Note: okay all another chapter! I want to say sorry for the wait. My job is killing me. Two close relatives had a family-kidney transplant. I had a lot of babysitting and a lot of moving my hours at work. Shortly after the surgery (about a week), my uncle passed away. It was a shock and we are still getting back on track.

This chapter was actually 72 pages on a size 12 font by the time we called it quits. We've decided to cut it into 2 or 3 chapters as to make it easier to read. And might add one more part to the end.

I do have one request (apart from reviewing), please visit my poll on my profile. My coauthor and I have been playing around with the POV of the story and would enjoy some feedback. We ourselves can't agree on the best format.

Thanks for reading and sticking with us!

Dina POV

I woke up and stretched languidly in bed, like a cat that had just had the best nap of her life. I felt like I had. The previous night had begun in a hellish nightmare, but had ended with Eric and me closer than ever. I was still embarrassed of my behavior – clinging to him like a child and using the… oh my God I couldn't think about it without burying my head under the covers. But I couldn't help it. After all that time thinking that he would abandon me or throw me out on the street, it had been more than a relief to know that he not only planned to stay with me, but that he harbored no resentment or anger whatsoever. Whatever punishment he chose for me gave us a clean slate from that moment on. I had never known anyone like him. Even in friendships, sometimes disagreements were brought back up months, even years later. I honestly believed that with Eric it was over and done with.

As usual he lay still, unmoving. This was the only part of our relationship that I really regretted. If something happened during the day and he needed to get up and move, he couldn't. Whatever magic kept him alive as a Vampire also kept him unconscious and – let's just say it – dead until the sun set. I thought that I would love to get a medical degree and specialize in Vampires to see if there was anything I could do to reverse or correct that. But Vampires heavily guarded their secrets and would never, ever allow a human to study them for any reason. I would be dead at the mere suggestion of the project. But I missed my Eric during the day.

I walked around to Eric's side of the bed and picked up his cell phone, the only clock in the bedroom, and saw that it was nearly 5:00! I had slept late! I had very little time to take care of my human needs and do whatever Eric had assigned for me. I hoped he wouldn't be angry if I couldn't finish it. I would have to talk to him about letting me keep that alarm clock.

My stomach was rumbling so I went out to the kitchen first, thinking I'd have a bagel with some of that strawberry cream cheese I'd gotten on our last shopping trip. Nothing had been moved. My laptop still sat where I had left it the previous day. Usually Eric had been in it and would have given me some things to look at or do. I moved the mouse and saw that it was on exactly the same page it had been when I left it. That had been yesterday, before… Had it only been 24 hours since that horrible experience?

With my food in hand, I headed for the bathroom. Another surprise awaited me, Eric hadn't put out anything for me to wear! Had he decided to stop letting me wear clothes because of the punishment? That didn't really sound like Eric. He kept his punishments in line with what you had done. Not telling him the whole truth about Bobby had nothing to do with whether I wore clothes or not. I went back out to the bedroom and noticed that our clothes from last night were still on the floor where we'd thrown them. That was not like Eric either. He never left anything lying around.

That was when it hit me. Eric hadn't gotten careless; he just hadn't had time to do any of the things he usually did after I went to sleep at night! I had kept him busy with my crying and carrying on until the crack of dawn. That made me feel awful! I wanted to be a joy to him, not a problem that needs to be punished every other day! But the punishment kept coming back to me. I realized that I didn't want to spend my afternoon on the computer or watching TV. I wanted to be with Eric. I showered quickly and dried my hair with the blow dryer – I didn't have to worry about waking him up after all. I slathered Eric's favorite lotion all over my body and then climbed back into bed with him. I hoped he would be happy to find me there when he woke.

Sleep didn't come to me. I'd had enough sleep for the day. Eric's arm was like a dead weight but I managed to lift it and slide in close to his side where I had been before I got up. I closed my eyes and drank in the essence of Eric. His scent, the softness of his skin and hair, and the feelings that flowed through the bond between us… Hey! Wait a minute! Eric wasn't supposed to be able to feel anything right now! But there was definitely something there. I'd felt him long enough now for his presence, and lack of it, to become familiar to me.

"Eric?" I said softly, tentatively. "Can you hear me?" Nothing changed. He couldn't answer me, of course, but I'd thought the bond would signal me if he had heard me. "I love you, you know that?" I tried again. This time something did bounce back at me! It was just a feeling. Happy. That was what I got. I smiled and got the "warm-fuzzies," something I didn't often experience with Eric. He gave me plenty of good feelings; don't get me wrong! But this was different.

I snuggled in as close to him as I could and started caressing his chest, shoulders, arms, waist, anything I could reach. As I did that, the same happy feeling kept bouncing back at me through the bond. So, if I was interpreting this correctly, a Vampire was not completely dead while they slept. At some point they were able to feel and even respond to you. Or, at least Eric was! Even now, as I lay beside him, I could feel his consciousness growing through the bond. Maybe only someone like me could ever tell, because we were sharing blood every day to strengthen our bond. Eric insisted on it. Every time I turned around I was learning something new and freaky about the bond. Today was no exception.

It was only a short time later when Eric opened his eyes. I had known he would because he felt almost normal to me in the bond. Vampires seemed to wake up on the alert for danger, probably because of the history of people or other Vamps always trying to kill them. So for a second his eyes focused on me, wary and almost hostile. He was tense and his hands started to tighten on my body, but then he must have caught a whiff of my scent. Just like that his body relaxed and his hands began to roam over my skin. His fangs came down with an audible "click" and he let out a low growl. His hands tightened again around my waist and he pulled me toward him, throwing his leg over me. He stuck his face in between my shoulder, jaw, and the crook of my neck, and started nuzzling me; then his tongue came out and he licked me a few times. I giggled and my first instinct was to shrug my shoulder in defense of his attentions, but I knew he must be looking for the right place to bite and get his breakfast. I grasped his forearm and turned my head to give him the access he wanted. His tongue settled on my pulse point, he made a little happy sound, and his fangs sank in. At the same time his arms tightened around me. He seemed to think that he had to hold me so I wouldn't get away from him, but he didn't. It was OK. He made the cutest little growly noises sometimes when he fed, and he was doing that now. If anyone could see my big, mean, ferocious, intimidating Vampire right now, they might not be so afraid of him. It made me happy to know that he felt that he could let his guard down this much with me. He could be "Mr. Scary Vamp" in public but I would give him a soft place to lay his head. Even a Vampire needed the safety and sanctuary of a home.

The longer he fed the bigger another part of him got, and he was pressing that part of himself urgently against my hip. My own accompanying part was eager to join with it, so I tried to scoot beneath him so that he could hurry up and get inside me already. But for some reason he was having none of that. He growled, a bit less friendly, and tightened his hold on me, keeping me where I was. That was confusing. I thought I would try to give him a little encouragement and I reached for him. But my arm wasn't long enough and all I could do was wrap my fingers loosely around the head and take off the wetness with my thumb. As soon as I touched him he moaned and the movement of his hips became more exaggerated. So I tried again to scoot underneath him, but once again he stopped me. I gave up; I couldn't figure out what a half-awake, hungry, horny Vampire wanted. I flattened my palm against his stomach and moved it downward, only able to go far enough to play with the curls at the base of his hardness. With my other hand I rubbed his arm, then his shoulder, then I tangled my fingers in his hair at the back of his neck and massaged his scalp. He seemed to like that; his death grip on me loosened. He must have understood that I wasn't going to try to move again. My Vamp was so controlling sometimes! It was easy to lie there and embrace him while he satisfied his current craving for my blood. I don't think the craving ever went away for him; he was always happy to drink from me.

After only a few minutes he was finished, and he stopped the wounds from bleeding, then started to make long strokes with his wet tongue up and down my neck. He put his fangs away and started nipping at my ear and jawline with his teeth, and then I felt the mirth flowing through the bond at me. He was playing with me! I started to laugh and tried to get away from his tongue, but he wouldn't let me go! I took my nails and dug them into his shoulder, raking them down his chest and around his nipples, moving up with my other hand along his stomach and ribs. He actually jerked back when I did that. Was Eric ticklish? I tried again and, sure enough, he protected his ribs from my fingernails. But when I grabbed his nipples with my thumbs and forefingers and bit him just above his adam's apple, he stopped playing. He hissed and said "bite them!" Then he raised his head and looked directly into my eyes, and his had that soft glow about them that I found so magical. I was quickly lost in his eyes but he got impatient. "Bite me, Dina, now!" he ordered, but his voice wasn't commanding. It was the voice of a longing lover. How could I resist? I grinned at him and scooted lower on the bed, and he raised himself up on his forearms. I licked one of his adorable nipples and then sucked it into my mouth, finally closing my teeth gently around it and nibbling. "Harder!" he demanded, and something was, a lot harder. I could feel it. So I bit him harder, hard enough that it would have drawn blood on me. "Yesssssssss!" he hissed. My Vampire was a pain junkie! I moved to the other side and bit him there while I grabbed the first nipple and kept up the tension. Eric was panting and moaning above me, and finally he decided to take charge.

