Somewhere In Between

Title: Somewhere In Between
Author: MakaiKitty
Rating (this chapter): PG-13/R
Category: Original Fantasy, "Fate" storyline
Pairing: Victor/Blaine, Victor/Caspian, Victor/Sorrel/Victor, North/Victor, Victor/Tamara
Warnings (this chapter): Slash, M/M, Some Sexual Contact
Distribution: My website, My LJ and any LJs I choose to post at, AFF.net, FicWad, and DeviantArt. All of my accounts are under the user name MakaiKitty. If you'd like to use it just let me know.
Disclaimer: The characters, daemon realms, and situations in this story are all original and belong solely to MakaiKitty. Please don't steal, borrow, take, or otherwise use anything from my fics.
Updates: Just join my YahooGroup to be informed of any updates to this or any of my other fics - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/makaikittyfics
Status: Complete
Story Notes: This story contains characters that were first introduced in "Fate". However, it is not really necessary to have read "Fate" to understand this story. In fact, you may like Victor better if you haven't read "Fate". As for those of you who have read "Fate"? No, Shayne and Lexi will not be showing up in this fic. Maybe in later stories (Victor has a long back story), but not this one. Also, I have a general outline for this story, but everything isn't set in stone yet. Just like with "Perceived Perceptions", I'm sure that some things will not go as planned. So, the warning lable above is just a general guide, I really don't know for sure where this fic will go. Just a warning, if you're squicky about some stuff (don't worry, there won't be beastiality or scat or anything too extreme) then read the warnings at the start of each chapter. However, I know from experiance, that most of my regular readers can handle anything that I throw at them, so I'm not too worried about any of you. Either way, I hope you enjoy the fic...

Chapter Notes: Well, it's technically a few hours early, but here it is anyway. BTW, is anyone other than MoonStar reading this? If so, I'd love to know what you all think.

Somewhere In Between

Chapter Four: Boys Will Be Boys

"You certainly seem to be enjoying yourselves." The sorceress said in a flat voice, not a hint of humor in her tone, a cold sort of contempt dripping from every word. Both Victor and Caspian lay on the ground, the smaller boy atop the other, their once clean white shirts now plastered to their skin, dirt and grime covering them in random patches. There were bits of grass sticking out of their hair, their pale skin was hidden behind a sheen of dust, and there were several scratches across both vampire's faces from their exceedingly rough play. Caspian was a noble descended from royal blood and Victor was Sorrel's pride and joy, yet they both looked like commoners fresh out of the stables. Sorrel was not pleased, and she wanted the boys at her feet to know it too. "You'll make quite the sight when you show up to your first feed, Victor."

"You are right, Sorrel, we were having fun." Victor answered, his arms wrapping possessively around Caspian's waist, a smirk on his lips as one hand slid slowly down his friend's body to grip playfully at his ass through the flimsy fabric of his mud-stained pants. The smirk turned into a throaty chuckle when Caspian moaned dramatically at the simple touch. He knew that he should fear Sorrel, especially when she was angry, but he couldn't resist playing with her just a little bit. Even from his vantage point, upside down and flat on the ground, he could see the nearly imperceptible tick at the corner of her left eye jumping in time to the squeezing of his fingers and that made any punishment that might come later more than worth it.

"Yes, Lady Sorrel," Caspian added, craning his neck down to nuzzle at the crook of Victor's neck, his dark eyes never leaving those of the woman standing above him, "We were right in the middle of quite the entertaining little game, rather enjoyable indeed, and we would very much appreciate it if you would leave us to it. You see, I'm not quite done with Victor just yet."

Both boys erupted into fits of laughter at Caspian's words, the annoyance radiating off of Sorrel only adding fuel to their good humor, and it took quite some time before the impatient sound of the sorceress clearing her throat was able to bring them around to some semblance of control. Although the nearly identical grins that graced their faces, eyes glittering and fangs glinting in the moonlight, never left either of them.

"My apologies, young Lord Alderton," Sorrel said mockingly, her steely grey gaze enough to wither a weaker man's soul, "but our dear Victor has a prior engagement that he must see to this evening. I'm sure you understand."

When neither Victor nor Caspian made to move Sorrel squared her shoulders, narrowed her eyes, and gave her wayward ward a look that said more clearly than words, Move, now! That was when Victor knew that he had pushed the sorceress as far as was advisable. He gave a defeated sigh, finally moving to push Caspian's barely noticeable weight off of him, sitting up with as much grace as could be managed considering the fact that he was completely disheveled and laying on the ground covered with dirt, leaves, and various bits of grass. He knew that it was best not to push things any further because, although Sorrel had more patience with him than anyone else in all of the realm, he knew that her good graces only extended so far. It would not do to be punished like a disobedient child on the very night that he was to become a man.

