Time, Death & Scar Tissue...

Author's Note: La Traviata was written by Giuseppe Verdi and first performed in 1853.
psyche b.


6. Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Kathryn sat in front of the mirror and frowned at her reflection. Her hair was perfect. The dress looked even better than it had in the shop. But the picture wasn't quite complete, she needed some kind of jewelry and nothing seemed to fit. Her pearls were always an option but they didn't quite seem to suit the dress. She had a piece of chocolate brown velvet ribbon that would sit around her neck like a choker, but the silver circle-shaped pin she usually wore on it didn't look quite right either. She took it off and tried the ribbon on its own, and found she still couldn’t decide. She stepped into her shoes and brought both pieces downstairs with her.

“Pearls or ribbon?” She asked Corey, who was spraying something glittery into her hair in the downstairs powder room.

“Pearls.” Corey said, after thinking a moment.

“Really? You don't think they stand out too much? The ribbon mimics the banding on the dress.” Kathryn moved in behind Corey and held both up to her neck again.

“Yeah, but you don't want to look stripey. Course I see what you mean about the pearls. I thought they were supposed to go with everything.”

“I did too.” The doorbell interrupted her. “That must be him.” Kathryn swore under her breath and glanced at herself in the mirror. She had meant to be ready when he got there, but the opportunity for that had passed. She smiled and opened the door.

“Hi.” Kathryn smiled and felt her heart flutter a little when she saw him standing there looking like a dream from central casting. “Please come in.”

“You look lovely.” He kissed her cheek lightly and closed the door behind himself.

“Thank you.” Kathryn blushed softly. “I'm afraid I'm not quite ready yet though, Corey and I are still debating what jewelry looks best with this dress.”

“What are the options?” Kathryn thought she caught a bit of mild annoyance that she wasn't ready, but he was so still that she couldn't be completely certain because she was annoyed with herself for making him wait. It could have just been a projection. Anyway, he seemed to have good taste.

“Pearls,” Kathryn held them up. “Ribbon,” She displayed that as well. “Or nothing.”

“Hiya,” Corey said as she came out of the powder room.

“Ribbon.” He said, taking it from her. He motioned for her to turn around, Kathryn found she did it without even thinking about it.

“Corey, you remember Lucien LaCroix.” She said, as she faced her friend.

“Miss James.” His voice had taken on a cool sound as he smoothed the ribbon against Kathryn's throat and fastened it. She tried to suppress a small shiver.

“Thank you.” She murmured softly.

“I was pretty wasted the other night, but I sort of remember you now. Nice to meet you again, when I'm sober.” She took the pearls from Kathryn's hand and disappeared upstairs.

“Perfect.” He said, moving in front of Kathryn again, casting a glance at the stairs. “Will she be staying here?”

“On a Friday night?” Kathryn laughed a bit, taking Corey's jacket and her cloak from the hall closet. “She's going to see some band, the Mongols or the Vikings or something like that.”

“The Invaders.” Corey bounced back down the stairs and Kathryn resisted the urge to ask whether she had put the pearls away properly. She sensed the tension between Corey and Lucien already, she didn't want to add to it. She handed Corey her jacket and allowed Lucien to wrap the cloak around her. “They're playing until three, if you get bored with the opera.”

He held the door open for both women

“A kind invitation.” He responded. Kathryn heard the offhandedness in the comment; it seemed more the right thing to say than anything he meant. She locked the door. “Though I think the opera will suffice for Kathryn and I.”

“Don't you think Kat has any say in the matter?” The challenge was obvious in Corey's voice, Kathryn turned to see them glaring at each other.

“Kathryn doesn't wish to go-” He began, his voice calm and reasonable but icily cold.

“Kathryn,” She said firmly, stepping in between them, getting the strange impression that she interrupted something other than a staring match. “Is going to the opera with Lucien and I'm sure that I'll have a wonderful time. Once you get home from the Vandals, or whoever you can write me a long e-mail and tell me all about it. What could be simpler?” She smiled sweetly and took his arm.

“What indeed.” He said softly, leading her to the waiting car. Kathryn could feel him watching her closely, but she kept her eyes forward and tried to keep the tension from creeping into her shoulders.

“She believes you're helpless without her.” He said once the door was closed.

“There was a time when she was right, she just hasn't let go of that yet.” Her eyes were directly on his, her dark eyes challenging for a moment before they softened again. His features softened a little more slowly, Kathryn got the impression that he was not used to being challenged.

