Disclaimers: Don't own these vampires, Anne Rice does. I make no money off of this.

Spoilers: Queen of the Damned

Warnings: Adult situations, slash

Daniel slowed his pace a tiny bit as Armand fumbled a few items around in the shopping bag. Usually his maker had no problem keeping up, but with his mind pre-occupied, he had not yet noticed that his slightly shorter gait was making him fall behind a little, and Danny didn't like to get too far ahead. It tended to make Armand feel bad, and that would make him irritable and cold again, and Daniel loved having him at least comfortable enough to where he would speak to him. It was a miracle in itself that Armand had agreed to come shopping at the mall.

"Wait a moment," Armand said suddenly.

Danny pulled to a halt right in front of a Bath and Body Shop. "Um, I'll wait for you here, Boss," he said, taking a step back from the stench.

Armand smiled wryly and handed him his bag. "My poor Danny, still too much of a fledgling to handle strong smells."

Danny rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall, several feet away from the door. "Yeah, rub it in, why don't you?"

Armand laughed and entered the store, disappearing behind the rosy colored shelves. Daniel just sighed and closed his eyes, crossing his arms. He loved Armand, but the little runt could be damned insufferable at times.

I wonder if I could get him in chains, Danny thought, tilting his head for a moment. Or at least I could get strong enough to pin him down. Or maybe I could--

"Danny? Daniel, is that you?!"

Daniel opened one eye lazily, but when he saw the speaker, his eyes opened wide in shock. "Janet?" he whispered. "No..."

The girl in front of him, with dirty blonde hair and violet eyes just like him, ran from the opposite store and wrapped her arms around him. He held himself back from returning the embrace.

"Oh, Danny, it's been ages since we've seen you! Why haven't you written, why don't you call? Mom and Dad've been worried so much about you!"

Daniel didn't say anything, wishing she would disappear and Armand would come and take him home.

"How long have you been down here?" she continued. "Are you okay? Damn, feels like you've been working out. Danny?" She realized that he wasn't answering, and she took a step back. "Danny?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked finally.

"We're all here," she smiled. "Mom and Dad and me and John, we're all here on vacation. Come on, they're in here somewhere!" She tugged his hand, surprised that he wasn't moving. "Daniel?"

He shook his head and pulled his hand away. "No, Janet, I'm not going anywhere."

"But don't you want to see them?" she asked in a very small voice.

"They kicked me out," he tried to explain. "Dad beat me up and sent me away. Why would I want to see him again?" He looked inside the store nervously. "Look, you'd better take off. It's not safe for you here."

"What? Danny, are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No, but you have to leave." He could just imagine what Armand might do to her. His fledgling could run away by himself, and Armand knew Danny would return, but when mortals showed any kind of threat of stealing him away, real or imagined, Armand saw nothing wrong in killing them.

"Danny, if you need help--?"

"Look, damn it, will you just leave me alone?!"

"Daniel, what is wrong?" came a soft voice to his right.

Daniel turned and faced Armand, terrified of what might happen. "Nothing, she was just leaving."

Janet stared almost in shock at her brother's companion. This boy couldn't be eighteen, no way! Maybe not even sixteen. And Daniel seemed to be afraid of this stranger, even though he was much smaller. Danny was a few shades from blindly obeying him. Her jaw set and she put her hands on her hips.

"No, I wasn't. Who are you?"

"Armand," he replied smoothly. "And you would be?"

"Janet," she snarled, almost daring him to try anything. "His sister."

"Ah, that explains the resemblance."

Janet shifted feet. Armand disturbed her. He sounded weird, older than he looked.

"Danny, please come with me," she turned back to her brother, pleading with her eyes. "Dad really feels sorry for what happened, I know he wants to see you again. And Mom, too, we all want to see you again."

"Sorry, Janet," Daniel shook his head. "I can't go back. I can never go back."

Armand gave his new shopping bag to Daniel and pulled him easily away, turning him from the mortal. "Danny, it's time to go. We have other business to attend to, remember? Go wait for me in the car, and I'll be right there."

Daniel was about argue, but Armand gave him his don't-you-dare-disobey-me-right-now look. His fledgling sighed and nodded. "Sure, boss." He took off immediately.

"Danny, wait!" Janet called after him, but Armand stepped in front of her. "Get out of my way, you little freak!" she growled.

"Daniel is no longer who you once knew," he said softly. "And he does not have my permission to see you."

"What?"

"He knows this," Armand continued. "He understands what will happen if he speaks with you again. I suggest that you stay away from him from now on."

"He's my brother," she fumed. "Part of my family!"

"No. He has a new family, one who loves him and would never cast him out. One who would keep him safe and take care of him when he needs it. One who does not obsess about his sexual orientation or religious preferences." He laughed at her astonished face. "Oh, yes, my little Danny has told me all about you, after a little encouragement. He told me all about how your father beat him and sent him out all alone into a cruel and unforgiving world. You should thank me for taking him in." Armand turned and started after his fledgling.

"Just who the hell are you?" she said, a cold tone in her voice. "What are you?"

Armand chuckled and looked over his shoulder at her. "Me? I am his lover." And on that note, he disappeared from her sight.

Daniel was sitting in the back of Armand's limousine, leaning his head back against the seat, wondering what was going on. Was Armand killing his little sister? She had always given him a hard time back home, but still, she was family. He glanced back the mall, wanting desperately to go back inside and make sure she was all right, but he shook his head and looked away again. Armand had told him to go to the car. He sighed and pounded the seat with his fist, this not-knowing was eating at him. Finally he worked up enough courage to go back, but as soon as he turned toward the door, Armand was already climbing in next to him.

"Back home," he told the driver, giving his lover a harsh glare.

Daniel settled back down in his seat, staring out of the corner of his eye to see if Armand had any traces of blood on his fangs or fingers. Armand noticed the poorly-hid scrutiny and rolled his eyes.

"No, I didn't kill her," he snarled. "Should I have?"

Danny shook his head quickly. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't even know she was here...I would've gone into the shop if I'd seen her...I won't go back, I promise--!"

Armand put his hand on Daniel's thigh, quieting him instantly. "I know. That is why she is still alive." He chuckled humorlessly. "Aside from you, all of the coven's relations are dead or distant. I forget sometimes that you still have living family who know you intimately."

Daniel shook his head. "No, they don't. They didn't know me then and they sure as hell don't know me now."

"And they won't get the chance. Daniel, when we get home, you will write your sister a letter explaining as vaguely as you can why you cannot go back. Send whatever else you want to her, I don't really care, as long as she knows she cannot have you as a brother again. I will make certain they can't find out where you are now."

Daniel nodded slowly, giving a little sigh. Armand noticed and narrowed his eyes.

"What's the matter? Do you want to go back to them now? Do you miss human sensations?"

Daniel smiled and glanced at his lover. "No...not a bit. But I do miss something..."

"Oh?" Armand asked, curious. "And what is that?"

"A lover's touch," Daniel whispered. "Gentle and kind, without the need to control or subjugate. I miss that."

Armand looked out the window, intentionally avoiding his fledgling's eyes. "I...I...I expect that letter finished before the night is out, understood?"

Daniel lay his hand on Armand's. "I understand. I can wait. I have all of eternity to wait for you."

"What?"

Daniel just rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'll have the letter done in a couple of hours."

Armand didn't answer.

Daniel sat down at the mahogany desk and took out the expensive stationery he used on rare occasions. The paper was made up to look like ancient parchment, with ornate scrollwork down the side. He gave himself six or seven sheets to use, although he was sure he wouldn't use more than two. He picked up the erasable ink pen and held it over the paper.

"Dear Sister," he muttered aloud. "No, better just write Dear Janet. No...not that either."

Daniel broke off and erased that bit. Sometimes things had a habit of popping out of him.

Daniel counted out the thick wad of hundred dollar bills, then wrapped a thick rubber band around them and tossed them into an envelope. He reached for the letter, but before he could touch it, a smaller hand slipped it out from under his grasp. Knowing better than to complain, he glanced up as Armand held the letter and read over it.

Armand's eyes went side to side as he glanced over the letter, chuckling now and then. "Ten thousand?" he asked derisively. "Is that all you're worth?"

"To them," Danny nodded.

"Poor Danny-boy," Armand sighed, folding the letter up and putting it in the envelope. "I'll make sure this is hand-delivered to wherever they are now, so they can't trace it." He looked outside through the window, then back at his fledgling. "It's getting early. Get in bed. I'll join you shortly." He briefly lay his hand on Daniel's cheek, stroking the soft skin as if it belonged to him, then turned sharply and disappeared.

Daniel obediently undressed and slid into bed, turning on his side. Why now? Why did they have to find him now, when everything was going great? He'd almost been able to forget about them and what had happened before.

He closed his eyes and a single tear squeezed out. As he started to cry in earnest, he felt Armand slide in behind him and put his arms around him. There was an inhumanly gentle kiss on his throat, and then the hot sting of fangs piercing into him. He groaned in ecstasy as Armand drank down his painful memories.