Quicker than I could think, he flipped me onto my stomach and got between my legs, pulling my hips back against him and sliding easily into me. Then he entwined his fingers with mine and began to pound into me like there was no tomorrow, reaching down and biting my shoulder with his fangs, which of course had come back out to play. I was still sensitive and a little sore from the morning, and the combination of the pain and pleasure sent me over the edge about two seconds before Eric pulled his fangs from my skin and roared at the sky. He thrust hard into me and froze, then did it again, and again, his hands straining with mine as we both weathered little shocks that mirrored my heartbeat and came back to me through the bond. I loved it when we were so fully in tune with each other!

Eric had left me bleeding and as he relaxed above me, he put his mouth to his fang marks and pulled on them a little before he sealed and healed them. Then he slid slickly out of me, causing us both to sigh, and gently turned me over. There was more blood on the front of my shoulder so he cleaned that up, then moved in to kiss me. I tasted my own blood as our tongues danced together, Eric easily taking the lead. His kisses were intoxicating and the world disappeared around us. There was only Eric, and I held him tightly, my arms wrapped around his torso, nails digging in as he moved over me and slid his way home again. When he was buried deep inside of me again he stopped kissing me to ask "Do you want to have my blood this way again?"

I was gyrating my hips around his cock with one leg thrown over his backside and I didn't stop. "Can we do it together like we did last night?" I whispered, kissing and biting his collarbone, which I had found to be very sensitive.

"I'm afraid I was too greedy when I woke," he said regretfully, beginning to move slowly in response to my gyrations. "If I take any more it will make you light-headed."

"I'm already light-headed," I smiled at him, and he bent down to kiss me again.

"Good, I like having that effect on you," he said with his trademark smirk, which I reached up to kiss off of his face.

We spent several minutes like that, lost in each other's kisses and touches. Eric moved slowly and gently inside of me, not looking for an orgasm at the moment. We just enjoyed the feel of each other's bodies. Then he reached over to his nightstand and pulled his knife out of the drawer. I didn't want to watch; I hated for him to injure himself to give me his blood.

"You know what to do," he said, looking seriously into my eyes. I swallowed and nodded. Then he took the knife and cut himself, deep, right above his nipple. I gasped, and as soon as I opened my mouth he pulled me against his chest and held me there tightly. I couldn't have pulled away if I'd wanted to. I sucked greedily at the wound, taking in as much as I could of Eric. I felt his cock swell inside of me and his thrusts became harder, more insistent, but measured and slow. As my tongue laved his nipple over and over again, he moaned and hissed and called my name. I held him tightly and got a little bit more into it, my teeth biting at his nipple hard, the way he'd wanted me to do it before. As soon as I did that Eric roared and thrust hard into me. I felt his cool release over and over and continued to bite him. He growled at me and ground against me, making hard contact with my swollen clit. That sent me over the edge, and I would have cried out, but Eric wouldn't release me from his chest until the wound fully closed. It took a long time to close, long after I wanted to stop taking his blood. I felt like I was taking too much from him. But when it did close, he barely gave me a second to breathe before he was kissing me hard, his tongue mimicking what his cock was still doing. I felt giddy, like I was suspended in midair and there was nothing but Eric holding me there. I cried and whimpered against his rough, almost brutal kisses, his fangs cutting both of us as we shared each other's blood. Then he slowed, his kisses were lighter and more tender, and he coated my cuts with his blood to heal them. We tenderly cleaned each other up, and then he moved away, his face only inches above mine. I wasn't sure what I saw in his eyes but I stared at him in wonder, fascinated with every line, every curve of his face. I brought my hand up to touch him, to touch his fangs, and he opened his mouth wider and hissed with pleasure. I poured every bit of my love into the bond, wanting him to know that he was it for me. If something happened and he was suddenly gone, there would be no other. None could ever compare to him. He was my soulmate. I felt his deep affection for me coming back, and it felt like love, but he had never said the words.

But I had to. "I love you so much Eric!"

He smiled and kissed me again. "My Dina," he said. Even if he didn't say it, I could feel what he wouldn't say through the bond, and it was enough. For now. It was easy to lie there and stare into Eric's eyes, but he had other plans. "Come, Lover," he said after a few more kisses. "Time to get up." He disentangled himself from me and rose to his knees, holding his hand out to me.

"Do we have to?" I asked, rolling onto my side and trying unsuccessfully to pull him back down to me. I even gave him my famous puppy-dog-eyes and pouty lips, but he was resolute.

"We have things to do this evening," he announced, finally picking me up in his arms and carrying me to the shower.

"We do?" This was unbeknownst to me.

"Yes. You are going to see Leila this evening." He had turned both sides of the shower on and turned around to pull me in with him.

I stood there, avoiding the water, while he closed the door. "I am?" Instead of reaching for me like he usually did when we showered together, he got under his own stream of water and began wetting his hair. "While you're awake?"

He turned me to face away from him and began to wind my hair around his hands, finally tucking it up into a shower cap that I kept there. I squeezed his fingers and smiled with gratitude for the favor. "There's no need to wash your hair right now. You'll probably want to shower later, afterward." He gave me a pointed look that told me I WOULD be showering again later. Great. Another "deep cleaning" was coming. "And I have to go out on business," he said firmly.

"You do? Where?" I asked without thinking. Then I froze, covering my mouth with my hands. I had no business questioning Eric on his activities! What would he say? What would he do?

He must have felt my chagrin because he embraced me from behind. "Dina, it is fine for you to be concerned for me. Let us just make sure that your concern doesn't turn in to nagging about my whereabouts." I relaxed, visibly, and turned in his arms. He held me for a moment before grabbing up my bath poof. "I can see that you aren't going to do this yourself." He said as he soaped it up and started washing my body.

About fifteen minutes and two orgasms later he laughingly chased me into the bedroom threatening to snap me with a wet towel. It was a shame that few got to see the playful side of Eric, but I knew how lucky I was that he would lower his guard so much. I was greedy enough to want to keep it all to myself. As I defended my knees against his attack I loved how he didn't cheat with his Vampire speed and strength, but just ran after me at my own speed, which must have been slower than a walk for him. Then he pointed his head at me and shook his long hair out like a wet dog, soaking me all over again. Finally he left me alone long enough to dry off, and I looked at him questioningly for something to wear. "Oh, right!" he said, and went into the back of his closet. I didn't really understand why he went to so much trouble to put my clothes behind lock and key. Maybe he didn't trust me yet. Didn't he know that if he ordered me to stay naked I would, or if he said "wear the red dress today" I would wear what he wanted? That was the way we, or rather he, had structured our relationship after all. I wondered how long before he would know that he could trust me.

He came back out with more clothes than I was used to, and definitely something different than what I had worn to my last appointment. It was a minidress, or at least that was what it looked like; it would come to mid-thigh. It had an open collar, tab sleeves rolled up halfway, and buttons down to the waist, where there was a thin silver belt. But he didn't want me to wear it as a dress apparently, because he also handed me a pair of skinny black leggings. They would look amazing hugging the contours of my legs, especially with the shoes he had for me. These were wedge-heeled black sandals with a cork heel and 2" platform. I would be almost 5'3" or 5'4" by the time I put them on, and I smiled enthusiastically at him. He smiled back, obviously happy to have made me so happy. The bond may as well have sizzled and sparked between us when we were both so happy with each other. Of course Eric had no underwear for me to wear, but that just meant that there would be no panty lines under the leggings. I wondered why he was dressing me so, well, thoroughly, just to go up and see Leila. He must be taking me himself, so I could have worn a bathrobe for as much exposure to outside eyes as I'd be getting. "Bring your brush out and meet me in the living room," Eric said, slipping into one of his tracksuits. This one was all black. The business must be casual, then.

I dressed as quickly as I could and took my brush out to Eric as he had asked. He loved to brush my hair, he often said. It felt so good! I returned the favor as often as he'd let me, but men aren't so keen to be primped. I just loved touching his soft hair and hearing him sigh with his eyes closed as he enjoyed my touch. I handed my brush to Eric and he sat me in front of him on the couch, gently pulling the tangles out. He was so much more patient with my hair than I was, and frequently told me not to be so rough with it. I guess living as long as he had would give you some patience for things like that. I got very comfortable and relaxed while he brushed, and before I knew it I had blurted it out. "So, will you tell me what you have to do tonight?"

He sighed and stopped brushing; the room became tense.

After about 30 seconds, I caught on. "You're going out to kill Bobby tonight, aren't you?" I said quietly, looking at my hands.

He didn't answer right away, but then he put his hand on my forehead and pulled my head up so that he could start brushing again. For some reason it didn't feel as good, but I let him do it. "Dina, the bond does not allow me to lie to you," he finally said, sounding tired and slightly annoyed.

I knew I should just keep quiet and let him do what he would, but I was a peace-lover. Violence, and murder specifically, was not something I could just happily kiss Eric on the cheek as he went off to do. "Can't you just glamour him, Eric?" I didn't turn my head because he was busy pulling my hair into a high ponytail with an elastic band. His hands in my hair became a bit rougher, pulled harder, but not much. It was enough to tell me that he wasn't happy about my question.

"He knows too much about my business, Dina," Eric said, his voice firm. "You can't glamour that much knowledge out of somebody's head. It leaves a big hole and they aren't normal."

"Then it would serve him right, wouldn't it?" I turned around to look at his face, now that he was done with my hair.

"Maybe," he shot back at me. "If it only affected him. But they tend to cause problems. Problems I would be blamed for!" His voice was starting to rise.

