For most people the world consists of two parts: lightness and darkness, day and night. These two parts of the day bring out the two parts of who you are: professional, serious, and focused during the day, reckless, thrill-seeking, and unpredictable at night. The darkness has a way of releasing inhibitions, and people begin to display pieces of who they really want to be. But what about those who live in darkness always? Years spent living in darkness only weakens your humanity, eliminates what little morality you may have. And in sunshine -which for most wipes the slate clean and brings a new day- they feel only pain, a reminder that darkness is the only world they're allowed to know from now on.

Joshua Chasez is one of those people. Thinking over the past few centuries of his life, darkness was all he could remember. Sunset was his morning, and he couldn't wait to get up today. It was time to go meet with Amy; a girl he'd picked up at MONROE'S a week ago. MONROE'S wasn't a bar his kind was known to frequent, and that was exactly why he liked it. While it didn't offer the protection that a Circle owned bar did, it did offer one advantage: he was the only one of his kind to go there. It was his hunting ground, and his alone.

Amy made the mistake of stepping into his hunting ground.

It had been a Thursday night, and she'd had a stressful day at work, so she stopped off for a cocktail. He could still see her there, sitting at the bar in her black skirt and gray blouse. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a bun, and she absentmindedly toyed with the olive in her martini glass as her eyes roamed over the bottles behind the bar. He could feel her emotions: frustration, disappointment, loneliness. They were pulsing through her veins with every strong beat of her heart. But something else was there too, bubbling just below the surface. Defiance? Rebelliousness? He could smell the seed of revenge beginning to sprout within her, and he became giddy. The rebellious ones always presented a bit of a challenge.

"I've never seen you here before."

Amy glanced over at the sound of his voice, and promptly rolled her eyes as she turned back to her olive.

"I'm not interested."

"Interested in what?"

"In whatever you're selling, offering, or trying to get. I'm just in here for a quick drink. Alone."

Joshua inhaled a deep breath, turning his back to the mahogany bar and leaning his elbows on it.

"Quick? You sat down with it nearly, fourty minutes ago, and you're been toying with it ever since."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Spying on me now?"

He smiled, his lips curling into a toothless grin. One corner of her mouth lifted in return. Maybe he'd been wrong about her being a challenge.

"Let me guess: rough day at work? Your alarm clock didn't go off, and you woke up an hour behind schedule, leaving you no time to do your hair. You sit through traffic, and then pay twenty dollars a day to park just so your sleaze ball of a boss can stare down your blouse and give you bullshit assignments to keep you busy. You spend your day manning the coffeepot in the conference room, clearing the copy machine of paper jams, and spell checking your boss's emails so he doesn't look like an idiot. And at the end of all that he skips over you for that big promotion and gives it to someone newer and less qualified, rather than recognizing you for the creative, talented woman you are."

Amy sat quietly while he gave a freakishly accurate account of her daily life over the past three years. Her boss was such a dick. A fat, over paid, under qualified moron whose only pull was the fact that he was the owners' cousin. The mundaneness of her life was written so plain as day that even this stranger could see it.

"Be honest," she said. "Did you follow me here?"

Joshua smirked again, turning toward the bar and picking up his drink, a glass of straight whiskey poured over ice.

"I'm no stalker," he told her.

"Psychic?"

"Observant. I gathered you were running late by the simple bun in your hair. I guessed on the cost of parking, because that's about how much it costs everywhere in this city, and the rest I could read on your face."

Amy nodded along, impressed by his skill but hypnotized by his voice. It was deep and masculine. Seductive. Smooth. And he spoke lowly, only to her.

"You should consider trying to parlay that into some kind of financial gain. You're very gifted."

He shook his head, perfectly groomed chestnut locks catching the light.

"It's not a gift, more of an acquired skill."

"How long did you have to practice?"

"A long time."

His evasive method of answering questions only piqued her interest.

"How long is that?"

"Longer than you've been playing with that poor olive."

He gave her a playful wink, then reached over, and took the toothpick from her fingers.

"This is the best part of the martini," he said, twirling it between his fingers. "You let it sit, soaking up the vodka while the juice seeps out. You save it until the end, like a little bite sized prize you get to devour as an award for finishing the drink. But you've poked so many holes in it, I'm not sure it'll be able to hold anything, alcohol, juice, or otherwise."

Amy laughed, looking at the pathetic green mass at the end of the toothpick that used to be her olive. He was gazing at the stick, almost lovingly. Then he turned his eyes to her, and they were bright blue, so piercing they almost seemed to glow.

"But, if you're willing to try it, I think you might be able to get a taste of the deliciousness I'm talking about."

He reached over, rubbing the olive over her bottom lip. She could feel the vodka wetting her lip, and the tip of her tongue flicked out for a taste.

"Come on," his honey-like voice urged her gently. "Just try it."

He could feel her hesitation, the voice in her mind telling her to just get up and walk away before he had the opportunity to flirt any more. But he knew she wasn't going anywhere. More than hesitation, he could feel her desire. She wanted the olive. She could taste the saltiness; imagine the slight burn of the alcohol as she swallowed. She wanted the olive, and on the outskirts of her subconscious, she was starting to want him too. Joshua rubbed the olive over her lip again, and her mouth opened just enough to exhale. He pushed the olive into her mouth and she chewed slowly.

"Taste that? The bitter and the burn?"

Amy nodded, her eyes sliding closed as she let out a low moan. It was indescribable, sweeter and more potent than she ever thought it'd be. It was decadent and tart and sinful. Sinfully delicious.

"Do you like it?"

Amy's eyes opened and she licked her lips, hoping for some remainder of what she'd just experienced.

"That was incredible."

"It's the vodka," he said. "They use the finest vodka, imported from Russia. They say it's the purest you can get state-side. Would you like another?"

This time her smile was eager.

"Please."

Two hours later Joshua slammed her back against the front door of her apartment. Both of them were too engaged in their lip lock to realize how much that should have hurt her. She lived on the Upper East Side, alone, which was exactly the way he liked it. He hated it when there was a roommate involved, because then you had to be careful about how much noise you were making. But then, sometimes a roommate situation brought about a two-for-one deal, and because of that he couldn't really complain too much. But he wouldn't have that option tonight, unless a passing neighbor stopped to watch the show they were currently putting on in the hallway and offered to join in.

His lips attacked her feverishly as she fumbled to find the keys lost in her briefcase. He could feel the racing beat of her heart and the sexual desire running rampid in her body. She had been no challenge at all. After the olive he'd bought her a drink. A few drinks, actually, and it wasn't long until they'd decided to go back to her place. Now she was all over him, lost in his presence, eager to end the celibacy she'd been forced to endure for the past eight months. He could smell the excitement seeping out of her, it was flower and pure. He could smell the arousal, dark and spicy. And with every move she made he got a whiff of her blood, healthy and strong, loaded with cells and plasma. For him it was like smelling a juicy steak on the grill or a cake as it baked in the oven, a smell so tantalizing you wanted to eat it right out of the pan rather than wait for a plate. If only they had been somewhere private, then he could devour her the way he wanted to.

Finally breaking their kiss, she looked down at the offensive briefcase holding her keys hostage. Did it have any idea how much of a cock-block it was being right now? It had been months since the last time she'd been touched by a man, let alone a man who looked this good. He was tall and handsome and charming, and judging by what was pressing against her stomach he was also hung like a horse. His lips travelled down her neck, sucking at the pulsing vein as a hand pulled one her legs to wrap around his hip. Dear God, if this stupid briefcase didn't give up those keys right now she was going to throw it in the fireplace the second she didn't finally get inside. His head lifted from her neck, and there were those blue eyes.

"What's the hold up?" He asked.

Amy's expression turned shy, and she unhooked her leg from his body and placed her foot back on the floor.

"I can't find my keys."

Before she could even think he'd grabbed her hips and spun her around. She was sandwiched between the solid door and his hard-as-stone torso pressing into her back. She could feel his breath on her neck as he leaned into her, forcing her to absorb some of his weight. The closeness of his body and her vulnerable position sent a chill over her that made her nipples harden.

"Let me help you," he all but growled.

His hand dipped into her bag and immediately she heard a jingle as he held the keys up in the air.

"Looking for these?"

She smiled with disbelief as she took the keys from him.

"Another one of your acquired skills?"

"No. That was luck."

He stepped back, allowing her enough from to breath and unlock the door. Her hands shook as she undid the deadbolt and the spicy scent she was secreting grew stronger. With the door finally open she dropped her things on the floor in the foyer and turned to face him. This was the moment she'd been waiting for.

"So, would you like to-?"

The shrill ring of a phone halted her sentence, and annoyance flashed over her face.

"Excuse me."

As she headed further into the apartment Joshua's fist banged against the wooden trim on the door frame. He was really starting to become frustrated. First they'd taken a wrong turn on the way to her apartment, then her keys had gone missing, and now the phone was ringing. His patience was beginning to grow thin, and his jaw was beginning to ache as he fought against his needs.

"Sorry about that," she said, returning to the door. "That was my boss, the unappreciative dickwad. He needs some help on a last minute project, and I need to be back at the office in a few hours. It looks like we'll have to put tonight on hold until another day."

'Fuck,' he thought.

But he kept his little outburst to himself.

"Are you sure you don't want to invite me in, just for a few minutes? I was so looking forward to my night with you, Amy."

He ended his sentence by running a slow finger down the center of her body, from her lips, between her breasts, to just below her belly button. Her response was a whiff of spices, but he felt her denial before she spoke it.

"Sorry Charlie, this is important. It could mean that promotion I want so badly. But, just because tonight has to end prematurely doesn't mean we can't try again another time."

Her hand crossed the threshold back into the hallway and she handed him a business card.

"Call me?"

Joshua captured her hand before she could steal it back, and he took the card before kissing her knuckles.

"Sure thing."

Once her door closed Joshua turned his back and rolled his eyes as he stuffed the card into his pocket. All of that time and energy spent on her and he'd gotten nothing in return. Sure, he had her number, and he was willing to bet she'd jump at the chance to meet with him if he ever did call, but he was here now. He needed someone now, damn it. There were just a few more hours until sunrise.

A week had passed since then, and Joshua had spent his evenings spread between half a dozen women since then. All of them had fulfilled their purpose perfectly and his record of never having been turned down was still intact, all except for Amy. That was the reason he was going to see her tonight.

At this hour the streets of New York weren't empty, but they looked damn near deserted compared to how they looked during the day. At least, what he'd heard about daytime New York. It'd been a long time since he'd been able to roam the streets during the day.

