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...............present time......................
The Raven fell silent as Natalie was shown on the screen. Janette gasped and physically restrained Nick from trying to leave. Intent on trying at least to save her from her temporary insanity.
"No, Nicholas. She's known all along," Janette said in admiration. They were going to lose the bet.
Natalie approached, her heartbeat speeding now. She had never seen La Croix look so bad. His eyes. She was close enough to see them now. They were flashing between blue and gold.
And Gerrard. He was much larger in real life. The TV screen hadn't done him justice.
LaCroix looked up. Natalie. She had a sparkle in her eye. Then he realized. She had not come to torture him further, to tempt him beyond control. She was the secret weapon. After months of restraining himself when around her, after time after time of wanting her so badly and yet unwilling to make a decsion she wasn't ready for... After desiring her blood and body and denying himself, he found he was in a familiar situation. One he was well acquainted, if not comfortable with. She was here to help him win.
As Natalie approached them, Gerrard smiled. The arrogant one had thought he had won, that LaCroix was succumbing.
At the Raven, Nicholas looked on in horror.
"Janette, what are you talking about? He's going to take her. There's no one he would want more." Nick said.
Janette only smiled.
There was absolute trust in Natalie's eyes as she walked closer He grabbed her wrist. She didn't even flinch. She nodded almost imperceptibly. That was all he needed.
He took the sharp rock from his pocket and cut her wrist, then stepped back as she began her walk toward Gerrard.
She was afraid now, her heart beating quickly as she drew nearer. The blood dropped crimson on the ground and his eyes turned gold, then red and he was upon her, and the enforcers upon him. His fangs grazing her wrist, tasting only briefly of her.
The show was over. LaCroix had won. Natalie stayed back until he had been awarded the congratulatory vintages. They embraced to the cheers of the film crew. Then Natalie was escorted out. The champion had a final interview. She would wait for him at home.
"The secret weapon, that she spoke of, it was Natalie all along. And she knew it from the beginning. Isn't that cheating?" Nick asked.
"I don't know, Nicholas. Would you find it easier or more difficult to take the blood of the woman you loved?" Janette asked.
The question would have no answer as they watched
the final interview and the credits
rolled as they showed LaCroix's original one. "Make
no mistake. I will be.... The Last
One Standing."
"Natalie.... Nat? Wake up. You're going to be late for work," Nick said.
"Hmmmm?" Natalie mumbled. She sat up slowly.
"I just had the strangest dream...There was this TV show, but only for vampires and LaCroix was a contestant and he had to survive all these awful challenges...."
"That's it. No more late night TV for you," Nick said, switching off the set she had fallen asleep by. "Most of the stuff on nowdays is so beneath us. They cancelled the only show worth watching..."
The End
Yes, I'm hopelessly addicted to the current
survivor tv show. I admit it. If you enjoyed
this, let me know. Thanks, Nicole