"So you glamour him to go to Siberia and stay there!" My voice rose along with his.

"There are Vampires in Siberia too, Dina." he said as though it was something a child should know. "I can not foist my problems on others." He stood up and walked to the center of the room, then turned to face me. "This is the way things are done in my world. I know you don't understand that."

He had done it again. I was sick of being told I was incapable of understanding something. I stood up to face him. "I am not stupid, Eric!" I said between my teeth.

He was getting angry. "I didn't say you were stupid!" he shouted at me. "You are human, and my world is still new to you! I do not expect you to understand, yet, how we do things!"

"Oh, and Vampires are so far superior to humans that you can't even consider my views?" I knew I was pushing it with him, but I had to at least try.

"Why do you care what happens to him?" Eric demanded, suddenly switching tacks. "Perhaps I am wrong in separating him from you!" Suddenly I felt jealousy and suspicion coming at me like steam from a locomotive.

"Eric!" I countered, crushed. "How can you even think that?"

"Then why do you want me to spare him?" Eric's fangs had come out, another sign that he was quickly losing patience with me.

Suddenly on the defensive, I couldn't let him think that I cared for Bobby the weasel. "I don't care about him personally, Eric!" my voice had gotten high-pitched. I was way too emotional about this! "The killing is what I have a problem with! I would argue this way about anybody you were going to do this to!"

"Would you?" he said disbelievingly, staring at me suspiciously.

"YES!" I yelled back at him. "You just said five minutes ago, the bond won't let us lie. What does the damn bond tell you?"

He actually stopped talking and moving long enough to tune into the bond. "Fine!" he said through his fangs. "I am sorry for doubting you." He didn't sound sorry. "But regardless, this will be done my way, the way things have been done since before I was made!"

"Maybe it's time for you to set a positive example!" I suggested, my tone matching his.

Before I could take a breath, he was suddenly in front of me, picking me up by the arms and shaking me. "What is the matter with you? This man threatened you! He is lewd and disgusting!" He set me down roughly and turned away from me. I almost fell in the heels I was wearing, and there would be bruises on my arms later.

"All he did was stare at my boobs Eric! You won't let me wear a bra! If you kill everybody who looks at my chest that way, you're going to have to kill a lot of men, and probably a few women too!"

He turned, advancing on me threateningly. I stepped back from him, not wanting him to grab me again but knowing he would if he felt like it. "Oh, is that all he did? I forgot you don't know!" Now his voice was back to quiet, but this was even scarier because Eric got quieter, not louder, the angrier he was. My back hit the wall, and his hands connected solidly with it on either side of me. I was going no farther. I stared up at him, wide-eyed and silent. "Let me enlighten you." He was speaking as if to a child again, which infuriated me, but I thought it better not to interrupt him. "While you were getting naked during your appointment with Leila, your friend Mr. Burnham pulled his cock out of his pants and got himself off, all the while mumbling threats and slanders against you! Do you still want to protect him from me?" He raised his brows and stared at me, obviously waiting for an answer.

I was stunned. The bond was shouting out Eric's righteous truth to me and I had no reason to question him. "He did what? Oh my God, gross!" I blurted out, which apparently calmed Eric enough to back out of my face, but he still stood there with his arms folded, a foot away. I tentatively reached out and touched his arms with both hands. "I'm not trying to protect him from you," I said, his calm affecting me. "I mean, he's an even bigger pig than I thought, but I still don't understand why he has to die."

Eric sighed and closed his eyes. "And so we are back at square one," he said softly. He reached for me and gripped my arms in the same place he had before, this time only to pull me close to him. I flinched when he touched the bruises he'd made. "I am sorry for that," he said, rubbing his hands softly over the bruises. "I did not mean to hurt you." I nodded but didn't look at his face. He put his hand under my chin and raised my head. "And now I am putting my foot down," he said softly but firmly. "His life ends tonight. There will be no further discussion." I opened my mouth to reply but he gave me a warning look. I knew that look. If I persisted from here, there would be punishment. I pursed my lips and looked away. He brought my gaze back to him again. "You are a gentle soul, Dina. It is one of the wonderful things about you. I promised to shield you from the violence of my world as much as I could, and I will, but this is the way we do things. He knew the risks when he elected to work for Vampires. You can not prevent it. This will also send a message that nobody fucks with me and mine, most specifically you." I looked away again, my eyes prickling as tears threatened. Of course he picked right up on it. He pulled me close. "He is not worth your tears, Dear One. Do not waste them on him."

I didn't tell him that I wasn't crying for Bobby. I was crying for Eric, and how he had lost so much of his humanity. There was so much good in him that I could not hold this against him. And I cried a little bit for myself. For as I gave in to Eric about this, a little piece of my humanity went away too.

As I tried my best to control my emotions, Eric had more to say. "Where there is bad news, there is also good," he told me. I looked at him questioningly. "There is someone I am considering to take his place. We will go upstairs in..." He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and looked at it, "…about thirty-five minutes for you to meet him. If all goes well, I will hire him to take care of you when I cannot." He put his face close to mine, smiling, trying to reassure me. He was too cute for words, even when I was mad at him, so I gave him a small smile back. He seemed encouraged, and grinned broadly. Then he grabbed the belt I was wearing and unclasped it, reaching for the hem of the top/dress he had given me to wear.

"What are you doing?" I asked, putting my hand over his to stop him from pulling it off over my head.

"We must look at what I've done to your arms, and heal them," he said. I nodded, knowing that I wouldn't be able to stop him from healing me if I wanted to. He was very concerned about my health in general, and I could feel the remorse radiating off him through the bond. When he saw the purple marks that had already formed on my upper arms he leaned down and kissed each one. "I am so sorry." he told me again.

I decided to let him off the hook. "You didn't mean to. It isn't that bad, and we'll heal it. Nobody will know." I reached up to touch his face and smiled, my turn to reassure him now.

"I will know," he said glumly, taking my hand and pulling me to his big chair. When he sat there was enough room for me to sit between his legs, and he positioned me there. "As much as I would like to repeat what we did earlier, regrettably there is no time," he said, kissing my neck and brushing his thumbs across my nipples. I blushed.

"Eric, now they will show!" I complained as I pushed my breasts into his hands for more attention. He chuckled and continued to fondle them, now nibbling on my neck and earlobe and making me moan. "Do you want to have your new guy in trouble the first day?" I was only half joking.

"He may glance – after all, they are magnificent," Eric said, his voice full of sex, "but I hear he swings from a different tree." One hand had now moved between my legs and I parted them automatically for him.

"What?" I asked. Eric sometimes messed up current slang, another thing that I found adorable about him. I was more interested in what Eric's hands were doing than discovering whatever weirdness in his new day man Eric was talking about.

"Hmmmm, my hot little slut," Eric cooed into my ear, making me shiver. "I'd better satisfy you before we go or he might come back from the dark side at the sight of you!"

'Yeah,' I thought, 'and you want your scent both on and in me!' I leaned back and smiled at Eric, nibbling and biting his jaw and throat like I had done earlier. I heard his fangs click solidly into place and it sent fluttery sensations straight between my legs, where his hand still was. I kicked off the sandals and stood up to shimmy out of the little leggings. Eric helped me, kissing and biting my ass and my thighs as both our hands slowly pushed them down my legs. When I stepped out of them finally he threw them over his shoulder, and then he pulled me back down on his lap. He was still fully clothed, and it was a major turn-on for me to be naked with him like that. He reclined the chair and put out the foot rest, laid me back atop his chest and pulled my knees wide apart with both hands. An extra squeeze told me to keep them there. Then his bleeding wrist was in front of my face, and I grabbed it without hesitation. As soon as my lips touched his skin, his fingers went to work on me. I licked, sucked, and nibbled greedily, making Eric moan, and I could feel his hardness beneath my ass. I ground into him, trying to give him some of the sensation that he was giving me. He gently parted my lower lips, dipping his fingers inside of my soaking wet hole bringing them out to spread the moisture. But there was something different about his touch – a slight vibration that I wasn't sure if I was imagining. He teased me without mercy, his fingertip sliding around and around my little nub until I was squirming and whimpering against his wrist. He held it firmly to my lips, not allowing me to break contact even as I tried to turn my head to take a break. His touch on me became firm, his middle fingers inside me and fucking me hard while his thumb put pressure on my clit. It became almost impossible to hold my legs where he had put them, but I tried as hard as I could to obey his silent command. Pressure was building up in my core and I squirmed and bucked wildly against his hand. He was relentless, still pressing his wrist to my lips even though I felt the cut closing. And just as I was about to go over the edge – he stopped!