"You won't go back to them," Armand whispered as he withdrew. "I won't let you. You belong to me now."

"Yes, I do," Daniel agreed, vaguely nodding his head. "Don't let them find me again...please...don't let them...want to stay here...love you..."

Armand smiled at the confused plea. "My fledgling, my first-born, do you think I would let you out of my grasp so easily? If I have to, I'll put a collar on you and leash you to the bed."

Daniel grinned and adjusted to his other side, his eyes still red but no longer bleeding. "Will you do that anyway?"

Armand gave him one of his rare smiles and kissed his eyelids. "Danny, I simply do not understand why you enjoy these fetishes of yours."

"I like to know I belong to you," Daniel answered readily. "I like to know you want me enough to cage me up and punish me if I try to go." He wrapped his fingers around Armand's wrist and pulled it closer to his mouth, and he licked the skin shielding the veins. "Mmm...your blood..." he whispered faintly, just before he bit down and started to sip at the steady stream.

Armand smirked and allowed Daniel to feed, filled with a loving feeling that he was taking care of his fledgling. Before too much had been drained away, though, Armand took his wrist away, spilling drops of blood over Daniel's lips. He licked them away before Daniel could.

"Your blood...so sweet," Daniel sighed. "You know I love you?"

Armand nodded. "I know." He lay down next to his fledgling and stretched his arm over his lover's chest, as if he was staking a claim. With a final kiss on his cheek, Daniel fell asleep. Armand watched him breathe softly, his chest barely rising enough for an immortal to see, let alone a human. Every mortal doctor in existence would bet his life that Daniel was dead, but Armand could feel his warm breath on his cheek. His fledgling was so vulnerable now.

Armand cuddled against his taller lover, nestling his head on his shoulder as he closed his eyes. Tomorrow night he would take his fledgling somewhere that would take his mind off of this. Yes, one of the casinos, their lights always made Daniel happy. And he could give him plenty of coins and dollars to drop inside the sparkly machines, and then they could watch a few of the laser shows...

Armand smiled to himself. Yes, tomorrow night, I'll keep him amused, and he'll forget all about those mortals. And when he no longer cares or remembers, I'll kill every last one of them. No one will take my fledgling away.

Daniel stared in mute fascination at the flashing lights plastered on the outside of the casinos lining the street. It was like a miniature Las Vegas, each casino had a theme. One of them has a space-age theme, with white stars and moons flickering on a blue background and a rocket ship that blasted off from the roof and crashed into the pond below every fifteen minutes. Another had gone tropical with a Save the Earth theme. A dense layer of real plants and flowers covered every square inch of the ground outside and the walls, growing along the green tracklights and brightly lit plastic flowers. Realistic wild animals like jaguars, pythons, crocodiles and monkeys were scattered sparingly in the plants. The Oceanic casino had taken it a step farther, putting their money machines inside a tropical aquarium with thousands of colored fish swimming around. And yet another, the Firebird, looked like it was simply glowing in red and orange lights.

Armand laughed at his lover's look. "Lost in fledgling heaven, are you?"

Daniel grinned and tugged him forward. "Let's go in here first!"

Armand allowed Daniel to pull him into the Galactic, ignoring the rocket as it crashed into the pond beside them until they, along with several other mortals, were caught in the tidal splash of water that crested over them and soaked their clothes. Daniel looked down at Armand and couldn't repress his giggle. His maker's auburn hair was dripping past his eyes and he was glowering at his fledgling.

"Let's go dry off," Daniel suggested, "inside their heated casino."

Armand predictably perked up at the word "heated" and walked in with Daniel, and they broke away from the main casino to disappear around a corner. They found a small broom closet and ducked inside. Daniel almost bumped his nose against the wall moment later.

"Boss, this room is awfully small," he complained, turning around carefully. He didn't want to upset the metal shelves and the cleaners there, or the chair in the corner.

"Perfect," Armand whispered, locking the door behind himself. He lay his hand on Daniel's chest and pushed him up against the wall, dragging his clawed finger down the front of his fledgling's shirt and tearing it down the middle. Blood followed after from the cut in Daniel's flesh, and he stumbled into the chair so he wouldn't faint. Armand's touch was always hot enough to make him light-headed.

Now that Daniel was a bit lower, Armand started to peel the wet cloth from his body, revealing the long scratch. Blood trickled down the cut and he lapped it up for a moment. He pushed the shirt down and off, and glanced around the shelves surrounding them.

"Just what I wanted," he said to himself, picking up the coil of nylon ropes.

"Boss, someone might come in," Daniel started to protest. Having sex was one thing. Being tied up and helpless was quite another.

"I know," Armand replied, crossing Daniel's wrists and binding them tightly. There was an exposed beam above them, obviously where the maintenance crews entered between floors, and Armand tossed the rope around it, using it to haul Daniel's arms up. He sat down on his lap to make sure he didn't get up, and once his lover was drawn fairly tight, he tied the other end back around Daniel's throat, forming a snug noose.

"If you struggle," he whispered in his fledgling's ear, "you'll strangle yourself."

"What a temptation," Daniel grinned.

Armand got off of him and knelt down so far that he could have put his head on Daniel's lap. He undid the black jeans and pulled them off of his fledgling, tossing them unceremoniously on the floor. "And once again, my fledgling goes about without anything underneath," Armand playfully scolded him. He glanced up at his bound lover and smiled wickedly. "How long can you go before you scream?" he asked.

Daniel gave him a confused look. "I don't--"

Armand interrupted him abruptly, bending down and taking him firmly into his mouth, which was a bit too small for the job, so he used one hand for the rest of Daniel's length. Daniel bit down on his lip to stifle his groans, and his hands clenched tight over his rope for support. Armand finished him off once, but he didn't stop, and Daniel's vampire stamina kicked in, keeping him going unwillingly. Twice. Three times. Five. Eight.

Armand smiled as he worked, amused at his fledgling's plaintive whimpers. Each one was higher pitched than the last, louder and stronger...wouldn't be long now. He started to use more strength to hurry it up.

Finally with the last climax Daniel couldn't hold it in anymore. He opened his mouth and took a deep breath, about to let the entire casino know what was going on in the broom closet, but Armand quickly swallowed the blood he shot and leaned up to roughly kiss his fledgling, silencing him. Daniel made a strangled sound as his voice shut off, panting even as he pushed his lips against his maker's. He tried to lean forward, but he noose started to cut into him and he had to relax again, relinquishing all control to Armand.

"There, now wasn't that fun?" Armand breathed in his ear.

"That...was...torture," Daniel said between gasps.

"I'm glad you liked it," was his reply.

Suddenly the doorknob started to turn, then shake. They both looked to the side as whoever was behind it tried to fight the lock.

"What the hell--?" the thin mortal voice said. "Who locked this?"

"Look, the light's on in there!" another said, looking at the crack beneath the door. "Someone's in there!"

Armand wasted no time with fumbling over the knots. Instead he slashed the ropes apart with his fangs and helped Daniel up. He pointed silently up at the maintenance shaft above them, then started climbing up nimbly. Daniel slipped into his pants as fast as he could and grabbed his tattered shirt, turning off the light before he followed his maker.

Well hidden in the dark ceiling space, they watched as the humans finally found a key and unlocked the door. Two men dressed in the casino's maintenance uniforms came in and looked around, picking up the shredded rope.

"Damn," one of them whistled. "You think we got a wild animal in here somewhere?"

Daniel grinned and kissed Armand, but in the dark he missed and nailed his nose. "He's got that right," he whispered.

Armand ignored the comment.

"Yeah, I'll bet it's a feral cat. Probably went into the roof space. I'll get the ladder if you tell the supervisor."

"What? You wanna go up for that?"

"Hey, you want a dead cat hanging around in the ceiling? Hell, with our luck it'd be a Florida panther."

"Oh, fucking wonderful. Yeah, you damn right I'll tell the supervisor. Have fun roaming around up there."

"Smart ass."

Armand and Daniel took off through the darkness, quickly drying off the rest of the moisture from their clothes in the hot air.

"We'll have to find you a new shirt," Armand said softly. "We can drop down into the bathrooms and find someone there."

"Boss, doesn't the casino have cameras in the bathrooms?" Daniel asked, following behind Armand as they crept through the ceiling.

"Not here, they don't," Armand whispered back.

"How do you know?"

Armand stopped and looked back. "I just do," he said with a grin. "Now hush and keep crawling."

"Sure thing, boss," Daniel said amiably as they continued. "I absolutely love the view back here."

Armand paused again. "What do you mean?"

Daniel crawled over Armand's smaller body, wrapping his arms around his maker's waist and holding him obscenely close. "You have a cute rear, Armand. It's fun watching it wiggle back and forth when you go on all fours."

