Chapter Seven

Christian sat in his apartment with Kevin and Marry. Kevin had filled Marry in on what had “gone down” at the club Carnage the night before since Marry was unaware that his other self had been there. Christian was in the middle of the living room floor, pinning Wynter -his now one hundred and sixty pound white Siberian tiger- to the floor.

Wynter’s tail swished across the floor as he tried to wrestle with Christian. Christian had him pinned with little effort but was being playful enough to let Wynter think he could win by giving the tiger a tad of leeway to push and struggle.

“Damn Christian,” Marry said, shaking his head. “I’m sorry I missed it,” he said and Kevin and Christian eyed each other. “I always seem to miss the good stuff and I can’t even figure where I was. It’s sort’a like déjà vu though,” he said pouting and Christian smiled while looking away, Marry having a lot of “déjà vu” moments. “But wow, I would have given anything to see you show-up Marcus.”

“Is Marcus your master too?” Kevin asked as he leaned back on the couch, partially on the arm, long right leg crossed so his ankle rested on his left knee. “I mean, since Cassandra was your master and Marcus bartered her off of Gabriel before you were even made,”

“Brought over,” Marry said testily. Vampires did not like the terms “turned” or “made” much preferring “brought over” for reasons Christian and Marry had been unable to clearly explain to Kevin.

“Sorry, brought over.”

“Yes, Marcus is my master, but so is Pike,” Marry said, referring to the Vampire that was the current head of his bloodline, the creator of Gabriel.

“How does that work?” Kevin asked. Christian said nothing as he allowed Wynter to roll over him and pin him face down to the floor and lightly bite his shoulder, more slobbering on him than anything. He much preferred the topic be of Marry, or just about anything really, than himself at that moment.

“I do not know,” Marry said crossing his arms. “I know I am to hold my allegiance to both.”

“Ah, but what if one is fighting the other, where does your allegiance lie then?” Kevin asked, testing his understanding. Vampires fascinated him and though he still did not forgive Marry for what he had done that past fall to his girlfriend Lissa, Kevin was dealing, or repressing, however one chose to look at it.

Christian paused in fighting off the playfully growling Wynter to wonder a little about that himself. He was not really sure.

“To whoever wins,” Marry said flatly with his arms crossed. Christian smiled at Marry’s simple but quite honest answer as Wynter overtook him and pinned him to the floor again, playfully roaring in his still cub-like meow.

“Fair enough,” Kevin said distractedly as he leaned back to stare up at the ceiling.

“Hey Chris, when you fight Marcus, could you kill him for me? I would love to be free of him,” Marry said causing Christian to fall over at the suddenness of the request as Wynter latched onto his boot, biting almost painfully hard on the thick leather.

“What?” he gasped while brushing some of his sweaty hair away from his face.

“I know it’s a little much to ask but,”

“Little?” Christian asked as he tried to kick Wynter off his boot as he lay on his back, propped up from the floor on his elbows, nearly hidden from view behind the black wooden coffee table that sat between him and the two on the couch.

“You managed to best Gabriel, and he is tough. I’m confident you can show Marcus what’s what. I mean, technically to stay here it is a dominance battle so it does not require either of you killing the other, but honestly, going into this you know he’s gonna try to kill you, and as the defender and dominant, he sets the terms,” Marry said.

“Thank you Marry. Your comfort in this is overwhelming,” Christian said dryly.

“It’s the truth though. No sense lying to you or anything,” he said as Christian rolled his eyes heavenward as he pushed Wynter away with his forearms one right after another as the nearly grown tiger kept trying to pounce on his chest while Christian sat there.

“Killing him would mean what for the city though since he is the owner?” Kevin asked still looking up at the ceiling.

“One of the owners,” Marry corrected. “The beauty of Carthage is that it is not a territory controlled by any one Vampire so therefore it is harder to become corrupted,” He said and Kevin snorted a laugh at the idea that Carthage was not corrupt. “I didn’t mean morally,” Marry said with narrowed eyes at Kevin while a smile pulled at his lips. “I mean, there are several inactive owners, like silent partners in a company. If Christian kills Marcus he would take Marcus’ share!”

“Whoa, who says I want to be co-owner of Carthage?” Christian asked, looking a little shocked.

“Come-on Christian, think about it. You’re a Baby Master with a substandard reputation. What better way to vamp up –pun totally intended- your image than to attain a territory of your own, especially one as great and respectable as Carthage!”

“Your ideas of grandeur are fine and well if they are your own suicidal ambitions, but please exclude me out from such things. I would be challenged for my position moments after it is known I hold share in this place,” Christian said as he pinned a panting Wynter to the floor, the tiger giving up for the moment to catch his breath and try again in a few minutes.

“All the better!” Marry said and both Kevin and Christian looked at him with confused expressions at the idea that Christian getting challenged by countless Vampires seeking his position as a “better” thing. “Come-on, think about it for a second you two! A few would challenge you Chris, you would kick their asses because you’re amazing,” Marry said with a bow of the head towards Christian causing Christian to blush slightly, “And it would only further instill in everyone that you are not all that your little reputation precedes.”

“But, the rumors are already abuzz on Christian’s Fey magic he used on Marcus. No one there knew what it was he did other than for sure that is was no Vampire ability, and all that hear of it are speculating. He could manage intimidation just by sheer enigma,” Kevin suggested.

“Vampires know enigma. Many of us thrive on it. It will not be enough,” Marry said to Kevin. “It is also rumored that Christian has been offered a seat on the Council before.”

“I was,” Christian said flatly.

“But no one believes that,” Marry said penitently. “So therefore rumors true or not are not enough to earn you respect. Come-on Chris,” he said turning to Christian.

“I do not want to be tied to this place. I wish to stay of course, but leaving always being option is nice too,” He said. Marry stood.

“Come on Chris, you can do it!” he said punching the air in an enthusiastic gesture, his flat and halfhearted voice giving away his mockery. “But I have to go now. Sam is waiting for me,” he said, vanishing from that spot instantly without another word or argument to leave Christian and Kevin staring at the point from where he had vanished.

“I don’t think I will ever understand that son-of-a-bitch,” Kevin said with a shake of his head.

“Trust me, I am still trying to figure him out,” Christian said, leaning back against Wynter like he was a furry breathing pillow.

“How did you manage to shag him for so long?” Kevin teased and Christian blushed while shaking his head.

“Leave it to you to be so crass,” he said a little under breath before speaking a little clearer. “I am not discussing this with you,” he said as Kevin laughed open and honestly.

“Oh, come-on Chris,” Kevin laughed.

“If you must know, Marry was…is…impossible to live with and Marianus, like I, does not even fancy men and thus why it did not work out,” Christian pouted.

“Yeah, I remember Marianus saying something to that effect,” He laughed.

“Glad to know you find it so humorous,” Christian said while crossing his arms insecurely. He knew Kevin would push the topic far beyond his comfort level. He was tempted to teach him that curiosity killed the Lycan sometimes if he did not in fact like Kevin as a friend just a little.

“So if you refuse to admit to liking men, and Marianus isn’t gay but was aware of all the gay stuff his other self was doing with you, what the hell does that make of the relationship the two of you had?” Kevin teased. “Other than fucked up, of course,” He laughed. He knew pulling Christian’s chain would make him a little testy, but he needed to test his understanding in this just as much as the rest of the Vampire culture he was now immersed in, even if it really was only at the expense of Christian’s comfort. He did not understand “Vampire Logic,” it made no sense to anyone that wasn’t a Vampire it seemed. He knew this because even Sarah had admitted to not always understanding and she had been in Carthage for years.

“Marianus and I came to agreement long ago that we are just best friends. Marry just wanted fuck-buddy, and I was not hot on the idea in the first place, so I did not stick with him.”

“So really, you are bisexual?”

“And you are homophobe,” Christian pointed out, dodging the simple yes or no question.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Kevin smirked and Christian sighed.

“Sex can be pleasurable no matter whom it is with, but I am honest when I tell you that I prefer women over men and that “friends with benefits” only ever appealed to me when it is woman that is my friend,” he said and Kevin shook his head as though he did not fully believe Christian. “You know my young Lycan friend, it is quite hard to maintain one’s, how you say, heterosexual integrity, for long in our Vampire community since sexual favors are large part of our society and is how one can move up in power without having to risk their neck in fights.”

“Makes me glad to be a Werewolf, we just tear each other’s throats out if we want to have more respect in the community,” Kevin said while leaning back and folding his arms behind his head in a very masculine gesture. “Couldn’t you just fuck Marcus then, and not have to worry about fighting him?” Kevin joked and Christian rolled his eyes.

“I cannot help but feel that you are choosing to blatantly ignore my proclamation that I do not enjoy the physical company of men, Kevin,” Christian said accusingly. “Beyond that however, I am one of the few Vampires you will ever meet that chooses not to have sex just to up myself in power and our society. I think that it is gross and complete corruption of an act that really should be about pleasure and enjoyment.”

“You don’t do sex for personal gain?”

“I believe that is called prostitution.”