He pulled his hand and his wrist away at the same time, leaving me cold and unsatisfied. But as I shivered, we changed positions faster than I could think. Suddenly I was on my back in the big chair, reclined all the way back, and Eric was over me, kissing me hard and holding my hands above my head. I ground against him, wanting him inside of me, but again he had other ideas. He squeezed my hands where he held them, kissed me one last time, and ordered me to leave them there. Then, in another of his lightning-fast moves, he was between my legs. I knew what had felt so different about his touch then, as he showed me a harness that he had put on the back of his hand. He opened a little snap compartment and pulled out a little silver, vibrating, egg-shaped device. He gave me a wicked grin full of fang and slid it around my clitoris a few times, then moved it down and slid it inside of me. The effect was instantaneous! As Eric pushed it deep inside of me, I felt his lips on me, sucking my little hood into his mouth and bringing me right back to the edge where I had been just a moment ago. Eric's tongue should be registered as a lethal weapon! He moved it around and around, just as he had done with the vibrator, holding me at the precipice but never letting me go over. I held my hands above my head as he had ordered but couldn't help but try to close my legs against the torment he was giving me. For that I earned the sharp scrape of his fangs in between my lower lips as he held them wide open. I could feel him licking my blood from the cuts he had made, and all the while the vibrator was buzzing away inside of me. The pleasure-pain was almost too much to bear! Finally he gave his attention back to my aching clit, and this time he didn't fool around. He used his teeth to peel back the hood and applied his tongue, hard, directly against the tiny bud. The world exploded in a massive burst of fireworks, and I would have come a foot off of the chair if he hadn't held me down. "Eric!" I screamed. "Aaaaaahhhhh! Oh my God! Stop! No don't! Oh God! Eric! Eric!" The last were tiny whispers as his touch gentled, but then I screamed again as he turned his head and bit into my thigh, just inches from where the little vibrator still buzzed away inside of me. I felt Eric's fingers reach in and touch it, then his finger moved in a circle and the vibration slowed but didn't stop. As he pulled at the bite, he left the vibrator where it was and put pressure on my clit again. Every muscle in my pelvis tensed and then quivered to life as another deep orgasm took away my equilibrium. I felt as though I was floating somewhere in the darkness, again with Eric as my only companion in a world full of ecstatic sensation. By the time I came back to earth, Eric was licking his bite to stop the bleeding, but he didn't heal it.

He reached inside and pulled out the little vibrator, then he moved over me and kissed me again. His mouth and tongue dominated mine, and I ground against him and wrapped my leg around to caress the back of his thigh with my foot. He growled at me, and then brought the egg to my mouth. I opened it without being asked, and he smiled approvingly. He smoothed it around my lips, then whispered "stick your tongue out, Lover." When I did, he rolled the egg around on my tongue and I tasted myself, gazing starry-eyed at Eric and loving the affection I saw reflected there. When he was satisfied with my cleaning job on the egg, he kissed me deeply and slid into me at the same time. I moaned and opened myself wide to him. He began to thrust hard and deep, and I was conscious of the time, so I squeezed and released him, over and over. "Oh, Dina, that's good! Yessssss!" he hissed. I reached up and bit him hard on the neck and felt his dick swell inside of me. He growled again in response and grabbed both of my hands, which had strayed to his neck and the back of his head, and held them down. He lowered his body atop me so that I wasn't bearing his weight, but was pinned & couldn't move much. Always the dominant, my Eric!

"Eric! Oh God you feel so gooooood!" I breathed at him, rubbing my head against his shoulder as he held me.

"As do you, my Dina!" he said huskily. Then he breathed in and gasped, and his thrusts became harder, more measured. His muscles stiffened and his mouth opened wide, his fangs prominent and beautiful. "Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!" he moaned, thrusting harder into me, so hard that he could almost split me in two! And then he was roaring at the sky as he released his seed into me. As I felt it, cool and soft, enveloping everything inside, that sent me over the edge with him and I moaned, crying out his name as I gasped for air, my climax sending my heartbeat into overdrive for a moment, before a luxurious feeling of relaxation overtook me and I lay still beneath him. He seemed to feel the same thing; once again the bond hummed between us, calm and quiet and satisfied.

"I don't want to go, Eric!" I told him sincerely. "I just want to lay here with you inside of me"

He gave me his beautiful smile and chuckled. "That sounds wonderful, Lover, but we must go."

I nodded, tears threatening again as I thought of what he was going out to do. "Promise me something?" I asked him.

He was instantly wary. "Go on," he said.

"Be careful? I want you to come home to me safe, in one piece."

"That, I will promise, Dear One," he responded, giving me a soft kiss and laying his forehead against mine for a moment as we stared into each other's eyes. I wasn't getting what I wanted, but I realized that if I wanted Eric I had to accept the bad with the good.

We got up, and all Eric had to do was straighten out his pants. I had to get dressed again. But Eric had accomplished what he'd wanted, or so I thought. I was full of him, inside and out. His blood, his semen, his bite mark that only Leila would see, and he'd certainly touched every part of my body in the last half hour. This new man, who I was about to meet, would be an idiot if he didn't know that I belonged completely to Eric. And suddenly I understood Eric's poor attempt at slang. "The new guy is gay? Is that what you were trying to tell me?" I asked him.

He looked at me like I was completely clueless. "It took you this long to figure that out?"

I blushed, embarrassed. "Eric, sometimes your slang is hard to understand."

"That isn't my fault." he laughed. "We have a few minutes. Let me fix your ponytail." He sat me down on the coffee table and stood behind me, and within two minutes my hair was perfect enough for him again. "Are you ready?" he asked. I guessed I was as ready as I was going to be, and I nodded. He reached out for me, and together we headed for the door.

I held Eric's hand up the stairs. The lighting still stunk. He still promised to get it fixed soon. I was really nervous about the rest of this house if other parts were worse than this. I was a little excited about moving – so to speak, since we would still come here. I remembered my first move, which was terrifying. I had lost count since then. Sometimes it was still a little scary. There is an alien feeling to being in a home you know had others in it.

This move wouldn't feature that. I was going with Eric to one of his homes. I was sure before he got it everything was 'sanitized' so to speak. And after the remodeling, I was sure the only feel of the house I'd have was of Eric. And I was going to be just fine with that feeling.

We got to the next door and Eric punched in the code. I kept a hold of him as we got out through the false wall, into the closet, and out into the office. I was ready to let go of his hand, assuming he didn't want the close contact outside of our 'living space', but he didn't let go. We walked to the living room and he sat me on the couch. He took his seat on the adjacent reclining chair. Across from his was an identical chair. The furniture formed a triangle with a coffee table in the center. I guessed the new day man would sit across from him. I doubted Eric would put him on the couch with me, even at the far end.

"Remember, I want you to act as you would in front of other Supes. This man is very highly recommended, but I've only worked with him briefly. He doesn't need to know how deep our relationship runs. You may be a pet, but hold some status as you are bonded. You may be much more. He doesn't need to know more than to be respectful of you, even if it's only respect as you being my property."

I nodded. I felt the pit of my stomach drop a bit. Eric's world scared me more than I liked to admit. The idea that some humans were only property and that I was/could be viewed that way made me very nervous. And insulted. But I thought my fear was stronger. I didn't think Eric was savage and he was very cultured and intelligent. Yet, everything about him and his world was so much more violent than me. I was not ignorant or easily shocked anymore – not after so many years of not being sheltered. But I was idealistic and not accepting of violence. I didn't like Eric killing Bobby. I didn't like capital punishment at all. The thought that others could kill or harm Eric if I made a mistake terrified me to no end.

"Lover, I will always protect you." Eric reached out and took my hand, which was clutching the arm rest with a death grip. "Calm yourself. You are perfectly safe." He sent waves of calm at me through the bond and I looked up at him with my mouth gaping open. It had instantly calmed my nerves! I didn't know he could do that and wondered how else he could influence me.

"So …what exactly is this Bonded thing? I get the feelings. I kinda get the connection. But what does it mean?" I wanted to know how safe I would be.

Eric sat back and looked pensive. I actually tried to sort out his feelings. I definitely felt his confusion or uncertainty – he was really trying to find words. Everything was a blur between what I felt and what he felt. Were we both anxious?

"Alright," Eric said; he obviously came to a conclusion. "If you feel something is sacred, can I assume all other humans feel the same?"

"No." Okay I was getting him.

"I know you understand where I'm going. To many of us, our Bondeds are sacred. Humans we bond with have value above all other possessions and have a status separate from the rest of their race. There was a time when this concept was believed everywhere a Vampire would travel to… But there is another thought. The human is obviously valued. The blood is sacred. But they are still only a pet, an asset. The bond is used to hold them, not to elevate them. Many Vampires even use the bond to control the mind of the human completely, making them not much more than a robot. It is still rare to bond to a human you don't have affections for, since you feel their feelings. It can be taxing."

I stopped to absorb this. "Am I… taxing?" I borrowed his word.

"No. We are Bonded, in the most sacred sense of the word. There is much affection between us. Anything we share is worth its struggles. As I told you last night, there is nothing that is secret between us or unwelcome."

I blushed, remembering that I peed in front of him. I saw him smile, with the little tug on the left corner of his mouth that usually came before a chuckle. But before the noise escaped his mouth, I heard the door knocker sound four times in rapid secession. Eric turned to the door. The knocker was pounded once more.

"Enter."

The door didn't just open. As I watched the locks turn, I realized this person had a key. In walked a man about 5'7, dressed in dark jeans and a black form-fitting T-shirt covered by a blazer. He closed the door and stood there a moment. He was probably in his early to mid 30s. Definitely human from his tan. He was solid, but not overly muscular. I couldn't lie, he was a hunk! I hoped Eric wouldn't do anything because I thought the new guy was cute. I couldn't help it!

He glanced at me, but his eyes focused on Eric. I wondered if he thought poorly of me too. Here we go again.

"Mr. Northman." He nodded his head in what I assumed was a respectful manner. I noticed his accent right away. It sounded Scottish or Irish. And kinda hot. I couldn't keep this train of thought in my head. I didn't think Eric would approve of my little passion for another man's accent.