Armand growled low in his throat and kept moving, wrenching himself out of Daniel's grasp. "I do not wiggle," he hissed.

"Of course not," his fledgling giggled, and he put his hand out to feel Armand up.

"Cut that out!"

"Mmm...but you're so soft!"

"We're here anyway, so stop that."

Daniel reluctantly watched Armand remove one of the rectangular ceiling tiles beneath them and set it aside. With a final warning to his fledgling to be quiet, Armand jumped down into the over-sized handicapped stall. Daniel slipped as he went through and landed on top of his lover, making them both collapse in a pile.

"Daniel!" Armand whispered furiously. "You are so damn lucky this place is empty! Get up!"

Daniel chuckled and adjusted himself so that while he was still on top of Armand, now he was facing him properly. He put his hands on Armand's wrists and used his greater weight to hold him down, stealing a kiss before Armand had the presence of mind to throw him off.

"And you," Daniel smiled, "are so damn lucky this place is clean!" He pressed his lips against the smaller mouth, forcing another kiss. Armand snarled and managed to sink his fangs into Daniel's cheek, drawing blood and making Daniel break away with a startled cry.

"Get off of me!" Armand yelled, pushing him back against the wall. "You little fool, how dare you force yourself on me? Get up!" He turned and left the stall, ignoring the muffled whimpers that echoed behind him.

Daniel grabbed a few squares of tissue and wiped away the tears that were mingling with the blood oozing from his face. He'd gone too far, he knew that, but it had felt so good...he sighed and flushed the tissues away.

"Sorry, boss," he mumbled in a tiny voice as he came out.

Armand ignored him, instead smoothing his hair back in the mirror. Daniel was about to kneel down in front of Armand and try to make amends, when someone abruptly entered. Daniel ducked into a stall, waiting for his prey to come close enough to make a quick and silent kill, when the man walked up to Armand.

"Kinda young to be in here, ain't ya?" he asked in an authoritative voice.

Armand looked up at him, pretending to be an innocent teen. The mortal had pretty black hair and blue eyes, but he was too old for his liking. Still, now he had the perfect chance to get back at his fledgling.

"Well, no one said anything before," he said softly. His torn jeans and loose shirt made him look even younger than he normally did. "I didn't think anyone would notice."

"And you're just running around with your friends?" the man said, his smile getting a little bigger.

"No, I'm by myself." At that point Armand acted as if he was getting nervous, and he walked back to the large stall. Just as he was turning to close the door, the human rushed forward and pushed him back, locking the door behind. He put one hand on Armand's back and slammed him against the wall, intending to knock him senseless for a moment. Armand played along and groaned as he allowed his arms to fall limply into the man's hold.

The mortal put him on the floor and took a pair of handcuffs out of his jacket, then grabbed Armand's wrists and locked them above his head to the metal bar on the wall. Once his captive's upper body was immobilized, he produced a ball gag from the same pocket and shoved the red ball deep into Armand's mouth, fixing the straps behind his head.

Geez, this guy came prepared, Daniel thought, watching from the next stall. He had to stand carefully on the toilet, he didn't want to step into the water like he had done before. This was one of Armand's favorite games, but it always upset Daniel.

Now Armand started to play, acting as if he was struggling to escape. He tugged on the handcuffs and shook his head, trying to dislodge the gag, and then kicked his legs around. The human reached back and slapped Armand viciously, bringing a flush to his cheek.

"Hold still, or you'll get worse," he sneered. He reached up under Armand's shirt and caressed his nipples, but soon tired of that. His hands went down to Armand's jeans and undid the buttons, pulling them off quickly. Armand groaned again, closing his eyes and turning his head while the man fondled him.

Daniel cursed to himself and jumped over the partition, landing silently as the mortal continued. Armand glared at him, but Daniel ignored the look. He bent over and lightly tapped on the man's shoulder.

"Hello," he grinned sweetly.

"What the fuck--?"

The human whirled, but not fast enough. Daniel brutally tore into his throat and drank his blood as if he was a shot glass. Sealing such a massive rip in the skin took a few seconds, and afterward he positioned him on the toilet, as if he had died that way.

Daniel turned around and took the gag out of Armand's mouth before he bit through the straps. "How can you let them do that to you?" he asked, kneeling.

"I happen to like playing with my food," Armand smiled. "You didn't have to finish him so fast, though. I would have shared."

Daniel didn't reply. Knowing he wouldn't be able to get a kiss out of his maker, he started at his chest and lightly kissed his way down the abdomen and navel, finishing between Armand's legs before putting his mouth around him. Armand moaned and grasped the handcuffs for support, finding none when he accidentally broke them. He put his hands on Daniel's shoulders, biting back his cry as he climaxed once. He didn't stop Daniel as his fledgling kept going.

"Danny..." he sighed with a smile.

Daniel put one hand on Armand's side and gently squeezed, knowing exactly how it would affect his maker. He wasn't trying to make Armand scream his name in a fit of ecstasy, he was only doing his best to improve his mood. Armand tensed at the new sensation, then relaxed and surrendered momentarily to his lover's ministrations. Five minutes later, he pushed Daniel away.

"That's enough," he whispered, grabbing his pants. "Get his shirt."

Daniel tilted his head and flashed the puppyish grin Armand always said he liked, then stretched his arms back and snagged the black t-shirt from the corpse beside them. The clothing fit a little too snug, but at least it kept Armand's attention on him.

"Wanna go make a few bets?" he asked.

Armand grinned dryly and buttoned up his jeans. "Don't forget his wallet. I prefer losing someone else's money when I'm gambling."

Daniel searched out the wallet and looked through it eagerly. The thrill of going through someone else's property never left him, no matter how many times he did it. "Wow, he must have had a lucky streak," he said, showing the mass of bills to Armand.

The elder took the wallet and looked through it, pulling out a slip of paper from between the money. "No, he'd just completed a minor transaction between his customers. I had no idea the price of cocaine was up."

"Oh no, I drank a junkie?" Daniel whined. "I hate cocaine!"

"Silly fledgling, he wasn't a user," Armand smiled. "You'll learn the tastes drugs leave in the blood in time. Come on, I'll make a few piles at the blackjack table, and you can sit and watch the pretty slot machines spin."

"Meany," Daniel grumbled.

Daniel popped a nickel in and pulled the handle. Apple...lemon...five...two...cherry. Darn it. Another nickel. Apple...apple...apple...lemon...two. Two nickels back. Cool. Cherry...cherry...cherry...cherry...cherry! Hooray! Dozens of pretty bright coins clinking down like church bells into his little plastic cup. Daniel grinned and looked over at Armand, sitting coolly at the blackjack table with a large stack of chips in front of him and surrounded by irate looking gamblers. Half of the cameras in the casino had been aimed directly at Armand as the security personnel did their best to find out how he was cheating, but of course the cameras couldn't pick up his little trick.

"Hit me," Armand said softly, and he mentally cued all of the other players to either overdraw or underdraw.

I wish I could, one of the mortals thought a moment later, as Armand swept his next winnings into the larger pile. The vampire noticed his fledgling's stare and stood, quietly leaving the table amidst muttered cursing.

"Hey, boss," Daniel gave him his customary greeting. "How come you always win so much? It looks like you cleared the entire table."

Armand smiled secretively as they walked to the cashiers. "I'll show you how to do this sometime. It's really not so difficult, once you get the hang of the game." He dumped his chips on the counter and waited as the hundred dollar bills came out. "You have to be entirely calm, though, so I think it might be a few years before you're ready."

"Aw, come on..." Daniel started to whine, trying to get a rise from his maker.

Armand knew his fledgling too well, though, and didn't respond to the challenge. He counted his winnings and tucked the amount away for later, when he would drop Daniel safely in a casino while he destroyed his family.

"Are you hungry? You're still young yet."

Daniel shook his head. "I'm fine, I just want head over to the beach now."

"The beach?" Armand asked. They both headed over to the front doors, finding their way easily through the confusing maze of lights and sound. "Why?"

"I thought we could go skinny dipping," Daniel admitted with a wry smile.

"Skinny dipping?" Armand repeated, brow furrowing in confusion. "What's that?"

"Promise to let me show you?" Daniel said, his smile turning into a grin.

"Danny..." Armand growled in a warning voice.

"Have I ever told you how much I love it when you call me Danny?"

"If you are trying to trick me into--" Armand started, but his fledgling interrupted him.

"It's nothing bad, I swear!" Daniel giggled. "You'll like it. When we get down there I'll--" he fell silent all of a sudden, as if his voice had been strangled off.

Armand glanced up at his lover, then followed the frightened gaze across the room. Dozens of people blocked his view, but halfway across the casino floor, standing next to one of the slot machines, was Daniel's sister. She was watching over two people, with her hand on the shoulder of a third.

"Janet..." he whispered softly, barely loud enough for Armand to hear.

