Big city

It was a long winding escape up the dusty dark hallways, some of them wide enough for an army to march, some so tight that Xavier with Mike in his arms nearly got stuck and had to move sideways. He was so amazed how the werewolf, Haywood, knew of the building and why there were no vampires to be seen, that he finally asked.

And Haywood replied with a sigh:

“It is a much larger building than the vampires control, with many a part they have not yet found. Many a secret that has died with their predecessors. We, on the other hand, have a dog's keen nose and curiosity, or at least I have it. I love to go to places without having to wait in line for permission. Besides – we are neutral creatures in this war. Even if they caught me, I would be safe. Not with the two of you, of course.

I will explain you more, but we must move on now. The dawn is upon us, and you no longer human. Daylight will burn you, if you are caught in it. Something in the blood, I don't know. I'm not a scientist. But it sure works, since I've seen some young vampire rookies die as their blood fries in their veins.

Come!”

Finally they reached the end, and there was morning in the windows, the red light painting walls crimson, reflecting in Haywood's golden eyes. There was but one little stairway, and then a hatch door.

“Stay in shadows,” Haywood commanded. “I'll go see if it's all clear.”
Xavier nodded.
Rasta braids swung in the air as the werewolf climbed upstairs and pulled the hatch open. There was morn outside, even more of it. Xavier felt it prickle under his skin, and his mind was dizzy. Perhaps that was why he had such trouble with concentration.
The werewolf returned very shortly and summoned him closer.

“We go now. There is very little time until the sun is fully up and burning, and quite some distance to cover. We will run.”
Xavier smirked. Did this little old man really think he'd have any trouble with that? He was in excellent shape, after all.

However, once they were up the stairs, through the hatchway and on the ground with daybreak upon them, Haywood set to running and Xavier had to eat a lot of his arrogance, since he had quite some troubles keeping up with the werewolf, and it wasn't only because he had Mike in his arms. Sure, he knew that werewolves were prone to be stronger and faster, but so were vampires, and Xavier had been one hell of a scout before his... turning.

His mind was heavy, and the sky lighter. He felt hot and if he had had breath, he'd been short of it. Good thing he didn't, huh?

“How much longer,” he panted. (Well, sort of – there wasn't any breath involved.)
“About a mile,” Haywood shouted over his shoulder as he ran.
“For fuck's sake, how far is that place,” Xavier cursed. The werewolf didn't answer to that, but scurried onwards.

And the sun kept rising. Xavier had been quite fond of looking at it, especially in the morning, but this was the first morn when that shiny red circle was his enemy. He did not want to die, every molecular of his body screamed against it. Live, live, you must live. He could not rest, he could not put Mike down and ease his burden, all he could do was run, until it had nothing to do with his legs and all with his strength of will.

“We are nearly there,” Haywood whispered, turning around and running backwards. But even he had slowed his pace.
Xavier sunk down to his knees, clutching Mike. “Too far,” he sighed. “Take the boy and go. Leave me.”
“No.”
“Take him and go!”
“You are wasting time. Get up!”

Xavier closed his eyes. Too tired. His body had given up a long time ago, it hurt so much that it had shut down his mind, too. He had no will to go on. And the werewolf could take Michael and they would live, whereas Xavier the monster would die. He couldn't imagine he had fought for his life just minutes ago. No. Too tired. End this.

“Xavier!” The werewolf yelled at him, but he wouldn't listen.
“Xavier...” Michael had opened his eyes.
Xavier moaned through clenched teeth. It was more a roar, though. He felt he would explode inside, since his veins and arteries could no longer tolerate the heat of his blood. He would... die. Again.

“Take the... boy,” he growled. “You fuckin' werewolf, take the...boy!”
“What?” Michael looked at both of them and staggered to his feet, kneeling beside Xavier. “No. You are not leaving me now, are you, sir? We escaped. We're free. We're alive. You cannot leave me now. I want to go home, sir. Please, take me home...”

It was that voice which broke Xavier. He didn't care much about himself and he was completely ignorant about strangers, but this kid was a Blood Brother, his kith and kin. Might as well have been his own kid.

“Alright,” he whispered. “You gonna have to... give me a hand.”
Michael did, and Haywood helped him to pull Xavier up.