As he rose to his feet Victor shook out his long black hair, tiny bits of nature falling to the ground that he had just occupied, and he brushed his hands futilely across his wrinkled clothes in an attempt to right them. When he saw Sorrel's disapproving glance falling over his being he raised his chin and squared his shoulders, his back suddenly ramrod straight, bringing himself up to his full six foot three inches with a regal bearing. His gaze became cold, his eyes saying clearly that he answered to no man, and he looked challengingly at the sorceress who stood before him, daring her to question his arrogance. Unfortunately, while it may have been true that he answered to no man, Sorrel was an entirely different matter. It only took the briefest meeting of eyes, dark grey taking on deepest black without hesitation or fear, before Victor backed down with a barely perceptible nod of his head. Dominance reestablished, Sorrel finally smiled, one crimson tipped hand reaching out to smooth down an errant strand of Victor's wild raven mane with fondness.

"You can play with Caspian later." Sorrel said indulgently, long since having learned that no one stood in between the two friends without facing one hell of a challenge, not even the Lady Sorrel, ruler of the Azvarian kingdom. "But for now you need to get ready for your coming of age. I've picked the perfect donor for you, I think that you'll just love my choice, and we've already kept them waiting for far too long."

"Yes, Sorrel." Victor agreed, knowing that the time had at last come. It wasn't exactly that he was uninterested, or that he wasn't excited, it was just that the whole event had taken on far too much significance for his tastes. He'd rather have just found a random body in the village below to take blood from and gotten it over with already. It would have been so much simpler. However, after everything that she had done for him throughout his life, Victor figured that he owed the sorceress at least this small indulgence. "Let us be on our way then."

A triumphant smile on her full red lips, Sorrel took a few steps towards the path leading down from the hill, ready to head at last for the castle above them. She stood patiently, content in the knowledge that she had won their little battle of wills, and waited for Victor to say his goodbyes.

"I'll see you later, Cass." Victor said with a sigh, bending his head to place a soft kiss on the perfect peach colored cupid's bow of his friend's lips. "It's high time that I got this over and done with."

"Let me know how it goes." Caspian said with a wink, fondly remembering his own coming of age ceremony from years ago. He watched the dark haired man leave down the path, taking the arm of the beautiful sorceress as they made their way up to the castle, and he couldn't help but add one last parting remark. "Don't do anything that I wouldn't do!"

***

The night was fair, and despite Sorrel's earlier words about the further wasting of time, neither vampire seemed to be in much of a hurry as they strolled almost casually along the tree-lined lane that would lead them up to the castle gates. And, in Victor's case, into adulthood.

Victor let his mind wonder as they walked, mildly curious as to what sort of person Sorrel had chosen for him to feed upon, a number of images flitting through his mind before being discarded. It didn't really matter, seeing as he would be face to face with this mystery man or woman in a matter of minutes anyway. Besides, knowing Sorrel's tastes as well as he did, there was little doubt that it would be an exceedingly beautiful individual that would ensure a more than pleasurable experience. Of that he was certain.

Turning his head ever so slightly, his dark eyes took in the sight of the woman walking beside him. Although he was certain that the person he was heading to meet would be lovely, it was hard to believe that he or she could be much more beautiful than the breathtaking female at his side. Her dark grey hair fell in a straight, silky curtain down her back, coming to rest just above the generous swell of her hips. The color wasn't the grey of old age that he often saw on the slowly decaying mortals in the village, but the grey of a dove's wings, the grey of a majestic wolf's winter coat, of dark clouds that signaled an approaching storm. Her piercing eyes were the color of steel, and one look into them told a person that she was just as strong and unyielding as the metal they resembled. Her body was tall and elegant, all long limbs and tight muscles, athletic yet feminine. She wore a simple black leather dress, cut low to reveal her ample bust, the sides cut high to show off seemingly endless legs, the dark color contrasting perfectly with her milky white flesh. She was dangerous, strong and ambitious, ruthless when it came to achieving what she wanted, and brilliant beyond words. At times she had been equal parts mother, master, and mistress to him. She nurtured and coddled, demanded and controlled, teased and titillated. She was everything that Victor thought a woman should be.

"Victor," Sorrel said as they made their way through the castle doors, her deep and sultry voice bringing him out his thoughts and back to the present, "You're just so out of sorts lately. Are you going to tell me what's wrong, or do I have to guess?"

"Nothing is the matter, Sorrel." Victor assured her, for the most part telling the truth.

"Nothing's wrong?" The sorceress repeated with disbelief. "Your coming of age feed is only moments away and you seem no more excited than you would be over putting on your boots in the morning, yet you can still say that nothing is the matter?"

Victor only shrugged his shoulders, unwilling to argue with her at the moment. He had told Caspian the truth, that he saw no point in getting worked up over something that was going to happen regardless of his attitude or opinion, although he suspected that Sorrel would be less than pleased with that explanation.

"Is it because time will stop for you?" Sorrel pressed on, choosing for the time to ignore Victor's non-comments. "Is twenty-two not mature enough for your tastes?"