While Daniel was frozen, Janet looked up with a sigh, staring around the casino. By wild chance, she just happened to spot Daniel in the crowd. Her eyes lit up and she jostled the younger man beside her while yelling at the two older people in front of her, obviously the Malloy parents. They all started to look up.

"Daniel, let's go!" Armand ordered, but Daniel didn't move. "Danny, now!" He pushed his fledgling fiercely, forcing him out of his trance.

Daniel turned and ran for the exit, followed close by Armand, but once they were both across the street, they stopped and turned. Hundreds of humans hurried by them, and they were right in the middle of the street display of the Tropicana.

This false forest should keep us hidden, Armand told himself, glancing around at the animatronic jaguars and crocodiles.

"Armand...please, let's go--" Daniel begged, tugging on his hand.

"Wait!" Armand snapped, without meaning to sound so coarse. The thought that Daniel's human relations were so near agitated him, but he wondered if they had really seen his fledgling at all.

Suddenly Janet appeared in the brightly lit doorway, flanked by her brother and her parents. They all glanced around wildly for a few moments until the brother became impatient and yelled something at his sister. He disappeared back inside with the father, but just as she was turning, the mother caught a glimpse of Daniel. Her eyes opened wide and she dropped her purse.

"Damn," Armand hissed. "Daniel--"

His lover needed no further encouragement, breaking into a run down the sidewalk and disappearing into an alley. Armand, startled at how fast Daniel was moving, took off after him. He caught a glimpse of him turning a corner, and a few seconds later, Armand only spotted a dark blur dashing away down the street and out from under the lamplights.

Waves lapped softly against the fine sand along the shore, steadily droning in a consoling rhythm. The sky was uncommonly clear, but the light from the island obscured most of the dim stars so that only the brightest were visible. Still, the moonlight made the ocean sparkle.

Sitting quietly on the sand, knees drawn up to his chest, Daniel didn't move when he heard light footsteps coming towards him. Armand knelt beside him, trying to stare into his face. There were no harsh scolding words for his fledgling, no reprimands for running away. Not now. He put one arm around Daniel's shoulders and hugged him close, allowing him to lean against his small body. Tears ran down his cheeks as Daniel turned and flung his arms around Armand.

"Why?" he whispered. "Why do they have to be here now? Things were so good..."

"These things...just...happen," Armand said clumsily, not used to comforting anyone. "It's all right, I'm sure they'll leave and never come back."

Daniel shook his head obstinately. "You don't know them. When dad wants something, he doesn't care who gets hurt. And mom...and then that bastard..."

"Your brother?" Armand nodded.

"I hate him," Daniel hissed through his tears. "He's so cruel..."

"Like me?" Armand said in a small whisper.

"No!" Daniel all but shouted, looking up into Armand's eyes. "Never like you! I mean, not like that...you're not cruel...not really...you're just..."

"Just what?"

"Sad...and maybe...a little scared..." Daniel murmured. He held his maker tight against him. "I love you. You know I love you, right?"

Armand smirked and ran his fingers through Daniel's hair. Only when his fledgling was crying and insecure could Armand could show affection. Even though he was making himself vulnerable, he was still stronger than his lover at that moment.

"Yes, I know. You would never leave me, would you?"

"Never," Daniel repeated.

Armand leaned back, satisfied. "Well?" he asked expectantly.

Daniel gave him a confused look. "Well what?" he asked.

"Aren't you going to show me what this 'skinny dipping' is?" Armand surprised his lover with a genuine smile. Better to see him happy than miserable, he thought. I hate to see you cry, my love.

Daniel's tears evaporated, and he grinned at his lover. "I almost forgot." Still sitting, he reached over and toyed with Armand's shirt. "You've got to get undressed first."

"What?" Armand looked up and down the beach to make sure they were alone. "Right here?"

"No one's around," his fledgling nodded. "C'mon, you promised."

"I did not," Armand muttered, but he removed his shirt anyway. Before Daniel could start on his own clothes, however, Armand pounced forward and pressed him down into the sand. "Hold still," he whispered.

"What if I don't want to?" Daniel challenged, placing his hands on Armand's shoulders to push him back.

Armand gripped both of Daniel's wrists and forced them above his head. "Makes no difference." He forced a rough kiss from his fledgling, then put one hand on his chest to hold him still while he used his other hand to tear Daniel's pants apart. Daniel writhed in delight as he was pinned down, and when Armand sat back up, he tore his lover's shirt off.

"Not fair," the younger vampire grumbled. "You're supposed to strip, too."

"And then what?"

"And then we go for a swim."

"Swim?"

Daniel nodded, sand getting in his hair. "Trust me, it's fun."

Armand reluctantly slid his own jeans off and tossed them a few feet away. "Now what?"

Daniel grinned and stood, helping Armand up at the same time. "Now we find out if there are any sharks nearby."

"That is not helping any," Armand grumbled.

"I'm just kidding," Daniel laughed, tugging him along into the surf. The normally frigid waters were warmer on the summer nights, so at least he wouldn't have to worry about the water irritating Armand. Cold temperatures had a habit of making Armand touchier than usual. Salt water slowly rose past their ankles and calves to their waists, and then they were floating a few meters from the shore.

"C'mon, boss, can't we go a bit farther out?" Daniel begged.

"I know you, Danny," Armand responded, shaking his head. "You want to see how far out you can swim, and then I'll be forced to haul your weary body back to the beach."

"So you don't want to hold my exhausted, helpless body?" Daniel whispered in what he thought was most alluring voice.

To his credit, Armand didn't laugh. He knew it would hurt his fledgling's feelings, and besides, the idea of having Daniel helpless in his arms was rather appealing.

"Oh, I do," he admitted. "But not miles out at sea. I'd prefer having you in the comfort of our bed."

"Or the kitchen table?" Daniel giggled.

"Not like we use it for anything else." Armand glanced back at the city lights. "Or maybe I could lock you outside in a dog house..."

"You wouldn't dare..." Daniel pretended to growl, daring his lover to do it.

"I just might!"

"And I thought I was the pervert," the youngster laughed, splashing water over Armand's head. He was surprised when Armand playfully splashed back, and Daniel eagerly lunged at his maker. Armand quickly leaned out of reach so that Daniel went face first into the water, and he dunked him ever farther down. When he allowed his lover back up, Daniel gasped and shook his hair out, spraying Armand inadvertently. Armand reached out and seized his fledgling's shoulders, pulling him close.

"I should punish you for trying that," Armand whispered with a smile.

"I'd like to see you try," Daniel challenged.

"All right," Armand nodded. "Back home, now."

Daniel knew that tone. He followed Armand out of the water and watched as his lover dressed, but when he looked around, he cried out in shock.

"My clothes!" he gasped, picking up the shredded shirt and pants. "You tore them apart!"

"I was wondering when you would notice," Armand laughed. "I'm sure no one will see you. Come on, it's a short walk to the mansion."

"No fair," Daniel muttered.

Armand laughed even louder. He slipped his hand into Daniel's and walked beside him down the beach. "Don't worry, you can always make a meal of any voyeurs."

"Oh, well, that makes it all right," Daniel growled sarcastically.

Armand slumped down in his sofa, groaning in exhaustion. It had been nearly a week since Daniel had last seen his parents, and Armand was wearing himself out keeping his lover distracted from remembering. They had gone to amusement parks, movies, plays, outdoor concerts, indoor concerts, comedy clubs, and Daniel had even managed to drag him to a rave, although Armand had made him agree to one opera after that.

How did my little fledgling get so much energy? he wondered. Even I'm having a hard time keeping up with him. There really is nothing like a child to show you how old you're getting, even if you are immortal. Maybe I should ask Louis to lend Lestat as a babysitter.

"Armand, did you get the mail?" Daniel yelled from down the hall.

"No," Armand called back, then tried to shut his mouth. Too late! He jumped up from his seat and ran down the hall, pouncing on Daniel. They both fell to the floor, Armand on top.

"Damn, boss, all you had to do was ask!" Daniel laughed, hugging Armand.

His maker indulged him in a brief kiss, then stared deep into his eyes. "I'll get the mail," he whispered. "You go upstairs and get undressed."

"You just wanna see if our toys are in before I do," Daniel smirked.

"Hush," Armand snapped playfully. "Now go upstairs and wait for me."

"But boss--"

"Now, Danny."

"Boss--"

"Daniel, I said now."

"Boss, you gotta get off of me first."

Armand paused, then looked down at their bodies. "Oh, right." He grinned, then stole a quick kiss. "I suppose I'll have to let you go."

"You'll never let me go," Daniel smiled, one of his hands reaching up under Armand's shirt.

"Danny," Armand said, pushing his hand down, "not now. Upstairs."

"Aww..." Daniel groaned. He got up when Armand slid off of him, and he pretended to sulk as he took off to the bedroom.

Armand watched him go, staring appreciatively at the way Daniel's body moved, the way his clothes clung to all the right spots, how his hips swayed just so. Delicious. As soon as his lover disappeared around a corner, Armand went to the front door and gathered up the day's delivery.

