Twilight 1. Chapter 1

This was written for my friend of several years. Their friendship will stay with me for years to come and it will never be forgotten.

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><p><em>I wanna hide the truth<em>

_I wanna shelter you_

_But with the beast inside_

_There's nowhere we can hide_

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><p>Eyes flick upwards almost as if they were tired but it wasn't the case. Long fingers tapped upon the solid wooden armrest silently before an index finger was raised and it motioned to dismiss those before him.<p>

"Not one brother? Not even one to amuse you with her crimson?" There was a scoff of disgust in reply.

"Last thing I'd wish for was a lynch mob that we'd need massacre to demonstrate our superiority." There was a pause before the last of the maidens left the room. "She's not here brother, the prophecy was wrong. If that hag was still alive I'd end her for her this deceit." He rose from his place. "I'll be back before dawn." Quick steps though the several aids that remained, parted for their lord and master; disappointment etched in their features. They too had hoped that the legend was in fact true and the century of waiting would come to an end.

Passing through several passageways brought him out to a garden of strewn darkened stones that were as ancient as him; though he didn't look a day over thirty, they were all well weathered. Several more quick steps found him in the open countryside and to his place of reflection, away from the prying eyes and ears of the castle. He found his place on top of a stone that hadn't moved in centuries as far as he could recall and crouched down on it. It may have been part of a very large boulder or ancient mountain range that had long since been eroded away or covered by dirt but there it was; it grounded him. He let his features of authority and superiority transition to what was buried deep within him, disappointment.

He kept his voice low and unassuming. "Prophecy. What were you thinking Vladimir?" He would spend several hours like this, doubting the reason for his continued search.

There was a disturbance in the distance, his eyes traced down the country road in the distance to the three figures riding on horseback. They were travelers from afar, they weren't familiar to him and he knew all in his region. Travelers were not, in the understanding he and his brother had with the town that surrounded their home, under their protection or more clearly, fair game. He listened, they were arguing and from what he could immediately surmise, his home was their destination.

"She's being selfish mother. What kind of man would marry a complete stranger, I'll tell you, a desperate one." "Shhh they will hear you and we will be turned away with not so much as an audience." Sobs from the third one were heard. "Oh wonderful, now she'll be all puffy and blame me for it. Wake up and forget this fantasy and go find a real man and be happy." "Stop upsetting your sister Jacqueline." "If father were still alive he'd have put a stop to this lunacy before we'd left, dammit, we'd still be home. But no, here I am on this stinking horse, in the middle of nowhere, freezing, on the idle hope some mythical creature, that has lived for ever it seems, takes a fancy to my ridiculous and childish sister." More sobs.

He was amused at the human's cruelty towards her sister. The humans he witnessed in his presence always tried to keep a dignified composure around him, never so much as raise their voices and seeing this uninhibited display was entertaining.

"I told you to keep quiet child." The hoses were stopped. He rose to his feet to take a few steps to the side of the stone to see where they were being hidden behind a tree. The moon was half full and despite the great distance still between him and the riders, his keen eye caught sight of them.

"I'll tell you this daughters, before your fathers passing he revealed a great secret to me that must never leave your lips because the others of their kind would seek to destroy you."

His ears honed in; secrets after all could bring down kingdoms, even human ones. The horses sensed the nearby threat of him and were uneasy. The women quieted them down and they complied.

"Your father was of the bloodline, of the family that his deceased Queen came. Generation after generation of your relatives have come to be considered, but were turned away. I'd have not bothered myself but then there was talk of a prophecy and according to it, it's nearly time for the reemergence of her, the image of her. The odds are with us and I'd regret it to my last breath if I didn't even try to fulfill the wishes of your father."

"That's ridiculous mother, father would not have allowed this. I'll have no part in being presented, besides, I'm too old, thank God."

The mother sounded more exasperated than when he first heard her. They would be seeking an audience with him shortly, and he'd know this about them, their heritage. This wasn't any different from the others that have approached him. His fallen queen had many descendants, some he had even feasted on that insisted and demanded their place at his side. The queen's relatives were getting harder to come by as the decades passed. The blood lines themselves were being diluted by the humans moving away and breeding with others from other lands.

The winds that were keeping away until now started to move in. He was up wind from them and he first caught the scent of the horses; they were foul smelling creatures he never cared for. He picked out their human scents and committed them to memory for later on.

"I'd be glad to take myself home mother so you can go without me and not worry about me making a scene." There was a hint of deviousness in her voice, it almost sounded like a threat; he grinned at the clever girl. "I will not allow you to go off in the dead of night child now come on and let's go find an Inn." The one called Jacqueline turned towards him, in his direction, and pushed away the windswept hair from her face.

"Illeana" The name fell from his lips so easily. He had sworn to never speak it again for fear he'd relive the day she was taken from him by his enemies, his Queen. This image, the face of traveler, held his gaze.

"Can we go now mother, I'm freezing my tits off."

"Child please, if not for your own dignity then think of your sister."

"I hope I don't have to kill someone to get a decent meal at this hour, I'm starved. Why didn't come by car anyway?" The horses were signaled to start moving again on the uneven path. The mother grumbled at her headstrong daughter. They would reach the town shortly and their way was safe from the typical rift raft that tended to prey on travelers.

His feet were not made of stone but at that moment they felt of it the moment he cast his eyes on her; they were now fixed in place. If he were human he'd suspect that he had seen a ghost but his vision was perfect as was his state of mind. The frail outline of the human he saw was true image of his lost love, his brother would attest to it as well when he saw her.

She'd be in his audience in less than a day, her sister anyways, in the next batch for his review. He'd invite her to stay but he knew her mind was already set against him by the tone of her voice and her clear opinion of what was happening. A soft hiss passed over his lips. He'd need to appeal to her womanly desires; woo and court her if he must.

Never had he felt a sense of urgency in the last century as he did in that moment. For all his cunning and intelligence this was the one task that couldn't be taken lightly nor could he fail. He had purpose now. His feet released him from that place to usher him back to his home in several bounds. He'd speak to no one about his discovery that night.

Him and his brother were in their seats, his fingers tapping once again on the armrest, this time impatiently. There was a chance that her mother would deem her unworthy of attending but seeing as she'd wished to be done with this… no she'd keep her near.

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><p>"You seem preoccupied brother. Should we send them away without bothering so you can get on with your moping about?" Stefan's voice was low, not even the few of their kind that were present could hear. "Let us proceed with it then." The last twenty four hours he'd played out every scenario that could happen but deep down he knew it was for not. Her aptitude, as pleasing as it was to witness it with her mother, was regal but in his presence should it crumble in fear of him it would take much to fix.<p>

He kept his gaze lowered as the women proceeded in and stood where they were instructed to. Their families stood quietly behind them a little distance away. He quickly caught sight of the young sister, she had been cleaned within an inch of her life; her skin nearly scrubbed raw and her hair meticulously styled. Behind her was her mother, a woman hardened over the years and by the loss of her husband. There standing behind her was his prize. His gaze albeit fast gathered in her full appearance. He heard his brother give a small 'oh', when he saw her. The corner of his lip twitched up just a bit and unseen by all those present, now was the time.

His brother started speaking to the small gathering, "Thank you all for taking the time and coming." not even bothering to rise from his place.

Vladimir looked up at the women, many of them were already trembling at the sight of his crimson gaze; the rest followed suit when he stood to adjusted his jacket and approached them. They didn't need to fear him, they were safe from his blood lust; he saw to it earlier that day, not that he'd take any of them in this setting. He didn't exercise the use of his speed in this instance as he approached them; no need to send them running for the door, he attempted to be as welcoming as he could. Starting at one end of the line, as if he were inspecting a regiment of soldiers, he slowly paced down it. The sounds of disappointment as each maiden was passed were heard by all in the room. Hundreds had come before them, a life of security was not only being offered to the one, but her family as well for generations to come. Breaths were being held and released in anticipation as the sound of each of his paces was heard until he stopped in front of the sister of whom he sought. Up close he noticed how truly young she was; it explained the sobbing he heard from her the night before. Why she thought she'd be desirably to him he didn't care to know; he didn't want a child. His shoulders turned towards her and her eyes widened. She was brave to look him directly, her mother must have instructed her to show no fear but there were other signs that he picked up on that gave her away. He leaned in to her, inches from her shoulder that was covered in a frilly lace, and inhaled. All the cleaners in the world couldn't erase the smell of the horse she rode in on. "How old are you child?" There was a long silence from the maidens trembling lips before she mouthed the number eighteen. He wasn't amused with her timidness and hoped her sister didn't share the trait. He centered himself in front of her, his face inches away from hers to look her in the eye. "Do I frighten you little one?" The whole room stopped breathing when she collapsed to his feet. He didn't touch her but took a step back as an abrupt cry came from the crowd as her mother made herself known and violently pushed her way though. "Dominique!"

He noticed no movement from the one he desired. "I can assure you madam she is unharmed, only startled." The woman at his feet cradling her youngest only could nod and kept herself respectfully silent in his presence. "Your other daughter madam, call her forward." The woman was clearly still too overwhelmed to obey his command. If she had been a servant of his her veins would already be spilling forth but her daughter didn't need to see the monster showing his true colors, just yet. "I see then."

He directed his attention back to the gathering and found her watching him. His tongue swiped over his teeth, the name he longed to use was no more and as he keep this eyes on her he pledged to himself that he'd never address her by it. "Jacqueline, please step forward."

The use of her name startled the crowd. He'd never address a human by their name let alone be polite in asking them to do anything; it was always a command. There were gasps as she moved forward and people parted the way as soon as they realized she was in their vicinity. He was right, she was a replica and his brother was silently at his side in an instant to get a closer look for himself. She didn't rush nor did she purposely delay her movements. He was already pleased at her show of confidence and courage when she stepped past her mother, who was cradling her sister, to stand before him.

"You're a myth." She clearly stated without any apprehension.

He grinned at himself, she had the spirit he desired. "I'm looking at ghost reborn into flesh." The crowd broke into a hushed fury of specializations. He raised his hand, palm up, to beckon hers. Her brow creased momentarily but having had listened to what her mother had been instructing her little sister, she quickly realized that if she was to refuse him in front of this audience it would be deadly for all of them. "Come with me." She raised her hand and placed her four digits lightly in the offered hand. She, like her sister, looked him directly in the eye but there was no signs of fear within her, none he could detect with his senses. "Brother, please see that her family is looked after." He pulled his gaze from her and addressed the crowd, "Should any harm come to them, death will be a welcomed relief." then looked back to her. Her silence worried him, he'd expected some form of gratitude by now; did she hate him that much or was the weight of her selection too much and she was contemplating his refusal. "Everyone is dismissed." His free hand dismissed the crowd of hopefuls and they started leaving the place; not wishing to displease him. He raised the hand that held hers and slowly lead her to where he was earlier seated. A hiss to his left broke his attention. It was an act of treason to act out of place in his court; especially towards the human that had took him half an immortal lifetime to find. Vladimir glanced between the two women, Jacqueline would perish at her hands in seconds. There was a moment, his eye caught it, the looks between the two women that cemented his decision of her. Jacqueline's brow twitched up, gave the woman a huff while raising her chin up slightly; the action placing the threat beneath her.

Stephan was between the two women in a quarter of a second, "Clara. My sweet," Vladimir backed Jacqueline away slowly, a jealous immortal was unpredictable he wasn't about to take any chances with her as he suspected what his brother was about to do. "Why the apprehension?" Every eye was on the two, mortal and immortal. "You have nothing to fear." Stephan pressed each if his palms to Clara's cheeks and leaned in as if he was about to grace her lips with a reassuring kiss. "But me." The jolt of Stephan's hands was quick and the sound of the cracking metal that resulted echoed in the room. A scream from the revived Dominique then echoed along with the hushed pleas from her mother to quiet down. The torso of the woman fell before the ancient and he threw her head across the room to the open fire where it burst into a plume of purple smoke. "I was getting tired of her anyway." He turned to his brother, gave a curt nod and left. The rest of the witnesses filed out quickly to leave them. An attendant hurried to fetch the mother and sister to usher them to a room in the castle.

When the last one was out of the room Jacqueline dared to part her lips again, "Who was she?" A courtesan he replied to her, "Oh..." she looked at the fallen woman. No blood, nothing that would have indicated that it was nothing more than ever stone. Her hand was tugged on and she obediently moved to allow the mythical being to lead her away.

Her anxiety rose with every step, each doorway passed and with each glance she noticed he gave her. Her outward appearance was steady but her thoughts were ripping through her mind with a wild rage. She recalled all that her mother told her young sister and in essence it was 'Do as your told.', but that wasn't who she was and she then heard her fathers voice advising her from when she was a child, 'Be who you are.'. His words, spoken long ago still rang true to her but did they apply to this situation? In her daze of thoughts she awoke a little startled to find herself with in a room. Her hand was released by him and he just looked at her. "What is it that you want?" She asked.

Vladimir wanted so much at this moment; a taste of her blood, a kiss from her lips, her to say his name as he once heard it so long ago. From all his experiences with the opposite sex he knew one thing was true; forcing them to do anything would have the opposite effect. He had decide that lies were beneath him as well; he needed her to trust him implicitly. When the moment came when she was to be truly his, there could be no doubt present in her thoughts or his eternity would be lost. She already did please him with her courage and confidence thus far. He stepped close to her to raise her chin up slightly and pressed his lips to her cheek before backing off. "Nothing."

"All this for nothing, I don't believe you." The crease in her brow was threatening to become a permanent feature at this rate. She was clearly upset and he attempted to placate her anger.

"Believe me Jacqueline, I desire nothing from you but I do request that you not try to leave." His swift hand caught a lock of her hair; the colour although lacked the brilliance of that of an immortal was an exact match to his lost love. "Do you fear me?"

The question was a trick she thought. "Do you mean, do I fear death." She recalled her father telling her stories of these beings and from what she had seen with her own eyes she knew she was looking at death. Death was handsome and it had picked her. "I don't fear you." She said with some edge to her voice as if she meant it. He grinned and dropped the lock of hair he had twisted in his fingers.

"Delightful. Now if you can stop hating me and attempt trust me that would help things move along." He was still inches from her and had no intention of moving regardless of her opposition to him being there.

"I don't hate you but moving things along doesn't sound like something I'm about to do." He imagined how it'd be if she would have fallen into his arms and he could have ended her humanity in a matter of days, weeks tops but this seemed to give him more sport. Her honesty in refusing him was better than her complete acceptance of him; she wasn't hiding who she was.

"Well then I'll leave you to your servant; she will see to all your needs." He leaned into her, she remained rigid despite the intrusion into her personal space, to inhale her scent. He toyed with the idea of gracing her with a kiss if not on her cheek then her hand; but decided against it as to not stir the monster within him. "Good night." He righted himself, turned on his heel and left her.

The servant that was waiting dipped down reverently as his stepped before her, "Madam, you have your work to tend to." then proceeded to go. He stopped around the corner to listen.

"What can I get you for your evening meal?" The old woman's kept voice low, she knew this was to be her masters bride.

"I'm not hungry." Jacqueline was upset.

"It's still early and you need to eat. Our cook is quite good and is awaiting your orders 'mlady."

"I said I'm not hungry. Are you deaf or did he press you to feed me."

"No no, nothing like that. Alright then, you will have a healthy appetite in the morning. I'll start a bath for you."

"No, I'm not getting bathed by a strange woman." She was angry now.

"I'll leave if I must but you need to bath. The masters have a keen sense of smell and even I can smell the horse on you. It's a wonder that..." She quieted herself and he chuckled to himself.

"It's a wonder what? It's a wonder what...that he kept to himself that I stank of horse?" He pressed his lips together to suppress a laugh.

"They can hear you 'mlady." There was a long pause.

"I don't care."

"Are you sure I can't get some food up here for you?"

"I'm not hungry." There was an exasperated sigh; much like her mothers from the night before. He didn't care much for the servants frustrations to carry out her duties but he could use this for his amusement. He pushed off from his place and proceeded to go find his brother.

Vladimir closed the door behind him before Stephan started to speak. "Done her so soon, will your bride be waking in a few days brother? I didn't' hear any screaming, is she a quiet one?"

"Funny. You're almost as amusing as she is." He took a seat in a worn deep leather chair. "She's not being cooperative, she's determined to put me off." He shrugged.

"Why are you bothering? Change her and worry about taming the newborn with your charm."

"If I wanted a whore I would have stopped you from expediting Clara's time. I want," He paused. What did he want. She wasn't going to be his lost love...was he wrong all this time to be searching for her? He was never wrong. "to not have a newborn taking off my head or any other part of me I'm fond of. Conquering the human will take less time."

"Have you no sense of adventure?" Stephan scoffed and snorted.

"I do. I will be breaking her, and she being so fragile it'd take more skill than taming a newborn."

The brothers talked through the night.

At first light, Vladimir went to fetch the woman and as he approached he heard the servants voice first. "That's all that there is to wear and you will wear it."

"I will not. Where are my things from the INN? You'd think they'd be fetched for us by now."

"The Innkeeper's wife packed them herself and sent them last night for you and your family. They are being washed to rid them of the stench."

"There was nothing smelly about my clothes and I want them instead of this frock." More anger from the servant; he could hear her aging.

"Can you please finish getting dressed and eat something child? It's getting late and you may be called on."

"I'm not hungry and I'm not letting myself be seen in this."

He tapped on the door but to the occupants inside it thundered, and then allowed himself in. He wasn't about to ask permission from a human to be allowed anywhere in his home. He observed her and withheld the compliment that was at the tip of his tongue. The servant backed away slowly and he looked over to the untouched food that was brought her and frowned slightly.

"Have you anything positive to say this morning?"

Jacqueline frowned and shifted her weight a few times. "I like how my hair was done for me because clearly I'm incapable of doing it now." She glared at the servant.

Vladimir shook his head, "So close. We will work on that." he raised his hand. "Come."

She shifted her weight and raised her hand to place in his. Perhaps she did it in the prospects of being let out of the room to go see her mother; he didn't know but he was pleased she didn't put up a fight. He lead her to where his brother was sitting and observing a meeting and guided her to sit on the step before his place where he seated himself.

Jacqueline sat with her hands clasped and her head lowered; she was visibly upset but he didn't' care.

"Is she now your pet brother?" His brother mumbled low so she couldn't hear. "I'm needing to end her hunger strike." Was all he said on the matter. The two of them listened in on the human's council meeting with little interest. Jacqueline only stirred and lifted her head when someone entered the room to bring the men before them water or some document, only to lower it when she didn't see who she desired. There was a heated discussion over the lack of visitors to their region and the men were debating for hours about what should be done about it. The idea of a visitors center, advertising, and even a new lodge were debated. A long sigh caught Vladimir's attention and he looked down to her to see her repeatedly shaking her head. "Are they all wrong woman?"

She scoffed and shrugged a shoulder. "Yes."

He didn't press her for more input as to what she was thinking but only clapped his hands and the men fell silent. "Do share why you think the men of this town are failing to solve this issue."

She looked up to them, not bothering to look at the man seated up above her. "Have any of you ever traveled the main road to here lately? I'm suspecting you haven't because if you did you would have immediately noticed how riddled with potholes it is. There are low branches everywhere and its poorly lit. No one who has traveled that road here would go on it again after they leave and never mind those buses that the tourists ride on; they'd never make it. Fix the road and send letters to the travel companies saying you did with pictures of the town. There is enough here to see without building a thing." She lowered her head and sighed again. He was pleased with her but didn't say a thing. The men continued their meeting until lunch was announced; they'd leave and be back afterwards.

Jacqueline looked at her hands and fingers the pattern on the dress she was obliged to wear; she felt her stomach protesting it's emptiness. Her back developed an ache from sitting on the stone unmoving. The brothers, from what she gathered, were talking on and off but she couldn't hear what of. She had been, while listening to the meeting, debating to ask permission to leave her place and go back to her room. It did occur to her that her mother would be upset by her behaviour thus far, but again, she wanted no part in this stunt.

"Are you hungry yet?" His voice was quiet, she nearly missed it while mulling in her thoughts. She felt like he was mocking her. "No."

"Very well." He didn't sound angry and that might have angered her even more. She questioned why he didn't care, why he wanted her to remain at the foot of his chair. Was this what all those women that came before her were seeking she asked herself; there had to be more. She doubted that this was what her sister had envisioned.

Vladimir kept watching her in the corner of his eye, watching her shift around uncomfortably and noting her actions when people entered. He also listened to the grumbles of her stomach and noticed her gradual loss of posture as she started weakening. His brother didn't ask about her but he did make a joke to his brother, if he were to wed her, he would also get a mother in law. Vladimir wasn't amused with the prospect of that but thankfully, he considered, the woman was old and would die soon. The men came back into the room, after a considerable break, and went back to their discussions. Jacqueline lifted her head and dropped it back down with another sigh when she noticed it was just them.

Several more hours passed and then men filed out for the day; she nearly didn't notice them leaving as she was still lost in her thoughts. "Jacqueline?" Now, she thought, she was hallucinating about her mother calling her. She shook her head and looked up to see her mother standing there. She would have gotten up, if he'd of let her, but her legs were stiff. "I'm going home, did you want anything Jacqueline?"

Her lips were dry, why didn't she at least drink anything she thought. "I suppose bringing me with you is not an option?" She looked up to look at her mother who appeared concerned.

"We will be gone about a week or less and I hope you'll not make a nuisance of yourself and be a gracious guest."

Jacqueline scoffed at the notion. She knew she wasn't a guest but a prisoner in this place and her mother brought her here. Her voice was dry. "Safe journey and I hope I'll still be alive on your return mother."

Her mother gritted her teeth and grumbled as she bowed to the creature that had taken claim to her daughter and left.

Jacqueline closed her eyes and went back to her meditations without even looking at him. She in her many internal arguments debated breaking down and crying but then she reasoned that he'd see though the rouse and make her, or worse, her family suffer for it. She felt her body lose more strength and she slump further. He wasn't going to let her perish, not after waiting for so long to find the image of his lost queen but who knew, he might have been even that arrogant and confident he'd find another.

"Up" his voice commanded. She lifted her chin and considered snapping at him for his mistreatment of her but stayed silent. His extended hand was lowered to her and she took it. She squeezed it tightly, using it to aide her getting up from her spot but her legs quickly failed her and the room went monetarily dark.

Vladimir waited for Jacqueline to open her eyes and find her bearings before he spoke, "You will now eat and stop this foolishness" and started walking at a slowed pace back to her room.

She realized she was being carried. "I can walk."

"You're famished and you can't even stand." He grinned down to her. "Besides, you weigh nothing to me and I prefer having you close to me."

She frowned.

The door to her room was opened for them and her aide was nowhere to be seen. She smelled the food before she saw it and her stomach grumbled loudly for it. He took her to the table that only had one chair and sat down on it and positioned her on his leg. He held her snugly to him, pinning her arm to her side with his one arm and with his other hand picked up the fork.

Jacqueline pressed her lips flatly together, she saw what he was going to do and wasn't impressed at the thought of being fed like a child. "I can feed myself."

He moved the fork around to poke at the various things presented. He was familiar with how humans in the day ate; he himself recalls using his hands at meals but these were modern times and eating was slightly more dignified. He decided on the the softer item, a potato, poked it and presented it to her. Her lips quivered as he tilted his head, amused at her momentary uncertainty. She was too tired and starved to keep up her protest and opened her mouth just wide enough to take the potato off the tines of the fork. This repeated several times until her stomach fell into a quiet hush.

He didn't care for how humans ate, or the sounds they made while eating but her slow and careful chewing; for his benefit, didn't completely disgust him.

"Do you want to have anything?" Her head nodded to the plate that was half emptied. "I don't think I can finish it all myself."

"No." He set the fork down and released her arm that he had pinned to her side and picked up the thin stemmed flute of wine and handed it to her. She took it and sipped it tentatively, her eyes widened and down it all went.

"That was good." She looked at the emptied glass in her hand, "Oh no, I shouldn't have drank all that." and set the glass down.

He knew the effect alcohol had on humans all too well. "Why not? It was good wasn't it." He watched her cheeks pink up slightly. "I see. Lovely." She blushed a little harder at her oversight and his compliment.

"Why not?" She picked up the fork and continued to eat.

"I don't eat food." His answer was short.

She lowered the bite she was about to take. Her voice was hushed and a little disappointed. "The stories were true."

"Stories are stories." He waved a dismissive hand. "Tell me your stories and I'll dispel the lies you've been told." He liked her talking, talking was good progress. In the privacy of her room he didn't need to uphold his position of authority.

Her eyes lowered and she took the waiting bite. Her cheeks were still mildly flushed when she spoke. "Turn into a bat at will?"

His eyes glistened, he was amused. "Stephan started that one as a joke. He will find it funny that it's still going around. No. We don't change our forms."

Her eyes searched the plate and she speared a carrot. She thought about asking about his diet but didn't want to offend him or upset herself thinking about it. "How old are you?"

His fingers pressed into her side carefully, shifting her in closer from where she had drifted off slightly. "Over a thousand, under two. The calendars have changed a few times." His free hand picked up the wine bottle that was sitting in a bucket of ice at the side of the table and he poured some more into her emptied glass. He moved the glass close to her hand offering it to her after he set the bottle back into its place. "How old are you?"

She side eyed him and took the glass, "Twenty eight." and drank.

"You're not too old, I think I was mid thirties..." His gaze drifted off to the doorway and the hand on her waist clenched her more firmly.

She looked at him sharply, not only for how tightly he was holding her but what his answer may have be hinting to. Jacqueline completion went pale despite the wine in her system. "Mid thirties what?...oh..."

"Enter!"

She jumped, startled at his abrupt change of volume. The door opened and her aide poked her head in first and then came in holding a bowl of ice that contained a covered dish. "Apologies for the interruption 'mlady, this took some time to find." She set it down and quickly left them without so much as a second look.

His hand glided over to the lid to lift it to reveal a frozen lump of gelato; he guessed. His fingers picked up the little spoon and took a portion of it and he brought it to his nose to smell it, "It's not too awful." and then offered it to her.

She was timid again about opening her mouth to the offering of food even though her hand was free to take the spoon from him. Her lips parted as she leaned forward to take the iced morsel into her mouth and as she sat back she closed her eyes as it melted in her mouth. Her stiffened posture had eased slightly , something the wine didn't do earlier, and when her eyes opened back up there was a hint of sadness within them. "Delicious."

He watched her reaction, felt not only her body but noted the distance in her eyes. "Why so sad all of a sudden?" He set the spoon down and guided her chin so she'd look at him. She pursed her lips, how he wanted to taste them even with the hints of food on them and to ease her distress.

"I remember when I first had that, I was with my father on a trip." There was such sadness in her eyes. "He died, murdered, shortly after… I've hadn't had it since." Her lips quivered. "Only my mother knew that so its rather strange that someone went looking for it specifically." She frowned, her mother had no doubt been questioned before she left and it made her uneasy again not knowing what she said. His finger rose up to her lip to brush past it; he would kiss her one day, but not today.

She picked up the spoon and surprised herself when she offered it to him, "I'd like some more if you want to…" His hand cupped hers carefully as he took the utensil from her. "I want to."

The rest of the night continued until every bit of food was eaten and all the wine was very slowly drunk. There were moments of many questions being asked and answered and several moments of them sitting silently. It was well past midnight when Jacqueline yawned and started looking over at her bed timidly. Vladimir's gestures and subtle comments didn't go unnoticed by Jacqueline during the night and she wasn't sure what he was expecting from her or what her new 'duties' entailed.

"I will be taking my leave." Vladimir rose from where he was now seated and she rose up to see him out. He paused for a moment and approached her to take her hand and kiss the back of it. He turned her palm up to run his fingers on it and to her wrist to feel her pulse. What that simple little gesture did to her made her blush again as her heart went racing off. He grinned to himself at her response. "Good sleep."

The door closed and she was alone. She raised the hand he took and just looked at it strangely and asked herself what the hell her problem was; her cheeks were still flushed. She shook her head and peeled her dress off and changed for bed.

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><p>As you can see the above was not beta'ed.<p> 


	2. Chapter 2

His discontentment was evident to all that had seen him before she came and now with her sitting at his feet; he was jubilant.

* * *

><p>He did go fetch her the next morning and found her sitting at the little table; her breakfast was half eaten. He'd call it a hurdle but it was so petty of a victory that it wasn't worth keeping track of. She rose to her feet and curtsied to him; he observed her clothing, it wasn't what was provided for her but her own that she had brought, it covered far too much of her chest he thought. He'd considered ordering her to change into something more befitting of her new stature and in to something that he would enjoy seeing more of exposed skin. "Come." He raised his hand and she took it silently to be lead out of her room.<p>

When he arrived at his place there was cushion where he had intended her to sit. "And this?" Stephan, who was already seated, looked at it and then to his brother, "She is fail brother and if you damage her I'd never hear the end of it."

She waited to be allowed to sit and he allowed it. She sat with her legs off to the side and set her hands in her lap; perfectly still and with posture, her head lowered and eyes to the ground before her. The men weren't there today and the room was still except for her heart beating in her ears occasionally and her quiet breaths. The brothers above her talked, she could hear them a little better but still couldn't hear what they were speaking of. When they moved to shift their position she'd hoped that it was to leave the place but no such thing happened. Her boredom ensued and she was glad she wasn't preoccupied with being hungry as that made the time go by even more slowly.

Her mind drifted off to the previous days events. As much as she liked the time she spent with him; being fed by his hand was, she considered, incredibly intimate. She had decided the action was lost on her though. She did learn a great deal from him, what she dared to ask him about but with her own inhibitions getting in the way there was much she still wanted to know. He, in a twisted way, was family but after several generations passing she didn't think the normal rules applied anymore. What would her father wish of her, that was the only question she desperately wanted to know. Being herself had gotten her this far, two days anyway, not killed and she wasn't sure how long her state of living would go on. Of the questions she failed to ask the night before was her continued longevity. The rumors they heard at the INN were that the bride, she frowned, would become or changed to be like them. She dreaded the thought when she recalled the stories they told; that were passed down several decades of when the brothers took one of the townspeople and gifted them with immortality. The screams, they said, could be heard for miles as the souls were ripped away from the chosen. They would only choose from those that wished to be picked from so there was no animosity from the people towards them.

"Jacqueline, are you alright?" She looked up to his crimson gaze on her, he was a handsome monster. His eyes didn't frighten her in the slightest as she was prepared to see them by her father so long ago.

"I'm fine thank you." She forced a smile as her mind pictured him killing someone. His look tensed; he saw the lie. She looked back to the ground and felt her brow crease in worry, 'That's it, I'm a goner.' she thought. She then noticed the pounding in her chest had increased and that's what tipped him off to her distress. He could hear her, yes, the servant was being truthful with her.

What was she thinking of, yes, her demise for all to hear but at the expense of being immortal, was it worth it? She, her mother and sister weren't so badly off; they lived comfortably so the promise of worldly goods wasn't as much of a draw, at least she didn't think it was. Her father saw to it that each of them had enough to live on even if they weren't selected or found a husband to provide for them. Was it the status of having the selected in your family; she didn't care for such things as they were petty in her opinion.

The sound of an aid broke her thoughts, it was her attendant telling her that noon meal was ready.

"Are you hungry?" He asked her with hint of amusement in his voice. Before she considered rising to go, she turned to look up at him. "A little bit." He stood from his place and offered his hand for her to take so she could rise up. Satisfied she could walk and not be carried off, he graced the back of her hand with a kiss. "Return back here when you are finished." She followed the old woman to different room in the castle, a sitting room of sorts and took her meal. The old woman told her that her mother had arrived safely back at home and all was well. The news didn't' strike her as good or bad as he would have seen to her safety on the journey.

She made her way back to the where she was told to be and noticed that the brothers were not there. Could they be having their lunch; she didn't want to think about it. She sat back down in her 'place' and waited. An hour or so might have passed but she wasn't sure. She kept her posture rigid but closed her eyes to listen for anything or anyone. Voices approached and she remained still as the people entered. There were people, she could tell by their voices. Vladimir and his brother spoke so smoothly like a song being sung without music. Even with the brothers not there, she had the feeling they wouldn't approach her too closely or address her so she remained unmoving with her eyes closed.

"Is that her?"

"Yes, or at least I think it is."

"She's catatonic, is she transitioning like that? That's the second or third stage isn't it?"

"I don't know. She doesn't look like she's in pain."

"It must be the second, she doesn't look any more prettier than when she arrived. Look at what she's wearing. You'd think if she was about to wake that they'd have her dressed for the occasion."

"No, it looks like her common clothes. He wouldn't leave her unattended if she were vulnerable."

Jacqueline felt ill at what they were saying and opened her eyes, startling them.

"Correct. I wouldn't leave her." Vladimir dropped from the ceiling behind the women. He hit the floor behind them so silently. They were still startled when she initially opened her eyes and then when he spoke behind them they were flat out panicked. He ordered them out angrily and they were apologizing profusely every step of the way.

Jacqueline felt the tears welling up in her eyes but refused to let them fall for what she just heard. "I understand." was all she could say; it was the answer to his silent question.