“Were you able to get some work done on your book last night?” He said finally, and she relaxed.

“Once I went for a run I played around with it for a little while. Nothing is coming together yet though. I haven't even really settled on what Paul is going to discuss in this one. It's possible I'm looking for too much of a 'big finish'.” She laughed softly and the ride took on an ease that was beginning to feel familiar. When they arrived there were still a few small knots of people in the lobby.

“We're not late, are we?” Kathryn checked her watch.

“No, but we should take our seats.” His hand in the small of her back led her up a flight of wide stairs and then into a dimly lit private box. It was furnished with a single small settee. The scent of fresh flowers came from somewhere in the shadows. Kathryn stood still for a moment, taking it all in. He chuckled softly and reached around from behind her, starting to open the pin at her throat.

“Sorry.” She blushed and worked the pin and buttons quickly, embarrassed at how impressed she was. She wondered if this man ever did anything simply.

“Think nothing of it. Make yourself comfortable.” He spoke close to her ear again and Kathryn nodded. She settled herself on the small red sofa, she had almost forgotten about everything else when her cell phone played the first few notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Kathryn blushed deeply and got up again, retreating to a dim corner as she answered it.

“Larry, the answer is still no.” She said without preamble.

“Kathryn, you don't even know what they offered.” Her agent said, he was trying not to sound frustrated.

“I don't care if they offer the whole state of California. The answer is still no.” She hissed.

“Do you know how many people would sell their grandparents for a deal like this?” She knew he was angry with her, but she didn't much care. She could also feel Lucien's eyes on her back and Kathryn had to fight to be still.

“Then offer it to one of them. The answer is no and I do not have the time to argue right now. Goodnight.” Kathryn ended the call and turned off the phone. She was embarrassed when she sat down again.

“I'm sorry, I should have checked to make sure my phone was off before I got here.” She sat next to him again. “My agent has terrible timing and a habit of not listening to me.”

“Pressing for another book?” He sounded a bit annoyed and she didn't blame him.

“No. I've been offered a movie deal.” She squirmed a little. It was the first time she had said it out loud. Not even her grandmother knew.

“And the offer is too low?” He seemed curious again.

“No, the offer is very generous and they've sweetened it three times now. But 'Unrepentant' isn't exactly Hollywood material. Once they finished shredding it there would be car chases and explosions and if they left any of my history in they would have people in the 15th century doing the Macarena.” She laughed softly and he chuckled, she could feel his disapproval melting. “I really am sorry about the phone.”

“Monstrous little inventions, aren't they?” He shifted a bit, so that she sat back, feeling his arm pressed against her shoulders. His voice was soft, and close to her ear.

“I wouldn't have one at all, but sometimes it's a good idea for safety. I think I have it turned off more than it's on.” Kathryn could feel her heart fluttering like a caged bird. She wondered what it was about him that caused such extreme reaction in her; he was only a man after all.

“A wise girl, in several respects.” She could hear little smile in his voice without turning around. “Though I'm curious how you knew it was him.”

“Everyone has their own ringtone. I just thought the idea of Death knocking on the door fit him.” She laughed softly and settled back against him. The pause told her that he was debating whether or not to pursue the idea further.

“Do you speak Italian?” He asked finally.

“No, am I going to be terribly lost?” Kathryn turned slightly, surprised to find his face so close.

“Of course not. You will catch meanings from gestures and contexts, but I'll make certain that you understand the story.” The orchestra began and Kathryn closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the power of the music to wash over her, focusing on the rich tones and nuances.

“That's Violetta Valery, a courtesan. You are familiar with the term?” Kathryn nodded and he continued introducing the characters on the stage. “That is Flora Bervoix, the Marquis d'Obigny, Baron Douphol, Gastone and finally Alfredo Germont.”

Kathryn relaxed listening to the music and the way the voices of the players blended with it and the rich honey of Lucien's voice that seemed to bind everything together. He told her the story, spoke the lines and then translated into English. Sometime during the second half of the performance she settled back against him more comfortably. One hand rested lightly on her waist and she gripped it when she became caught up in the drama. She found her handkerchief as Violetta lay dying, feeling her heart leap when Alfredo reappeared only to feel her tears flow freely again when Violetta finally succumbed to consumption at her lover's feet. Kathryn was still wiping her eyes when the houselights came up again.

“That was so very sad.” She said. He let her go slowly.

“Because consumption finished her in the end?” She took her hand and steadied her as she stood. Kathryn realized what large hands he had when hers seemed to get lost in his.

