now," He moved away slightly, allowing me to turn around. He reached into his robes and procured a small bundle and letter. "This letter is for your Count. And the parcel is for you… a gift from me, if you will." Again I was astounded. I stared at the crudely wrapped parcel in his hands. "Do not open it until you are secluded in a private area, understand?" I was frazzled and jittery all over but nodded the same. I was still unbelieving that I was to go unharmed.

"However," he went on, to my utter dismay. "It is customary that a courier receives payment upon delivery." He inclined his head to me. "This evening I am your courier and I do not come cheaply. How will you be paying me, my lady?"

My heart sank as well as my fury. I felt as though I was so close to freedom only to have it snatched away from me. "I have no money." I squeezed my eyes shut, holding the parcels with shaking hands. "I have nothing. Please, let me go."

Lucien Lachance, scoffed at me. "Surely you must have something to trade for all my time and effort?" He was goading me again. Toying with me like a cat does to a mouse. I could not answer him. I felt myself hunch and lean into the wall as he came closer. "Dear, sweet, child. I will not harm you tonight." It brought me no comfort. "I can think of something you can do for me as a trade…"

I looked up to him imploringly, knowing full well what he wanted. Also knowing full well that I would not give it. "No." I heard myself say. Is that what he meant when he said he knew he'd have me willingly? I would rather die than trade my body to him - a murderer.

He pulled a blade from his hip then. I gulped. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice." He examined the blade in the moonlight for a moment before focusing on me again. "And you will do it meaningfully, and passionately." He stepped closer and smiled. "Just pretend I'm your Count."

"No." I said again, squeezing my eyes shut. I felt the blade touch my belly, and then in one hard swift motion, he brought it upward.

The rope that bound my wrists fell to the pavement by his glove.

His blade went back into its hilt then and he stared down hard at me. "You will kiss me. You will hold me and kiss me like I am your dearest Count. Say no to me again and you won't be walking for a month. Do you understand?"

A kiss? I thought, still jarred by his blade and his threats. I found myself nodding slowly but I was petrified. What man wanted nothing more than a kiss when it was within his power to do so much more than that? This man was insane! Where are you, Sir? I wish you could save me from the world again.

I still wasn't thinking clearly as he came toward me and had me place down the parcels. When I rose again he plucked my arms from my sides and placed them around his hooded neck. His own hands, splayed at either side of my head against the cool stone. It was then as his eyes burned into mine did I realize what he was doing to me. He saw my fear, my every thought – or so it felt like. This man was a man of torture, no doubt many other crimes as well. He was torturing me too on a mental level. My mind was shaken and felt on the verge of shattering.

I was holding my breath as he came closer still. "Do it right." He murmured against my lips. I didn't dare say that I hadn't kissed a man in years, but I did as told.

He pressed his mouth to mine and the stubble of his cheek scratched me. His lips were soft and warm. I didn't want to close my eyes but didn't want to be caught having them open either. I let myself cling to him as ordered, and felt his hands fall from the wall and rest on my hips. He went to deepen the kiss and I complied, tilting my head back slightly for him to have better access with my mouth. He took a fistful of my hair and squeezed painfully. I whined against him, which unsurprisingly encouraged him further.

In a moment I was against the wall again as his hands feverishly roamed my body. He grabbed at my breasts and tore at the collar of my blouse. He broke the kiss but his lips traveled down my neck and to my now exposed cleavage as he effortlessly popped off several buttons.

"D-don't," I squeaked as he ground his hips into mine.

He swore but leaned back away from me. He licked his lips and looked me over again. "I knew it." He said suddenly. "You're one of Dibella's, aren't you?" I did not hesitate, I nodded to him. "You are a blessed one, did you know that? You're intoxicating." He breathed and came at me again. I did not struggle.

"Abigale Lynn!"

Lucien Lachance stiffened against me as we both heard my name called from close by. His eyes flashed to me and lingered. It was like he was searching my soul, trying to force his way in with those black eyes of his.