His blacked out Mercedes CL65 rolled through the empty streets, passing cobblestone apartments and newly city planted trees. It was quiet for the most part except for the occasional wailing of sirens in the distance. It took him a few minutes to finally find a parking place a few spots down from her building. The pavement was shining with a layer of freshly fallen dew, and rocks crunched under his expensive loafers. He passed the night guard at the door on his way inside.

The older black man merely tipped his hat and waved him by. The sooner the young man left, the sooner he could go back to dozing at his post. Taking the elevator up to the third floor he strolled down the modern hallway to apartment 324. He could smell her already, her dark spicy scent creeping out through the crack under the door. The fragrance made an ache of wanting roll through his jaw. He knocked on the door, his knuckles rapping twice on the wood. He heard her footsteps as she hurried over, and the door was flung open.

"Hey," she smiled, taking in his dark slacks and fitted black sweater.

"Hello."

She raised her right wrist, checking the time on her slim gold watch.

"It's nearly eleven o'clock."

Joshua's response was a relaxed shrug.

"I had a late meeting," he lied.

"Must have been important."

"Not really. It was kind of a snooze fest."

Amy nodded, trying to fight the smile on her pink lips. She was trying to camouflage her excitement, playing it coy and cool.

"Well, would you like to come in?"

His jaw throbbed a little harder and he smiled whole heartedly.

"I'd love too."

Inside, the apartment was modest and simplistic. A dark wooden table with a silver lamp sat just inside the door, her purse and keys resting on top. Beyond that was a small living room, which housed a new flat screen TV and a plush green sofa.

"Sorry, it's a little messy," she said, indicating the stacks of stuffed manila folders in the corner.

"It's quite alright." He turned to face her. "I'm not that particular about my surroundings."

"Sounds like you're calling yourself easy."

"Hmm, not easy, more laid-back."

His crystal gaze grew more intense as he took a step toward her. Amy could feel the mood in the room darken with his energy. The air seemed thick, and between her legs her panties grew damp.

"Where I grew up, if a girl was laid-back like that, she was easy."

The sentence left her lips, hanging in the air during a moment of silence. Then a force pushed against her, and Amy suddenly found herself perched on the foyer table. Joshua stood between her knees, holding her there.

"How do you move so fast?" She asked, breathless.

His sudden surprise movements were thrilling and exciting. To her, he was mysterious, and spontaneous.

Leaning close to her, he brushed his lips over her cheek. It must have been a chilly night, here in New York, because the frigid air had cooled his skin considerably.

"Magic powers," he whispered to her.

"Magic? The only magic people I've heard of are those things on the news, and you're not one of those. Right?"

He knew what 'things' she was referring too. Vampires. When he didn't respond to her question, her pulse began to quicken as fear and confusion set in. Her blood raced so fast that he could see the pulsing of her arteries through her skin.

"Joshua?"

Her voice trembled as she spoke his name, and she reached up to touch his face. He'd just added the element of danger to his allure, the spicy aroma only grew stronger. She touched his cheek, her eyes drawn to his mouth. He parted his lips and bared his teeth, allowing his fangs to slide down. They were long and white, sharp as the tip of a knife. They gleamed in the light of the little lamp behind her.

"You are a vampire," she whispered.

Her voice held much more astonishment than fear.

"I am."

She stared at his fangs for a long moment, finally pulling her eyes up to meet his.

"I've never met a vampire before."

"I can assure you, you have. You just didn't know what they were."

Her eyes wandered down his body, from his chiseled jaw to his Adam's apple, down to his chest.

"Are you afraid?"

He knew that she was not, simply because he did not want her to be. Amy shook her head, putting her hands to his chest. Her palm rested between his pecs where she should have been able to feel his heart beat. There was nothing. But, she could feel the coolness of his skin through the fabric.

"No, I'm sure that if you wanted to hurt me you probably could have done it already."

His hands spanned her hips, pulling her closer to the edge of the small table, and therefore closer to him. He could feel the heat from her groin radiating out between her thighs.

"I definitely would have done it by now," his voice full of certainty. "Unless my intentions were to toy with you first."

He felt her sharp intake of breathe. Her pulse continued to race, her beating heart echoing so loudly it clouded all his thoughts. His fangs were growing a mind of their own, wanting to reach out to her and pierce her flesh. How would she taste? Bitter? Sweet? She smelled like vanilla, maybe she would taste the same.

"But that is not my intention," he reassured. "There are much more fun things I can think of doing with you, than harming you."

Amy smiled, only slightly relieved.

"I-I heard a rumor," she stammered. "That a vampire bite during sex is like, the ultimate high for a human."

Joshua nodded, running a hand through the ends of her hair.

"It is. A bite in the beginning heightens your senses, sends your libido into overdrive. Every touch, every move, will feel more intense than ever before. And a bite at the point of orgasm... well, I've been told that it's indescribable."

Amy had been listening with interest, her eyes growing wide with curiosity at every detail he shared.

"Won't the bite make the human into a vampire?"

Joshua shook his head.

"Old wives tale."

"Really?"

"Oh, absolutely."

He wove his hand deep into her hair this time. Playing with the strands was calming her speeding pulse. He didn't want her too worked up, or she'd overcook herself when he did bite her.

"Do you want to try it?" He suggested. "I promise it'll be our little secret."

Amy's eyes rose to his again, and he stared into them. He seeped into her, slipping into her mind and unlocking her deepest thoughts. She wanted to be bitten. It was naughty, and adventurous. And above all, her parents would hate the idea of their little girl opening her legs -and her veins- to a vampire. He loved it when the humans had Daddy issues; it made things a lot easier for him.

Slowly she turned her head, pushing her brunette locks behind her shoulders. Her gaze fell to the floor as she tilted her jaw. Her neck, covered with smooth sun kissed skin, was stretched out before him. She looked nervous, and her blood pulsed strongly.

Without hesitation he leaned into her, biting down forcefully. His fangs tore through her skin, and she gasped at the sharp pain and the soothing endorphins that followed immediately after. The blood rushed into his mouth, warm and sweet as he took deep, long pulls.

By 4am Joshua was back in his Mercedes, heading home to upstate New York. You'd think that with such a dense population as New York, most vampires would like to live in the city. Some do. But the smart ones live out of town, where the streets have dirt shoulders and the neighbors' house is at least twenty feet away. In the city there's too many eyes watching to be able to maintain any sense of anonymity, but it was prime hunting ground. Not that hunting humans was something any self-respecting vampire would do.

It is strictly prohibited by the government. And by government, that's vampire government, not human. Even though vampires had ousted themselves and revealed the truth about their existence over five years ago, little had been done to acknowledge their presence. They aren't protected by laws pertaining to civil rights, gender equality, affirmative action, driver's licenses, DUI regulations, or even marriage or divorce. Subsequently, they are not subject to punishment for disobeying laws.

For one, they aren't considered true men or women, so they aren't specified in any laws. For two, how do you punish a vampire? They're hard to catch. Any vampire can move with the speed of light, and the oldest of the race have the ability to fly. But even if you could catch one, it wasn't easy to subdue one. With superhuman strength and bodies as tough as chiseled granite it wasn't easy to get the best of one. And if you did, you'd better have a pair of silver handcuffs with you to keep it under control, because silver is the only mineral that effects them. But, then where would you keep it? You'd have to have a light-tight space with silver bars. Hanging up garlic or crucifixes won't do anything, except give you a smelly room with bad décor. Plus, vampire prisoners would bring a new meaning to the sentence Life without Parole, and bring a heavy burden to the already struggling tax payers. So, for the most part humans have left vampires alone.

They're a tight community governed by district managers, who report to an elite group of generals, who report to the Queen. She set their rules, regulations, and presides over all trials. There is no House of Representative, Senate, or Supreme Court; only her word, passed down through the iron fists of her Generals. Joshua is one of those Generals.

Miles out of the city, nestled up against a hill topped with a navy blue sky and twinkling stars, Joshua's CL65 pulled up to a wooden two story house. The paint on the outside was white and weathered, worn around the edges. The garage opened and he pulled in, a young girl who looked to be about 17 stood in the doorway.

"Welcome home, Master," she greeted him when he stepped out of the car.

"Sandra," he nodded to her. "I'm sure you took care of everything while I was away."

"Yes. I cleaned up the basement, and scrubbed the carpet in the entryway, and ran your bathe as requested."

"I did not request a bathe," he corrected.

Sandra's eyes lowered, and she began to nervously fidget with the uniform. Her pale blonde hair was pulled tight into a ponytail, hanging down to the base of her neck. She was a new vampire, barely two years old, and Joshua had ended up with her by mistake. A vampire drinking from a human would have only temporary effects on the mortal, but a human drinking from a vampire? The effects become obvious immediately. First convulsions and spasming, until the human fears they may break their own back from the pressure. Then they body will begin to fail; liver, kidneys, lungs all halt, until eventually the heart stops. The next step is crucial to the transformation. The dead human must be taken to hallowed ground and buried in a shallow grave. An hour or so will pass before a new breed will dig itself out of the grave. Dirt will fly, screeching will fill the air, and the dead human will emerge vampire.

As a rule, vampire makers are to be responsible for their "children" until they could properly care for themselves. The first thing the newborn will want to do -the only thing it will be able to comprehend- is feed. Baby vampires are incredibly strong, and awkward with their new bodies. They must be taught to live all over again, from walking, to hunting, how to live safely, and what new laws to obey. But newborns are also rogue during their first few hours, and if their master isn't waiting there with a supply of fresh blood, any unsuspecting human in a several mile radius is in grave danger. Entire towns can be obliterated in a single night. And if the maker was careless enough to bury the human too close to dawn; the baby would crawl from the grave, only to burn to death at the first ray of sunshine. There were makers who liked to fry their children just for the fun of it, and that was where Joshua stepped in. Vampire on vampire murder was strictly prohibited by the Queen, and as a General he enforced her laws up and down the East coast.

He 'd gone to pay Sandra's maker a house call one night, after having received a tip that he had a habit of turning young humans just to watch them burn. When Joshua arrived, Sandra was laying in an upstairs bedroom, her heart completely stalled. Joshua had taken her to a nearby cemetery, and buried her in the back near the fence. When she emerged, he was waiting. She'd spent her entire vampire life with him, cooking, cleaning and tending to all his need; and in exchange he offered her protection, a home, and a willing powerful teacher to show her everything she'd need to know. He taught her to jump, to hide, and to feed. She was now learning how to read minds, and hopefully one day he'd teach her to fly. She admired him, respected him, and adored him.