“That, but mostly because they lost so much time in miscommunication and snobbery. Though I suppose if they hadn't there wouldn't have been a story.” She said with a small laugh, stepping into her cloak when he held it out for her.

“Very true.” He said softly. Kathryn was getting used to him wrapping her in the cloak, but it still gave her a bit of a quiver. “Give me a moment and I'll have the car brought around.”

“Wait, do you think we could walk? If you don't mind I mean. I feel like I need a little air.” Kathryn tried not to bite her lip as she waited for his answer. He spoke a few words into his phone and held the door open for her. The wind had chilled when they exited the opera house, but the night was not all together unpleasant.

“Do you often walk around in the dark?” He asked, waiting for her to take his arm.

“No, usually I run.” She laughed softly, glad he was setting a comfortable pace. “There's a park at the end of my street that has a nice lighted jogging trail. It helps me clear my mind when I'm working on something.”

“And what of your safety? Do you think that you are immune to dangers that lurk in the darkness?” She could hear the note of accusation and while something about it chilled Kathryn she also found she really didn't appreciate it. She was not his daughter or his property. Kathryn stopped and turned to face him, her chin tilted up defiantly as she found his eyes with a direct gaze.

“I sleep during the day and write all night. Weeks go by when I don't see daylight at all and that suits me just fine. But I won't let an unusual schedule mean that my life is suspended. I take all the precautions I can and have managed so far.” Her eyes were locked on his.

“What happens when you find something you are unprepared for in your familiar darkness?” He challenged.

“What happens when I find something I am equally unprepared for in the daylight? Ted Bundy took victims off a crowded beach by pretending to be in a cast. I can't be a complete recluse because something might happen to me in the big bad world.” He eyes remained on his for a moment before she turned away, her arms crossed over her stomach. “I'm sorry, maybe this was a bad idea.”

She was about to walk away to find a cab when she felt his hand on her neck, his thumb stroking the bare skin there softly and Kathryn shivered.

“You are willful and far too sure of yourself.” His voice was softer, he turned her to face him again. She lifted her eyes slowly.

“I know, but willfulness runs in my family, kind of like the color of my hair or the shape of my nose. I guess I haven't learned how to fight genetics yet.” She smiled a little and he stroked her cheek softly.

“Perhaps you have another defense.” He wrapped her hand around his arm and started walking again. Kathryn didn't resist.

“Oh? What's that?” Again he set a comfortable pace and Kathryn pressed close against his side. She wasn't sure why, she had noticed his body never seemed to be warm.

“Well, I had heard that you're psychic.” His sarcasm was light and the danger that had tinged his voice was gone. Kathryn laughed softly.

“I was hoping you had forgotten that.” She felt a warm blush rise to her cool cheeks.

They turned the corner and a blast of cold wind hit them squarely.

“Why would I want to forget such a thing? People have sought to know the future since the beginning of time.”

Kathryn laughed and shook her head.

“I'm sure they have, but I would have been a bitter disappointment in that area. Corey only says that because of a game she and I used to play.”

“That must have been quite a game.” He said. Their voices were soft on the nearly deserted streets. Even traffic was unusually light. Kathryn rested her head against his shoulder for a moment.

“It was just people-watching really. When we were waiting in line or something we would pick out a group of people and make up a story about them. My stories just seemed to be more accurate than hers so she got this strange idea that I was somehow reading people's minds.” He raised an eyebrow and Kathryn noticed the unusual quality of his eyes in the darkness. She told herself it was just how the streetlights were striking them. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and noticed a couple on a bus bench across the street. “Maybe I can show you.” She pulled him into the deep shadow cast by a building and pointed at them.

Kathryn was fairly certain that the couple wouldn’t notice they were being observed, but just in case one of them felt themselves being watched she didn’t want to be standing out there staring. She supposed she could make the sacrifice of kissing him if anyone should wonder what the two of them were doing skulking around. She tried to suppress the little smile that tugged the corners of her mouth.

“The couple on the bench has been together awhile. He's more serious about the relationship than she is, in fact I would have to say that she's bored with him. See how she leans away when he leans close and how she's the one who pulls away when he kisses her?” Kathryn said after a few minutes of observation. She could feel him watching her more than the couple. She was silent again for a few minutes. “She waiting for someone else, who I would guess doesn't know Man One exists, though that's only a guess. She's looking at her watch so often though I think that Man One has stayed longer than she expected and he isn't taking her cues to leave. I would bet on an exaggerated gesture in the next few minutes.”