"Have a seat." Eric said, devoid of emotion.

I watched this new guy move and tried to catch a feel for him. Eric seemed to alternate between watching him and watching me. The quiet was killer. Once we were seated, Eric waited a moment to begin. It felt like a few minutes, but in retrospect I knew it wasn't.

"As you know, this is unorthodox. I am in need of a day man and don't have time to spare. If this arrangement works, I fully intend to keep you employed long term."

I was forgetting to breathe again. I didn't want to make a sound or miss one moment of what was going on. The new guy nodded at Eric's words. He sat with very nice posture. He seemed quite relaxed and calm. That seemed weird to me. Maybe he didn't know the last day man was about to be killed tonight. Poor guy.

"I have already sent you instructions outlining your duties. Tonight might seem simple, but if anything goes wrong, your services will not be requested again. You will be escorting my Bonded to her stylist appointment upstairs. Her stylist is here already and should be ready by the time I leave."

Eric ended up his speech and the new man nodded again. "Yes, sir, that sounds reasonable." Hot. The accent was definitely hot. Eric nodded, seemingly satisfied with his reply.

"Dina," I immediately turned and looked at him. "This is Sean Michael Cameron. You will call him Sean. I hope you two get along well." I WOULD call him Sean. OK then.

I looked toward him as Eric spoke, but didn't know how I should reply. I gave a slight tilt of my head. Eric went back to introductions.

"Sean, this is Dina Marie. She is my Bonded and I value her above all else. I'm entrusting her care and well-being to you while I attend to a business matter." He used his Sheriff voice. I could pick up the threat under his professional words. Eric was going to kill someone tonight for not seeing well to my 'care'; Sean needed to be careful.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Dina Marie." Sean replied kindly.

"Nice to meet you, too." I replied, a little softer than I usually spoke. I glanced briefly at him and gave a small smile but immediately returned my attention to Eric.

Eric seemed pleased. He cupped my chin and turned me to look at him. "Have fun at your appointment. Try to relax. I'll be home as soon as I can."

"I will, Master." I replied. I thought I did a good job being his pet in front of an audience. He stroked my cheek affectionately and I tried to seem very enthused by the attention. I hoped he saw the love I felt when I looked at him. He leaned in and kissed me warmly. I touched his cheek as he did this; he reached up and squeezed my hand. The implication was clear. 'She is mine and I care deeply for her.' Eric didn't need to say it out loud. Sean tilted his head as he observed us; I wondered what he was thinking. Eric rose and Sean did the same. They met in the middle of the room.

"We will be just fine, Mr. Northman." Sean said confidently.

"I sincerely hope so." Eric deadpanned; once again I caught the slight threat in that statement. It was certainly hard to balance this cold killer being my sweet Vampire, the same one who had nuzzled me so adorably this evening looking for his breakfast.

I watched him walk out.

Eric POV

I touched down onto the roof of what looked to be one of those fly-by-night auto upholstery shops that stuffs your seat with shit and closes down before you come back to complain. I double-checked the address in my phone. An old tenement across the street bore the correct number. This was where he lived? I paid him better than this! What the fuck did he do with his money? It wasn't any of my business, anyway, and I didn't plan to pay him another cent after tonight.

I was frustrated, agitated, and wanted to get this over with. My argument with Dina earlier didn't sit well with me. She didn't want me killing for her. Actually, she didn't want me killing at all. I am Vampire, however, and it is part of my nature. I had a reputation to uphold, and you didn't fuck with me or mine. Burnham knew that I'd had eyes on him for at least part of the day in question. He thought he'd gotten away with his actions that day and could continue now that he thought I'd shown him where the cameras were. I would not allow him to insult or intimidate her again, and he would not get the chance to coerce sex out of her in exchange for keeping quiet when Dina had done nothing wrong. Sookie had had similar treatment from him on the few occasions I'd sent him to do something for her. I'd turned a blind eye to it then. Sookie wasn't mine. She wasn't relying solely on me for protection. But Dina was. I could no more ignore a threat to her than I could the half-truths she'd told me about that threat. It was my duty to her to take swift action to remove the threat from her life. She was a modern woman, not raised when I was human. She did not believe that she needed a man to protect her. No matter. I was human in a time when men did look after their women and provided for them in all ways. She accepted my care; she would accept my protection in whatever ways I chose to give it. There would be no discussion about it. I had already made this clear when she had tried to argue with me.

My potential replacement for Burnham seemed to have gotten off to a good start. He hadn't tried to flatter me or gain favor in any way. He had simply accepted his assignment and carried it out. He didn't know that even now I watched his every move. My smart phone was tuned into my network at home, and I could see him standing outside the door of the room where Dina was with Leila, his back to the door. He hadn't tried to listen to them or find a way to watch. His eyes were constantly moving, even in a place of relative safety like my home. He had shown proper deference to Dina while keeping the focus on me, his employer. If this behavior continued I would hire him permanently and pay him more than I had paid Burnham. I could afford it and money made people loyal to you. I would let him become friendly with Dina so that she would trust him. If I chose to hire him permanently I would explain all of this.

I checked the time again. Nearly 10pm! I wanted this tedious business over with. I didn't actually plan to kill him myself. Pam and Rasul had that honor. I was only going to deliver him into their hands. I did not want his blood. I had my Bonded at home and my pact with her was sacred. To take the blood of another was to sully my relationship with her. I would only do it if she were too ill or otherwise incapacitated to feed me long enough that I would require nourishment. She did not understand the full nature of what was between us. I would have to explain fully soon.

Thinking of her now made my cock hard again, even though we'd already had sex multiple times this evening. When I had woken to find her next to me, soft, warm, and willing, I was nearly overcome! For a few seconds she had been in danger of her life, but I had been able to control myself – just barely. Then she had tried to get under me while my fangs were in her throat. If I had allowed that, we might now be laying in the ground together while she became Vampire. Holding her beneath me, pinning her there with my cock and my fangs, it brought out urges in me that if I weren't so old would be impossible to control. The urge to take, to dominate, that was fine. It was the urge to drain, to procreate, that was the problem. I loved her warmth, her blushes, the beating of her heart, but she was so vulnerable to so many things! She could get sick and die of a disease that my blood might not be able to cure. Anything could happen to her during the day while I rested, and I could do nothing about it. I wanted her by my side for eternity, strong and invincible like me. I had not bonded to Pam before I turned her, and we were lovers for only a short while after. Pam was my child. Dina would be my progeny, but also my eternal companion, my lover. Pam was free to leave me when the urge struck to be on her own. Dina would never leave me. Our bond would not allow that, but more importantly, I would not allow it. She was mine!

A car pulled onto the block and I hid myself behind a large pipe. It was a dark blue BMW – the same kind of car I knew he drove. It stopped and a gate opened, leading to the underground parking garage below his building. As he pulled in slowly, he did not see three figures streak past him – myself, Pam, and Rasul. We could have broken in easily, but a broken gate might have aroused suspicion. There were no other entrances to the garage except for the pathway that led to the elevators going up. We would not allow him to get that far.

I quickly hid myself in the shadows of the pathway and waited for him. I heard him get out of his car and set the alarm. There wasn't another soul around. This was perfect. As he started to head toward where I was secluded, I could hear the stumble in his step. The foul scent of alcohol and cheap cigars assaulted my nose as he drew nearer. The fool had been drinking. All the better. It would hinder his attempt to escape.

He staggered around the corner and I stepped out, blocking his way. "Hey, watch where you…" he started to say, and then he looked up. He stumbled backward and made an awkward bow. "Master!" he slurred. "My apologies sir, I didn't know it was you! How good to see you tonight; you are looking well!" I used to enjoy his flattery and bull shit but now it sickened me. "What can I do for you Master?" Burnham slurred at me.

"Burnham, I have something to discuss with you. It concerns my Bonded." I told him coldly.

"The redhead?" he said rudely. "Miss, um, Diane, I mean?" He couldn't even get her name right. "Lovely girl, really! Congratulations on your bonding!" He bowed and almost fell over. I was ready for this charade to end.

"Yes, that's the one," I responded. He would not meet her again but the least he could do was remember her name. "You see, she means more to me than anything. ANYTHING," I enunciated. He nodded, listening closely to my words, no idea where I was going with this. "And, I entrusted her care to you, Burnham. This is where we have the problem."

"Uh-huh," he replied, still with no idea that he was in any kind of trouble. I smelled no fear on him at all. He was stupid to become overly confident with me like this.

"You behaved inappropriately, Burnham," I said, taking a step forward. He stood his ground a few feet from me. "Her tits are lovely aren't they?" The moron had the nerve to smile at me and nod. "You took a good look didn't you? In other words, you ogled my property!" I took another step, and this time he backed up, now starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. He had begun to sweat profusely. "You threatened her when she did nothing wrong." Another step, and he backed up. The tone of my voice had not changed; I was cool and businesslike, using my "Sheriff" voice. "When you weren't allowed to stay in the room, you tried to listen through the door." Another step. He stepped back, finally becoming a bit fearful of me.

"I am sorry Master," he said, swallowing nervously. "You're right. I did do that. I-I-I will be glad to apologize to the girl, um, Diana, if you wish." He bowed again.

