Part Three Nat rushed through her shower and hurried through the rest of her routine. She was confused about everything, and she needed to think. But she couldn’t do that with Nick down there, waiting for her. Nat finished the rest of her bottle while she dressed. She suddenly remembered Sydney. Her poor baby hadn’t eaten in almost two days. Nat finished up and left the room. As soon as she stepped out, Nick cut off what he was saying to look up at her. He gave her a tentative smile, and she returned it. Marguerite saw that it was going to go much better that she had hoped, and started to collect Natalie’s and her own things. She approached Nick and Lacroix at the same time as Natalie. Nick decided to test the waters. “Nat, I know you need time, but Daisy said I could come by tomorrow. Is it okay with you?” Natalie glanced questioningly at Marguerite, who explained, “Daisy is a nickname for Marguerite, which is my real name.” Nat nodded and answered Nick, “I think I’ll be ready to talk some things over tomorrow.” Marguerite decided to use their conversation as a cue to make an exit. “Nat, we should really be going. We have to pick up Sydney. Remember? You might want to pack some clothes while you’re at it.” As they turned to go, Lacroix broke his silence. “Marguerite?” She stopped and turned to face him. He continued, “I would like to see you again. Soon.” She flashed him a brilliant smile. “I’ll be by the Raven tomorrow night.” Nat watched the exchange curiously, and then shared a look with Nick. Marguerite turned and pulled Nat along. They entered the elevator, and Marguerite whispered, “Don’t you dare ask any questions until we get into the car and we’re on our way home.” Natalie smiled; her friend was obviously embarrassed. Nat felt it definitely had something to do with Lacroix. Could they be involved somehow? She supposed even Nick’s master craved female companionship, even though she thought he did his best to crush his ‘sensitive’ side. Nick said Lacroix considered those feelings a mortal weakness. Was Lacroix capable of love? Not the demented, possessive kind he showed Nick, but what Nat felt she shared with Nick. But what could Marguerite see in Lacroix... Marguerite interrupted Nat’s thoughts. “I’ll drive; you seem too distracted.” Nat handed her the keys as they left the elevator. “I don’t think I could concentrate on the road anyway, under the circumstances.” Marguerite smiled to herself as she unlocked the car doors and they got in. “Oh, you’ll be adjusted in a few days. You’re already transmitting your thoughts, which we’ll have to work on.” Nat was the one who looked embarrassed now, but she covered it well. She asked, “Care to comment then?” Nat didn’t think she was going to get an answer until Marguerite finally stated to speak, “I don’t think I can answer simply, Nat. Let me start off by telling you about Uncle Nick and how I met Lacroix...” ********** The next night, Marguerite was in one of the back rooms of Fleur-de-lis, going over the day’s business with Anna, the mortal woman who managed the store during the day. As she looked through the day’s deliveries, she thought about her conversation with Natalie. Nat didn’t think getting involved with Lacroix was a good idea, and didn’t hesitate to say so -- several times. Marguerite pointed out that she didn’t feel that offering a vampire, who drank nothing but a meager diet of cow’s blood, a taste of yourself was exactly a brilliant plan either. But Natalie had to make her own mistakes, and so did she. Now Natalie was in Marguerite’s office, talking to Nick. Marguerite had felt the tension drain away from Nat as the conversation with Nick grew more comfortable. They were saving the more serious part of their conversation for later, when they could be alone. Marguerite sent Anna home and made her way back to her office. Anna told her a delivery from a florist’s shop had come, and was now waiting in her office. The door was open, and Marguerite walked right in. She smiled at Nick and Nat, who were speculating about the box as she walked in. She opened the box and was confused by what she found inside. Sitting down, she took out the enclosed card and read it. Slightly shaken, she threw the card down on the desk. Worried, Natalie looked at Nick. He got up and read the card out loud: “Such is the fate of the artless maid, Sweet flow’ret of the rural shade! By loves simplicity betray’d And guileless trust; Till she, like thee, all soil’d is laid Low i’ the dust.” Marguerite commented, “’To a Mountain Daisy’, by Robert Burns.” Nick growled, “Lacroix.” Marguerite countered, “Oh, come on, Nicolas, why would he do this?” She gestured toward the box. Nick was clearly annoyed as he answered, “Listen, Marguerite, you don’t know Lacroix. He toys with people; it’s what he does. He wants you so he can get at me.” She replied wryly, “I don’t think he needs to actually *do* anything to get at you. Anyway, why would he send me spooky poems and these flowers if he wanted to win me over?” Nick said, “Maybe he doesn’t want to win you over.” Natalie was fed up with the bickering. She hadn’t thought anyone could be as stubborn as Nick, until she met his niece. Nat injected, “Hello? I hate to have to be the voice of reason here, but isn’t there someone who’s more that a little annoyed with this group?” Marguerite nodded. “Marcus, of course. I didn’t think he was smart enough to find me; he hasn’t