He reached up to touch my cheek, then turned away from me and growled. "I'll be seeing you again, my lady." And then he vanished into thin air. I stood still replaying all that happened, despite not wanting to. I adjusted my shirt to the best of my ability and picked up the package and letter. My entire body was trembling. My mouth was still hot and my nerves still frayed. I wandered out of the alleyway and to the direction of the voice.

XXXX

He had felt her. Heard her heartbeat race and felt fear ravage her completely. He felt her rage, her shame, and her disgust. Janus had never moved so quickly in his life. He was all but a blur of colors and cloak as he made his way through the city. She needed him. Abigale Lynn needed him and he could near hear her speak his name.

Finally, he came to a dark corner of town. The streetlamps were out and the smell of magic permeated the air. "Abigale Lynn!" He called as he tried to focus on her being. However her mind was confused and her thoughts and feelings were erratic. He could not locate her but he knew she was close.

He whipped around each alley entrance, looking for her, searching for a heartbeat and then he found one… and then two. His mind failed him as he rushed to the alley where he heard the pounding of two hearts. The wrath in him had no bounds as he picked up the scent of a man. His fangs unleashed, his eyes reddened with hate, he was ready to hunt and kill.

But a small pale hand emerged from the alley just as he approached it, and there she was. His heart sank. Her clothing was disheveled, her blouse torn, her wrists bruised, her skirt tousled. She was holding something tightly in her other hand as she hesitantly stepped from the shadow. "Abigale Lynn –" He said softly as he made his way to her. Janus did not want to frighten her.

She jumped as she saw him, but upon realization she smiled, a small sad smile. "You came." She said quietly in disbelief.

xxxx

As I stepped from the alley wearily I was mortified to see a cloaked figure making its way towards me. But then he said my name, the Count said my name. It was like a dream. "My Gods," I said to myself breathlessly as I beheld the man before me. "Y-you actually came." He approached me, he looked so sad. "Sir!" I cried as all protocol left me. I grabbed at his shirt and clung to it. My body shook as I tried not to cry. I just needed to feel him. "My savior from all things wicked and cruel."

His arms slowly wrapped around me then. He stroked my hair and I bit back tears harder. He held me there for a long time.

"Abigale Lynn, let me see you." He said to me. I did not want to let go, I feared of falling if I did, but I obeyed.

He covered his mouth when he looked me over. The pain on his face was great. "Who has done this too you?" He asked me softly as he took his cloak off and wrapped it around my shoulders. "Who has done this to you?" He repeated more forcibly. I didn't answer him out of fear that Lucien Lachance was still nearby. The thought made me shutter. The Count quickly caught on to my silence and pulled me close to him again. "Come, I will take you to the healer."

"No, please, I want to go home." I begged staring up at him.

"No Abigale Lynn. I don't know how to treat…how to." He looked away, sad and then livid. "They can keep you from conceiving a child."

"But Sir, I am unharmed!" I pleaded, "I-I was not raped! Please, Sir I swear it." Upon hearing me speak it, knowing it was truth relieved the Count immeasurably. He let out a breath of disbelief.

"Thank the Gods." He said and his voice shook. He took me in his arms again. I had never seen him so wracked with emotion. "I feared the worst. I thought I could not get you. I could not find you. I knew you were so afraid, I knew what you were afraid of. I could feel you…" He trailed off and held me tighter. "We will go home then and you will tell me all that has happened tonight."

XXXX

Lucien Lachance made his way back to the tavern he had previously watched the young Abigale Lynn in. After releasing her he felt horribly disappointed. He had been quite unlike himself the entire encounter and had originally only planned on tormenting the poor girl a paltry sum. But once she was in his grasp he had lost himself and only now did he know why.

Dibella, the Goddess of beauty was rooted deeply within the girl. Like a delightful drug, she was an object of desire and equally as addictive. The greatest part however, was knowing that this girl had no idea the gravity of it. The Goddess had blessed her with beauty but had also cursed her with the lust of men. Lucien had never lost his composure in such a way, at least not since his boyhood years.