"I'm glad we cleared that up then." Less than half a day he mused, this would be too easy he thought. He noted that she didn't flinch when he had made himself known; a weaker spirit would have feared the entry from above. He took his place and he noticed her chin started to drift down. "Chin up woman. You bow to no one."

The silence of the next several hours was deafening to her. Even with her eyes open Jacqueline's mind wandered off as she listened to the brothers mumble. How long would this go on she thought, is this what they do day after day, it would be maddening to her. It might not be so bad if she was talked to or at least be able to listen to something, anything, but then again, she was only still a lowly human in his eyes and even though she was favored, she was nothing.

She watched people enter and leave and she wondered if it was to see her or pay homage to them but then realized that they were addressing the brothers, bringing them news that she herself couldn't hear. They didn't reply to any of them. One man did come and held up a letter; Stephan moved suddenly, almost vanishing. Her lips parted slightly, for a needed intake of air, when he went to retrieve it and was back sitting in his place in less than a fraction of a moment. The aged paper in his hands crinkled as they looked at it, she pictured them looking at it as she wouldn't dare to turn around; she wondered what it said. The man that brought it remained and nodded to them after what she guessed they signaled him to leave or approved what was written on it.

So many questions continued to be asked and that many and more would remain unanswered as long as she sat in her place at his feet. Her mind kept wanting to go back to the stories she's heard of the brothers no matter how much she protested it. The stories mentioned that there was biting. Her mind paused on that thought; she knew she didn't want to be bitten in to for any reason, especially when the result would have her screaming for all to hear. The brothers silenced and it was then she felt her heart racing again. Deep breaths. They resumed their talking and she internally sighed in relief. If anyone was near enough, to look upon her they'd see the weight of the world slowly setting itself on her shoulders, a weight she didn't wish to have the burden of. She shifted her weight slightly, thankful that there was something soft beneath her today as her back wasn't protesting her stillness as much.

He asked her not to leave and with her mother gone she thought if she should tempt it, what would happen anyway? He'd punish her? She was already slated to die in a way so there was no difference, better her saying when that happened than it being at the whim of a monster. Why in the heavens did he have to be so attractive and charming to her in private. If he was consistently mean to her she could bring herself to hate him and flee but after last night… She looked at the hand he took, still keeping her head raised, and made the motion he did on it with her finger. No effect.

"Its settled then." Vladimir stood up and rather than helping her up he reached down and picked Jacqueline up and carried her off in his arms.

"My legs are fine." she whispered to him as he whisked her through the passageways.

When she realized their speed she leaned into him sharply, grabbing hold of his shirt, closing her eyes tightly. When she could no longer feel the wind on her cheek she opened her eyes to see that they were back in her room. Looking up to him she saw his devilish grin and released her fingers. "Too fast for my liking."

He still held her in his arms. "Yes. Your legs are fine as well as your arms and your chest which you so cruelly deprived me of today. Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Very nice to see that you don't need wine in you for that to happen."

Why did he have to be so different with her in private. "Are you going to put me down now?"

He smirked and raised his brow. "No. Like I said the other night, I like having you near." He moved swiftly to sit and kept his arms around her snugly. "I'll let you go, if you wish, if you tell me what you were thinking when you told me you were fine."

"Oh. That." She debated what was worse, telling him what it was or having him hold her until bed time. What if he didn't let go, he was more than capable of holding her until the morning.

The lump in her throat was hard to swallow but she gathered what little bit of bravery she had. "I was thinking, or wondering what happens...they say it's quite painful when a persons soul is being ripped away from them." When she heard herself say it she instantly regretted it, she realized how utterly stupid she sounded.

His brow raised and he made no motion in letting her go. "Is that a question or are you implying my kind are soulless?"

He allowed her to shift slightly, she figured she was going to be there for a while so she might as well get comfortable. "You asked what I was thinking and I told you."

"I see. So there are no questions about that or do you think that not asking will leave you better off?" He could feel her heart beating throughout her body and he swallowed back the venom that was begging to be used.

"I'm curious but I don't know if I want to know, or need to know. What does it matter..." Her brow crinkled as she frowned. "it's not like me knowing will make a difference in any of this."

He could see the fluid in her eyes gathering and her body weakened. "You should know Jacqueline, if for anything just to understand." His hand brushed back a bit if her hair from her face. Hopelessness was written all over her face. "We don't lose our souls but it does hurt." He tipped her chin up so she was looking at him and he could gauge her reaction. "I wish it didn't but there isn't anything that can be done about it. I recall begging for death and the devil himself to take me to end my peril but the pain did eventually pass." She didn't seem convinced or relieved. "I'm not going to make any promises to you Jacqueline, none that I may have to break."

Her body weakened further. Her eyes dropped and her head found a place to rest on his shoulder. He kept holding her, not only for his own benefit but she didn't show any inclination of wanting to be released. He considered her earlier concerns, there was nothing he could do about it, it was what it was. Her body further relaxed in his arms and when he looked down at her again she appeared to be sleeping. Her fingers were grasping his shirt and her short breaths were warming him though the layers of fabric. He grinned, he wished he could kiss her like this but he wouldn't risk the temptation of needing to take it further. His eyes stayed lowered to watch her, he felt that he could hold her for some time if she remained this way. He looked over to where she'd normally sleep. He could bring her there, she might be more comfortable but to put her down and not join her would be difficult. Patience, it's what he still needed to have now more than ever if he was to get what he truly desired. She let out a deep sigh and turned into him more; exposing the delicate length of her neck. His eyes fixated on the pulsing vein just beneath the surface of her skin and he swallowed back the pooling venom. He was well sated in that respect but even so, the thirst that ruled him was always willing to be quenched. He'd never have shown this much restraint with any human in his long history, not like this. "Papa" Jacqueline whispered and then fell silent. Recalling what he had seen the few nights before and at dinner last night he realized that she not only adored her father but missed him dearly. If he had to guess, he'd surmise that she was his daughter and he raised her and not the mother. He grinned at himself again; a valuable clue and chuckled softly. No human man could or would measure up for her; women her age would be already having their second or third child by now. Her father had unknowingly done him a great favour by setting the proverbial bar so high that only he as an immortal could reach. "I don't like him papa, he smells and is fat." Vladimir bit softly down on his lip to suppress a laugh.

He heard Jacqueline dinner being brought before the smell of it reached the room; he'd have to wake her.

He kept his voice low so he wouldn't startle her, "Jacqueline?" and shook her gently. She yawned deeply and how he wished she wasn't so covered up, and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and then frowned when she realized where she was.

"You're still holding me." She motioned to be allowed up and he settled her beside him; she was still groggy and irritated. "How long as I out?"

"You fell asleep on me so I didn't see the need to put you down, and it was only a little under two hours." He was still grinning at her. "So who was the fat one and smelled to you? You didn't say much after that."

Jacqueline faced flushed deeply not about the obvious question but what her dream morphed into after that. "He was the butchers son. When I first met him he had shi... dirt on his hands and when I refused him he called me stuck up."

"That can't be the whole story." He straightened out his attire as the door to Jacqueline's room was opened and a cart with her dinner was wheeled inside. The servant glanced to them but continued to set the items out and then left.

"Tell me, what was your response to that?"

"I said...basically" Jacqueline felt uneasy at the admission but it was the truth. "that I had a choice over what path I took in life and I didn't feel that trudging through animal filth for someone the size of a hog was one of them." Her brow creased again but he was amused. It didn't escape him that Jacqueline was upset over the fixed path she was now on wasn't what she was planning, but then again what mortal would have plan this.

"Go eat your dinner before it gets cold." He watched her rise from where she was and go sit. Vladimir stayed quiet and let her eat in silence.

Jacqueline was uneasy as she ate; the cook had prepared something she enjoyed. All the meals she's had thus far all felt like they were her last meals.

"Was it not good Jacqueline? You didn't seem to enjoy it?"

She looked to where he was still sitting. "It was perfect, one of my favorites again. Did you ask him to do that?"

"I don't ask them to do anything, I don't speak to servants or those beneath me in idle conversation."

"Oh..." She fell silent. Perhaps she wasn't as beneath him as she thought.

"They do what they do to please me. I require nothing from them but with you here they see an opportunity to appease me though you."

"Wonderful. I'm being used." The statement slipped out of her mouth before her brain had a chance to filter it for it's appropriateness. "Damn," her hand shot up to her mouth. "I shouldn't have said it that way."

Vladimir just looked at her in tender admiration. "It's the truth. From you that's all I wish to hear. If you're done eating Jacqueline, you can come back here..." He watched her rise and approach him and sit down, not allowing her dress to even touch him. "So then after you refused him what did your father do?" Getting more insight into how Jacqueline was raised might gain him more clues about the woman.

Jacqueline looked as though she was searching back for the memory. "Father said that if I didn't think he was worth my time then he wasn't worth his." She shrugged dismissing the thought.

Vladimir still hated what Jacqueline was wearing, it was slowly grating on him and he wished could ask her to change. "Have you ever loved?"

Her heart picked up it's pace. "I don't know what you mean."

Vladimir sat back, crossing one leg over the other and crossed his arms; a lengthy finger tapping his lip. "Yes, I think you do."

Jacqueline side eyed him, "No," her fingers knotted together. "I haven't I guess."

"That's a tragedy, I suspect you'd have made someone very happy."

She couldn't look at him, she didn't know or could guess where he was heading with this line of questioning. "You've loved, tell me what it's like."

He felt a deep pain within his chest recalling his lost wife. "It's all encompassing." His arms uncrossed as did his legs as he leaned towards her sharply, his voice deep and alluring. "It's intoxicating and worth several lifetimes to find again."

"Sounds like it's beyond anything I'm capable of, thank goodness I've never disappointed anyone by trying, I couldn't be that ruthless." She didn't want to look at him, she couldn't. She could feel how cold her heart was by saying something so unfeeling.

"You haven't met your equal or realized you have. Who knows, he might still be out there..."

Jacqueline still couldn't look at him even when he inched over to sit closer to her and leaned back. "Please change the subject?" She whispered; she didn't want her heart and it's shortcomings to be the topic of discussion anymore. The night was still young and she didn't want to be rude and ask him to leave even after sleeping on him for a few hours.

"What of, you decide." She could have sworn he was playing with her hair again; the back of her neck tingled.

"I can't figure out why I fell asleep on you earlier."

"I'd like to think it was because you were tired and felt safe to do so while I held you but even that would be arrogant of me." He mockingly sighed. "Pity that wasn't the real reason h'm? It's because of what I am Jacqueline, it's a tool for the hunt." He noticed her sudden uneasiness.

Her voice cracked slightly, "Hunt?" and she felt her insides tremble recalling the idea of her last meal earlier.

Vladimir kept his tone unremarkable to not further alarm her. "Like the other abilities you've seen, they are all in the same." He slipped his hand around her waist and tugged her still ridged firm in under his arm. He knew he was testing her comfort zone by the action. "Do you want me to show you?"

"I'm not sure, you're not going to hurt me are you?" Her nerves were getting tense.

"Trust me, if I wanted to hurt you I could of done so earlier while you were sleeping. Now, just sit there and breath normally."

She nodded, pressing her hands together and waited. She felt his chest rising and falling with hers but noticed he wasn't doing much else.

He watched her eyelids slowly dropping and grinned softly. His hand rose up as he kept breathing steadily on her, to gently coax her head to rest on his shoulder. His fingers lingered along the column of her throat to feel the steady pulsing of her heart on the vein there. It'd be too easy this way. His fingers lifted and he snapped them loudly to wake Jacqueline up.

"What did you do? I wasn't tired I'm sure of it." She looked puzzled for a second and tried to sit up but Vladimir's arm around her shoulder kept her by his side. She then watched him lick his pinky finger then move it towards her mouth.

"It won't harm you." She hesitated for a moment but her curiosity got the better of her and her lips cautiously parted.

Vladimir knew what effect his venom had on his victims, he used it to his advantage hundreds of times but Jacqueline wasn't one of the usual trollops he preyed on. She watched his eyes intently as his cold finger first touched her lip and then her tongue. Her lips suddenly closed around the digit and he could feel her tongue exploring it as her cheeks hollowed slightly. He was so taken back and holding himself perfectly still to not make any sudden movements and hurt her. He continued to remain that way when she removed her lips from his finger and quickly pressed them to his lips. His jaw was, thankfully, still clenched, his sharp teeth out of range of her tongue as it searched for more of his essence.

In a fraction of a second he envisioned his hand in Jacqueline hair, grabbing it roughly to force her head back, he could hear the bones in her neck cracking, feel his teeth in her flesh, and the glorious rush of her warm blood coating his throat. "No" Vladimir pulled away from her slightly but Jacqueline was under his spell. His anger grew not with her but with himself for what he had done to tempt her, but could do to her if he'd let the beast rule him; an angry growl built in his chest and Jacqueline pulled herself away. When her eyes opened to see his darkened spheres on her; sobriety hit her hard. "Back away slowly." He could see the terror her, hear her heart beating rapidly and it did nothing to help him sedate the monster within.

"I'm sorry, so sorry Vladimir I didn't, couldn't stop myself." Jacqueline felt the prickle in her eyes give way to warm tears. She backed herself away to the furthest possible end of the couch they shared, bringing her knees to her chest to hug her legs in tightly to her. She could still feel the warmth of his kiss swirling within her and his sweet taste on her lips mocking her. She wiped away the tears that were gathering on her cheeks. "My first kiss and it nearly gets me nearly killed." Her forehead fell into her knees and she wept.

Vladimir forced himself to remain perfectly still but when he head her speaking his name for the first time and the mention of his being her first kiss it moved him, and not the beast.

"Say it again, my name." He forced himself to look away from her, his eyes were still darkened and he didn't want to frighten her any more. Jacqueline spoke his name and even though her tears he heard the subtle hints in the accentuated letters from so long ago. He was brought back to a time when he'd hear it dozens of times, often in rapture. His whole being calmed suddenly and he was back in complete control. Jacqueline was still crying and that wasn't how he wished to leave her. "Jacqueline? Look at me." Her bloodshot eyes peeked up and she noticed the change and him calmed. "Why do you say my name that way when you hear everyone else saying it differently?" He made no motion for her to retreat from her position of safety.

Jacqueline kept herself balled up, she was still so upset with herself, how she behaved and her perceived brush with death. "Father said, if we were to ever need to address you, or your brother, directly in private that we enunciate your names properly as a sign of respect."

He couldn't stop grinning at her; she was so level headed even in a time of distress she remembered such a small detail. "It's a shame," he sat back, lacing his hands behind his head and stretching his legs out before him. "I never had the chance to meet your father. From what I've heard of him though you I think I'd have liked talking with him."

Jacqueline quickly realized the high praise her father had gotten. "He raised me, I mean, I was always with him and when we were traveling he was always talking to me, teaching me about the things he knew." She uncoiled herself and straightened out her dress. Finding a handkerchief she wiped off the last of the tears on her face. "I liked listening to whatever he told me; his voice was warm and he never yelled at me."

She was talking again, this was a good thing. He listened and wondered how much of his and his brothers history was passed down through this branch of his wife's ancestors because the attention to the detail of how he preferred his name said was somewhat extraordinary.

"What did your father do?" She was settling herself down and although he wasn't watching her directly he did watch her from the side of his eye and seeing the gradual change.

"He settled disputes, like a judge and he'd travel to the smaller villages and towns for it. I liked the traveling part, being hosted by different families. He'd always keep me with him, during the trials. They were mostly boring but he said he needed me there, " Jacqueline shook her head. "I never understood why but he also said that when the two parties in dispute saw me there it made them see him as one of them, not an out of touch official."

"I think he felt that having you there kept him honest with himself, grounding him, let him know that if he'd make an unfair decision someone he loved would see it." Vladimir turned his head slightly towards her. She gave a slight nod liking the reason and there was the hint of a smirk and her eyes warmed. Her look changed slightly as if she had a question but remained silent for a very long time before she spoke again, "Stages, they said stages?

Vladimir drew in a deep breath, "Are you sure you want to hear this? I don't want you getting upset again." She gave him a nod without looking at him. He could recall when his own body burned from so long ago no matter how much he tried to forget. "I wouldn't call them stages as much as notable events. Once the venom enters the bloodstream it spreads and that's when it's the worst. As it burns it changes the body from the inside out, repairing physical damage if there is any and eradicating the weakness; the burning takes the longest it's presence consistently there. Then there is the beautification that happens. Flaws are erased, the skin goes pale as the blood is consumed, hair thickens, nails get harder and sharper as well as teeth. Muscles also get firmer, stronger. Then the last part is when the burning finally starts to fade," He spoke slower, more quietly as he recalled this part more vividly. "first from your hands, feet, legs then arms. The fire leaves your mind your thoughts and as the very last of it slips away your heart stops beating and you are the perfect being." He took a long breath and let Jacqueline think about that as he once again tried to rid his mind of it.

"The screaming, I've heard there is screaming involved."

"There is, there can be. Some can go through it all without making a sound, depending how strong willed they are. Other will scream for a little bit until their voices give out. I was told I begged for death from God and the devil and then cursed heaven and hell equally and promised my revenge on them for not obeying me." He laughed lightly. "I don't see how I could do that now so it was all in vain I guess."

"They said vulnerable. What did they mean?" Her heart was racing again.

"Around us you are always vulnerable but I think what they meant that it's the only time that one is until it's done. Once awake, nothing but fire can harm us." He looked over at her, she was fidgeting. "I meant what I said earlier, I would not ever leave you vulnerable."

Her head twitched as if it was going to look at him but she stayed staring at the floor. "So whats stopping you then from…"

He pulled his gaze from her and looked up to the ceiling and rocked his feet back and forth on his heels. The movement did nothing for him but it, he found, calmed the humans around him when he didn't appear so still. In this instance he felt that it bought him some time in answering her. He could tell her that she wasn't ready. He could tell her that she would be more sedate afterwards and therefore more pliable by him. In truth it was still her heart he wanted, the one that still beat in her body to be his; before he stopped it for eternity. She wasn't ready to hear it, he wasn't ready to tell her. "You."

"Me?" Her shoulders slumped slightly before she shook her head and sat up. "There is nothing wrong with me.

"I never said there was Jacqueline, there is nothing about you that I find unsatisfactory. Is there something I should know that is?"

"No. No, if you can't see my defects then they were never there to begin with and people were wrong about them. You said venom?"

The purr he made made Jacqueline look at him suddenly, suspecting he was angered but it was the opposite. "You seemed to like it well enough." His head tilted to look at her and he winked at her. Her lips parted and she blushed suddenly. He knew then he'd miss that once she was immortal now, it was so revealing. "But I don't think that's what you meant." She was still watching him, wanting an answer. "He sat forward and faced her, he still had the amused look on his face when he opened his mouth and ran his tongue along his top teeth. "These are very sharp and what you tasted was my venom. When I can keep a better grasp on myself I may let you kiss me again, but until then," He smirked and her faded blush returned. "you will have to control yourself madam, we can't have you losing yourself and having you do to yourself what you find so repulsive"


	3. Chapter 3

The evening drew to a close and Vladimir departed, leaving Jacqueline to turn in the for the night.

She lay there in her bed, tossing and turning for several hours until she finally drifted off to sleep. He did return and leaned on the wall outside her door to listen. There were random words spoken, and she wake several times during, and after her heart started racing off. He smirked hearing it. Vladimir hadn't slept for as long as he'd been immortal, and didn't recall what what his own dreams were but he could guess to the content of hers. When he'd heard enough he left her to go be with his brother. He would have rather stayed and listen but Jacqueline's servant would have been by shortly; and her finding him looming outside Jacqueline's door would be beneath him.

He reached where his brother was in a few easy strides.

"There you are Vlad, was your human needing you more than usual this evening?" Stefan snorted his insinuation.

Vladimir was not amused and sank into his favorite chair. "Don't be ridiculous, she doesn't know what she needs."

"You can't guess..." He made a lude gesture and laughed. "But really Vlad, it's been days and you haven't broken her yet...I'm starting to think you've forgotten what your intent was and are falling prey to her human charms."

"She has many things about her that I must discover first before that event because if she doesn't recall any of her human memories then she will only have me to blame for not seeing to it." Vladimir pulled a very old book off the end table beside his chair into his lap. "When she asks afterwards, and I know she will, I will be invaluable to her."

"You're such a romantic brother," Stefan's hand mockingly went to his chest over his still heart. "I never knew. Will you be plying her with flowers too?"

The book flew out of Vladimir's hand towards his brothers with deadly accuracy but as his target also had superior reflexes, he wasn't allowed the satisfaction of a hit and the book landed across the room. "You are crude Stefan and you will not do, or say, anything to jeopardize this for me."

Stefan laughed him off.

Vladimir spent the rest of the night hours brooding over his task. He could befriend her easily, he could set her passions on fire but neither of those would touch her heart. Flowers, he scoffed, if it were that simple she'd be wedded to a half-wit by now. He considered that he could wait for her mother to return to press her on what her daughter liked but that would reduce him to desperate and he'd be admitting to a mere human he needed help. No, there had to be another way. He rose and paced over to the window, noting the thickened cloud over that was keeping dawn away. The side of his mouth rose slightly and he left Stefan without a word.

His quick pace found him in the path of Jacqueline servant. The old woman was startled and started to step to the side but he prevented her.

"Sir?"

"Jacqueline is board and I wish her to see the town, you will escort her there, in disguise." He pulled two purses from his side. "She can buy anything she wishes." He handed the money over to the woman. "You will have someone watching you, so know that you are safe."

She nodded. "Yes Sir."

He left her knowing that his wishes would be carried out.

"What do you mean we are going to town? I don't want to go." Jacqueline was distressed. Had she upset her host that much that he didn't even want to see her? She had thought after her error everything between them was alright. She looked at what was set out for her to wear; it looked common, too common. The servant said that they'd be safer from any strangers in town who didn't know they were residents of the castle. Jacqueline didn't care for the clothes, resented the fact she wasn't going to be seen today but the thought of not having to sit in silence for hours on end did appeal to her.

They exited through a side door and the path down wasn't that long. The servant was slow on the path but Jacqueline didn't mind as it gave her time to enjoy the surroundings before they came in to the town. There were carts everywhere full of produce for sale and several shops along the main way with windows; merchandise on display. Her mother, sister and her didn't have much of a chance to look around the place when she came and with the old woman at her side as her chaperone she was free to look as she pleased. She checked the purse full of money at her side to make sure it was still there. It'd be enough for her to escape this place and find somewhere where she could hide out the rest of her days but she pushed the thought aside.

The hairs raised on the back of her neck suddenly as she suspected that she was being tested. Running meant instant death to her and she wouldn't risk it.

Even now, surrounded by the townsfolk she felt more trapped than ever. She looked around, any one of them would gladly bring her back to him for a reward. She shook her head softly when she noticed that she was being watched by a few of the locals. Word traveled fast about her and only after a few days she was already known to them it seemed, disguise or not.

"This is a nice place to shop Miss, lets give it a try?" The door was opened to them by a local and they stepped inside to a very startled shop owner who was quick to bow. Jacqueline frowned at him and turned her back to look around. She didn't need anything, all was being provided for her at the castle so she wasn't sure, other than this being a test of her loyalty, what she was doing here. Before her was an array of lace and handkerchiefs that looked too fine to ever be worn or used. She picked a few things up to examine them but as delicate as they were, nothing caught her eye. Her escort was looking over what looked like underwear or something similar and Jacqueline hid her smirk and went to look at the other things being offered. After a few times around the tables of things the clerk approached her and asked her if she was looking for something in particular as he didn't have everything out on display. "I'm looking for a few spools and a needle, I left mine at home…" She was about to go into how she had expected to be home by now and didn't think to pack them but, she sighed inside at her situation. The clerk left to go check his stock and she reminisced at how she would spend hours making lace and listening to her father preside over cases. Often, when it would take several hours, she could complete what she was working on and if she wasn't entirely satisfied with it she'd give it to whoever she was sitting beside. The clerk came back with several spools of cotton and linen thread and an assortment of different gauges of needles. "I'll take it all." She didn't care, she was spending his money after all. She followed him to the till and after she counted up what it would cost she was again upset by the clerk who said it would cost half the amount. "No. You will charge me justly for what I'm buying or I will take my business elsewhere. I'm not a charity and my loyalties can not be bought in this manner." He apologised and accepted the correct amount from her.

The old woman watched the exchange but kept silent until they were outside. "He was trying to be nice to you. You don't like it when people are nice to you?"

"I don't want to be felt sorry for and he would have cheated the next several customers to make up for the lost sale. I like it when people are fair to me, no more no less. Did you find what you needed?" Jacqueline was being nice to the woman for some reason, she was the only one she could freely talk to, at least outside the castle walls without anyone listening.

"I did. Did you want to stop to eat yet or shall we wander around a little more?"

"Lets find a place to rest, I'm not hungry yet but if you are we can find a place."

They found a bench in the shade to rest and just watched people passing by. "Are you seeing this?" Jacqueline asked and the woman beside her nodded.

"I've never gotten this much attention when I've come to town, it must be because of you Miss."

Jacqueline shook her head. News did travel fast and as they watched she noticed that people were finding excuses to pass by them just to look at Jacqueline. Their hushed voices frustrated her the most; she put up with it in the castle but she hated it here. "Do you want to go to the open market, I smell bread and have a craving for sweets." The old woman was on her feet and they were soon on the way. Jacqueline pulled the hood up on her cloak and kept her head lowered to keep people from seeing who she was. Once there, they wandered up and down the rows until they found something that tempted her sweet tooth. As she reached for her purse to pay she noticed it missing. "Oh no. It's gone." The vender was about to put up a fuss but a quick whisper quieted him. "How will I face him now…" The vendor offered to give the sweets to Jacqueline for free but the old woman found her purse hidden under her apron and paid the man without a word.

"It's fine m'lady. He will not care about it, only that if it were taken from you you were not harmed. If anything he will not be pleased with me for letting someone get that close to you, it's not our fault there are criminals about. Lets go find some lunch and head back." She looked aged by the thought of displeasing her master.

"I still have my things so at least I'll have something to do while he's angry with me and refuses to see me." Jacqueline followed the old woman as they made their way to find some lunch.

Vladimir was less than amused as his guardsman kept the pickpocket pinned to the ground under his boot. He started to fight off the stranger that pulled him into the alleyway but when he noticed the guards eyes, he was terrified. If this were another place, a place where he didn't have to be so careful with his actions, the human would have been beheaded without a thought. Vladimir then noticed a child poking through the debris nearby and called over to him. "Come here boy!" The child froze in fear but he knew, being a child, he was safe from the demon and approached him cautiously. "Go fetch me a lawman." Vladimir commanded him and he ran off and returned just as quickly with a lawman in tow. Once the man could take in the scene Vladimir gave his guard a nod and the guardsman started fishing out several purses from underneath the criminals cloak, tossing them to the lawman's feet, until he found the one he sought and held it up for his master. Vladimir looked down to the boy and asked him. "The punishment for theft is…."

"Jail." The child responded.

"for those who take from me?" The little boy fell silent. The guardsman tossed over the pouch to his master and Vladimir turned it to show his monogram and crest to the humans present.

The lawman went pale and shook his head, "Thief, you just stole your own death sentence." The man on the ground protested that he didn't know and would return everything he'd taken but to no avail.

Vladimir walked over to the lawman and the boy, lowering his gaze to the child, he pulled a gold coin from his pocket and held out the purse to him. "Return this to my woman, and keep the coin for your trouble."

"Yes Sir. Thank you Sir. Its an honor to serve you Sir." The childs hands secured both items in his hands and he ran off. The coin would pay for the child's meals for a month at least, and he knew it, and was grateful for it.

"My guard will take him to the castle. Come after supper with witnesses for the sentencing."

"Sir." The man bowed and continued. "its not required, I've seen enough that this matter should not waste your time any further..." Vladimirs' look unsettled the human. "After your ladies supper we will arrive Sir." He bowed again and picked up the pouches and purses at his feet. "I will do my best to see that these are returned to their owners."

Vladimir raised the hood of his cloak and left before the lawman rose back up. He didn't care if the victims got their money back or not, it was the knife in the thief's belt that concerned him and how close it had come to Jacqueline to get her purse.

Within a few paces he had caught the childs scent and followed it to where the servant had brought Jacqueline to eat. He found a place to watch the two and was concerned when he didn't see Jacqueline right away; he, of course, heard the servant speaking.

"Get your head off the table miss, its filthy."

Jacqueline raised her head from the crumb strewn table; she didn't care, she was in an immeasurable amount of grief. "How much was in there? I'd like to know so I can gauge my mistake to the punishment I get."

"Stop talking that way, he won't lay a finger on you. I think there were several hundred leu's but you are safe, that's all he will cares about. Please stop worrying and eat something."

Jacqueline held her temples, her elbows resting on the table and she looked over to the door to a see a little boy asking to be let in. Children weren't uncommon in taverns but they did need to be accompanied by their parents. The manager was refusing him but when he held up a small purse the burly man let him pass and pointed to where she was sitting.

The boy came over, he appeared nervous but that quickly passed when he looked intently at their eyes. "I was told to return this to you by Sir who found the one who took it from you."

The child turned and was about to take a step away when Jacqueline ordered him to stop. "You will have lunch with us." The old woman slid over on her bench seat without even questioning her mistress. Jacqueline never cared much for children and never had the desire to have any of her own, thanks to the cruelties she's witnessed though her father, but it didn't mean she was ever cruel to one. She looked at the old woman and sighed, "He knows of my failure." and shook her head. It stood to reason that he was watching her now and she reasoned that she would not further anger him but refusing her meal. She felt his web enclose around her just a little more tightly. The manager, rather than a tavern wench, came and took their meal order and Jacqueline ordered enough of a suitable sized meal for herself and the boy; she also ordered the child a meal he could take away. The old woman started talking to the child, he reminded her of her son or grandson or some nonsense, and Jacqueline listened. She looked around the tavern, at all the occupants; they nodded at her as she looked at them. The place, when they had just walked in was lively but it had fallen into a hush for the women; she noticed it only took a few minutes for them to recognize her. He wasn't in the place, she was sure of it after several passes of her eyes so she then she turned her attentions outside by the window at the head of their table. The glass was dirty but she could make out the figure in the shadows between the two buildings across the street. She wondered what he saw and heard of the conversation at the table. "Should I go to him you think?" She asked the old woman without taking her eyes off him. She heard the woman turning to look and before she could answer Jacqueline; he nodded towards her. "Stay here." She got up and went to him. Her path was cleared and a the door opened for her without her hand even twitching to reach for the handle. She looked both ways before crossing the street, but knowing full right that even if she was in the path of someone they'd stop or the creature that had taken to her wouldn't let any harm come to her. She approached the shadows and hesitantly stepped into it from the light. They were being watched; curiosity got the better of many around them but their words were silent.

"You were not harmed?" Vladimir head was still deep within his hood and Jacqueline could feel his eyes burning brightly into hers.

"I'm fine, only my pride was hurt for letting it happen without my notice." She frowned softly.

His gloved hand found hers and he guided it up to his lips. "You will enjoy the rest of the day without fear Jacqueline. Return before supper."

She gave a little nod as he kissed her hand and she resented it when he let it go. He stepped back and she returned to the light. Many that had stopped to watch the exchange watched her as she returned to where she came. If there was any doubt to whom she was, it was now gone.

"Isn't she afraid of him?" She heard the boy saying as she entered back into the tavern.

"I'm not," The boy sat up straight startled as Jacqueline sat back down. "I have no reason to be and I suggest you not discuss it further as he can hear every word you say." The boy, who had settled looked afraid again. The owner of the tavern came over and set a packed lunch in front of the boy.

The old woman settled their bill and they left. When the two were clear of prying ears Jacqueline whispered to the old woman, "I am to return before supper but seeing as I've been out all day I should wish to return sooner to wash up. I'm not fit to be seen." The old woman gave a knowing nod and they continued on their way; keeping to the shops in the main section of town. A few more things were bought, neither of them could spend all the money they were given even if they wanted to. It was well known that the occupants of the castle were wealthy but the thought of spending gifted money weighted heavily on Jacqueline's mind suddenly. She was always prudent with her funds, even before her father's death and it became more pronounced after his passing.

Once the ladies were on the path, away from the town back towards the castle and away from prying ears she started to relax and enjoy the countryside. Jacqueline kept hold of her pack of things no matter how many times the old woman asked to carry it for her. The old woman was her servant but Jacqueline didn't like the thought of burdening her any more than she was; other than giving her a hard time by disagreeing with her over what she should be wearing and if she should bathe. The two entered the way they came and Jacqueline was in her room, cleaned up and properly dressed well before her dinner. She passed the time looking out of the window to the town below and again considered her situation. She felt trapped and it made her sad to think that this was her predicament. When her father was alive she imagined him giving her away in marriage, him holding her first child, and getting his approval of what she thought he wished for her; all vanishing. Her hope at anything normal was fading fast but she was stubborn and held on to anything that would see her though surviving this. She considered Vladimir. If he was not what he was she'd have easily have fallen in love with him, in time. It was the beast in him she couldn't get past.

The door to her room was opened and her meal was brought in. She had expected to see Vladimir come and join her, well, watch or feed her but he was absent so she ate without wasting any time. Once she was free of any crumbs that might have fallen she made her way to where she thought she was expected to be.

