Thanks for all the reviews guys!! A lot of you have either heard about or read Christine Feehan's Dark books. You should read Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series as well. Feehan and Kenyon have the best books ae.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Christine Feehan's work. If I did, I wouldn't still be at school. That I can assure you.

His legs ached, his chest hurt, but he didn't dare stop. The cave was far behind him but it didn't matter. He could still feel him, no matter how far he ran. He was glad for his abnormalities as his night vision allowed him to manoeuvre his way through the darkening forest. Leaving Roy behind had been a lot more painful than he would have ever thought. The man had basically kidnapped him and here he was feeling guilty for leaving. What was up with that? Seriously, the more distance he put between them the better.

As he ran, he thought about things. Why did Roy have such an effect on him? He had plenty barriers around himself, yet Roy seemed to push through them like it was nothing. And worse yet was that Ed let him. No one should be able to do that. Carpathian or not. He trusted no one and it was going to stay that way. He'd been hurt to many times to make that mistake again. He'd learnt that you could only rely on yourself.

He wanted to trust Roy. He wanted to believe that beneath the icy exterior was someone who cared about him, and what he thought. Ha! Yeah right. The way the Carpathian had tried to keep him against his will in the cave was proof enough that that wasn't going to happen. To be hurt again would be too much. God, he was turning into a sap. He'd just been alone for so long, he wanted to be able to relax in someone's company. To not be constantly on guard. Someone to hold him when the nightmares plagued him, and robbed him of rest he desperately needed. Someone to watch over him and tell him it was okay not to be strong all the time. But with whatever creatures that were after him still on his trail, he was alone. He needed to accept that. For all he knew Roy was one of them. Sent to befriend him and take advantage of his need for companionship. It had to be that. He couldn't let it be anything else.

Eventually he slowed down to a stop. Gasping, he lent against a tree, trying to catch his breath. That should be far enough. He couldn't even sense the Carpathian now. He'd made good time, and it was only just starting to get cold. Looking up, it was a clear star-filled night. Must be only a few hours after sundown.

Scanning the area, he could find no threats but he could sense a small town that was close. Maybe he'd be able to get a room for the night. Just because he was at home in the jungle, didn't mean he didn't like the occasional luxury. He hadn't been to this town before so he should have no troubles. He'd just work his magic on the town folk just like all the other times. Looking down at himself he figured he didn't look too bad. A little on the dirty side, but nothing that a nice hot bath couldn't fix. Confidently, he made his way to the town.

Looking around at the dusty houses, he couldn't see anyone, but there was a lot of noise coming from the tavern across the street. Making his way to it he tried to look in the window to see inside, but it was too dirty to see through.

Just as he was about to open the door, he got a feeling that sent shivers down his spine. There was something about this place that gave him the creeps. But there was nothing here. Shoving aside the feeling, he pushed open the door, and entered the tavern.

Roy's maddening roar of pure rage was disregarded as his Lifemate continued his way up the stairs. This was not happening. He couldn't leave. Not when Roy was at his weakest to stop him. He couldn't protect him like this. This was NOT happening!

Still simmering, he forced himself to calm down. He was an ancient. Something like this should not have brought forth the beast. Yet somehow it did. It made no sense. Did having a Lifemate mean that he was in constant worry? If it did, he didn't want any part in it. But even as he thought that he knew it wasn't true. He liked being able to worry. A feeling he hadn't had for centuries. He liked that he had someone to worry about, someone to care about. He'd known loneliness too long.

He had a Lifemate now, there was no more loneliness. Ed was his, and he was going to make sure he knew it, and what happened when someone crossed Roy Mustang.

His healing was almost complete. Soon he'd be free of the embrace of the Earth, free to pursue his Lifemate. Considering the circumstances, taking Ed's blood was a good move on his part. Now he would know wherever Ed was, at anytime. Ed could never hide from him again. He knew he came on too strong, but the hunger and desperation was maddening, the beast too close to the surface to completely ignore. Even so, he knew what was best for Ed, and expected to be obeyed. The amount of free will that his Lifemate showed was astounding, like nothing he'd even seen before. Roy was someone whose mere presence cowered others into submission, yet this little slip of a boy wasn't affected at all. The whole thing was not as easy as he'd thought it would be. From what he'd heard over the centuries, a Lifemate was supposed to be meek and submissive, to do whatever their Lifemate told them to do, for their own safety. Even though Ed's amount of stubbornness was refreshing, it was something he didn't want to make a habit. Ed would obey him. That was that.

Finally feeling at full strength, Roy burst through the Earth, finding himself in the cave. He inhaled deeply, Ed's scent flooding his senses. It still clung to the sheets he'd slept in. He could get drunk in that scent, filling him with warmth. Determined more than ever to claim his Lifemate, Roy headed up the stairs to the surface.

As he reached the pinnacle, he looked at his surroundings. It was many hours since sunset, the stars shining in the sky. He could sense no unknown dangers, and deemed it safe. Letting his power fill him, he pictured the image of a hawk in his mind. Instantly he began to change. Limbs shortening and reforming, head and torso shrinking, until a huge hawk was in the place where a man should be.

Spreading wide, powerful wings, the hawk took flight, smoothly gliding through the sky.