“That the real reason why you are at the bottom of the pecking order here?” Kevin laughed.

“Do you know that Marry finds you very attractive?” he teased harshly in retort causing Kevin to drop his arms and squeeze his eyes shut.

“Oh, come-on Chris, that’s not fair!” Kevin whined, shaking his head at the thought, clearly bothered by it.

“Homophobe.”

“Slut.”

“Baby,”

“Bite me.”

“When and where?” Christian teased.

“Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back, Chris? Making gay passes at me?”

“Shut-up,” Christian said though finding it hard not to laugh at the same time. “And I am not slut.”

“Are to.”

“Am not.”

“Are to.”

“Says who?” Christian asked indignantly.

“Everyone. You claim you don’t sleep for personal gain, but whom haven’t you slept with in Carthage at one point or another?”

“I was single for long time. You have something against casual sex?” Christian pouted.

“Like I said, slut,” he said, pointing at Christian.

“I have not slept with Sarah,” Christian said, patting Wynter on the side.

“That’s an impressively long list you got right there Christian.”

“I am only considered slut by likes of you. Vampires are nowhere near as scrupulous or judgmental.”

“So I have noticed.”

“Oh, you are so kind,” Christian said with a roll of his eyes before he then shifted to become a panther to wrestle Wynter more, the tiger doubly excited to have a large cat to play with. Being in animal form would prevent Kevin from being able to pry into his personal life -more specifically his sex life- any further. For a slightly homophobic teenager, Kevin had an unusually high interest in Christian’s sexual escapades. He had pointed that out to Kevin once and gotten punched.

Christian knew he was a bit of a bed hop, but he did not consider himself a slut and knew Kevin really did not either. He was just giving him a hard time over it. Kevin did not really have a grasp of Vampire culture yet. He would one day, and he would appreciate just what it meant for Christian to not sleep around for power. Kevin was young and had never been used and abused for someone else’s power gain. Christian was not exactly hoping Kevin ever would, but he knew there would be a greater understanding between them once he did.

Christian prayed that Kevin would always be able to believe him a slut, just for the sake of Kevin’s continued integrity and relative innocents. Christian had lost his centuries before thanks to his Master pimping him out for her own personal gain.

Kevin seemed to doze while Christian played with Wynter until their otherwise quiet evening was interrupted by Augusts’ sudden appearance.

He appeared in the center of the room in front of the quiet television but was nearly knocked over by Christian and Wynter rolling about, growling playfully at each other while biting and pinning.

“Gus?” Christian asked, pulling away from his pin of Wynter to sit back, ears flattened at his brother’s sudden unexpected appearance. Kevin stirred from the couch and opened his dark eyes to take in Augustus.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked, less than a little friendly.

“Marcus is calling you out Chris,” Augustus said, ignoring Kevin’s rudeness or even presence. Christian’s bright blue eyes widened as he shifted in his spot, coming to form while squatting on the floor.

“What?” he asked.

“So soon?” Kevin added.

“He is in the middle of the city, in the square, calling you out.”

“But it is past three,” Christian said, not having to look at a clock to know the time.

“He appears to be confident in his ability of defeat you long before sunrise to initiate this so late,” Augustus said.

“He is due for a rude awakening then,” Kevin said and Augustus rounded on him.

“As much confidence as I have in Chris, I would not dare imply this would be easy.”

“You were not at Gabriel’s when Christian was kicking-arse and taking numbers,” Kevin argued having been there to see and sense Christian as he used his Master level abilities.

“And I have known Marcus for centuries, as I have Christian, and I know how Marcus fights on top of Vampire etiquette and technique so I would like to think I have a better idea of how a fight for dominance among my own people works than you, wolf,” he said harshly, getting Kevin to glare at him

“Stop it both of you,” Christian said while standing.

“What are you going to do?” Kevin asked.

“The only thing he can do. Show up,” Augustus said.

---

“He’s a coward! How long will he make me wait?” Marcus shouted to the crowed that was now gathered in the square where Marcus waited by the large fountain three levels high in the center.

Marcus had decided to take Christian up on his challenge only a day later. If he had hoped to catch Christian off guard, it was a success. Now he stood in the middle of the cobblestone paved square, buildings all around but at a distance, all spectators gathered but far from the fountain, not wanting to become any hindrance to the fighting sure to come. All traffic had been closed off to the city so as to prevent any Humans from stumbling across the fighting. It left the city open for the fight and the residents abuzz with anticipation.

“Where is he?” Marcus shouted, holding his arms out, sounding impatient but amused at the same time. Augusts appeared, walking down the street and it became apparent then whom Marcus was calling to that time.

Augustus walked at a leisurely pace. He was the oldest Vampire residing in the city and he was never challenged for his right to be there. Any Vampire exceeding the standard three-digit number when it came to age got very little hassle.

Nearing Marcus Augusts stuck his hands in his pockets and stopped to be standing before him.

“Well? Where is he?” Marcus asked, a murmur passing through the gathered crowed out for blood, all wanting to know the very same.

“What are the terms?” Augustus asked flatly.

“What?”

“The terms?”

“He so much of a coward that…”

“It is every Vampire’s right to demand to know the terms before a fight for dominance Marcus.” Augustus said as though schooling a small child in the complex ways of the grownups. “You are the defender so you set them and Christian, the challenger, then chooses to accept them. It’s part of the code of…”

“I know the code,” Marcus bit off harshly and Augustus made a slight bow and a tilt of the head at Marcus as if to apologize.

“The terms then?”

“The code states that I may give the terms to him, it says nothing about giving them to you.”

“The code allows for an entourage,” Augustus said and Marcus let out a sudden and cold laugh.

“You? Part of an entourage for him?” he laughed but Augustus remained gracious and unbothered. “Where is dear sweet baby brother? I know you are stalling for his sake. What is he up to?”

“It is you who is stalling Marcus. We have requested the terms; it’s your move now. State the terms,” he said and Marcus looked furious while baring his teeth.

“No weapons,” he said and Augustus nodded once. “No help,” he said and Augustus nodded again. “No time limit but for the sun’s rise.”

“The word to call out?” Augustus asked.

“There is none,” Marcus said and there was a sudden gasping and excited murmur that passed through the crowd again. Augustus looked a little pale but his face otherwise gave nothing away.

“No surrender? No word to concede?”

“To the death,” Marcus said with a mean smile. The crowd abuzz with excitement of knowing someone was going to die that night before the sun rose, few out their actively supporting either Vampire but few believing Christian to have a chance either.

---

“Marcus is psychicly powerful and physically strong, but he isn’t fast,” Marry pressed as he watched Christian change out of his jeans and long-sleeved t-shirt into something more suitable for a life and death power struggle. Dominance battles were always a formal occasion for Vampires despite the fact that ninety percent of the time they were beating the crap out of each other. There was the brief ten percent of the time where they would grandstand and make a show for the crowd. In that ten percent of the time they had to look nice.

Christian said nothing to Marry’s suggestions but just looked at him nervously and nodded readily.

“You okay?” Marry asked. Christian nodded again, eyes a little too wide, hands shaking as he tried to buckle his belt. Marry smiled in a sad way and moved over to push Christian’s hands away, to buckle the belt for him tightly.

“Just stay cool. Don’t let yourself get this intimidated,” he coached. Christian nodded.

Christian backed away, not liking Marry trying to be in his personal space just as much as he hated anyone else. He knew Marry was just trying to be comforting but it was just awkward with Marry’s constant yet subtle sexual advances on him. He was being behaved at the moment, but his desire was still there, unspoken. Christian pulled on his black silk dress shirt then took it off and tossed it aside. He liked it too much to ruin it. He repeated this process with several other shirts before Marry questioned him on it.

“Chris?”

“I cannot decide what shirt I would rather die in,” he said, voice quivering slightly, a little higher than it usually was.

“Christian, you are not going to die,” Marry said, moving over to him. “You’re already dead remember?” he joked softly, hoping Christian would appreciate the humor. Christian looking up at him as though shocked at the insensitivity of his words clued Marry into that it was no time for hilarity. “Look, I’m sorry okay?”

“I cannot do this.”

“Sure you can.”

“No, he is going to…”

“Chris,” he said interrupting him, “you kicked the shit out of Gabriel, you can take on Marcus,” he said sounding as confident and assuring as possible while Christian looked at him with eyes that were a little too wide. “You owned his ass last night you can do it again.”

“Not if he is not allowed to use his magic,” Augustus said from the corner of Christian’s bedroom, causing the other two Vampires to look over at him suddenly.

“Augustus,” Marry said.

“What do you mean if I cannot use my magic?” Christian asked, standing there nude from the waist up in nothing but a pair of tight leather pants.

“The terms have been declared,” he continued and Marry and Christian listened intently, both wanting to hear Augustus’ news. “No weapons, no help, no time limit,” he said and then he paused for a second, “No foreign magic,” he said heavily.

“Foreign magic? You mean…” Marry asked.