As she approached the place she heard many voices and peered around the corner first to asses if she should enter or turn around. The first thing she saw were the two brothers facing each other, talking, neither of them looking to where she was. She paused to listen but couldn't hear them, only the voices of the people in the far end of the room. Vladimir's hand rose and his finger pointed and curled at her and the people in the room hushed even before she entered. She kept her eyes on the brothers as she came in, curtsied, and sat down on her pillow. There was a crowd of upset people before her and she wondered what was happening. She debated turning to Vladimir and asking but decided against it and just kept her posture correct and her chin up.

The crowd parted slightly and in amongst the jeers she heard the sound of chains and then saw someone being brought in. She didn't' recognise him but from the looks of it the people were genuinely upset at him for what he had done.

"Do you know the law of this land Jacqueline?" Vladimir's voice was in her ear and part of her shivered at being startled at it but another part was glad to hear him again.

"Some but not all I should." She replied as she glanced to her side to reply. She saw him looking down at her and him grinning at what she imagined was her attire; the kind he liked seeing her in.

"A lesson then…" He raised his finger and the jailer brought the man forward and started speaking.

"As witnessed today by the lawman Louie, this man was found to have on his person a quantity of purses that he had stolen from the good townspeople and Madam Jacqueline. Nearly all the money that was taken has been returned to their rightful owners. The law is clear on what we do with thieves here so we hand him over to you Sir's for his execution."

Jacqueline was startled. This was the man that had taken her purse and he was going to be put to death, and not jailed for it as it was common in many other parts of the country. She questioned if she hadn't been watched so closely that he'd might still have his life. She kept silent and her look blank, but she knew that the rapid beating of her heart, if he was listening to it, was giving her anxiety away.

She heard Stefan's voice over her shoulder. "Send him below, he will be dealt with at our convenience." He almost sounded happy about it and Jacqueline could imagine how this man would be facing his death; painfully at the brothers hands or teeth.

Vladimir's voice was in her ear again, "Calm down, it's not like I'd let you see that, just yet." he chuckled and Jacqueline felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck rise. Her supper threatened to make itself known until a little disruption in the people before them broke out.

"Let me pass!" It was a woman's voice that was loud but yet weak. As the woman approached Jacqueline first noticed how she was dressed; poorly, and then her complexion; pale. She was visibly weakened but as she got closer there was a look of determination in her eye. She dared to come closer to them than any others had dared to since Jacqueline arrival. She bowed to the brothers, and looked hesitant to speak at first but then proceed to. "My name is Sarah. I've been told by several doctors that I don't have long to live, and by how I have been feeling, I believe my time on this earth will be shorter than what they've told me. I've come to ask for your mercy from this existence and be brought to yours in order to serve you as you see fit as gratitude for extending my time here."

Jacqueline felt her heart racing again and hoped that he would decide she wasn't going to make her witness what was going to be her fate. She glanced to her side to see the brothers facing one another. From the stories she's heard, those that had asked for immortality, well demanded it, died at their hands. Stefan rose from his place and approached Sarah quickly. She was startled but held her ground. "What do you have that's killing you?"

"Cancer, leukemia Sir. I can't afford the cure; it's not guaranteed anyway and in less than a month I will lose my mobility." She whispered. " I have no one to care for me so I'm dead either way Sir, at least this way, whatever you choose, I will not die alone."

Stefan circled her like a hawk does to it's prey. Jacqueline noticed Sarah trembling.

"You fear death Sarah?"

"I fear and dread a meaningless one Sir."

"Do you fear pain Sarah?"

"I'm in a great deal of pain right now Sir."

"You wish to serve us Sarah?"

She gave a nod, "Both of you and Lady Jacqueline Sir, until you deem my debt to you is repaid."

Jacqueline felt like she was going to faint, or get sick, or both. She was sheltered from violence her whole life and wasn't sure if she could keep her composure in witnessing it. He said he wouldn't let her see someone die at their hands just yet but they were seriously considering this girls request.

Her head was still spinning when she noticed Vladimir had risen and was circling the girl, opposite from his brother. "She might not survive, she's quite depleted." They were both grinning down at her yet she kept her chin raised; much like Jacqueline was always told to so and then Jacqueline noticed how both their hairstyles were similarly, hair neatly pinned back. "We need you to speak up and tell all these people that this is what you want Sarah, whatever our decision, you accept it even if it means you never leaving here."

Sarah turned slightly and with as much strength as she could muster raised her voice to the people watching, "I choose thier decision of my own free will." and then turned her back to them.

The brothers kept circling Sarah as she closed her eyes and waited. Sarah was already as pale as them, except for her eyes one wouldn't be able to distinguish them apart. For a long moment Jacqueline admired this girls bravery, her strength and courage; if only she had half as much she could face her own fate with an ounce of conviction. Jacqueline watched intently, as much as she was dreading the outcome, either way, she had to see what the monster that wanted to enchant her was going to do to this girl and then her in time.

"Let's not spill any h'm?"

"Agreed."

Vladimir and Stefan found great amusement in toying with humans that approached them with such a request. Many, had never lasted this long in their audience but by the time Vladimir had risen, and by the Sarah's answers; they had decided to grant this human her wish. It would be a mercy for her, they had decided but Vladimir was finding it difficult to draw up enough venom for the task. Jacqueline seeing this would make her fearful of him he reasoned but he also debated the fact that if she was going into something she needed to accept it and not be naive about it. He leaned in to the girl, "Your first command is not to scream." Stefan gave his brother a look, like he was spoiling his fun but he understood the reason for him asking. The girl gave a nod and he hoped she could do this one thing for him.

The brothers eyes met and they leaned in on either side of the girls neck, Stefan gave a nod and Vladimir returned it when he had drawn enough venom in his mouth. Turning such a feeble human was risky and as much as they didn't care if she lived or dies, for Jacqueline sake, he hoped she's survive. Vladimir was well aware that Jacqueline's eyes were on him when his teeth cut through the paper thin flesh of the girls neck and he only could hear Jacqueline's heart beating rapidly as he forced all the venom he could into the punctured vein he found. Stefan took the girl in his arms and quickly did the same to the opposite side of her neck and carefully laid her down when he was done. They both looked down at the girl as she curled up and shook violently. Her jaw was clenched closed so tightly, trying to keep any sound from escaping that they marveled.

One.

Two.

Three beats of her heart and the brothers knew that her whole body had ignited.

She hugged herself so tightly that neither Stefan or Vladimir dared to touch her lest they break her hold on her silence. Vladimir turned to look at Jacqueline, she had grown terribly pale and looked ready to collapse herself. "You take first watch and I'll return when she sleeps." Stefan grunted and returned to his place to keep watch over the girl. Unlike many of their kind, and to keep the human's calm they had learned over the number of decades that the humans liked them not to leave the new ones unattended.

Vladimir approached Jacqueline, her eyes were locked on Sarah. "She and she alone knows if she will survive the transition." Jacqueline was silent but she wanted to speak so badly. He picked her up and held her for just a moment when the last of her strength diminished and she fainted. Vladimir knew that Jacqueline's heart had been racing the whole time that it was a wonder that she had lasted as long as she did.

He had her in her room and laying on her bed in a few seconds and he sat himself down and waited for her to wake. An hour had past before she started to stir and sit up; he moved from where he was to stand beside where she lay.

"I'm sorry. I failed." Both her hands covered her eyes and she shook her head. "You deserve better, someone stronger."

"You'll learn, become immune to it." He tried to be sympathetic to her feelings but was falling short. "Chin up Jacqueline, weakness doesn't suit you." His fingers reached and hooked underneath her chin and forced it up abruptly. The action startled her. His voice became harsh, "You will come to crave it soon enough." he was slightly angered by her innocence, all of it. It was something that would be desirable to a human suitor but to him it was an nuisance that needed to be dealt with. He lowered himself to the surface of the bed to sit near her, his finger still under her chin. "As much as your father did an admirable job raising you, he failed in only two respects. One is this, this weakness to which will become your existence and second." His eyes dropped to her lap as he released her chin so she could look to where he was gazing. "I'll give you a day to deal with that yourself or I will."

Jacqueline pulled herself away, shock written all over her face. "I...can't, I.."

His anger grew at her hesitation and he was on his feet; unamused. "I'll be back in a day." He turned and left her and returned to where his brother was.

Upon entering he noticed that the humans were all cleared out and Sarah hadn't moved from her spot. He sat down silently.

"She wake up finally?"

Vladimir nodded.

"Don't think she'd have managed an execution." Stefan's voice was, for once, solum.

"She's lead a sheltered life, I'd imagine not." Vladimir wasn't in much of a talking mood but wasn't about to shun his brother over a human woman. He hoped she'd do as he asked her to so he wouldn't have to take the matter into his own hands; he wasn't sure if she'd survive if he did.

Stefan continued. "I'm curious to see if this one survives, she stank of disease and hasn't made a sound yet. I'm not sure what she'd be useful for anyway."

"You've forgotten about your last plaything, Clara? Who knows, this one might even like you." Vladimir teased.

"I'll have better odds of her liking me faster than your reluctant human brother. Are you still waiting for her to accept you...look at Sarah there, she pledged herself to us but you know as do I the fire might consume the thought and we'll need to destroy her." Stefan had a point and Vladimir, as much as he hated it, had to accept it.

"I know brother, I know." Vladimir focused his attentions on Sarah as Stefan rose from his place.

"When should I return?"

"Twenty four hours if you could brother."

"Generous." He quickly left.

Vladimir sat in near perfect silence for hours, rising once to go crouch down beside Sarah to listen to her erratic heart beating and her quickened breaths. He raised a finger to brush back a lock of her hair that had fallen on to her face. 'She will be beautiful', he thought, 'but will she be this obedient when she wakes?'. Humans entered the hall, it was morning and they hearing the news were curious. Townes people could come and go as they pleased from this room, it kept the peace between them but as the one at his feet was in transition this was not the time. Vladimir righted himself slowly and growled low at the group of visitors and pointed at the group. "Just one." They quickly realized their presumptuous error and selected a middle age man to be their eyes. Vladimir took a half step back as the man neared; he bowed and kneeled down beside Sarah. The human, his instinct for preservation prevailing, didn't dare touch the curled up form; he listened, held his hand to her mouth to feel her breath and observed where she was bitten had healed over. He rose up and bowed and returned to the group to tell them what he'd seen. Vladimir stayed standing over her until they left then returned to his place to wait. It had been a few decades since the last time they had changed someone so it was reasonable that they were curious but he disliked them; their seemingly innocent intentions could turn deadly at the first feeling of being threatened.

Vladimir noticed Christian lurking about in the shadows and recalled when he happened on him that night. Christian was returning from working in another part of the country with his earnings when thieves attacked him. It was the scent of his blood that drew Vladimir to him and it was his pleading for his life, his want to see his wife one more time before he died that moved the immortal. Vladimir recalled what he told him; you will see her, watch her grow old and die as the same for your children and grandchildren but Christian insisted. Christian was still content at his request from so long ago. He watched his family grow in the blink of an immortal eye and die off in turn. Vladimir was pleased by the association to him, it tied the brothers into the community of humans a little tighter after that they saw how grateful Christian was; and the hunt for the rebirth of his lost queen became more facilitated, accepted and encouraged. The humans saw them for more than what they were; or they believed them to be. The incident opened up a discussion and it lead to where they were today. A somewhat loyal town who had been proven to, again and again over the several decades, that they didn't need to fear outside invading forces or the brothers from murdering them in their sleep.

So here he was now, watching over this transitioning human. Things were going to change once she awoke and with that came uncertainty. The brothers wouldn't hesitate to destroy her, they'd do that to keep what they have built but Vladimir hoped she would be an asset to him.

The day waned on and more came and left but none dared approach the newly forming creature at the immortal's feet.

Sarah was still silent by the time Stefan returned. "Off you go to play with your human brother. Come back before she wakes if you'd be so kind."

Vladimir shook his head; if his brother only knew what his night would entail. "I will return before then."


	4. Chapter 4

Vladimir's steps felt heavy to him as he made his way from where he and his brother fed to Jacqueline's chambers. He overheard the old servant talking to herself, 'After a day out you'd think she'd be in brighter spirits.' but felt no sympathy for her charge. He arrived at Jacqueline door and knocked once to which he heard a muffled cry. Not a promising sound he thought; and entered, closing the door behind him. Jacqueline was peeking out from behind a corner at him, eyes swollen from tears. "Did you do as I asked?"

Jacqueline shook her head no. "I tried, but I couldn't." She sounded like she was ready to break down in tears.

Vladimir removed his jacket and placed it on the back of a chair while watching her, then he removed his shoes. "Come to me." He was calm, he felt he needed to be but she shook her head at him. By the time she blinked away the gathering tears in her eyes he already had her carefully captured in his arms and a step away from her bed.

When Jacqueline came to her senses, realizing what had just happened she started to scream but she felt Vladimir's hand over her mouth; cutting off any sound she made. She fought his restraining of her but her blows only resulted in her only hurting herself; the last of her hope to escape him died in that moment. Vladimir spun her around to face him when she slumped and tentatively lowered his hand from her mouth, his brow creased deeply. He lowered his lips to hers and she latched on; his effect quickly taking her over. He almost had convinced himself he could do it but then he thought of the possible repercussions. Vladimir pulled himself away, whispering. "There is nothing in you that desires me."

Jacqueline watched him walk away, put the few things he took off back on and walked out without a second glance towards her. She then felt her spirit collapsing within her. He was wrong. She wanted to go tell him he was wrong, that she did care for him, a little bit, that she enjoyed his attentions and company, that she looked forward to spending time with him even if it was spent in silence but he was gone. She was at a complete loss as to why he would request she take her own innocence; why it was so important that he almost attacked her to do it for her. She broke down and collapsed on the ground beside her bed exhausted and that's where her servant found her the next morning.

"Miss." Jacqueline felt a hand on her shoulder, "are you alright?" and she shook her head no. "Let me help you get up, your breakfast is waiting."

Jacqueline remained motionless. "Please, go away and leave me."

In the several days that the woman was waiting on her she had never heard her mistress say the word 'please' and was concerned about it but did as she was asked.

Jacqueline didn't move until that evening after her meal was brought. She had hoped that Vladimir would return so they could talk but no one came to disturb her. She picked herself up, ate and then went to bed for a dreamless and dark sleep. The next morning she awoke to her servant setting her things out and saying she needed to get ready. Jacqueline did as instructed without a word and when ready made her way to where the brothers sat. They were both there, talking and so was Sarah, still in agony Jacqueline imagined. She sat down and was glad that at least he didn't send her away immediately.

Stefan observed her profile. "What did you do to her Vladimir, she looks so desolate."

"I did nothing." Vladimir looked to her and then away.

Jacqueline stayed still and observed the changes that had happened over the last few days in the woman before her. Sarah's complexion, already pale, had cleared of imperfections, her blondish brown hair had thickened and appeared softer. The muscles in her arms and exposed leg looked more defined but still beautifully feminine. She was lovely and looked peaceful.

Hours passed and the day waned on, through the lunch and dinner hour. Jacqueline was debating on leaving, going back to her room and was about to rise when she noticed Sarah moving. It was just a twitch of her finger at first but then more movements followed.

She heard the brothers moving behind her but imagined they must have picked up on other cues to the waking immortal that she didn't. There were a few at the opposite end of the room that quieted down, a few left, Jacqueline imagined that they were scared. She wondered if she herself was in any danger as well. She imagined her captor didn't care for her as much anymore because of her disobedience. 'So be it.' She thought, 'if I die at this ones hands then at least', at least is what she pondered. As much as she'd lived a comfortable life it wasn't particularly remarkable... It was just at that moment, when Sarah opened her eyes, Jacqueline realized she had never allowed herself to love.

Jacqueline heard Stefan first, "Lovely." then Vladimir, "Beautiful." and then she felt her heart break.

Sarah rose to her feet, a confident yet reserved smirk firmly in place and curtsied to them. She was stunning and her mere presence outshone the tattered dress she was still wearing. Jacqueline watched Sarah looked to both of the brothers until her look settled on her.

Jacqueline heard Vladimir's voice, she realized how much she had missed hearing it over the past few days. "Do you want her Sarah? Does she tempt you?" Jacqueline felt her heart racing, was he going to hand her over like she was nothing to him.

"No. As lovely as she smells I don't desire her." Sarah's voice was so much smoother now, sweet and alluring that no human man, Jacqueline imagined, could resist it.

Jacqueline heard Vladimir rising behind her and soon saw his hand in view beckoning hers. She jumped at it, pressing her hand firmly in his and rising. He did pause for a second to run his thumb over her fingers before tugging her forward towards Sarah.

Vladimir pressed, "Not even a little bit." Sarah shook her head, she was sure. Vladimir raised Jacqueline's hand and she tensed slightly, but she was determined not to disappoint him. His other hand flew past her raised hand and she wouldn't have known it if it wasn't for the little red bead forming in her sight. She stiffened as Vladimir lifted it off from her skin and held it inches from Sarah. "You don't want to taste?"

The pupils of Sarah's eyes widened slightly at the offering but she still refused. "Interesting..." Vladimir first kissed the drop from his finger and then kissed the cut on Jacqueline's hand, sealing it instantly shut. "Go sit down Jacqueline." He released her hand and she did what she was told, hoping that he was satisfied with her performance.

Vladimir took Sara's hand and looped it under his arm. "Seems we have an anomaly brother." His hand tipped her chin up and he examined her eyes. "You don't feel the need to feed. Fascinating." Vladimir walked off with Sarah without a word.

Jacqueline stayed seated; stunned. She kept glancing to the door the two disappeared through, expecting that they'd return but nothing. The people who were there observing slowly filtered out; it was getting late.

"I guess I should go?" Jacqueline voice was almost inaudible but Stefan heard her and was sitting beside her in a second.

"Why? The night is young and there is so much trouble we can get into." Stefan, having dealt with many more women than his brother was confident that he knew exactly what Jacqueline was feeling at this moment; the same thing that Clara expressed when Jacqueline was selected.

"I'm tired and," She looked up to the immortal beside her. "I'm not in very good spirits right now...I'd never be able to keep up with you anyway...but..." She gave a quick forced smirk. Jacqueline, despite being a little dejected at her suitors departure didn't want to put them both off her. "if you can put up with my failings I'd like the company."

"Good girl. Go eat something so your stomach stops it's protesting and find some pants to wear. I'll come fetch you in an hour."

Jacqueline grinned a bit more sincerely and rose to rush to her room to do as she was instructed and was ready before the hour was up. The simple straight slacks the servant found her were modest at best and she enjoyed the freedom of movement they offered her.

Stefan entered Jacqueline room without a knock and startled her but he didn't care to apologize for the action. "Good, you're ready. Follow me." He promptly turned around and Jacqueline quickly fell into step behind him, almost running at times.

Jacqueline gasped. "Please, I can't keep this pace up." and Stefan abruptly stopped and she nearly collided into him.

"We'll take all night if I slow down any further." He snapped at her but to him it was a mere statement of fact not an insult to her, but Jacqueline backed away from him cautiously.

"Wishful thinking on my part then." She curtsied and turned around to go back to her chambers.

Jacqueline found herself swept up in Stefan's arms and they were speeding along the passageway. She gasped for her breath, their speed was in excess and she still hadn't gotten accustomed to it. "Here we are." Stefan set her down at the opening of a set of doors to a balcony that looked out over the countryside and to the horizon where light from the setting sun was still visible. There was a slight breeze as she stepped out and approached the rail of the balcony. "Beautiful view. Thank you for bringing me here to show me." She looked up to the stars that were pearling though the twilight and then back down into the distance. "How far can you see?"

Stefan stood beside her, tilting his head. "Do you see that lake there?" He pointed off and Jacqueline squinted to see a faint hinting of it.

"Yes, barely, but I can see it." She kept looking.

"Vladimir is there with Sarah showing her that if she runs very fast, she can run over water...oh he saw us, and now they both went under." Stefan laughed. "Excellent. I guess he can demonstrate how we don't need to breath."

Jacqueline was troubled, she wasn't sure if him seeing her with his brother was a good or bad thing, even if he left her the night before in a mess of tears.

"You are troubled?" Stefan dropped his gaze to hers. "Why are you troubled, we haven't even done anything worthy to be mentioned yet."

Jacqueline pulled her eyes away from the distant lake and had a serious debate whether or not to tell the immortal. "It's complicated. I don't understand you two and no one talks to me or explains things and I'm left wondering why I'm here and if I should just go."

Stefan pursed his lips and just stared at the human. He'd say she was complicated but it'd be a compliment he'd only reserve for the immortal females he's known thought his existence. "Get on my back." He turned it to Jacqueline and waited a few seconds before glancing to her and the perplexed look on her face. "I'll need use of both my hands and feet and you won't be able to follow, so climb onto my back if you please or I can't take you." Jacqueline nodded and climbed up on to the man as he crouched slightly. "You will need to hold on more tightly Jacqueline." Stefan tugged her hands more securely around his neck and hooked her legs more securely around his waist before he slipped off his shoes and leaped up into the darkness. Jacqueline tensed and she latched herself onto the immortal like her life depended on it as she felt him jump up. She kept her eyes closed during each leap and felt as they were flying at times and only opened her eyes when she felt him climbing up and finally settled on his feet. "You can get off me madam unless you wish to remain clinging on to me." there was a hint of tease to his voice yet Jacqueline took a moment to ensure she was safe before she set her feet down on the surface of where he stood.

It took Jacqueline a moment to realize where the immortal had brought her, and several more moments to calm herself down enough to realize that she was still clinging on to his jacket. Her eyes slowly started adjusting to see the town lights far beneath them, the stars up above and the little platform they were on. "Truly lovely, I wish it were brighter out so I could see more of it." She whispered but dared not to move.

"You're not afraid of heights I trust?" Stefan asked her but didn't move from where he was, not wanting to frighten her.

"Only if there is a risk of falling to my death from them but no, not afraid." Jacqueline felt the wind picking up a little bit and but kept looking beneath where they stood to pick out other towns and a few visible crossroads. She looked up and was humbled by the vast expanse of stars above them. She released her hand from Stefan's jacket and sat down. "Thank you for bringing me here to see this, it's remarkable."

The immortal looked down at her, somewhat pleased at his plan not going badly. "This is the only place I could have brought you to talk privately without leaving." He sat down next to her, his legs crossed with his bare feet poking out under his folded knees. "Do you even like him?"

Jacqueline replied sincerely. "I've never liked or, I suspect you're well aware, loved anyone before so I don't know what I feel about him. He was nice enough the first few days but," Jacqueline sighed. "he changed, got mean and so forceful in wanting me to be a certain way but not saying what or why." She gazed up to the stars, unsure if it was what Stefan was expecting to hear.

"Is that why you showed up this morning looking as though you spent the night crying?" He didn't bother looking at her, her changing heart rhythms were the best tell of what she was feeling.

Jacqueline felt terribly small and very insecure at what was asked. "No. It was, he said, I was too uhhh" She grasped for words that weren't crude and blunt but there weren't many. "I had never slept with a man and I needed to be broken..." Her voice sputtered. "and I couldn't do, that, to myself so he was going to... he attacked me but he didn't... I spent the night crying because of that, because my standards outweighed my desire to please him, do as he asked."

When Jacqueline looked up to Stefan he was crinkling his nose in deep thought. "My brother didn't say why I suppose." He didn't wait for her to answer. "Let me explain. We can't be injured, well permanently anyway, and when you are changed you will remain complete. Should you wish to have sex then it will be like your first time, every time." He let Jacqueline think about that for a moment. "I've known several pure and honourable women that entered in to this state, as you are, and they didn't last long. The madness of not being to make love without enjoying it consumed them and they threw themselves into the fire." Stefan fell silent in his recalling the thought. "They were stunning creatures and so deserving, but this existence of ours is the cruelest to women. You were told about not being able to have children, at least I hope my brother mentioned it in some capacity..." Stefan shook his head. "I quite honestly don't know what he was thinking but he was correct in at least finding this out about you and not taking you that night you showed up. I don't think he could manage losing you twice, the second time would have been his own doing."

"I'm not her." Jacqueline's voice was so quiet that he almost didn't hear it.

"You're nothing like Ileana. She could handle him so well with the fewest of words. She loved loving him, for all his faults, for the sake of just love. You could see it in her brightness, she lived for him and yet never completely lost herself in him. It was quite a remarkable thing to see."

"Why pursue me?" Jacqueline knew she was asking a lot but she considered that she didn't have anything to lose or be timid now.

"He wants what he wants, as with our kind, that's all we care for." Stefan sounded amused. "He wants what he had but he refuses to realize, because he's stubborn that, like you said, you are not her."

"But he wasn't her first love..." Jacqueline turned her head to face him, Stefan's face seemed to glow in the moonlight.

Stefan was pleased that Jacqueline was catching on so quickly. "That was an interesting tale. She and her father were servant trainers. He'd acquire them and she'd train them for service then they'd be sold off or returned to their masters for a fee. Ileana sought to take over her father's business when he retired from it and needed to prove her ability to do so. She told me that when they were out, seeking a sizeable contract she noted how the man her father spoke to couldn't bargain without his son at his side and realized that it was he, the boy, who made the decisions. That boy was leaning towards not to enter the contract so she made it understood to him that if he did she'd..." Stefan chuckled for a moment. "Once she had met my brother and was turned that stupid boy was one of her first."

Jacqueline refrained from asking why, the reasons were best left unknown to her. The immortal beside her was handsome in his own way and her mouth spoke before she could check it. "And you, was there anyone like that for you?" She reprimanded herself several times for being so bold and so assuming of their new acquaintance.

"They all ran into the fire my dear. I selfishly want what no man has had before me." Stefan took a breath and suddenly stood up. "Let's go." His hand dipped to help Jacqueline up. She was ready to get on to his back when he scooped her up in his arms. "Try not to scream."

Jacqueline gasped as she felt him take a few long steps and then nothing but the sensation of flying, then falling, quickly. Her jaw clenched tight as did her arms around the immortals neck as she kept her eyes tightly closed. A few moments later she heard screaming but it wasn't from her. She looked up and saw a woman on the ground, a man over her and another woman running off. Stefan let her down from his arms and she tried to appear unmoved from what she just experienced and what was before her but wavered a little. Seeing as the brothers didn't lower themselves to speak to humans, she took the lead. "Is the lady alright?" The man nodded and kept his stance over her, protecting her. "Do accept my apologies for startling you this fine evening." Jacqueline noticed her arm was still hooked around the immortals and he was inching her away from them subtly so she just turned and started walking away from them. As soon as they were well away from them Jacqueline started to giggle to herself at what happened. "You said trouble and by god you certainly delivered."

Stefan started to chuckle with her. "I'm glad that amused you rather than not." He looked down at her, he'd never witnessed her happy, let alone laughing. He blamed his brother for that.

Jacqueline noted the distance they were from the castle and hoped Stefan wouldn't make her walk the entire way as it was late. She didn't worry about her safety though, not with him at her side, no one would dare approach them once they realized who they were. They kept walking for some time in silence. "So why couldn't he do this with me?"

The immortal knew what Jacqueline meant but pressed her so she'd ask a more detailed question. "How do you mean human?"

Jacqueline thought for a moment on how to ask without being too insulting. "I mean do with me as you're doing now, show me around, the views, the stars a simple walk rather than have me sit all day and immobile and quite honestly, board. The other day, when I was allowed out, I bought supplies so I could make lace so I could feel like I was somewhat productive with my time."

"Productive or useful? I think you mean valued do you not Jacqueline?" He didn't bother looking at her, her breath and heartbeats told him enough.

"I have no value to him do I? I should have known. It's just this face he wants." Jacqueline shook her head and fought back the tears that were threatening to spill. "Why not just have a statue made that looks like me and be done with this charade."

The immortal laughed softly. Her response is what he'd been thinking all those years of them looking for the reemergence of her. "You can run away?"

Jacqueline scoffed at the suggestion. "I already thought of that and if it wasn't for knowing I'd be hauled back here by an eager reward seeker or him hunting me down I would." She sighed. "This is a fine mess my mother and sister have gotten me into, if it wasn't for them is be at home."

"And doing what, making lace? Sending away young suitors?" The immortal chuckled. "You'd grow old with boredom, this is by far a much more worthy use of your time, a real adventure."

"One that ends with my permanent or impermanent death." Jacqueline's tone was solum.

They had reached the entrance of the castle and the immortal gave Jacqueline a nod and headed off quickly before she had a chance to thank him for his time. Jacqueline made her way back to her room to change and clean up before heading to bed.

"Do you wish to have breakfast m'lady?" She heard the old woman asking before her eyes opened.

"Yes. Let me have a few moments to wake up first." Jacqueline stirred herself awake and nearly fell out of bed in her sleepiness when she tried to get out. "I'm so graceful that I'll end up cracking my skull open one day." She groaned as the old woman reentered the room with her breakfast, setting it down and was nearly plowed over by Vladimir who entered in behind her silently.

'At least he returned.' Jacqueline thought as she tentatively took a seat to eat her meal.

"Enjoy your evening?" Vladimir was blunt and to the point.

"Yes. And you yours?" Jacqueline returned the sentiment with just as much cruelty in her voice, as much as she dared anyway.

The immortal scoffed at her but was internally pleased with the subtle annoyance in her tone.

Vladimir did lose sight of them once he went under the surface of the water and was quite angered at his brother but knew that he'd never get a word out of him unless he talked to Jacqueline first about what they did afterwards. "Did he touch you?" Jacqueline nodded and started eating. "Did you touch him?"

Jacqueline rolled her eyes at him and quipped at him. "What do you care? You spent the night with another woman after walking out on me, after you didn't even have the decency to explain to me why you asked what you did, thinking me too simple to understand the reason."

"You sound jealous."

"Of what exactly, you, her? Hardly. Just as I start seeing past the monster you are you go do, or say something insufferable and I'm left wondering where I stand exactly."

Vladimir watched her take several bites until she finished, rose and went to go dress herself behind the dressing screen. "Do you wish to go then?"

There was a snort before Jacqueline emerged from behind the screen, dressed as he likes seeing her; not that she had much choice as her own clothing had disappeared. "You know as well as I do that I'll never be allowed to leave here in my lifetime."

"You hate me then?"

"Did I say I did? Clearly not, so stop saying that to force some kind of revelation of my feelings that you have yet to earn." Jacqueline raised a brow and waited to see if her captor was escorting her to her pillow or leaving her in her room.

Vladimir was taken back by the meaning behind what Jacqueline was saying and knew his brother was to blame. His arm rose up and Jacqueline set her hand on top so he could take her to sit at his feet. When they entered he notices Stefan watching them. When Vladimir sits he starts into his brother quickly and quietly. "And what did you hope to accomplish with your stunt last night with her?"

"Me brother? She looked abandoned and I dare say crushed when you went off. Serves you right anyway. I merely spoke with her, enlightened her with knowledge you seem to think should be withheld." Sarah came in just then, curtsied to the brothers and found a corner to wait in; presumably in wait for possible instruction. "See, she appears more at ease knowing what she's capable of, why not give the human that same knowledge? I'll tell you why. Power. You didn't allow that angel Ileana to shine like she could of and you seem determined to do the same with her. In your regret did you once consider that a bit of practical knowledge may have saved your mate?"

Vladimir felt his anger rise at the mention of his lost love. How dare his brother mention her and his failure at protecting her; his silent pledge once taken so long ago and then again at the sight of Jacqueline. "She has no clue of the gift I want to give her and any knowledge I give will be lost during the transformation, I'm not wasting my time."

"You are wasting it now. She slips away by the hour brother. She will not be a blank canvass for you when she wakes, you know this from your own human memories. Your best chance with her is to flood her mind with so many good memories that they shade out the bad ones." Stefan rose from his seat and beckoned Sarah over. "Come my dearest, I wish to learn your secrets."

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><p>I look forward to your reviews. :)<p> 


	5. Chapter 5

Twilight and all its loveliness belongs to SM. I am but a humble nothing letting my ideas out on a page.

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><p>Vladimir watched his brother exit with their new creation and then cast his gaze down to Jacqueline; he was asking himself how he should proceed. He wanted her, he wanted her to be just as he wanted, but it was her flaws he was attracted to. He had listened and took to heart what Stefan had said; his brother had a point. Much like Sarah's transition; her sincerest wish to serve remaining intact, Jacqueline needed to desire him, love and want him if he had any hope in securing her to him. Vladimir brooded over this for several moments, as he was, he was also listening to the arrival of Jacqueline's mother from her journey and readied himself for her entry. She soon appeared and approached, curtsying awkwardly when she was near. She looked almost relieved in seeing Jacqueline still mortal but also upset at the apparent coldness between her and the immortal.<p>

"Mother." Jacqueline's greeting held little emotion in it. She still wasn't amused that her own flesh and blood would willingly trade her off so easily.