"No, Burnham, that will not be necessary, for you will not be meeting with her again." I took another step, and his face went white. He backed up two steps but still seemed to think he could salvage the situation.

"You don't wish me to escort her again?" he asked, now sounding quite sober.

"No, I do not. You see, Bobby, I do not take kindly to my employees masturbating in my hallway!" Another step, and he backed up two more. "I do not take kindly to people calling my Bonded a slut or a bitch! And her name is Dina, you idiot! Have you ever listened to a word I've said to you?" I continued to advance, and he continued to back away. "To put it simply so that you can understand, Burnham, you are fired!" His eyes widened as he finally sensed the gravity of the situation.

"I- I- Is- Isn't- Isn't there anything I c-c-can d-d-do to ch-ch-change your m-m-m-mind?" he stuttered at me, still backing away from my slow, stalking steps.

"No, and you will not be needing a reference!" I glared at him coldly, choosing this moment to let my fangs drop while using my most menacing voice. If it was possible, his face got whiter. His steps quickened as he backed away from me, and then I reached out for him, not really intending to grab him, but only to get him to turn around and run. He did just what I wanted, and I smelled the stink of his urine as he pissed himself running from me.

"Help! Anybody! H-" His cry was cut off abruptly. Pam stepped out of the shadows, holding the doomed and struggling vermin easily and covering his mouth. Rasul appeared next to her and grinned. I nodded and gave them the signal to proceed, but did not stay to watch. I turned swiftly, exited into the open air, made sure of my surroundings, and took to the air. I had more important things to do. My Bonded would be waiting for me at home, fresh from her visit with Leila. I planned on discussing her facebook contacts with her before the night was over, and I was still unsettled by our earlier argument. She shouldn't have questioned me. I would not hand down a formal punishment, but she would learn how I felt. She would regret it and perhaps would take better care with her words the next time. I had just eliminated a threat from her life and now I felt neglected, disrespected. I would admit it; I was hurt. I had bonded with her, brought her into my home, and put all of my other activities on hold to care for her and acclimate her to her new life. She no longer had any worries beyond what I wanted or needed. Nobody would be allowed to threaten, hurt or reject her ever again. She would always have food on the table (as long as she was human anyway), a roof over her head, more money than she could spend in a thousand lifetimes, and my everlasting affection. We would see what she was willing to do to acknowledge my efforts for her and make me feel better.

Dina POV

Sean and I were left in the empty room. I wondered how I should act without Eric here. I searched my mind for some direction or clue I missed. I finally remembered Eric stating tonight was more practice and he wasn't sure if he was keeping Sean permanently. I decided to keep quiet and act like I was only a 'pet' and not (apparently) a sacred Bonded.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked me politely.

"Yes." I stood and smoothed my dress out. He didn't move until I was next to him. He went out of his way to keep an even pace with me as we walked. Better than Bobby making me stalk him. Sean had little issue with some of the poor lighting up the stairs and in the hallway. I wondered for a moment why that was. I was struggling to see in front of me in certain areas. He glided with ease but noticed how careful I was being with my footing. He pulled a small flashlight out of his back pocket and shone it on the floor ahead of us. "Thank you," I said sincerely, giving him another small smile. I wanted him to know I was grateful but not seem overly friendly. I was still unsure of exactly how I should act. I didn't have time to keep silently examining Sean as we came to the room Leila used for our appointments.

He pulled out a phone and looked at it for a moment. He then knocked on the door. I guess he wanted to see if we were on schedule. He went back to the phone and began to text someone. It didn't take him long and I tried to stand as though I had purpose. These heels were very different from my typical barefoot style. Leila opened the door a few seconds later.

"Sean, late on your first day. This isn't looking good!" She teased him.

I was taken aback. Leila knew him?

"Forgive me; it is my first day after all. I'll let you two begin since we're behind." He winked at her.

"You ready, Dina?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes." I replied tersely and stepped into the room. She closed and locked the door behind me.

"Alright, let's make you beautiful, darling!" Leila said enthusiastically.

"What's putting you in such a good mood?" I asked curiously.

"In general, it's just a good day. But it's much better to have Sean than that parasite Mr. Northman had before."

I stopped at her words. That parasite was about to be exterminated. It might be happening right now. I wondered if she knew, but then decided she must not, or she wouldn't be so callous in speaking of him. Even if she didn't like him.

I thought I felt a little sick. Once again, it wasn't Bobby as an individual. It was the whole murder thing. I didn't even kill bugs when I could avoid it. I was so not a good hippie living with someone who killed so easily.

I noticed I was quiet and Leila was staring at me. I realized I had potentially made a mistake. I couldn't get into this conversation. I couldn't reveal any of Eric's secrets. Vampires were so secretive.

"Dina," She began with a heavy voice, "I'm not here to overstep my bounds and I urge you to talk to your Master about everything." She paused either for effect or to form her sentences. "But you need to know Mr. Northman cares about you. I've worked with him a great deal over the years and he has never been so involved with or particular about anyone he's brought to me. This world is harsh. Do not pity Burnham. He knew the consequences of his actions and the ins-and-outs of this world he chose to work in." Okay, she did know. I didn't know what to think about that.

I nodded, afraid of what to say. She was right. Bobby had probably helped Eric kill. And no matter how unforgiving he was being, Eric would never hurt me. I trusted him.

"I'm just adjusting."

I couldn't believe I was adjusting to violence. Lord, what was wrong with me? Where were my principles? I had turned my back on all of that angry aggressiveness. I grew up with death penalty fans. I grew up with military men. I was done with it all. Yet, here I was with a man who was killing someone for threatening me.

I rubbed my eyes and cleared my head. I had all the time in the world to think about this, but right now I had to focus on my appointment.

"So what are we doing today? The same?" I asked, not excited about the stomach pains I endured last time.

"No, we don't have a perfect schedule worked out yet. Things will change once you move into the other house and especially once Mr. Northman is ready to go back to work on a regular basis. We will probably meet about three times a week and alternate between long days and short sessions. Today will be short. We'll give you a quick clean up and pack you with some vitamins. I'm going to start giving you a shake soon for your health after Mr. Northman discussing it with the doctor. I'll glance over your appearance and see if we need to adjust anything. You ready to begin?"

"Yea…Why does everything feel like it's moving so fast?" I had to voice this thought out loud. I had been a student, but now I was a submissive to a VERY dominant Vampire. I was working, but now I did no labor unless it was for Eric. I controlled my life – as unruly as it was at times – and now I answered to Eric for everything. We had a home I was beginning to like and now I was moving. I never did anything overly girly and here I was meeting with a stylist two to three times a week! I was getting a migraine.

Leila smiled sympathetically. "You'll catch up…. You can go in the bathroom. There is a robe in there for you."

I nodded and went into the little bathroom. I stripped and hung my clothes up carefully. For any problems I had with Eric's tastes, he dressed me nice when I went out and met others. I slipped on the robe and came to sit on the exam table.

"Alright, as I said today will be quick. So you'll be happy to know you won't be one gallon fuller of liquid. I want to clean you first and then review your appearance."

"Okay." I replied, feeling glad we weren't doing the Full Monty today.

"Unlike last time, I'd like you to jump down and bend over the table. There might be mild discomfort, but it will be over quickly."

I nodded. I wasn't looking forward to the discomfort however mild it would be. I wasn't as embarrassed this time. Probably because we did it before and because of how I was living with Eric. I was slowly getting used to being exposed.

As always, Leila was professional and gave me warning before she proceeded. After Eric's fingers, the end of the tube didn't hurt that much. I had a feeling I was going to be experiencing said fingers again tonight. I was getting nervous about Eric's plans. Even sex with him the first few times had featured some stretching and discomfort. And I was no virgin when I met him. Not to mention, that this particular hole had to be taught to stretch and didn't do so naturally. I, regrettably, had time to think about this as Leila readied me for Eric's plan to take my virginity.

I didn't have the same cramping and pain as last time, but still didn't know why some people did this regularly. I had read that Gandhi did this nearly everyday. At least I now had the same activities of a peace-nik, even if Eric was infringing on my peace-loving views.

Before I knew it, Leila ushered me into the bathroom. I turned on the water and she shut the door. I needed the privacy. I tried to force away my nerves about having anal sex and my conflicted views about the killing that was going on right now. I stayed a few minutes longer to compose myself.

I came out with a small, forced smile. Leila was reading from a folder, but stopped when she heard the door open. "All ready?" She asked, with her chipper smile.

"Yes." I went and hopped back on the table.

"Alright, Mr. Northman is still debating on what to do with your hair. He promised me an answer soon. Bad thing about a man as old as he is… his time standards are so different than mine." She rambled at the end.

I laughed. A month must have felt like a day to Eric. Unless he wanted something; then he didn't seem to want to wait a moment.

"I'm going to wash your hair. You can sit down and get comfortable."

"Sweet." I loved how Leila did my hair. She made my scalp so happy and used the most amazing conditioner I'd ever had. My hair was doing so much better with Eric's blood. It was less damaged and fuller. It had begun to curl once more. After years of dye, it had gone positively straight and flat before Eric got a hold of me.

I tried not to moan as Leila began her shampoo massage. We didn't speak as my head was under water so often. Once she finished, we wrapped my head in a towel. She told me to go hop back up on the table and she'd join me in a moment. I walked back to my spot and sighed. This wasn't so bad.