**

Maximilian stood at the doorway, looking haggard.
Emmanuel turned to face him. He didn't look very welcoming. Logan was confused. What was going on? He could swear there was something in the air and he didn't like his gut feeling at all. It said big trouble with flashy neon letters.

“Yes,” Emmanuel asked, lifting his brows. “Let me guess, something is very wrong?”
“It is,” Maximilian answered. “Can I... speak in his presence?” He winked at Logan.
“He is a friend of mine,” Emmanuel replied. “Speak freely.”

“Xavier Ford has escaped, along with the boy, Michael.”

Emmanuel's jaw nearly dropped. “What do you mean – escaped? How?”
Maximilian shivered.
“The bars had been torn apart... the cell empty. They are gone.”
“How can they be gone?! Gone where? The room is secured, there are guards, cloaked and shielded doors between the dungeon and exit. How did he get past those, tell me?”

Escaped, Logan whispered to himself and could hardly hide a joyful little smile. So, the legend had done it, yet again. He'd gotten away and would continue the fight against all evil.

“What the hell are you grinning about,” Emmanuel snapped at him. “Happy he got away?”
Logan decided to tell the truth.

“Yes, I am. I hope he is free now, and that he will come back and kill those that captured him.”
Emmanuel nearly slapped him, yet managed to halt before his fingers touched Logan's face. The lad flinched but did not back away.

“Go back to Enoch,” Emmanuel commanded. “Tell him... oh forget about it. Just go. The tour has been stopped, I have much important matters to take care of.”

“Understandable,” Logan nodded. “Thank you for the tour, though, sir. And I wish you good luck in your search.”
May you never find him. His legs shivered. These people... these “blood donors”... they terrified him. Emmanuel spooked him out. Yes, he could listen to the statistics and upon those even agree, but it wasn't... humane. He could not accept it, he could not. And yet he had had that transfusion and he knew that without it he would have withered and dyed soon enough.

Would it be better? No. Stay alive, stay thinking, feeling, and then you can go back to Jerome and you can avenge Enoch for what he has done to you. The dead are gone, they have nothing, feel nothing, love nothing. No, he did not want to die. He would much rather have this unlife.

He was so very confused. Where would he find sustenance? How could he live and survive...
He felt trapped. This place here was safe – not from the vampires, but the government agents, all the hunters... He knew just enough to imagine how tough it would be out there. Here he could go down to the feeding room and thus get his nourishment, moral or immoral, but out there he would have to... attack someone? He didn't even think he'd be capable of it. He wasn't violent by nature, he wishing to kill Enoch was a completely different matter.

“And now, would you please explain me how did a naked wounded man and a half dead or a dead boy get pass you and all the security,” Emmanuel grunted. “Yes, Maximilian? And also – why are you wasting time here when you should be out there tracking him down?”

“There are plenty of guards busy with just that,” Maximilian replied. “Emmanuel, listen to me. I am speaking the truth. They did not even come towards the exit. The guards were there, and they never passed them.”

“What of the surveillance cameras,” Emmanuel hissed. “Weren't they supposed to be there? Weren't you supposed to be watching the screens? It is due to your incompetence he has escaped!”

“I was at the screens all the time. I only left when I heard you scream, and when I got back to the guard room, the screens were blank. I called the guards immediately and made them check into the cell room. They found it empty and I ran down when I heard of it. He was gone and the front door had never been touched. The camera eyes had been smashed.”

Emmanuel growled. “So, you are telling me, that without leaving his cell, Xavier Ford managed to put out the surveillance cameras, then break out of the cell by... now, what was it – oh yes – bending the bars, and then vanish from the building without leaving a trace. Are you saying he used a magical portal?!”

“I! Don't! Know!” Maximilian yelled in frustration.
Emmanuel sighed. “Wonderful. Just wonderful. Well, you better look for him while I go and tell Enoch that our arch enemy has escaped along with a second prisoner due to MY incompetence. He just had a little warm-out with me, I'm certain he will enjoy hearing this news and reward me greatly. See you later, Maximilian – in case I survive his punishment and can still crawl back here.”

“I'll go myself,” Maximilian vowed. “I will not have you punished for something I let happen. You are innocent, Emmanuel.”

“Oh really. And exactly who was in charge of his capture? I was. Who turned him into a vampire? I did. He is my responsibility. You are a fool if you don't understand that Enoch is not even supposed to care if someone else screwed up. I was at charge and I will be punished. Hell, I would do the same in his stead. I am furious. So if I was you I'd get out of my sight for some time, because I really feel like landing my boot on your pretty ass and smashing that noble face.”