He looked over the two packages, examining the nondescript labels. These must be the supplies we ordered. Setting them aside for the moment, he shoved the catalogues and magazines into a small rack and flipped through the stack of envelopes left. Bills, charity requests, the ubiquitous letter from Lestat listing all his hostile takeovers of Armand's companies...

He ripped that one open and looked through it. Five, this time, Armand smirked. He's going to furious when he sees I grabbed six of his. Poor Louis, Lestat's always insatiable when he's angry. He shook his head to himself. As if he minds. The letter went into the trash.

He flipped through the rest of the envelopes, more junk mail, like analog spam, a Navy recruitment postcard for Daniel, that went in the trash...and then the letter he was looking for. Making sure it was the only one, Armand forgot the mail and took the letter with him to a small drawing room where Daniel wouldn't find him if he came back down.

Armand tore open the envelope and started to read, easily deciphering the scrawling handwriting.

Armand snarled and crumpled the letter, then ignited it in his hand. It was the fourteenth letter she'd written, and she always said the same thing. His poor little Daniel...Armand made sure his fledgling never saw the letters.

"Once he's forgotten about you," he hissed, "when he no longer remembers to look over his shoulder and see if you're watching, then I'll rip you throats out, tear your bodies into pieces and scatter you across Miami." Once the letter had dwindled to cold ashes, he headed upstairs, taking one of the newly delivered packages with him.

Daniel was waiting for him in bed, reclining beneath the thin sheets that were too thin to be called a covering. He smiled when he saw the small box in Armand's hands. "So the toys came in?"

Armand grinned wickedly and set the package down on the nightstand. He closed the door and drew the curtains, making the room as dark as possible, then lit the tiny lantern in the corner just so his fledgling would be able to see. Daniel still wasn't that practiced at moving through total darkness.

Not that he needs to move much right now, Armand smiled. He looked back over his shoulder at his lover, whose eyes reflected the firelight. Simply mesmerizing.

"Hold you hands out," he murmured, opening the box.

Daniel obediently put his hands out, wrists close together. Armand fished the first prize out of the box, a pair of thick leather manacles, and clasped them over Daniel's wrists, buckling them up tight. He reached back for the accompanying chain and tethered his lover's hands to the headboard, and Daniel willingly lay back so that his body could be stretched out. Once Armand had locked the manacles down, he bent and stole a kiss, chewing on the soft lips. He lay one hand on Daniel's chest and let it drift down the smooth side, fondling his nipples and stroking his throat. Fighting to keep himself from biting, Armand licked at the spot he'd pierce later on, and Daniel squirmed beneath him.

"Do it," he whispered harshly.

"Not yet."

"Please!"

"No." Armand laughed at his fledgling's frustration and gathered another set of manacles. He tossed the sheet off of Daniel's body and grabbed his ankles, forcing them out at a wide angle and buckling them down to the corners of the bed. Daniel struggled to lift his head and watch, but he had to lay his head back down when his neck got tired. Armand removed his own clothing, then slowly started to climb onto the bed, moving farther up between Daniel's legs. Unable to see what was happening, Daniel only felt Armand's hot mouth swallow him up. Each flick of Armand's tongue, every cruel motion of his fangs, made his captive shudder and pull viciously at the leather. The buckles were too strong, though, holding him down in his prone position. Armand stayed there for the better part of half an hour, tormenting Daniel until his lower body went numb.

"Well, now that you can't feel anything below," Armand giggled, "let's work on the top."

"Finally," his fledgling sighed happily.

As Armand started up, though, Daniel groaned in frustration. His maker was kissing every inch of exposed skin from his hips, to his stomach, and farther, taking his time. Daniel squirmed beneath him, especially when he reached his chest. Armand attacked one nipple at a time, sucking at them, biting them gently. He pierced one and lapped up the resulting trickle of blood, hanging on as Daniel bucked against him.

"Boss, please, finish me off!" he begged, fighting to free himself. "Do it!"

"Do you really want it?" Armand teased.

"Yes," Daniel nodded frantically.

Deciding to draw this out, Armand lay down on top of his lover and stared into his eyes, occasionally kissing him but mostly just stroking his hair and caressing his cheeks. He traced Daniel's hands with his fingers, tugging on them mischievously.

"Do you love me?" he asked.

"Yes, you know I do."

"Are you my pretty little prisoner?"

"Always."

"Will you do anything I tell you?"

"I'm your slave." Daniel smiled when he admitted that, even though he knew Armand was just as much his slave. Armand's life revolved around his fledgling. It was a wonderful feeling. "Use me."

"You sweet creature," Armand sighed. "You're all mine."

Before Daniel could respond, his maker drove his fangs deep into his throat and began to drink. While his fledgling lapsed into a fit of ecstasy, Armand roamed around in his mind, searching for any evidence that Daniel might try to return to his family. He spotted only awful memories and disoriented remembrances, and a deep desire to remain with his lover.

Daniel felt the random probing in his head and a dreamy smile spread over his face. "I...won't go..." he mumbled through his high emotions. "Love you...never leave...hate them...belong to you..."

Armand withdrew and stared into Daniel's eyes. "You will stay with me throughout eternity?"

He nodded. "I love you...I need you...nothing will ever make me leave you."

That was all he needed to hear. Armand gave him a relieved smile and lay down alongside him, covering him back up with the blankets. The window was sealed safely and the doors were all locked. He blew out the candle, then cuddled up against Daniel and closed his eyes.

"Um...boss?"

"Yes, Danny?"

"It's gonna be dawn pretty soon."

"So?"

"Could you please untie me?"

"Hmm...no, I think not. You look rather nice this way."

"Aww...boss!"

"I'll let you go tomorrow night."

"Hold me?"

Armand grinned and put his arms around Daniel, resting his head on his fledgling's chest. "Of course."

Normally I might make Danny beg to be freed, Armand thought to himself, reaching up to undo the manacles still around his lover's wrists. But keeping him here would give him too much time to think. Better to leave him in a casino while I take care of business.

"Danny...wake up, Danny...the sun's gone down..."

Daniel groaned and kept his eyes shut. "No...lemme sleep in, huh, boss?"

Armand smirked and rose up on one elbow, watching Daniel slip back to sleep on the pillow. His slight breathing made his chest rise and fall, and Daniel turned his head a bit to the left, baring his throat to Armand unintentionally. The sight made Armand smile in anticipation. He pressed his lips softly on his fledgling's, stealing a kiss. He drew back, then stole another, enjoying the taste of taking these by force. Daniel started to wake up during the third kiss, instinctively trying to back away, but he only pushed into the pillow. Disoriented, he brought his hands up to push his assailant off, and he was easily pinned back down by his lover.

Armand finally released him, laughing derisively when Daniel sat up in a huff. "I told you to get up, Danny. You can't say I didn't warn you."

Daniel smiled after a moment. "Yeah..." He reached out to touch Armand's hand, to caress the soft skin. Instead Armand drew back as if he was afraid he'd be burned.

Daniel sighed and looked away. "I guess I'd better get dressed." There was no bitterness in his voice, only mild disappointment. Armand had never let himself be touched like that. Armand had to be the only one in control.

The smaller vampire lowered his eyes as Daniel rose and fished out an outfit from the walk-in closet. It was unnerving to feel emotions after so many years, they felt like a loss of power. "You know I love you, Danny," he whispered in a voice so small he couldn't hear himself.

Inside the closet, Daniel smiled and picked out a dark top. "Yes, I know," he said just as softly. And I'll wait as long as you need to hear you say it.

Once he'd finished dressing, he headed for the door. "I'm going out to hunt," he told his maker. "I should be back soon."

"Unless some pretty lights catch your attention," Armand said knowingly.

"Not tonight," Daniel assured him. "Promise. There's a marathon of bad horror flicks on cable, and I want to catch it."

"I'll wait for you," Armand nodded.

"You don't have to--" Daniel started, but Armand interrupted him.

"Do not worry, I'll be eating later on." On four sick and selfish humans. Just as soon as you're distracted in front of the television.

Daniel wandered down the long driveway, hands stuck in his pockets, head down. The wind was blowing in fiercely from the ocean, carrying a salty scent to it. A storm was probably on its way in. Hopefully he'd be back in by then. After a minute, he looked back over his shoulder at the mansion. Sometimes he didn't like living up here just for the simple fact that it took forever to walk down to the main streets.

Pretty dark out tonight, he thought to himself. The moon wasn't any help, only a slim crescent obscured by dark clouds. He walked under several street lamps, barely illuminated by any of them. Each bulb flickered and faded if it wasn't already burned out. Little shops had closed for the night, so there were no lights from the windows. Didn't matter. Daniel could already see his chosen prey two blocks away. A man in street clothing leaned through a limousine handing a baggie to someone inside. Money exchanged hands. Daniel smiled and quickened his step. He could almost taste the blood already, coursing through his mouth, blocking out his other senses--

"Danny?"