"I'm sorry, my Lord," she spoke finally. "I just assumed that when you returned…"

Joshua silenced her nervous ramble by placing a hand on her shoulder. He smiled softly at her small frame.

"Don't worry, your intuition was right. I could use a bath before bed."

Sandra nodded, and he turned away from her, heading farther into the old farm house. The door to the basement was in the kitchen, marked by a simple white door with a brass knob. Down the old creaky steps there was a long hallway, decorated like something out of eighteenth century Paris. Red crushed velvet fabric draped the walls, and painting by Van Gough and de Goya hung over nearly ancient gold candelabras. These were their living quarters, where they stayed during the day. The lack of windows kept the sunlight out, and the subterranean infrastructure insured that it would never be more than 70 degrees, regardless of how hot the summers got. Everything was decorated in the same historic design. It reminded him the most of home, or how "home" used to be.

Joshua moved down the hall, to the second to the last door on the left. It housed her personal bathroom, which also connected into his personal sleep quarters. A large copper claw foot tub sat in the middle of the room, steam rising from the water. White candles of various sizes cast glows and shadows as they flickered from their places in the corners. Joshua moved to the counter, stopping in front of the rod iron mirror. His reflection was hazy and murky, a side effect of having gone a day without feeding. It would return to normal when the human blood in his stomach was finally digested. While Joshua chose to make his diet purely of human blood, vampire to vampire feeding was the best. Human blood was thin, and provided little substance for the complicated inner workings of a vampire's body.

Drinking from a fellow vampire provided all the nourishment needed, and could keep the urge to feed at bay for weeks. With humans, feeding was required almost daily. For Joshua, the daily challenge of finding a new human was part of the appeal. He enjoyed the daily conquests, and the variation of flavors never got boring. Every human tasted different. People of the South had a spicy, Cajun kick to their blood, and Californians sometimes had a fishy, breezy, salt-water aftertaste. Those from Florida were citrusy, and mortals from the Middle West were a little bland. But even within regions there were variations. Virgins were rich and chocolaty, and drug addicts were sugary and made you feel hyper.

Vampire blood offered little in the way of flavor, but the effects were euphoric. Their fangs were tipped in the sort of venom the induced endorphins to mask the pain their pray would undoubtly feel. While vampires produced the venom, they weren't necessarily immune to it. Being bitten by a fellow vampire gave them the same high as the humans, and their already stellar libidos went into overtime. The urge to bite back was instinctual, and since your partner was already a vampire, you could give in to your urge without fear of having to care for a newborn. But the exchanging of blood caused vampires to imprint, a sense of ownership and entitlement falling over them. An imprinted male was of no use to anyone other than his female, because she became all he thought about it, and he spent every moment of the rest of his eternity protecting her. Because of the imprinting most vampires are mated with their first bit for life, and Joshua had no use for a partner. An eternity of companionship by the same woman -living, dead, or otherwise- was enough to drive any man insane. Besides, he enjoyed the variety of flavors available to his sophisticated palette, and he'd never been one for sharing his coffin anyway.

"My Lord, fresh towels?"

The silence was broken by Sandra's voice. He turned to find her in the doorway, a stack of bright white towels in her thin arms. She had pale green eyes that always flicked to his, and then away, and if she wanted to say something but never could.

"Yes, thank you."

He motioned for her to enter, and she placed them on the table in the corner. Then she turned to him, and move to his side.

"My Lord," she began. "Would you like me to summon a giver for you?"

Joshua grimaced at the notion. Givers were vampire whores, paid by the hour to give blood and fulfill sexual fantasies.

"No, that won't be necessary."

"But Master," she protested. "You must be starving. Your reflection is nearly gone. If you don't feed soon you'll get sick, and I don't know if the Queen will be able to find another General to replace you. I know you don't like the Givers, but they're around for a reason. Won't you please consider-?"

"Shhh…."

He calmed her rant with a low hiss of his voice as he touched her smooth cheek.

"Sweet Sandra," he cooed. "Don't worry. Your Master isn't going anywhere. I'm over 550 years old; it would take more than missing a few feedings to get rid of me. Besides, I did feed."

He turned back to the mirror, where his reflection was as solid as everything else in the room.

"See, it's coming back already."

He smiled reassuringly, and she grinned back.

"Go now," he told her. "It's nearly dawn, time for bed."

He could sense the sun, just barely beginning to creep its way toward the horizon. All vampires had their own internal solar clock. You could consider it self-preservation, or maybe it had something to do with all of Darwin's theories.

"Yes, Master."

Sandra bowed and headed out of the room. He could hear her as she made way down the hall to her own room. When her door closed Joshua returned to his own business. With the sun on the rise and the bath water beginning to cool he was running out of time.

A cream button down was undone and dropped to the floor, revealing the sculpted body underneath. With hard muscle stretched under pale lifeless skin he looked more like a marble Michelangelo statue than a real live man. His dark hair was cute short, having been kept that way since he cut it in 1861 to fight in the American Civil War. His strong Roman nose and masculine jaw had been passed down from his family when he was born in 1432. The only decoration his skin bore was the small tattoo on the back of his neck that all Generals received on the day they're appointed. It was a series of three tally marks, simple black lines made out of ash and tapped into the skin by the pricking of a bamboo stick. It was an ancient tattoo method, dating back thousands of years.

Stepping into the tub, Joshua sighed as the water enveloped him. He was anxious to wash the smell of the human, Amy, from his body. She hadn't been too thrilled when he climbed out of her bed and started to pull his clothes back on after sucking blood from her collarbone and releasing himself inside her. She, like most of the other humans he'd been with had thought it'd been true love. But that was a side effect of the venom, completely out of Joshua's control. So whatever heartbreak they felt was not his problem. All he needed from them was a little blood, and in return he gave them the best fuck of their lives. You don't live 578 years without picking up a couple of tricks. The unparalleled strength and endless stamina didn't hurt either.

No, the pain Amy was feeling right now was not his fault. In a few days the bite would heal and he would be completely out of her life without a trace.

Gone.

He shouldn't have been going out tonight. A storm had settled over the Upper East coast, lighting the sky with big bright bolts that followed thunder cracks echoing like sonic booms. Sandra was no fan of thunder and lightning. Her true maker had taken her on a night like this, using the noise of the storm to cover his tracks as he crept into her bedroom in the middle of the night and stole her from her bed. Usually on nights like this Joshua stayed home with her, passing the time with extra lessons on vampire do's and don'ts. But tonight the idea of staying home didn't appeal to him in the slightest. The air held a distinct chill, and the darkness seemed to be whispering to him.

Come play…

Rising from his coffin, Joshua set his copy of The Vampire Lestat to the side and headed to the closet. He had planned to stay in, but now that he was leaving he'd need to hurry or he wouldn't have enough time to accomplish his mission and return home before sunrise. Life as a vampire was a constant rat race to beat the sun.

He pulled open two large doors, revealing his walk-in closet. It was stocked with black clothes, boots for work and loafers for play. He saw no need to ever wear bright colors. He was a creature of the night, a child of darkness, and he may as well live up to that reputation. He chose a pair of freshly pressed black slacks and a black button down. Simple, mysterious, sophisticated.

Then he turned to the metal cabinet mounted on the wall. Unclipping the latch he opened it to reveal an array of weapons, a small percentage of his personal arsenal. There were wooden stakes and silver knives. Metal balls with sharp spikes and grenades still attached to their pins. On one panel off to the right was a display of guns in various calibers, loaded with silver bullets. Though tonight he was not on duty, and wasn't suspecting any trouble, he always liked to have a friend in the car, just in case he needed it. He picked out a nine-millimeter and checked the clip before heading out of the closet to change. By the time he had showered, dressed, and gone through his grooming routine it was nearly midnight.

"Sandra!"

His voice echoed through the small farm house. She hadn't been downstairs in the living quarters, so he knew she was on one of the upper levels; most likely in the kitchen. He'd just pushed open the swinging kitchen when she stood up to answer his call.

"Master?"

Joshua took in her steaming coffee mug on the table. Probably herbal tea. It was a habit from her human life that she had yet to let go of. The mug was an old one he'd picked up while living in China in the 1700's, and he smiled at the memory.

"Relax," he told her. "I don't need anything."

Sandra returned to her brown wooden chair at the kitchen table. Her tiny hands wrapped around the mug and they shook slightly as she lifted it to her lips.

"I'm going to the city."

Her eyes rose sharply and she jumped from her seat.

"My Lord-."

"I should not be gone long."

"But, my Lord-."

"We have been over this numerous times, Sandra. You are safe here. Few people know what and where we are, and those who do would never attempt to break into the home of a General."

"But Master I-."

"Am still frightened?"

She nodded, dropping her gaze with shame. What half decent vampire was afraid of something as simple as thunder? They weren't supposed to fear the things that go bump in the night; they were the things that go bump in the night. Joshua read the thoughts passing through her mind, and put his arms around her. Sandra accepted his embrace, wrapping her thin arms around his trim waist. He was hard and cool, his skin just the slightest bit clammy. All of these were traits that would have been considered turn offs in the human world. Humans preferred their mates to be warm, and soft. But in the vampire world, Joshua was pure vampiric perfection.

"Do not be afraid," he said. "It is just a storm. It will pass just like all the others."

He pulled back to look at her, and cupped her chin to turn her face up toward him.

"And do not be ashamed of your fears. It means there is still something human in you, and that cannot be bad."

"Yes, Master," Sandra whispered.

Joshua stepped back, collecting himself and ending the moment. Then he left the kitchen and headed for the garage. Sandra followed.

"Now, you will stay indoors, and you will phone me at the first sign of any trouble."

"Yes, my Lord."

"You will go into the basement if anything happens-."

"And I will summon the other Generals if needed. I know the routine, my Lord."

Joshua paused at the doorway to the garage and nodded to her. She was turning into a fine vampire. She'd make a great mate to a warrior, one day.

"I know you do," he said. "I also know that you will be fine."

When he turned to leave, her voice stopped him.

"Should I have a bath waiting for you when you return?"

He nodded.

"That would be appreciated."

Joshua went into the garage, climbing into the spotless Mercedes. He rolled down the driver's side window as the engine turned over and the garage entry door slide open.

"My Lord," Sandra called. "Please be careful."

It was pointless to tell a General to be careful. With their powers, strength, and training they were virtually unkillable, even by vampire standards. But regardless her Master nodded, acknowledging her request and backed away from the house.