**

“So – you let him escape,” Enoch murmured coldly, gazing down on Emmanuel.
“Yes, my Master. I did.”
Enoch smirked. “Bold confession. What do you think will be the reward of your courage?”

“Pain, of course,” Emmanuel smiled. “And then some more pain.”
“Oh? You think so? Would you like that?”
“No,” Emmanuel replied. “But it does not matter what I like or feel is right, does it?”
“Perhaps I am interested,” Enoch shrugged.

Oh really, since when?

“I doubt it, my Master,” Emmanuel replied courtly. “We have been through discussions how the laws of this House should be altered and clearly we disagree upon everything. I see no point in going through all this once again. So – here I am – I have greatly jeopardized the security of this house and let one of our arch enemies escape. Clearly I am entitled for harsh punishment and I only wish you would deliver it sooner, so that I could collect myself and go seek after him.”

“You are a fool, Emmanuel,” Enoch whispered silkily. “There is no need to seek for him. He will return to you. Where would you look? If he has gone, he has returned to his camp. But he will find the reality altered. He will soon realize that the Old House is the only refuge left. That is IF he manages to survive, which I doubt. His own comrades might kill him, and they will surely abandon him. If he goes to the city, he shall be hunted down by the agents and when the government hears of him they will send their best men here to hunt him down – either to kill him or make him a lab rat. Should he survive this, though, and he is a man who tends to overcome everything – he will return to you, Emmanuel, to kill you.

My dear son, you should have killed him when he was in your power. I do not know what urged you to turn him, but it was your greatest mistake, one you will repay with your life. Xavier Ford will never forgive you, and he will hunt you down and he will kill you or die trying – but as you are no equal to him, then he will win.

I will send no one after him. He and you are doomed as we speak, doomed from the moment you took it into your head that you should take him and turn him.
I will punish you, though. For your stupidity, and because whether either of us finds it likeable, it IS the law of the Old House.”

The door opened and they both turned.

“Good morning, Grace,” Enoch offered. “Something must ail you to come here.”

She looked stunning, Emmanuel found. She was wearing one of those dresses which cost a small fortune – it was gold and beige, with lots of laces falling down on her legs, but they were only partly covered. The dress was very trim around her waist and when she walked, the beautiful little V shape was most alluring. And then of course there were her breasts. She always had dresses with long cleavage, and this time the fabric ran very close to her nipples. He noticed they were erect.

“Must it,” she asked, her voice sensual and deep, a bit mocking. “Perhaps I merely came to see my husband whom I sorely miss...”

Enoch snorted. Why, did you run out of lovers?
“How sweet.” His voice surely wasn't, but he kept it polite and cool. “You come in time, though, darling. I was about to punish Emmanuel.”

“Why? What did he do?” She sounded genuinely intrigued.
“Tell her,” Enoch ordered. And so Emmanuel cocked his head and murmured: “I was in charge of the capture and imprisonment of Xavier Ford. He managed to escape, taking yet another prisoner with him.”

Grace let a snarl escape her lips. “You fool! How did this happen?!”
Emmanuel made to look embarrassed. “I was just giving our newest fledgling Logan a tour in the feeding chambers when I heard of it. Apparently he had managed to break out of the cell by force, and leave, taking the boy – or what was left of him, along.”

“And the surveillance cameras,” Grace prodded.
“Were smashed. Maximilian was in charge, but he came to my aid after my sire had punished me, so that for a small time the room was empty, and when he returned to his post, the screens were empty. There is no trace as to where and how Xavier escaped, but he did.”

Grace growled in frustration.
“And now you know,” Enoch smiled. “Do you agree he deserves to be punished, my dear?”
“Severely,” Grace agreed, her little voice vicious, but also curious.
“Then – would you like to be the one to punish him?”

She smiled. Enoch bit the inner flesh of his lip. She was still, always, the most gorgeous woman there had ever been, his equal in every field, and so damnably sexy.

“Oh yes,” she whispered and licked her lips hungrily. She laughed soundlessly.
Enoch opened a drawer and pulled out a constructed piece of hard wood, leather and metal. He gave it over to Grace. For an instant, their fingers brushed together, and then they had distanced again. He felt the urge to kiss her...