“Any magic that is not classifiable as Vampire magic is prohibited,” Augustus said sadly, knowing exactly the problems that entailed.

“What?” Christian asked, feeling the bottom of his already tight stomach drop out.

“Marcus does not know what it was you used against him last night. He thinks, because you dated a Witch, that you learned some dark magic from her and he will not allow you to use any magic in the fighting,” he said.

“But it is not dark magic it is…”

“Marcus doesn’t know what you are,” Augustus said rather impatiently as though he were on edge about the whole affair too. “He does not know and he set the terms,” he said heavily. Christian looked down and away at that point, distancing himself from the other two physically as he thought quickly.

“What about the word?” Marry asked as he looked up, the thought suddenly coming to him. Christian looked up from the corner of his room where he was now standing, his arms crossed with on hand up by his chin. Augustus did not look happy.

“There is none,” he said, his voice hollow as though he was pulling himself out of the situation a little.

“What? How can there not be one?” Marry demanded.

“To not have one would mean…” Christian breathed.

“Would mean it is to the death,” Augustus finished for Christian and Christian looked ready to faint.

“I am going to die…oh God…I am going to die,” he started muttering to himself over and over again.

“Marcus really that confident?” Marry asked, looking a little uneasy then too despite how confident he had been but moments ago.

“Apparently,” Augustus said, looking over at Christian. “Hurry up and finish getting dressed. Marcus will not be happy if made to wait much longer and you still have to feed,” he said.

Christian nodded quickly as he pulled on the first shirt he could reach, a long-sleeved black fishnet shirt that allowed his pale flesh to shine through. He tucked his leather pants down into boots and laced them up to his knees.

“I’ll bring you one of my Humans to eat. There is no time for you to hunt,” Augustus said, not giving Christian the chance to protest before vanishing.

“Great,” Christian said, running his hand through his hair in a frustrated gesture, his nerves frazzled. His mind was still repeating “I am going to die,” over and over. He felt like he was going to be sick.

“Feeding from the willing is not hard,” Marry assured.

“Just awkward,” Christian said testily. Feeding from the willing was like a first kiss with someone way more into the thought than him. Unsure if he should lean in or them or if they came into him. Should he say something before he took their blood, introductions, pleasantries? Did he thank them when he finished? He did not know nor did he ever really want to be in a position to learn.

He hated easy meals and Vampire Freaks disturbed him slightly.

---

“Christian. So good of you to finally join me,” Marcus mocked as Christian approached the square, long leather coat billowing out around him as he walked with Augustus to his right, Marry to his left and Kevin at his back. Kevin was relatively new to the city, and a Werewolf, so this would be his first experience with Vampire political affairs. He asked about them frequently, but seeing them would answer a lot of his questions better than any of them could think to explain. But in answering questions, the whole affair would likely only bring up more questions harder to answer.

Wynter was also there with them, part of the entourage.

The tiger walked in front of Christian on a leather leash attached to a thick black leather collar that dangled with silver metal rings and was studded with yet more metal in three inch spikes. Wynter walked well, as though he understood the seriousness of the situation, which he actually may have since Christian was able to talk to animals, that being a small extension of his Master ability. That explained the close relationship he had with the young cat.

“Forgive me for keeping you waiting. Your challenge was somewhat…unexpected,” He said, hiding his fear well behind a cool face. He spoke formally but that was just how he spoke most of the time, though in this situation it for once seemed far less out of place.

“Well, as was yours last night. I never thought you, of all your siblings, would end up being the most foolish and challenging me,” he said, standing alone by the fountain, no entourage on his part.

“Fool am I?” Christian asked, a pang of anger overriding his formidable fear. It was his line’s pride. It was eating away at him a little and it would make him foolish. He needed to suppress it if he had any hope of surviving the night.

“Yes. A fool. Only a fool would chance his life to stay anywhere.”

“Terms being yours to set, it was you who made it so that our lives ride on outcome of this night.”

“Our lives?” Marcus laughed and a few that watched did the same. “You honestly think my life is at stake? That I have to worry about my own life at this point while facing you?” Marcus laughed meanly, belittling Christian and his abilities in a way that was very arrogant and condescending.

Christian swallowed his enraged pride again.

“It would be foolish to assume too much Marcus,” Christian said coolly.

“You caught me off guard last night Christian I’ll give you that,” Marcus said with a brush of his hand. “But you cannot rely on your black magic to save you this time, and matching your Master Power against mine along with skill and practice? I outclass you Christian,” he said confidently, water cascading down behind him, a soothing sound that brought no comfort or ease to Christian that night.

“Pride cometh before a fall, Marcus,” Augustus said from Christian’s right.

“Who’s the fool Augustus? The fool or the fool who follows?” Marcus quipped back, looking at Augustus, not Christian. “Your line’s greatest weakness is pride,” he said as though knowing how much Christian was struggling with his at the moment. In all honesty, Marcus probably did.

“That’s enough children,” Marry said.

“Ah, little Marry, siding with Christian are you?” Marcus said, now turning his attention on Marry while still across the square.

“Naturally,” Marry said unconcernedly.

“If your lover dies tonight, I will see to it that you share his fate,” He said, pointing at Marry with his massive finger.

Christian felt Marry’s anxiety and tension at his side for a second before Marry closed Christian out, becoming still and unreadable at his side, masking his fear like Christian already was his own.

“You cannot do that,” Christian said. “The code states…”

“The code has no say over what I do with my own Vampires young Christian, so do not try and school me on our ways,” Marcus cut him off harshly. Christian lowered his head a fraction but caught and stopped himself before he looked down. He was supposed to be grandstanding; shrinking back at being yelled at was a crappie way of going about that. He was a Master now. That meant he did not allow others to push him around with raised voices and harsh words.

“You know the terms then?” Marcus asked, raising his voice so all would hear, though their words had been far from private or that quiet thus far into the introductions.

“I do,” Christian said simply, not bothering to raise his voice knowing that all in the square had superb hearing and that his words would reach them, most importantly Marcus, clearly.

“Any objections will be noted now, otherwise we will begin,” Marcus said with a smile.

Christian had the right to object to the terms, but no Vampire ever did. It was considered cowardice to. The terms could be the most outrageous one could come up with and a Vampire’s honor demanded that they accept the terms, regardless.

Some felt Vampires had no honor. That was not true. Their honor code was strong, just highly unbalanced.

“I accept your terms Marcus,” Christian said, voice cool and calm despite the panic that was wreaking havoc on his insides. The crowd around them murmured, clearly some surprised Christian did not back down like the coward they thought him to be.

“Very well,” Marcus said, stepping away from the fountain. Christian handed Wynter over to Augustus and together with Marry they walked out of the square’s center, to stand with the spectators. Kevin lingered for a moment and Christian turned to him.

“Good luck Christian,” he said, looking like he wanted to rest his hand on Christian’s shoulder, give him a hug, something to show reassurance and support, but refrained. He could pick on Christian all he liked but in the end he still considered the Vampire a friend and he was scared, scared for him, his eyes showed as much.

Christian looked up at the taller boy and smiled a smile that did not reach his own much more terrified eyes.

“I am going to need it,” Christian said on a breath so few other than Kevin would overhear it as he turned.

Marcus stepped sideways as though circling wide and slowly. Christian matched him, stepping sideways while dropping his arms to his sides; hands suspended over his hips like a cowboy from a western readying to fast draw his guns.

“Pretty little Christian,” Marcus said as he moved so slowly to the right, Christian matching him so they circled each other still over twenty feet apart.

“Thank you for complement Marcus,” Christian said as he rolled his shoulders out of his coat and let it slid down his arms to pool to the ground around his ankles before he again stepped to the right to continue circling slowly.

“You have always gotten by with your flirty way and charm. Using your good looks to get your way.”

“We all must make due with tools God gave us.”

“But your cute little face wont help you tonight,” Marcus said, seemingly ignoring Christian’s retorts.

“Am I not your type Marcus?” Christian mocked as he eyed Marcus up and down. He did not know what to expect from the man first so he kept his guard up, his arms ready at his sides.

“You are nothing.”

“I think you are jealous.”

“Of you?” Marcus laughed.

“Well…for straight man, you seem to appreciate my looks a lot more than what can be considered normal.”

“Are you calling me gay?”

“That and ugly,” Christian said with a smile that only made him look that much cuter. There were some chuckles from the gathered crowd and Marcus looking over at them wildly, silencing them with just a glance, a very predominant vein protruding from the side f his neck.

“You think I would be that superficial?”

“You are one going on and on about how I look. You tell me Marcus, are you not vain?” Christian quipped, earning another weak chuckle from the crowd.

Kevin stood with Augustus and Marry, Wynter sitting tensed like he desired nothing more than to run out and be with his master.

“What are they doing?” Kevin asked.

“Mocking each other,” Marry said, stating the obvious.

“Yes, I know that, but why?”

“It is the first part of the battle. They mock, tease, and insult each other,” Augustus said, still listening to Christian’s back and forth with Marcus. “It’s all part of the grandstanding. If one or the other is to be antagonized enough to attack the other at this point it would show them to be weaker and the fight could end there, the one clearly not adequate enough for a fight of dominance.”