"Let's work on some of your tough skin and see your nails."

I held out my hands and cocked my toes in the air. She looked over my hands first.

"You chipped the polish already, huh?"

"Yep, I'm not good with polished and pretty nails."

"I see that."

I bit my lip to suppress a giggle at her facial expression. She then hunched down and looked at my toes.

"Wow…you didn't just chip them. You broke the nail pretty good on the right big toe…" She carefully examined each toe.

I was embarrassed. I didn't want her to know I broke it and messed up the polish during my punishment. I didn't want Leila to know I misbehaved. I didn't want her to know our relationship involved discipline and punishment. I still felt really bad for making a mistake. I knew Eric wouldn't approve of how much this was affecting me.

Leila looked up at me and I felt myself blush more.

"At least your Vamp heals you after things get… rough."

How did this woman know these things? I just nodded and didn't say anything.

"What's that on your leg?" she asked suddenly concerned, touching my inner thigh, but then smiled as she got a better look. "... marking his territory, is he?" Leila laughed. I realized I had kept my legs spread (your welcome Eric) and she saw his fang marks. I rolled my eyes.

"Yea, he's got a knack for that," I told her. She laughed. "So do you know a lot of Vamps?" My curiosity was getting the better of me.

"I do." She smiled, but didn't reveal anymore.

"Are they all this possessive?"

"Possessiveness is a Vampiric trait. It is intensified at times, such as when the human and Vampire are bonded. Even more so when there is genuine affection. But Mr. Northman tends to be in a league of his own on such matters."

"Ah," I replied intelligently. I wasn't very surprised by that. "Has he had a lot of other humans? Do you know if he bonded to anyone else?"

I was nervous about her answer and about whether I should even be asking this.

"I do not know of Eric keeping other humans. There have been humans he paid special attention to and some he's seen on more than one occasion, but he doesn't have a reputation for keeping pets. I doubt he's bonded with anyone. But if you really want the answer, you need to go to him."

I nodded. I caught the seriousness in her tone. She wanted to make sure I was communicating with my "Master." I thanked her and she nodded. We were back to business.

"Alright, I'm going to clip and file the broken nails. I'll get you the iPod, since you hate the sound. Then I'll touch up the polish. We'll do the feet first."

She went and grabbed me the 'pod. I graciously thanked her and left one headphone half out of my ear, so I wasn't completely tuned out, but still wouldn't hear that god awful noise. I leaned back and she situated herself to fix up my toe nails. I listened to some Everclear and other '90s hits while she worked. She tapped my leg to get my attention when my eyes closed. I turned off the music.

"I'm going to finish with your feet. We're going to fix this skin of yours! You spent too many years on your feet." She said, sounding determined.

"Thanks." I replied and smiled. She was already reaching for her tools. She went right to work and I put the music back on.

I jammed out as best I could without being able to move much. It was nice to listen to music and run through my thoughts without becoming overwhelmed. The music and knowing I had time to think without having to rush to another activity, helped me to relax. I still had conflicted feelings, but… maybe I just had to let things play out.

I couldn't save Bobby, nor would he be someone I would stand up to Eric over. I knew when I lost and I knew what was worth fighting for. My little attempt to prevent violence had cost me enough already.

It was becoming easier to take things bit by bit. Every day I had things to do and some things to look forward to. I had no real worries about my future. There were no financial pressures on me. I was going to start classes again once I was settled – a good incentive to finish training and get my punkass settled. For the first time in a very, very long time I was focused on the now and not so much on the later. I felt so free. It was amazing to deal with little conflicts and issues as they arose and not worry about ones down the road.

Leila moved on to my hands. I knew she was wasting the polish; I would inevitably chip them later. She finished with them too fast in my opinion. I was enjoying my music time. She asked if I had any concerns I wanted to discuss or anything I wanted to bring up to Eric. She winked and told me, he might be more responsive if we 'teamed up' on him. I laughed.

"How about shaving?" I asked.

"Sweetie, I said he MIGHT be responsive… but I doubt we can aim that high. He's pretty adamant."

I sighed. "Yep, he sure is. It's not terrible."

"As long as Your Master is happy, its fine." She replied confidently. "You mustn't worry about society's norms when they have no bearing on what is between you and him. There's nothing to be embarrassed about if he enjoys you this way."

I nodded. I could see why Eric hired her for this job. "But then I come to see someone like you who is part of the greater society, and that's where my embarrassment lies." I wanted her to understand so maybe she'd help me.

"I am here to serve you, as it were. Embarrassment in front of someone like me is misplaced," she said. "But I will mention it to him since I see how strongly you feel. Now the last thing we have to do. You need some vitamins. Mr. Northman is also adamant about your health. Why don't you take a seat by the table for this one?"

I moved to where she wanted me and waited while she pulled out the vitamins from her bag. She had a lot of them. I was a little surprised and then dismayed that some were large 'horse' pills. She reached in her bag and grabbed a bottle of water. Then she started to divide the pills and push them toward me.

"Vitamin B-12, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D, and iron pills. We're going to have to make sure you have enough iron and vitamin B-12. It works better if taken daily, I'll write that up in my report. Just take them while I clean up and we'll dry your hair. Then I'll send you on your way."

"Okay." I replied looking at all the pills in front of me. There were two of each, except for the vitamin A which only had one. I started to force them down my throat, namely the huge calcium pills. I was going to ask Eric about getting me the expensive tiny ones or the ones that dissolve under your tongue. If he was insistent on spending money on me, it should benefit my sore throat. I finally took the last one and went into the bathroom to get dressed. I just left the robe hanging where I found it and put the towel on the adjoining hook.

I came back and Leila had plugged in a blow-dryer. She ushered me to the chair and began to blow and brush my hair.

"We're going to have you look very pretty when you go back to your Master. What does he prefer, up or down?"

"Down." Eric loved my hair to be flowing. I preferred it up and out of the way.

She began to brush it down and straightened it with the brush. It looked good. Even though my hair was generally straight due to damage, it was frizzy and some parts would flip up. She made it look perfect. I checked myself in the make-up mirror she handed me.

Leila walked me out and hugged me before she opened the door. "See you soon," she said, smiling. I smiled back.

"You too."

Sean was ready and waiting. He looked carefree and happy. Now that I could get a better look at him without Eric's eyes assessing my every move, I noticed that Sean had beautiful hazel eyes which were brown with gold flecks drawing toward the center. The corners of his eyes crinkled very cutely when he smiled, and his lashes were longer than mine! His light brown hair was cut very short but I could tell that it was naturally curly. His ears stuck out past his thick hair, another endearing quality about his appearance. I bet he hated that. His lips were full and very kissable. Oh god, I knew I better stop right there! If Eric got even the slightest feeling that I was this attracted to Sean, poor Sean might be toast! I didn't want to seem rude, so I gave him a small smile. "Thanks for taking me tonight, Sean. I'm sure Eric will be pleased," I said quietly, making sure that I mentioned Eric. Pleased? Had I ever used that word before? I wanted to roll my eyes at myself but couldn't in present company who might not understand.

"I'm very happy to do so, little lady," he smiled at me. "Are you ready to go back to him?" When he mentioned Eric I smiled broadly and nodded enthusiastically. Eric was the most important person in this conversation as far as I was concerned and I wanted that made clear. He smiled back, and then Leila got his attention.

"Sean, make sure Mr. Northman knows that our tardiness is your fault." Leila said smiling.

"Of course, my dear." He turned to me, "After you!"

"Thanks." We actually turned at the same time to start back, and again he shined a flashlight on the floor for me.

Leila waited until we began to walk away before shutting the door. Sean and I found a pace and walked off. I could feel Eric as we walked down the corridor. We came down the stairs and I saw him sitting in the same chair as before. I began to walk ahead and away from Sean, hurrying to Eric's side. Eric's head came up and his eyes scanned over me. He didn't show any emotion – good or bad. My smile faltered a little and I looked at the ground.

"I trust everything went well, Mr. Cameron?" Eric asked calmly.

"Perfectly," Sean replied.

"Wonderful. Dina, take a seat." He smiled at me, before turning to look at Sean once more. "I will be asking for your services tomorrow. I've left a detailed list in your inbox. If there are no complaints by the end of the week, I'll hire you full time and we will discuss a yearly salary."

"That sounds wonderful, Mr. Northman. I'll be leaving you with your Bonded. Goodnight." He looked briefly toward me, but didn't address me directly. I think I liked Mr. Sean Michael. He still found a way to pay me a little respect without addressing me and breaking protocol. Eric nodded and waved his hand, obviously dismissing him.

As he walked out, I noticed something I missed. The door automatically locked when he closed it. I heard it click. For good measure, I watched as Sean put the deadbolt on with his key from the outside of the house. Obviously, he had to use more than that key to get in. I didn't know to open those locks. They looked interesting. I was sure they weren't very complex, but even after looking them over I still couldn't figure out how they worked. I didn't have time for this mystery as Eric jerked me from my thoughts.

"I want you to sit here and not move from your spot. I need a word with Miss Nasrin. I will not be long." Eric commanded me.

I had a feeling moving from this spot would be a very bad idea. I was completely unsure of Eric's mood and unable to get any information from the bond. He moved up the stairs at Vampire speed. It really wouldn't take long. I filed Leila's last name away, glad I knew it.

