Chapter 1

Alice woke up to find herself blind folded but not bound. She could sense another vampire next to her and based on their scent she was sure it was Domenico. Alice could hear the splashing of water accompanied with a rocking motion and realized she was on a boat. She wished she knew where she was being taken and cursed herself for being so easily taken. She knew better than to let her guard down even for a second. She could remember Phillipe always reminding her that she should always be aware of her surroundings because you never knew when you could run into an enemy. Alice had been sitting enjoying the sunshine at a table at one of the many cafes in Venice overlooking one of the canals. She had been engrossed in a book while sipping on wine when suddenly she was hit on the back of the head and blacked out. Her attempt to remember what had happened was interrupted when she felt a hand grip her arm and pull her up into a standing position. Alice then realized the boat had stopped. She was then shoved out of the boat onto a platform. A familiar voice then whispered "I'll take the blindfold off if you promise to behave. Do you promise?" Alice nodded her head. The blindfold was removed to reveal Domenico standing in front of her. As she tried to regain her bearings Alice noticed they were standing outside a piazza in the center of the city. Domenico guided her to the door and rang the bell. " Is Monsieur Baldwin de Clermont at home?" Domenico asked the servant who answered the door. Alice stiffened upon hearing Baldwin's name. She wondered what game could Domenico be playing by bringing her to him in such a manner. Domenico sensing her change in demeanor whispered in her ear "Are you afraid?" as they were lead up the stairs to the second floor. Alice just ignored him as she continued to follow the servant. The servant had barely opened the doors to Baldwin's office when Domenico grabbed Alice and threw her across the floor into the room. She landed on her knees in front of a pair of very expensive looking shoes. She then looked up and her blue eyes locked with dark but warm brown eyes and it felt like time had stopped. Alice suddenly had the feeling that she was safe.

"Baldwin I've come bringing back to you your little lost lamb" Domenico said strolling into the room. At being called little lost lamb Alice jumped up and as she moved towards Domenico angrily said "I'm not sure who you are calling 'little lost lamb'" "Stop" Baldwin commanded "I will deal with him." Alice stopped at Baldwin's command and then turned back around towards Baldwin and lowered her head down to look at the ground to show her obedience. Baldwin then continued in a not too friendly tone " Thank you for bringing her to me Domenico, you may leave now" gesturing towards the door. Domenico's face just for a second showed a look of surprise. It was obvious this was not the reaction he had anticipated. Realizing he was not going to get what he came for Domenico left without a word.

Turning back to Alice Baldwin commented "It's not like you to let yourself be captured especially by the likes of Domenico." He sat down on one of the couches and gestured for Alice to sit sat down on the other couch across from Baldwin. "I suppose I've become too complacent with the lack of danger lately," she replied. Baldwin looked at her skeptically as he offered a glass of wine. Alice sipped the wine and took the moment to study Baldwin. Five years had passed since she had last seen him and Alice realized she had missed him more than she had wanted to admit to herself. "I think it would be best for you to leave Venice after Domenico's little game," Baldwin finally said after a few moments of silence, "I would like for you to accompany me home to Sept Tours as soon as I can have a flight home prepared." Although friendly Baldwin's tone was full of authority and left very little room to decline his offer. " I would love to go to Sept Tours but I had dinner plans with an old friend. Also I need to pack my things from the hotel room. Can we postpone the flight for a little bit?" Alice asked. Baldwin appeared deep in thought and then answered, " Of course, but I expect you at the airport at 11pm sharp." Alice smiled, at least he was giving her a little bit of time to get her affairs all in order. She had a feeling that his initial reaction was to whisk her away immediately from Venice and get her out of the reach of danger. Baldwin then escorted her down to the front door. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" he asked. "Oh no" Alice replied "I'll be fine. Domenico or anybody else at that matter is going to get the drop on me twice in one day." She smiled and he gave her a small smile back. " I will see you at eleven" she added as she walked away.

Baldwin watched her until she disappeared from sight. He had sent one of his servants to follow her until she made it to the airport but he still worried about her while she was still in the city and not in his care. He tried to go back to work but found he could not concentrate. Her scent had been so intoxicating since she had entered the room and even now he could still smell the remnants of the fresh spring rain and flowers that hung in the air. He shook his head to concentrate, because he Baldwin de Clermont could not act on his feelings for her….Phillipe had forbidden it….and had made her off limits. So he fought down the feelings that had bubbled to the surface and went back to work.

All the way back to her hotel Alice thought about Baldwin. The last time the two had seen each other they had gotten into an argument that ended with her slapping him across the face and leaving without looking back. Seeing him today had made her hopeful that maybe all was not lost. Upon seeing him genuinely smile at the piazza, Alice had fought the urge to kiss him as she left. Alice sighed, pushed Baldwin to the back of her mind and then continued to pack her clothes into her luggage. Once that was done she sent them to the airport and then got ready for her dinner.