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Chapter Six

The ballroom in the manor had been transformed by the ladies of the inner circle with alittle bit of Harry's help. It was now an enormous club, complete with darkness and a tempo that brought one's most forbidden thoughts to the forefront. Several within his sights were already writhing against one another on the dance floor, more over at the bar. Sipping his drink, Harry sat lounging on a couch, his legs slung over the side and looking to all like a lithe black snake coiled in contentment. Xaven L'Etiase sat on the couch's arm, observing the teen that had caught his eye.

"The party is quite the spectacle. An Incubus could not have done better." He purred, running on the long earrings through his hand, letting the feather tickle across his palm and imagining it was Harry's long hair.

"Why thank you, Xaven. I am rather pleased with it myself."

"I wish you would accept my invitation, Harry. You would make a beautiful addition to my fold. A beautiful Incubus to stand by my side…"

Harry smirked and rolled over so he was on his hands and knees on the couch, looking up at Xaven with teasing eyes. The position made his spine curve temptingly. Harry had abandoned his heavy practitioner's cloak once the party had started, revealing the sexy outfit below. He looked like some mischievous black magic deity. Circe in human form.

"You wish to turn me and have me in your bed as your Consort. I know. But you know already that I have business here. As a human. However…" Harry said, a small lilt to his voice as if he were verbally egging the Incubus King on, bringing him closer to him.

"Yes?"

"If you were interested in doing a little bit of undercover dealing with me, perhaps I can be persuaded to allow you to turn me only if I am on the brink of death. In my line of work, that may be sooner than anyone else expects. I have no interest in letting my life's work go to waste simply for something as inconvenient as death."

Xaven was instantly intrigued. The teen was captivating already but if he were an Incubus, he would be irresistible. Being the Puppetmaster, aside, Harry was one of the most desired things in the underground, second only to the fabled Elixer of Life. The Dark Lord had his right hand marked as his future Consort, everyone knew it. However, it did not stop Harry from enjoying anyone's company he wished. Xaven had not yet been able to tempt him into his own bed yet, but only because bedding him came with certain…additions.

"Interesting. Perhaps we can work on the terms of this undercover dealing under the covers?"

Harry grinned, his eyes sparkling in the black and purple lights from above.

"Perhaps."

"Tonight. In my rooms at two?"

"I'll be there."

Xaven's smirked broadened as Harry stood and crossed the dance floor to greet Demetri, Lord of the Sluagh. The fey miscreant seemed to be in Harry's very good graces for the two picked up a dance that had many eyes roving over appreciatively. The two were graceful and sensuous, while Harry's hands found their way to Demetri's hips as the fey guided him from behind.

" You seem very keen on Lord L'Etiase tonight, little one. What are you up to?" The Sluagh whispered in his ear so no one else may intrude on their conversation.

Harry laughed, a pleasant sound that made Demetri smirk. His boy knew exactly what he did to those around him and he reveled in it. Owning the desires of a person was to have a power of sorts over them. It was more powerful than threats and pain. It was a power that was binding.

" Being very very bad. I am merely throwing my chips in on more than one place. I am assuring my future is in my own hands and not those who wish otherwise. L'Etiase can help me in that department." He answered simply, feeling Demetri inhale his scent, his nose and lips brushing the skin of his throat.

The music beat above them, shaking the floor and making it damn near impossible to hear anything other than the person grinding against you.

"And I cannot? You know I have petitioned for your attentions myself."

Harry turned in his arms so that he could face the Sluagh head on. Demetri wound his arms around his hips and they continued to dance so they would not attract attention by standing like idiots in the middle of a dance floor.

"I wouldn't have you used so. You know that I treasure you more than most of the men and women who seek my , it will annoy my future husband, I imagine."

The man's mouth fell open in shock.

"So he IS your intended! I'm surprised you accepted him."

"Well, he doesn't know that yet. Right now, we are having abit of a rough patch but he is the one I intend to give myself to wholly."

"I see. That is a surprise. I shall take your secret to the grave. I still wonder why you chose me, though. You have many who would do unspeakable things just to have you with them and yet you chose me to spend your time with."

Harry snorted, giving him a rare and condescending eyeroll.

"I chose you because you know what it's like to be an outsider. Just like me. We both know what it's like to be hated and despised by people simply because we exist."

Demetri stilled but Harry kept him moving. His arms tightened around the teen's waist and anger thrummed through him.

"Who?" He whispered in horror and disgust.

Who could hate this amazing creature before him? It was almost an abomination just to speak of it. Harry shrugged off his question, dismissing it as unimportant. Demetri could see the guardedness in the teen's eyes and picked up on what he was discreetly trying to say. It was his secret. No one knew and no one ever would know.

"It is irrelevant. But you are somewhat…important to me. I would not see you used merely for something such as that. I consider you a close companion. A friend, perhaps. I don't want to hurt you by just sleeping with you and then leaving. Do you understand?"

Demetri nodded, feeling so honored to be held in such high esteem by the teen. His chest ached at the spoken words. No one had ever held him in such regard before. Sluagh were viciously protective of one another because they were all they had in the world, but they weren't known for their trustworthiness or even parental instinct. They were a pack, a horde, but were relatively indifferent to each other emotionally. Harry had just given him something he had been longing for for a hundred years. A figure caught his eye on the stairs coming down to the dance floor and a grin built on is expression.