yet.” Nick was concerned. “Are you and Nat going to be okay? What if he knows where you live?” Marguerite shook her head. “I don’t think he knows. Wouldn’t he have sent it to the house if he did?” Nick replied, “Not necessarily. What if he’s trying to give you a false sense of security?” Marguerite admitted, “I don’t know. I think I need to talk to Lacroix.” Nick grew annoyed. “Marguerite, you haven’t been listening to a word I’ve been saying...” She interrupted, “I have, oncle Nicolas, but no one else knows Marcus better than Lacroix.” Nick retorted, “You had better be careful, because no one knows Lacroix better that I do. Once he has you, he’ll never let you go. I’ve been running from him for almost 800 years.” Marguerite shook her head. “I can’t think about this now...” “Kayla is so different from Lacroix. You don’t understand what it’s like... You can’t know,” he said almost to himself, “unless you share my blood.” She said, “Then make me understand, Uncle Nick.” He rolled up his sleeve and held out his arm. Marguerite took it gently in her hands and bit into his wrist almost delicately. First she tasted cow -- ew! Then his frustration with her, his feelings for Nat, and everything that had happened over these past months. And then... Time and time again when Lacroix thwarted Nick’s plans, ruined the lives Nick had built for himself, and it went on... She pulled back from him roughly, her eyes gold. “I still have to go to him, Nicolas, but I will remember what you have given me.” He gave her a gentle smile and kissed her forehead. “Good, that’s all I can ask. I’m going to bring the Caddy around the to front, Nat. I’ll be right back.” As soon as Nick was gone, Marguerite started to pack up the box with the flowers and the note. Nat was so curious, she couldn’t contain herself. “Well, what happened?” Marguerite replied, “Let’s just say that they are *the* definition of dysfunctional. I will tell you this, Uncle Nick feels guilty about what happened. You have to convince him that he’s worthy of your love. And now... I’m off to confront the lion in his den.” ********** Kayla was packing what little she had brought with her when she felt the connection to her favorite child change. Again. She concentrated... Marguerite was troubled, but not in physical danger. It was those two thickheaded fledglings she had sent Marguerite to for protection, she just knew it. It was a good thing she was leaving anyway. Given she could only travel at night, and on such short notice, she should be home in three days, two if she could persuade a few unsuspecting individuals to give up their seats. She slammed her suitcase shut and began muttering in her native tongue as she made some final preparations for her trip home. ********** Marguerite stalked into the Raven. She was surprised it was open for business. As she made her way to the bar, mortals and vampires alike parted for her. When she stopped at the bar, Miklos handed her a crystal glass filled with the house blend, and told her Lacroix was waiting for her in his office. She downed the drink and dumped the glass on the bar. As she entered, Lacroix’s back was to her. She said only, “Lacroix.” His back still to her, he said, “I have been thinking, Marguerite, that if we are going to explore a more intimate relationship, you should call me Lucien.” “All right...Lucien,” she said. She dropped the florist’s box on his desk as he turned. Were her eyes golden? -- They looked green now; it must have been a trick of the light. “What’s this?” he asked. She replied, “You tell me; I received it today.” Lacroix had a nasty feeling he knew what was inside as he opened the box -- daisies dyed black and a note. Well, he was close enough. He read her note. “’To a Mountain Daisy’ by Robert Burns, how apropos. Why don’t you look at what was delivered to me?” He gestured to a similar box across the room. Marguerite walked over and opened it up. In the box were black roses with a cross nestled in the blooms. Marguerite held up the cross to inspect it. “Any note?” she asked. He replied, “Next to the box. -- Could you put that thing away?” “Oh, sorry. I forgot that some of us are bothered by crosses.” She replaced the cross and picked up the note to read it: All hail, inexorable lord! At whose destruction breathing word, The mightiest empires fall! Thy cruel, woe-delighted train, The ministers of grief and pain, A sullen welcome, all! With stern-resolv’d, despairing eye, I see each aimed dart; For one had cut my dearest tie, And quivers in my heart. She asked, “Also Robert Burns?” He answered, “Yes. I believe it’s called ‘To Ruin’; the rest of the poem isn’t exactly appropriate.” “Maybe not,” she commented, “but mine is.” Lacroix was concerned; the attraction he felt was turning into something much more. He was starting to feel protective of her, and the thought of her being stalked by Marcus was intolerable. If she were to be hurt... He growled, “When I find Marcus, I will rip him to pieces. No one does this to me and mine. He’s caused you enough pain, my dear, and he’ll pay for it.” A confused look crossed Marguerite’s face. Lacroix rose and came over to her. He was close enough to touch her, but he held back. Something he said had disturbed her, and he was unsure of what to do next. “What is it, Marguerite?” She asked anxiously, “Do you really consider me yours?” He replied with another question, “And won’t I be yours when we