It took every ounce of strength within him to keep from taking the girl right there in the alley. She was everything he wanted in a woman. Lucien, being what he was, was not above rape by any means. But he had promised his Brother Vicente that he would leave the girl unharmed. In all actuality he was not supposed to contact her at all.

But regardless, the Count of Skingrad intervened. He somehow knew the girl was his for the taking. The girl was very lucky that he came when he did. After being touched by Dibella, a man was not so easily turned away. Just the thought of the girl made his pants tighten uncomfortably. Why he had asked for something as small as a kiss he would never know. It was the Goddess' work. But he could still taste her on his lips and feel the warmth of her flesh on his fingertips. It was driving him to near insanity.

He pushed open the door of the tavern and pulled back his hood. He had a scowl set on his face as he searched the crowded room for someone of interest. Lucien made his way forward to a young, drunk woman who was laughing hysterically at seemingly nothing. He took hold of her by the back of her shirt and made his way up the stairs to his rented room, near dragging her behind him.

He threw open his room's door and flung the drunken girl inside. She looked bewildered and irritated, her blonde messy hair obscuring most of her features. She could be attractive, he thought, but she was no Dibella-blessed girl. He had only sought this one out for her pale flesh. Not as white as Abigale Lynn, but she would do.

"Who in the hell are you?" She slurred angrily, pushing the blonde locks back to stare at the man.

"How much?" Lucien asked matter-of-factly.

She blinked then shook her head. "The fuck you talkin' about?" She wobbled toward the door. Lucien again flung her back.

"How much?" He repeated unfazed.

The Imperial girl crossed her arms haughtily. "You've got some balls pushin' me around. And I'm no whore, so bugger off."

"You're about to be on a missing postcard if you don't comply. How much?"

The girl did not falter in her demeanor. Instead she looked over the man before her. He was handsome, strong, and was offering her money. She tossed it around in her head for a moment. He was better-looking than the Dunmer she had been ogling all night…

"Twenty Septims." She demanded, still standing with her arms crossed.

Lucien reached into his cloak and removed a small purse of gold. "Done." He commented as he tossed it to her feet.

The girl was not even able to touch the gold before Lucien was upon her. In truth he knew he had not needed to pay. This girl was drunk and easily pliable. He could have her and be done without even having to call it rape. But he knew better. Dibella could be watching him now, angry at him for the actions he nearly committed. His God, Sithis, praised striking beauty as well as ugliness. He would not have been pleased if Lucien were to mar the girl with his blade or his body, unless he intended on taking her life in the end, which he surprisingly did not want to do. Besides, he promised his Brother, and to break that vow was against the rules…

So paying this girl was a penance of sorts, to Dibella. For her and him both knew what he was capable of, yet he did not and was not acting upon.

He had her naked before she could blink. Tearing her blouse from her head and her pants down past her ankles. Lust for Abigale Lynn filled him and he swore aloud at Dibella for teasing him in such a way. It was what she did; it was the Goddess' nature.

He knew this woman would not sate him but for the moment she would do. He faced her away from him and bent her over on the mattress. She made some remark about his roughness and choice of position but Lucien was not listening. He focused on the paleness of her back and the warmth of her skin as he sheathed himself within her.

Authors Notes: What? Were you expecting porn? Nah, not this chapter, brah. XD
Yes, Abigale Lynn was blessed by Dibella. I'm sure most of you knew that by now, but I used Lucien to help emphasize that little tidbit.

I also wanted her reaction to the assault to be more to her character. It took me a long while to figure out how the average person would react to something like that, compared to her. I for one would probably just get my butt stabbed to death 'cause I wouldn't stop screaming XD. She's been there, done that and don't like it!

So anyway, how'd you like my version of Lucien Lachance? I've always imagined him darker than the way that I am portraying him, but in order for this story to flow smoothly I need to lighten him up just a tad. Also, I am making him very knowledgeable and in touch with the Gods, Daedrics, ect. After all Sithis loves Lucien! (Who doesn't?) So I'm giving him some extra awesomeness, nothing fancy, just very intuitive.

And yus. Hassildor to the rescue 8D

R&R! :D