Roy could sense where Ed was. He would always be able to. Letting the anger that he'd pushed aside before take hold, he used it to fuel him, and allow him to cut through the sky. The beast, furious at the disobedience of its property tried to rise to the surface, and teach it a lesson. Roy resisted, struggling with himself to contain the beast. He would never hurt Ed. Never.

The beast was relentless in its attack on Roy's mind, but he persevered. He wasn't an ancient for nothing. He was able to cage the beast but its enormous power and anger still remained, fueling his own anger. Roy used some of his power to create giant storm clouds that spread ahead of him and followed in his wake. Thunder boomed as sharp bolts of lightning ripped across the sky. An exceptionally large bolt of lightning zipped across the black clouds, illuminating Roy's face for an instant.

There was only one way to describe how he looked.

Pissed.

The tavern wasn't as crummy inside as it was outside. It was actually quite modern. It even had a dance floor and music. Ed looked around but he couldn't see any desk or anything to ask for a room. Figuring he'd ask round when it wasn't too busy he took a seat, sitting at one of the empty ones near the bar. He could feel people looking at him, and tried his best to become invisible. He didn't want to attract much attention.

A dodgy middle-aged woman wearing a waitresses' uniform came up to him, notebook in hand.

"What can I get you sweetie?"

"Ah, just a water thanks."

A high, screeching laugh followed his statement.

"A water?! Hey Earl, get a load of this kid! Wants a water!"

She laughed again, but was joined this time by the deeper tones of a bald, pot-bellied barman who looked at Ed with disdain.

"Want a bottle and bib with your water, pussy?" He taunted, almost toothless mouth pulled down in a sneer.

Looking down, face flaming in embarrassment as other patrons had turned to look, he replied with a quiet ". . . no."

Still chuckling the woman said "I'll get you a whiskey, sweetie."

Ed was about to protest, but she'd already walked away. Face still red he looked around the room. So much for not attracting attention. Looks like he had the whole bar looking at him. He didn't like the looks some of the men were giving him. Then again, the female ones weren't any better.

He could feel the weight of the barman's stare on him as he sat there. It was making him really uncomfortable. Trying to distract himself, he listened in to a conversation two hunters were having, who just came in and sat down near him.

"I'm tellin' ya Pete, the weatha' out ther' is a nigh'mare. 'uge storm headn' our way. Neva' seen nuthn' lik' it in ma life."

"Good thn' wer' in here thn'."

Ed couldn't agree more. Looks like he didn't have much of a choice but to stay here now. He didn't want to get caught in the storm.

A glass being put in front of him brought him out from his musings.

"Here you are, sweetie. 'Water'. On the house." She winked at him, before moving on to the next table.

Ed blushed as she winked at him. Picking up his quarter-filled glass he stared at the amber liquid. He hadn't had whiskey before. In fact he hadn't had any alcohol before. It never was on his 'to do' list. Taking a sip, he knew why. It burned. Eyes watering, he coughed and spluttered as it slid fiery hot down his throat, stopping to light a fire in his stomach.

People actually drank this willingly?! What the fuck was wrong with them?! But even as he said that, he had a strange urge to take another sip. This one wasn't as bad as the first but it still burned. Even so he found he could stand it. The urge to drink it became stronger. Tipping his head back, he sculled the entire glass. Shit that burned like a bitch!

Taking a deep breath, he set the glass down. He felt . . . funny. His limbs didn't seem to move as quick, and he couldn't see or think straight. He'd heard about people getting drunk, but not off something as small as a little taste of whiskey. Something was wrong.

He heard someone sit on the opposite chair to his. Unable to see them properly, he was about to tell them to fuck off when he felt a hand slide up his thigh. He went to move away but found he couldn't. His body didn't seem to be responding.

The hand left his thigh, but only for a brief moment, as its owner stood up and helped Ed to stand. He felt a strong arm around his waist, crushing him into a pot belly stomach. Ed's eyes widened as much as they could in his state. The barman! He put something in the drink! He tried to struggle, but it did nothing, as his limbs weren't moving. Why wasn't anyone doing something? Didn't they see what was happening? Through the haze, he vaguely heard someone talking.

"Be 'areful with this 'un Earl. You brok' the last 'un. He'z 'oo pretty to break. 'Ive me a shot w'en 'ur dun'."

"Sure thing, Pete. This one's a good whore," he laughed, dragging Ed away from the bar.

A dulled sense of panic began to set in as he heard this, his breathing quickening, but there was nothing he could do. He could do nothing as Earl pulled him through the crowd of dancing people towards the back exit, nor could he do anything when Earl started rubbing himself against his backside as he did so. Ed felt the beginning of tears as he knew what was going to happen, even through his drug-induced haze.

"What are you crying for? You owe me for the drink, whore. I'm sorry did you think it was free?" he cruelly chuckled as they reached the door.

Ed squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block it all out.

A huge gust of wind blew through the tavern, followed by a low, guttural growl that froze all the inhabitants of the bar.

Ed opened his eyes.

Oooo a cliffy. But if I get 10 updates for this chap, I'll post the other bit of the chap up. Got it all ready right here pats story Don't you want to find out what happens to Ed? Evil grin

Sinful ;)