Part Two

Lacroix was standing at the bar, watching Miklos flirt with a mortal girl when
Marguerite tore into the Raven.  She went directly to the back room, and
Lacroix blinked when he felt the anger radiating from her.  He would give her a
minute to get her emotions under control, and then he would go to her.

Marguerite drank straight from the bottle she had pulled from the wine rack. 
The walk had not calmed her.  Instead, she felt Alejandro's anger grow in
intensity, and it made her more irate.  Expecting Lacroix to be waiting for her
at home, she had flown toward the Raven.  She'd intended on having a drink or
two to calm herself before heading home.  By the time she'd sensed Lacroix's
presence, it was too late. -- Too quickly for her to block it, she sensed
Alejandro's blood lust full force; she needed blood *now*.

Marguerite put the bottle down and put her hand on the table for support. 
Alejandro was feeding -- and hurling his emotions at her.  It was working too;
her eyes were golden and her fangs had dropped.  They were aching to bite
something.

Lacroix chose this moment to enter the room.  Marguerite managed to calm
herself enough so her fangs retracted, but her eyes remained golden.  She
spoke without turning, "I thought you'd be at home."

"I thought the same of you," Lacroix answered.  "I came here to calm down
before I went home to you.  My reunion with Alejandro did not go well."

Lacroix could sense that the vampire in Marguerite was very close to the
surface, and the hunger in her blood called to his own.  He came up behind her
and lightly caressed the side of her neck with the back of his fingertips as he
spoke, "Give yourself to me, Marguerite." Instinctively, she bared her neck to
him as she tried to undo the button on the cuff of his sleeve.  It popped off,
flying to the other side of the room.

Marguerite could feel the intensity of his desire, and it made her almost frantic
in her need for him.  She licked the pulse point of his wrist before answering,
"Please, Lucien...take me now.  I can't wait."  Lacroix responded by clasping
her firmly against him as he kissed and licked her neck.  She gasped as his
fangs slid into her flesh.  She was already awash in emotion as she brought his
wrist to her lips.

Afterwards, Lacroix laid a gentle kiss on Marguerite's already healing wound,
and whispered, "Je t'adore."  Not certain if she would be capable of speech,
Marguerite purred in satisfaction as she turned in his arms to face him.

The door opened just as Lacroix leaned down for a kiss.  He didn't need to
turn around to know that it was his son.  Marguerite peeked over Lacroix's
shoulder and smiled at her uncle.  "Good evening, Uncle Nick.  How are you?" 
Without giving Nick a chance to respond, she bounced over to him and threw
her arms around his neck.  As he bent down to kiss her cheek, he thought he
saw a pair of almost healed holes in Marguerite's neck and grew self-conscious. 
Had he interrupted something?

Marguerite went to get them something to drink, and Nick looked over to
Lacroix.  He had a smug look on his face, which was nothing unusual.  As
Nick attempted to walk further into the room, he kicked something.  He
looked down to see a button skitter across the floor.  Strange.

Marguerite handed him a drink and asked, "Did Nat tell you that I wanted to
see you?"  Lacroix looked on complacently as Nick gave a slightly confused
look to his niece.  Lacroix knew what Marguerite wanted, and Nicholas didn't
stand a chance...not in his present state.

Finally, Nick spoke, "No, I wanted to ask you if Nat seems, well...distracted to
you lately."

Her nose crinkled as she thought back to her last conversation with Natalie. 
"At first I thought something was bothering her, but she told me that it was
work related.  I haven't sensed anything unusual, but then I've been distracted
myself.--Alejandro has come for a visit."

Lacroix was not surprised to see Marguerite gaze at Nicholas with a look of
innocence in her big green eyes.  It was a look Nicholas had often affected
himself, with relative success.  She continued to speak, "That reminds me...I
asked Nat if she'd like to go out the night after next.  I think it would be a good
opportunity for her to meet her brother."  

A look of realization crossed Nick's face.  "Take her out?  Oh, no.  No way. 
You know I think that's a bad idea.  Next thing I know, Kayla'll be showing
Nat how to lure men into the back room for a snack."

