Harry couldn't take his eyes off Edward's languid grace as he moved further into the room, rejoining the group. There was something in the way that Harry could see the barely contained primal creature that hypnotised and attracted him. Maybe it was the contrast between the controlled and civilised Edward he knew and this monster who clearly knew no boundaries. It was something Harry had glimpsed in their lovemaking, in the sparkling moments of release when Edward had lain open, exposed to him. Harry had felt some power in his ability to do that to Edward, to flay him and leave him raw and vulnerable. There was nothing vulnerable about this Edward ,Harry thought watching as the monster ran a hand through his hair and leaned on a elbow casually, more relaxed and confident than Harry had ever seen him. Harry found himself imagining that hand on his body, demanding obedience and submission from him. Startled by his body's reaction he cleared his throat. Edward turned to him and, for a split second, the beast grinned and licked its wet, red mouth with a tongue that Harry knew would be cold and hard, he cleared his throat again. Edward blinked. The creature was gone, for now.
Laughing Bear stood forward scanning Edward's face intently. He put his hand to his chest.
'Edward Cullen,' his voice broke the silence, 'I am glad that I am not entirely among those who have tamed their thirst.' The grin that split his full mouth wide was all teeth and amusement. Edward stared at him for a long moment.
'A temporary aberration I'm afraid, Laughing Bear,' his voice sounded husky, hoarser than Harry remembered it. It was a voice for whispering words of lust, for calling out your name in the throes of passion. Harry felt himself blushing. Jesus! He swore to himself, get a grip on yourself Potter. You've no time for this... Edward cast a glance over his shoulder to where Harry was now looking down at his feet trying to control his reddening face. Then he turned back to Laughing Bear. 'How did you come to be here?' Laughing Bear frowned at the question. It was clear he didn't want to answer but the polite silence had an impact even on this great hunter.
'I was hunting; I was invited to hunt with the Count. He is renowned as a master of the hunt and I was intrigued by his invitation. It was I who became the quarry.' He bowed his head at these last words, shame dropping in his voice. Edward nodded and put out a hand to touch the red brown skin. Even in this gesture, Harry noticed, the beast could not resist running its fingers lightly over the tattoo curling over Laughing Bear's shoulder. Edward seemed to catch what his hand was doing and pulled it away quickly. Zillah stepped forward.
'Do you think the Count picked up on what you've done Edward? Will he believe that you have betrayed us now?' He stepped to Edward and looked him in the face, Harry could see the power surging between them. It almost looked as though Zillah would kiss Edward, he was so close. Harry thought back to the nightclub all those nights ago. How Edward had been aroused by Zillah's dominance. The tension in the room was becoming unbearable. It was Spike who broke the spell.
'Yeah, he'll buy it. Jesus, Eddie we all felt it here. If I didn't know better I'd think you'd gone to the dark side!' He stepped to Zillah and Edward, still looking into each other's eyes and clapped Edward on the shoulder. Edward stumbled forward from the force of the gesture and Harry knew that Spike had meant to snap them out of it. He's scared, thought Harry, Spike's scared of what Edward might do. The thought made him wonder, Spike didn't seem afraid of anything till now. Not what Edward might do, he corrected himself, what the beast might do. Spike continued speaking; now taking into his glance the rest of the group.
'Right, so, the Count's going to be expecting us now. We'd better get a move on he'll get suspicious. What's the plan?' Without thinking he turned to Harry. He was trying to jump start them into action, Harry realised, break the glamour emanating from Edward like a snare. Harry pushed his hair back from his face, not looking at Edward but feeling the garnet eyes boring into his face all the same.
'Let's just go forward, as if we have no idea that Dracula knows we're coming. What would we do if we didn't know? He'll be expecting Edward to be on his side,' he risked a glance at Edward and the beast grinned a lascivious grin back at him, he wished he hadn't looked. 'So we'll have to play it like that.' Edward, ' this time his gaze was level, no nonsense, 'can you do this? Can you pull back and help us when the Count is least expecting it?' Everyone in the room looked at Edward whose face was showing a genuine struggle. Eventually he spoke.
'I think so.' His voice was quiet, the cockiness gone from it but when he raised his head the beast still held sway. Harry marvelled at the control Edward must have over himself. He hoped it would be enough.
'Right, let's go then.' Harry clapped his hands together and then hoped it didn't look too patronising. The vampires didn't seem to mind. Harry went to Harker; he wanted to talk to him before they had to meet the Count.
Spike and Mitchell took the lead, Sir Francis walking with them in the formation they had used so far in the tunnels. Laughing Bear and Zillah took the rear leaving Lady Elizabeth, the Viking guards, Carmilla and Edward, Harry and Harker in the centre. Edward didn't speak but his red eyes glinted in the torchlight as he moved silently beside them. Harry walked close to Harker ,dropping his voice to whisper a charm to prevent them being overheard. Vampire eyes swivelled to look at him as he whispered silently to the older wizard. Harry met their gaze and shrugged. They turned away and moved on down the corridor, silently like the dead creatures they were.
The entrance to the great chamber was watched by two more Viking guards. Lady Elizabeth pushed delicately passed Spike to glide into their line of sight. Harry could not hear what was said but he watched as their attacking stance softened and their bodies bent towards the Countess, like flowers finding the sun. He heard a low whistle from Spike who turned to whisper back to Harry.
'Bloody 'ell she's got some serious glamour going on hasn't she? I thought your Eddie was charmer but...' he shook his head, obviously impressed. Harry looked to Edward who had turned at his name. The red eyes looked up and down at Harry and a smile formed on the full mouth. It was not quite the smile of a predator but it wasn't all together friendly either. Harry felt his heart start to pound, Edward's eyebrows rose. This is unsettling, thought Harry, I want to trust him, I really do but... his thoughts were distracted by a noise ahead of them. The group was moving forward into the great chamber.
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Ok so short and sweet but I want to get them facing the Count. Please review me!! Just so I know you care. Don't just add me to your favourites; let me know why you're adding me!