"Allow me to be your protector from this day on, Harry Potter, Puppetmaster. I pledge myself to you." He said with determination and passion.

Many around them turned to stare in wonder, some in objection. They didn't want anyone that close to him if they could help it. It decreased their chances of getting to him first. He could see the main objection in their eyes though. He was Sluagh. He was dirty. Unworthy. But Harry smiled brightly and proved how much he mattered to him. Harry proved his worth to them all.

"I accept you Demetri, Lord of the Sluagh, as my protector and companion."

Demetri nodded before his grin widened.

"Your Dark Lord is coming." He chuckled before spinning the teen outward, right into Tom's arms.

Harry's eyes were surprised but softened slightly when he took in the Dark Lord's appearance. He had dressed in dark crimson, Harry's favorite color, and arranged himself the way he knew his right hand liked. It was meant as the statement between them that it was. He was seeking Harry's attentions…and his forgiveness. Tom caught him up in a swaying, hypnotic dance just as soon as Harry's eyes became guarded and flat. He was still angry with him for earlier.

"I am sorry for earlier. I did not mean to offend you. Perhaps I was playful at the wrong moment." Tom said against his cheek while they moved together.

He hummed in response, much to the Dark Lord's slight concern. Perhaps he wouldn't be forgiven for this slight? Perhaps Harry had finally had enough? The very thought made Tom cold.

"Don't leave…I will do better at respecting you from now on. Please accept my apology, Harry."

The Dark Lord sounded truly humbled, much to Harry's pleasure.

"I will not leave this time, Tom. But remember my words from earlier. I could change my mind." Harry said, adding a teasingly lilt to the last sentence before butting noses with the man with a grin.

Tom's eyes were surprised. Was Harry being playful with him? He gave the boy a grin and butted his nose back. Harry replied by giving him a soft kiss. His chest warmed. He wanted nothing more than to claim Harry as his own in front of everyone so they knew who he belonged to. But no. Harry didn't belong to him. He belonged WITH him. At his side, as his equal. Harry smiled at the Dark Lord's actions. Perhaps he really had learned his lesson. He seemed truly apologetic. He decided that he had better tell Tom about his plans for the night. He deserved that for being so good.

"I have business with L'Etiase tonight. Do not worry, he will have no claim on me. Demetri will go to be sure the Incubus doesn't try anything. He will be my protector from now on so play nice, okay?" He said and felt strangely like a wife telling her husband not to worry if she was alittle late coming home.

Tom's mouth thinned but he nodded acquiescingly. He understood what it took to gain allies. They were at war after all. But Harry had told him ahead of time. They were taking steps in their relationship at last.

"I'll be in the study when you return working on some last minute papers for tomorrows negotiations. Come in before you go to sleep." Was the reply he received.

It was Tom's way of saying 'I'll wait up for you, come let me know you're safe' without saying it and sounding like a lovesick sap. Harry nodded before kissing the tightness in the man's mouth away. They were partying, having fun. That look did not belong on Tom's face.

L'Etiase lay beside him, allowing him to map the plains of his chest with skillful fingers after their fun for the night. He himself was enjoying a glass of red wine while he watched the delicious teen laying beside him, using his abdomen as a pillow.

"So tell me of this deal of yours. I am very interested."

Harry shifted on the down feather bed appreciatively. Being with an Incubus was always amazing. His whole body ached pleasantly as if his world had been rocked completely. He imagined that when he finally bedded Tom, it would be even sweeter.

" It is simple. When I come to the brink of death, you may give me your blood to turn me into one of your horde. In exchange, I want three quarts of blood from those of your line and one vial of it from yourself."

Xaven was taken aback. Of all of the things he could ask for, of all of the things that Xaven would trade for him, Harry asked for blood? Peculiar.

"That is all? And what pray tell, will my blood be used for?"

Harry chuckled and gave him a don't-kiss-and-tell smile.

"Call it a pet project if you will."

"Very well. You shall have it at the meeting tomorrow." He growled slightly put out.

Harry gave him a kiss in thanks.

Tom sat in his high back chair waiting for Harry's arrival. He was rewarded at last, at about four o'clock with the opening of his door and a tired yawn. Harry dragged himself inside the study, his earrings chiming with every step.

"Hey Tom." He mumbled, plopping himself gracefully down on the long loveseat that Tom had spent the last hour fantasizing about them on.

"Are you well? Did he bite you? Did he hurt you?" The Dark Lord asked immediately, hearing the chuckle of Harry's protector by the door.

He shot the Sluagh a glare before Harry waved him off, relinquishing Demetri to go until the next morning. He bowed to the two men before fading into the shadows and disappearing from sight.

"I'm fine, Tom. Bite free. Alittle sore but I'll live. I'm beat. Do you mind if I just sleep here?"

Tom shook his head and tugged a warm blanket from the chest by the couch, draping it over his future Consort. Harry mumbled his thanks before the man began heading for the door.

"Hey Tom." He heard him call out just after opening the door to his rooms.

"Yes, Harry?"

"I do forgive you." He said sleepily.

Tom felt his heart nearly melt and he nodded, heading to bed, unsure now whether he would even be able to sleep.

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