consummate this relationship?” She countered, “Will you? Uncle Nick told me you would never let me go; like you’ve never let him go.” Annoyed and slightly defensive, he replied, “That pig-headed boy... I follow him for his own good. He could never understand that. He’ll never regain his mortality. There is no ‘cure’.” She asked, “No cure at all, of no cure for Nicolas?” He answered, “It really comes to the same thing, doesn’t it?” Marguerite asked, “Don’t you realize the more you insist he remain with you, the more he wants to leave?” Lacroix questioned, “What would you know of our relationship? What Nicholas has told you? I do what I can to keep my son from harm. I do my best to teach him life’s lessons. Sometimes he is hurt; it is unavoidable.” Marguerite replied, “Nick made me share his blood. -- You could be so cruel to him at times, and I wonder if you are capable of caring for me. When I saw you rocking my son, I thought you were capable of being everything Nicholas denied you were. I want to be with you because I choose to, not because you’ll force me.” Undone by the earnest tone of her words, he gave in to his impulse. He buried his hand in her hair and pulled her close. Her hair was loose and falling in soft waves, starting at her chin until midway down her back. It had been much longer when he had first laid eyes on her, but no less beautiful. He stared into her eyes as he caressed he hair; it felt softer than silk. Impulsively, Marguerite stood up on tiptoe and, steadying herself with her hands on Lacroix’s shoulders, she kissed him gently. As he deepened the kiss, he felt Marguerite’s hands tighten and she leaned into him, almost for support. He knew the only thing keeping her from him was Nicholas’ interference. He lifted his mouth from hers, and asked, “Why do you fight what is in your heart, ma chere? You ask me if I am capable of caring for you. -- I have a far greater capacity for tender emotions than you or Nicholas give me credit for.” “Lucien, please listen to me. If you’ve treated my uncle this way all these years, it scares me to think that you could try to do the same to me. I don’t want anyone to control me.” He pulled away slightly. “Marguerite, you are so precious...” She pulled out of his embrace and interrupted him, “No, Lucien, no more words. It’s time for action. Show me you can give me what I need from you. -- Let Nicholas lead his own life.” Lacroix did not know when he lost control of the situation. He was irritated to realize that perhaps he never had it. He stated, “Nicholas is my son, he belongs with me.” She retorted, “And Natalie is my daughter. As long as they are together, what affect Nick affects her as well. She’s been through enough in her mortal life... If you hurt her again and again in her immortal one, I would lose any love I have for you now. “I don’t expect you to make a decision right away, but while you think about it, know that Nicholas is so close to accepting the relationship the two of you share.” Lacroix nodded slowly. “He did tell me I was his closest friend. I must consider this carefully, Marguerite. If you are ready, I will walk you home now.” As Marguerite opened her mouth to protest, Lacroix held up a hand to stop her. “No, it is too dangerous for you to be out alone.” She smiled. “You can accompany me home, but I drove here.” A pained look crossed Lacroix’s face. “You aren’t serious...” ********** Across from the Raven, a figure shrouded in darkness watched as Lacroix and Marguerite exited the club. A maniacal red gleam entered his eyes as he saw the protective way Lacroix held Marguerite’s arm. Good, he still cared for her. First, he would finish what he had started all those years ago and kill her, but this time while the General watched. Afterwards, he would find a suitable, slow and painful death for the one who had dared to take Divia’s life. And somehow, he had to find that ancient bitch who had spoiled all his plans. He giggled hysterically as took to the air. #################### Nat was exasperated. "Nick, would you shut up and listen to me?! -- This is not all your fault! *I'm* the one who asked you to take my blood." Nick said, "Yes, but you trusted me to take just a little, Nat. I took too much; it was my fault." Nat shook her head. "I should have stopped to think about the repercussions it would have. I'm the scientist here. -- You were drinking cow's blood, Nick, and not much of it. Janette was probably well-fed on human blood before she made love to Robert." "I should have remembered what it was like to have human blood after drinking animal blood for so long." Nat said firmly, "Look, it's both our fault, but it's done now and we can't change it. Maybe if we both hadn't been so close to the edge, we may have been thinking more clearly. -- I *know* you wanted to stop, Nick. I felt you try to pull away. I understand how the taste of human blood can be now." Natalie paused for a moment. She didn't want Nick to blame himself for anything else, but she *had* to know. "Nick, I have to know... Why were you going to let me die? I told you I wasn't afraid to be a vampire." He answered, "When I found I had taken too much from you, I lost the will to live, Nat. I asked Lacroix to kill me, so we could be together in whatever followed. -- I could not condemn you to this dark existence." Nat soothed, "Nick, as long as I have you, this existence will never be dark. I love you -- now matter