Not letting herself be baited into an argument this time, Marguerite continued
on in a soothing voice in an effort to cajole him into seeing her point of view,
"Nicolas, you know I wouldn't allow that to happen..."  Lacroix could almost
hear her add the words 'until she's absolutely ready' to herself.  "...but she
needs to learn how to move stealthily among mortals.  It doesn't matter that
she won't be feeding off them. -- Besides, it will give me an opportunity to find
out if anything is bothering her."

Nick was wavering. "Well..."

Marguerite pleaded, "S'il vous plait, oncle Nicolas?"

Nick sighed.  There really was no point in arguing was there?  Nat *did* have
to become adjusted to her new life, and Marguerite was the one who had
brought her across.  Teaching Natalie was a responsibility that Marguerite had
embraced, and she didn't share it willingly or often.  Nat seemed to prefer it
this way also, and the two had become very close friends over the last six
months.  He agreed reluctantly, "You're right, maybe I've been too protective. 
I know you'll take care of Nat."

Marguerite threw her arms around Nick and kissed him.  "Merci, Nicolas."

As Nick embraced his niece, he looked over her head at Lacroix and
commented, "You've been very quiet, Lacroix."

Lacroix looked amused as he replied, "I apologize.  I wasn't aware my input
was required.  I'll try to be more responsive next time." 

Marguerite looked at the two men and decided this was the perfect opportunity
to grab some time to herself.  She needed to think about this whole mess. 
"Well, if you two will excuse me, I think I'll see if my son is done sulking.  I'll
call Nat tomorrow, Uncle Nick."

She turned her attention to Lacroix, who said,  "I will be home shortly,
Marguerite."

"I'll be there this time."  She blew a kiss at them and was gone.

********************

Natalie had left work early.  She had felt jittery all evening, and now she felt
like jumping out of her skin.  Feeling restless, she had intended on going for a
walk, but her growing irritability forced her to seek solitude in the loft.

She had gotten a mug and a bottle from the fridge, hoping that if she fed it
might help.  As she drank, she thought about calling Marguerite, but dismissed
the idea quickly.  It was just that dream, that's all.  She'd had another one
yesterday.  Plus, as much as she wanted Marguerite's help, Nat also felt angry
with her.  It made no sense.

Needing something to take her mind off these feelings, Natalie decided to
check out the room Nick was making into a lab.  There was some equipment
already there; maybe she could run a few tests on the blood Marguerite had
donated toward Nick's quest.  Now that she had more than one sample of
vampire blood, Nat intended to make the most of it.

She decided to get another bottle from the fridge along with the samples,
because she was still hungry.  Very hungry.  She needed more. Now.  Her eyes
turned and her fangs descended.  Nat was almost at the refrigerator when she
was blasted with intense emotion.  Just like the dream, except she wasn't
asleep.  She struggled for control.

As the feelings faded, Nat found herself crouched down.  She had the remains
of a shattered bottle in one hand, and the broken mug in the other.  She had
bitten through her lower lip in her effort to retain control; it was already
beginning to heal.

Nat stood up and dropped the broken glass on the floor.  It could be cleaned
up after she fed.  Standing in front of the refrigerator, Nat downed two bottles. 
She brought a third one with her to drink while she cleaned up.

While she cleaned, Nat reflected on what had just happened.  She was certain
she had somehow managed to keep her end of the links to Nick and
Marguerite closed off.  Otherwise, they would have come crashing in here long
ago.  She couldn't understand what was happening to her.  If this was just a
memory, why did it feel so real?

After everything had been cleaned up, Nat sat on the couch with a mug in her
hand.  She hadn't been sitting there long when she heard the lift.  Nick was
home.  She realized suddenly that it was going to be very difficult to keep this
from him, but if she didn't, he would overreact like he always did.  She just
wasn't up to all the anxiety.

Nick came out of the lift and spied her on the couch.  "Hey, Nat."  She gave
him a weak smile.  He was immediately concerned.  "Natalie, are you okay?"

She tried to be more animated, but she was just too tired.  "Yeah, sure.  Why
do you ask?"

He sat down next to Natalie and brushed the hair back from her face.  "You've
been a little strange lately, but I think I can explain it.  I saw Marguerite
tonight, and she told me that your brother has arrived."