He could sense her as soon as he stepped into MONROE'S. All vampires were equipped with special radar, allowing them to detect each other. It came in handy during times of danger. At first he'd thought another male had entered his space, seeking to seduce human females on his territory. But a quick scan of the room told him he'd been wrong. It was a female, a beautiful female. Her hair was short and red, worn in the finger wave style that reminded him of the late 1920's era. Her lips were blood red, and she sat in her white gown sipping a Ruby Manhattan.

Joshua narrowed his blue eyes, trying to get a feel for how old she was, but since all vampires froze as how they looked when they were turned, it was impossible for him to tell. She looked to be in her late 20's, but she'd always look that way, even if she were two-thousand. Feeling her stare, she looked over at him, and he gasped at her hazel eyes. They were mesmerizing. She was mesmerizing. She smiled at him, and he felt drawn to her side.

"I know all of the females in this district, and I do not recall ever seeing you before."

She sipped her Manhattan before replying.

"What makes you think you should know who I am?"

"Because I know everyone in my parish," he said. "And you are vampire, are you not?"

Her red lips parted, and pristine fangs slipped from her upper jaw.

"I'm Evangeline," she said, extending a hand to him.

Her skin was smooth, pale, and flawless. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles softly. It was a sign of respect in their culture. Since most vampires were many centuries old, they could remember a time when the men were rugged and the women were delicate. Many of them liked to pretend things were still that way.

"I am Joshua Chasez," he said.

"I know exactly who you are, Joshua," she told him. "You are one of our best Generals."

He shrugged modestly and glanced around. This wasn't the time or place to be discussing any details about their military organization.

"That is what they say."

"I've seen you fight," Evangeline replied. "What they say is the truth."

The bartender came over, and Joshua ordered his usual: straight whiskey. Evangeline asked for another Ruby Manhattan to replace the nearly empty glass before her. All that remained was a maraschino cherry.

"So, Evangeline-."

"Please, call me Eve."

Joshua nodded.

"As you wish. So, Eve, are you aware of how dangerous it is for a female to be in a place like this alone? You would be much safer in a Circle bar."

Circle bars were hangouts owned and operated by vampires, regulated by the various district managers. Circle bars got a few human visitors from time to time, but for the most part their patrons were vampire exclusive.

Eve turned up her nose at the idea.

"Circle bars are boring. Same old crowd of males I've been talking to for the past eight-hundred years. I'm sure they won't miss me for one night. Besides, I'm not alone. I'm waiting for my escort."

Joshua's eyebrows rose.

"Eight hundred years and I've never met you? How is that possible?"

"Joshua," she giggled. "Surely you can't think you know every vampire there is. We're a large race, and growing every day."

That was true. Vampires were spread all over the world in various kingdoms, and new makers were popping up with newborns all the time.

"And this escort of yours, where is he?"

Eve checked the delicate pearl watch on her wrist.

"He is late. How very unattractive."

"If we were at a Circle bar it wouldn't matter. But since we're out in the general public I feel compelled to stay with you."

"I assure you, General, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. You may have all the training, but I am just as strong as you are."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

He severely doubted this. While all vampires were strong, the training made a large difference. Just like humans, vampires could train to be faster and stronger if they wanted too.

"Alright, answer this question for me. You are exiting this establishment, alone, walking to your car -which I assume is parked around back on the left side. Three men follow you, and they intend on doing you harm. You cannot run, because that alley is a dead end. What do you do?"

"How do you know where my car is parked?"

"Process of elimination. I would have noticed it, had it been parked out front, and you do not look like the kind of female to park blocks away and walk."

Eve's eyes twinkled in the bar lights.

"And you were so modest before when I praised your position as General."

"I doubted that I am the best, but that does not mean that I am not still good at my job. Now tell me, what would you do?"

"If three men cornered me in the alley?"

"Yes."

Eve thought for a moment, and finally leaned back on her bar stool, turning her face toward the ceiling.

"Fly."

Joshua's expression became astonished. At nearly six-hundred years old he had only barely begun to experiment with his new flying capabilities. Here she was, speaking of it as if she did it all the time. Amazing.

The moment ended when Eve's head whipped toward the door. Joshua had felt it too. It was a presence, this time definitely male. He turned toward the bar's entrance and watched the new male as he made his way over to them. It was Simon Parker, a vampire he could remember seeing a few times before. Simon was no General, or even District Manager, just an ordinary male eager to imprint on a female as lovely as Evangeline.

"General," Simon greeted him when he finally reached their spot at the bar.

His voice held a slight venomous edge. Clearly, he wondered if the General had been trying to move in on his date. Simon was the operator of a Circle bookstore, and when his resume was compared against someone as charming and dashing as Joshua he had no chance with any female - human or vampire.

"Simon, it is good to see you again."

"Yes, it has been too many years. Evangeline, you look as exquisite as ever."

She smiled at his compliment, and an awkward silence fell between the three of them.

"Well, I will leave you two too your evening. Simon, take care." He shook the male's hand. "Eve, it was wonderful to have made your acquaintance. I hope another millennium doesn't go by before we meet again."

He took her hand and placed a goodbye kiss on her dainty knuckles.

"I assure you General," she purred. "It won't be that long."

Joshua excused himself, moving to the opposite end of the bar and distanced himself from the new couple. He tried to focus on his whiskey, and on scouting human women at the bar, but if he wasn't concentrating his gaze would drift back over to Eve. It seemed as though she had the attention of every male in the room, vampire and human alike. That was typical of a female of his kind. They were beautiful and magnetic, but Eve was enchanting. She was graceful and powerful. Joshua felt his fangs begin to slide down from their hiding place, a sure sign of lust.

Thankfully the pair left soon after, Eve being escorted out on Simon's arm. Joshua's eyes tracked them to the door like prey, and he sighed when it closed behind them. Now he could focus on his mission. He left with a voluptuous blonde named Maudette soon after.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Maudette asked for what felt like the tenth time.

Joshua was there, at the foot of the bed, pulling on his black slacks.

"No, I'm not kidding you," he answered. "I've never understood that human expression, 'are you kidding me?' You only ask that when you are upset, so it wouldn't be a very funny joke even if the other person actually were kidding."

"What the fuck does that have to do with anything? I can't believe you're leaving."

Maudette sat up in her bed, her face red with anger as she held the sheet over her bare breasts.

"I have too," Joshua defended, slipping on his shirt and doing up the buttons. "The sun will be rising soon."

Maudette's mood shifted from anger to disappointment. Her hand rubbed at her inner forearm, where two tiny puncture wounds were just beginning to close up. Joshua could hear her thoughts as he put on his shoes. She wondered when she'd see him again, and if he would have stayed the night had it not been for the sun. She also wondered how she'd cover the bite for work tomorrow.

"Do not worry about the bite. The wound will be closed by morning, and any shirt with sleeves will cover it."

Maudette's head snapped up.

"You can read my mind?"

"Yes."

Her face turned skeptical and suspicious.

"Did you do something to make me sleep with you? Hypnotize me or anything?"

"No. Vampires cannot hypnotize, we can only feel what thoughts are already in your head."

"Oh," she sounded.

He paused awkwardly before turning toward the open bedroom door.

"It was an... interesting evening, Maudette. Goodbye."

"Wait, can we get together again soon? I'm free tomorrow night."

"Sure," he told her. "I'll call you."

Joshua had already left the bedroom when he heard her yell.

"How can you call me, you didn't even ask me for my number?! I thought you liked me. I could kill you, you vampire asshole!"

'One problem,' he thought. 'I'm already dead.'

It was just after 3am and the sky was still pitch black as Joshua weaved his way along the countryside highway. He should have been much closer to home than he truly was, but he kept making all the wrong turns as he drove. His mind couldn't focus on anything, not even something as important as the impending sunrise. All he could seem to think about was Evangeline. She had been charming and witty, and had a complexion like smooth porcelain. Every time he looked out into the beam of his headlights, her face appeared with those hazel eyes burning as vivid as ever. Her eyes reminded him of a young girl he'd known a long time ago.

The year was 1505, and Egypt had just conquered Nubia after twelve years of war. The land was scorched from the blazing fires, covered in rubble and the blood of young warriors. Her name was Sabina, and she had been sweet and kind to a young creature of the night named Joshua. She'd given him shelter and a goat to feed from, and he'd never forgotten her hospitality. He'd been turned vampire just forty-two years prior, shortly after his thirtieth birthday. His maker had been somewhat decent, teaching him the basics of vampire-hood and keeping him just barely above the brink of starvation.

Now Joshua had branched off on his own, travelling on foot from place to place. With all of eternity left to see the world, there was still no time like the present to start. Sabina had been beautiful, with golden skin as deep as bronze and black hair as thick as lamb's wool. She had been wearing a dirty white gown when he met her, and her hazel eyes still haunted his dreams. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and her soul had been every bit as kind, honest, sensual, and inspiring as her irises had.

He had also been with her when she died, too short a time after they'd met. He'd had six short months with her before she died. Her face would still appear to him now and then, always in the strangest of places. Crowded bars, movie theatres, anywhere his heightened sense were overly stimulated. He'd glance into the crowd and there she'd be, staring wordlessly with those eyes.

When Joshua finally did make it home, Sandra was once again waiting for him in the doorway. She looked shaken, and relieved.

"My Lord," she began as soon as he opened the car door. "I was worried you would not be returning tonight. It is so close to dawn."

Joshua gathered his things, slipping the nine-millimeter into his waistband and out of Sandra's sight before getting out of the Mercedes.

"No need to worry, I simply lost track of time."

That did little to appease her. She still looked worried.

"My Lord, I received a message from the Queen."

This got Joshua's attention.

"When?"

"It came two hours ago. You are to report to her as soon as you return. It sounds urgent. Is everything alright?"

He didn't know what to say. A summons from the Queen so close to dawn was rare, but he had no idea what it was about, and didn't want to worry Sandra over what could turn out to be nothing.

"Everything is fine, Sweet Sandra," he said softly. "Do not fret, all the Queens business with me is urgent, though it rarely ever really is. Go and fetch my garments, will you?"

"Yes, my Lord."

Sandra hurried off, heading for the basement to gather Joshua's royal garments. When meeting with the Queen you wore a special suit made of silk. The loose fitting pants and button up top resembled those of human pajamas, but for vampires they were a tradition. The pattern was based off of their ancient battle attire; loose and breathable, ideal for fighting in. The color of your garments mirrored your station. Common vampires wore white, District Managers in grey. Generals wore red, and members of the royal family wore blue. Only the King wore the suit in black.

When he heard Sandra exit his room Joshua hurried down the stairs, finding his suit laid out on the coffin he slept in. He changed quickly, donning the red suit and putting on the General medallion. He didn't arm himself with any weapons. The castle was secure, crawling with guards who had weapons of their own.