Kathryn fell silent again. As if on cue, the young woman checked her watch several more times and then yawned and stretched, leaving no question that she wanted to say goodnight. Kathryn smiled a little.

“Finally he takes the hint.” He stayed a moment more but soon both get up and exchange a somewhat chaste kiss and they each walk away in different directions. “She's not really leaving.” Kathryn said softly. “Look at how slow she's moving and how she looks back at him.”

“Perhaps she misses him already.” He said softly, Kathryn fixed a flat look on him.

“After she practically told him to go away?” The young woman walked back to the bench again after a few minutes and Kathryn just smiled a little. Not long after a different man appeared and she kissed him passionately. “Too bad this one is just playing with her. Man One actually cares about her, this one wants a toy.” She spoke softly, as if to herself and then turned to him again. “See, just a party game.” She smiled and started to walk again. He looked at her curiously and Kathryn tried not to shiver when the wind struck them again.

“I should have listened to the weather report tonight. I might not have suggested this.” She laughed softly, trying to ease her own tension.

“The car is on the next block. You'll come back to the club for a drink?” He said.

“I'd like that.” Kathryn smiled and he lengthened his strides, she was nearly trotting to keep up, but at least she was warmer when they got there.

He brought her into the same book-lined study through a private entrance, avoiding the club all together. The fire and candles were lit and casting a warm glow over everything. Kathryn wondered who had prepared it in advance. She opened the cloak and he took it from her. She sat near the fire, wondering why she had bought a strapless dress without a shawl at this time of year. When he joined her he had taken off his jacket as well as his coat. Though the high collar of the charcoal gray shirt was still closed there was an air of informality about him. He handed her a glass of brandy.

“Sip it slowly.” He said. Kathryn took a small sip.

“Thank you.” She said, taking another sip before setting it aside. “So you've been looking at me strangely since the couple on the bus bench.” She began a little hesitantly.

“I'm curious.” He drew a little closer to her and Kathryn slipped her shoes off, pulling her feet up under her as she rested on her hip. “What kind of impressions do you get from me?”

“I don't do that with people I actually know.” Kathryn shook her head and lowered her eyes. “I'm never right and it always ends up offending someone.”

“We were not always acquainted. What story would you have told about me?” Her heart responded to the sensation of his fingers on her chin, turning her face back to his. She could tell this was a question that was not a question in that answering was not simply an option, it was required.

“I'm very bad at doing this with individuals, and I'm probably completely wrong so please, don't be offended or angry.” Her eyes lowered and then met his uncertainly again. He smiled slightly and stroked her cheek.

“Now you have me very curious indeed.” Kathryn fidgeted with the ribbon and he reached around her, his face close to hers while he unhooked it. She felt herself tense and began to realize how easy it would be to get lost in those eyes. Finally he handed the ribbon to her with a little smile. Kathryn blushed and put it into her bag, wondering how she thought she would ever have had the nerve to kiss him on the street. “Tell me.” The soft note of command was not lost on her.

“Alright.” Kathryn took a deep breath. “It's hard for me to get a sense of you like that because you're so still and guarded. Several of my impressions are confusing even to me so I'm afraid I don't know how to explain them any better. I would guess that you were in the military at some point, and while I have no idea what your rank might have been I would say that you were in a position of authority. I have no idea where your study took place or when, but I have a hard time picturing you in college and I don't know why that is. You seem out of place in the club, and yet you aren't. And the age you seem to be and the age you really are feels like two different things, but you have that 'old soul' thing going on too. How far off am I?”

“Remarkably accurate.” His eyebrow had risen slightly. “Anything else?” Kathryn was starting to warm up now and relaxation was washing over her in soft waves. She still heard the hint of surprise in his voice. It occurred to her that he was a study in subtlety when it came to his reactions and she wondered how many people missed them all together, and how many she was missing.

“No, I stopped trying to do it before I left with Corey that first night. It is just a game and I found myself hoping that I might be allowed to get to know you, so I didn't want to make up some inaccurate story about you.” She rested her head against his arm again. The high back of the sofa and the way he rested his arm across it made it just about the perfect height. She hoped he didn't mind.

“It seems a rather powerful game, and one that you excel at.” He said, smiling slightly.

Kathryn shook her head and looked away from a moment.

“If that was the case my social life wouldn't have always been such a disaster. I would have some kind of early warning system.” She laughed softly. His fingers moved over her hand and she reached out to them, enjoying the cool touch.