“When does this stop?” Kevin asked.

“Whenever wrists are presented,” Marry answered.

“What?”

“Before they can fight they formally great each other. They offer each other their inner wrist to kiss. If the other kisses it and returns it unharmed they demonstrate their control and acknowledge the other worthy and battle is on. If one rips out the other’s wrist, it shows they are feel the other is not worthy of the battle,” Augustus said.

“So they agitate each other to the point where they want to rip the other’s throat out, and then they present their wrists to each other, hoping the other will rip it out so the fight can end there without having to fight at all?” Kevin asked.

“That’s about it yeah.” Marry said.

“For the moment this is a battle of tolerance and control,” Augustus said, watching Christian and Marcus.

“This makes no sense. You are all nuts.” Kevin said, looking out to Christian and Marcus as well.

“Just catching on to that fact are we?” Marry said with a smile while watching the Vampires circle each other.

Christian was apprehensive and his mind was racing in panic too much to give a fair trade off of insults. He was more than a little intimidated by Marcus at that moment to think up sarcastic little retorts and insults.

Marcus looked cool and collected, even at leisure. He was through insulting Christian and they now stood barely ten feet from each other.

Without a word he held out his hand, as though offering it to shake. Christian eyed it for a moment before locking eyes with the Vampire.

Marcus wiggled his fingers a little when Christian did not step forward and accept the offer.

“Shall we?” he teased, his arm outstretched.

Christian scowled but stepped up, accepting Marcus’ massive hand in his two much thinner, paler ones. He turned Marcus’s hand over in his so that it was palm up and gently brushed the long vibrant green sleeve out of his way, exposing the inner wrist. Without dropping his cold gaze Christian lowered himself in a straight-backed bow and placed his lips on Marcus’ wrist delicately like he would the knuckles of a lovely woman. Marcus looked satisfied but a little surprised when Christian straightened and offered his own outstretched wrist.

“I never would have thought I would kiss your wrist like an equal little Christian,” he said, grabbing Christian’s frail looking lower arm just below the elbow and jerking him forward just a fraction. Marcus’ hands were large enough, and Christian’s arm was thin enough, that his hand completely encircled Christian’s arm, even at its fullest part.

Christian glared the other Vampire’s unnecessary roughness and Marcus just responded with a smile as he pushed Christian’s netted sleeve up his arm with again, more force than necessary. Christian watched him intently while remaining very still and straight as Marcus held tight to his arm, past discomfort and just on the side of painfully so.

Christian too had never imagined Marcus would ever be accepting his wrist. In a greeting, like a fight, it is the more powerful that would tear the wrist open if they did not feel the one presenting was worthy. If Christian had not been a Master and presented his wrist to Marcus, or anyone greater than him, he would have had his wrist torn out for having been so insulting and to remind him that he was below them. Christian, coincidentally, had always distanced himself from the Vampires that held themselves to such formalities. His rejection of such customs had automatically earned him a place in the lowest class of Vampire, but he had not cared. Not really.

Vampire society was ruled not by the powerful, but the power-hungry. He could defend himself if challenged, but since there was nothing to gain by taking him on, Christian was for the most part left alone. That worked for him. Now that he was a Master however, whether he liked the customs and traditions or not, he had an obligation to uphold them.

Marcus placed his lips on Christian’s scarred wrist and held them there, firmly pressed, for longer than necessary while holding eye contact. Christian watched him for a while but when Marcus showed no sign of releasing him he yanked his hand away. The crowd chuckled, as did Marcus as he straightened. Marcus knew Christian did not like physical closeness, casual touching, or even the greetings like handshaking and wrist-kisses. He had let his touch linger to bother him and Christian glared, knowing that he been precisely Marcus’ intentions and that he had plaid right into his expectations by pulling away.

“So predictable.”

“One can always count on you Marcus, predictable yourself, to be asshole,” Christian snapped, pulling his sleeve down and hooking his thumb through a hole near the cuff, angry at being found amusing when he was doing his best to be serious, cool, and intimidating.

But what was he doing there?

He was crazy to have challenged Marcus. Looking at Marcus from only a foot away Christian could not help but feel small in comparison to the Master who had more practice, more skill, more power. He had been sick and weak for so long, he was only newly rejuvenated but surely not at one hundred percent yet. He had let what Kevin had said, and Marry too, get to him. It was easy for them to say that all he needed to do was stand up for himself and stop brooding, but it was not them that would have to fight Marcus.

Who in their right mind would want to take on Marcus in all his greatness?

Christian shook his head as though trying to clear his mind.

If he just forfeited Marcus would take pity on him. He would kill him quickly. No pain, no suffering, and he would die with dignity; he would not be made a fool in front of the city’s population come to watch.

Marcus was a good and great Vampire.

“Get out of my head, you bastard,” Christian shouted through his clenched teeth as he stopped himself after stepping forward to fall to his knees.

“It does not have to be this hard Christian,” Marcus said, his eyes glowing from his power. “Fall to your knees,” he said and Christian did, as though great hands were pressing down on his shoulders. His knees made contact with the cobblestone and his teeth clenched in pain but more in anger at having succumbed to Marcus’ influence.

Christian could not hear them clearly but the crowd called and teased at his apparent weakness. A few called out for Marcus to stop and that it was clearly not a fair match but most just jeered at Christian.

“Call me your Master,” Marcus demanded.

Christian felt words forming in his mouth before his fuzzy mind could even realize something was wrong. His brain felt like it was static, like a radio that was not properly tuned to a station. The thoughts of worshiping Marcus and all his greatness were most clear, but in the back, a barely discernable thought told him that it was a trick.

Christian caught himself about to declare Marcus his master and he clung onto that voice in his mind that told him that this was not right. He latched onto the pain he could feel still stinging in his knees and that was enough to pull him out of Marcus’ control.

“F…fuck you,” he managed. He looked up at Marcus from his low kneeling position with blue eyes that were now too alight with his Vampire power.

Marcus set his jaw as his brow creased in anger. He kicked Christian across the face hard with his right foot sending Christian spinning to his right and falling onto his hands so he was now on his hands and knees.

“You little bastard. Why must you make this hard on yourself?” he shouted, holding out his hands in a frustrated gesture, acting as though he had been merciful and Christian had rejected it, sounding almost outraged.

Christian shook his head slowly as the world spun around him and teetered all at the same time. Marcus had connected with the left side of his jaw and face, knocking him silly for a moment. He had however knocked some sense into him too because Christian could now think for himself though it was far from clearly as he felt dizzy and even a little nauseous.

“This is your lines burden, pride. Can’t just be easy on yourself and die at my mercy, you have to go down kicking and screaming,” Marcus said, walking in a quick circle before stopping and facing Christian again. “Can’t even appreciate what I’m trying to do.”

“Appreciate you treating me like Human you mean,” Christian said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and coming away with a bit of blood. Marcus stood very still while looking down at him. “I will not die like some Human prey wrapped up in mind tricks so that I die quietly, begging you to take my life with anticipation,” he said as he stood slowly, not allowing himself to stagger and give away how much that kick had fazed him.

“Then you will die begging me to take you life out of mercy!” Marcus said, using his powerful mind to strike out and hit Christian like a truck, knocking the much frailer Vampire backwards several feet to then slide on his back and elbows several feet before stopping just short of the fountain’s base.

The time for talking had passed. It was now time to fight and Christian, though he did not want to fight Marcus because he was sane, would rather die fighting then go out under some Vampire educed trance.

Marcus stepped forward and sent out sharp waves of his power at Christian, slicing away at Christian’s flesh for a moment before Christian was able to raise his hand up and palm out to shield with his aura from the attack. His arms, legs, and sides bleed freely in a few places where he had been cut before being able to block. The left side of his face had a deep gash that bleed down his face and neck. It was already healing, becoming shallower as the blood flow lessened.

Christian was using his aura to shield himself while Marcus was using his aura to attack. Marcus was peeling shards of his aura away to fling them at Christian. It left temporary holes in Marcus’ aura, but it also was the only thing that would be able to slice through Christian’s. It left Marcus slightly more vulnerable, but he was feeling very confident around Christian, damaging both their auras with his attack.

Vampires were the only ones that could use their auras in such a way, thus how they were the only creatures able to harm another in such a way from a distance. Vampires only had a pushing power when it came to telekinesis. They could only push with their power; throw, shove, or thrust. They could push each other around or add a psychic force to back a punch to cause more pain and damage. Marcus had a powerful mind and the force in which he could throw shards of his aura was enough to slash through Christian’s within moments.

Christian screamed at the pain of having his aura breeched and his flesh sliced again. Two new gashed appeared on his body, on the right and left side of his face and Christian closed his eyes. He could not shield himself with his aura any longer and hope to be safe.

“You are so weak! Even your aura cannot protect you from my basic abilities!” Marcus laughed as Christian dropped his shields and dove around the far side of the fountain to find a temporary shelter from Marcus’ attacks. “Now you hide!”