He didn't bother saying goodbye to Sandra as he moved to the door at the end of the basement hall. All of the Generals' homes had an underground tunnel leading to the Queen. For most of them the tunnel had to cover hundreds of miles, linking into abandoned tunnels and old railway systems. But with their speed they could cover the distance within minutes rather than hours, and the direct lines allowed them nearly immediate access to the Queen in times of need. Average vampires didn't have this access, and would have to plan for days and spend several nights traveling to meet with the Queen.

Joshua opened the door to the tunnel and broke out in a dead run, moving as quickly as his stone feet would carry him. He ran for miles, so fast that he couldn't pick out any of the markings to alert him of his surroundings. The walls blurred together like hazy megaliths. It only took him a few minutes to reach the heavy double doors that marked the entrance to the underground castle. The Queen made her home under the most powerful area in the country: Washington D.C.

Before Joshua could knock, one of the thick doors opened, and a young male vampire stood before him. He wore black eyeliner in the winged style of Cleopatra, the traditional white pants of a royal servant, and a gold arm band etched with the Queens name: Kiana.

"Welcome General," he said. "The Queen has been expecting you. Please follow me."

Joshua followed as the servant turned and headed further into the castle, crossing a large room with old pillars that held up the ceiling and candles that cast shadows on the walls. The servant couldn't have been more than fourteen, but Joshua did not get the feeling that he had been turned. He was a pure bred, born to mated vampire parents. They must have done something to gravely upset the Queen, if their son was playing the role of a common servant to the royal court. Their footsteps echoed quietly on the marble floor as the boy led Joshua into a large room, decorated in gold and white.

"Wait here," he instructed. "The Queen will be with you shortly."

While he waited, Joshua took in his surroundings. He had been here, in the Queens day room, many times before. Murals of great wars were sketched on the walls, different battles over the years to unite vampire kingdoms. Queen Kiana now ruled the entire Northern hemisphere when previously it had been broken up into dozens of tiny powerless Kingdoms. King Theodore had spent his life uniting them, and the vampire King of Europe didn't like the power Queen Kiana now held.

"Joshua!"

He heard her voice before she appeared before him, sweeping into the room followed by a trail of lavender chiffon trains. She floated over to him, extending a hand weighted down with antique diamond rings.

"My Queen."

Joshua bowed, kissing her hand before righting himself. Queen Kiana was alluring, with almond shaped brown eyes and a smile that seemed to stretch for miles. The Queen always wore her fangs extended, because in her court there was no one to hide from. She'd been in her 30's when she was turned, but she was much older than Joshua. Her human life had begun back in the days of the Vikings, and she had been good friends with King Eirik Bloodaxe, before his death in 934. Queen Kiana had inherited the throne from her royal mate, Theodore, after he'd been killed in a fire doing battle in Croatia. With no male heir to take the throne, she'd been ruling the Queendom for more than a hundred years.

"You look as handsome as ever. Same crystal eyes, same luscious dark hair, and I suspect..."

Her fingers gripped his jaw, pulling his mouth open. He extended her fangs, and let out a low growl.

"Yes, I was right. Same deliciously pointed fangs. I trust you're still up to your old tricks, fucking and feeding from humans then disappearing by dawn. How many half-breed children do you have now?"

Joshua smirked at her back as she left him and walked toward her lone throne in the center of the room.

"None that I'm aware off."

"Too bad," she said, settling down into the cushions. "Your genes would pass on beautifully. When are you going to settle down with a gorgeous mate and give me more children for my court? I have a feeling your male offspring would turn out to be even better Generals than you are."

"Offspring may come, in due time. But, I have no use for a mate."

The Queen sat back in her throne, eyeing him knowingly. She ran a tongue over the tip of one of her fangs before speaking.

"Joshua, how long have I known you? Four, five hundred years now? When I met you, you were just a baby; a terrified newborn, dying to break away from that horrid maker of yours. You were eager to see the world! Cross the Aegean, climb the Himalayas; build a homestead in the New World. Then I saw you again a few decades later, in Spain. You were just shy of 60, but you seemed to have aged centuries since I'd last seen you."

Joshua struggled to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He knew where this little trip down memory lane was headed, and he was looking for the off ramp.

"I know Sabina's dying hurt you quite a bit. I know you loved her, and you would have turned her and mated her had you been given the opportunity."

"No," he interrupted. "I never would have turned her. I would have-."

"Mated her as a human? Taken her around the world with you? Had a half-breed child and played the role of adoring vampire family man? Either way, vampire or not, you would have stayed with her every moment of her life. But that was ages ago, Joshua. How long must you mourn her before you will move on and find a new mate?"

"I appreciate the concern, your Majesty, but finding a mate is not my focus at the moment. Being a good Master to Sandra, and a loyal General to you, are my only concerns as of late."

Queen Kiana nodded.

"Loyalty was always one of your strongest attributes, Joshua. That is why I have summoned you. I need a trusted friend to look after someone close to me."

"Like a babysitter?"

Her eyes narrowed at his interruption, a blatant sign of disrespect. Joshua backed down, lowering his head and closing his mouth.

"Like a bodyguard," she corrected. "A dear friend of mine has just come into town, and she is unmated. She has no male to look after her, and I worry about her safety. The humans are still jittery about our existence, and a lone female like her is vulnerable to assault. True females of worth are hard to come by these days, we must keep her safe until she returns home."

Joshua's brow furrowed as he thought over the offer. No matter how the Queen worded it, it still sounded like a babysitting job to him, and he was too old to be running around looking after newborns.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, I'm sure there are others much more qualified than I-."

"You are one of my best Generals, Joshua, the oldest in my court. You are well-trained and protective, and above all you are trustworthy. I would not normally ask this of you but I have known her for nearly a thousand years and I cannot sleep during the day if I am not assured that she is in the best of care. I promise you, she won't be much trouble. Her name is Evangeline DeLoncra, and she is staying in the city."

Joshua's heart skipped a beat -well, it would have if it had been beating. He was being asked to look after Evangeline, the woman from MONROE'S? Excitement set in at the idea of spending more time with her. Her being a friend to the Queen seemingly made her sudden appearance sensible. How could he refuse the opportunity? Not only did he not want to refuse it, but he didn't even have the option too. It was an order from the Queen. He had to obey.

"Highness," he said. "As always, it will be my pleasure to serve you."

"Great!" She rejoiced. "I am so glad you see things my way. You never know, Joshua, you may even end up enjoying her company. You two have so much in common."

Joshua remained silent, his mind still reeling with this sudden change of circumstances.

"I trust you will protect her with your life, as you would if it were me."

"Of course, my Queen."

She nodded, both thanking him for his service and dismissing his presence. He bowed to her before turning his back and heading for the door.

It had been much easier than it should have been for Joshua to find out where Evangeline was staying. Apparently she'd been out causing quite the commotion in New York, and handing out her temporary address willy-nilly. Now he understood why Queen Kiana had asked him to look after her. Carelessness like that was not only dangerous for Eve, but for every vampire she associated with. While the General didn't exactly care for Simon, that didn't mean he wanted to see him hurt or kidnapped for some coo-coo human experiment.

It was Friday night and Joshua had been awake for hours, impatiently waiting for the sun to set. Sandra was still in her room asleep as the last rays of the sun were blocked by the rolling hills behind his home. He picked out his usual uniform of black slacks and a black shirt, but this time he pulled out a black suit jacket and tie to go along with it. He spent a few additional minutes in the shower and even went the extra mile and sprayed on cologne.

By the time he left his room and headed upstairs, Sandra was already in the dining room working on her chores. He kept two swords on display by the door -mostly in case of emergency, but also for decor- and she was sharpening them on a gray slab of stone. Her blonde hair was back in her daily ponytail, and he imagined that if she were still alive her cheeks would be flushed pink by how hard she was rubbing the metal against the stone. Sparks flashed around her, falling to the floor.

Joshua stepped forward, reaching around her to take the sword from her hands. Apparently Sandra had been too entranced in her work to hear his approach, because she let out a scream and whirled around. Her newly formed fangs were extended and she growled as her body coiled to strike. She looked truly frightening. But as quickly as she'd gotten into position, she got out of it and dropped to her knees on the hardwood floor.

"Master, I'm so sorry," she blurted quickly. "I didn't hear you. I'm so sorry."

Joshua extended his hand, pulling her up from the floor.

"Don't apologize. It gave me an opportunity to realize how well I've taught you. Though, if you had been more in tune with your senses you would have heard me approaching."

"Yes, my Lord. I apologize."

Joshua turned to her, giving her a stern look.

"Don't apologize," he said again. "Learn."

Sandra nodded and Joshua turned to the stone slab on the table. He raised the sword, examining the edge. Just as he suspected, there were nicks.

"You needn't be so forceful with the sword. It dates back to the Dark Ages, older than you, and even older than I. It knows its purpose; it simply needs us to help it along."

As he spoke he began to sharpen the sword, gliding it gently down the edge of the stone. The scrapping of the metal echoed softly as he pulled it slowly from handle to tip. Then he reached over, taking a silent Sandra's hand and pulling her to his side. He put the navy blue handle in her palm, and covered her fingers with his. He guided the sword along the stone again, painstakingly slowly.

"Feel the difference?" He asked. "The vibration is smoother, because there is little resistance. The sword sharpens itself; you're merely helping it keep balance."

Sandra nodded, trying to focus on the sword in her hands, absorbing Joshua's technique. But as hard as she tried to focus, she couldn't. His head was just beyond her shoulder as he leaned over her, his melodic voice seeping into her ear. Her keen senses where totally tuned into him now. She could feel the coolness of his torso as it pressed into her back and the roughness of his worn fingers as he held her hand. The cherry bark drops that had been mixed into his cologne wafted in the air around her. Sandra had to fight the urge to relax and lean back against him.

"Understand?"

His question pulled her back into reality and she realized he had stopped moving.

"Yes, Master." Her voice was shaky. "I understand."

His hand left hers and she immediately felt the emptiness in the space where he had been.

"I have to go into the city again tonight, and I am not sure when I will return."

It wasn't the first time he'd had to leave Sandra indefinitely, he did it often as a working General who had to travel the East Coast to keep order. But it was the first time he'd done it on such short notice.

"My Lord?"

"Nothing is wrong," he assured. "I'm doing a favor to the Queen. A trusted friend to the Royal Court has come into town and is in need of protection."

Sandra's brow furrowed.

"What male of worth wouldn't be able to defend himself?"