"Well it's good to see you Jacqueline, even if you aren't in good spirits." She didn't dare cast a look up to the man that had claimed her. "I've brought all your things, they've been sent to your room." She pulled out a letter from a book in her arms and handed it over to her. Jacqueline quickly recognized the handwriting as her fathers; she remained silent as she took the letter and set it on her lap. "And this is for you 'm'lord." She took a few steps towards Vladimir, holding the book out for him to take. Books were his fondest diversion and to behold one that he hadn't read was indeed a thoughtful gift. His fingers secured it and he gave the woman a slight nod. "It was started nearly a century ago, it documents our family and what not." She knew he'd find the letter addressed to him soon enough. Jacqueline's mother didn't know the exact contents of the book; her late husband had forbidden her to read then and she continued to observe his wishes even after his passing. She excused herself from them quickly, wishing she could speak to and question Jacqueline about what she had heard from the townspeople before she set foot in the place but thought it better to speak of such things in a more private setting.

Jacqueline kept glancing down at the letter and then looking out to the room, her chin up as he expected it to be. It'd be hours before she'd be alone to read the letter; she would prefer to see it that way as she could already feel herself getting distressed at the contents of it; her heart was beating very quickly and she knew he could hear it. Her father's passing was so sudden that she felt that she never go the closure she book that Vladimir held, Jacqueline recognize it immediately; it was one of the few that had never left her fathers side or was locked up when the situation at hand deemed it necessary for it's safety. She had never been granted the chance to glance at it's pages and often wondered why there was so much secrecy surrounding it's contents. She watched from the corner of her eye as he held it so easily in his hands, glancing at a few pages until he took notice of something that held his attention. The curiosity that was brewing within Jacqueline was almost tangible, it teased her; she wanted to know what those pages held. She kept watching, discreetly, as Vladimir pulled a letter from between the pages and set the book down. Jacqueline looked back forward to the room, away from him. She heard a snapping of the wax seal; similar to the one that adorned her own letter, providing a little measure of security and then dry sheets of paper being carefully unfolded. There were several sheets from what she could hear and Vladimir scoffed several times at them. Jacqueline fixed in her mind that he'd never let her see them, much like her father never letting her see the contents of the book that now sat on Vladimir's armrest waiting for him.

It had taken him a few moments to read the several pages a few times and he was holding off on the book until later to truly savour its contents. "Are your not going to read your letter Jacqueline?" He leaned forward as she turned herself slightly to reply.

"I'll read it later, when I'm alone, " She took in the expression on his face; was he pleased, irritated, she couldn't tell. "if that is acceptable to you 'm'lord ?"

Vladimir sat back, unamused yet pleased with her blunt coldness. "I see." He had finished reading the letter intended for him but was curious to the content of hers.

His hand reached for hers as he stood up and stepped down the few steps to help her up. She grasped the letter in one hand and took his with the other silently. He wouldn't assume she'd let him see the contents of it; he could find it as she slept and look if he wished if it remained intact until then. He would rather she willingly let him see it, as to say she would share something so intimate with another, a sign of trust perhaps. He lead Jacqueline to her chambers, that were already attended to, and sat her down on the couch. He took his place near the window and waited with the book and his letter in hand for her to read her letter.

Jacqueline was hesitant the whole while since her rising to come back to her room; she even waited to see if he'd say anything to her before she'd break the seal. Nothing. He remained in his place and she cracked the seal.

_My Jacqueline,_

_When I sat down to write this I realized that you would only be reading it if I was departed from this world into the next, and in his clutches. Both of these circumstances were always out of my control and I hope that you find it within your precious heart to forgive me._

_I, by the knowledge imparted to me by our ancestors, knew you were the one, the one he was waiting for. It had occurred to me when you matured in your late teens and your image matched the one in the journal that the men in our family have been keeping since the loss of his mate and wife, your ancestor. I had decided, and going against everything I was ever told growing up, never to let you be known to him._

_Your mother, armed with only fables of our family, and dreams of riches that were to be had, insisted that I bring you to him. I lied to her when I told her that I had; you were only eighteen. Do you recall our journey, the one that I hadn't any cases to hear so we spent our days by the water eating custard? On our return home I told your mother that he had seen you and not taken notice. She protested and insisted I return to him but I showed her an instance in our family history where one did just that, and not only was the girl killed but the entire family. Your mother conceded and agreed to remain silent on the matter. Dominique was still an infant and your mother had already set her hopes on her for her fortunes._

_If this is to be my only sin in my lifetime then so be it and I only pray that the Lord see that it was to preserve one of his most lovely and innocent creations and I'm forgiven._

_I admit, it was underhanded of me and if he, that devil, had ever discovered my deceit, I would have perished at his hands. With you mother quelled for the time being and focusing all her attentions on your sister, it allowed me to raise you as I wished. We were never rich, nor poor, so seeking out a proper education for you was not completely impossible. Believe me when I say I did write to many schools for this purpose but was always refused because of you advanced years, and as they put it you were already 'fixed' in your nature. So I took it on myself to school you in what I did, justice. I wanted you to learn the law, be fair, and compassionate. I hope you recall me telling you how there are many ways to measure a man and his faults; I wanted you to have that ability. I wanted you to decide, with clarity, who you thought was good enough for you in life._

_You will have to forgive me for my sheltering you from men. There's an old wives tale that was told to me days before I wed your mother, I thought it initially perverted. I didn't understand it but it struck me daft when I first saw you after you were born.. "A man's first true love isn't his mothers or wives, but his daughters." My duty to the family was dispelled and forgotten in that very moment; I'd never hand you over willingly to that devil. No man was good enough for you and despite your current, regrettable situation, he isn't either._

_Given what I know about his kind, knowledge passed down through the decades, your prospects for happiness now are few; if I know you as well as I do. If per chance you've taken a liking to him, then forgive these ramblings of your selfish old father. If you despise the creature, then for the sake of your happiness, and sanity, seek out one thing that's likeable within him, one redeeming quality that you can hold on to and keep to your last breath._

_The journal, which is no doubt in his possession, is a history of our families observations and dealings with their kind. It occurred to me, shortly after your birth, how incredibly selfish our ancestors were in their constant seeking of recognition and riches. Perhaps it was me witnessing of such dark deeds many would resort to in getting wealth; brothers turning on brothers, sons fighting fathers and women slaughtering their husbands as they slept, that had also turned me against our ancestors. The last thing I ever wanted to do was trade you in for a chest of gold, you were worth far more to me and selling you off was, and always had been out of the question. What I did, to ensure your security should you never find a suitable husband, was to put aside money that you could live on. I did the same for your sister so there would never be a question of favoritism between you. Your mother never missed the money, she only thought me ill paid but the investment in you two girls was my priority and we did manage to survive well enough._

_As you can see, I've been avoiding the main issue here, the destiny that I fought to never let happen to you. When your ancestor Ileana was taken from our family by those creatures, the fear that people held for them and the association of our family with them, brought us much security. We never assumed that we were protected; your great great grand father after paying tribute to them of several slaves and vagabonds wrote of Ileana appearing ashamed of him; not recalling who he was initially. He was disheartened and decided that his beloved daughter was dead to him and her many siblings. It was the people of the village where they lived that decided that if any of our ancestors were harmed or slighted that the beast would end them to keep favour with his bride Ileana. Your grandfather, not formally educated was not stupid man and remained silent on the matter and took what he could to further along his family and our lineage. He also didn't want the lie to tarnish the truth so he started the journal. The journal contains stories of our dealings with them, truths we had discovered about them and that of which we heard of their kind. Knowledge Jacqueline, is the only power our family has had thought the centuries. There were many an instance where we moved from one part of the country to a distant land because of the creatures tendencies to take out entire villages of people; we knew the signs to look for and how to avoid it. We kept record of this all of it. As the family grew it was the first born male or the husband of the eldest daughter that was entrusted with the journal, it always had followed the woman of our family. I had left instructions with your mother to hand it over to your husband, should you ever find one; or him, if he ever found you. I don't know why this journal was never shown to the women of the lineage; seems arrogant to me now. Perhaps it was done to maintain some measure of security I suppose. I should have let you read it for yourself Jacqueline, another failing of mine that was not done out of superiority but to preserve your precious innocence of knowing of them. By all accounts in the journal, they have always been evil and self serving._

_My heart aches for you daughter. I wish you far away from that place which I have been so careful to avoid you knowing about._

_With Love,_

_Louie_

Jacqueline refrained from wiping away the moisture from her eyes and looked for more pages but there were none. "Thank you for letting me read this without delay." She looked up to him, who had remained in his place, not daring to infringe on her moment with the last sediments from her father. She wondered why he was showing such mercy towards her, penance perhaps? Was he attempting to show her some traces of his lost humanity? No. Jacqueline thought, he had motive. "Here. You wish to see this do you not?" She held the pages out for him.

"Do you wish me to read those words, is it your desire Jacqueline?" He knew a test when he saw one, and this woman dared to tempt him; he admired her audacity.

"I have come to realize that what I want is not considered here so I will not get my hopes up in thinking I have any sort of privacy from you m'Lord."

The slight of her words were meant to pain him but he saw through them. "I wish to read it, that would be correct but I also wish you, in your heart for me to read it."

Jacqueline was set back; did he give her some regard other than one that is basic. She did not care for games and he was no doubt a master of all of them. "There is nothing on these pages that I'm sure you can not guess, but on the pages in your possession I have many questions; a trade, even though yours is the better deal?"

Now Vladimir thought, here is her something of interest but it wasn't of what is being offered but of her method of persuasion. He started to pace towards her, slowly. "As mine is the better deal," he held the book and letter pressed on to his cover loosely. "I should ask for something else." He reached her where she was sitting and towered over her for a moment. "I wish you to take care of that matter from earlier and then I'll let you read the letter and glance at this book with me."

"No." Jacqueline's refusal was prompt and firm.

Vladimir held the book up and plucked the letter into his hand. "I have no need for this now, it could burn and still be forever etched into my memory. Tell me why you so flatly refuse my request?"

"I didn't refuse you. I merely stated that I would not do it." She paused as he sat down beside her and faced her. "I am in your possession, one that I have no desire to be in and given your nature, that flaw in weakness you possess, I wish you to do it." Jacqueline pressed her lips firm before speaking again. "I wish you to do it because if I die at your hand I would deal you the harshest blow I could possibly deliver, one that would be forever etched in your memory." Her eyes stayed fixed on his.

Vladimir's eyes widened ever so slightly and the book and letter found rest upon his lap and his hand rose up and his fingers found the contour of her cheekbone, "My Queen, I knew your were in there wishing to come out." He was well aware of the double edged sword that this woman laid at his feet but now he needed to savor the chilling coldness within her. A creature that was unknowingly in possession of such hatred would also be one to be unaware of the depths of her own ability of love. Vladimir knew that if he was to cause her harm he would need to ensure that he erased the experience with an equally potent memory. Jacqueline remained still, his comment still being questioned in her eyes; she didn't know how to react. "Very well, you will have the letter in your possession the following morning m'lady."

Jacqueline became visibly worried; did he just accept her offer to end her or did she underestimate his blood lust. "Will I be alive to read it then? We will see I guess." She was trying to appear unconcerned but the rapid beating of her heart was again giving her away.

Perhaps, Vladimir thought, Jacqueline might see past his task and enjoy the intimacy since she initiated the task. As he watched her he recalled Iliana; the love she had for him, he still missed her. He gave Jacqueline a curt nod and strode out of her room silently. He realized that he didn't tell her when he'd be joining her but he imagined that she'd wish to see the letter soon. If he allowed her to wait she'd might reconsider and rescind her wish. Vladimir reached his private quarters and settled himself down in a deep chair to flip the journal still in his hand open to the page that held the image of his queen. He recalled how she looked, he had a copy a few steps away from his very spot but this picture drawn with a clumsy hand was one of what was once his. He sat there looking at it, reminiscing in the memories and wondering what the future held for him.

Jacqueline remained in her place until her meal showed up and moved only then to go eat it. Her mood was solemn: she considered she might die that night or when ever he came to her next.

The old woman who served her didn't question her, she knew her place but was concerned with the sudden turn in spirits. "Your mother wishes to see you m'lady, may I send for her?"

"No. Not today, tomorrow or the next day perhaps." Jacqueline felt no desire to see the one who forced her to come along on this trip. Even her sister wished her to stay home if not to appease the sister who had no desires to travel so soon after their father's demise. Jacqueline recalled her sister apologizing to her several times and how she begged their mother to accept Jacqueline wishes. No it was her mother that Jacqueline put the blame on and with that, if she breathes her last, its only her that she wishes to hurt by refusing to see her.

She was left alone when she was done eating and her only solace was in taking the few lace making supplies she bought from town and keeping her hands and mind busy for the next several hours. Given the time, without interruption, she completed a length of trim that could be applied to as much as a neckline on a dress; her sister would like the simple pattern so she continued until the light from the window started to fade. A knock came to the door of her room and with a word she allowed them entry to bring in her meal. Her servant was admiring her work; even though her eyes couldn't perceive the intricate detail when Jacqueline asked, "Can something be made for our newest resident, would she appreciate such a simple gift?"

"I don't see why something can not be made from this but I don't know if she'd appreciate your gift m'lady, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting or observing her ways."

Jacqueline nodded and placed what she had fashioned onto the tray before it was taken away knowing very well that the old woman would see to it. If she survived, if, she thought, a peace offering to Sarah would set her off on a better foot than the last one they had, Clara. Jacqueline didn't want to be perceived as a threat to Sarah even though it was clear that she was there first; that seemed to be the only thing in her favor.

The evening moved along at what seemed like a slow pace until Jacqueline caught herself yawning one too many times. It was time for bed but she knew she was procrastinating getting into it for good reason. She breathed, several times; she knew she asked for this and was at least getting her father's letter to Vladimir as compensation to something that she wasn't getting anything for before. She got up and quickly changed and got into bed. She lay on her back first but then turned to her side to hold her pillow for a long while. "What have I done?" she asked herself and was startled when a voice behind her replied.

"Nothing yet but even when you do, you aren't bound by the same laws of etiquette as the rest of them out there." Jacqueline hears and feels the covers being drawn back and the bed dipping slightly as he gets in. She doesn't want to turn and look, she thinks, to do so would give him the impression that she was looking forward to his arrival. She feels his hand resting on her shoulder before he nudges her on to her back. "Not that they find out anything you've done as anyone besides you saying as much would find themselves in a predicament." He wanted to grin down at her, he was dreading but at the same time looking forward to his task. Arriving to her room unnoticed was easy enough, he could have come in though one of the few windows but it was his castle and she was his prize. He vowed to not let himself get carried away; there was no room for error, he thought, and the thought of feeling her hands on his flesh was already making him anxious.

Jacqueline, as she was turned on to her back, cast down her eyes to see that he was completely dressed albeit in light clothing but she was thankful he didn't feel the need to be unclothed. "Do you think I'd wish anyone to know I'd willingly let you do this to me, corrupt my dignity for your own selfish pleasure?" She scoffed at him and looked away.

His hand moved from her shoulder to her chin to turn her head back towards him. He again felt disheartened at her reluctance. "Another night then?" His head tilted to the side as his fiery red eyes lingered on her lips.

Jacqueline 's brow creased, "Be done with it and honor your promise with my letter." Her hands were in fists at her side and she appeared ready to beat him with them if it'd make any difference.

His lips were on hers and she fell under his spell immediately. Vladimir felt her body easing within seconds and her hand was in his hair, cupping his head in another moment, drawing him in to her. He knew it, her desire, was a lie but he'd accept it this time for now. It was the lie, he kept reminding himself, that helped him stay focused on his task. He deepened the kiss, allowing Jacqueline to take more of his venom without harming herself on his razor teeth as he moved to loom over her without crushing her delicate frame. His hand moved down from her chin to her neck, slowly, and to her breast. Jacqueline's heart was beating quickly, the whoosh of the blood within her veins was like music to him and he wanted to savor it. Soon he thought, he'd get more than a drop. His hand cupped her breast and Jacqueline's heart skipped several beats and she pressed herself into him. It's a lie, he told himself again and his hand massaged the mound as carefully as he could. He allowed her to take her few quickened breaths before he pressed his lips back on to hers and moved his hand down her body. He dipped his tongue into her mouth as his hand moved the light fabric up that was covering Jacqueline's legs. The heat rising up from her, from her rapidly beating heart pushing the blood violently through her veins was a lie he repeated to himself as his fingers drifted up her thigh to her center. He deepened the kiss and her groans grew deeper and full of need as his fingers started to rub her bundle of nerves with as much delicacy as he could muster. Slowly he worked her, reading her movements and gauging her responses as her body quickly raced to its climax; he dipped his finger into her suddenly as she peaked and it was done. Jacqueline let out a loud groan as her body stiffened and then collapsed onto the bed. Vladimir pulled his lips from hers and himself away from her as she gasped for air. He rolled on to his side, not before covering her back up before she could notice. The stain was on his fingers and he needed a moment to recompose himself. His eyes were darkened and every last fiber of his being was fighting the beast that wanted its satisfaction of a kill. From the corner of his eye he watched Jacqueline closely; she was spent but seemingly unaware. Her hand reached up to touch her lips and she looked over to him, noticing the blood on his fingers; realization set in and her features dropped. She turned her head away from him and started to break down in soft sobs. Vladimir's emotions were mixed but he had the right of mind to first clean off his fingers of her blood and then turn to hold her against his chest. Jacqueline sobbed silently for some time before scumming to sleep. He stayed there with her, his hand on her stomach and closed his eyes. Sleep wouldn't capture him but he thought back to when he was with Ileana and how she liked to be held afterwards after their intimacy, for hours. Jacqueline wouldn't know of his remaining there until morning and he hoped it would be appreciated.

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><p>Reviews, I like those if they nice ones.<p> 


	6. Chapter 6

"No, I'm not going out today. Bring my food to me in my bed, and come back in an hour." Jacqueline's voice was firm and the servant didn't press the matter after the tongue lashing she'd already been victim of the day before. The servant left and Jacqueline quickly ate her breakfast. She'd get out of bed soon enough to get herself dressed, and be done before the servant returned. She'd spend most of the day after that alone until _he_ came to ask how she was. She still couldn't look him in the eye; hate, self loathing, embarrassment were what she felt in his presence. She'd tell him she was fine then he'd kiss her temple and leave her to her solitary musings. As for Jacqueline's mother, it had been nearly a week since her return and she was still refusing to give her an audience. She imagined her mother was red with anger but having no authority over her now; there was little she could do about pressing the matter. Jacqueline grinned. Knowing her mother was upset pleased her slightly.

He'd be there soon, if he was anything these last few days it was exact in the timing of his visits. Jacqueline settled herself down on the couch by the window and found her supplies that would at least keep her hands busy for several hours though the day until night fall so she could repeat the same sequence of events all over again the next day. She recalled the morning following that night he spent with her. He had waited for her to wake up that next morning, even kissing her exposed shoulder before covering it back up. Jacqueline remembered laying there with him; her back to him, her insides hurting and his hand on her belly as if he owned the right to touch her. He stayed for some time and only vanished the following morning when her servant had come with her meal. She'd had wondered why he'd stayed, held her while she cried.

There was a light knock on the door that brought Jacqueline back to the present; the door opened and the old woman entered to gather the dishes from her meal and quickly left. Then, not a few moments after, a single firm knock on the door met with a nearly silent 'enter' from her lips ushered him in.

"How are you today Jacqueline?" He inquired as he always did to which she replied 'fine' as she always did as he approached her to kiss her temple.

She expected him to leave, but he remained there beside her to loom over her before speaking again. Jacqueline still kept her eyes lowered, she still couldn't look at him. "I had promised you that I'd let you see my letter and it's been bothered me that I haven't made good on that."

Jacqueline heard the sounds of paper being slid out from between the pages of a book and the folded pages then appeared between her eyes and hands. She then noticed, from the corner of her eye, Vladimir lowering himself near her and the book resting on his lap.

"I'd like very much to be able to read this with you as I mentioned and have been waiting for you to inquire about it, but alas you haven't been very talkative."

Jacqueline could then heard the sorrow in his voice but still couldn't bring herself to look at him: the shame was still too painful. "You can leave it with me, no need to stay."

"No," Vladimir's voice was firm but not overly commanding, but in the same sorrowful tone continued. "I've missed you and want to spend some time with you, even if its in silence."

That made Jacqueline look up slowly. She wasn't sure if it was to see if there was some sincerity to his look or she was just shocked at the admission. "I never stopped you from coming or staying with me, you left my room by your own accord." She noted his genuine look of displeasure and loneliness. She didn't believe for an instance that it was her company he missed. What of his brother and new creation; surely they could keep him amused enough. Jacqueline set her needle and threads down on the end table and took the letter that was placed on her lap. Her hands trembled as she noticed that there wasn't as much written on the pages to him as her father had written her. What could he possibly have to say to him.

_Sir,_

_When we, my family, first learned of your kind we should have fled from Romania. Our pride, ignorance and greed were our downfall. As much as we profited from the association to your kind, I'd pay it back three fold to have our freedom to live without fear back from you. You have my daughter, the light of my existence, the only treasure I'd never part with even to a mortal like myself._

_She sir has her faults, some I instilled on her and some from her mother but those were nothing to me. they should be nothing to you and should you change the person she is to suit your selfish wants then it would show you to be the monster we have always known you to be and more importantly, eventually prove to her that you don't care for her or her mind._

_The thought of you having her leaves me feeling helpless. I beg of you, from the grave, not to sentence my precious child to death and then a life of your existence. Jacqueline has never exhibited any evil, her actions and expressed thoughts were always ones of passiveness and fairness. Forcing her to kill another soul to feed the demon you plan on making her into would mark her inner beauty and nothing would be able to annul it._

_You were once merciful to Ileana's father, sparing him death, could you show the same kindness to this child, a long descendant to your lost love? Would you do something to Jacqueline if you knew that Ileana would frown upon it from the grave? As much as we despise you Sir, we, Ileana's family have been actively praying for her for this last century. We'd like to believe that our prayers for her soul were heard and she is in salvation with our creator. We did this in the hope that it would release her hold of your heart and you would give up any quest to rob our family of another child._

_The founders of our family, knowing of your nature, knew that this measure might not be enough to quench you. As much faith as they had, there was an equal measure of greed through the ages. My wife has that greed. I wished I knew of it before I married her but then Jacqueline wouldn't be with us. I had always kept my family in comfort but it seems that was never enough for her and if I had told her of Jacqueline resemblance to your lost wife and my refusal to bring her to you then you'd have had your claws into my daughter years ago._

_I beg for my daughter's life, that it be allowed to continue to its natural and timely death at an old and ripe age Sir, nothing more._

_Louie_

There was nothing more written. Jacqueline realized that her father letter only asked that she'd be allowed to live, nothing more. Even he had come to the conclusion that once she was captured that there would be no hope for her release. Her heart sank, she was a prisoner for life. She folded up the letter and handed it back to him. She didn't have the peace of mind to pick up her lace to keep working on it; she was void, numb.

"His words were heavy on my mind Jacqueline. I think I should wish to abide by them if it would have you more open to your situation here." Vladimir didn't want to admit it to anyone but the pain he caused her that night and the words of her father did reach him. He'd never let her go from his side but perhaps, with the threat of her existence not being an issue he might for a short time would have the pleasure of a Queen that didn't despise him completely.

Jacqueline considered what he said carefully. "You aren't going to make me like you?"

Vladimir shook his head. "No. You have my word Jacqueline."

"Alright." Jacqueline felt a great weight being lifted. She wasn't a prisoner facing death, only a prisoner. She wasn't sure what more he wanted from her but this was slightly better than the alternative. Her fingers fumbled as did her mind, what next. Would he see himself out after saying his peace or just continue to sit with her like this, waiting, for her to offer to show him her letter; she wasn't ready to do that just yet. "Have you read the book yet?"

A light smile touched Vladimir's lips, "No. I was hoping you'd like to read it with me as it's about your family history and I thought you might be curious." his fingers tapped on its cover.

"I am. Father would never let me see that book. His face was always grim when he read it and wrote in it. I could never bring myself to ask him about it, thinking that perhaps it was a log of all the people he's sentenced." Talking calmly, not yelling, felt nice to do after being silent for so long. Jacqueline also noticed, on hearing her rested voice, how much softer it had become.

Vladimir inched over to sit right next to her, shoulder to shoulder and opened the cover to the first blank page then watched her expression as he turned the page to the image of Ileana. Jacqueline's eyes widened in the realization that she was on the page; her eyes noted the date of the image that the artist was kind enough to place at the bottom. He waited a moment more before he turned the page to the family tree that stemmed from him and Ileana and her surviving siblings. There were a few pages of this, names beside dates connected with lines branching off with more names until it came to hers, it was on a straight line and the only branches off of it, she noted, were of a few siblings. "Why didn't they track them all?"

"They only cared about the eldest daughters it seemed. It appears that should that line be severely severed then they would trace it back to the last one before and then continue on. Quite assuming on their part that it'd be the eldest and not the youngest or middle child." Vladimir grinned to himself, he already felt the calming effect of being close to Jacqueline and enjoyed it; as she relaxed herself, he felt it.

Jacqueline found where the tree started and saw Ileana's and Vladimir's names. "She was the eldest, perhaps that's what they based it on?" Jacqueline shrugged and turned the page to a jumble words. "I can't read this, is it a different language or a dead one?" She looked up to him as he smirked and his eyes scanned over the page.

"I haven't' seen this dialect for many years, shall I read it to you or would you like to skip ahead? Some of what's written isn't pleasant, quite violent and I shouldn't wish to scare you, those were different, lawless times." Nothing would please him more than to have her hang on his every word. It would mean hours of time reading at a slow pace and more opportunities at discussion off the pages.

"Read it please, I'd like to know all of it." As Vladimir started, he'd first read out the sentence in it's true form and then he'd translate it for Jacqueline. She remained silent for some time, listening to his smooth voice speak to her in a long forgotten language. As the pages were slowly turned certain words started becoming familiar to her, but not all. Jacqueline would occasionally stop Vladimir and ask what his recollection of a particular incident was. As she heard his side of the incidents she started forming in her mind that some of the evils spoken of the brothers were not so. 'Why didn't you say anything, make your case?' She'd ask him to which he replied, 'Do you think they'd have listened?' Jacqueline had to keep reminding herself that the man next to her was a murder; he fed on people. Then it dawned on her. To survive. "What happens if you don't eat?" The question came out of her before she could stop herself.

Vladimir stopped reading the book and tucked the letter, that was cast to the side, in between the pages for her benefit not his. "Our eyes become dark, our throats parched like the desert sands, it's quite painful. We lose all logic and the ability to reason dissolves with the passing hours. Unlike humans we can not die from starvation." She was watching him intently and he wished he could kiss her just then. "Does that answer your question?"

With her inquiry so easily and quickly answered Jacqueline felt she could ask another without any refusal. "Yes. Have I ever seen your eyes that way, hungry?"

"No. What you saw wasn't just hunger. I'd never let myself get to that state in your presence Jacqueline, you're too tempting enough as it is." Vladimir listened to her heart thump just a little quicker and watched a very subtle blush rise in Jacqueline cheeks. "Your lunch is here." Just then there was a knock at the door and it opened slowly and the old woman let herself in. She wheeled in Jacqueline's lunch, set it at the table and quickly left without glancing at either of them. "Go eat Jacqueline, I do not wish to see what you are like when you are famished again." He smiled as she rose up and went to sit to eat her meal. "Are you well enough to leave your chambers m'lady or do you wish to remain in your self imposed keep?"

"I am but I'm not willing to go far." Jacqueline was firm in her statement but knew who she was talking to. There was a glass of wine with her meal and she imagined the servant intended her to have it to settle her temper. She decided to have it, not for its intention but in the hope it would numb her enough to move at a better pace beside him.

"Very well, finish your meal and we can go show everyone that you are well and your mother will stop cursing at me under her breath for keeping you imprisoned." He watched her take several sips of her wine without finishing what was on her plate and her cheeks started blushing slightly from the alcohol. As he had observed her in the past, she was always more malleable in this state but unfortunately not as in charge of her motor skills. "Are you done eating m'lady?" Only half of the food on her dish had been eaten and all the wine drunk. She gave him a little nod and stood but kept herself steady with a hand on the edge of the table. He grinned and decided that she should be served wine at all her meals in greater quantity as it seemed to agree with her and him. He had her up in his arms in a second and out the door before she could blink twice.

"Not so fast, I'll lose my lunch." Her arms found their way around his neck and held on tightly. "Why did I drink that all?" She let her head drop to his shoulder and closed her eyes. She felt herself being stood back up again and it was then she opened her eyes back up to his.

Vladimir leaned into her as if he was going to kiss her but whispered ever so quietly with a hint of mischief. "Because you like feeling good." He backed away so she could see the small bench that had been set up beside his place. He guided her hand to help her sit down and then sat down himself. He listened to the few gasps in the distant gallery. He knew what the rumors were and the astonishment that they were not correct. She had been away for over three days and they had all assumed that she wouldn't be allowed to be seen while she was in transition. In that matter he did agree, he wouldn't let anyone near her when she was so vulnerable. "Is the seat to your liking Jacqueline?"

"You still can see my chest." Jacqueline covered her mouth and swore to herself. "I mean, it's very comfortable, more than just a pillow." She looked at everyone who was looking between her and him; clearly, she thought, they must have thought the worse fate had befell her. She wouldn't tell a soul what he had done to her and then she noticed her mother in the crowd stepping forward. Turning her head she found his eyes already on her, watching her. "May I speak to her m'lord?" Her voice went unnoticed by all but not him or his brother. He gave a nod and she turned her head back to face her mother and waited for her to finish her approach.

"I wished to speak to you and now I see you were simply refusing me and not incapable."

Jacqueline thought her mother was quite arrogant in her address. She knew what she wanted to say, but now she thought differently in how she should say it. "You will leave here, this castle and this town. My sister can stay if she wishes and that will be her own choice seeing she is of age."

The woman gasped and gave her daughter an indignant look. "I've done nothing wrong. You have no authority."

Jacqueline watched a guard blur from his post and appear beside her mother; she resisted the urge to smirk but instead nodded to the guard. She noticed Vladimir sitting forward and as she glanced from the side of her eye she saw his lips moving and the guard nodding. The guard motioned with his hand as he asked her mother to leave with him; the startled woman put up no argument. As the guard and mother passed Dominique, she saw her sister shaking her head no, stepping back and looking at her. Jacqueline thought, at least she wasn't going to be completely alone. Jacqueline also wondered if the guard was called up by one of the brothers or if indeed she had some authority in this place. She sat back, after she realized she was leaning forward and turned to look at Vladimir; whose eyes had wandered back down to her chest. "Thank you for allowing me to speak and send her away m'lord."

Vladimir held out his hand on the armrest of his chair and Jacqueline set her fingers on it, her look was curious but he held his little grin as her hand was lifted to his lips to kiss. "You had more rule over her than I did or else I'd have sent her away the day you had gotten here. You knew of my displeasure of her but I'd be curious to know of yours?"

Jacqueline thought for a moment, the dizziness of the wine was still affecting her and she didn't want to jumble her words. "All my life, and more notably when she set her sights on my sister possibly being the one you were seeking, she's always been seeking her fortune. I see it now. I've been considering that she knew of my families lineage and sought my father out. Out of greed she had us. There might have been love once but who knows if it was ever genuine." Her hand was lowered but he still held on to it and she didn't remove hers. "As I saw it, she didn't deserve to stay in this luxury, expecting to still be my mother and bossing me around."

"You really don't like being told what to do, do you?" He mused with the thought of breaking her of the trait should she ever wish to be turned, but then where would the challenge be?

"No, I don't care to, not at my age."

The burst of laughter from Vladimir filled the room and caused the few towns folk still looming about to shudder and quickly leave. Her hand still remained on his, she wasn't going to be intimidated or easily frightened. "Go talk to your sister," He rose up and she followed suit. "she's been quite eager to speak with you."

Jacqueline gave him a little nod and took back her hand. The effects of the wine had worn off enough that she was now able to be steady on her feet. She went down the steps before her, lifting the silks of her skirt slightly so she wouldn't trip. The two of them, being lead by Dominique, left the brothers and went off to a sitting room.

When they were out of sight Vladimir turned to his brother who was still watching the door the women went out of. Stefan started speaking lowly, "If I didn't know better..." he was silenced by his brothers low growl but wasn't in the least to be intimidated by him into silence, continued. "... I dare say she's improved drastically in the last week."

Vladimir wasn't amused by what he suspected was to be his brothers original sentiment. "She got some sense of closure from the letter she received upon her mother's return." He shrugged and hoped his brother would move on from the topic.

"Was the book anything interesting?"

"I'm reading it to her, it's going slow and I've only gone through only a hundred years of it. I'll tell you one thing, they really disliked and feared us back then." He snorted in his amusement.

"Good, at least we got that right." Stefan was satisfied and gratified himself for their decision to not go into hiding so long ago. He motioned for Sarah to approach them, which she did quickly. Earlier, he had her feed for the first time even though she said she didn't feel the need to. She did however appear more settled since her awakening having had eaten. "Do go find some amusement with the ladies my dear, I'm sure they'd appreciate your new insights." She nodded and went off to quickly find them.

Vladimir guessed at what his brother was up to but said nothing about it. With Jacqueline feeling more secured in her humanity continuing he felt confident that if he'd ask her what her sister and her talked about she'd tell him.