Christian ignored him as he struggled to replenish his damaged aura while laying as low as he could on his back, slightly propped up against the fountain’s edge. A hole in his aura would slow him down a whole lot more than any physical wound he had so he sacrificed a bit of his speedy healing so that his aura would mend instead. Marcus too surely had a lacking aura, but Christian had few attacks or abilities that would be able to exploit that. He could shapeshift, he could communicate with animals and have them come to his call, but he had no extra powers when it came to psychic force. Calling to him some animal friends would be considered “help” even if he was using a Vampire ability to beckon them, and brut force was not enough when his opponent was not only just as strong but that much bigger.

When strength, speed, and talent were at a match, size always won out.

Christian was at the disadvantage for being so small.

“Come on Christian,” Marcus taunted as he moved slowly around the fountain. Christian’s eyes were glowing still but he was rooted in his spot out of fear. He was seriously lacking options. His additional Fey abilities he had inherited had made up for the fact that he had not acquired any impressive extra psychic powers as a Master, but he was unable to use them now, now when he really needed them.

“Come out!” Marcus shouted as he rounded the fountain. He froze having expected Christian to be there and finding no one.

Marcus frowned his brow for a moment before turning his head suddenly towards the fountain in time to see Christian’s foot swing into view. It was a solid hit that sent Marcus stumbling backwards, blood erupting from his broken nose. Christian crouched on the second level of the fountain, water falling behind him still from the third and top level. He was knee-deep in cold water and crouching after his kick. He had caught Marcus by surprise, which was what he had hoped for but had not really counted on and knew he would be unable to do again.

Marcus shook out his head and looked up at Christian as the smaller Vampire leapt down from the fountain while shifting his form so that he became a streak of black before colliding with the much larger Vampire.

He was able to knock Marcus over and he hissed in his face, long white teeth inches from Marcus, a silver tongue-stud still pierced through his feline tongue. Marcus stared up at the panther for only a second before pulling his legs up and placing his feet firmly on Christian’s lean furry stomach and pushing him off of him, sending Christian through the air to twist and land on his feet several feet away, crouched low on the ground.

Marcus was on his feet almost instantly but hesitated. His face was splattered with blood from his already healing nose but he was unsure how to go about grappling with a large cat.

Christian knew that Marcus’ uncertainty would not last and took advantage of it when he could by charging almost recklessly forward. Marcus threw out a few strikes with his mind and a few shards of is aura but Christian dodged right and left to avoid them as best he could, suffering grazes at best as he leapt up and wrapped his great paws around Marcus’ neck in a sort of hug and opening his jaws wide while tilting his head to the side so that he could bite onto the Vampire’s face. Marcus screamed as Christian latched onto him, his claws and teeth sinking deep into his flesh. They both fell, Marcus falling backwards from Christian’s tackle to land on his back, Christian pinning him there, biting and gnawing on his face.

Marcus screamed, blinded by blood and teeth as he struggled to get his hands and arms up between the two of them and start pushing Christian away. Christian clung on with his claws still hooked around the back of Marcus’ neck and Marcus was actually causing Christian to rip the flesh as he pushed the panther off of him.

Christian’s tail whipped back and forth as he clung on with all his might, teeth still biting at the other Vampire’s face and throat. Marcus’ screamed abruptly ended but it was not because he was dead, but simply because Christian had ruined enough of his throat to make it impossible for the Vampire to make noise beyond a moaning gurgle of blood.

Knowing Christian would be unable to kill him my simply chewing his face off Marcus allowed his mind to relax a little and he collected himself. Gathering up his strength he reached up around Christian and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. Christian growled as his head was pulled back, his blue eyes a little squinty looking from the tension now in his furry skin as it was pulled, his ears flat. He sank his hooked and sharp claws deeper into Marcus’ neck and shoulders to fight to stay atop of him but Marcus’ grip on his scruff was firm and strong. Christian was yanked off of him and swung to Marcus’ right to land on his side, Marcus still gripping his scruff tight. Christian struggled to stand but could not with Marcus holding him still.

Marcus was on the ground, face in tatters, blood staining the cobblestone.

Christian lay on his side, his ears flat and eyes open. All he could do was flick his tail in annoyance until Marcus released him. He could not even shift. Changing shape while someone held a piece of his flesh was not a good idea. It would be painful to become a type of animal (including a Human) that did not have a scruff to grip.

Wiping away some blood from his eyes with his left hand Marcus sat up. He could barely see but that did not matter right then to him. Christian was in his hand.

Christian growled low in his chest as Marcus suddenly stood up. Christian’s claws racked across the stone, leaving tails as he tried to cling, while Marcus lifted him up by the scruff. Christian let out a leopard’s scream, it being painful to be suspended thusly.

Without being able to see Marcus lifted his right arm and swung Christian hard towards the ground, smacking the large cat against the cobblestone like he was nothing more than a dirty rag. Christian hit the ground hard and again screamed like a leopard at the pain before being lifted again and swung through the air and smacked into the ground again. Marcus was swinging him about and Christian was clawing in the air, trying to right himself as he approached the ground so as to not be hurt, but it did not help. Marcus turned and hit Christian against the stone edge of the fountain and snapped the other Vampire’s spine on impact. Christian screamed and Marcus’ grip finally slipped so that Christian was left, limp rear legs in the fountain, still functioning front ones trying to drag himself away from Marcus, further into the fountain.

Marcus wiped at his eyes and healing face while he himself growled in frustration and pain. Christian dragged his body as far as he could while still in the wide base of the fountain, soaking himself. His body was slow to healing because of his aura, but spinal and nerve injuries were always slow to heal no matter what.

Augustus stood with Marry and Kevin still and watched as Christian struggled and Marcus rapidly became more and more ready to kill the other Vampire.

“Move Christian, move faster,” Augustus said under his breath.

“This is bad,” Marry said, holding Wynter’s leather leash tightly, wringing it in his nervous hands until the leather groaned.

Christian looked over his back to Marcus who was now many feet away, but knew that the Vampire would be able to cover that distance in a fraction of a second and he would have no way of dodging. His tail and hind legs were twitching and jerking as nerves reconnected but it would be a long wait for full function to return, a wait he could not afford at that moment. Marcus was already healed and turning towards him.

“Cute, but your talents are showy at best and no match for my own,” Marcus said as he stepped up to balance on the stone edge of the fountain. Christian’s chest was tight with fear and his breath caught in his throat as Marcus rushed him. He had no options and no escape. Marcus pounced on him and all Christian could do was roll onto his back in the great splash and claw at Marcus as the Vampire wrapped his hands around his thick furry throat. Marcus’ fangs were bared and his eyes shinning as he pressed Christian down to the bottom of the fountain. Christian’s back legs were useless but they still twitched and kicked a little as he clawed and pushed against Marcus who held him under water. Christian thrashed his head from side to side as Marcus gripped his mind in his own and started wreaking havoc on it.

Christian tried to scream in pain as his mind was torn apart but water rushed into his lungs. Knowing he really did not have the energy to divert but out of options Christian shifted back to his Human form while still struggling under the cold water.

Marcus, determined to keep Christian from tapping any more of his power to counter him, started to focus his assault on Christian’s higher brain, his ability to think and react rationally, so he would be unable to defend himself sensibly. Christian tried to scream again but water rushed his lungs once more and Christian felt like he was going to vomit. Just because he did not need to breathe did not mean it felt good to have lungs full of water. It frightened his primitive brain; a brain that still thought like a Human, one that panics when it thinks it is drowning.

It felt like Marcus was clawing at the inside of Christian’s brain. He could almost feel the claws on the inside of his skull tearing his brain into ribbons and turning it into mush.

Unable to think with Marcus ravaging his mind and his panic Christian did the only thing he could, he opened up his Vampire magic that gave him life and power and thrust it upward from himself, imagining it like a great rushing solid wall.

It was a solid force to Marcus and it threw him way up into the night air with a great wash of water with him where he then landed painfully some feet away, soaking and aching on the cobble.

Christian shot straight up in the water with a staggering splash gasping and spitting. His whole body was shaking so badly he almost looked like he was having a seizer. Despite his fit he was able to roll himself over onto his stomach, which put him right next to the edge of the fountain where he could use his shaking upper body to pull himself up. He coughed and gasped over the edge as his lungs tried to clear the water. His mind was useless, all that controlled him was his lower brain, which only understood the idea of fight or flight, and right then…it wanted to fly, even though his body was nearly as useless as his mind.

Pushing up off the now wet cobble ground in a pushup fashion Marcus shook out his head and glanced over at Christian as he hung over the edge of the fountain coughing and vomiting up water. He had not expected Christian to be so reckless. He would not underestimate the Baby Master again.

Marcus stood slowly and the movement caused Christian’s head to snap to the side, his wet hair clinging across his face. His eyes were wide and panicked, a little too unfocused for there to be anyone home.

His mind would heal like his spine, given a little time, but all that could guide him for the time being was his primitive brain that was very much like any Human’s. Humans were prey and he looked like a panicked deer staring over at Marcus.