what has happened." "Nat, I love you too. Your belief in me...in us, has kept me going when I would have given up." As they leaned in towards one another, a giant ball of fur exploded from somewhere in the back of the house, sending Nick to fall flat on his butt. He sputtered, "What the...?" Natalie helped Nick to his feet. She said, "He must know that Maggie's outside. I don't know how he does that." Nick turned to look at the mountain of a dog barking near the door. Outside, Lacroix walked Marguerite to the door. He was still sputtering about the car ride from the Raven. "I cannot believe... You are a maniac... I will never get in the car with you again!" Marguerite laughed at him. "Oh, don't be such a big baby, Lucien. I'm an excellent driver; I just drive fast. It's a Porsche; it's supposed to be driven fast." Lacroix quipped, "And to think I was worried Marcus might follow you here." Marguerite grew serious. "He's so close now." She closed her eyes. "He wants you to see you dead because he's always envied you, but he wants you to suffer for what you did to Divia." He said softly, "Look at me, Marguerite." She did as he asked. "Have Nicholas spend the day here. I am coming back tomorrow night, and will spend the day here then. -- Do not think to argue with me. -- One of us will stay here until Kayla returns. I will not take any chances with your safety... or Natalie's." He paused for a moment. "What is that infernal noise? You own a dog?" Marguerite nodded. "And a cat." "Yes, well... I think I'll go now. I will see you tomorrow." He kissed her on the forehead, and was gone. Marguerite shook her head as she opened the door. It would be interesting to see Lacroix's reaction to the animals. She walked in and saw her dog sitting, waiting patiently for her to call to him. Giving in, she hung her coat on the doorknob, flopped down on the floor and said, "Okay, boy, let's get this out of your system." She patted her legs. "Come here, Calvin." He ran over and tried to sit in her lap, covering her face in doggie-kisses. Finally, he calmed down a little and she was able to call out, "Nat, Uncle Nick, I'm home." Nick appeared first, smiling at the sight on the floor. He asked, "Did he get you too? He knocked me down on his way to the door." Marguerite smiled back as she answered, "No, I actually chose to sit down here. He calms down quicker if I do." Nick teased, "Couldn't you just get a little lap dog instead of this beast?" "No way! I've been wanting an Irish wolfhound for years now. When I saw him, I had to have him." Marguerite got up off the floor and dusted herself off. She shooed the dog away. "Go lay down, Calvin. Good boy!" As she hung up her coat in the closet, Nick asked, "Well? What did Lacroix have to say?" He followed her down the hall into the living room to hear her answer. She called over her shoulder, "One minute, Natalie should hear this too." Nat asked, "I should hear what?" Marguerite replied, "Marcus sent a gift to Lacroix too. -- A box of black roses with a cross, and another weird poem. Something about cutting his 'dearest tie'. I assume that's Divia." She walked over to the bar in the far corner of the room. Underneath it was a small refrigerator, and she took out a bottle. As she poured herself a glass, she asked, "Anyone else?" Nick and Nat shook their heads. The bottle was put away and Marguerite carried the glass with her to the couch. "Uncle Nick, Lacroix wants you to stay the day with us, and he'll come by tomorrow night." Concerned, Nick asked, "Where is he now?" She sighed, "He came home with me, and then left me at the door. I don't know where he went, and I'd rather not discuss it." Nick would have pressed on, but Nat put her hand on his arm to stop him. Instead, he said, "If you have some extra sheets and a pillow, I can sleep here on the couch." Natalie started to protest, "Nick..." Before Nat could continue, Marguerite said, "If you insist on playing the prude, Uncle, you can sleep in Kayla's room. It's right across the hall from Nat's. -- There are even a few articles of clothing that would fit you, buried in her closet for the occasional male visitor." Nick was visibly relieved that he did not have to sleep on the couch. It wasn't as big or as comfortable as the one in his loft. He smiled and said, "Thanks. If you ladies will excuse me, I'll go look around." When Nat and Marguerite didn't protest, he left to check out his new room. As soon as Nick was gone, Marguerite whispered, "Give him a little while to get settled in and then go to him. He's so nervous, you may have to tie him down." Nat grinned. "Don't give me any more ideas; I've been dreaming of this for a long time." Marguerite got up. "Well, I'll leave you to it then. I'm going up to bed. I'll take Calvin with me; I think he makes Uncle Nick nervous. -- Oh, how's Sydney adjusting?" Nat shrugged. "Okay, I guess. After Calvin pinned him to the floor and licked him all over, he's been hiding in my room." "I'm convinced; the big brute's staying with me. I just have to find him now. Good night, Nat." "Night, Maggie." ********** A few hours later, Nat opened the door to her room, and stole across the hall into Nick's bedroom. She was dressed in her sexiest nightgown, and was very pleased with the look Nick gave her when she came into the room. As she walked to the bed, she whispered, "You can't get away from me so easily, Nicholas B. Knight." End Part Three