* * *

><p>Dominique brought Jacqueline into a sitting room that had been made up upon their arrival; the servants now seeing the need for one.<p>

"I can't tell you how sorry I am Jacqueline, I begged her when you weren't there to not bring you and now.." A tear threatened to fall. "this is all my fault. I see that now, you're going to die because of me."

Once Jacqueline had a chance to settle herself down into a chair she replied, "I'm not going to die, not any time soon." Her sister looked at her in confusion. "He promised not to. Fathers letter to him, the one you bought, begged that I'd be allowed to live and for his own reasons he's going to abide by it. Why did you decide to stay?" Just then a servant came with a cart that held a pot of steeping tea and trays of sweet indulgences. Dominique remained quiet as the woman set everything out for them. Sarah appeared at the door and stood to the side as the servant left. "Please join us?" Jacqueline called out and Sarah entered and found a seat and sat quietly. Jacqueline gave her a nod in thanks and then returned her attentions back to her sister that seemed a little unsettled by the new guest. "Well, why then?"

"I..." Dominique was clearly uneasy but continued, trusting her sister's decision to include the immortal woman in their party. "mother was rabid with anger. I've never seen her so different. When we were coming here, that's when it started, and when we went home to get our things she opened the book and saw that image of you in it. She was like a mad dog, she cursed father to hell, burned what we didn't bring back with us that was his and swore her revenge on his and your deceit. When she'd calmed down enough I begged her, not to do anything rash. I didn't see the point I told her, if the stories were true then it didn't matter but she said she could've been living far better off long ago and be done with father." Dominique started sniffling as more tears threatened. "She said that it was a mercy to her that father was killed or else she would have never gotten the living she deserved." Dominique wiped the gathering moisture from her eyes. "She may have loved me more, at least pretended to, but she used father horribly."

"I thought so." Jacqueline said coldly. "In his letter to me, he suspected it of her but as far as we were concerned he loved both of us, equally." Jacqueline glanced to Sarah who was sitting very still. "And what do you think of our wretched mother?" She didn't see the point of being anything but blunt and forthcoming in this setting.

"By your accounts, and those of the human servants that tended to her, she didn't deserve the honor of being called or considered your mother. I'd listen to them complaining when she said something wasn't good enough for her, her food was too cold or there wasn't enough wood for the fire to keep her warm. They liked you Dominique, how thankful and polite you are and were to them."

"We never had servants, Jacqueline could tell you too, father didn't approve of them even if they were well paid." Dominique proudly said.

"That's because our ancestors were slave traders Dominique, he must have been embarrassed about that fact and I don't blame him. Besides, the bit of work mother did do stopped her from expanding to an impossible size." Jacqueline laughed softly.

Dominique, having settled herself, started to pour the tea and was about to ask about where the third cup was, paused and remembered her company. "Oh, right. I've come not to notice the difference it seems."

Jacqueline suspected the familiarity was another hunting ruse their kind had over them. "You got fathers eyes Dominique, I was always jealous about that but then he was always proud of showing me off when we went places. He told me that when they saw my blue ones, and I'd talk to them, it made them feel important. I never understood why."

Sarah asked, "You don't see it when the brothers talk to the towns people?" and then continued. "People that speak to the brothers consider themselves special because he's different." Sarah looked at the various little cakes and cookies, momentarily fixated. "I love my eyes now, everything is so clear. I can see the light bouncing within the confines of each sugar crystal."

The sisters looked at one another; neither of them knew how to respond to that statement but Jacqueline didn't want Sarah's assertion to go unanswered. "And the speed? I still can't manage it myself."

"It's nothing. It's like you all slow down and I'm moving normally." Sarah recalled how upset Jacqueline appeared when she went off with Vladimir and guessed that that may have prompted the statement. "He was a perfect gentleman that night I woke up and he took me out, they both are towards me." Sarah noticed the hint of disbelief written on them. "Stefan explained to me that women of our, my, kind aren't taken as lightly as you...we are as equally capable as men and possibly more lethal given our seemingly more genteel appearances. How do you find him Jacqueline, is he not the same towards you? You must get very close to him, you smell like him."

Jacqueline realized her heart was beating quickly and knew Sarah could hear it. "We were reading, uhm he was reading to me before we came and he did carry me in so I guess I would smell like him." She wished she could have more wine just then to settle herself.

Dominique had zipped her lips so tight she might not have said a word; wanting to hear everything her sister had to say but blurted out rather abruptly. "Have you kissed yet?"

Jacqueline's eyes grew wider, as did Sarah's at the question. "Yes," The two women across from her glared, as if a simple 'yes' wasn't enough. "and it was a wonder I didn't die in his arms."

Dominique gave a sigh of relief but Sarah didn't budge as she asked. "You were able to just kiss him and nothing more? Odd." Jacqueline nodded as Sarah continued. "You see, because I didn't find that to be the case at all." The sisters pressed her with their questioning looks. "As Vladimir explained, we are not bound by your rules, and he encouraged me to ask about anything and everything as I wished. He explained that just because I'm at their service I'm not to be ignorant so when I was with Stefan I asked him about intimacy. I didn't feel right about asking Vladimir about that out of respect for you Jacqueline." Sarah gave her a look, stressing the point. "So he explained a few things and then I asked him to kiss me, and he did." She fell silent and a little smirk took over her look. "I think it was a day and a half later when I was able to detach myself from him."

Dominique whispered to her sister, "Does she mean her lips?" Jacqueline shook her head no and gave her a smirk. Her eyes grew and she turned to look back at Sarah, "Are you two in love?"

Sarah snorted in the cutest way, "No, not in the slightest, I was just curious." She looked to Jacqueline, still curious about hers and Vladimir's interactions.

Jacqueline could tell and didn't want to get into any real details about what they had done in the privacy of her room. "He had to stop, I couldn't. He said that he knew if we'd... if he didn't kill me, he knew it wasn't what I would have wanted."

"I'm so confused. Don't you like him?" Dominique asked.

Jacqueline was glad the discussion had moved away from intimacy but not to her feelings. "I like him well enough but, if you can see it from my side you'll see how little of a choice I've had in my situation here. I know I'll never be allowed to leave and even if I was what man would want me, let alone dare fall in love with me knowing that if he broke my heart there might be an immortal angry at him." Jacqueline sighed. "It's tragic but at least the rest of my life will be mine to live and very interesting."

Sarah, having heard what was said before she'd entered, wondered why Jacqueline would not take what was hers, the gift of perpetual youth.

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><p>Again, reviews are lovely if the words are kind.<p> 


	7. Chapter 7

Jacqueline, Dominique and Sarah openly talked for several hours until they took their leave of each other and the place. The conversation did Jacqueline a world of good but some of the topics that did weigh on her and they revolved around hers and Vladimir's future. She came to hope that he'd get tired of her and he'd release her before she died of old age.

She returned directly to her room, the hour was near supper time and she still preferred to eat alone and reasoned that her servant may not have arranged to have her food elsewhere so retuning there was supper came and a bottle of wine was left by her servant. Jacqueline wondered if there were stories of her circulating around the servants as there were of her mother but then she figured that only the most senior of them would be allowed to be near her, and the most discreet.

She looked over to where her needles with the lace were discarded and didn't have the motivation to pick them up at such a late hour. When the old woman returned Jacqueline asked that a good fire be started for her, she'd tend to it if extra wood could be left. She wanted to bath and the added warmth in the room would be comforting. The dishes were cleared, the wine was left and once the fire was started she disappeared into the bathroom for a spell. Upon her exiting she hesitated, just in case Vladimir had let himself in but seeing the contents of the room clearly, the light was fading but enough to see by, she was satisfied he was absent. The old woman had set out a fresh night gown and long house coat for her. She also noticed a heavy screen was set in front of the fire that would not let any embers by should they fly. At first she sat in a nearby chair but the heat wasn't reaching her as much as she liked. She debated pushing the chair in closer but spotted a pillow and tossed it on to the ground in front of the fire to sit on. She set herself to drying her hair by the heat of fire and hoped it wouldn't take too long. After some time there was a knock at the door and Jacqueline felt her heart stop; it was him, she knew it. "Come in."

Vladimir paused at the opened door for a moment to take in the scene before him and swallowed back the venom pooling in his mouth. The room appeared to him and his superior vision, brightly lit by the fire in warm hues of red and orange with flecks of yellow closer to the flames and Jacqueline's silhouette standing out at the origin of the light. The primal feeling of 'want' was beckoning him to strike at her in that instant. 'She was his', it whispered to him so sweetly that the taste of her blood flooded his memory so potently that he could taste it in his mouth. He stood there for some time before closing the door behind him and then remaining in place until the urge to merely touch her had diminished. She was his, the monster within him chanted but he fought it with every step he eventually took closer to her and sat in a chair near her to cast his gaze down at her. "Was your afternoon a pleasant one?" He asked in the hopes she'd continue to allow his company by him focusing on her and her activities and not just on his curiosities about her. He spotted the bottle of wine and the empty glasses and settled himself with the idea of serving her should she desire it; something he's never done for a mere human before.

Jacqueline had waited for her captor to sit before looking up to him; dark focused eyes were on her, picking her soul to pieces. "Yes. Oddly enough I missed talking with my sister. She is still sorry for bringing us here but I settled her by telling her that you wouldn't be…" She watched him swallow deeply and shivered slightly. "She was very glad you allowed me to send our mother away. Domenic said that she saw the image in the book and was severely irritated, that she was out for revenge…"

"I'm having her followed." Vladimir spouted and much to his sudden shock Jacqueline quickly muttered "I'm glad." and turned her head to gather a few locks of still damp hair to dry by the heat of the fire. "You aren't upset? I had thought you might be and was considering not telling you." He sat firmly in his chair, not daring to leave it just yet; he didn't trust himself.

"There were times, growing up, mother was downright evil to people that she considered friends. I didn't know why she did the things she did but what was most upsetting is that she thought she was justified in doing them. I wouldn't put it past her to try something even on you m'lord. Her plan of ease and comfort, that she had been planning her entire life, has fallen to pieces and her only two assets are not hers anymore." Jacqueline looked up to him but his look had not changed much since his sitting. Her fingers ran through her damp hair, pulling out tangles carefully. "It was very nice being able to talk with Sarah, she seems very happy here, with you and your brother. I dare to think that she's never been treated so well with the utmost amounts of respect in her entire life. She said you were the picture of a perfect gentleman and that your brother," Jacqueline thought of how she could phrase this politely. "has been very giving of his time to answer all her questions."

Vladimir snorted at hearing about his brothers dealings; it slowly helped break the curse over him and his fixation over her blood. "He had sex with her Jacqueline, no need to hide what they did. All the immortals heard them and like I said, we aren't bound by your rules. We certainly don't have any inhibitions about those things that your kind desperately try to hide to save their honor." His fingers twitched to be allowed to thread through her freshly washed locks that were slowly drying and coiling into soft curls. "Is that all you ladies talked about this afternoon?"

Of course, that was the point of his visit she thought. Jacqueline brushed off her soiled sense of purity and remembered who and what she was talking to. "Dominique is wishing to stay but is wavering over her safety here as to that of what it would be beyond the walls of the castle. I told her that she's far safer here than in town and that there wouldn't be any suitors that would use the ruse of love to separate her from her inheritance." She glanced at him, no response. "What are you thinking?"

What was he thinking. Even in this setting he thought, with his attentions so focused on her his mind was thinking of a great deal of things. "I'm thinking about how lovely your hair looks just now, and if I should ask, if you'd let me touch it." He watched her hands still and her posture stiffen. That was a no. "I'm thinking about how incredibly soft the inside of your thigh is, and what it would be like to press my lips upon it." Her eyes hinted at fear but she didn't look away. "I am not a coward Jacqueline, nor a thief. There is no real victory in taking what I desire from you that you are not willing to give."

"Then why tell me those things if you know I'm not willing to let you do them, was it to merely stir a reaction in me that would indicate my current mood or acceptance of you?" She watched him intently, he was better at this than her, she knew it and the last time she played this game with him she lost. As awful as her defeat was, attempting to see the brighter side, she did enjoy the pleasure he set afire within her the last night they were together. "Tell me how she was, Ileana."

With that one line Vladimir's mind was flooded with the memories of his lost love. Jacqueline's crystal blue eyes pierced him like no sword could and he felt the pain from their sting. "She was the calm to my storm, my keeper. She was my most precious treasure and it was humbling to know that she loved and chose me above all others." Vladimir felt the last of his blood lust race away from him and he dared to finally sit forward to rest his elbows on his knees. Jacqueline's lips were still parted at his statement and she was focused on his eyes. "Ileana was lovely on the inside and out. She was not concerned about her looks, possession or power she was happy just being allowed to enjoy the beauty the world held. She valued our time alone together which she got too little of and I blame myself completely for that. A hundred years wasn't enough and if I had a thousand that still wouldn't be enough for me to show that woman how much I loved her." Vladimir took a breath and paused to savor Jacqueline's scent in the air. "She never lost herself, after all our time together, she was always the same being that I first recalled begging to be allowed to exist as an immortal. Her turning was done without mine or Stefan's permission and when my soldiers had found her, and the one who did it to her, he was quickly disposed of. From the first moment she touched me I sensed her gift, her ability that was beyond her consciousness or knowledge." Jacqueline shifted her position and turned to him slightly. He grinned, realizing she was taking him in to her mind. "You have that same gift of calm, I suspect it's quite strong in you since I can sense it in you in your mortal state." He listened to her heart speed up slightly, he expected it, it was a lot for her to accept and he hoped she would understand that it was that in combination to her looks that was why he wanted to keep her. He waited for her to calm herself down before he continued. "She was a treasure to me but being in the position of power that I was I couldn't let her be seen as my weakness, she understood in her own way and when we were being seen she would be my perfect docile companion." Vladimir pursed his lips, growing ever more eager to see what Jacqueline's next reaction would be. "When we were alone, I'd be hers." Her eyes questioned the statement then looked down and away from him as she gave it some thought before they looked back up to him.

"I'd like a glass of wine please." Asking him sounded incredibly odd but what was odder to her is that he slowly got up and did as she asked. A glass of wine was then lowered to her where she sat; she was stunned. Her hand reached for it and her fingers brushed his as she took it within hers while her eyes looked upwards towards his. He was smirking down at her, she didn't think he was displeased with her for asking him. "Did the guard obey me or you today?"

"He was the first one that caught my eye and noticed that I didn't object to what you were saying so he, Christian, was more than happy to escort her out. I suspect he was also growing tired with her grumblings and looked forward to getting rid of the irritation." His view was marvelous he thought, he could see the swells of Jacqueline's breasts as they pressed together as she sipped her wine. When her eyes looked back up to his they returned to hers.

"It didn't seem like you were that calm in the book."

He wasn't about to pull himself away from her, his view, so he stayed in place. "The several hours a day that I'd have with her, the time for reflection, gave me the focus I needed to rule the territory with a better sense of insight. Stefan and I were very prosperous, we gained a great deal and were becoming a force to be reckoned with." His voice fell to a whisper. "It was our rapid rise into power that brought us to the attention of the Italians."

Jacqueline's eyes fell and she bent her outstretched legs into her chest. Vladimir's voice was grim. In the book all the tails were still accounts of Ileana being alive. "Would you read more of it to me please?"

His head dipped slightly and he was back beside her in a blink. He didn't wish to remove her from the warmth of the fire so he sat behind her, his arms encompassed her frame. Jacqueline was a little apprehensive to his position near her but allowed it. His hand brushed away the soft curls from her shoulder to the side and then it picked up the book so she could see the page. He started reading, as he had done before, the written words and then the translation.

Jacqueline sat silently, listening and sipping her wine. She thought about the things that were being read to her, how her ancestors thought it was vital enough to be recorded but now it started sounding familiar. This went on for several hours and then the page before them was turned and Vladimir paused. She looked at the top of the page and made out the words, 'Ileana is dead.' and knew, with his perfect memory, he was reliving it yet again. He, from her earlier asking about her, she realized the depth of his pain just then, he wasn't posturing. "Let's stop here?" The book was closed and set down next to them. He was still behind her, a perfect statue in his grief. "Someone once told me, after I had just lost father, that the feeling of being numb must be the bodies way of protecting itself. I asked them if they've ever lost anyone and they said no. I then told them that although there is a sensation of numbness occurring it's the result of feeling everything all at once. The good and the bad memories along with the physical responses they bring are clashing and the numbness is the neutrality of it's combining." She felt him pressing his lips to the back of her head.

"So wise for someone so young." He had been listening to Jacqueline's heart beating, it anchored him in place and kept him from falling any further into an abyss of emotions, her voice pulled him up from there and back into the present. She knew about the pain of loss, in her own small and limited way and he didn't wish to chastise her for such a simplistic view. He felt all that much more than she could ever fathom. "Do you pity me?" Her head shook and she remained silent and leaned back on him.

Jacqueline felt the lateness of the hour, the effects of the wine within her veins, the lure of the dancing flames in her eye, it's warmth on her skin as well as the tingles in her spine from being so close to him. "I'm so tired but I don't want to move." His chest rose and fell behind her and she waited for him to speak, ask her if he should leave or stay or something similar. She felt him move and slowly pick her up in his arms, his strength was still a marvel to her and in a few short paces she was being lowered into her bed and the covers being pulled up over her. "Goodnight, rest well." was all he said and then he left. It was some time before she spoke out, "I don't deserve this." into the darkness and in her heart she felt she didn't deserve him, his affections and generosity. Her eyes felt heavy and she drifted into her slumber.

-o-o-o-o-

Vladimir drifted from her room to where him and Stefan usually met and then to the common room, he was not to be found. He tuned on his heel and debated slipping back into Jacqueline's room but decided against it. He did find himself in his own well kept and quiet room. The room was dark, heavy drapes were always drawn over the windows at all hours but he needed no light to see the contents of the room. Treasures from the centuries past adorned the walls and were tucked away in heavy ornate furniture. Nothing in this room held any value to him except the one item that belonged to Ileana that still survived, her ring. He found it undisturbed in its chest and picked it up. The inside of it was smooth from her finger and the outer metal surface had small nicks and scratches on it from being constantly worn. The deep blood red stone that adorned it, so rich in its color that it was often mistaken for being black, also had several fine scratches on it. He then recalled asking her, if he could get her a finer more ornate ring and she replied that she'd wear the one he first gave her until it fell off of her hand. It did fall off her hand, he found it in the ashes of her remains afterwards. He remembered vowing revenge on her killers, the Italians, and then falling into despair for several decades as he mourned her loss. He slipped the band on to his little finger and then went to lay down on his bed. His bed was something that he never desired but finally relented on when him and Stefan started turning women to keep them company. He only used the thing once, a few hundred years ago, and even then it was a failed attempt to be with another woman. He wished Jacqueline was laying beside him so he could hear her heart beating, her smooth and shallow breaths and the occasional rumbling of her stomach. He'd keep her safe, he'd have her for fifty possibly sixty years before she'd pass on and he'd be alone again. 'If she would just change her mind', he thought, if only, he'd risk putting her through the pain of the change to keep her forever. Then again, she wouldn't be his then, she'd be an immortal and with that, the laws of old didn't apply anymore. She'd be free to go, rather, she could leave him and forcing her to remain wouldn't be an option. No, keeping her human was the best way of preserving what he had.

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><p>Reviews are lovely if you leave them.<p> 


	8. Chapter 8

Vladimir isn't mine unfortunately, SM owns his butt, but the original characters I've ether created or were given to me belong to me.

This IS an original story by me so don't copy any of it.

Have I mentioned how much I love your reviews...no? Well I do!

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><p>The next few days that passed turned into weeks, then months.<p>

Jacqueline, being lifted from the burden of her impending preconceived death came to grips with her captivity. She couldn't leave but didn't feel like a hostage now either.

She and her sister were content and started to making it a habit of going in to town for the Saturday market. As much as Jacqueline liked to think it was just the two of them on these outings she knew that she was always being watched, if not by Vladimir himself then a trusted guard. It didn't matter if the immortals were shadowing her and her sister, the townspeople knew them well enough now and made it their business to ensure their safety. News of what happened to the pickpocket was a solid reminder of how harsh the brothers were to those that crossed them or their interests.

Jacqueline and her sister were always careful regardless; not only for where they went but what they said in public. Their discussions, when they were out, where geared around what they were looking at or the person they were speaking to. Many people, who were daring enough to ask, would inquire about the brothers; their activities but Jacqueline and her sister would be nonspecific or give them an answer that was expected.

Though listening to the townspeople, the sisters learned of the brothers long history though the stories they told when they were sitting at the tavern and having some refreshments or a bite to eat.

-As told -

The day that the brothers came and started watching over them was the day prosperity was brought back to the area. When it was realized who and what they were the town council set forth a crew of workers to castle; they called our to them as to who they were and their intent of repairing a fallen castle wall, they were allowed in without incident. As the legend goes, one of the men who was working on a high scaffold had lost his footing and was falling to his death when his descent was abruptly interrupted; he then appeared standing where he should have been laying dead. This simple act made the people realize they weren't in any immediate danger by the brothers and then then saw to it that they would be made to feel accepted by them. Over time the castle was slowly repaired and quite often gold was left out for the workers and their supplies.

More time passed, and those in the community that were deemed worthy of the placement were allowed to take up residence in the castle and keep the place clean and see to the few needs of the brothers.

Many naysayers complained of the cost of such an association but were quickly silenced when a band of raiders attempted to attack the town. The alarm was sounded, a large bell in the middle of the main square rang out but when the men arrived to where the raiders were, they found their decapitated bodies heaped in a pile and their heads on stakes. They witnessed brothers still feasting on the last few and then snapping their heads off as if they were frail blades of straw. The gold and silver that the raiders had on them was left in a pile for the towns people. The naysayers were then silenced for good and became the biggest advocates of the immortals and were the first to insist that a formal dialogue be opened up with them so there was never a misunderstanding between them. Laws were written and crime became a thing of the past. The castle was made into a thing of beauty and was purposely shrouded in a veil of mystery for any visiting outsider.

The people who were serving the brothers continuously observed them leaving when there was news of war or unsettle in far off places, only to return days, weeks later; this was not acceptable to them. Not for the reasons of them leaving them, they did need to feed, but for them leaving them vulnerable. It was surmised that they did needed nourishment more frequently than the people had guessed, and with that, a prison was built in the lower levels of the castle. No sooner than it was done than another band of raiders had attempted an invasion. They found themselves imprisoned so quickly that the confused men had to be informed that they were now slated for death. News of how they dealt with criminals, from that point, never got out; no one outside of the town was to ever find out about the immortals. The people wanted to keep the immortals content and in place protecting them.

It was only a hundred years prior to the arrival of Jacqueline that they had learned about the prophecy. A man and his two daughters showed up asking if the brothers were there; they had an image of them on an ancient parchment so they were allowed entry into the castle that was now a lavish palace that was fit for a king. The meeting was brief, nothing was said, the father was allowed to leave with his daughters intact; assuring the townspeople that encounter would never be spoken about. Less than ten years had passed when more fathers and their daughters started to arrive, claiming the same story. The brothers didn't seem alarmed so the people allowed the 'showings' to proceed. Though the open dialogue the town elders had with the brothers the prophecy was learned understood. A Inn was built to facilitate the visitors and then a second one was built for the sheer number of them coming into town. Some remained, purchased land and wed their daughters off in the hopes that their female children would see favor with the brothers. Many of the town's people were concerned about the new numbers in their community, the secrecy of their prosperity and protection not to mention their trust with them that took them several generations to build with the brothers. Many of them kept a watchful eye on the new people for some time until they were certain that they assimilated into the community without danger. There was concern, always concern but it seemed a peaceful arrangement had been reached. The great war came and went and the brothers found their dungeons filled to capacity. The maidens kept showed up and departed in what seemed like an endless stream. How that many woman from a single family could've been had was unfathomable.-

"That's because they kept having children upon children." Jacqueline interrupted, recalling the family tree in the book. She didn't want to mention that her own father kept her from this place, she didn't want them to think ill of her, or the fact that her family had the book with image of Ileana in it. It didn't seem to matter now that she was here. "They didn't know what the girl was to look like and were going on guesses, but then again, none of us knew how the prophecy was to come to be." The patrons of the tavern were a little dismayed at what was said but as they were well on their way to being drunk by then so there was a round of laughter. "We should be getting back Dominique, its late and I'm getting tired."

"But our company has been so hospitable, can we stay a while longer Jacqueline?" Dominique was fond of the attention they got but always did as her sister instructed as she was very content at where she had found herself in life and didn't want to risk losing it.

'No', the answer was always no. Jacqueline may not have been as tired as she let on but she had other plans for the evening that she wasn't about to disclose. "I don't want us to be missed and have my privilege of being allowed out revoked. And you know I will not let you come out at night on your own so..." Dominique sighed, and the group that they were in nodded in acceptance. Offers to escort the ladies back home were pressed to them but all were refused. Jacqueline felt ruby eyes on her, even if she couldn't see them, and hurried her sister along. The ladies left and a few strolled beside them, chatting, but even they fell away and went off on their own business as the distance to the castle grew shorter.

"I didn't know we had so many relatives?" Dominique stated as she looked through her little bag of things she bought and fished out some sweets that had fallen to the bottom of the bag.

"I very much doubt that we do. Did you recognize any of those girls when we came?" Jacqueline watched her sister shaking her head no. "Neither did I. They were all, like mother, banking on the hope that they looked close enough to me." She snorted. "Well, as it is now, we are freed from mother her toxic ways and allowed to live our lives together in security and if and when you find someone, you can marry them without mothers approval," Jacqueline laughed, " you only need to seek mine."

Dominique sighed. "That's even harder. Do you think the brothers would weigh in on the matter? Not that I have found anyone, none of them back there or anyone has interested me, but am I to grow old and become a spinster?"

It amused Jacqueline that her sister was so absorbed in her candy and future that she wasn't aware of their surroundings or gave any thought to the fact that they were out in the dark on a side road that only servants and they traveled. "Why don't you ask them if you are that concerned?" The flick of a stone behind them and made her turn her head slightly and grin; Dominique was still oblivious.

"Oh sure, that would go over well. If they said they were or would who on earth would measure up to their standards and would that poor soul be brave enough to come calling anyway?"

Jacqueline shrugged. "If I were you and I would be more concerned with what I thought about your suitors than them. I don't think the brothers care who you marry Dominique, or if you marry at all. But if one should break your heart he would have to fear me more than them."

Dominique gave a huff. "It's hopeless."

For the rest of the way the women were silent but Jacqueline's mind was thinking hard about what her sister had said. She didn't consider herself a spinster or anything similar. Perhaps a Mistress of sorts but there was no one else she wished to see other than her keeper and he wouldn't let anyone touch her. No, she was greater than a mistress but not necessarily a wife either; there wasn't any of the usual obligations set on her in that regard. Vladimir had only asked her to stay and after this evening, listening to the townspeople's stories, they'd insist the same of her as well; stay. Did they notice a change in him that she didn't see? It wasn't so bad she thought, he cared for her and her sister; sheltered and fed them. He provided an excess of pocket money so neither of them dipped into their inheritance; he was better than any husband or governor. She knew he liked her, that much was evident by his mannerisms and how he treated her when they were alone and in public. She found herself softening towards him the more she learned about him and his past; she recalled how difficult it was on him when they continued her fathers book. He was just like any other man but with centuries worth of experiences, a vast knowledge and an array of feelings that ran deeper than anything she was capable of quantifying.

The two women arrived back at the castle and parted, each to their own room for the night. Jacqueline didn't want to divulge to her sister what the rest of her evening would entail; just in case it wasn't Vladimir behind them on their way back. She never did tell anyone that they met every night and that often he'd stay to watch her sleep; only to slip out when she woke. Jacqueline changed out of her clothes, that smelled of the tavern and dawned on her robe with her night gown underneath after sufficiently washing up. Over the last several weeks she had come to value and look forward to her time with Vladimir and this had evolved from him not objecting to her going out in the early evenings. She had found that it gave her something to talk about when she was with him, be it the happenings of the towns people or what new thing she bought with his money. She had settled herself in front of the fire that was lit for her, the nights were getting colder, and sipped wine from a delicate glass when she then heard a knock at her door. "Come in." She quickly invited him in, glad to see him. It didn't matter that they had spent several hours of the day together already, she missed seeing him just the same.

Vladimir entered, curious as to what their evening would entail. Jacqueline had developed a routine of activities, moods, that he quickly realized repeated over the weeks. They went from not wanting to speak or move much, to chatter, to being close intimate and then back to unmoving and quiet. He realized what brought these moods on but thought it prudent not to mention or ask the human about it. He knew Jacqueline was shifting from the chatter to her wanting to be near him phase and he was feeling anxious about it. It wasn't the physical contact that concerned him; he was more than happy to touch her, be close to her but it was more to do with the monster inside of him that still craved her blood that needed to be kept in check. Jacqueline's eyes looked him over, the wine in her system had given them a certain sparkle that he liked; they settled on his still damp hair questioning it. "I needed to wash it, my meal wasn't very, cooperative." Jacqueline gave a nod, she understood his need, he explained it well enough to her and he wasn't about to shelter her now or feel ashamed about what he was. She donned a little smile and patted the empty place beside her for him. She was in command of him but he observed that she never became headstrong about it and he loved her more for it. He moved at a humans pace to sit beside her, ready to ask her about her evening but instead he watched Jacqueline set her glass down and raise her hand to run her fingers through his still dampened hair. The warmth of her touch radiated down into his scalp, almost making him forget what he was about to say. "It was a lovely evening to be out, did you and your sister enjoy yourselves?"

Jacqueline gave a little shrug, "It was and we did. It's amazing how soft this is..." her fingers were still exploring his hair when she realized it wasn't the best most polite way to converse with him. "oh sorry, just never seen it wet." She backed away slightly. "So you weren't the one following us?"

"No, I wanted to hear about your night from you and not compare it to what I saw with what you tell me." Vladimir wanted her to put her hand back where it was so she could continue her exploration of his head and he could enjoy her touch but thought against it. "If there was a problem then my guard would have informed me. Did you hear anymore stories about us? The towns people love their history and it gets better, and more they tell it and we get more severe with each passing year." He couldn't keep his eyes off of her, not that he wanted to, her ease with what she was wearing around him when they were alone was becoming more relaxed and he couldn't help himself.

"Well," Jacqueline reached for her glass of wine that she had set beside her. "we learned of when you first came here, the rebuilding of the castle and how they sought to keep you from leaving them unprotected from raiders." She took a good sip of wine that instantly blossomed in her cheeks.

Vladimir grinned slightly at the blush and recalled the time that Jacqueline spoke of. "They wanted to keep the dungeon they built full for us and for a time they offered the service of disposing of criminals slated for death in other towns to be brought here. For several decades the practice of public executions was becoming ill received by its inhabitants and shipping them off to meet their justice became a very in vogue thing to do." Vladimir gave a shrug, "It worked. We didn't care who or what they did to deserve a trip here and it saved us several trips away." and much to his pleasure Jacqueline had emptied her glass. "Did they tell you of anything else?"

Jacqueline was debating whether or not to fill her glass again, the ache in her back was only slightly numbed. The bottle appeared on the table beside Vladimir; he had fetched it for her unasked and she grinned. "Thank you. You, or your brother saved a falling worker?" The bottle was tipped and her glass filled. She enjoyed his attentiveness and her blush brightened.

"Stefan did. He thought it'd help them realize we had their best intentions for their welfare in mind. It was to our advantage too, stone masons were rare and we needed their skills or we'd have to rebuild the place ourselves. It would have gone faster mind you, but then they wouldn't have felt like they were being valuable to us for something other than their blood." He listened to the alcohol thinned blood rushing through Jacqueline's veins flow a little faster and noted how her muscles were loosening. "Two glasses this evening, what's the occasion. I trust I haven't missed your birthday or some other special event?" It occurred to him that he didn't know her birthday and he'd ask her at another time.

"Oh. I..." Jacqueline was unsure she should mention it to him but relented, she knew he'd find out eventually and continually sought to keep their communications open. "Where I was sitting this evening, at the tavern, it was uneven and my back is hurting. The walk back here helped but the wine is better." She took a quick few sips and set the glass down. Over the past few weeks she had come to trust herself around him if she became a bit too tipsy and on occasion pass out; she'd wake up the next morning in her bed untouched enough times. Vladimir was true to his word, he wasn't going to be a coward by taking something that wasn't given to him by her. "Could you rub my back?" She hesitantly asked, she wasn't sure why she did, it'd mean letting him touch her but then again, she reasoned, she had helped herself to exploring his damp hair.

Vladimir swallowed back some venom, he was excited at the prospect. "I could try. I recall reading a book from the Far East about the practice." She was looking at him oddly, he guessed she wasn't sure at what to do or how to proceed. He did wish she'd call his castle her home by now, accept it as hers in a way but let the notion go as he watched her set her glass down. Vladimir patted his lap. "Sit here facing me and rest yourself on my chest, I'll be able to better judge how much strength to use so I don't hurt you. He watched her rise slowly and internally debate how she'd get on to him, presumably in a graceful manor. He also presumed that the pain in her back was significant because she didn't object to the position he proposed, much to his delight, and didn't need to drink more wine to soften her will to do it. Once she was straddling his lap, her chest on his, he took a selfish moment to savor the feel of her upon him. "Where is the pain the greatest?"