Most Vampires, when they lose their rational thinking, become ravenous, dangerous creatures, but a select few do not. Christian was one of them. Christian, whose mother was a Fey, or Fairy, had a very skittish primitive brain, that being the reason behind many of his more interesting “personality quirks” such as his shyness, compassion, and distaste for crowds and noise while a fully fictional thinking Vampire. Christian acted very much unlike the predator he really was when you took away his ability to rationalize.

Christian was in trouble if he could not think better than that of a wounded and skittish Fey.

“That was a waste of energy Christian,” Marcus warned as he slowly started walking back towards Christian. Christian made a small noise and pulled himself over the fountain’s edge the rest of the way and rolled onto the cobblestone while creating a puddle. His dared a glance back at Marcus for a brief second before crawling away as quickly as he could on his stomach with just his front arms. He was surprisingly quick while belly crawling, but Marcus was faster just walking.

“I can’t watch this,” Kevin said while turning around to face a building’s wall. “I think I’m gunna puke,” he said while putting his hand over his mouth, his nerves over the outcome of the fight getting the better of him.

“Don’t count Chris out yet,” Augustus said determinedly like his fortitude alone would save Christian.

“I cannot watch my friend die,” Kevin said, shaking his head back and forth so that his long bangs fell into his face from behind his ear. He had lost too many friends to violent deaths to witness it happen again. He would not be able to survive it again.

“Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” Marcus laughed as he followed after Christian, practically skipping in his enjoyment. The crowd watching was nearly silent. A few muttered to those around them, but most were too deeply enthralled in the scene to look away.

Christian rolled over onto his back as Marcus drew close while continuing to drag himself backwards. His mind was returning, slowly, but no thought crossed his mind that was of any use. The only things he could think were “oh my God I am going to die,” and other similar while just as unhelpful things. In reality Marcus was flooding Christian’s brain with such thoughts so as to keep him from being able to plan any kind of defense. It was unfair and as Augustus watched he shook his head, knowing exactly what Marcus was doing.

“The fucking coward,” he said.

“What?” Marry asked, not looking away from the scene.

“Not Christian. Marcus. They bastard has clouded over Christian’s remaining thoughts so that he cannot even defend himself. That is low. How can he act like he is so much better and more powerful than Chris while taking so many precautions to keep him from being able to fight him fairly? He’s not even giving Chris the chance to fight.”

“He has always preferred to play on the side of caution. That is how he has lived for as long as he has,” Marry said, Wynter at his side looking apprehensive.

Marcus leaned down and grabbed Christian by the front of his wet netted shirt and lifted him up off the ground so that his body dangled. His legs were healing and they were no longer twitching, but the sensation was like that of the worse charley-horse he had ever had. His legs were cramped tight while a painful shooting numbness moved up and down them.

Holding Christian aloft for all to see Marcus smiled.

“You are pathetic,” He said, looking at Christian’s wet face. The cuts were now almost healed leaving two pink scars under his eyes, running horizontal on his cheekbones. With a little additional healing and time they might fade, or they would be permanent. Marcus did not intend on allowing Christian the chance to worry about vanity.

Christian spit in Marcus’ face from an arm’s length away. Marcus looked surprised as he turned his face away to wipe it clean.

“Not…as…much…as…you,” he said slowly, struggling with English, so much of his mind still scrambled. Marcus looked shocked that Christian had been able to break his mind control, let alone doing so while so injured.

“How did you…” he asked but Christian reached up and gripped Marcus’ wrist and crushed it with his left hand like it was little more than an empty soda can. Marcus screamed in pain as his hand automatically dropped Christian. Christian crumpled to the ground, his legs unable to catch him, but his arms did and he sat on the cobble ground, glaring up at Marcus as he cussed and held his wrist.

“You try to make me think horrible things. Your mistake was to bring up my love, Raine. Remembering her gave my mind ability to fight off yours,” he said slowly, Forming the words was hard enough let alone coming up with the correct English.

“For all the good it did you,” Marcus said, thrusting some shards of his aura at Christian. Christian sat motionless as the shards passed him, leaving him unharmed to slice into the ground, gouging smooth gashes into the stone. Marcus stepped back slightly and blinked, unsure of what had happened while Christian glared at him with glowing blue eyes.

“You are spending too much of your aura’s power Marcus,” Christian said slowly as he carefully rose to his feet. His legs looked like, if he did not have his knees and hips locked into place as he balanced carefully, he would fall. “It grows weaker every time you tap its power like that, like you have been this whole fight,” he said, stating what Marcus already knew. Marcus however had not counted on it being important much, believing Christian to be too weak for it to matter. “You have left yourself vulnerable and aura raw Marcus,” Christian said, suddenly sending a few shards of his own aura towards Marcus. Marcus could do nothing to react but throw his arms up while twisting slightly to seemingly protect his face as he was sliced in several places by an unseen force. Christian stopped with only a few shards, knowing better than to make the same mistake Marcus made in whittling away his own aura, especially given how hurt he was.

Marcus cursed in pain as his body and aura were wounded. He was only able to drop his arms and turn his head before he was hit by a great grey animal. A rhinoceros. Christian charged forward while shifting into a form he knew would have enough natural strength to make up for the fact that he was lacking, and would also be useful despite how slow he was, stiff hind legs still unwilling to function at one hundred percent.

Marcus was doubled over with Christian’s large curved horn imbedded painfully into his gut. Christian tossed his massive head and Marcus was jerked.

Screaming Marcus struck out with his mind to try and knock Christian down. Given the unsteadiness Christian still had Marcus was able to send Christian’s backend down so that his great form was basically sitting, the Vampire still suspended up in the air on his horn. Christian shook his head to toss Marcus off. Marcus landed on his hands and knees but got up almost immediately to run around the fountain and gather himself. He was not badly hurt given the fact that Christian’s horn was not exactly sharp, but he was hurting while unsure about how to fight a rhinoceros.

Christian stood slowly, his massive body slow and heavy. He grunted through his nostrils and tossed his head a few times, looking quite agitated. He turned slowly and paced a bit, awakening his legs further. Marcus eyed him cautiously, knowing Christian’s spine was undoubtedly healed at that point and all he was doing now was working his nerves so his legs would work correctly again.

Kevin was half turned back around. He was unable to not watch with such an interesting turn of events but he was very much so prepared to spin around if things were to go bad again. His heart was pounding in his chest and his stomach was in knots. He could not even imagine how Christian must have felt being in the fight.

---

Raine stood in the shower, nude and bent over slightly. She had her right arm up, supporting her as she leaned over with her head down and hand on the tiled wall, her left cradling her vary pregnant belly. Hot water beat against her as she breathed slowly and deeply. She had taken enough Lamaze classes to know how to breathe past the pain.

Tao and Havoc were sleeping. Havoc did actually have a job so sleep was important to him at night since he worked the days, and Tao had a part-time responsibility with a local safe house for Witches, Lycan, and other Paranatural/Paranormal creatures that need help. Raine felt guilty that they both sacrificed so much to care for her already that she did not want to wake them now when they had just so recently gotten to sleep.

The doctors had told her, since she had gone into premature labor once already and that she was on bed rest to prevent it, that should it happen again she should take a hot bath or shower while doing her breathing exercises to try and calm herself, her contractions being brought on by stress and worry.

She had been relatively relaxed the past few days, or as relaxed as she could be given the heat of the late June days and the impending expectation of a new baby with unforeseen complications weighing on her. But something that night was wrong; something that night was upsetting her unborn child. She knew her child was very much aware inside of her, more than any Human child could ever be. Something was happening that was getting the unborn baby anxious and Raine could bet it had something to do with its master, its father, Christian.

Raine sobbed quietly at the pressure and pain as she stood under the hot water jet. She did not want to think there was something wrong, something bad happening to Christian, but she did not know what else to think of other than the pain or all the bad scenarios that kept popping up in her brain in regards to what could be happening to her and the baby. She could not let herself get stressed out lest she make her contractions worse, but it was hard to think about puppies and rainbows while the child within her moved around and its unease and panic washed over her.

She did not necessarily believe in a God, but she prayed at that moment to whomever might be listening to protect Christian, someone who very much so believed in Heaven’s Grace.

---

Christian turned himself with another grunt through his large nostrils while tossing his head back, making a show of his great horn. Marcus moved to the side so the fountain was between them. He did not like the giant grey animal much, not only was it large and intimidating to have to try and take on, but its brain was something he could not recognize to easily manipulate and ravage with his powers, making him feel very helpless.

Christian let out a sort of low roar as he lowered his head and charged forward.

Marcus tried to move out of the way, around the fountain, but Christian cut a direct line through it. He was able to sort of leap into the fountain, but as Marcus tried to move around it Christian changed direction and rushed through the water, clipping the center of it causing the tower in the middle to fall with a great crash and splash as water freely burst upward from its broken piping.

Charging through the other side of the fountain while lowering his head to break through the low wall Christian caused water to escape from the fountain’s base and into the street as he knocked into Marcus.

