Thank you for the reviews! I've got the next chapter and some good news. I'm feeling a bit creative so there might be another update later tonight; we'll have to see. Until then, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Moonlight and characters don't belong to me; I'm simply a fan having fun with the characters.
As soon as he stepped into Beth's building, Mick knew that something was wrong. The smell of vampire lingered in the air and got stronger as he approached her apartment. What did she do? he wondered apprehensively. He had warned her not to let anyone in… He knew Beth and orders didn't go together well but he had hoped that she would care enough about her safety to heed his warning. "Oh, Beth," he sighed exasperatedly under his breath. Then he sped to her apartment.
He stood outside her door, trying to assess what was going on. He could hear the faint murmur of voices and he frowned when he realized that one of them was Beth's and the other Charlotte's. Not good, not good at all. He grasped the doorknob and forcibly pushed the door open.
Both were seated on the couch and both turned at his entrance. Charlotte's face lit up upon seeing him. "Mr. St. John! How nice of you to join us; it's only right that you should be here for this."
His gaze flicked to Beth. Her complexion was pale and her heart beating irregularly but other than that, she appeared to be fine. Mick felt the predator in himself rise. He returned his gaze to Charlotte, eyes narrowed. "Here for what?" he asked coldly.
"Can't you guess?"
"You lied to me about those newly turned vamps."
"No. I said there are others like me out there. I never said I didn't turn them."
"You turned them against their will and if they weren't cut out for it, you abandoned them, let them go feral!"
"What I did to them was a blessing. I gave them a gift, freed them from mortality. The ones that did make it thanked me for it later." She smiled fondly at Beth. "Just as she will, when she comes to understand what I'm giving her."
"It's not your choice to make," Mick spat, eyes beginning to change.
"We'll see about that." Charlotte grinned as her eyes turned a frosty blue and her fangs emerged.
Mick rushed at her but she had anticipated his move and rolled to the floor, taking Beth with her. They crashed into the coffee table, and sent it skidding. He hissed when he saw Beth wince in pain. "Let her go!"
She sat up and pulled Beth into a similar position. "I don't think so." Idly, she ran a finger through Beth's curls. "You see, she does want this. Maybe she doesn't know it yet but she will, in time. And since you will never give it to her, you leave me no choice." She licked her lips and pushed Beth's hair aside, exposing her neck.
"No, wait," Beth said suddenly, voice clear and strong. "You're right; I want this, I do." Her gaze slid to Mick's. "But not like this."
No! Mick felt something in him recoil as he stared at Beth in horror. "Beth, no! You don't want this. Not like this. Not any other way."
Charlotte laughed. "Romantic, aren't you?" She caressed Beth's neck slowly, trying to find the perfect artery. "I am too, you know. But I'm afraid I'll have to refuse your request. This one here," she gestured to Mick with her chin, "he'll never do it. He's not like the rest of us… he's of a different class." She smiled at Beth. "But once you're turned, you'll have eternity to change him. You understand, don't you?"
"Please," Beth said softly, eyes rising to look into Charlotte's. "Give him a chance. I trust him."
Charlotte hesitated, thrown by the emotion and resolve in Beth's eyes. It was almost like looking at herself; wasn't that how she had felt about Shane not so long ago? For a moment, she forgot herself and let her grip relax.
Mick noticed the change and saw his chance. Soundlessly, he leaped at her, fueled by his determination and Beth's trust. He would not let her down.