Nat thought about it and supposed it made some sense.  She'd felt something,
but she didn't know what.  Maybe she would feel better now that she knew.  If
she was that sensitive to her 'brother', could it be possible that she could sense
another vampire feeding in the area?  She was still getting the hang of this
mental link thing.

"Nat?"  Nick was looking at her expectantly.

She sighed, "Sorry, Nick.  I guess I still have a way to go before I get used to
all of this."  

Nat still looked a little out of sorts, so Nick guessed, "Are you nervous about
meeting Alejandro?"

Nat was a little relieved.  If Nick would believe her stress was due to her
'brother', then she could deal with this.  She admitted, "A little.  Marguerite and
Kayla go on and on about him, but I don't know what to expect.  What if he
doesn't like me?"

Nick gave her a boyish grin and teased, "What's not to like?"  He pulled her
into his lap and tickled her.

She giggled in spite of herself and gasped, "Okay, stop.  I'll try not to think
about it."  

Nick nudged her back and started to nibble on her ear.  "I bet I could get your
mind off it," he whispered.

Nat hated to do it, but she had to turn him down.  She would never be able to
hide what had happened to her if they shared blood right now.  She pushed him
just far enough back so she could look at him.  "Nick, would you mind if we
continue this tomorrow?  It's been such a difficult week and I'm so tired."

Nick sat up and Nat was relieved to see total understanding in his expression. 
"Sure, Nat.  I'll go up and run you a bath; it'll help you relax."

She sat up and kissed his cheek.  "Thanks.  I'll be up in a few minutes; I forgot
to feed Sydney."

She stayed where she was while Nick ascended the stairs.  A little over six
months ago, she had been almost without family.  Now, she was fairly tripping
over relatives.  Kayla, who was technically her grandmother now, had made a
son and a daughter before Marguerite.  Nat knew little about them besides
their names and what they looked like.  She had no idea if they had brought
anyone across.

But she didn't even want to think about that now.  Right now, she had to deal
with Alejandro, her new 'brother'.  Marguerite had assured Nat that Alejandro
had always wanted a little sister.  Nat wondered when the last time he had
expressed that opinion was.  Knowing the way they viewed time, probably
about 300 years ago.

What was her relationship with him supposed to be like?  Nick and Janette had
been lovers off and on, and Marguerite had alluded to a similar relationship
with her 'brother'.  If that's what Alejandro wanted, he was bound to be
disappointed.

She wished Kayla were here.  It had been Kayla who had done the most to
calm Natalie's apprehension with Lacroix.  Somehow, all of Nick and
Marguerite's reassurances seemed hollow and, although part of Kayla's solution
was to take Natalie to confront Lacroix, it had worked.  So there was no
reason a similar tactic wouldn't work in this case.  Nat felt much better as she
moved to feed Sydney; maybe now she could get some sleep.

####################

Natalie was frowning over the body on the table.  There was something not
quite right with this wound.  She looked more closely and found she was
correct.  Not that it would change the cause of death.  The subject had died
due to extreme blood loss, caused by the slash in her neck.  Never mind that
there had been very little blood at the crime scene, or so she had been told. 
The body had been found this morning, when Nat was home sleeping a
dreamless sleep.

A vampire had killed this woman, although it was well concealed.  Your
everyday mortal coroner wouldn't notice the slash was made to cover two neat
fang marks.  Nat measured as best she could given the circumstances.  It had
been a male vampire.  She would mention it to Nick later, but she was unsure
of what, if anything, would come of it.

Nat sighed as she wheeled the body into the morgue.  She didn't want to have a
debate with herself on vampire ethics right now.  She felt her hunger rise.  Oh
God, please not here.  She held onto the gurney for support and took a deep
breath.  Nat knew what she had in mind was dangerous for someone with her
inexperience, but she couldn't let herself be affected this way anymore. 

Doing what Marguerite had taught her, she tried to relax so she could
concentrate.  When those dreaded feelings started to come, Nat pushed back as
hard as she could through whatever link she shared with this unknown
vampire.  The feelings faded quickly this time--all except the hunger.  There
were a few blood bags in the office, and they would do for now.