Daniel froze when he heard that voice. No no no, don't let it be her, let me be imagining things, please, don't let it be her. He turned slowly to his left.

Janet tentatively stepped forward, one hand out to grasp his. "Danny, please don't run," she started.

"What are you doing here?" he snarled, backing away.

"We just want to talk to you," she insisted, "we just want to help you."

"I don't need any help," he said. "I'm happy where I am. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Danny, haven't you gotten any of my letters?"

"Letters?" he repeated in confusion. Armand must have thrown them away. He's been protecting me. "I don't want anything to do with you, so go away!"

"Come on, Daniel, you know you're in trouble," she said, coming closer. "What did you mean by coven?"

"What?"

"Your letter, you said your coven takes care of you. Is it some kind of cult?"

"It's not a cult, it's my family," Daniel snapped. "My real family."

"That Armand kid, he's hurting you, isn't he?" she said firmly.

"He loves me," he argued. "He takes care of me!"

"I don't believe that."

"No, you don't want to believe I have a male lover! Damn it, you never change, do you? You still won't accept me! You just want me to fit what you think I should be!"

There was a sudden rush of emotion and movement behind him, and he turned, hands out to defend himself. The mortals behind him moved so fast that it surprised him. Something sharp pressed into his hand, piercing the skin, and he could feel warm liquid rushing into the muscle. He jerked away and tried to get a good look at his attacker. His brother John he recognized, but there was a middle-aged man that he didn't recognize gripping a hypodermic needle.

"Why can't you let me go!" Daniel hissed, backing away again.

"Daniel, this isn't right for you," Janet said. "You're not acting normal."

"Don't worry, kid," the man said, "we'll get you out of this cult."

Daniel felt his eyes getting heavier and heavier. What had they injected him with? Without waiting to find out, he turned and ran, disappearing down an alley. He heard their footsteps behind him and knew he was going slower than he should, his body was already weakening. Daniel used his knowledge of the island streets, though, taking different twists and turns that it would be awhile before they found him again.

Once he was certain he'd lost them for the moment, he found a payphone and dug out a few coins.

"Please pick up, Armand, please," he begged, dialing the number. The phone rang once, then twice..."Come on, please!"

"Hello?"

"Armand, it's me, Daniel!"

"Danny? What's wrong?"

"Boss, you gotta help me...they're trying to take me back...boss, they shot me full of something, I'm...getting so tired...fast..."

"Daniel, can you get home?"

"Too tired...wouldn't make it..."

"Where are you?"

"Corner...of...Bush...an'...Turner..." the phone started to slip out of his hand. "Armand..."

He collapsed to the ground as John came around the corner. "He's over here!" the mortal yelled.

Armand heard Daniel's family collecting his body, not even bothering to see who was on the phone. With a enraged snarl, he slammed the phone down, then dialed another number. There was no airport, and Daniel's family wasn't wealthy, so their only way off the island was by ferry. After a quick call, though, he had the ferry halted so that each and every person would be accounted for. The workers there knew and liked Daniel, he always bought them beer even on the job. They'd help him if he was taken there. Armand had the roads closed at certain points so that the cars could be checked, the name of Daniel's family put on the list of those to check for. Money certainly had its uses.

"I don't get it, why can't we just take him off the island?"

"Are you nuts? Armand Romanov probably has the police searching every road and boat for your brother. It's safer to keep him here for awhile."

"But why'd you tie him up?"

"You saw how fast he moved. I'm not risking him taking off again."

The voices blurred into each other, making Daniel's head throb. He opened his eyes just enough to see between his lashes. He was sitting up, and he could spot the thick ropes binding his arms to the chair. He tugged on them, but either they were too strong or he was still weak. They wouldn't budge. He sighed.

"Hey, he's awake!"

Daniel glared at the three people in front of him. His siblings he recognized, but this strange man...he closed his eyes again and concentrated hard, listening to his thoughts. Even in his drugged state, it wasn't difficult.

Daniel growled inwardly. They really thought he was in a cult...bastard was gonna try to deprogram him, whatever that meant. Armand will find me, he'll find me somehow...

"Danny, are you hungry?" Janet asked softly.

"Not for anything you want," he whispered.

"He can eat when he starts cooperating," the stranger said sternly. "Now, both of you, out."

"But--!" Janet and John started.

"Out! I can't have you interfering with this. Who knows what they've brainwashed him into thinking? This could get violent."

"Well...you are the expert..." Janet sighed.

"We'll be right outside if you need us," John said, taking her hand and leading her out.

The stranger went to the door and closed it behind them, then locked it. Once he was certain it couldn't be opened, he pulled the other chair in front of Daniel and sat down, staring into his eyes.

"Daniel, my name is Roger," he said smoothly. "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to help you."

Yeah, right, Daniel thought. He glared at this mortal, looking into his thoughts. That's not even his real name. "Liar," he spat.

"Daniel, please don't try to resist. This is for your own good. Don't you want to get better?"

"I'm not sick, Alan," he protested, laughing when the man jerked back at hearing his name. "That's right, Alan, I know you're a liar. What are they paying you? Whatever it is, I'll double it."

Alan regained his composure and smirked. "Now, Danny, don't be a bad boy. I know that cult leaders never give lower members money."

"I'm not in a cult!"

"This would go a lot easier if you would admit that you have a problem," Alan said in a sickening voice. "Your family's sacrificing a lot to help you. They want to see their boy grow up normal and settle down."

"Stop treating me like a child!"

"Daniel, you've got to let go of this aggression. You have psychological problems that need to be cured. You're acting in a perverted manner. Your wants, your desires, your beliefs...they're not natural."

Daniel leaned forward. "I'm gay," he said firmly. "Homosexual. You can't change that. I don't believe in their version of God. You can't change that, either."

"You'll see," Alan smiled, standing up. "I'll make it all better for you." He crossed the room to a table and picked up a covered bowl, bringing it back to his prisoner. "See, I've made you something to eat." He lifted the cover to reveal some kind of soup. "You are hungry, aren't you?"

"Screw yourself."

"No no no," Alan responded. "That's not the right way to speak, you know that. You don't get anything to eat until you learn some respect." He set the bowl aside and stared back at Daniel. "Now, tell me about your cult. That Armand person, he's the leader, right?"

"He's my lover," Daniel corrected him.

Alan didn't miss a beat. "Lover, huh? Does he make you do things for him? Do you perform sexual acts for him?"

"That's what you do with a lover," Daniel said as if it was obvious. "We make love in bed, and he holds me while we sleep."

"Daniel, two men do not 'make love'." Alan sighed and shook his head. "So many of my clients have told me the same thing, but it's never love. It's only about power."

"What would you know?" Daniel mumbled. Had he been injected again? He was feeling faint again. "You've never been loved that way."

"Danny, homosexual sex is about power. One man on top of the other. Only one can get any sexual satisfaction while the other is in pain, submissive. There's no love in that."

"You're wrong," Daniel groaned. "You're so wrong...in so many ways..."

Suddenly Alan slapped him viciously, leaving a light bruise. Daniel gasped in surprise.

"No," Alan said in a stern voice. "I am never wrong. Lesson number one, boy, you disagree with me, you get punished. Understand?"

"Prick."

There was another slap.

"Say it."

"Asshole."

This time the bruise started to deepen.

"Say it!"

"You're a fool!" Daniel yelled. "You have no way of knowing what you're talking about!"

Alan slapped him one more time, unknowingly broadcasting his emotions. Daniel reeled back more from the force of his thoughts than from the hit.

"You sick bastard..." he gasped out, trying to flinch from the mental transmissions. "You get off on this...you like tying kids up and slapping them around."

"Shut up!"

Daniel pulled against the ropes, but he couldn't get up. Please, Armand...hurry...find me...

After an hour of scouring the island, with no sign of Daniel, Armand finally came to rest near a street lamp, leaning against the rusted metal. If Danny could see me now, he'd say I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off, he thought sullenly. Where the hell is he?

He sat down on the curb and started to think. He called from that street corner. I had the island locked down a minute later, and the police were out in force in five minutes. That means they couldn't have gone far. Even using a car, they could only have gone a few blocks before they'd have to hide.

He looked around the streets. These are apartment buildings for the workers. Half of them have security alarms on them. They couldn't have gone into those, but the other half don't have alarms. But they're still apartments, and from what Daniel's said about his family, they wouldn't even think about spending that much money. They'd prefer a hotel. Or a motel.

Armand got up and started moving again, keeping to a tight radius and looking out for every motel he saw. It would have to be cheap, he said to himself, instantly dismissing a handful of hotels. And secluded. Where no one would care that he was drugged. So it's either that shoddy Day's Inn or the Knight's Rest. Knowing there was no way to narrow his choices further, he picked one and went inside.