Marcus caught Christian by the horn and planted his feet as best he could. He was pushed backwards at first but slowly he was able to push against Christian’s massiveness and stop him. Christian grunted and snorted as he pushed but Marcus would not be moved. He was a Vampire so he was just as strong as Christian even with Christian in the shape of a rhinoceros.

Grasping the horn in both his hands Marcus gave a great twist and was able to use Christian’s horn as a sort of leverage to throw him onto his side. Christian hit the ground with a loud thump and a splash in the shallow water that was flooding the whole square.

Not wanting to allow Marcus any free hits while he was defenseless on his side Christian shapeshifted again. His options were limited by only what animals he had seen with his own eyes. Christian had made it a priority to seek out and see as many different kinds of animals as he could in whatever lands he visited. Not only did he greatly enjoy the company of animals, but also it was very useful when he needed a type of form for a specific situation. Lucky for him, Christian had once run across the form he was now taking, and even more fortunate was that it was something that was considered an animal, that being a fact that had greatly excited Christian to learn from Augustus, a fellow Shapeshifting Master Vampire.

Marcus lost his grip on Christian has the horn he held onto sank into his snout and Christian rose up his massive black head. The crowd gathered to watch all gasped and some screamed as they all as a whole backed up from the square at the sight of Christian spreading his impressive black leathery wings, standing on his hind legs with his back arched, chest stuck out, and neck raised to its fullest so that he towered more than two stories over Marcus.

Most looking on had probably never seen a Dragon before.

“Holy shit!” Kevin asked, now fully facing the scene in his shock.

“That a boy Chris!” Augustus said with a smile, clearly proud of the young Vampire he himself had partially raised and spent so many years teaching and guiding.

Christian stood like a massive black shadow in the dimly lit street; the streetlamps barely reaching the hips of his slightly bent legs. Only his glowing blue eyes high above showed just how tall he was and where his head reached. His clawed arms were hugged and bent in front of him while his wings flapped slightly though that was enough to cause a wind to stir.

Marcus looked up at Christian with wide eyes. If a panther and rhinoceros were things he did not know how to go about fighting, a Dragon was more than just a little daunting.

Christian lowered himself onto all fours with an earth-shaking thump and he lowered his long neck so that his head was nearly level with Marcus before letting out a terrifying roar. The audience all moved back further while still a few screamed. Christian was nearly a full story high while crouched on all fours; his tail was so long that it curled around the fountain to nearly reach Marcus on the other side. Christian was so massive that his body alone took up nearly a third of the square.

“Oh, it’s on now!” Marry said with a confident smile.

“How can Marcus beat that?” Kevin asked.

“Simple,” Augustus said, talking cautiously. Marry and Kevin looked over at him expectantly. “Christian cannot hold such an impressive form for long,” he said and Marry and Kevin looked back over at the scene in unison.

Marcus stood his ground, staring down the Dragon with the glowing blue eyes the size of footballs.

“You may look like a Dragon,” he called out as a low rumbling resonated from Christian, “But you are not a real Dragon.”

Christian roared at him again, spittle flying through the air from his massive open jaws. Marcus used his mind to skip out of the way and across the square as Christian snapped his jaws where he had stood only a fraction of a second before. Christian’s neck worked like a snake, rearing back as he hissed at Marcus now out of reach. Christian flapped his massive wings, stirring up great winds before leaping up and catching enough air to then land very close to the crowd, directly in front of Marcus.

The crowd ran out of the way of the massive Dragon and Marcus skipped again, this time only a few feet back as Christian snapped his massive jaws again at him. Christian had to bite Marcus but once to end the fight. His teeth would not only pierce Marcus through, but his jaws would crush the Vampire. Marcus knew this and so therefore kept his attention on Christian, his senses sharp, ready to dodge out of the way of both the head and tail.

“Why doesn’t Christian just roast him?” Kevin asked while watching Marcus dodge again and again Christian’s rapid strikes.

“Because what Marcus said about Christian is true. He’s not a real Dragon,” Marry said.

“That means?”

“It means,” Augustus said, once again looking apprehensive, “That Christian looks like a Dragon, but he does not have the Dragon’s blood or magic so he cannot spit poison or fire.”

“Well damn, I would have liked to have seen that,” Kevin muttered, attention back on the fighting.

Marcus skipped with his mind all over the square as Christian snapped his jaws and whipped his tail at him. In frustration Christian flapped his massive wings to blow Marcus over. While Marcus was face down on the ground Christian took the opportunity to thrust his head forward and scoop the Vampire up in his massive jaws. His forked tongue as thick around and strong as a bullwhip, shot out to wrap around Marcus and yank him up and toss him further into his mouth. Marcus let out a shout and the crowd collectively gasped then held its breath at the sight.

The end of the fight was near…possibly.

Christian’s jaws started to close but Marcus was not down for the count. Being physically unharmed at that point he was able to stand in Christian’s jaws and hold his hands up while planting his feet, bracing himself as he propped Christian’s jaws open, not allowing them to close. Christian growled as he shook his head slightly but he held Marcus in his mouth by pressing down like a vice and Marcus held the jaws open like a jack. Christian’s jaws alone were not stronger than Marcus’ whole strength.

With a yell that was pure effort Marcus pushed against the roof of Christian’s mouth enough to leap backwards and out of his mouth to freefall to the ground as the jaws snapped shut. Twisting in the air he managed to land on his feet gracefully but he had barely made contact before Christian’s massive tail came out of nowhere and swatted Marcus into a building’s wall not far from where Augustus, Marry, and Kevin stood with Wynter.

Christian shuddered as his body started to shrink. His whole shape seemed to lose form like he was melting or deflating, or a mixture of both, and quite rapidly Christian shrank down to being the size of a man. His wings sank into his back; his tail grew short and vanished, his body being once again that of a young man. Christian was on his hands and knees, clearly exhausted, glaring over at Marcus with his ever-glowing blue eyes as Marcus pulled himself up from the pile of bricks that had but recently been a brick wall at the base of one of the building sides.

“Impressive, showy, but none to practical Christian,” Marcus said as he brushed dust from his green shirt and black pants. Christian narrowed his eyes at the Vampire while saying nothing nor moving.

Marcus said nothing further as he suddenly turned to his right, grabbed a parked car that has been partially crushed by Christian’s Dragon tail, and chucked it at him as though it weighed as much as an empty garbage can. Christian had only a second to use his mind to skip out of the way a few feet to avoid the car but that was enough to exhaust him and cause him to nearly collapse in his dizziness.

Marcus rushed forward with his Vampire speed and was directly in front of Christian to kick him square in the face. Christian was flipped onto his back from the force of the kick and as Marcus lifted his leg to drop his heel into Christian’s skull. Christian was only able to roll out of the way in time. He rolled up onto his crouched legs but he was not feeling up to countering any of Marcus’s attacks. He hopped backwards again and again while crouching, avoiding Marcus’ kicks. Marcus finally got the better of Christian though by surprising the other Vampire with a sudden uppercut. Christian was lifted right off the ground and thrown across the square several feet to hit a lamppost and knock it to the ground with him, extinguishing its light immediately with a shattered glass globe.

Both Marcus and Christian were looking a little worse for wear but neither was hurt seriously, but both were depleted through carelessness and they were exhausted. They were violently bruised, their clothing was in tatters, they were both wet and hair a mess, but neither could -nor would they- give up.

Christian groaned as he rolled onto his side with his knees pulled up to his chest in pain. His ribs felt broken. He forced himself while his eyes were still closed tight to roll onto his hands and knees and fight not to breathe, that only hurting his ribs more. He stood slowly and leaned against the crippled pole as though he needed its support as it lay on the ground beside him, and that was more than a little true. Without having to look back, or even open his eyes, he knew Marcus was still behind him, approaching slowly while bleeding and aching him self.

Christian knew exactly where it was he needed to attack by sense alone.

Without a word but a grunt of force Christian picked up the lamppost like a colossal baseball bat and swung it around himself as he turned, connecting with Marcus and sending the other Vampire flying through the air. Marcus was airborne and Christian was already running towards him, the lamppost bent and forgotten on the ground once again.

He leapt up into the air in a way only a Vampire could, way up as though he could defy gravity, while lacing his fingers on both hands together in a fist above his head. Swinging his arms down his singular fist connected with Marcus as they were in the air and launched the other Vampire down towards the ground where he crashed with enough force to ruin that section for the cobble street.

Christian landed on the ground gracefully but immediately fell to one knee, his back to Marcus, pain and exhaustion evident. He was not sure how much longer he could go.

Marcus moaned as he stirred, his body broken.

Standing slowly and approaching cautiously Christian neared his advisory, taking in the damage done. Marcus lay in the cracked cobble, legs and arms all broken and angles completely wrong. Blood splattered the stone and mingled in the puddles of water. His face was white making the splash of blood across it look shockingly red. Marcus looked like someone had hit him going a high speed with a car, or maybe a truck, trains tended to dismember people. The damage would heal if he was given time and allowed to set his bones properly. Christian would not give him that chance.