"It is a female, and she has no suitor."

The young girl's eyes widened ever so slightly as she sucked in a shallow breath.

"A female?"

Joshua nodded, pulling his car keys from the hook on the wall in the entry way and a black wool coat from the closet. Sandra watched him with curious eyes as he gathered his things. Usually when he left on business he was stony and emotionless, focused and determined. But this time he seemed nervous and excited. She wished her mind reading capabilities were more perfected so she could understand what his interest was in this royal "favor". She looked down at his feet and took in the expensive black loafers. She knew then this wasn't as much about business as he was making it out to be. Loafers were for play, boots were for work. However, it was probably good that she couldn't read him because he'd undoubtly sense it, and she knew he wouldn't appreciate the spying.

"I will return when I can. It should not be more than a couple of days."

"Yes, my Lord."

She followed him to the door to the garage. He pressed the button causing the large entry door to slide open, and he turned back to look at her. She grew nervous as his eyes roamed over her, taking in the ponytail, the uniform, and the beautiful pale face forever frozen in the prime of her youth.

"You will be fine," he said.

He left her, getting into the Mercedes and backing out of the garage. She wanted to tell him to be careful, but there was no point in saying that to a General.

Evangeline lived in Gotham City, uptown New York, in a basement that had been remodeled into an apartment. He could tell from the outside that the few small windows barely above ground level had been boarded over with thick wooden boards to keep the light out. Taking the concrete steps two at a time he made way down to her front door, and tried the knob. It was unlocked. Pushing it open he was met with a dark room, occupied by a red velvet sofa and a simple oak coffee table. An old television sat at one end of the room, and an antique stereo in the corner. A tall blue vase holding a damp umbrella sat by the door.

The record player was on, quietly singing the jazzy tunes of Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton. The whole thing reminded him of the days of prohibition, fat cat gangsters, and the short time he'd spent with Harvey John Bailey just before he joined up with George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Queen Kiana hadn't been too pleased to hear about his involvement in that.

Tuning out the music, Joshua could make out the faint sound of a brush. The rustling of the bristles as they passed through the hair were distinct. He had brushed Sabina's hair hundreds of times, feeling the fine strands slip between his fingers. She would sit on the floor, between his knees, and lean against his leg as he'd work from ends to roots and remove all the knots and debris from her work during the day. It was a sound he'd always remember.

Passing through the living room there was a small kitchen to the left, a tiny bathroom to the right, and a bedroom at the end. He followed the noise into the bedroom. A small lamp was sitting on the vanity, casting a dim glow through the room. Evangeline was sitting there, running the brush through her waves. Her reflection was strong in the mirror, and her lips were once again painted red.

Joshua took a step into the room and the floor creaked beneath his feet. Evangeline moved like lightening, one moment she was sitting calmly in her chair, the next she was in front of him, her fangs elongated and her eyes dark as night. She hissed as her hand shot out to strike him, and he grabbed her wrist just before she made contact. She looked startled for a moment and then all of her features relaxed.

"General, you of all people should know not to sneak up on a vampire."

That was the second time he'd done that so far tonight. Apparently his mission was to test the reflexes of every vampire he came in contact with.

"I'm sorry. I thought you'd hear me when I first entered."

Eve sighed and turned back to her mirror, continuing to fix her hair.

"I was off in my own world I guess. What are you doing here anyway? How did you know where I was?"

The General in him woke up, and he took on an authoritative stance.

"It was entirely too easy for me find you. I called two male vampires and it would appear that everyone in the district knows where you are. Do you realize what kind of danger you are putting yourself in?"

He didn't have to read her mind to know that she wanted to roll her eyes.

"Sorry, General," she said. "Next time I go out I'll try not to have a good time and invite a few friends over. But, that still doesn't explain what you're doing here."

"The Queen asked me to come. She's worried about your safety while you're here in New York. She asked that I stick close to you."

The brush stopped and Eve looked over at him.

"Like a babysitter?"

See, he wasn't the only one who thought this whole ordeal sounded strange.

"Like a bodyguard."

Eve giggled.

"General, I told you before that I am capable of taking care of myself. Besides, most humans would rather run away from me than try to hurt me."

Joshua did not speak, but looked around her temporary bedroom. The paint on the walls was chipped, and the bed was covered in a cream quilt with an old antique doll resting by the pillows. That struck him as strange.

"General? Are you listening?"

Joshua's attention snapped back to Eve.

"What?"

"I said you don't have to stay, I'm perfectly safe."

"Ability to fly does not make you safe," he said. "Who knows what you'd do if someone attacked you in a place with a ceiling."

"That's simple. I'd throw my drink in their face. Seriously, General, go enjoy your evening. I'll be fine."

She turned back to her mirror and continued her brushing, expecting him to leave. A moment passed before she looked back at him, and for the first time she got the impression that he was set on staying.

"Seriously?" She questioned.

Joshua shrugged, palms up toward the roof.

"The Royal Court insists."

That was a clever way of saying 'the Queen is making me and there's nothing I can do about it'. But secretly he had no intention of leaving, whether the Queen had ordered it or not. He had the chance to spend time with this woman who had bewitched him, and he was going to take it. Eve rolled her eyes and the last few strokes of her brush were rather aggressive.

"I'm going to kill Kiana for this."

Joshua smirked. He'd never heard anyone freely refer to the Queen by her first name before. The two must have shared a friendship that ran incredibly deep. While Eve finished her priming -spritzing on perfume and dabbing powder onto her nose- Joshua's eyes scanned the room again, and once again they focused on the bed. Once again, it struck him as odd.

"What?" Eve questioned, pulling a fur shawl from the small closet. "Never seen a little girl's doll before?" She teased.

"I've seen a doll, but I've never seen a vampire with a bed before. You don't sleep in a coffin?"

Eve turned to look at her bed, her face thoughtful as if she hadn't really considered it before.

"An old habit I kept from my human life," she explained. "I used to love getting under the covers, hearing the rustling of the sheets. And with this room being light-tight there's no reason not to. Besides, those coffins are so stuffy and confined. I couldn't sleep in one of those if I tried."

Joshua smirked at the teasing tone in her voice, and watched as she picked up the old doll.

"And the doll?" He asked.

"This was my daughters. Her name was Madeline."

Surprise registered on his face.

"You had a child?"

Eve nodded.

"She died many, many years ago. She was a half-breed, and she lived into her late 70's. I was too afraid of being a mother, and I gave her up to a lovely couple who couldn't have their own children. But the guilt wore on me terribly. I'd spy on her when I could. I watched her sneak out of the house late at night, and I was there when she went to her first formal ball, her wedding, the Christening of her son. She'd been told I'd died during childbirth, so I could never approach her, but I was always there watching from a distance."

Eve stared at the doll hard, her mind going back years to relive all the milestones of her daughter's life. For a moment there was a look of happiness, and then her expression grew grime.

"It is hard for any Mother to watch her baby go before she does, even if she wasn't there as much as she should have been."

Joshua listened silently. He'd never had any children, but he admired the way she smiled fondly at the dolls cracked porcelain face. But the moment was fleeting, and she set it back down on the bed.

"So," she said. "Are you ready to go?"

The trip to Midtown Manhattan was uneventful. They were mostly quiet during the drive, and Joshua's usually silent car had soft contemporary music playing in the background. Eve insisted on having some noise to help ease the tension. He got the distinct impression that Eve insisted on a lot of things.

"Is this how fast you normally drive?" She asked.

Her eyes peered over at the speed-o-meter, and her lips pressed into a thin line when she saw he was only going thirty.

"Yes. Am I supposed to be going faster?"

Eve shrugged, settling back into her seat.

"I just don't understand the point of buying a car with a v12 engine when obviously you'd have been fine with a v4."

He smirked at her undercover insult. Eve was a clever girl. Human or vampire, nothing got to a man like talking about his horse power. His foot applied a little more pressure to the gas pedal and the engine roared as their speed increased.

It didn't take very long for them to reach the little gallery that would be hosting tonight's wine tasting event. It was a small building with a rough brick exterior and crisp white walls on the interior. Joshua found a parking spot a few buildings down and parallel parked with ease.

"Smooth," Eve commented.

Joshua climbed out of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk next to Eve, the car horn honked as he set the alarm. Small rocks crunched beneath her heels as they made their way down the block toward the small gallery. Eve seemed perfectly at ease, fidgeting with the ends of her hair and lightly patting the make-up on her cheeks. But Joshua could feel a certain twinge in the air. His senses told him they weren't along. Someone was lurking nearby, in the shadows. His eyes quickly darted from left to right, spotting the dark alleyway just as three men stepped out. They all had tanned skin and thick dark hair. They wore big puffy jackets and baggy jeans. That was another human trend he'd never understand: baggy jeans. He remembered when jeans had first been invented. They had been meant for hard labor, for putting in long hours on the farm and roping cattle, not for showing off the pattern on your boxer shorts.

"Excuse me, I'm tryin' to put some gas in my car so I can get back to Brooklyn. Do you have a couple dollars you can spare?"

Joshua shook his head, watching as the three men split up. The tallest of the three was the one who spoke, and he moved to Joshua's right while the other two flanked his left.

"No," Joshua said. "I don't. Sorry."

He continued walking, thinking maybe the men weren't going to be any trouble after all. But then he heard a surprised gasp come from Evangeline. He turned around to find her standing a mere foot or so behind him, the man's hand wrapped tightly around her pale arm.

"What about you, suga?" The man asked. "Got any change?"

Joshua turned his body toward them. Instinctively his muscles tightened, his shoulders pushed back, and he seemed to grow taller.

"She does not," he answered for her. "Let her go."

The man looked annoyed, rolling his dark eyes.

"Yo, I wasn't talking to you, man.'

He turned his attention back to Eve, who was still eyeing the man's fingers pressing into her skin. Joshua's senses focused on his surroundings. He couldn't smell anyone else besides their little group, and didn't hear any approaching steps. They were alone on this tiny street. The two smaller men to the side didn't seem like they wanted that much involvement. They weren't the least bit tense or defensive, and were removed from the situation as they leaned back against the buildings brick wall and chuckled at the scene before them. The idiot with the grip on Eve seemed to be their courageous leader. And he was being overly confident about his size and street smart education. This would be easy.

"You have ten seconds to let go of her."

Again the man rolled his eyes, still looking at Eve.

"What's your boyfriend's problem?"

Eve raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow.

"If I were you, I'd listen to him."

The man looked skeptical as he eyed Joshua. The General's blue eyes narrowed on him.

"Five seconds left."

"You better listen," Eve said.