“I find it strange that you spend so much time alone.” His fingers laced with hers.

“Why? I'm boring.” She laughed softly. “I've never fitted in to what I'm supposed to be. People tell me I'm pretty and therefore I'm not supposed to have a brain. People who know what I write think I should dress in black and use too much make-up and I would attract someone else “like me”, only that isn't who I am. Men who are willing to put up with me having a brain think I'm also desperate for, shall we say companionship. Since that isn't the case I don't fit into that category either. So, I try and figure out who I've been set up with early in the evening and just dust off the “script” so to speak.” Again, Kathryn wondered why she felt so free to tell him anything at all. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't fit into any of those neat categories either.

“What script is this?” He was amused.

“Let's see, the pretty-but-dumb script in a nutshell.” Kathryn closed her eyes for a moment and took on a blank expression when she opened them. “Gosh a LAWYER. Wow, I don't know if I can hold up my end of the conversation. That must be so complex with all those laws and codes and things. I'm feeling terribly lost, maybe you can explain it to me again. Well I see that isn't going to help either, maybe you need a smarter girl, I hope you find her.”

“That sounds very practiced.” He laughed softly and so did Kathryn.

“Well I do get quite a bit of practice with that particular one. My father has been trying to get me married off to a lawyer at his firm since I turned eighteen, I don't think that it matters which one really, as long as the pedigree is right and he thinks I'll be taken care of. Although with a few substitutions the script works for just about any profession.” She looked down at her fingers twined with his and was a little surprised to realize his skin was paler than hers.

“I thought arranged marriages had fallen out of fashion.” He squeezed her hand lightly.

“They have, but my father hasn't really known what to do with me since I was twelve. I look a great deal like my mother and he's never been able to forgive her for dying.” She looked into the fire and bit the inside of her cheek sharply, trying to regain control of her emotions. She hoped he would just drop the subject.

“She must have been very young.” He drew her closer, guiding her to rest her head against his shoulder and Kathryn shifted to rest against his side.

“She was.” She was silent for a moment. “You know if I really wanted to write horror I would write about cancer. At least Paul is humane; he kills quickly and doesn't make loved ones watch. Anyway, Daddy thinks that if he can get me married and taken care of that he won't feel so guilty for sending me to Grandmother's right after the funeral. It doesn't occur to him that I might have other plans.” She managed a short laugh and swiped at her eyes, hoping that he wouldn't notice. For a few moments the soft crackling of the fire was the only sound that could be heard in the room. Finally Kathryn felt some of the tension leave her body and he started to pull the pins out of her hair.

“I'm sorry. I should learn to give simple answers.” She smiled up at him shyly.

“No, you shouldn't. I never ask a question I don't want the answer to.” He turned her head slightly and kept tugging the pins out of her hair. “So do your other scripts end as politely?” She heard the little smile in his voice. She laughed softly.

“Well, usually. Though ending the desperate-for-companionship one ruined a favorite blouse of mine.” She laughed.

“Another story I must hear.” Kathryn felt his soft chuckle as much as she heard it. The feeling of his fingers moving through her hair made her shiver a little.

“It's not a very nice story. You may end up thinking you're sitting next to a dangerous felon.” She squirmed slightly and his arm came around her shoulders. It only rested there but it gave her the impression he preferred her to remain where she was. So did the soft tug against her mind. She looked up at him as soon as she felt it, but it was probably a manifestation of her nervousness. Kathryn looked away again.

“I seriously doubt that.” He lifted her chin again. “Tell me.” Again that soft note of command struck Kathryn.

“Well, it's not much to tell really. Corey had set me up with someone and he and I had nothing in common with. I was getting ready to leave and for some reason he was trying to convince me to stay and he thought the way to do that was to grab me in a place I didn't appreciate being grabbed. I guess I just reacted, and I was lucky that the punch I landed broke his nose.” Kathryn felt the mean little smile spread across her face and he laughed out loud. “It’s not that funny, the blood never did come out of my blouse.”

“Perhaps you're better at taking care of yourself than I gave you credit for.” His thumb was stroking her jawline softly and Kathryn felt a soft blush rise to her cheeks.

“I'm resourceful when I need to be.” She smiled slightly.

“And if I were to take a small liberty, would I be compromising my safety?” His hand held her head steady and Kathryn felt her heart beating faster. His intense blue eyes sending pleasant chills down her spine. She found speaking was out of the question, she simply shook her head.