"My waist and lower back." Jacqueline felt his chilled arms encompass her and then his hands rest on the back of her shoulders and move down her back to where she had said. A tingle rose where his hands passed and she stiffened slightly. She then felt his fingers first testing the area and then his palms slowly start pressing down in circular motions. As he pressed on her back she slowly slid herself into him more, finding a more comfortable position and fitting into him more snugly. "Lower?" He pressed down carefully and she groaned against his neck when he found the sore spot. Her fingers found their way back into his hair to feel and tease it as her eyes closed and she let herself enjoy the massage. He continued to work his palms around the area and Jacqueline felt each strained muscle give up its pain and melt into submission. She sat up slowly and shrugged her bunching robe off onto her legs, she didn't care for how it was interfering with his motions and returned back down on to him. She noticed before she settled back down that Vladimir had his eyes closed and his brow was creased as if he was in a deep state of thought. "Are you alright?" His arms returned around her and his hands rested on to her back.

"I'm alright Jacqueline." He wasn't alright, he was struggling with his nature and his want for her continued warmth against him. He underestimated her movements on his lap and each breath that touched his neck from her left him wanting more. He searched her back endlessly for each and every muscle out of place; anything to keep her on him a little bit longer. Jacqueline groaned out again from somewhere deep inside of her when he he pressed down on her lower spine and Vladimir felt his own body tremble slightly with his growing desire.

"Are you sure?" Jacqueline lifted herself up from his chest a little so she could face him; his eyes were still closed. "Open your eyes." She whispered and then found herself peering into a darkened abyss. She thought, if a fire could ever burn black, this is what it would look like. "What are you thinking?" Her tone was soft and unassuming of any ill intent on his part but rather one of curiosity to see if she had done anything wrong.

"Can't you guess." Vladimir's hands rested low on Jacqueline's waist now, so his thumbs were nested in the crook where her legs met her sides. He took a moment to take in the sight of her on him like this, it'd be a vision he'd enjoy recalling when she wasn't near. Her nightgown was draped low on her chest and he could make out the delicate slope of her collar bone, the muscles around it and the veins that fed them.

"I've learned not to guess what you're thinking as even the most obvious idea I have is often incorrect or the lesser of the many." She was ready for him to say anything but the obvious, his want for her blood as he's done once or twice before, and a crude version of what she suspected was pressing beneath her.

"I was thinking, and please don't suspect any malice on my part, but I was wondering if there would ever be a day, a time, when you'd let me love you the way I'd like to." Vladimir was expecting her to remove herself from him and order him out. No such action was taken and her look remained as steady as the rhythm of her heart, she wasn't phased one bit and that made him very curious. She looked at her hands that were still resting on his chest and still remained silent for a long while.

Jacqueline could still feel him looking at her but she stayed focused on her fingers that were pressing on the unyielding flesh beneath the thin material of his shirt. With all that she had learned about him, his loss and the rest of his history, she didn't think of herself as the one to replace his wife or be any kind of object of his affection. What she had felt within her was an unquestionable sense of trust around him; he would never let her stumble as she walked beside him, lest she fall and hurt herself. His attentiveness towards her was unyielding even in those moments when she wanted nothing to do with him. No human man could compare to him and she was quite certain that she'd ever feel the way she did about him with any other man. She had learned a great deal about him, not only of his inescapable nature but many of his dealings with people. In her hunt to find something redeemable, something her own father suggested to her, to ease her time with him, she in truth couldn't find anything but the one obvious thing about him to be his only fault. She listened, in her mind, to what his last words were; they wished for her permission to love her and even now in this state he could easily take from her anything he desired. "Could you, without hurting me?" She didn't recognize her own voice when she asked, it didn't seem like her but the question needed to be voiced. Her sister was correct in her sentiments earlier this evening, even though she didn't come out and say it directly; to live a life alone would be unbearable. If Jacqueline feared anything it was just that, being alone but even greater than that, was the fear of choosing to live that way. She wasn't perfect, not that Vladimir would point out her faults but she, outside of the castle walls, hadn't met anyone in her entire life that made her feel as perfect or as loved as he did.

"Yes." Vladimir's tone was firm and absolute; he needed to hear himself affirm his wishes of wanting more from her without harming her. As close as she was Jacqueline still seemed distant so he waited for her to make a move. She looked as if she was in deep thought or trying to gather her courage; he honestly couldn't tell because all his wants and desires were screaming at him to take her. Her fingers flicked his top button undone as the next and the next; he dropped his chin down with a hint of a smirk showing. The tips of Jacqueline's warm fingers traced back up his chest and in that moment he knew he was glad she was exactly who she was and not some starry eyed dreamer who'd fall into his arms with little effort on his part. He respected her more for her hesitation in accepting him than anything that was going to be happening in that moment. He allowed her to continue uninterrupted to push his shirt over his shoulders and off him; his own hands that hadn't moved until then he outstretched his fingers to secure her rear to nudge her closer to him. Once she was within a shorter distance his lips dropped to her partially exposed shoulder and placed several kisses on it before trailing up her neck. He felt her move to brush her hair away from his path and then she shifted slightly to pull up the material of her nightgown to expose the lower half of her legs up to her knees. He hoped she'd let him see more of herself but then again, he reasoned, what she was giving him was plenty.

To admit to herself that she simply enjoyed Vladimir's soft kisses would be a lie; each one set off a cascade of excited nerves that grew greater in intensity than the last. She'd be good, just like this if it wasn't for her own pressing need that was building and urging her to be fulfilled. She felt his hands on her rear, raising her up slightly and then back down quickly. It didn't dawn on her what Vladimir was doing until she realized her bare legs were resting on his exposed lap by the little bit of chill she felt. She debated admitting to him that she didn't know what to do; she did, she wasn't naïve but then remaining where they were on the couch confused her. His tender kisses continued as did his hands and their movements over her back, rubbing it and on her legs, gently stroking them to bring her in closer to him. Her own arms encompassed him, reaching around his shoulders: her fingers entangled in his hair she could feel his slow movements as his kisses continued. It then occurred to her, that even in her acceptance he still was letting her be in control of him; the thought intimidated her now. Then she thought, as his fingers curled into a fist behind her back and she felt his muscles straining where they were in contact; that she was over thinking everything. Her free hand grasped the hem of her bunched up nightgown and she lifted herself up on to her knees, using the other to balance herself by grasping behind Vladimir's neck and then started to lower herself on to him. His grasp around her loosened and with his hands on either side of her hips he slowly guided her down on to him.

Vladimir's initial impulse, he expected it along with a dozen or so other reactions, was to drive up into her abruptly to claim her but all those impulses he foresaw ending badly with Jacqueline changing her mind suddenly, getting severely hurt, or worse, not surviving. He reasoned and debated with himself hundred or so times in the span of seconds and came to the simplest conclusion that he'd get all he wanted if he'd let her do as she wished with him at her own pace. Her pace was excruciatingly slow; he kept reminding himself he had all the time in the world but even then he wanted her so completely now that it was nerve wracking. "Breath." Jacqueline was persistent in her intent to descend on him completely but even with that, he could still sense her hesitating, she would stop breathing often and the last thing he wanted was for her to faint. He stilled her movements and cast his eyes up to see her's were closed and her brow was strained. His hand moved to where she was still holding her gown, releasing it to bring it up to his lips to kiss her palm and place it on his cheek. He saw her eyes opened slightly to watch him, the blue in them sparkled for him. He then tilted his head up to brush his lips on hers, kiss them with the greatest of care. The spell of his venom overtook her and her body relaxed entirely and she easily dropped down over him. He kept his lips on hers despite the groan of pleasure that escaped him when he felt fully engulfed by her warmth and the beating of her heart surrounding him: he started rocking into her with the smallest of movements.

Jacqueline pulled her lips away but kept her arms tightly locked around Vladimir and whimpered at the building of her desire with each of his movements deep within her. His fingers pressed into the softness of her rear and with a few prompts she started moving with him, adding to the pleasure she felt. His groans and rumblings of pleasure only added to hers as each of them vibrated through her. It was all too much, too much pleasure, too many emotions for her to feel at once; her rise was so sharp that her heart was threatening to come crashing to a halt if she held on any longer than she did.

Vladimir was holding on by a thread to his hunger for her but each of her heartbeats was driving him into a madness between the two levels of satisfaction he wished. Jacqueline's added movements, that were growing more pronounced and aggressive on him, were making him dizzy; he was ready to burst deep within her. He also wanted to rip into her flesh, taste her, hear her scream his name but the promise he made to her was nagging at him, reminding him that if he harmed her she'd be gone for an eternity. He then felt a deep shudder deep within Jacqueline, her muscles were growing ridged and her breathing was getting staggered and irregular. Her hips then slammed down into him hard, her core tightened around his length and pulled at it. It was then that he heard her whimpering his name as he recalled it so long ago. His one arm looped around Jacquelyn's rear, locking her into him and the other went around her back and his hand reached over her shoulder as he roared out.

It was the sound of snapping metal that startled Jacqueline back from her euphoric daze. She realized quite suddenly she couldn't move or breath. "Vladimir?" His hold of her loosened slightly and she could take a breath and then looked to her shoulder where his head was positioned. She panicked for a second when she noticed his jaw was opened and his teeth where showing but then realized that she wasn't harmed. The daze lifted from her eyes a little more and it was then when she saw the mangled flesh of his hand moving itself and his partially detached fingers affixing themselves back where they belonged. She was still looking at his hand when his grip around her released and he pulled himself from her; she gasped at the sensation and then grinned. Once she was able to, she took his hand and saw that it was back to normal, like nothing had happened to it. Glancing at her shoulder and then back to Vladimir's hand and finally up to him she gave him a grin; he hadn't bit into her.

Her grin grew as did his, they both realized that they could love each other.

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><p>I'm very sorry for the wait on this chapter.<p>

I'm also very pleased to see that the person who used my characters name as hers changed it.


	9. Chapter 9

Standard disclosure...he's not my character blah blah all this is inspired by SM etc etc...

Sorry for the delay, and the stress zits (yes I giggled when I read that, sorry)

This is self beta'ed, there will be mistakes, so I ask you to be kind towards them.

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><p>He spent the night with her, listening to her heart beating, in the hope that she'd wake and want him again. She slept, she was exhausted, so he slipped away from her side only once to redress when he realized there was no chance of her being stirred from her slumber. Vladimir was still exuberant as he held her, cradling her into his body, knowing that this was the start of something he hoped would last for a long time. In the few words they spoke afterwards; he had pressed her to speak as he didn't want what they had just shared to go without some dialogue, she admitted to him how intimidated she was of him, his vast knowledge over hers in everything including making love. He was going to reply to her that in time she'd learn as much as him, but that seemed too arrogant and presumptuous. The last thing he wanted her to feel was incompetent. Love, and the experience of sharing it had nothing in common and were completely unrelated as far as he was concerned. As strong as she was, all that she'd been through and even the trials he put on her, she was in one of those moments of life where she was the most fragile and he was responsible for her; her feelings mattered. He admitted to her that everything they just shared was all new to him and it was the absolute truth. He grinned recalling what she said to him; she told him all she felt for him, words that were only for him. He was glad Jacqueline's room wasn't anywhere near where they could be heard, so their sentiments were only heard by the other. She faded into sleep shortly after that and as he continued to hold her he recalled when he first met his beloved Ileana.<p>

The days were all dark and so was the air; war was wanting to be waged by the immortal brothers and they were busy turning mere men into fighting machines. The number of newborns was steadily increasing as were the problems they were facing; feeding and controlling them. Stefan was recruiting in nearby towns, promising the gift of immortality for the price of the downfall of their enemies. Vladimir thought, how different times were, when they were considered Gods among men, they were deeply respected and feared. Many men were eager to walk among the Gods and their numbers were getting formidable. Vladimir recalled the several newborns he designated as commanders whom he personally taught how to fight hand to hand combat; they were going to be the key to their success. Stefan was the charmer, he was the trainer. He recalled the day when one of his soldiers went missing several hours and then returned only to say that he went off to feed; Vladimir suspected malice so he had him watched by some eager new recruits that were looking to make commander status. Three days passed and they discovered the secret; he turned a female. The brothers forbid any of their progeny of doing such a thing, they wished that the soldiers only saw them as their makers to command their complete respect. The soldier was executed immediately; disobedience meant death. When the woman was brought forward, Vladimir recalled how she begged to be allowed to live, how she said that she was attacked and didn't want... didn't feel like she deserved such a gift. It was Ileana that cried and begged at his feet for her life but it was when he reached for her, to end her life, when his hand touched her skin that he felt his anger dissolve in to nothing. He was perplexed at the sensation and only allowed her to live so he could investigate it further. It wasn't love he felt for her initially but her winsome allure reeled him in and she too succumbed to his charms. The gift that Ileana possessed affected both the brothers and without their anger driving them to battle and rule the empire they soon found that what they sought wasn't what they they desired; serenity. The war they were preparing for didn't happen until a hundred years afterwards, after all the soldiers had either killed themselves off or abandoned the brothers. That's when the enemy showed up and slaughtered who was left, along with his beloved wife. The hurt and anger they had for their enemy, Aro, had been festering ever since. Before they wanted his territory, rule over the humans that lived there but the times had changed and with that so had they, the brothers still sought to destroy him but not for his land but for the one immortal they both prized. They had suffered, both of them, and for a time they had allowed themselves to grow into stone that they already resembled, letting the stillness claim their bodies and cement their loss and anger. Decades had passed when the witch that had found their solidified forms, the seer of the future, had waken them from their still slumber by sacrificing several maidens in front of them; letting their blood spill and its scent saturate the air it riled them from their slumber. Balance, the seer claimed, was what the spirits wanted and there wasn't any with the brothers being still, they needed to move in the world. 'Seek balance' she told them and the goddess would reward them with that they sought.

Jacqueline's curled up form started to stir beside him and he dropped his cheek to the pillow to watch her; earlier her hand had opted to grip him by the wrist and her lips pressed to the back of it as she slept. He wished he was still holding her but her shivering wasn't acceptable to him so he had pulled himself away from her earlier. Her claiming his hand in her slumber was endearing to him so he hadn't moved since. "Morning." Her eyes opened, blinked, but then closed again, he smirked at her as her eyes reopened again as she fought off the sleep.

Jacqueline was tired, she wasn't ready to wake up just yet. She was still very excited so she forced her eyes open again to look into his. "Morning." She gripped Vladimir's wrist and tugged it into her chest slightly; he allowed it. He belonged to her, in this moment she felt like she possessed him more than he did her. She watched his eyes sparkle at her that brought a little grin to her lips. "Am I keeping you?"

"Yes, I sincerely hope so." He remained in place, still, resisting the urge to pull her close to him."I am exactly where I wish to be." Vladimir turned himself towards her and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. His fingers then trailed down over her cheek and to her neck to where her pulse was the strongest; how he wished to drink from that vein. "You can do what you wish with me for the rest of the day, for days, if you like," Her eyes were on his, he could see the dark rim of his hunger being reflected back to him. "but you need to eat, your food is on the way. Should I go before it arrives?"

"No, stay a little while longer, until I'm fully awake?" Jacqueline could feel her mind slowly start waking up and it dawned on her that the last thing she wanted was for Vladimir to think she was ashamed of him; and send him off before he was seen in her room, in her bed. "It's a shame for me you got redressed but its just as well, I wouldn't want that crusty old woman to see you." His grin grew and she pulled his hand up in to the crook of her neck.

She was calming herself for him, he felt the sensation softly radiating from her. "That's almost as strong as it was last night." Her eyes questioned him. "After you peaked…," She blushed as her heart skipped. "I should like to get and keep you in that state." She released his hand and he took the bold opportunity to shift his position and move himself over her. "Don't deny you didn't like it now, I know the truth woman."

The nervous chill of excitement shivered through her and she turned her head as his lips brushed over her neck. "I can't wait for later, tonight, " his longing grumbled thought him and she grinned as her hands found their way on to Vladimir's back, and down to his rear. She realized she was being bold but then recalled that those rules of etiquette didn't apply to her anymore. He wanted her to voice her unfiltered thoughts and feelings. "we could try making love in my bed?" His grumblings grew as did the force of his kisses pulling on the skin of her neck; she didn't fear it.

"Cruel woman." Vladimir picked his head up to look her in the eye. "You would have me suffer through the day for you?" Her eyes sparkled as she donned a little grin. "My queen, my wicked sweet beloved queen." He had heard the slow wheels of the cart that held Jacqueline's breakfast and the creaking of the old woman's bones that pushed it but at this moment, the woman beneath him needed to be kissed and made to desire and feel the expedient passing of time as much as he did. He kissed her, startling her, then deepened the kiss as he lowered his weight on her slightly. Her body burst alive at the taste of his venom and she pressed up to his roughly; her veins sung to him as the blood rushed through them. This wasn't a lie, she wanted him in her heart, and his soul grinned. He could take her in that moment, and leave her blushing and completely satisfied before her food arrived but she was so frail; her body would not survive the quickened pace of rough love making that he desired at that moment. He pulled his lips away from her and her disappointed sighs were like agony to him. "Tonight my love." Jacqueline door opened and the room filled with the smell of food, her stomach growled at the immortal and he removed himself from her.

"And you say I'm wicked and cruel." Her eyes found the old woman looking at her blankly and then turning away to set out her meal. Jacqueline had to check, remind herself that she was still dressed before she grudgingly pulled away from the man she desired. Without thinking, she nearly reprimanded herself for doing so, she slid off the bed and had walked a few steps without determining if she could, there was a slight pause, he must have noticed because she was swept off her feet and deposited into the waiting chair. Her cheek was kissed and in a blurr Vladimir vanished from the room.

The old woman asked. "Do you need anything?"

Jacqueline looked over the setting before her and nothing was out of place, it was as perfect as always. It didn't dawn on her that it was a question as to what may or may have not happened that night regarding her physical start. "No. I'm perfectly fine…" She gave the old woman a disapproving look, it wasn't anyone's business as to what her interactions were, especially her. "you may go." She started eating her breakfast without any regard to the woman who let herself out. Jacqueline let her thoughts wander as to what had happened over the last day and several months and what the future would hold for her and her immortal lover. She let herself believe that things could be just as easy as this, but then again, she'd get old over time and be less able to keep up with Vladimir. In time, she thought, he'd be too much for her and then there would come a time when she's be so old and fragile that he could no longer make love no matter how careful he was. This saddened her but the thought of willingly wishing he'd transform her into a bloodthirsty monster was more frightening. No, she thought, she'd die an old woman with a saddened heart at the loss of her lover's affections and not willingly condemn her soul. She quickly finished her meal and got dressed in just as much of a hurry so she could go see him where he would be sitting to attend the people of the town; but then noticed upon observing her reflection that where he had kissed her there were traces of red and some bruising. She sighed, a simple thing as a kiss wasn't even easy it seemed. She found a very sheer scarf and covered up her neck and exposed shoulders and then removed it a moment later being torn over what message it would send. She wasn't ashamed but in the same breath didn't want to show him her frailties ether. The scarf went over her arms and she left her room to go find him.

Vladimir made only a momentary stop in his chambers to fetch the chain that held Ileana's ring; it would adorn her hand today. He made his way to where his brother was already sitting and took his place. There was a moment where Stefan eyed him questioningly, no doubt detecting the scents that lingered around his brother.

Stefan spoke, "Have a pleasant evening?" the smirk he adorned was even apparent to the humans in the vast room but they didn't hear him. "I'm guessing she survived or else you wouldn't look so pleasantly guilty."

Vladimir ignored his counterpart, he wasn't about to tell his brother what had transpired the night before even though he suspected that he already knew. "It was a very pleasant evening thank you." He debated in telling him that he succeeded in finally capturing his maiden's heart and last night was just a confirmation of it, but then again, he wasn't about to share openly something that meaningful just yet. Jacqueline's heartbeat were heard and then she poked her head around the corner. They were both watch for her now. Stefan out of curiosity and he, of course, missed her presence. Vladimir observed the accessory that was now around her back and draped over her arms and quickly stood as she drew near. He easily saw the markings on her neck and shoulders with his keen vision, "Quite right my dear, it does seem cooler in here than usual, I'm glad you are tending to your well being." and quickly lifted the scarf up and swirled it around her neck shielding the evidence from the human observers; it was after all, none of their business.

"Rest well my dear?" Stefan's eyes caught what was being covered up and the futile attempt in covering it up.

Both Vladimir and Jacqueline shot a look to the man but both remained silent for a few seconds until she replied. "Very well thank you."

Vladimir lifter her hand to his lips to kiss it before she sat down. His quick actions in donning his gift and fitting it to her smaller finger securely by squeezing the ancient metal went unnoticed. "I want you to accept that." he said lowly to her and then smirked at her questioning gaze before he glanced down to her hand that was resting in his on his armrest. The few seconds of realization, the fluttering of her heart and then the subtle collapse of her posture were all he needed to observe before she said a word.

"Yes. I. Thank you. I have nothing for you in return." Jacqueline was stunned that she received such a gift and resisted in examining it closer in his presence as she didn't want to question its material worth but then she gasped slightly when she recognized it from a sketch in her father book. "This is too precious a gift for me." She heard him huff and looked to see him shaking his head. She was worthy in his mind and that settled it in hers.

"You have given plenty in remaining here." Vladimir settled back in his seat, his hand remaining still has hers rested on it; she occasionally did fidget with the new addition. It amused him she wasn't accustomed to being adorned and he wondered what her reaction would be if he could convince her to wear nothing but that which was contained in the castle vaults. "Did I make it too tight?"

"No, I just have never,…" His seething look towards her set her back some and she could feel the heat on her skin rising. "its different." She heard Stefan snickering and felt even more awkward. "Father always told us that a woman who feels lacking would adorn herself in such things to elevate herself and one who is given such things lacks nothing. I never understood that until now."

"Very wise for a human, unlike those there who are arguing the same argument as their ancestors did decades ago." Stefan nodded forward to the meeting before them. He could say he was impressed with her subtle gratitude but then again, from what he had observed from her and her sister, he wasn't shocked. Her human father, from what little his brother had told him, saw to it that she, and in some small part her sister, were raised elevated in everything but an entitled attitude. Stefan recalled the hundreds of woman that came before him and his brother, many dressed in clothes that were ridiculously excessive and wearing jewelry that was often obscene and tacky. Such things, they concluded of the humans, were meant to sway his brother and buy his approval of them. With the riches that they had amassed over the centuries, their effort was pointless.

Stefan's tone was one of someone who wasn't amused with what he saw; he sounded board to Jacqueline. She was glad, and a little shocked that he deemed her worthy enough to speak to her in this setting. She hadn't heard them, the men in the meeting before them, so she couldn't say much of anything further about and remained silent and seated properly. She didn't care what they were saying to be frank, her attentions had shifted back to Vladimir who looked as though he was undressing her with his eyes. It was flattering but it seemed to make the time pass by even more slowly to her. A few messengers came and held up parchments, one was allowed to approach and handed over a scroll to the brothers. It was opened and closed before she could make it past the first line of greeting. No matter, she thought, she could ask him tonight once she had him to herself.

Jacqueline's heart skipped a few beats and it drew Vladimir's attention back to her eyes. "What was that for my dear?" there was a resulting blush that was apparent from underneath the thin scarf and the most innocent of a look that she could muster. "I'll get you to tell me later. No one needs to see how I interrogate you." Stefan gave a sharp snort but said nothing. Jacqueline's heart still beating ever so strongly kept Vladimir's attention. There was a tremor in her hand when he lifted it to his lips and with a flick of his brow she swallowed deeply. She was tempting. He debated picking her up and leaving the present company to go have his way with her in some dark and deserted hallway but the tension of anticipation he was witnessing within her was stroking his ego like nothing else; it was intoxicating. He watched her close her eyes and go into deep thought and then he felt it, her gift. Was she fighting him off or trying to calm herself?

"If her looks and family tree weren't enough to convince me we found the right person, that surely was." Stefan leaned over to look at her and the humans noticed the motion and quieted down their talking, thinking it was one of them that caused him to move. "Quite impressive human."

Vladimir chuckled softly, despite Jacqueline's look of shock and then remorse. She wouldn't have known if he had told his brother of her gift but in any case, he'd set her mind to ease when they were alone. "Do settle yourself as your lunch is ready and your sister is nearly here my dear." He released her hand and she rose and curtsied to them both and went off. Sarah was off too behind the two girls for a visit; he was pleased that she had not only adjusted but had found all their requests of her not too burdensome.

"Well, let me see?" Sarah was at Jacqueline in a moment as soon as they were in the sitting room.

"See what, oh" Jacqueline stood as Sarah looked closely at her neck and chest while Dominique looked on, quite confused.

"See what? I don't see anything." Jacqueline lowered the scarf and approached her sister and then backed away to cover herself up when the servants showed up. Not a word was said until the servants left. "What on earth happened to you, did he do that?"

Sarah pressed her lips together and squeaked.

"I'm still not following you Jacqueline. Tell me?" Dominique inquired

Jacqueline sighed. "Uhm. He kissed me there and…" Sarah appeared to be bouncing as if she was her own personal cheering section. "...I'm going to hell or similar and I don't really care."

Dominique's looks went from one of realization, to shock, to concern, and then to questioning."You made love with him..?" Dominique sat down and shook the thought from her mind. After months of living with immortals, there were some things that just needed overlooking for the sake of one's sanity. "I was going to ask how your back was from sitting on that impossible bench, mine is still out of sorts."

Jacqueline grinned and sat down as Sarah hovered around them and finally did sit as they liked her joining them at the meal even if she didn't eat. "I got my back rubbed and I'm not in any discomfort. Jacqueline noticed Sarah was ready to burst at the seams but she gave her head a little shake as she wished to talk to her about what happened without her sister present, perhaps later and before this evening.

Sarah not being content with the having to wait sat still. Even as an immortal, she respected the place Jacqueline held in her creators heart.

Dominique remained silent for the most part, deep in thought, only remarking about the meal and the weather. When they were finished she rose up and started walking to the door but stopped. "As long as you're happy, I'm happy for you sister. He is what he is but if he loves you, and you him, then that's all that matters. Just let me know if I'm to lose you like this so I can prepare myself for it."

Jacqueline gathered her meaning immediately. "No. That's not an option. I won't consent to it, ever." Dominique didn't look convinced. Perhaps she knew in her heart that love makes even the most sensible of people do the most insane things. She left and went straight to her room, her meal not settling itself within her.

"She will be fine, she's stronger than most would be in this situation." Sarah ginned and tapped her fingers on the armrest of the chair quickly. "So? How was it? How many times? Are there any other delicious marks on you or was he that careful not to damage you too badly? How did he resist biting you?" Sarah hand to keep herself from bursting out of her seat.

Jacqueline was initially a little shocked at the content of the questions but decided that if any one was to trusted with her intimate details then she was it. "Sorry I couldn't talk about this in front of her, I know she's strong but she didn't look all that content." Jacqueline took a deep breath. "It was scary but very good. Only once, I passed out." She frowned. "There are and they aren't the most comfortable things to be sitting on. Ummm he nearly did. Did you know that your body can fix itself? I've never seen such a thing, its quite remarkable."

Sarah gave a nod, she had been told but hadn't seen it yet. "Are his kisses as hypnotic as his brothers?" For months since her changing, she watched this human struggle with what she herself had no trouble with, the question of immortality. This was only to push her towards it more she thought.

"Yes, very much so, but I didn't need them to...I just wanted... him." Jacqueline's mind when back to the night before and she felt all those same feelings resurfacing again. "Now, I question why I didn't accept him sooner."

"So romantic" Sarah sighed and settled herself into her chair. "I don't think I've ever seen a man more in love in my whole life. He cares for you more than you'll ever know; as does his brother. I've seen it." Jacqueline's questioning look made her continue. "Did you know there are woman down in the cells? They aren't brought up for public execution because the human men are too squeamish but they are there. Well, many of them offer themselves to be allowed to live a little longer," Sarah snorted. "even to me. Stefan laughs at them, their attempts but Vladimir, there is nothing but disgust on his face and he makes them suffer more bitterly. I asked him why and he said they should be made to for even thinking that they had anything he'd want and for suggesting it to him." Sarah grinned. "I know he'd never admit it but you own him, his heart and that will never change. Who was Clara? They said I was a welcome relief after her but no more."

"Oh she," Jacqueline had to try to think back, she recalled how the brothers protected her from the start. "she was Stefan's consort I believe. A very proud sort of woman that objected to me. I don't understand why, she would have seen the parade of women who had come before my mother had dragged me along with my sister, and there would have been a day one would presume that I'd be found so. I don't understand, she wasn't with Vladimir, so he said, only with his brother but when she saw me she hissed and looked as though I had invaded her territory, a mere human." Jacqueline looked up to see Sarah listening intently. "It was Stefan that intervened and ended her. I never asked him why or what motivated him to do it but I could only guess he wanted his brother to not have to worry about her killing me." She shrugged. "I should be getting back…" Jacqueline paused as Sarah lifted her finger as appeared to be listening, she looked distant and a troubled look over her features.

"Life isn't fair, this isn't fair. We need to go. Now." She stood up and took Jacqueline into her arms and exited a hidden door that was shown to her months before.

"Wait! What?! Where are we going? Put me down this instant or take me to my Vladimir right now!" Jacqueline fought the hold but it was no use. Sarah had her in her clutches and they were outside and off into the forest within a few moments. "Tell me what's going on this instant!" She had looked back to the castle that vanished from sight quickly and the blurred trees around them. Her heart sank, "Please tell me what's happening?" she felt a tear of frustration welling up and falling.

"Soon. We need to make some distance." Was all Sarah could say as she weaved them through the trees, alternating their coarse and repeatedly doubling back on their path to take a wild trajectory into another direction. She was following orders, specific orders, doing exactly what she had been training for since having woken up. It was several hours before she stopped and set Jacqueline down on a fallen tree. "I'm sorry, we can't go back, it's too dangerous, not until we know they are gone." She watched the human fall apart before her. She had expected as much but not to this degree, her own heart hurt seeing it but it was for the better. "My job, my only task is to protect you. From what I heard, your mother went to them, the Italians and they are on their way...they were the ones that slaughtered Ileana… your mother told them all about you." Sarah wasn't sure if she was getting through to Jacqueline, her eyes had become so distant. "The letters, scrolls and correspondence that they were always receiving, they were from their informants tracking your mothers moments. The last one that they got was telling them of how she had been running from her debts and flead to Italy. She had heard of the clan there and made contact with them saying she had information and they were on their way. The journey took the carrier four days, we only had a few hours until sunset, which is when the brothers would expect them to attack as its barely a four day journey. Your mother was seen with them so they guessed that they would need to stop occasionally."

Jacqueline was thrust into a nightmare; her heart hurt and she felt the walls around her happiness crumbling, striking her. She heard everything Sarah had told her but her throat was tight with emotion that she couldn't breath, let alone speak. She was still gasping for breathe when Sarah had her back into her arms and she was running again. She did manage to choke out her her sisters name after a few hours and then they were stopped again.

"She was initially going to come with us but it was too risky. She's safe, being hidden far away with a trusted family, Christians. He took her himself, no one in town knows of them, only him so she will be safe. The Italians wouldn't expect a vampire to keep in touch of his human family and your mother never knew of them and he'd die before giving them up so Dominique is safe.

"Then why are we not there but here?"

"I was told they have ways to extract information so the brothers thought that it should and would be my choice and knowledge of where you are. You see, the leader of that coven can read minds so if neither of the brothers don't know then it keeps you safe, hidden longer. I was made to study every map they owned alone so they wouldn't know what path I'd choose to take you on. I've set down several fake paths and my plan is to rather than settle somewhere with you, I'd keep moving throughout remote locations so they'd never find you."

"I'm under your control. So leave me and run away, I'm not a fugitive."

"You'd make me one? I have my duty, I argued for it and I intend to carry it out. We will stop here for a little while, its getting dark and you look awful." Sarah fished a hidden pouch from beneath one of her several skirts. "Here. Make yourself a little fire and I'll go find you something to eat. It might not be much so don't get your hopes up to high."

Jacqueline watched as Sarah disappeared into the darkness. The moon was bright enough for her to gather some wood and kindling so she could build a fire to keep herself warm. From what she could make out they were in a valley and there was a little stream not too far so at least she'd have water if Sarah came back empty handed. It may have been an hour or twenty minutes she was alone that may have passed, she couldn't tell, her mind was back at the castle. She was upset, angry, wanted to pull her hair out in frustration, and even murderous; her own mother sold her out, sold both her daughters out. She looked up and saw Sarah before her, "I want to kill her, with my own bare hands and strangle her to death." and then broke down into tears. "How could she be so cold to her own children?"

Sarah, having long forgotten her own parents even before her transformation could still appreciate the expected bond a grown child would perceive of their parents. "Should they have given her an allowance to keep her appeased?"