"I'll take my chances."

The street was silent for a beat, and then Joshua spoke again.

"Times up."

The vampire moved with such speed and precision that even Eve's advanced eyesight had trouble keeping up with him. Joshua rushed forward, forcefully peeling the thick fingers from Eve's arm. Before the man could think to protest, he had no idea what hit him - literally. Joshua punched him two, three, four times - all in quick succession. When the man hit the ground he was holding one hand over his bleeding nose and the other to his abused abdomen. Joshua turned, his smoldering stare settling on the two men who'd been laughing earlier. Now they were plastered against the bricks, their eyes wide with shock as their friend withered on the ground in pain. A low growl resonated in the air as his fangs slid down into place. They gleamed in the reflection of the street lamps, and he growled again.

"Shit man, they're vampires."

Without hesitation both men took off in a sprint going the opposite direction. Like many soldiers he'd seen in the past, they became cowards when there was no leadership. Joshua turned and looked down at the man on the ground. This time his eyes showed no cockiness or annoyance, just awe and fear. He wouldn't be going anywhere on his own, but Joshua had a feeling his buddies of his would be back for him once the coast was clear. So, he took Eve's arm -much more gently than the barbarian had- and resumed their walk toward the gallery.

"Are you alright?" He asked after a few quiet steps.

"Fine," she said. "I guess I was wrong about you, General. Maybe spending the evening with you won't be so bad after all."

Inside the gallery a makeshift bar and several tables had been set up. At each table there was a wine expert, explaining what made their particular type or brand so special. Toward the back of the room there were more tables where patrons could sit and enjoy their buzz. This is where Evangeline had decided to set-up shop.

"So, after Rome, where did you end up?"

She had been regaling Joshua with her life story, tales of how she'd met a young future Queen Kiana, her days spent as a follower of the God Dionysus, and all of the trouble she'd gotten into before making the voyage to the New World.

"After that I went to good 'ole Parie."

"Paris in the 1880's? That must have been exquisite."

"Oh, it was," she smiled. "Gustave Eiffel was just beginning construction on his 'love letter to the Industrial Revolution'."

"The Eiffel Tower."

Eve's face lit up.

"Yes! You know the expression?"

"Oh yes. Legend has it that Gustave saw the Revolution as the future, a way of creating new and exciting art, and the beginning of a magical world. So, he built the tower, his love letter, to embrace, celebrate, and encourage these new industrial advances."

"That's no legend," Eve said. "It'd all true. Gustave was so excited and optimistic about the future. I wish he could have seen the world as it is today, even just for a moment."

"Why? It'd only depress him. All of the violence, chaos, hatred-."

"But the beauty! The skyscrapers, the new engineering opportunities, space shuttles, art installations-."

"Massacres, pollution, disease, poverty. Yes, I'd really want to come back from the dead to see all of this."

Eve mock glared at him and took a sip from her crystal wine glass.

"Careful General, you're turning into a buzz kill."

He smiled, swirling around his whiskey glass.

"I apologize. From now on I'll attempt to see the beauty mixed in amongst all this disorder."

"Disorder? You sound just like a military man, all order and organization."

"There is nothing wrong with seeing pain and wanting to help heal it rather than ignore it."

Eve sat quietly, observing his posture. He appeared relaxed to the naked eye, but an old vampire could see the way his tense muscles were coiled, ready to spring at the first sign of trouble. Obviously he was taking his job as her guardian very seriously.

"Is that why you became a General? To help heal our race?"

When he heard the amused sarcastic tone in her voice his gaze shot over to her. His blue eyes frosted over like ice.

"Have you any idea the pain our race endures? Makers create children jus to listen to them scream as they roast in the sun. Rogue vampires attack innocent human families in rural areas, just for the fun of it because humans put all their faith in the smell of roasted garlic. Secret government labs kidnap our young and lock them in cages to be tortured and tested for the source of the immortality powers in our blood. Rival kingdoms seek to destroy us and take over the vast territory Queen Kiana controls. They'll kill the men, and turn civilian women like you into blood whores and feed off of you until you waste away and become nothing more than a breathing pile of dust. I'd say our race needs a lot of healing, and there's nothing funny about it."

Eve had no witty reply for him, and after a few seconds the new found stress seemed to ease from Joshua's body.

"You take your position very seriously, don't you?" She asked.

Joshua thought it over, thinking of Sandra and all the young vampires he watched over.

"At this moment somewhere in my district, there is a young boy just waking up. He's going to climb out of his coffin -or bed- and head off to begin his day. He'll feed; do his chores, study, and maybe even train. And he's going to be able to do that without worrying about someone trying to kill him, or trap him as their pet. He's going to do it without wondering if this will be his last meal, or if today will be the day that his maker finally tires of him and casts him out hours just before dawn. He's going to wake up secure in the knowledge that he is protected. He will know that because I am his General, and I have sworn to spend the rest of eternity protecting him, or to die trying."

Eve still said nothing, and in fact looked a bit humbled by his words. That hadn't been Joshua's intentions, but when he thought of Sandra and the state she'd been in when he found her, he couldn't help the passion and intensity that was radiating out of him now.

"I'm sorry," he said, taking a big gulp from his glass. "I don't mean to lecture you. You are older than I and have no doubt seen some tragic things. But I have been a General for many decades, and you would be shocked at the atrocities I have seen."

Eve nodded, speaking for the first time.

"I can only imagine."

A peaceful silence fell over them and Joshua focused on the gallery. Bright lights lit up every corner of the lush space, and chatty, happily-drunken couples milled from table to table. It wasn't until Eve's hand landed on his thigh that he turned back to her. Her hazel eyes were soft and honest, her expressions sincere and not the least bit flirtatious or playful. This was the most beautiful he'd seen her look since meeting her.

"Thank you," she said. "For outside earlier with those men, and for your service. In all my years I have never felt safer than I do right now, sitting here with you."

Joshua reached down, taking a hold of her long slender fingers and raising them to his lips. She smelled like vanilla, and he placed a soft kiss on her knuckled before peering at her through his lashes.

"It is my pleasure, Lady Evangeline."

Eve smiled politely at the use of her proper title, and withdrew her hand when he didn't immediately let go of it.

"I see that all the stories about you are true, not just the courageous ones."

He grinned knowingly and leaned back on his stool.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh sure," she grinned back. "You and I both know how much of a playboy you are."

"I'm not a playboy; I'm just actively searching for 'the one'."

"Sure, 'the human one'."

"Humans aren't so bad."

Eve snorted and swatted her hand through the air in dismissal of his comment.

"They're useless. The best thing that ever happened to me was being turned."

Joshua took a sip of whiskey.

"I like the humans," he said softly. "When I'm with them I can smell the sun on them. That is what I miss about my human life: the sun warming my skin as my siblings and I raced around the hillside behind our home."

"But General, even with the scent of day, don't you find being with humans a bit of an inconvenience? It must be difficult to control yourself when they are so fragile. Have you ever even tried being with a female vampire before?"

Joshua cleared his throat and shifted in his seat, but he refused to meet her eyes. Eve's smile grew wide.

"Oh my, isn't this something? Humans have the Surgeon General, we have the Virgin General."

There was a nickname Joshua didn't care for. He glanced around nervously to make sure no one had overheard.

"I'm hardly a virgin."

"In our world you are. I can't believe you haven't tried it! There's nothing like it, you're really missing out."

"That may be, but please, don't spread that bit of information around. You may be only visiting, but I have a reputation to uphold here."

Once again Eve's hand landed on his thigh, but this time there was nothing humble about the look she gave him. Her eyes grew deep and intense, and the corners of her mouth curled in a mysterious, sultry smile.

"Let me know if you're ever interested in changing that. I'd love the opportunity to repay some of the hospitality you've shown me."

Her hand squeezed his firm thigh, and her desire ran through him like the rippling waves of an earthquake. He'd been approached by women of his race numerous times before, but this was the first time he'd ever actually considered taking one up on her offer.

The door to Evangeline's apartment burst open, and two bodies came tumbling in out of the cold. They were too wrapped up in each other to bother with the lights, or to even attempt to watch where they were going for that matter. It had been this way the entire drive back to her place, all kissing and groping and foggy windows. The normally slow driving CL65 had certainly gotten a chance to stretch its legs tonight.

Joshua kicked the door closed and turned the deadbolt as soon as it shut. Eve was on him in an instant, her cold lips igniting a fire that burned from his mouth, down his chest, into his groin, and out his toes. She pulled off the fur shawl that had been masking her bare shoulders and dropped it on the floor before launching herself at him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and the momentum sent him stumbling into the blue vase by the door. She heard the china decoration fall against the floor, but whether or not it broke she didn't know nor did she care to look. All that mattered to her right now was the feel of Joshua's lips against hers, the taste of his tongue as it twirled with hers, and the strength of his hands as they cupped her ass, holding her body flush against him.

Their lip-lock was blazing hot, tongue battling and teeth scraping soft flesh. Finally he set her feet back on the floor, pushing her back and into the wall behind her. She hit it with a thud, but it didn't faze her in the slightest. Now he understood what she'd meant when she asked if it was hard for him to control himself. That action required minimal effort on his part, but if he'd been that rough with any ordinary woman they'd probably have a concussion. But Eve was different. Though she looked delicate her body had something in common with his. Both were rock hard and difficult to damage. His mouth watered at the realization of how indestructible she was, and it made him hard just to think about.

Eve waited patiently while he removed his suit jacket and tie, dropping them both to the floor one after the other. She pulled off her heels, and plastered her body against the wall in a pose that arched her back and showed off the feminine curve of her breasts. In an instant Joshua was pressed against her again, smothering her with his body. Rough fingers fondled her breasts through the fabric of her dress and his mouth sought out her neck. He didn't bite, but sucked at her skin, electing deep moans from her throat.

Shoving him hard, Eve put some distance between them and sent him tumbling onto the sofa. The expression on his face showed he was clearly surprised the piece of furniture was even there. For someone as focused and precise as he'd been earlier by the alley, he sure was clumsy now. She smirked at him, slinking her body over to where he lay on his back and crawling over him. Her dress rode high on her peaches and cream thighs as she settled on top of him. She could feel his arousal between her legs, straining against the metal zipper, begging for the opportunity to escape and receive some attention.

Her hips started a slow teasing grind against him, and whittled away at any slight reservation he might have had about sleeping with her. He sat up, his mouth capturing hers again. His tongue brushing against one of her perfect fangs and it sent a chill through him. The dark spicy scent coming from her tickled his nose and he couldn't wait any longer. He had to have her, had to feel her, now! Reaching down, he hiked her dress up to her waist and yanked on the panties serving as one of the two barriers between them. They tore with ease. The barrier disappeared, becoming just a piece of fabric in his hand.