His lips covered hers, softly at first and then more insistently. Kathryn sighed and arched against him. Her fingers hesitantly moved over his chest, her lips parted under his gentle insistence. His tongue explored her mouth and she caressed it softly with hers, her head spinning at the sensation such light touches could create. When his lips finally retreated, Kathryn found that she could barely breathe. She pressed a little closer, shocked by the intense desire he was able to stir in her.

“It seems I'm still safe.” He spoke softly with a small chuckle.

“You make me sound dangerous.” Kathryn was still trying to catch her breath. She felt a warm blush rise to her cheeks.

“Maybe not dangerous, perhaps surprising is a better word.” His lips brushed her forehead and Kathryn laughed softly.

“I could say the same of you. I expected to have a very bad time that night Corey brought me here.” Kathryn said, realizing that it seemed like a hundred years ago now.

“Did she intend for you to meet someone here?” His voice had taken on that edge of displeasure that she was beginning to hear clearly, despite his efforts to hide it.

“I doubt it. Corey gave up on me a long time ago in that respect. She always had to hear how awful the evening was in stereo.” Kathryn laughed softly and so did he.

“I'm glad she did. There were enough interruptions that first night. Besides, I can see myself being very selfish with your attentions.” Kathryn raised her eyes, a bit surprised at the implication of the statement.

“You hardly know me, I'm-”

“Willful, opinionated, cruel at times, guarded, intelligent, out of place in your own age and unusually perceptive. There are other things but those are the major players. Did I leave anything out?” His eyes were fixed on hers and Kathryn squirmed a little.

“Yes. Often at a loss around you has to be in there somewhere.” She found it hard to keep her eyes on his, he smiled a bit.

“It's getting late, do you like Shakespeare?” He stroked her cheek softly. Kathryn found she didn't know how to respond for a moment. She checked her watch and found it was after four.

“Yes.” She said finally, wishing she didn't always feel so off balance around him. “At least the plays I've seen.”

“Then you will join me for Titus Andronicus tomorrow night.” The way he said it let her know the decision had already been made. It bothered her that he felt so free to arrange her schedule, but it bothered her more that she was so willing to let him.

“I'd like that. And thank you for tonight, for the opera and the conversation.” She kissed him lightly, hesitantly. His hand held her head still as he deepened the kiss, his other hand moving down her side to rest on the swell of her hip. Kathryn felt her body reacting as it had before, with less hesitation. Her knees felt weak as she stood and slipped back into her shoes and she was grateful for his steadying hand.

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

LaCroix savored how her scent lingered even after she had gone and wondered if he was experiencing some sort of immortal senility. It was impossible that he cared for her, wasn't it? Those emotions were gone, scarred out of existence centuries ago. Weren't they? She affected him, that was certain. She challenged him without fear, even though most people were at least uneasy around him. She infuriated him. She deferred to him and she reached a passion in him that he was unaccustomed to feeling without the immediate desire for blood. That desire was there of course, that was just part of his nature, but he hadn't thought about finishing her all evening. Even though the sweet, fruity smell of her was intoxicating. The feeling of familiarity made itself known again as well, though he still couldn't place her.

He tried to sort out the jumble of his thoughts. She appreciated culture, could hold an intelligent conversation, and had a rare wit and actually made him laugh and she didn't take his laughter as a way to manipulate him. It was also painfully clear that she had no idea of her mental abilities. She was not a mind-reader as the vulgar friend thought, but she was an unusually strong intuitive who had a clear sense of his mental manipulations, even if she thought it was her own imagination at work. He would have to be more subtle if he chose to employ those techniques in the future.

She was also achingly young, and while there were distinct vestiges if ages past it didn't change the fact that there was an almost cloistered innocence about her now. That was something that he was not accustomed to anymore. Somewhere in time young women of her tender years had somehow decided that being aggressive was attractive and acceptable. That made hunting easier but he didn’t like it personally. Now, confronted with the opposite, he found himself wondering about the hidden passion he had felt in her hesitant kisses.

No matter what road his mind started down though he couldn't escape the fact that he cared about her. A small quiver ran down from between his shoulder blades and he knew that losing her would not be an option. This age of independence engendered challenges though. What he knew of her personality already made it obvious that she would not simply accept his control as easily as she might have in ages past. Even when she accepted the decisions he made for her he could tell that she was conflicted about it. For some reason he didn’t quite understand yet he preferred that change on its own, though if it seemed like he might lose her he wouldn’t hesitate to change it.

He was, after all, who he was.