“A braided whip,” she whispered. “This is beautiful.”
She could recall its taste upon her soft flesh, and the marks she had left on his strong body and how she had licked and teased the welts, going over them with her tongue and nipples.
Enoch nodded.
“Do you find it suitable for him?”
Grace smiled, eyes flickering wickedly at Emmanuel. “Oh yes. Most... suitable. I am certain he will enjoy it. Won't you, Emmanuel?”

“If it pleases you, my lady,” was the only answer Emmanuel could offer. But he was quite certain he would. It was perfectly perverse – being whipped by sexy Grace while the man he hated and wished to overthrow would watch them both. His dear sire, and his future bride. They had little to no idea what plans he bore in mind for them.

“He will,” Enoch nodded. “I know him. You may begin,” he told Grace. The woman walked around, showing off all the elegance of her movements, and then she stood before Emmanuel, poked his throat with the end of the whip and smiled broadly.

“Strip.”
Emmanuel couldn't help but flinch. “Excuse me?”
Enoch pulled his head back by hair. “You heard the lady. Take off your clothes. We would like you to be naked.”

Emmanuel cocked his head. “If it pleases you.” He removed his clothes, aided by little prods and pokes from Grace's whip.
“How eager,” she teased him. “You shall count them, and thank me for each stroke, and you shall ask for the next one. Do I make myself clear?”

He smiled back, putting up his best submissive face. “Yes, my lady. My lord.” The air was cool against his skin and he could smell her perfume.
So could Enoch, and he found her so very enticing. He caught not only the scent of her perfume, but also her own, suggestive fragrance. He would much enjoy the show. And if he couldn't have her, and he couldn't, because he would not take what had belonged to another... what had belonged to a lowly peasant, then he would have Logan. He wished the boy would return from his little tour with Isabeau. Actually, he wished Logan would be here right now, so that he could fondle him and show Grace just how little he cared about her maddeningly hot posture. Ah, but he had to keep his composure. At least he could watch Emmanuel being whipped. That was worth something, surely.

Grace ran the leather down Emmanuel's back, teasing him, and then she struck. Small and with a wasp's waist she might have been, but a vampire she was, and hence there was much strength in her. Emmanuel's knees wobbled and almost gave in, but it was more from the surprise.

Enoch chuckled. “Not so hard, my dear. We do not wish him permanently injured, now, do we?”
“No,” she bit. Why did he have to interfere? Couldn't he just let her have her way with him? “Very well. I will go easy on him.”
Easy, aye. At least she got into a beautiful pace, the tail making a small crack in the air and then coming down to touch soundly Emmanuel's back, buttocks and thighs, although sometimes she would walk around him and lash over his chest and abdomen as well.

She enjoyed her duty, that was obvious. She licked her lips, her breasts heavy and nipples very much visible through the fabric of her dress. Both men could smell her arousal. At first, Emmanuel managed to keep his own under control, but not for too long. The pain, mingled with the strange combination of her sexuality and the hatred he felt for Enoch... it was all too much. He became hard despite the awkward situation and perhaps due to it. She noticed, of course, and so did he.

“How very interesting,” Enoch muttered. She laughed. “He enjoys it,” she whispered and winked at Emmanuel. There was a wicked little light in her eyes, as she brought the tail down so that it wrapped itself around his cock. He moaned loudly.

Enoch wished he could just take her, take that devilish creature, slam her against the wall or better – pin her down on the floor, slam into her and ride her to the nightfall.
If only he would have had the slightest idea that she dreamt of the same. She was wet, aching, and could only put her arousal into more soundly whipping of Emmanuel. She would take him, later. Soon. Oh, sooner already, sooner. He was the second best, but the first was Enoch and would always be him. Oh how she loved him, oh how she desired and despised him and still craved for him with all her might.

“Enough,” Enoch commanded. He couldn't hold himself together much longer. It had to end. “Enough. Leave. Both of you. The punishment... has been fulfilled. Leave now.”

There might have been something in her eyes, the way she looked at him, some sort of... longing, but then she turned and handed Emmanuel his clothes, he put them on, opened door for her, bowed and they were gone. Enoch was alone. What would he know of them falling into Emmanuel's bed, she so hot, he so hard and bleeding, and how she licked all over him and he pumped into her with all his might. What would he know of the longing light in her eyes which never left them, not even as she cried out and climaxed.