Before he could do anything more Eve forced him down onto his back once again. Swift fingers tore at the dress shirt covering his torso, not bothering to undo any of the buttons, but instead ripping it open down the middle. Her panting filled the air as she marveled at his body. He was pale and sculpted; his chest rose and fell with every unnecessary breath he took. Eve had a feeling she was really going to enjoy this. She'd wanted him since the moment she laid eyes on him at MONROE'S, and now the moment was here. Ecstasy was so painstakingly close.

He watched as she undid his belt, followed by the button and zipper on his pants. He was glad she actually took the time to undo them properly rather than rip them off the way she could have. Driving home without a shirt was one thing, but driving with no pants was something completely different. Joshua lost his train of thought when she grabbed a hold of his member, pulling it free of its prison. Her slim fingers wrapped around it tightly, pulsing in a delectable rhythm that made his toes curl. Clearly Evangeline was no virgin either, and she took pleasure in watching him wither and moan beneath her. But she had needs too, and the aching at her core reminded her of what it was she truly needed. Sitting up on her knees she positioned her entrance over him, pressing the tip of his organ against it. With a slight bit of pressure he slid insides, and they both inhaled a deep breath.

It was unlike anything he'd ever experiences before. She was typically cool, yet somehow warm at the same time. She was small, and soft, and experienced as she made her muscles squeeze him in waves. Her mouth opened and deadly fangs stared back at him. Beginning her slow grind once again, she was the perfect manifestation of deathly beautiful. Her white skin and hazel eyes were remarkable, but those pointed teeth provided an element of danger no woman he'd ever slept with had possessed before.

For Joshua it was sensory overload, and his head fell back against the sofa cushion. Evangeline stared down at him, relishing in the vibrations his body sent through her. He was long and sturdy, and with every upward movement of his hips he pressed into her deeper and deeper. If sex like this was the trade-off she got for giving up her days of tanning, she'd happily say goodbye to the sun any day of the week. Looking down at him now, she had a feeling he'd probably agree with her. His blue eyes were squeezed shut, and his mouth hung open, his fangs barely peeking out past his lips.

The tilt of his head stretched his neck, displaying the taut muscles under his skin. She could picture his veins, pumping pints of blood through his skilled body. A male of his age would have sweet blood, thick with the venom that kept them alive. She could taste him already, his lifeline dripping into her mouth, wetting her tongue. He'd taste good. So, so good. And she'd be the only one to ever have tasted him.

Without warning Joshua's eyes shot open in response to the pain he felt. All he could see was a cloud of this red hair as Eve bit into him. There was pain, an intense all-consuming pain, but that lasted only a second. Quickly the venom set in, triggering the endorphins. They felt amazing, and JC went into a state of euphoria were everything was pleasant and peaceful. He felt elated, an all-consuming feeling of joy and happiness. He felt her taking deep swallows, her fangs pressing into him as her hips continued their erotic swirl over his pelvis. It was like the best of both worlds, and as the fog settled in Joshua couldn't even think to tell her 'no'.

The following morning -or night- arrived quickly, and the first thing Joshua noticed was that he was not lying in his own coffin. This one was too soft and plush and warm to be his sleeping quarter.

My Eve.

The words flashed before his eyes clear as day and it made him sit straight up in bed. Bed. That's where he was, in a bed. Evangeline's to be exact. Well, that certainly explained all the softness. He hadn't actually slept in a bed in years, decade's maybe. It was… different. But waking up here that meant he'd slept here. He never spent the entire night with anyone. Ever. At least, not until now.

Joshua looked around, seeing the vanity where Eve had been brushing her hair when he first arrived, and the small closet to the left with the door still open. Then he looked down next to him, and there she lay in all her midnight glory. She was sleeping like a child, her body so motionless that if he didn't know any better he'd swear she was dead. Just beyond her, on the floor, was her daughter's doll, the face turned away from them. It was probably better that way. He couldn't remember everything they'd done the previous night, but what he could remember was definitely not something for that poor innocent children's toy to witness. Eve shifted next to him, a gentle sigh escaping her lips.

My Eve.

There it was again. Those words. That mysterious airy voice -that sounded strangely close to his own- speaking softly in his head.

Eve. Eve. My Eve. She's mine.

Joshua looked down at Eve again, seeing her red hair and the smeared red lipstick on her lips. She was his. His alone. And she would be, forever. He'd been so wrong before about not needing a companion, about not wanting a relationship with any female vampires. Queen Kiana had been right; it was time for him to move on. And he would, with Eve. They'd be mated, then they'd buy a home, and they'd be happy together. Eventually he would retire from his position as General, and maybe they'd have a pure bred child of their own. But looking down at her again, he realized the most important thing. Tonight would be the first of many nights that he'd wake up next to her. It was something he could get used too. He could even get used to the bed, if he had too.

"I've got to speak with her, now!"

The boy at the door rolled his Cleopatra eyes, still blocking the entry way with his slim body as if that were really what was stopping Joshua from coming in.

"I've already told you the Queen isn't receiving tonight. Send your request by messenger and the Court will invite you when needed."

The boy moved to close the door, and Joshua leaned into it with his shoulder, effectively holding it open.

"Tell her it's General Chasez. I'm sure she'll make an exception."

"Not tonight," the boy grunted.

He threw his full servant weight against the door, but it didn't budge. He tried again, but still the General didn't move. Finally, exasperated and exhausted, the boy stopped trying and looked at him wide eyed.

"This is the Royal Court! You come here, demanding an audience with the Queen. Have you no sense of tradition?"

It was true, Joshua had forgotten his traditions. He wasn't wearing the traditional red uniform, or even the General medallion he was required to wear. He'd climbed from Eve's bed and come straight to the underground palace, disregarding the lack of buttons on his open shirt. His matter with the Queen was urgent, of the utmost importance, and he didn't have time to follow protocol. Tradition would have to wait.

"Just tell her who it is. She'll see me."

She had too. He didn't know what he'd do if he had to wait another day -or possibly longer- to speak with her. The servant boy opened his mouth, but it was not his voice that echoed from inside the vast foyer.

"It's alright Nebel," Queen Kiana spoke. "I will see the General, just to put an end to all this noise if nothing else. Show him to my day room."

The boy bowed obediently, his eyes shooting daggers at Joshua. Clearly this kid was a stickler for the rules. He opened the door and allowed Joshua to enter, securing the door behind him once he did.

"Follow me," he muttered.

The boy began a brisk walk toward the day room, the same room Joshua had met with her in just forty-eight hours prior. He didn't see the Queen anywhere during his walk, but he knew she was around. Once again the servant left him alone in the room, but this time it didn't take nearly as long for her the Queen to enter. She flounced in, a bright orange and yellow train following behind her. She went straight to her throne, her eyes bearing the expression of annoyance and a little curiosity.

"Alright General, you've got my staff up in arms over your little intrusion. What's so important? This had better be good."

Joshua took a deep breath.

"I need your permission to be mated to Evangeline."

The Queen's eyebrows shot up and she looked at him in disbelief.

"Well, well, well, isn't this a surprise turn of events Mr. I-have-no-use-for-a-mate."

Joshua ignored her, focusing on his sole purpose for this visit. She wasn't going to derail him from his mission with her teasing.

"I need your permission. She is of the Royal Court -Lady Eve- is she not?"

The vampire Queen nodded.

"She is one of my most trusted advisors, yes. But, General, you can't honestly want to mate her. You only met her yesterday."

Technically he'd known her for three days, but that was beside the point.

"I am in love."

"Oh boy." The Queen's eyes rolled and she sank back into her throne. "Spoken like an imprinted male."

Realizing what she'd just said, her eyes narrowed on him. He did sound strangely like an imprinted male, but there was no way that was possible. Or so she thought. Suddenly her General grew very nervous as he shifted his feet.

"There's something to this story that you aren't telling me. What happened?"

His feet shifted again, and her eyes narrowed further, and her voice became low and menacing.

"You didn't by any chance feed her, did you?"

Joshua said nothing, and she quickly grew tired of his silent game. She shot up from her chair, fast as lightening, and shoved his head to the side so she could examine his neck. She found two small puncture wounds, bright pink as they worked to heal.

"General Chasez, are you out of your mind?!"

Her voice bounced off the walls, echoing over and over long after she'd spoken. Her fangs seemed to extend even further, and her eyes blazed with anger. Kicking out a smooth bare leg from beneath her long dress she knocked his knees out from under him, leaving him flat on his back on the floor. It was the second time in twenty-four hours that a woman had been able to catch him off-guard, but this time it was due solely to the fact that she was much older, and therefore stronger. Queen Kiana loomed over him, her eyes glowing red and her words spilling out as angry growls.

"I charge you with the simple task of guarding a member of my court, and you come back two days later, barging into my palace with no sense of tradition, honor, or respect, just to tell me you've imprinted?! I know your reputation is that of a dog, but I expected you to show some self-discipline when it came to our own race. You were to protect her, not sleep with her, and certainly not feed her!"

The heated words of her rant echoed on long after she was finished, and she straightened up, allowing Joshua to sit up as well. Sitting down on the floor, she towered over him. It wasn't often that the General felt intimidating, but he did now.

"Did you at least think to feed from her in the middle of all this mess?"

Joshua sighed.

"I did not."

The Queen cursed, turning her back and heading back to her throne. Joshua climbed to his feet, hanging his head. She was right; he had ignored his duties and given in to physical desires. He couldn't help it. He'd been enchanted by her since he first laid eyes on her in the bar, and there was no way he'd been able to turn down her offer once she voiced it. But the biting, however, hadn't exactly been his fault. Besides, he regretted none of it. Evangeline was perfect for him. She reminded him so much of Sabina, and he hadn't felt this way about any woman since her. The Queen had said she wanted him to have children, now she was one stop closer to getting her wish.

"You did not feed from her, Joshua."

The Queen rubbed her forehead. She looked tired and irritated.

"She has not imprinted on you. She will not mate you. You are an imprinted male with no mate!"

Joshua's eyes shot up to hers.

"She will," he said. "I am certain she will. Eve and I are a match in every way. A lady of worth and an advisor to the Queen? Who should be more perfect for her than a General? She will imprint, and we will be mated, with your blessing."

The Queen looked at him. She stayed silent for a beat, then her eyes rolled and she waved a hand at him.

"Fine. By all means go mate her. You have my royal blessing."