"No. It'd never be enough for her, the selfish hag." Jacqueline took a few moments to gather herself up before looking at what Sarah had foraged for her. Bread, a bit of cheese and several apples. "This is perfect. Thank you. Do you think he's alright, I mean, will they kill him?"

Sarah positioned herself against a tree, well away from the fire. "The Italian's are too arrogant. If they kill off a small grouping like we have based on what a human tells them then they would look very weak and almost be inviting a stronger clan to attack them. The brothers survived last time, Stefan thinks, just for that reason. Leaving a threat alive is boasting to everyone that you think they are beneath you. Besides, the brothers had thought of that and there is another sitting in your place should your mother survive the journey from Italy with them. They planned on discrediting her story."

"They will kill her in my place." Her heart fell for the girl. "Vladimir should have taken me away."

"No. Oh no. If he wasn't there then that would be a death sentence for both of you if not the whole town. Running away for our kind is cowardly." Sarah watched the flames in the fire and then walked about at humans pace to gather a little more wood. "When you are rested, we will leave here, doubling back on or path and then take another route. Remnants of the fire will make them think they are on the right path and buy us some time."

Jacqueline was about to protest but given that she could only get a few bites of bread down without feeling it want to come up, she knew sleep would not come easily to her. If they were home, she'd be with him now, and that made her head and heart hurt. "How did I deserve this Sarah, being ripped away from him. It's not fair, we had only just truly gotten together." She watched the immortal use two large sticks to pick up a piece of wood and set it in the fire then take one of the sticks and poke the end in the fire.

"Fire is deadly. we will have a stick for you in it ready so you can defend yourself, just poke it into them and poof, they will burst into flames. Even one with just embers will work." Sarah wanted to offer Jacqueline some shreds of hope, this human was after all her friend. "The townspeople know to do this too, they will defend and fight if needed. Everyone liked you, they think Dominique is too exquisite for anyone. Some even thought that Stefan might take a liking to her but he said that he wouldn't dream of upsetting you."

Jacqueline shrugged. What did any of that matter now, she might not see her sister again for years and she was eighteen, hardly a child but not fully an adult. What would it do to her to learn of their mother's deceit? "I didn't think he cared that much for me."

"He does, very much. He was very devastated by Ileana's death and his brothers mourning for her loss. He liked shadowing you and your sister when you went out. He said people were more honest when they knew that they weren't being heard. He was the one that learned of how well liked you were, how people were naturally relaxed around you and how they were glad that you were with them, keeping them content. After several decades of searching they, the people, were growing more worried you weren't going to be found and the brothers would leave them. Stefan said you brought around a balance but wouldn't explain it further to me."

Jacqueline had slipped into a pensive state. "Would it have made a difference if I'd let him change me?" She didn't want to consider it but the question had be lingering since they'd left and Sarah started telling her all this. She tried to not think about why Sarah was being so forthcoming now, did she expect this plan to work? Was all this to have her yield to being changed? "Will you be doing it?" She looked up to the immortal who had backed herself away from the fire.

"No. I wont. No immortal under the brothers is to touch you, to change you. Only Vladimir has that honor." Sarah watched a chill go down's Jacqueline's back. She still didn't see why she was so opposed to it but she also knew that it wasn't her place to change the human's mind. "When I can come across news of what's happening, we will see if it's safe to go back or to meet back up with them in the shelter." Sarah paused, "Oh, you don't know about that." Jacqueline looked hopeful for just a moment. "You see, I can't even begin to describe all the contingencies to you. One was a second home for us, a secret one. Not even the brothers know of it. They instructed a human to instruct another to select it and buy it. If the town's person wasn't heard from through regular correspondence by the other then they were to publish a story in the papers so outrageous that everyone would be talking about it and we'd hear about it, and find it to decode the message to ether keep running or go there."

"Is there more I need to know or should we get moving. I can sleep in your arms if I need to Sarah." Jacqueline picked herself up and moved some of the wood around so the fire would put itself out. She would picture herself in Vladimir's arms, lie to herself so she could drift off asleep. With the bit of food safely stowed on her, she let Sara pick her up and they continued on their way.

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><p>Fair warning, next chapter will be not happy.<p>

It will take some time too as I've been called back to work so please favorite/follow it and you'll get that wonderful email when its been posted.

YES will post it as fast as I can get it out of my brain. Please DO review so I know my 'hits' aren't some internet robot :)

If you are interested I can be found on twitter playing out an entirely different version of this with my partner...who is awesome and wonderful and so supportive in every kinda way...unless it has to do with posting chapters...they are annoying then but I still love em'.


	10. Chapter 10

"Everyone lies." including ME. ((insert standard disclaimer in here yadda yadda))

This was not beta'ed by a grammar nazis.

This came out easier than I thought... don't gutter that! But that's not to say the next chapter will be the same.

Enjoy.

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><p>Vladimir's fingers tapped the armrest. If he dare hold on to it, it'd be crushed. Five minutes. That was all the warning they got. Five minutes. They had the arrogance to descend on them in full daylight. It wasn't as much time as they wanted but was it enough. He looked to the deceased female at his feet; she had bought them a few additional moments for Jacqueline's escape. Brave. If they survived, her family would be heavily compensated for her sacrifice. Aro was before him, at a good distance still, he was eying him for a tell as to what the truth was that the human woman came to them with. "And I tell you that woman's daughters ran off and I took another human in her place. I'm afraid that you've had your time wasted by a mere woman looking for gold to feed her gluttony...but I'm sure you've seen the tendency in her. Did you read in her thoughts of how she wanted to trade her own flesh for a life of ease? Did you see her taking from her younger daughters dowry before she was dismissed from here? " Vladimir sat back, almost lazily, staling. He knew Aro wouldn't diminish himself any further buy attempting to gather any truths from them now, it would confirm his total lack of knowledge in front of his party. "We haven't seen each other in a century, our lands haven't increased since then, I'm sure yours have so you have no quarrels with us. As you can see, my clan is few and we have no interest in waging a war; not in these modern times, would you would defy your own law by drawing attention to our kind by causing such a disruption?"<p>

"You co-exist with humans, both of you are in defiance of the law." Aro hissed as did many in their party to support him.

Stefan snorted and replied in an amused tone. "And you employ a human or two yourself Aro. We are no different, we just have more at our disposal. Surely you can't be jealous of our herd, livestock if you will. We have found them easily trained to suit our needs, much easier to maintain than a full coven of vampires." He eyed all of them around their master. "At least our humans know their place and we don't have to lie to them that they are more than they are." Many behind Aro dawned a look of disgust, they didn't like hearing that the Romanians thought them nothing more than petty servants. "As my brother said, you've wasted your time, the woman isn't here and we have no idea or inclination to hunt her down. Ungrateful wretch that she was."

Vladimir, not amused by his brothers insult still managed to nod and smirk while looking at Jacqueline's mother. "She was a pleasure to break madam, I'm remiss I didn't get a chance to do the same to your younger one." He gave a low laugh that made all the humans in earshot tremor with such fear that the hairs on the back of their necks rose. Ten minutes, more time for Jacqueline to escape. He was angry at the mother, at himself for letting her go, for not foreseeing this consequence. Aro would have come eventually, someone would have told them; was it better now than later, he couldn't say, his joy was ripped from him so abruptly that it was only anger that was keeping his determination going.

"Jane, Alec. Find her and bring her to Volterra. Leave the woman here for them to deal with." Aro turned and everyone parted to let him pass. Any further action on his part would have been a sign of weakness; he knew that they knew this too and if word got out, it would be exploited and he'd be bothered by others. Jane and Alec had already been dispatched to Jacqueline's room to find her scent and they were on their way. Aro had good mind to order the destruction of the place but to waste anymore time or effort here would also show his fear of retaliation and that was beneath him.

No one moved until all the intruders were out of the castle and no one spoke until they were well away from the town. It was something they had all been taught, be ready. The brothers had been sure of instilling it when the task came about in the search of a recurrence. It was the silent, undocumented history of the town, the secret that would save them one day. A watcher entered the room, immortal and mortal were still still and they gave the nod. There was no rejoice at their victory, their surviving, only worry. "Even if we went after her, the witch and the warlock could easily take us and confirm what that hag had told them." Stefan pointed his chin to the mother.

Vladimir eyed the mother, she was being held by a couple of men and the sound of chains were being brought for her. "Sarah will keep her hidden, we've instructed her well enough and she knows her duty. What of her?" He stood, the woman was still struck speechless since her arrival. His voice echoed. "Treason! To us and every soul who inhabit this place for bringing that filth into these walls. If it weren't for our careful planning and preparations over the decades we'd all be dead because of you woman!" The mortals that held her trembled as she fell to her knees to weep.

Stefan stood, he was just as loud as his brother. "For a few pieces of gold you'd have seen us all be killed. That evil has existed as long as we have, two centuries, and have killed for less, they'd have you bleed out if they had found her here. How dare you think you could strike a deal with the devil himself and come out alive?" He spat on the ground. "Take her below with the other filth. She will meet her end when Jacqueline is returned to us. Madam, you will suffer, harshly for your crimes.

He wanted to end her at that moment but after all that she had done to her own children, he considered, they would want to see her suffer as well. He returned to his place and watched as Stefan pulled out a parchment from inside of his vestment.

"Council members? Approach." he was leery; they could still be around town. He opened the scribed piece of paper up to show them. The first words were 'Be silent.' They nodded and read, silently and backed away when they had completed so others could. On it there was contained instructions for them; instructions that could not be given out just in case Aro had touched any of them. "Pass it along, written down only and then destroy the instructions. Only in a windowless room and without talking pass along information. If they are still here, they will hear the talking. If anyone speaks of Jacqueline she will be as good as dead and they will return to kill us all." There were many 'Yes Sir's' and nodding. He went to the fireplace and tossed the paper in the flames then returned to his place beside his brother. "They will do as they are told, that I know." He looked to Vladimir who had the same look as when he had lost Ileana; complete despair. "She will be returned to you, we have to believe that the seer was correct, she has been so far."

It was night, she would have taken her supper shortly, then he would have gone to her, spent the night if she wished him to. The hurt in his chest slowly grew; 'not again' he thought, there would be no withstanding it, the wait for her would drive him mad. "She was correct in all that she told us but what if she withheld something from us, to save her from our anger? The twins are tracking her, should they find her then what, she'd be brought to them and slaughtered and for what? We have done nothing material against them, no soldiers have been lost but ours. Only we have suffered at their hands." Vladimir watched the humans scurry around the room, scribble notes and then proceed to burn them. "They know not how much danger they will be in if Sarah fails. We are as treacherous as our foe in giving them any false hope that things will return to normal." Vladimir grew silent and still. He was done, for now.

Stefan knew he could say no more to him, they could only wait. If there were spies as they suspected then their movements would be closely watched. If they'd left to go to find her, they'd be found out and followed. Aro's vengeance knew no peace when it came to them. Sarah was well taught, and eager student as well, she'd do what she'd been instructed. A newborn wanting to please her makers and risking herself, at least that is what they sincerely believed, for this was amiable. He'd grant her her leave should she wish it once Jacqueline was back. He glanced again to his brother, his eyes were distant and hopeless, not a good sign. "It's dark and I'm going out to find amusement, you are being quite boring this evening since your latest plaything was taken from you." He needed to go see if his instructions were being followed, he needed to go make some sort of peace with the dead girls family who lay at his brothers feet. He left and was out in the open night within a moment. The concern of being seen was long past; all bowed and made way for him as he ventured to the cottage where the dead girl's parents could be heard weeping. He paused outside their door and then went in without knocking. The startled humans drew away from him as he shut the door behind him and he watched them draw heavy curtains over all the windows in the room and set down an inkwell with paper beside it on the table. He took a seat as he eyed them; sitting in a human's home was a first for him, and he started to write to them his and Vladimir's condolences of their loss. He pulled out several pouches filled with gold coins and set them on the table. Pushing the note forward he set the quill down and raised his hand to his heart. They bowed and the note was burned as soon as it was read. "No more pretty daughters, such a shame." He rose and let himself out. He didn't care for the girl but could understand the sense of loss they were feeling; he was feeling it for Jacqueline even now. He wandered around town, occasionally sneering at anyone that came close to getting in his way and then took a direct route back to the castle. The deception was needed; he didn't trust that they were being allowed to live so easily.

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><p>"Wake up." Sarah had set her down and shook Jacqueline roughly. "Can you make a fire?" She was a sound sleeper and still groggy when her eyes finally managed to stay open to the near complete darkness. "We have been found and need to defend ourselves. Wake up." Sarah debated tossing her over her shoulder and taking off but the fast moving river by the waterfalls she decided to stop at were masking Jacqueline's heartbeat and the water mist her scent.<p>

Cold. Jacqueline felt it biting at her exposed skin. During some point on their run that night Sarah must have found a cloak and put it on her; how she didn't feel it, she didn't know, it was doing little in keeping her warm. "It's too wet. Nothing will catch a spark." She heard her voice and it sounded so hoarse that she feared she'd be falling ill soon. "Leave me, I'm as good as dead and if I'm never to return to him I might as well be." Jacqueline felt her hope dissolve. They were found, there was no fire and she was not strong enough to fight off an immortal. She slumped where she lay and opted to drift off back into her dream; with Vladimir. She was nearly there, the cold damp on her skin were his kisses, the hard surface she was propped against was him holding her but then there was pain, unspeakable pain. Her heart started racing and her eyes shot open to see Sarah watching her. She screamed out, she couldn't help it, she felt like knives were being shot into her brain

Sarah looked, carefully, Jacqueline had not been injured, she was very careful when she put her down and there wasn't anything poking into her. "Shhhhh you must be quiet." She watched Jacqueline kick at nothing, her hands making fists in her hair and continue to scream at the top of her lungs for the pain to stop confused her. A small voice behind her at some distance away caught her attention, 'We have found them brother.' Sarah hissed at the girl and took a stance to guard Jacqueline. "My human. Move along scavengers I'm not sharing!" They looked at one another, amused, 'Master said the woman had eyes as clear blue as the sea, we shall bring her to him so he can see them extinguished.' then the girl looked back at her with such intensity that Sarah had to stop for a moment to recall what was taught to her. The possessed twins. One had lightning and the other fog, fire and ice. Within a half second Sarah realized that lightning was being used on Jacqueline and presumably her but there was nothing of the sort in her mind. "You will leave me to my meal children." The boy backed away and took off, heeding her threat but the girl stayed. 'I will complete my task.' She watched her muttering under her breath and Sarah took the opportunity to charge at her. She was stronger than the girl, and had been taught how to fight her kind by two of the oldest of their kind. The exchange was quick, Jacqueline had stopped her cries; she had the little girl in a headlock and turned to see her friend was in the boys arms. "Release my human and I'll let your sister live." Sarah heard Jacqueline's heart stop and then start again, he meant to torture and kill her. The girl in her firm hold still struggled and clawed at Sarah. "Very well, " Sarah tugged at the girls neck making her scream for her brother; cries filled the air as she focused on the boy and Jacqueline to see if he'd give way and let them go, still nothing. "this is your doing boy." With a twist and sudden jarring the girls head came off in her hand and she held it up for him. She fully expected him to drop Jacqueline to save himself but no; he flung her forward to the banks of the river and charged straight at her.

Jacqueline woke up to sounds of boulders being smashed together but that's not what initially stirred her to her senses, it was the fire in her veins at her shoulder and the heat of her blood spilling from a wound on her head. "No. No no." Panic set in and she looked to where Sarah was, and the boy she was fighting; she couldn't help her but she could attempt to wash the venom off before it had a chance. Pulling herself along, her legs still felt numb, she reached the wild current of the water and didn't see any calm section where she could reach in to the water. The decision was instant and she pushed herself into the water to let the current sweep her away and, she hoped, wash the venom out of her veins. She struggled, her legs were now numb from the frozen waters and she struggled to keep herself afloat by grabbing anything that she could to stop her from being dragged under. The waters grew more rampant and her shoulder burned even more fiercely. Any and all hope was gone; she let herself be taken under the surface of the water to die.

Sarah had her hands full with the boy; he knew how to fight but he, like his sister, weren't as strong as she was. She had lost sight of Jacqueline but did see her moving after she landed. One thing she noted, he, like his sister weren't natural fighters. Whatever their possession was they relied on it heavily and never bothered to learn any hand to hand battle. She was now gleeful of the hours she and Stefan spent fighting; him instructing her on how to survive and protect herself. Had she have gone to the Italians, by the looks of these ones, she'd have surely perished long ago. She watched the boy pick himself up and in her peripheral vision saw Jacqueline slip into the raging current. Terror gripped her for the human's safety and she charged at the boy at full unhinged rage;the battle needed to end. With the same similar swift movement she took hold of his head and ripped it off from his shoulders and flung it to where the sisters head was. "Jacqueline! No!" She was at the bank and dove into the water after her. Sarah easily swam above and below the surface of the water; eyes piercing through the murky waters to find her. More panic set in when she had found the cloak Jacqueline was wearing and nothing else. She sprang up on to the bank and picked her way back to the waterfall and traced up and down each of the banks repeatedly until the morning light started poking itself over the horizon. She continued her search, looking, listening and smelling for any traces of Jacqueline but there was nothing. She searched side streams next, all of them that fed out from the main course until they proved to be too shallow to conceal her. She went back to the waterfall and dove under the surface of the water and walked each step along the length of the river, examining every fallen tree or crevasse only to find nothing. Sarah kept at it for the whole day until nightfall until she was certain that Jacqueline was no where to be found. She had to go back, her sense of duty was compelling her to, "I couldn't even keep a human safe. I'm pathetic." She took the children's bodies, dismembered them further and scattered the pieces about. She took their heads and made a sack form the cloak Jacqueline wore to sling it over her shoulder and started to head back home. She had smelled the rains approaching hours before and knew that they would wash away Jacqueline's blood from the stone she struck her head on and hers and the others scents. She hoped for mercy. Jacqueline after all didn't fall into their hands to be used by them for their sick and twisted warfare those Italians had with the brothers.

Sarah's heart hurt as her journey brought her closer to home. She watched Jacqueline's heart break before her eyes and now she was to watch Vladimir's do the same; being executed would be a mercy now. A familiar scent caught her attention and she let herself into the home; it belonged to the human that tended to the brothers. She walked in on her sitting at the table but she made no motion or sound, just picked up a quill and wrote 'We must all be silent. Speak nothing of J or you.' The paper was flung into the cooking fire. The human called our, [Darling, I must go to the castle and bring mother with me to help me with the wash. I had forgotten what day it is and I don't wish our Lord's anger.] Sarah watched her husband enter and pause when he saw her. [Make speed woman and pray that they forgive your oversight.] He fished out his own large hooded cloak and gloves and he set the coat on Sarah's shoulders and the gloves on the table for her . [Do make sure mother stays covered as there is a chill in the air.] Sarah realized what was happening. Months before, when plans were being discussed this was one of her suggestions; humans were to not discuss them other than their service. No gossip. It brought her a little sense of accomplishment now. [Mother, did you need to stop somewhere?] The humans already had a second heavy cloak at the ready, Sarah shook her head no and watched their features fall; they understood. [Still not talking to me mother, very well.] She clutched her sack underneath the large cloak and brought the hood up so no one would see any trace of her. She walked slowly at the woman's side; she was brilliant in her deception. All that they passed didn't question her lie saying her mother at her side; her mother had passed a decade ago as said her tombstone. Sarah found in the graveyard a month prior. They entered the great room where the brothers hadn't left since her her departure and the human stepped aside and bowed deeply before hurrying off. 'This is fear.' Sarah thought, death was the only one she had and she would face it as she always had. She stepped forward as she pulled the hood off of her and then let the cloak fall as she looked at the brothers straight on. She hadn't realized how tattered she looked; her dress nearly torn off barely covering her enough to be acceptable to be seen. She dropped the sack and watched the children's stone heads roll from it. "They tried to take her but didn't succeed. I lost her in the Grand River when she tried to escape the fighting." She heard her voice cracking. "I looked, believe me I looked everywhere for her but there was no trace to be found. She vanished." She fell to her knees and let her head fall into her cupped waiting hands. She didn't want mercy for her failure.

Stefan rose from his place, slowly, looking down to his brother; he was void. There was a moment of disbelief at what Sarah had said but looking at her; she appeared to have fought the devil himself to protect his brothers love. The two heads at her feet didn't lie. No. Even he knew that Aro wouldn't sacrifice his two children for a human. Was this the balance that the seer predicted; the falling of them so their coven's reign of terror over the immortals of the world would finally end. For two centuries they ruled, unchallenged, with their twins striking fear into all who attempted to wage war on them. If it were not for the sacrifice of his brothers heart, he'd be rejoicing at this. As for Sarah, she did fail them, both, but did brutally cripple their enemy; surely that was enough reason to not end her. She was an abnormality right from her very beginnings and if lightning and mist had no effect on her she was an asset to them against any other freaks Aro may be harboring; her utter despair was only proof of her loyalties to them. The few humans that were around were all choking back tears for Jacqueline's loss and he was glad he couldn't show the same weakness. "Go to your place woman. We will decide what becomes of you later." He watched her wretched form go to the corner and collapse there. He picked up the two little heads and brought them back to his chair and set them on the ground between his and his brothers chair, like trophies.

"You spared them the fire?" Although silent, Vladimir was still aware of everything around him, even though the emptiness was steadily consuming him. His Jacqueline, the image of her was beside him, he could feel her delicate hand on his, smell her near. The dream of her would keep him company for what was left of his eternity.

"I need to write that bastard a letter and enclose a little something of them in it so he knows we are never to be challenged again or his little secret weakness will be exposed." Stefan watched his brothers hand twitch; he was in his nightmare. Nether with him or completely gone. "Come lets go eat?" There was a low grumble from his brother; he knew he intended to fall into stone again. Stefan couldn't blame him, he himself refused to enter into that state again, there would be no balance if they were left to be so easily subdued in this place and should another seer come, he wished to better interrogate them. "Very well, I will not be long."

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><p>I thank you for your positive reviews and trust you will keep the bad ones to yourself.<p>

As I've written this in a day, my grammar is probably off in a few places... a lot of places...but hey, I'm not handing this in to be marked right?


	11. Chapter 11

**insert the standard disclaimer here**

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><p>Jacqueline's eyes opened. All the pain was gone and she only felt strength. She was still bound and partially under water. With slight twist of her ankle she freed it, the root that held it snapped and she clawed her way up to towards the light. Her dress tore from her body slightly and she was just as well to leave it behind, she'd find something nicer, more suited to her. The charging river was not too far off but she was confused as to how she ended up where she got entangled. An underground water passage? The water must have swept her body there and it got trapped. She walked to the water and then up the bank to where it there was a waterfall. She found the stash of food and took a bite from the apple and spit it out abruptly. "Awful!" She gasped. It was now too clear, she died. The absence of pain, strength to break free, her apparent quickened arrival to this place and now this, unable to consume an apple. She set herself down and looked around, Sarah was nowhere to be seen. She had no idea where she was or if she was now out of danger. She held her hand up to see it shimmer even in the darkness; and the ring that it still adorned it. She was beautiful. "Vladimir?" Her heart hurt for him, she needed to find him but didn't know how or where to start; she didn't know if she was still even being chased down. A memory started to surface, there was a boy and a girl, Sarah fought with them, tried to defend her. Her hand went to where her shoulder started to burn and she felt a few small bumps there and then she felt her forehead, no bumps. She noticed there were numerous freshly broken stones around, she looked around all of them, but didn't find any pieces that looked as though they may have broken off anyone. She recalled Vladimir's hand, his fingers, she looked at hers and decided she wouldn't be testing that on herself anytime soon. She picked up the small sashal of food and dumped the contents out, she wanted something to carry with her, it gave her comfort in a way she couldn't quite grasp yet. She found where she recalled seeing the children standing and started away from the falls in that direction, walking slowly between the trees looking for any signs of their passing.* Three days… *The memory of her veins burning surfaced and she tried to crush it down to no avail. It had happened, she had to accept it and push on. A light up ahead caught her eye and she, once clearing the trees made a dash for it, covering an impossible stretch of land in mere seconds only to find that it was a reflection off of an old road sign that she couldn't read; the words were foreign to her. She felt the overwhelming sense of loss and it was starting to overtake her but she pushed it down; she was after all a very powerful immortal now. The sky started to lighten, the sun was coming up soon and she glanced down at her tattered clothes, they won't be much coverage she thought and she was starting to glimmer. Looking around she noted that she was walking west and the sun was rising in the east so she concluded that Sarah was heading east when they were ambushed. She looked ahead, there was a stand of trees and rougher terrain and she started running for it. The wind whipped through her now dry hair and the passing breeze caught the tatterings of her torn dress and she listened to them flap around. "This isn't so bad." and she considered that because it wasn't a blur when she ran. Her enhanced eyes kept her from getting dizzy and her enhanced mind could process every detail. "This is quite enjoyable." The breath she drew in sparked a sudden fire in her throat, the scent triggered a feeling in her, a primal one. She altered her course to follow the scent without pause and came upon someone still sleeping; without any pause she attacked them. It took only a moment, they were dead in her arms and she felt the fire in her throat extinguished. "There is no option, no choice of refusal.." another memory struck her, she raised her arm where Vladimir had once scored her to draw a drop of blood from her to offer Sarah, she refused it. All the times Vladimir was near her, kissing her neck, he resisted. Yet she could not. Confusion set in again, and she wondered what was wrong with her. She tossed the human aside and foraged through their possessions; they didn't have much but the clothing she liberated would cover her more for now. The sun escaped the horizon and she shone like a gem; she was very beautiful. She rose and took off on her way for the cover she sought, her intuition was telling her to hide herself from being found by anyone.<p>

##

Six months had passed and they were in the dead of winter. Stefan was still maintaining absolute in his refusal to join his brother and it was just as well; the scum had written them a few months back.

_Brothers,_

_Rest assured the woman has been found and brought to justice. We thank you in your compliance with our laws and look forward to your continued obedience. A_

Stefan had noticed Aro had signed his initial in blood, he knew it wasn't hers and when he brought it to Vladimir's nose there was a sneer. That confirmed it. Their menace wouldn't have realized that Jacqueline's essence was known to them so she was for all intense purposes still lost or had met her end in the water. In true gentleman like fashion he wrote back the the self exalted leader of vampires; now that he could confirm that they didn't accomplish their goal.

_Aro,_

_We thank you in your quick actions to remedy the issue of the person in question, our minds are at great ease. Please accept these small tokens of gratitude and know that should we be honored with another visit from you, announced or not, we shall extend the same gifts to others of our kind so they know of your most generous nature in your service to us all. S&V_

Stefan showed the letter to Vladimir's still eyes and then enclosed a few hairs from each his trophies with it. He thought, should the bastard and his brothers attack them, at least they would be on more equal footing without the twins in their arsenal. Even if they did lose the battle and their lives, there would be a few other covens, that Aro had wronged over the centuries, that would rise up and wipe them from existence. It was one good thing Stefan felt that him and Vladimir did do over the century since their last defeat, forged for information regarding them. If they had known of their approach and of the twins then they would have been better prepared for that battle they had lost so long ago. Their ignorance of their enemy was their downfall; but then was had reached a more sedate way of living when Ileana was with them and the act of striking her down so long ago and now the loss of Jacqueline made him pleased that he knew more now of him than before. A month after the letter was sent the people noted that they didn't feel as watched; he hadn't told them of the letter so he suspected their feelings to be genuine. A month after that he noted how more lively they were behaving but still maintaining their vigilant silence about Jacqueline's loss to them and Sarah's return. "What say you brother?"

Vladimir's silence was being mocked yet again. He hadn't talked in a few months, he couldn't if he wanted anyway as his jaw was nearly fused in place. The burn in his throat was not subdued but he had tuned it out somewhat. His suffering was done in complete silence from all that were around him; he watched them linger as they tended to their daily tasks. Stefan was ever vigilant in keeping all away from him and having a trusted guard do the same when he went to go feed. He watched Sarah befall the same imposed prison as himself; she was a good one, he knew that now. Her dedication to them and her grief at failing him was apparent. When Stefan held the parchment for him to smell he knew instantly that it wasn't her blood. When he saw his brothers reply it slightly amused him. He wanted his Jacqueline back and not the vision that never left his side; haunting him. He needed her with him but the ghost, it kept him from lashing out or charging into the fire.

Jacqueline only went out at night, it was safer, she felt safer. No one looked at her, at all it seemed. She had learned to curbed her bloodlust somewhat; but not completely. The voice in her mind that pressed her to kill could be made sedate if she was consistent in her meals. That's what they were to her now, not murders, meals. She didn't like it but it was what it was and the choice of being like this was not hers; any sin she committed would befall on her maker. She was glad it wasn't Vladimir's sin every time she heard a heart stop beating when she fed. One thing she had noticed, in her wandering about, in finding her way, that there was a sense of familiarity. It was growing and she hoped that meant she was getting closer to home. She had considered, for a second to not go back, to wander the earth to her curiosity's content but any discovery would be an empty one if it wasn't shared. In her wandering she had acquired more clothing, a heavy cloak to conceal herself than keep warm. She liked that she never felt cold even though she knew the season was turning to winter. The days would be getting longer which meant she didn't need to waste countless hours hidden away. She was teaching herself to slowdown her movements when she was around humans, it was going well and keeping her presence more low key. As much as she knew how dangerous she was around humans she preferred it to being alone; she missed Vladimir's company dearly. Rather than wander inside of pubs she stood between the buildings or in the lane-way behind so she could listen to the conversations and pick up clues as to what was going on or where she was. She did hear some strange things about the town in the hills that went silent and still remains so. It sounded odd and she pressed her ear to the wall to listen. No visitors were being taken in as the inns were always booked yet no one had been there. Some were going to go see for themselves and heading out first thing in the morning as it would take the better part of the day to get there and they didn't intend to be turned away. Jacqueline allowed herself to hope, just for a moment that it was home. She stayed in place and then followed the voice out and home; waiting thought the hours of the night as he slept was difficult taking her growing anticipation. When dawn started to come she observed from her hiding place that others came calling on him; she noted how they looked. She followed them from a great distance and always was concealed within the branches of trees or behind stones. When the the road started getting riddled with potholes. Another memory started to surface; horses. The day was waning when she followed them into a pub on the outskirts of the town, her home, and they inquired about lodging. They were refused and started to protest. Her hand raised and she called over the barkeep; her hood still drawn low over her ruby hues. "Is there no place for them?" He replied 'no', probably thinking she too was seeking lodging and that they were full. "They did this town a great service," She lifted her hood up to look the barkeep in the eye. "they lead me back here." The barkeeps jaw trembled but not out of fear; she knew fear, she watched his eyes well up with tears. He turned and screamed, half choking, to find the travelers a room. Jacqueline took the moment he was turned away to exit and make her way to the castle. She heard a thin whistle that originated from behind her and then everyone went silent. It was odd, but she pressed on on her path. As much as she tried she couldn't keep her speed to that of a mere human. Each building she passed, every human she saw sparked more memories and that pressed her to go faster. A voice called her name and her hand went up to pull her hood off to look at the human who dared speak it; they too teared up and then bowed. There wasn't a set of eyes that weren't on her at that moment; not a set of them showed an ounce of fear. Jacqueline raised her nose up, eyed them all and vanished as she took off into a full run the rest of the way to the castle.

Stefan was keeping watch beside his brother, who was still motionless, when he saw her enter; he froze. This was something that he or Vladimir did not plan for but one thing was for sure, he needed to wake his brother up from his prison. Vladimir's eyes were still open but if he didn't know if he could still see what was before him. "Guards, clear the humans out and bring up four from below. My brother will be waking!" He kept his eyes on Jacqueline as the guards did as they were told, she was not leaving without some explanation. She was no prisoner, neither of them would be capable of keeping her now; if she stayed it would be on her terms now. He noticed that once she had scanned the room her eyes fixed on his brother. Chains were heard and the prisoners brought in; one was given to him and Stefan ripped his finger off and put into Vladimir's mouth. In the midst of the prisoners screaming Stefan spoke to his brother. "You need to wake. Drink!"

Jacqueline was horrified, not at what Stefan was doing but what had become of her love. She watched the first prisoner then get his wrist slashed and Vladimir drank further. Her heart was breaking for him; the pain he appeared to be in. The first prisoner faded and the next was brought while the others were clawing to get away. The seconds neck was presented to Vladimir and his hand shot up to secure the man's throat to his mouth as he bit into it. He emitted a low angry growl and Jacqueline's heart sank even more; she couldn't take it. She gave a small nod and drifted off towards her room.

Stefan's hand gripped his brothers shoulder as he finished and was presented the third prisoner by Christian. "Go revive Sarah." Vladimir had secured the prisoner to his mouth and the guard went to do as he was told. "You can't be angry at her?" Stefan looked down to his brother whose completion was starting to rapidly change from its lifeless tone to a more normal one. "She looked as though she's been to hell and back and yet still decided to return here. She must have truly believed there was something, or someone, to return to. We should be thanking the Gods for her return." His brother was still grumbling and his attentions turned to Sarah who was waking but hadn't yet gotten her motion back. Stefan calmed his voice significantly as he tried to reason with his brother. "Do you honestly think that there was any deception on her part? I do believe, had she known Jacqueline lived, would she have risked coming back here, thrown herself at our mercy and allowed herself to go into slumber? I don't believe we have all the facts." his hand squeezed Vladimir's shoulder, he wasn't letting him go just yet. "Give that beautiful women a few moments to herself before you go barging in on her to demand your answers. If you give her a reason to leave there will be nothing we, or you, can do to bring her back here or to you."