I was going to let go of the 'Bobby thing'. There was no need to rehash it. Besides, Eric would want to look me over and probably have some mind-blowing sex. He also sounded a bit peeved and I'd rather calm him and not fight again.

He came back down and walked over to me. He took my hand and we walked back downstairs. When he shut the door behind us, and we were in our underground home, he pulled me back against his chest. His arm held my waist and his nose sniffed my neck and hair. He sighed contentedly.

"Breathtaking… I missed you. Go to the washroom. Strip. I want you in our bedroom, presenting yourself to me in the next 5 minutes."

He released me and patted my butt as I walked off. He missed me? That made me feel really good, especially after being unable to pick up on his mood. I picked up the pace since he only gave me 5 minutes. I quickly hung up the clothes and peed like a race horse. I knew I had to hurry. I glanced in the mirror and speed-walked to the middle of the open space in the bedroom.

I lowered myself to the ground and remembered the position. I bent my knees and spread my legs & feet wide apart. I lowered my upper body, put my palms flat, and touched my forehead to the ground. I waited. I knew sometimes Eric wanted me to wait. He wanted me done in 5 minutes so I had time to wait. I was learning about how he operated.

"Very Nice." His voice startled me sooner than I expected. I heard him circle me slowly but kept my eyes down. He finally stood behind me and I knew he was enjoying looking at me on display for him. "Stand up and bend over the bed. I want your knees and arms straight, legs apart."

I stood and complied, moving to the side of the bed. It wasn't comfortable. I tried to hold still, but wanted to move to a more comfortable angle. I felt Eric's hands, brushing my hair off my back and feeling its smooth softness.

"This has been straightened. Did you ask for that?"

"No, Eric. Leila asked how you liked my hair and when I told her, she straightened it for me."

"Hmm… very good." He praised me and I felt his approval through the bond.

His hands worked down my back, over my bottom, and to my legs. "You still dislike your hair don't you?" He said referring to taking my razors away. Leila must have told him.

"At least I'm warmer." I tried to joke. But I wanted to be clear about my feelings so I answered directly. "Yes."

He said nothing and I shivered. I wondered what he was thinking. I tried to probe our bond and came up with nothing. I wondered if it was me being unschooled or if he was blocking me somehow. He moved back up my body, both hands smoothing over/across my exposed pussy, his fingers trailing slowly and deliberately between my cheeks and up the middle. The upper part of my butt crack behind my tailbone was very sensitive and I couldn't help but squirm at the light and gentle touch. He paused in his movements but didn't say anything. I was glad he didn't make a big deal out of it but wondered when he would. I knew him.

"What else did Leila do?" His hands now rested at my waist, his thumbs toward my spine and his fingers curled around the sides.

"She fixed my nails, washed my hair… straightened it. And she… cleaned me."

"Where did she clean you?"

"Umm…" Oh god he was going to make me say it. Fuck. I tried to find a way around this. "Internally."

"Internally. Your mouth?" He asked.

"No." I thought I hated him. Really wanted to kick him.

"Where?" He asked again, his voice demanding. He must be really getting off on this!

"My… butt." I whispered.

"I see. How do you feel about that?"

"Fine." I bit out.

"Just fine?" He asked, standing behind me with his hands now on the front of my hips, gripping my not-so-prominent-any-more hipbones. I had not had access to a scale but could tell I had gained a few pounds. Eric wanted "more meat on my bones" as he said. He was getting his way.

I sighed. "I know you wanted it –" He stopped me with a hard pat on my right hip.

"I didn't ask about what I wanted or how I felt." He said coldly.

This was becoming harder for me. I wasn't sure what he wanted from me or why he was acting this way, unless he was angry with me from earlier. With difficulty, I used a calm and reassuring tone for him. "I know. I'm fine doing it for you. Personally, it's not enjoyable and can be painful."

"Do you understand the purpose it serves?" He asked.

"Yes." I replied. Eric said nothing. "You want to have anal play and eventually take my virginity. This will make it …less messy."

I knew this for a long time. But somehow saying it aloud had an affect I didn't expect. This was one of those moments were things felt very real. I was a sub/a slave getting ready for my Master to claim an untouched part of my body as his. I felt vulnerable – more vulnerable than I had ever felt. Eric was not going to let me hide anything. He would reopen every door I had ever closed, every wound I had ever healed, until it was all out there for him to see. He would use the information to make me completely his in every way possible – mentally, physically, sexually, psychologically, emotionally, looking to him for everything that I would need, think, and feel for the rest of my life. It was only a matter of time, and I only needed to trust him to do good with what he learned, give me what I needed, maybe before I even knew I needed it. He would not use it to hurt me; this I knew, but it didn't stop me from being scared. I was so afraid, but turned on at the same time. I also worried about the physical pain that I knew was unavoidable. He was so long, and so thick! If we weren't careful he would tear me apart from the inside, and even if he didn't it would probably feel like he was.

"Dina, tell me what you are feeling. Relax your body." He used his hands to let me know that I could now bend my elbows, and his knee tapped the back of mine to give me the same go-ahead there.

I let my knees bend and dropped the upper half of my body. Eric wanted my full disclosure. "I'm… nervous. I know it will hurt. I'm scared of how much it will. I love being yours, but it's scary to be so vulnerable. Its not that I don't trust you… I do. I trust you so much. I'm just not used to not being in control. Am I making sense?"

He began to roll his fingers over my body. It felt nice and was comforting.

"Of course. You are new and inexperienced. You are out of your element when it comes to these things. I will make sure to ready you well for our first time. I know it will be hard for you to not control things. Sometimes I think you overcompensated – becoming a control freak every time you felt worried or stressed. I'm taking that coping mechanism from you. Now you must focus on your trust for me." His hands moved back to my hips and he gave me a slight push toward the bed, silently telling me that he wanted me to move onto it. I did as he told me, remaining in the "presented" position for him until he turned me sideways so that I could lay flat on the bed. I still kept my legs parted for him.

He straddled my hips and began to rub my back, his fingers magical on my tense muscles. "Thank you Eric," I sighed gratefully.

"I will be right back. Don't move!" he ordered. He didn't have to worry. I wasn't planning to. He came back with a clear, unlabeled bottle of something. He squeezed out some on to my back and it smelled really good. It must be some kind of massage oil because it slicked up his hands and then started to warm my aching muscles. "I will use tonight as an example," he began. Okay, the massage came with a lecture. I could deal with that. I acknowledged his words with a nod of my head and he went on. "His behavior toward you was unacceptable." I knew exactly who Eric was talking about even if he didn't say the name. "It was my duty and my honor to remove the threat from your life, but when you couldn't change my mind about my methods, you became upset. Even though you said you weren't trying to control me, subconsciously you were, because that's the way you've handled things in the past. You've had to take charge somewhere before when you didn't want to, and it set the pace for the future."

How did he know these things? He was right! I'd had to take on the family finances when both of my parents got sick at around the same time. At a time when I should have been out learning to drive and choosing prom dresses, I'd been forced to sit at home, monitor their care, and decide whether or not we could pay the car payment this month. Sometimes you feel so out of control when you can't stop things. I think that led me to try and exert control when I could. I remember telling doctors and nurses what to do after enough trips to the ER taught me protocol. There was a fine line between assertiveness and being a bitch – I walked that line often.

I was always independent and only had to become more and more so as time went on. It was all I knew. I was beginning to drudge up memories I'd rather not think about.

Luckily he didn't seem to want me to talk about it right now, although someday I knew he probably would. "You have me now, Dina. You must trust me to care for you, to read you and give you what you need. You cannot close any part of yourself off to me. Otherwise I will make many mistakes and you will no longer have a reason to trust me. Your trust is the key to making this work. Do you understand me?"

I paused before answering him, and I knew I had to give him more than a nod of my head. "Yea, I think I do Eric. It's hard for me right now because I haven't had anybody like you for years. I took care of myself. But I promise to always tell you the truth and I'll try not to make you pry every little thing out of me. You just have to tell me what you want because I don't always know. Does that make sense?" I was nervous making this promise to him but knew for the sake of our relationship I had to try.

"Tell me who makes the decisions here. Who is in charge?" he demanded in The Voice. We were moving into dangerous territory now.

"You, Eric. Always you." I responded sincerely. "But tell me if you need my help, okay? I don't want to be completely useless here."

"You are far from useless, Lover," he said. "As a matter of fact, there is something I want from you now." The Voice was still very much in evidence, but he had added just a hint of sex.

"Anything, you know that!"

He smoothed his palms and put pressure with his fingers once more over my entire back. Then he moved off of me, turned me over, and sat me up, taking me in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his waist and settled my head on his chest, feeling safe and comfortable. He held me like that and we rocked slowly for several minutes. Now I could feel the bond, and I sensed that Eric needed this closeness right now just as much as I did. "I am still disturbed by our argument earlier. Does it matter to you that I did this to protect you?"

"Of course it does Eric! While you were gone I did some thinking and realized that I have to accept even the things I disagree with to be with you, and I do. Nothing is more important to me than you." I tried to channel my feelings to him through the bond but didn't know if I succeeded.

"This is true?" he had to ask, looking directly into my eyes.

"Yes." I held him even tighter but kept my eyes on his. "Feel the bond, Eric."

"I do feel it, Dear One," he said. "But I want more. I need you to show me."

"How?"

"Come with me."