She rushed into the office with her head down.  As she entered, she felt a
familiar heartbeat.  It roared in her ears.  It was Grace, and Nat looked up into
her concerned face.  "Natalie, is everything okay?  You look like the Devil's
chasing after you."  Nat would have laughed if she hadn't felt it was so close to
the truth.

Natalie could practically see the blood rushing through Grace's veins, and she
thirsted for it.  She took a deep breath to calm herself.  Big mistake.  The
sweet, intoxicating smell of Grace's blood almost made Nat swoon.  Grace
rushed over to help.  "Nat?  Maybe you should sit down."  No doubt about it
now, Nat could see the pulse point in Grace's neck protruding invitingly.

She lurched away from Grace as she answered, "I'll be okay, Grace.  I...I think
I'm overdoing it though.  I'm going to go home and lie down."  As calmly as
she could, Nat went to get her suit jacket and pocketbook.  She couldn't let
Grace see her fighting to keep control.

Grace asked, "Do you want to sit down while I call Nick?  I'm not sure you
should drive, honey."

Nat gave what she hoped was a quick, reassuring smile before she answered,
"Oh no, I'll call Nick's niece if I'm not feeling well when I get outside.  She's
fairly close to here."  Natalie reminded herself that it wasn't a total lie. 
Marguerite's shop wasn't too far away, especially the way she drove.  And Nat
would have gladly called Marguerite if she had intended on driving home, but
there were faster ways.  Also, for some reason, she wasn't in the mood to see
Marguerite right now.

Grace still looked unsure, but allowed herself to be convinced once her friend
mentioned Nick's niece.  She had met the girl on several occasions, and liked
her very much.  Natalie and Maggie were very close; she would be here in a
heartbeat if she knew that Nat needed her.  Grace said grudgingly, "Well, okay,
but you be careful and take it easy.  You hear me?"  But Natalie was already
gone.

********************

Marguerite paced the floor of her office holding the cordless phone between
her ear and shoulder.  She had been trying to go over these papers for awhile
now, but she couldn't concentrate.  Alejandro had been avoiding her since his
tantrum last night, and he was keeping himself closed off from her.  He was
still angry.  Well, he'd get over his little snit soon enough.  Marguerite would
bet he'd be back to his charming self by tomorrow night.  He had wanted to
meet Natalie, and Marguerite doubted he would miss it.

After about five rings, a sleepy voice finally answered the phone, "Hello?"

Marguerite stole a quick glance at the clock; she had forgotten that it was day
there.  She sighed; it was going to be a long night.  She sat down as she spoke,
"Bon jour, Maman.  I'm sorry if I woke you."

Kayla perked up at the sound of her daughter's voice.  "It's all right,
Marguerite.  I see you got the message I left on that dratted machine."

Marguerite was a little confused.  "Message?  No, I've been out since it got
dark.  I had a ton of stuff to do..."

Kayla interjected, "Marguerite, Alejandro is not here.  I would have called
sooner, but your sister and I went out looking for him as soon as I arrived." 
Anastasia?  She must have gotten there the day before Kayla.

Marguerite threw the papers down as she answered, "That's why I'm calling,
Maman.  Sasha decided to come for a visit.  He met me at the Raven last
night."

Kayla grimaced at her older daughter, who had just walked into the room.  She
said to Marguerite, "At the Raven?  So, what happened between Lucius and
your son?"

"Oh, Maman," Marguerite sighed, "it was...not good.  Sasha tried to pick a
fight, but Lucien only found it amusing.  Then he and I had a...discussion about
how I've been neglecting him.  I think to say he resents Lucien is an
understatement.  You were right, Maman, we've overindulged him.  I don't
know what to do with him."

Kayla agreed, "I don't know either, but we'll think of something.  I'll be heading
back as soon as it gets dark."

Marguerite hadn't realized she was tense until she felt herself relax at Kayla's
words.  She asked, "Will Anastasia be coming with you?"

Kayla looked over at her older daughter as she answered, "I'll ask.  Can you
handle it?"

Marguerite smiled to herself at the question and teased, "My son or my sister?"

Kayla smiled grimly.  "Either.  Both.  I'm glad you can still joke, Marguerite."

End Part Two