Alan sat back down in front of Daniel, pulling an oblong object from his pocket. There was a scratch of metal on plastic, and Daniel felt a sharp point press against his throat.

"Your sister said you're about thirty or so," he smiled, dragging the flat of the blade over Daniel's skin. "But you look younger. Twenty five, maybe."

"Nightly sex routine," Daniel quipped. "Keeps me in shape."

"No kidding," Alan nodded, placing one hand on Daniel's arm. "Feels like you work out."

"Get off me." Daniel tried to shrug him off. The knife point pressed harder into his flesh.

"I thought you liked this power play," Alan laughed. He put the tip against Daniel's cheek, then slowly pushed it in. Blood spilled out as the metal sank deep into him.

"Stop!" Daniel cried.

Instead, Alan pulled the knife out and slashed his captive's arm. As more blood pooled onto the floor, Alan made several other cuts to join the first one. He accidentally severed a vein, and Daniel moaned as the blood loss became acute. His vision blurred and his body went numb.

I'm just a fledgling, I can't take too much of this, he whimpered. Armand...it hurts...

Just as he was about to black out, he heard a loud banging on the door. At first he was certain Armand was here to rescue him, but after a moment he realized it wasn't his lover. Armand would never knock. The door would be on the ground by now.

"Alan, let us in! I can hear him yelling!" Janet shrieked.

"You shouldn't come in now!" Alan responded, getting up. He folded the knife again and hid it away.

"Alan, either you let us in or you won't get the other five grand!"

Other...? Daniel wondered. The ten thousand I sent...that's how they bought him...isn't that ironic?

"Coming!" Alan grumbled, releasing the bolt on the door. Janet and John burst in and stared in amazement at their brother.

"Shit, what did you do to him?" Janet yelled.

"It wasn't me," Alan lied. "He got loose and hurt himself with his own knife. I had to tie him back down again."

"Damnit, Alan," Janet cursed, "we're paying you to fix him, not kill him!"

"I dunno," John smirked. "Looks like an improvement to me."

"Son of...a bitch..." Daniel gasped, trying to catch his breath. With all this blood still draining away, he felt like he couldn't breathe.

"Well, you'd better stop the bleeding, or else he's gonna bleed to death!" Janet ordered.

"All right, all right," Alan muttered like a bratty child. He went back over to Daniel and wiped away the blood to see the extent of the damage. When he didn't find the cuts, he cleared away more blood. Still nothing. Finally he used a rag to mop it all up, but there were no cuts. "What the hell...?" he barked. "I know he was cut!"

Daniel grinned defiantly at him, flashing his fangs. "What's the matter? Do I heal too fast for you?"

All three of them jerked violently away, terrified by the sight.

"Danny," Janet stuttered, "what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Daniel chuckled. "I'm a vampire, that's all. Drink blood...sleep during the day, kill virgins...sleep with other vampires..."

"Then...your coven," John started.

"Older vampires," Daniel nodded. "Stronger than...I am. They find out what you've done...and they'll tear you to shreds. Armand...he'll find me..."

Alan took a step forward, keeping his eye on his prisoner. "It's not real. That's just their brainwashing. He's the newest initiate, so he'd be the lowest in rank."

"But...those fangs," John argued. "The cuts healing..."

"It's just a trick," Alan insisted.

"Would you like another demonstration?" a smooth voice came from the doorway.

They all turned toward the door and stared at the boy in front of them. In the harsh fluorescent lighting his skin was noticeable pale and his eyes sparkled like amber. He smiled reassuringly at his fledgling, who laughed in relief.

"Boss...you found me..."

"These idiots were broadcasting their emotions so loud I am ashamed I didn't notice sooner. Too worried at first, I suppose."

"That's him!" Janet said, pointing at him. "That's Armand, the one I was telling you about!"

"So you're the queer!" John yelled, and without any hesitation, he charged Armand.

The vampire smiled in amusement and held still until the mortal was within arm's reach, when he pushed him away firmly. John flew back into the wall and slumped to the ground, amazed that he was still conscious. Janet and Alan backed away rapidly, trying to get out of his line of sight.

Armand glared at them. "The only reason you are alive is to spare my fledgling the sight of your deaths. I suggest you run away now, before I change my mind and kill you all now."

Daniel didn't see the humans run. He couldn't hold his head up. Instead he heard their footsteps pound down the hall while Armand sat down in his lap.

"Boss...aren't...you gonna...untie me?"

Armand smiled and put his hands on Daniel's face, holding him up for a gentle kiss. "Just a moment, Danny." He bent over and began to lick away the blood still covering his fledgling's skin.

"Weird..." Daniel groaned.

"What's that?" Armand asked, pausing just a moment.

"I feel...like a kitten...getting cleaned..."

Armand chuckled and lapped the thick stream of blood from his lover's throat, using it as an excuse to steal another kiss. "I suppose I'd better get you home, before you pass out again."

Daniel watched almost disinterestedly as Armand untied his hands.

"Do you think you can walk?"

"N'way..." Daniel whimpered, trying not to move. Bad enough he was close to falling asleep. Now each tilt of his head, every sway of his body, made the pounding in his head worse. "Feel sick..."

"All right, I'll call for the limo."

Daniel looked up as Armand dialed the number on his cell phone, but the light started to go. His vision became darker and blurrier until Armand disappeared altogether, and Daniel blacked out.

Daniel opened his eyes to find himself tucked securely into his bed, the blankets up to his chin. His hair felt damp, Armand must have bathed him when they got home. A lingering taste of blood hung in his mouth, he must have been fed, too. Briefly he wondered if Armand had killed Alan, or his siblings, to feed him, but he decided that he didn't care.

"Armand...?" he called out, wondering if his lover was nearby.

"I'm right here," Armand answered. "How do you feel?"

Daniel turned his head to the right and spotted Armand sitting on the edge of the bed. "All right, all things considered." He sat up slowly, one hand pressed against his head. The wave of dizziness hit, then passed away. "Boss...I'm tired of this."

"Of what?" Armand asked, terrified for a moment that Daniel no longer desired their relationship.

"Of having my family so nearby," Daniel answered.

"Oh, that!"

Daniel looked up in surprise. "Yeah, that. What did you think I was going to say?" He smiled when Armand turned away. "No, Armand, I'm never going to be tired of you. I love you." He frowned suddenly. "But I hate them. I don't want to worry all the time that they're near. I want them...gone," he admitted.

"I don't want you to see that," Armand whispered. "No one should see their family like that, even if they hate them."

"They aren't my family," Daniel insisted. "And I don't care about them. I want to get rid of them, Armand. I know you're going to, just let me come with you."

"Do you truly believe you can do this?" Armand asked. "Can you kill these people? Before you did not want me to kill your sister, and now you want to do it yourself."

"She tried to tear me away from you," Daniel said coldly. "Please, Armand."

Armand smiled to himself. How wonderful, to be the last straw on Daniel's back. "Very well. Shall we do this now?"

Daniel nodded. "I still haven't fed tonight."

"Then you shall have a feast."

Half an hour later they stood at the doors one of the least expensive hotels in the tourist trap. "They're in here," Armand told Daniel, walking with him through the lobby and into an elevator. "Third floor, room 318. Do you still want to do this?"

Daniel took a deep breath to steady himself. "Boss...can you let me...talk to them..."

"Talk?"

"Just for a few minutes," Daniel begged. "Maybe I can get them to leave without trying...anything..." his voice trailed off when he saw Armand's glare.

"You aren't ready to kill them," Armand said firmly. "You will stay here and wait--"

"No, please Armand, just a few minutes, just five minutes, please! I don't want to hurt them now--"

"You did a few minutes ago."

Tears started to form in Daniel's eyes, threatening to spill over. "Boss...just let me give them one last chance...please?" One tear trickled slowly down his cheek, making its way to his jaw.

Armand cringed inwardly when he saw that, Daniel had no idea how much his tears affected his maker. He reached his hands behind his fledgling's neck and pulled his head down a few inches, just enough to lick the tear away. "Fine. You have minutes. After that, if they won't leave, I'll kill them myself."

Daniel nodded in a rush, knowing how lucky he was to get even that kind of concession. The elevator stopped, opening up to a long hallway. They stepped out, then halted suddenly. At the far end of the hallway was an open door and a lot of shouting in familiar voices.

"Dammit, you promised me five thousand more!"

"If you managed to get Daniel back!"

"That wasn't my fault, now pay up!"

"Get the hell out of here!"

Armand looked up at Daniel. "Alan," he whispered slowly. "That mortal is mine. He dies no matter what."

Daniel didn't argue. They both went down the hall, coming closer to the door. Just a few feet away, Alan seemed to realize that he wasn't alone and whirled around. When he saw who it was, his face paled and he backed into the hotel room, forcing his way toward the window. The two vampires followed him inside and found Janet and John already there, standing on one side while the two mortals Armand recognized as Daniel's parents were near the other wall.

