Title: Predator

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the known Characters.

Warning: This story has graphic sexual encounters, some of which are nonconsensual. Please keep that in mind when reading. This has no connection whatsoever to Heat.

Genre: AU, Rape, Violence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst

Pairings: Claude x Sebastian, Eric/Alan, Undertaker/Grell

Chapter 2.

Almost a week had passed since the incident between Claude and Sebastian, but things seemed to have returned to normal for them, more or less. The two Demons had not encountered each since then, much to Claude's annoyance and Sebastian's subsequent relief. Unfortunately, distracted as they both were by what had happened between them, neither of them knew of the sinister happenings going on within London to another race of supernatural beings, of whom Demons didn't always get along with.

One by one, the Grim Reapers were falling to a strange malady. At first, it had been only one, but no less than twelve hours later, a second Shinigami was brought in in the same condition. Despite setting certain precautions, the total number of Shinigami who were down and encapicitated was a staggering twelve just days later. Part of the Grim Reaper headquarters had been converted into an infirmary for those who had fallen and the number simply continued to increase.

At first, one or two had not raised any alarms, but twelve were enough to cause a panic if the lower level Grim Reapers knew. William T. Spears was growing increasingly frustrated and grimmer. He'd instructed the younger, more vulnerable Reapers to stay in pairs of at least two and stay alert; the reason he'd given was that there was some Demonic activity nearby. He hadn't told them the full truth to keep things under wrap while the more powerful of the Grim Reapers attempted to find the culprit responsible. Unfortunately, it seemed that none of these younger Shinigami were even listening to him when he warned them to stay together.

A few of the latest victims had Reaped when another Shinigami was there, but then they separated to head home. Proven by the newest attack, even moments alone were too much time away from anyone else. Whoever it was, they were fast and knew exactly what they wanted. The attacks were only getting more and more frequent as the mysterious assailant grew bolder.

The menace was steathily draining the Grim Reapers of their blood, the fang marks on their necks evidence as to what had happened. Though some might call the predator vampiric in nature for the blood taking, William suspected that the creature was of Demonic origins. The only stroke of good luck that they had had so far was that none of the Grim Reapers who had been bitten had died from the severe blood loss. They were weak and some still unconscious but they were still alive.

"William!" Eric Slingby yelled, grateful that the hallways were deserted this late in the day. Racing through the halls with a frail, weak figure in his arms, he mentally cursed himself again. One moment- just one- was all he'd left Alan alone for and his boyfriend could have died.

Securely held within Eric's strong arms, Alan Humhries' cheeks were flushed slightly; Eric was carrying him as though he weighed next to nothing. Red splotches were visibly upon his bare neck, two puncture wounds showing clearly as blood trickled down from them. He felt really tired and drained but at least he wasn't as bad off as some of the others had been. "Eric, I'm okay," he softly said, reaching a shaky hand up to touch his lover's cheek. "You got there in time..."

Shaking his head, Eric's green eyes were filled with pain as he felt the gentle touch. Stopping for a moment, he looked seriously at the love of his afterlife. "He could have killed you, Alan. That alone is inexcusable..." His voice was thick with emotion, eyes closing briefly. He still blamed himself for Alan's being attacked.

That scream of pain and fear would no doubt haunt him for days to come, as would the memory of when Eric had rushed back to see what was wrong and finding that creature draining his lover of his precious blood. With his chronic pain from his curse, the last thing that his fragile lover needed was to go through something like that. No matter that he had been saved, the fear was still very real to Eric. Losing Alan was the one thing that he dreaded most.

Before Alan could speak again, William had caught up to them. He knew Eric wouldn't have been yelling for him for no reason and his sharp eyes took in the sight of Alan being cradled against Eric's chest, drops of blood illuminated upon his neck by pale skin. Hissing softly, he was glad that Alan hadn't been drained completely, though he was exceedingly unhappy that the fragile Reaper had been attacked. William, too, knew of Alan's curse and of the pain it brought him.

"I'm here," William quietly murmured, his green eyes grim behind the glasses he wore. "Where were you attacked, Alan?" He was trying to see if there was any sort of pattern behind who was chosen as the next victim or if it really was just a random choosing. So far, he had very limited information.

"We were outside, watching the sunset," Alan quietly replied, his head moving to rest more against Eric's shoulder. "Eric left for a moment- just a moment- and then he appeared..." He knew William was going to be angry that they, of all the Shinigami, had separated even for just an instance. Eric had wanted a drink from the man selling hot cider and Alan had agreed to try some roasted chestnuts.

Even while walking down to the cart, Eric had frequently turned around to make sure he was all right. The only time he hadn't done so was when paying and that was when the Demon had struck. From out of nowhere, a large, masculine figure had jumped onto him, knocking him to the ground. Before Alan could even begin summoning his Scythe, a sharp, burning pain at his neck had made him scream out for Eric.

"He knocked Alan over and was draining him," Eric continued, his own eyes glittering fiercely as he tightening his arms around Alan protectively. "I got back there and cut him with my Scythe and the Demon fled..."

His face going redder, Alan quietly coughed. "You forgot something, Eric," he whispered, not liking to have to admit this but knowing that it could be important. At least, he thought Eric had forgotten it. Maybe he hadn't even realized it was happening. "The Demon; he touched me... Well, groped would be more appropriate but..."

The expletive that left Eric at the soft confession was nothing compared to the rage in his expression. Alan was clearly uncomfortable with mentioning it, no doubt because he felt shamed at having to admit such a thing. "I didn't know, Alan," he whispered back, leaning in to gently kiss his lover on the lips. "I love you and nothing one of those abominations could do will ever change that. He'll die for that..."

The tender exchange had William remaining silent for the moment as Alan kissed Eric back, his thin arms wrapping about the taller man. William, though not in love with Alan as Eric was, was nearly as protective because of the curse. The groping had not been mentioned by any of the other victims and William now feared that it would go from a grope to something even more sinister.

In an out of the way shop, a silver-haired male chuckled lowly as his red-haired lover sat upon his lap, their clothes strewn about everywhere. Even his hat had fallen off, but that was not what had Undertaker so amused at this present time. Once again, they hadn't even made it out of the shop and into his home.

Grell was comfortably sprawled against his older lover, his nails digging into Undertaker's back and leaving their mark. Sex between them was always violent, torturous, but always hot. This time, he'd barely made it inside before Undertaker had pounced on him.

Resting now in one of the vacant chairs, he listened to the wry chuckle, drowsy enough that he decided to spend the night just like this. Whatever meeting William wanted them all there for, it wasn't for a few more hours and Grell didn't feel inclined to move at all. As their mouths fought briefly for dominance, neither of them noticed the glowing eyes watching through the windows.

On the street outside, a rather feral Demon was delighted at what he'd just found. An extremely pretty Reaper with long red hair and a body to die for. Yes, this one would be his last victim before he claimed the Raven Demon. Carefully studying had told him that the smaller Demon, called Sebastian Michaelis by his contracted Master, was, indeed, a foe to be reckoned with.

That was why he had gone after the Reapers, using their blood to give him enough strength to hold his prey fast until he could bite him. That Demon would be a feast to savor for years; he'd confine him in a cocoon and only let him out when he was hungry. The more the dark-eyed Demon thought about his chosen victim, the more he hungered.

The Crimson Reaper, legendary for both his skills and stint at Jack the Ripper- he would have the honor of being the last victim before the Raven was taken. From there, it would be easy...

To be continued