"No," Victor conceded, "Twenty-two for eternity is not so very bad at all." In fact, having witnessed the mortals in the town surrounding the castle succumb to old age, becoming disfigured and crippled by time, had left him more than grateful that he was never going to have to experience such atrocities. "That is most certainly not it at all."

"Good." Sorrel nodded with approval. "Although, if you'll remember what I've taught you, you might still age a year or two after you begin feeding. There's no way to tell for certain." When Victor only gave another elegant shrug, Sorrel began to frown, the effort to hold her temper in light of Victor's lack of responses beginning to show. "However, if that's not the problem then what is, my pet?"

"I promise you," Victor said, finally deciding to turn on the charm, taking one of the older woman's hands in both of his and bringing it up to his lips. He kissed the ends of her crimson tipped fingers, a slight smile gracing his lips, the inky pools of his black eyes meeting her lighter ones with intent. "I am thrilled to have finally reached the day of my first feed." He turned her hand over and laid another gentle kiss the underside of her fingertips, "I am certain that whoever you have picked for me will be perfect." He put his lips to the palm of her hand, not missing for an instant the small upturn at the corner of her lips at his gesture. "Twenty-two is more than enough years for me." He kissed her wrist, knowing that it was a weak spot of Sorrel's. "And, I assure you, I am looking forward to this night like no other."

"You know, Victor," Sorrel said with an almost girlish giggle as she took her hand back, "You really can be quite the charmer when you put some effort behind it."

"I know." He said with a playful wink, only half joking.

"I suppose you look presentable enough." Sorrel said, trying to look disapproving and failing. She was proud of Victor, her greatest achievement, and she had been looking forward to this night almost since the day that he had been born. After tonight he would be a man. "I don't want to keep her waiting any longer, it's already much later than I had planned, and I don't really think that she'll mind a little dirt." She tugged at the once pristine white collar of his shirt, righting the collar and brushing away a stray bit of grass that still clung to him after his little tussle with Caspian. If anything, she thought his disheveled state gave him a slightly rugged appearance that was rather appealing.

They started walking again, but soon Victor had to stop in surprise. They were outside of a doorway that Victor knew Sorrel often used to house her special guests. The doors to the sorceress' own rooms were only a few feet away, and he knew that she only kept those that she thought of as very important this near to her own private lair, only those that she wanted something from or those that she was currently smitten with. That, however, was not the reason that he had stopped. Sorrel had paused just outside of the door moments before he had, and that was enough to tell him that this was their destination. What was inside left him momentarily speechless.

"She's warm." Victor said with a slight hint of shock in his voice. "And she's human."

"You can sense her from all the way out here?" Sorrel asked, her smile growing as she realized just how strong some of Victor's telepathic and sensory abilities had become as of late. She moved around until she stood behind the younger male, sliding her arms around his shoulders and reaching up to stroke at the smooth skin of at his jaw. She positively purred as she spoke. "I'm so proud of you. You've become so strong lately." Then, by way of explanation, "Yes, you are quite right about her, dearest. Her name is Tamara and, unfortunately, she was born a mere human. Something that I think I'll remedy very soon. She is most promising. Her abilities remind me of myself when I was younger, and I believe that she'll become quite the sorceress under my guidance."

"I am sure that she will." Victor agreed, more than a little taken aback by Sorrel's choice. For as long as he could remember Sorrel had had a very low opinion of humans in general, and the fact that she would compare a mortal to herself spoke volumes about the woman within the room. He couldn't wait to meet her.

TBC ...

Review Responses:

Moonstar:
Caspian!! I absolutely love him!! God he's so cute...and such a personality too...dangit...get rid of all his other partners, the whole future, everything...just let him be with Caspian! Pretty, pretty please? With cherries and ice cream and cake AND muffins? I loves him sooo much...T_T It's that lovely friendship relationship that I love almost as much as the enemy relationship. I havne't had a chance yet to have friends fall for each other but I do love it so much...it's just so sweet and perfect. Like one of my favorite sayings: "Love is friendship on fire." I totally believe that.

I'm so happy that you loved Caspian. I've had him in mind for a while, and I couldn't wait to share. I love that saying too, btw ^-^

But...*sigh*...you won't let them be together. You'll turn Victor into a slutty dominant who goes around fucking everybody and in the end forgets all about poor Caspian...unless-....oh no...you had better not kill Caspian!! I know...I suppose I have the fear because...well...I've been known to kill off sweet, pretty, much-loved characters...but dont' do it! I beg of you! More cherries and ice cream...I'll cry if you do. T_T

I do promise a Victor/Caspian lemon of some sort at some point in this fic, but I won't tell you how or why. As for the future, I will not kill him, I can promise you that. I have plans for that boy *evil laughter*

Sorry. It's a long winded and lousily written review...but it just means that my thoughts are running into one another after reading your chapter. Which is a good thing. I liked it bunches. ^^ So yeah, good job, and uber glad to see more of this! Looking forward to your update...^^

-Moonstar

Thanks for the review! You seem to be the only one at the moment. *much love*