"Danny?!" Janet cried. "Oh, I knew you'd come back!"

Daniel shut the door, locking it. "We have to talk," he said in a stone voice.

"Not much to talk about," his father snarled. "I've heard all I need to know about you. Well, I'm personally sick of it. You're coming home so we can get that shit out of your head."

"My home is here, with Armand and my family," Daniel argued. "Why can't you understand that?"

"That Armand person is the problem," his mother muttered.

"Shut up, woman, I'm talking here. Look, boy, you're acting like a damn fag, and I won't have that in this family! Running around in cults, pretending your some kind of Count Dracula, it's stupid! But then you've always been stupid, so what else can I expect?"

"Will you shut up?" Daniel hissed angrily. "I'm not here to argue with you. You have to leave. You have to leave and never come back."

"What?" Janet gasped. "You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do. You have to leave and forget all about me."

"Wish I could," John mumbled.

"You trying to order me around?" his father demanded.

"If you don't go, Armand and I are going to kill you," Daniel said lowly. "I'm warning you now."

"Watch out for that kid," Alan all but yelled, not realizing that the window was locked as he kept trying to ram it open. "He's some kind of super strong freak!"

Armand, appearing to be bored with things, stalked across the room and seized Alan, throwing him against the wall and pulling him down so he could reach his neck. Not caring if the mortals saw, he bit savagely into the skin and took a few sips, not nearly enough to kill. He let him fall to the floor, then sat down on his prone body and picked up a hand. He smiled coldly at Daniel's mortal family, took one finger and snapped it back. Alan screamed.

"What the fuck?" Daniel's father yelled, moving to stop him. Daniel grabbed his shoulder and pushed him to one side, startling him with his sheer strength.

"If you don't leave, Armand and I will kill you," he warned them one more time. "You have to leave."

"Now," Armand added, punctuating his brief statement with a swift snap of Alan's arm.

Apparently they didn't need to tell Daniel's brother again. John raced out of the room wildly, his chest still hurting from where Armand had shoved him before. The older man wasn't so easy to convince, however. He picked up the single chair in the room and threw it at his son. Daniel rolled his eyes and easily caught it in one hand, finally allowing his fangs to show.

"You aren't our son," his mother shouted suddenly, startling all of them. "You're some kind of demon! My boy was sweet and good! He wasn't a queer monster!"

"Danny," Armand said almost sympathetically, "I really don't see why you're trying so hard. They aren't listening, and the only one who left is the one I know you wanted to kill. Finish them off and let's go home." He dropped the mangled arm and moved on to the ribs.

Daniel shrugged with a sigh. "Yeah, boss...I just thought...damn." He stared around the room, at the three humans gaping at him. They all appeared so alien to him...he didn't know any of them. "Where you ever my family?" he wondered out loud. "Why have I tried to hold onto you?" He gazed forlornly at his maker. "You do this, Armand. You were right. I can't do it."

"Then wait for me outside."

Daniel nodded and disappeared, abandoning the humans to him. Armand grinned and stood up, stomping his foot on Alan's back to snap it. Leaving the writhing bloody mass on the floor, he curled his fingers into claws.

"My little fledgling has told me much about you," he whispered, staring mostly at the parents. "Things he could tell me, like the beatings every day. Being locked out in the cold at night. Going without eating for days because he happened to upset you." He struck first the chair beside him, rending it into pieces, and picked up a long shard of splintered wood.

"But I learned other things," he said. "Drinking from him, reading his mind...you hurt him in ways that would probably make even Lestat shudder." He shot a scathing glare at the mother. "You used your children like sex toys. And you..." he shifted his attention at the father. "You used your children like punching bags. And while I normally take the blood of evil doers--"

At that point he suddenly stepped up to the father, reached his hand back, and rammed the splintered wood deep in the fleshy stomach. He ignored the guttural screech and stabbed him again, and again, and again, until the blood poured from the wounds and pooled around them, soaking the cheap carpet.

"--I can't bring myself to touch you."

Janet, broken out of her shocked silence, started to scream at the top of her lungs. Armand winced at the loud noise, but he didn't move toward her. She was just a stupid child, and the only one Daniel had cared about. I'll just tell him she ran off, he decided. He's always better in bed when he's happy.

He glanced over at the old woman, who was starting to back away for the door. Down the hall, he could hear frantic yelling and footfalls as the token security guards took their time approaching.

"I'm afraid I have no time to draw this out," he mocked her, then took his bloody stake and pushed it firmly through her heart. "I figure the real monster here deserves the traditional death, don't you think?"

He calmly unlocked the window and left the room, making sure to step on Alan's other hand just before he vanished into the alley. He came around the front, not a drop of blood on him, and found Daniel leaning against the wall, waiting for him. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, boss." Daniel didn't ask anything as he slipped his hand into Armand's. "You know, boss, I've been thinking."

"Oh?"

"I've been trying to dig up any emotions I had for these people, and...I can't find any. Why the hell did I make such a big deal about them?"

"A few last vestiges of humanity?" Armand asked. They started to walk back home.

"Maybe...but I couldn't even bring up any hatred, either. It's like...now that they're here, I don't feel anything."

"They aren't the powerful monsters in your nightmares," Armand said knowingly. "They were just mortals."

"Yeah."

"Even your brother?" Armand wondered. "The one that got away."

Daniel smirked. "Found him across the street. That reminds me, I just fed, so we can go home now."

Armand smiled. "Good. As I recall, there was a certain movie marathon you wanted to see."

The End

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly the lights come up, the music fades into the background, and the curtain closes. Footsteps echo across the stage, in front of the movie screen. The Author nervously glances around her audience, the entire vampire coven. "Um, so did you like the spec show?"

The blond vampire in the front row sighed. "A weak ending, a weak beginning--"

The dark haired vampire beside him gasps at his manners. "Lestat, really!"

Lestat smiles. "But quite an entertaining show, in between. For seventy-two episodes, you had quite some staying power."

Far up in the back row, Armand looks up from Daniel's loving kisses. "I still think I should have gotten more time with Louis than just a few scenes."

"You got that big scene in Fresco!" the Author defends herself. "Besides, you love Daniel. You two were meant to be."

"Mmm, got that right," Armand grins, and slips back into Daniel's hold.

"I really am going to miss these little journeys of yours into Rice's work," Marius calls from the middle of the seating area. "Some of the shows were marvelous."

The Author blushes.

"I especially liked Cartoon Heroes and The Vampire Legion," Eric adds.

Santino smacks him upside the back of the head. "You weren't even in those!"

"Exactly, monkey-boy."

"So what are you going to do now?" Lestat asks, throwing popcorn at Jessica, who throws some back. "Another vampire show?"

Author nervously looks away. "Well...actually, you know how you noticed this last spec was kinda weak...?"

"Yeah?"

"Last spec?" Pandora asks. "I thought you said that was 'The Last Vampire Story', but then you wrote this one afterwards."

"I know, I know, it's just...I think I've lost my drive for you guys. You've been great, really, and it's not your fault, I only...I can't write you guys anymore."

Louis nods knowingly. "I should have known this would happen when you starting seeing those other fandoms."

"But why have you stopped loving us?" Daniel asks.

"I haven't, I swear," the Author promises. "I'll still drop by and catch up on specs, or maybe say hello on the boards, even. I might even pen another short story or two with you guys, who knows? But...my time with you guys is pretty much done."

Benji shrugs disdainfully. "Oh, well, I guess Sybelle and I won't have anyone to blow us up anymore!" Sticks his tongue out along with Sybelle.

Merrick folds her arms angrily. "At least you got to be in her stories. She wouldn't even write about me."

"Let's not go into that," the Author says hastily. "Now, I'm going to miss all of you, but I really do have to go. I have other stories to write in other fandoms, and my homework is backed up something awful. I was supposed to write a class paper right now." She picks up her pen and paper, symbolically taking up her writing tools. "I promise I'll drop by every now and then." A door magically appears before her, and when it opens, a brilliant light shines through. Characters from other fandoms appear, beckoning her.

"Aren't you going to leave us with one last wild sex scene?" Louis asks. "One last comic laugh?"

The Author smiles softly. "I thought I wouldn't...but, what the hell, you only live twice!" She waves her pen at the empty aisle, and suddenly massage oils, handcuffs, ropes, chains, leather straps and costumes appear, along with other sex toys. "Have fun, guys!"

"Woohoo!" Danny yells, dragging Armand towards the pile. "Dibs on the whip!"

The Author watches them take off, then decides to give them the final privacy she's never allowed them before. "I'll see you around! Don't forget to visit me! Adios, mis amigos! I'll never forget about this year with you. Seventy two stories and a handful of poems in one year," she murmurs. "Gotta be some kind of record." Waves one last time, bows with a little flourish, and without looking back once, the Author walks into the light.

Been great guys! Thanks for the fun! :) KC (aka Tort S. Shell)