Marcus’ eyes were unfocused while looking forward but once Christian was only five feet away they instantly darted over to him and locked with his. The whites of his eyes had burst into red from the impact. Splotches of blood under the surface of his eyes were upsetting, but the power of his gaze was what was truly unnerving. Christian was suddenly gripped by a mind numbing fear that was unlike anything he had ever felt before. Marcus’ eyes shone bright with his silent effort to discourage Christian from coming any closer until he could heal. Christian gripped his head and screamed out loud long and piteous at the pain and the vision he saw. His eyes shut tight as he fell to his knees. His aura fluctuated helplessly but was useless as a shield at that point having lost so much power and energy in the fight that night.

Rocking back and forth as tears spilled down his cheeks. Christian shouted, screamed, and cried. Marcus was silent, only his powerful eyes and concentrated face showed that he was even still alive. His body was so piteous.

“Stope, stope, stope, stope,” Christian begged in Russian for Marcus to stop. He crawled forward a little, closing the distance between them slightly, but stopped to hold his head again and cry. The pain was like what he had felt earlier while held under the fountain. The inside of his skull boiled and bleed from the pain. Blood was poring from his ears, nose, mouth, and corners of his eyes. He leaned forward so that his forehead was resting on the cobble street, his hands gripping his hair, blood running into the dark water.

“Do not harm your master Christian,” Marcus whispered into the other Vampire’s mind. Christian shook his head, not wanting to hurt his master. “You worthless little shit,” Marcus pressed as Christian cried, forcing him to remember, to relive all the worse moments of his existence. All the raping he had endured, the beatings he had received, all the punishments he had experienced, the guilt he felt at being unable to help his friends as he watched them die on numerous occasions. It all washed over him at once, at that very moment, like it had not happened centuries ago, but just moments before. The pain in his head was only secondary to the agony his soul –still trapped in his body- endured right then.

Christian sobbed, his face wet with tears and blood as he sat up enough to rock back and forth on his knees.

“Stope, stope, stope, stope pah-zhalu-stah!” he begged.

Marcus did not stop. Christian screamed in misery and even the crowd that was sided with Marcus had to turn away at the sound, unable to look on. Christian always evoked a certain amount of pity from even the most coldhearted. It seemed few could stand to hear him cry and be unmoved.

Unable to stop that pain he was feeling Christian lashed out in the only way he could. He started swinging his fists and pounding the ground, anything to distract himself from the pain, the agony; the sorrow…the memories. His fists stung at first, as the bones started to break the shooting pain was enough to allow him something different to focus on -to cling to- other that the painful memories and experiences that ravaged his mind right then. Marcus pressed as hard as he could; panicked at how close Christian was to him and how helpless he would be to defend himself physically should Christian strike him.

Christian crawled forward, knowing in some still clear thinking part of his brain that killing Marcus was the only way to stop the pain. Slamming his fists down blindly Christian approached the wounded and crippled Vampire slowly. Marcus’ eyes and face did not change, even in that last moment of concentration to ruin Christian’s mind to save himself.

Christian’s panicked fist came down and hit their blind mark. The pain, the visions, the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness ceased as Marcus’s head burst open like an overripe melon, spilling out onto the cobblestone a warm wash of blood and something thicker and almost gelatinous.

Christian blinked away his tears as he tried to gain his sight back. The street seemed impossibly dark, even with his superb night vision.

Looking around from side to side he could not see anything.

Christian flinched and would have screamed if he could have managed at being touched, two hands gripping his shoulders as someone squatted beside him but an instantly recognizable voice was enough to sooth him, to get him to relax slightly.

“Shh, it’s okay Christian, let’s get you out of here,” Augustus said, pulling Christian to his feet and practically carrying the younger Vampire away from the scene Christian could not even see.

“I…I cannot see Augustus, I…”

“Hush. You need to get indoors, now,” Augustus said, his hands still gripping Christian’s upper arms tightly as he marched him blindly.

“Is he alright?” Kevin asked, his face pale and tinged a little with green.

“Fine. In time. His vision should come back, eventually,” Augustus said hastily but still matter-of-factly, not stopping, passing Kevin and expecting him to follow.

“Holy shit,” Marry said, walking quickly to keep pace while Wynter trotted beside them all. Christian stumbled but Augustus would not let him slow and pushed him along. He was holding Christian up by his arms pinned at his side, only giving the illusion that Christian was walking. In reality, Augustus was quite literally carrying him, his feet dragging on the ground as he tried to walk and could not. His legs seemed heavy, delayed, and faintly unattached.

The crowd was silent and parted as they tried to pass, none wanting to touch Christian or any of his entourage.

“Augustus, I…”

“Don’t speak Christian, not until we are inside,” Augustus said forcefully, walking determinedly away from the mess that was once Marcus.

The fight was over.

Christian had won.

But there were plenty of Vampires that were not willing to take on Marcus for his position as partial owner of the city but would most certainly take advantage of a crippled and blind Christian to gain the position.

Shock setting in overrode Christian’s panic at being unable to see, the residual horrible feelings after reliving all the worst moments of his long life lingering. He felt like he was going to be sick, and he knew Augustus would not pause to even let him vomit. He seemed intent on getting him out of the open as quickly as possible, even if it meant he vomited on himself while “walking.”

Christian could not even grasp what he had done, nor understand the danger he was now in. He trusted Augustus to take care of him, that was why he did not fight or argue as he was lead blindly away from the open street and stunned spectators.

---

Authors Note: Important shit, read bitches!

Yay for fighting! I wanted to edit this more, and clean it up, and fix the run on sentences, but I’m fucking lazy okay? I hope you all liked it despite the grammatical and spelling and homonym mistakes. I don’t have an editor at the moment, and I’m fucking lazy, like I said. It was also long, which contributed to my unwillingness to do more with it before posting. God I'm such a bad Author.

I would like to thank everyone that reviewed my last chapter, and apologize now for having not responded to them yet…fictionpress did not email me my reviews, and though I would check online to read them every few days, I had no idea how many I was getting until I opened my Yahoo this morning and found I have 21 emails from fictionpress. I like how I got an alert for chapter six after nearly all of the reviews. Yeah, there was something up with fictionpress and fanfiction for a week or two, I got a bunch of reviews from fanfiction late as well.

Okay, since I got several reviews so far asking about names and asking if I did not realize their names were different, I will address the answer to that here:

YES, I DID change some character names and I DID notice, thank you. I actually posted a news bulletin on my website about it months ago, but I guess some of you don’t go there. Fine.

Yes, there was “great renaming” of LMHtB and Marry was one of them. So was Christian, and his dead wife, and Christian’s master, and several other people.

Christian – Lenchik. I have decided to finally rename Christian’s birth/Human name so he only has a half-name-change. He is no longer just named Christian. Though I liked the idea that he never changed his name after becoming a Vampire, excusing the fact that a 500-year-old Jewish Russian would have the name “Christian” in the first place was juts getting outrageous and far-fetched. Beyond even that, “Christian” was never meant to be his character’s name, I simply had a hard time finding one I liked so used Christian as a place-holder while I continued writing so I could go back and change it later without losing my ideas at the time. (Christian is quite literally named after the character from the Moulin Rouge because that had been what I had been watching at the time I decided to use a place-holding name.) I simply went back to Christian’s memory/flashbacks, and changed his name to Lenchik. And again at the scenes where Clear asked him about what his name had been before he had become a Vampire. It is not a major change and does not affect the plot but most certainly helps the coherency and believability of my story.

Marridoc/Marry – Marianus/Marry. Marry has been renamed partly. Marridoc was a temporary name as well, never meant to be my character’s actual name, but it got stuck to his character to the point that I saw it impossible to rename him, even in my own mind. I decided to rename him something that I could still at least use “Marry” with. Marianus starts with “Marry” and means “masculine”, so I thought it was perfect for him really. I hope you all do not find it too confusing, but he too only had a half-name-change and yes, I DID notice that his name ends with “anus” and that Marry is gay…laughs dryly it’s not that funny people and Marry will seriously kill you if you mention it.

Ares – Artemis. Christian, Augustus, Krystal’s Master Ares, the Oldest Vampire in LMHtB and head Vampiress of the Vampire Council got a rename. Since Ares was the name of a male Greek deity I decided the name had to go. Artemis is the name is the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon, so I really thought it would be perfect for a Vampiress with a God-complex. I like how everyone jumped on the other name changes, but not hers. Her feelings are hurt people, and you really don’t want to hurt the feelings of a 5,000 year old Vampiress. It is unwise.

Sasha- Tatyana. I decided to rename Christian’s wife “Sasha” because I found out that “Sasha” is actually a pet name, or abbreviation, for the name Alexandra, a name I do not particularly like and already use more than once in LMHtB. Tatyana (pronounced taht-YAHN-ah) is prettier if you ask me. I know, I know, it is catastrophic to change names on you, but get over it. Authors do it all the time.