Vladimir flung the spent human down and sat back in his chair. What his brother had said did settle him somewhat and it was only his own failings that angered him. "I should have sought her out myself."

"You know we were all being watched, and as much as I know, you'd cast me off in a moment for her. They would have found you both with that tracker of theirs and the two of you would now dead. Me gone, you gone, you might as well hand us over on a silver platter to them." Stefan nudged the little boys head at his feet. "I'm going to keep them for a very long time as a reminder that nothing, even power, is absolute."

Jacqueline found the door to her room wide open and observed a young girl pull off the last of the dust covers off of a table. Everything was exactly as she left it she thought, but then again, she wasn't sure what she recalled of this place except that when she had left it as a human it was the happiest that she'd ever been. "Where is the other woman, the old one?" The startled human turned and curtsied quickly.

"She died when she heard you were lost."

Jacqueline did feel sorry but she wasn't about to let the human see it. "Who are you?"

"M'lady, I'm her granddaughter and its an honor to serve."

She said nothing more; the human had been well trained. "Have a fire ready for me by the time I'm done and then go." Jacqueline drifted off to the bathroom where she saw that it was already waiting for her. She listened as the human in the other room quickly did as she was told and then vacated the room. Jacqueline took her time cleaning up, stripping off the clothes that had adorned her for months as well as the filth they carried. The warm water was welcomed as was the delicately scented soaps that were abundant. When she was done, she took a moment to look at herself in the large mirror; yes she was flawless but also more shapely and firmer than before. Her grim look wasn't altered at all by her observations, her heart still weighed heavy in her chest over what she had witnessed of her love. He was angry, she'd wait a few hours for him to settle before she'd go find him. There were several items of clothing set out for her and she slipped into one without too much trouble. She recalled her first few pitiful attempts at handling garments, her touch wasn't as delicate as it was now. She wandered over to where she once sat to make her lace; she'd wait to attempt that again, not wishing to risk snapping the delicate strands of thread. The fire was well made and she found a place before it on the ground and sat to warm herself. She knew she didn't need a fire for the warmth but the heat felt good and the flames dancing about the wood hypnotically drew her eyes in. She recalled how the fire felt in her veins; how it slowly was starting to consume her before she was dragged under the water. She recalled who her last thought was for and how she felt when she thought she'd never see him again; the void that consumed her last wisp of hope.

It was some time before Stefan released his grip and even a bit more before Vladimir trusted himself enough to go seek her out. He smelled the fire and heard the crackling of the wood as it curled and succumbed to the flames before he reached the door to Jacqueline's room. Vladimir's hand slid down down the door frame, his mind was still in a state of disbelief. He paused for just a moment to allow her to turn him away; her senses were now as keen as his and with being such a new creation, she'd know he was there. With her emotions highly elevated and unstable he was expecting it especially after his display before her; but she remained silent. His first glance to where she was sitting brought him back to when he first saw her in the same spot; he froze. What if this was still the nightmare? He watched Jacqueline shiver and then turn her head to glance at him. The glint of red in her eyes wasn't even enough to convince him; this scenario had played out in his mind when he was motionless. He moved towards her and sat down behind her as she turned her head back to face the flames in the fireplace; his hand rose to brush aside her hair. At once he saw where her shoulder was marred from her attacker and he pressed his lips to it; in some consolation to its ever being allowed to happen. "When you're ready, if you so choose, I'd like to know what happened to you?" He waited. He told himself he'd wait for as long as she needed to come to terms with her beginnings as he was only concerned for her.

Jacqueline wanted to question him on what she had seen; if she was the cause of his anger but now it seemed that he was resolved in it if it was in fact because of her. Words needed to be said. Vladimir did deserve to know what happened to her, he had risked staying behind to allow her escape; planed as much as he could to keep her safe. "She didn't stop running." Fragmented pieces of what had transpired had slowly come back to her in the months since. "We stopped so I could make a fire to get warm and Sarah could go off to find me something to eat. It was night. When we stopped the second time she was waking me and pressed me to build a fire but the wood was too wet. I was tired and too cold." Jacqueline took a breath and felt Vladimir's arm find its way around her waist to draw her into his chest. "That's when the storm started in my mind. I saw them, the children. Sarah didn't falter and told them I was her meal but they must have known it was a lie. She fought the girl when the boy ran off but he came back around to me and I was paralyzed, numb. I did hear Sarah threaten to kill the girl to have him release me but he didn't. It was then when he must have infected me because I didn't feel it burn until after he threw me down to go avenge his sister's death. He called me a trophy for his master?" Jacqueline shook her head slightly. "I went to and into the water to wash off the venom but the current swept me up and it was too late." No she thought, she wasn't ready to relive the horror of her body burning and shivered. "When I woke it was still dark. Sarah was gone and I crawled up from a cavern the water had swept me into deep below the surface. I didn't want to admit to myself what had happened until I went back to where we had stopped and tried to eat an apple." Jacqueline sighed again. "I found many freshly broken boulders and nothing else." Vladimir tugged her in closer to himself and she didn't resist. It was then she realized that this was the first time she's touched anyone that wasn't her meal. "That's when I started wandering, looking for a way back here. I wasn't sure where I was so it wasn't ever a straight path I followed."

Vladimir listened with a kind ear and got lost in her the sound of her voice. He recalled what Sarah had told them and abolished any remaining hate towards her. Fire and ice could not touch her and that was indeed very valuable to them. He felt himself calming as Jacqueline spoke but he wasn't sure if it was his wanting to be resolved in her coming back to him or if it was her gift resurfacing; he wasn't going to press it, he only cared that she was back and not pushing him away. "They arrived moments after the order was given to get you out. We did all we could to give you two time to escape. They, Aro, has a vendetta against us and craves power like no other immortal around. Stefan and I had that same desire but it was sedated when Ileana was with us. Aro didn't know about her gift and probably still thought she was aiding in the plans or who knows. We do know that it was your estranged mother that tipped him off and lead them here. He must still think the same and was afraid his authority was going to be challenged." Vladimir breathed in her scent; it was like nothing else he's ever experienced and he savored it deeply. "The children met their end as you may have seen and the traitor awaits her death unless you pardon her."

Jacqueline shook her head, she wasn't going to save that woman now, not after this. "And you? What did I see?"

"You saw," Vladimir paused, he had to tell her nothing but the truth. "me grieving your absence. Imposing a prison upon myself to lock out the world and physically suffer in solitude. I was angry. I didn't' see you when Stefan started to reanimate me, and when I did see you I thought the demons in my head were still playing their tricks on me." He slipped his other arm around her shoulders and held her more firmly. "You are real, I can feel you in my arms. This is no treachery."

"I have only one question, one that I had asked your brother, I think, but I never felt it resolved." Jacqueline edged forward to have Vladimir loosen his hold slightly and she turned so she could watch him if decided to answer her. "Why seek out a copy of your lost love?"

He'd asked himself this very thing for hundreds of years, in those moments of deep reflection. He had gone back and forth between many reasons but it had all come down to the one reason. "I didn't want to be alone. I wanted to believe, for just a moment, that what I was forced to watch was a nightmare. I wanted to erase a century of desolation and go back to a time when I was truly happy." His fingers touched her cheek. "If I had a copy I could convince myself that she was never taken from me. You are not her, you never could be her because you are and will always be who you are. That's who I fell in love with." A light smile touched his lips, he had thought that he'd never be happy ever again after Ileana's death. "If anyone had told me it was possible to love again, I'd never have believed them, but in all truths, I hadn't met, and gotten to know you yet." He desperately wanted to kiss her just then but even though she had returned to him he didn't know if all of her memories and feelings were settled. He watched Jacqueline's hand rise and only then he noticed the ring on her finger, the ring he had placed there. "As selfish as my reasons were to seek you out I must be allowed to admit one error on my part, that is, you should and deserve to be loved on your own merits because as beautiful as you are it was them that made me fall in love with you."

As selfish as Vladimir's reason were she couldn't hold it against him. Knowing that you'd lost your love and having to live an eternity without them would have one grasping at any chance of that happiness again. "I hated being lost but I think the loneliness would have eventually driven me mad. I'm not sure what would be worse, knowing the person you loved was lost to you or gone forever." She nestled herself into his chest and welcomed his arms back around her. She was glad to be back, she was sure now. It was a long time that they sat there, silent; a calmness set into her and she felt Vladimir's hold steadfast but his posture waver slightly. A knock came at the door and it opened to quickly close again. Stefan was standing nearby them, silent. "Stefan."

"He's around." Vladimir mumbled.

"He's in the room." Jacqueline stated as he smirked down at them.

"I see you've got the beast managed. Well done my dear." Stefan watched his brother slowly revive himself from his daze; one that he was sure that Jacqueline had some part in. "It's been hours and it's now morning, we, well I was worried that you two came to deathly blows." He walked over in front of the fire that had burned itself out ours ago. "There are a few matters to attend to, not to mention the need to satisfy much curiosity before you two hide yourselves away." He took the liberty of assuming that they were still enamored with one another. "Take your time but let's get all this taken care of h'm? Those humans risked much and it'd be nice to let them think they were of some value."

Vladimir kept his arms around Jacqueline until Stefan left the room. He wasn't sure where the time went but he felt rested. "I'm hesitant to let you go at the moment." He tilted his head to gaze into Jacqueline's ruby hues. "Was that you, your gift?" She gave him a little shrug as his arms started to pull off of her. "You can control it?" She gave him a slight nod and said noting.

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><p>Reviews... I like them.<p> 


	12. Chapter 12

All of SM's characters are hers, but they are my puppets and I make them play with mine.

I do love reviews and I do try to accommodate requests where I can and sometimes reply to them on my twitter account.

Again sorry for the wait, RL is busy and I like spending some of that precious free time with my twitter mate who is all kinds of greatness.

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><p>"All I'm saying is that she hasn't changed much at all, it's not as drastic as Sarah's transformation."<p>

"Sarah was at deaths door and she was at her prime. There wasn't much to improve on I guess."

"Where do you suppose she's been. It only takes three days. It wasn't him that did it either, he never left after they came, not even for a second."

"No idea but do you don't think Sarah bit her?"

"No. She wouldn't have returned without her. She's not here, do you think they did away with her? But look, aren't those the two children that they sent after them that she brought back? "

"No, she's still around I think, they'd let us see her final death if they suspected any wrong from her. She must have done them in. Wish I could have seen it. At least he's better now that she's back. It was so sad seeing him like that."

"How do you think they spent last night, h'm?"

"Shush, don't be so forward. She showed up looking like hell and he wasn't all that well ether, I'm sure that that's not important, not yet anyway.'

There was giggling and Jacqueline then felt Vladimir's fingers enclose slightly around her hand and then release. "I almost wish I couldn't hear them now. They really don't know much about anything."

Vladimir wasn't listening, at least not actively to the chatter; his mind was more happily engaged watching Jacqueline and her adaptation to this environment. "No, but they keep trying and given their limited time on earth they do get better if they so choose to." Stefan was still off doing something and Vladimir guessed Sarah was with him. "If you'd like to go there's nothing keeping you. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable being around them, on any level." He knew she hadn't fed, not since her return and he personally didn't care if she slaughtered the lot of humans before them even if it meant that it'd cost them their comfortable home; he would even lead the way for her.

"I'm fine, I don't wish to go just yet." Jacqueline, in truth, didn't like the short time they were apart; when he had left her to go get changed and she could get herself dressed. The time she had spent in his arms were the safest she had felt since she had left months ago and she was hoping that this viewing of sorts would pass quickly so she could be with him alone soon. There was more that needed to be said and she was somewhat remiss that that they didn't talk more the night before. She just wanted, needed, to be held and that took precedence. Jacqueline laced her fingers with his and looked about; more humans were coming in as were the town's officials. All of them took a good hard look at her and then broke off into their own conversations. "When we do go, you will need to show me where they are kept, I can only manage three days at best. Two is better to keep the fire at bay."

A slow smile threatened to creep on to Vladimir's features but he could sense the seriousness of her tone despite her efforts at being passive about it. "Three days is quite good. Advanced I'd say. Sarah is clearly the exception to what it is to be a newborn. Her lack of feeling the need to... seems to be more diminished than what is expected." She nodded slightly at him but still watched the crowd. He was worried. Was she planning to leave as soon as she fed; was this only to be a brief visit? He squeezed her hand again, this time not letting it go so quickly. Stefan came in, as did Sarah who quickly returned to her corner still fearing for her fate. He gave them both a slight nod with a smirk and sat down.

"Are they all here?" Stefan looked over to his companions and then to the people.

Vladimir raised his hand and signaled the crowd. "The full council is here. If the traitor could be brought in we can finally put this all behind us." Christian took his cue and went away in a flash. Soon the sounds of chains could be heard as well as weeping and soft pleas for mercy. Jacqueline's features remained unchanged, even when her mother came into view. Vladimir looked between them, seeing that Jacqueline was unmoved by the sight of her chained up mother and then spoke. "You may proceed brother." His hand still cradled hers and the ring that it still held.

Stefan gave a nod, he was the more charismatic of the two of them, at least he thought so, and given the mystery still surrounding his brother he did think it was best to play that up for the humans; they loved the drama of it all. "Friends. We have been though much in these past few months and should be thankful that only one very brave and thoughtful young lady was killed in this attack. Her death was not in vain and she will never be forgotten by any of us." His eyes found the woman in chains. "Her death, our broken peace and the months of being watched by our enemy were all because of this one. A traitor." Stefan allowed the boos and hisses interrupt his speaking. "We gave her a place under our roof, fed her and her other daughter and protected them both but she didn't think it was enough." There were several more hisses from the crowd, they had been waiting for this trial and her execution for months. Stefan raised his voice. "We would be remiss to proceed without knowing the fate of the one person she tried to sell to the devil himself." He looked back at Jacqueline who was a picture of calm. "There is a slight problem. Neither I or the others want to tarnish ourselves with her blood, such a foul creature, and I'm quite sure my brother and her daughter feel the same."

Jacqueline felt her head shake and noticed Vladimir do the same. She had suffered and wanted nothing more to do with her mother; not even the thought of cracking her neck herself brought her any foreseeable pleasure. She thought back to when she was taken away, her transformation, and then the hardest time came when she was alone, wandering. The longing for her lover had hurt the most and then to see him, how she found him; devastating. "Burn her." Stefan looked back at her and she saw Vladimir's head turn towards her. "Burn her slowly. I want her to suffer for what she did to me and all of us." The woman's chains hit the stone floor and there was heavy weeping. Jacqueline couldn't recall who it was that feared being burned, her father, sister or mother but by the sudden outburst she suspected it was her mother. Jacqueline felt nothing; no regret, no satisfaction, nothing. She wasn't sure if she should or not but not having any interactions with anyone for months she wasn't even sure what she should be feeling. Her eyes found Vladimir's, "I have a sister, where is she?" Her voice lowered significantly from speaking the moment before.

Vladimir wasn't sure if he should laugh, or remain motionless when he heard her speak but his fingers remained laced with hers. "Your sister is quite safe." Physically Jacqueline was immortal perfection, but her mind was another matter. "We can send for her if you wish." He thought, had she woken in their midst they could have impressed on her what they wished; as they did with Sarah and countless others. She was truly a being of her own making and in a little way Vladimir liked the thought of this but the uncertainty was upsetting him. He was ready to give her anything she wished at this point, for now.

"No, not yet. I'm not safe enough." There were few humans, now that she thought about it, that she truly cared for. Her sister was the one human that she would kill for. Vladimir and his brother, she now considered her new family and their guards she held in high regard. The townspeople before her, she guessed that they deserved some elevation above outsiders. The list in Jacqueline's mind was formed and it seemed that being here was where she belonged, where she had the most. She didn't need to hide anymore. Stefan's voice brought her attentions back forward to the task at hand.

"You were nothing but a vessel and as such should be disposed of quickly as you have outlived your usefulness." Stefan raised his hand and signalled forward the Chief Justice. The human looked upset, there hadn't been a public termination of life in decades. "There is a clearing not too far off, away from any prying strangers eyes. We will bring her there to carry out the sentence. If you'd be so kind as to nominate three witnesses to observe?" The man visibly went a little more grey and he pointed out two others and himself. "Very good. Before sundown tomorrow night be here." The human nodded and stepped back. The woman was send back down to the cells below. He turned to cast his gaze on his brother and Jacqueline then back to Vladimir. "I found the item you sought." He raised his hand and beckoned Sarah over. She presented a small flat box to him; worn with time. He handed over to his brother silently.

Upon seeing it Vladimir recalled the contents. The hairpin it held, an intricate weave of fine golden threads laced with precious stones was the finest piece of its kind. His freed hand opened the box to find it and it sparkling in the light. "A welcome home gift my beloved." Her hand quickly reached for it but fell short of touching it.

"Its beautiful, thank you." There was no material expectation within her when she came back, all she wanted was to be reunited with her love. The thought of refusing the gift lingered but besides the obvious insult there was the more persistent fear of her damaging it and embarrassing herself and him along with her. She wanted to accept the gift, badly, but was also then thinking of a way to make amends with the immortal woman who was once her friend still standing nearby. "Sarah, could you?" Only the three that were near her heard her speak but the statement was profound.

Vladimir's lip quirked; he was pleased. What Jacqueline didn't realize, by asking for assistance and honouring the girl she also sent a very clear message to those that were observing; Sarah served her. Jacqueline's young age didn't dictate her placement beneath Sarah; what did was her sitting beside him and she claimed it now. Vladimir watched Sarah approach pick up the gift and carefully secure it in Jacqueline's hair with her head slightly lowered for her.

"When my sister returns I'd like to sit as we once did with her." Sarah only nodded to her, she still looked grim. "There is no tarnish against you as far as I'm concerned so please settle yourself in that respect." Jacqueline was rewarded with a little smile and curtsy. She looked to the brothers who were not pleased but not angered. "She was outnumbered and I was her crutch in the battle. No. The blame lays with those two children and the one that sent them to capture me as a trophy." She had time to think about the events that lead up to her being infected, time to recall and put reason ahead of the anger and hurt of what had happened to her.

Stefan mumbled to himself as she sat back and finally spoke. "The library, you should see it my dear. Brother if you would accompany us I'd like to show it to her." He had been debating taking her off alone but her timidness at the number of people around and her staying latched on to his brother had him question the thought. It wasn't openly visible but the brothers could see it and Vladimir was up and guiding Jacqueline away quickly. Stefan followed behind the two and watched as she drifted into his side and his arm drew her into him further. They were still both hurting from the separation Stefan concluded, and only time could cure it. Once they were through the door Stefan closed it and walked around to face them. "The library, we keep the books here, that's it." He sat down and motioned for them to do the same. "You've been through much my dear and I wished to impart something very valuable to you, knowledge. I appreciate you clearing Sarah of any blame to your current state and I hoped that you could show the same wisdom for us as we want you to know, without any question in your mind, that we only acted in your best interest." Stefan sat back and took in the scent of the ancient books. "Do you still have your human memories?"

Jacqueline quickly saw through Stefan's ruse of getting them out from under the public eye where they could talk. "My great aunt Ileana was murdered. You slept and then were woken. Yes, I remember most of it." Jacqueline glanced between the two, there were some things that were still faint in her mind and she would make a point of asking if they knew about them later.

Stefan was pleased, this would advance things much. "After our kingdom was attacked and we were woken some time afterward, I set out to find out what we could of our enemy. I had hoped that during our slumber that they would have been challenged and fallen but alas, that wasn't the case. They only grew in power during our slumber and we only grew in our hatred of them. You see; for all their greatness they still do what we didn't, hide. That is why they attacked us we believe. They couldn't stand the notion that we were more accepted by the humans than they and they didn't want our power growing faster than theirs as a result. Our army was larger than theirs but we lacked what they had, talented immortals. The two that were sent after you were such individuals. Tell me, if you would be so kind, what you felt before… Sarah ended them."

'Eloquently put.' Jacqueline thought. "There was lightning first. It burned my mind and body equally. Then, it cleared from my mind a little so I could see again, but my body was still in pain and I was crippled." The two didn't make sense to her, not together anyway. She looked to Vladimir whose expression was grim. It was paining him to hear of her ordeal but she knew that his brother did have a point to make to her.

"Fire and Ice were the twin's talents. The girl could impart pain, real pain, to whomever she wished and her brother could cripple the strongest of man or vampire at whim. The two together were what defeated us but they do, did, as their Master commanded them to." She nodded at him in understanding so he continued. "They have others who are talented that do as the Masters desire. The leader of that coven is Aro, his gift is the reading of minds by touch so when boy crippled their enemy he'd read their every thought and then fire would kill them. Knowing this, we selected Sarah to take you and for her alone to decide where to go. The reasoning simple, if Aro touched us, your location would be safe." She nodded again, Stefan was pleased. "Another in their group is the tracker, or as I like to think of him, their hunting dog. He only needs to be in your presence and then your location is always known to him. Vladimir and I have no recollection of him at our kingdom's destruction and we were uncertain if he 'visited' us in our slumber so if either of us escaped with you we couldn't be certain that he'd be the one sent to find us and you. Sarah, being so new would have been unknown to him so that again proved to be another asset in her favor; as well as her strength." Stefan glanced to his brother and he shook his head, understanding the next point he was coming to. "You see my dear, Sarah; along with yourself are the strongest two immortals here for about one year after your waking. You hesitated with your gift and rightly so, it would have crumpled under your hand if you lost a moment of focus with it. Learning to handle things carefully takes great mental discipline at first." He listened to her mumble about taking two weeks to dress herself and the look of longing in his brother's eye hearing her. Stefan wanted to laugh out but there was still much to say. "So, if you could be so kind as to not damage my brother we would greatly appreciate it, well, he would I'd make fun of him for decades." Stefan was silent for a few moments, deciding where to continue his lesson. "There are others in that coven with gifts that I'm still gathering information on thought the stories we hear from the travelers though this region. Many that the Italian's put off come here seeking us out so we can get the vengeance that they themselves may never get. Over the years many have pledged themselves to our side should a war break out but until now we were all powerless against the Italians, not until their two most powerful weapons lost their heads."

"How? I mean, how is it that she could defeat them without falling victim to their talents?"

Stefan chuckled, "Sarah is gifted herself." He clapped his hand as if a victory was won, "At first I thought it was a resistance to pain when we first observed her reluctance to feed. I initially had thought it was a natural tendency because of the illness she had suffered with but after hearing of her ability to ward off the girl and boy's gifts I'm thinking it's to all gifts." Stefan paused for a moment, desperately wanting to question her of her talents but it didn't seem like the right moment to ask. "I think, if their tracker had met her that even he might not get a lock on her," he waved his hand about. "whatever he senses. I'm tempted to send her off to spy on them but to lose her would be tragic. No. We will not do what they do to those that have sworn to serve them." Stefan paused again to watch as Jacqueline nestled herself into his brothers side. A sign that meant that there was no ill between them he hoped. "Ileana was precious to us, her own gift, before we knew such a thing was possible in our kind, was what stopped us from attacking the Italians back then. It was a shame that Aro didn't know that his salvation from our attack was the one thing, one person, he took from us. We were ready to strike within a year but then she came along and," He sighed. "there was no point. Her calmness, her ability to sedate anger and aggression gave us what we were lacking; a moment to reflect on what our ultimate goal was. We realized that a couple of brothers couldn't possibly rule a planet of wild humans and the fact that Aro is still trying to rule over a few hundred vampires to this day is telling. Well. It's a nice idea but as we have seen though history watching the humans, those that don't want to be governed, won't, and they will fight back. Our humans in this town are not ruled by fear by us. They do fear us but their want for a peaceful existence is greater than their fear. My brother must have told you about our coming here?" She nodded. Stefan recalled Valdimir's earlier plan of documenting her human life and being useful to her was now falling to pieces; she remembered a great deal but she did love him it seemed, so it might have not been all a loss. "When we came we brought not only our protection but our amassed fortune. All of the buildings in this town were built with our money that they earned from us. They exist here because we came here or else this place would have been abandoned several hundreds of years ago."

"So you aren't going to attack the Italian's, ever?" Crimes needed punishment, that she knew, it was ingrained in her. They looked between each other. "Their weapons heads sit at the foot of your throne, they are helpless. They need to answer for what they have done to me." The idea of revenge was growing in her quickly. She knew her feelings could leap in any direction as fast as she could run so she tried to calm herself only to feel Vladimir slump slightly at her side and she noticed Stefan smirking at him. "I'm gifted but you already knew that." She sighed and focused on lifting the effect from him.

"I did but I'm glad you mentioned it. When Sarah returned with their heads we knew that the war was won, but it was an empty victory because the prize was lost, you. You see, our enemy doesn't want to kill us, their greatest opponents, they wish to make us suffer. When they set out to come here they wanted to send us back into a state of slumber so they could boast of their victory over us once again. If they wished us destroyed they could have easily found us, as that witch did who revived us, and struck us down in our sleep. I'm guessing if they did visit us, they wished they had now killed us because as it stands, they are helpless. No one knows of the twin's deaths; the Italians would like to keep it that way for as long as possible. We wish to be left to our region of the world and if they should encroach on it we let all their enemies they've ever made and allowed to escape their demise know and they will attack them for us. What better way is there to defeat a centuries old enemy than to make them know and feel that they completely helpless?"

Jacqueline grinned softly. The brothers were brilliant and she could appreciate the beauty of their revenge. It satisfied her deep wish of inflicting a fitting sentence on them. "I didn't blame either of you then and now, you should know that. Sarah said that you would stall them so we could get away." She felt Vladimir lift her hand to kiss it. "Knowing that the person that made them come is paying with her life is enough for me and I hope that my sister will not be upset by her execution. Where is she?"

Vladimir finally decided to speak up. As much as he knew his brother enjoyed talking it was his turn. "We gave Christian that great weight of responsibility and he accepted it without any hesitation. He was told to bring her to a safe place, ideally with a relative and not to tell us where or who she was with. If things were to go poorly here he was told to either stay and helps save the villagers, or get away. Under no circumstance was he to be touched by Aro. He knew, in either case that it would mean his death or his family death." Jacqueline allowed him to kiss her hand again, he grinned. "You see, those that choose to stay and serve us do so by their own free will. Sarah, whom you have absolved, is now free to go as she wishes. She has done more for us that we have ever expected and if she does go, she will be greatly missed. Christian has left us on several occasions but has always returned. We don't keep or collect immortals as our enemy does, that is even too arrogant for us. Instead, we have learned by watching the humans that when one chooses to be loyal they will do so more steadfastly. Stefan and I suspect that those that served the Italian's, now that their power is diminished, will be attempting to escape their hold as they were there primarily out of fear."

"Well there was that rumor of the binder but I'm not so certain about that." Stefan sat back and let his eye wander up the several stacks of books. "Is there anything you'd like to know further? Can you let us know if you are going to stay with us?" It was a bold question but he was sure that his brother needed to know, it was the one thing that concerned him when he was revived and was waiting to go see her. "I am, but one day I want to see more of the world," She looked over to Vladimir. "with you I hope." He gave her a quick nod and she grinned up at him. "I liked traveling, before but I didn't like doing it alone." She looked back at Stefan and could tell he wanted to know more about her gift. "I had forgotten about it, my gift, at first, but I was once discovered waiting for nightfall. The human was hysterical and I didn't want to flee, sparkling as I do, so I told, willed, them to calm down. Their heart slowed and then it suddenly stopped. I had thought it might have been out fear but it didn't make sense to me as they were too young to have such a fragile heart. So I then tried again when I needed to feed, to stop them from screaming." She frowned. It still bothered her for some reason; it wasn't her fault she kept reminded herself. "Their hearts stopped too soon and it was an awful mess trying to get enough out of them so I didn't have to find another. I did figure slowly how to control it and now I can put them into a slumber that they never wake from. I can show you if you'd like to see."

Stefan watched his brothers' eye glaze over and knew his imagination was taken over with the visions of what his half dressed mate covered in blood looked like. He chuckled again and let the man stew in his dream for a few moments and curbed his own want to tease him. "Well we know it works on immortals but to what extent? We have no hearts to stop but you seem to be able to put my brother into a kind of slumber. I wonder if it's just as lethal to us if you were to fully focus."

"I can't. No." her head shook and she clutched Vladimir's hand tightly.

Stefan frowned. "An enemy perhaps? You wouldn't hesitate to protect yourself I trust? Believe me madam, many of our kind aren't as civilized as ourselves and would strike you down without any hesitation." He could see that that made her think. He sighed. It wasn't what he'd hoped she'd say but he was glad for his brother that she wished to stay with him; at least for now.

Vladimir too took the moment of silence to think on what was said. In his heart Jacqueline's gift was nothing to him but an added bonus for their coven; she was all that he cared about. "Do you think one day you'll come to peace with what you are?" She hesitated in her reply and only then nodded slowly. "I had settled myself in the thought that it should have been your choice." His fingers caressed her hand carefully. "The alternative scenario from the encounter that resulted in your changing would have been a greater tragedy." Her eyes were still lowered but he could tell that there was a lightning in her ora.

"I like that I don't shiver in the cold. I feel it but it's not something that can harm or slow me down." She looked up to the men who made no hint of wishing her to stop speaking. "Being able to see in the dead of night, even when there is no moonlight; the dark isn't terrifying anymore. Neither is being at a great heights. From the top of a mountain to its valley is but a small step." Both men smiled yet remained silent. "I never swam before, never at great depths but I can now. Lake bottoms are not anything special, I'd like to see and swim in the ocean and find a shipwreck to explore." Vladimir nodded to her. "The stars sing at night and when I was still I could feel their song pulling me up towards the moon. It was breathtaking. There is so much detail in a leaf even when it has been detached from its tree for months. Snowflakes are so delicate..." She let her mind drift off to when she first saw them. "There is so much wonder in the world I wouldn't have ever been aware of as I was before. I'm not pleased that I was forced to flee and then attacked but as it is the alternative was, now, unimaginable." She still had the vision of first seeing Vladimir solidified and she thought, what if she'd have never returned, died, his torment would still be continuing. A soft knock came at the door and both men said 'enter' in a quiet unison. She had thought she smelled someone but she wasn't definitely sure. Sarah stepped in partially and gave them all a slight nod and fixed her eyes on Stefan silently.

Stefan rose and gave his attire a little adjusting. "I have a pressing matter to take care of if you would excuse me." He didn't care if the answer was negative from either of them, his distraction was in a better mood and he had been waiting months for her waking. They had an understanding since her changing; no strings, no feelings, just a mutual exchange to fulfill a common need. He swiftly was at her heels as she lead him back to his private room. Once the door was closed his teeth were at the back of her neck biting down carefully; she froze. She had a particular taste to how she wished to be taken and he, never having a lover request it from him before now, was eager to please. His hands went to where her dress was laced up and undid it in a fury as she continued to hold still and started whimper softly. No words, just actions, abrupt and heavy handed. He had her stripped down in a moment and was working on freeing himself first and then pinning her arms behind her back and forcing her up against the closest wall. He bit into her neck a little harder and she nearly came undone before he had a chance to enter her. He growled deeply, displeased, he needed the release just as badly as her. Roughly entering her his motions were quick and animal like in every way. He tightened his hold of her pinned arms as he lost himself while nearly shattering the wall she was up against. He felt her body tremble and heard her finally cry out. He released his hold of her and removed his teeth from the back of her neck. He often wondered why she preferred the roughness, it was out of sorts from all of his past lovers that wanted to at least have some semblance of love even if they knew his heart couldn't easily be touched. Back when he asked her for her secrets he was quite setback when she asked him for this. Her hand fished up to where his mark was on her, it was quickly fading due to its lack of depth. He could make it permanent on her, mark her as his but the placement would always be covered by her hair. She didn't wish to be claimed and he wouldn't let himself be attached to another again. He watched her slowly turn to face him, her fingers started working off the remainder of his clothes. "Again, my way?" His presumption was as sound as was his shirt hitting the ground. There was a little nod and he had her up and flung around so her back was on the ground behind them. He pushed back inside of her and pinned her hands down as he started to pump her slowly. He would have her like this for the next few hours; working her up to several releases before he'd have his own. They only had until the following nightfall and then who knew, she might not wish to have him again for days if not weeks. She quickly came undone beneath him and his ego grew. "Let me hear your struggles little one, fighting your desires so I'll be forced to continue to work you over." Her soft groans filled his ear as his lips found where he had first bit her to kiss the mark. Sarah was satisfying, more so than Clara or the few before her and he enjoyed pleasuring her. She could still over take him he thought, he'd let her, but she chose to stay down and only struggled slightly as she came undone again as he continued to push in and out of her. "Good girl Sarah."

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><p>I've got Ch 13 brewing in my head and yes, there will be sex between the other two you pervs.<p> 


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Twilight, Drama