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The Vampire in the Night

By Kendo Kawabata

Dedicated to Alexiel Czackes. For not since Buffy have I enjoyed Vampires this much.

The sounds of the theatre below filled the night sky through the skylight in the middle of the domed ceiling. The set was modern, all lights and razzle dazzle with no sense of actual class involved. The stage held onto two words to declare what it was spectating that evening, but it was the most famous two words in the current of current cult favourites.

American Idol.

"So, this twit says that Paul McCartney was his so called muse as he grew up" a speaker at the rim of the skylight said as he peered down at the stage with nothing but contempt for the young looking wolf who belted out some overdone song.

"Baby I love the way you say you love me all the time" he almost seemed to whine out as he held the microphone as close to his mouth without inhaling it as he highpitched the highnotes, causing the audience to erupt in screams, mostly from hysteric females.

"Bah. They call this a song?" he growled as his eyes flashed red in annoyance.

The speaker was a deceptively young looking dark brown lion who stood balanced impossibly on the edge of the skylight and peered down, one fist under his chin as he gazed down with a stone cold glare. The suit he wore was centuries past in its elegance, but was preened and cared for so well that it seemed almost brand new. Cascades of snow white hair fell past his shoulders, although tainted with almost non existing shadows. A pitch black cloak completed the elegant look, but it remained still around his form.

"I'm willing to bet you'd love someone like Anthony Warlow to come onto stage and sing them into shame, am I right?" said a second speaker who sat beside him. Another lion, also young looking, but more modern looking sat at the edge, peering down as well. Tawny brown with hair the colour of soft sand, he sat dressed in black pants with a white ruffle collared shirt. He adjusted the blue lensed glasses on his nose and smiled up at his companion.

"In full costume. I would insist on it" the other lion said as he seemed almost ready to spit on the performer as his annoyingly high pitched notes caused every girl in the audience to scream in hysterics. "Bah. This boy wouldn't know music if it bit him on his unattractive ass" he snarled, his cool features twisting in his revulsion as he stroked his chin.

"Well, you've had enough practice. Perhaps you could go down there and show them how it's done" the second lion said as he swung his legs back and forth a little as he too peered down. He also couldn't stand the crap that was going on beneath them. "I still love the way you sang 'I dreamed a dream' from Les Miserable " he said with admiration in his voice.

"And give that dried up old hack Stevie Tyler a reason to boot me offstage because I'm not some sixteen year old tart willing to show a little boob?" the standing lion said with a smirk. "Besides, this whole competition has gone downhill since they went for looks rather than a passion for the music. And anyway, Simon Cowell made it interesting. He could insult and be funny at the same time" he said with a light smile.

"At least Simon made the auditions worth watching" the sitting lion said as he carefully got himself up and walked over to join the standing lion.

"Indeed" he said with a nod as he dismissed the spectacle beneath them as he turned to his companion. "So, my dear little thrall, shall we go somewhere else? The night is still young, and you know we can go anywhere" he said with a loving smile.

"Alexi, you know I would follow you anywhere," the lion said with a smile as he looked at him, but his smile faded somewhat. "But some of us have to work in the morning. Although I'm willing to bet you've forgotten about that" he added.

Alexi smiled, showing perfectly white teeth as he cupped the smaller lions chin in his hand and gently lifted his face so that their eyes met.

"Daniel, I might be old, but I haven't forgotten what it is like to be mortal" he said with a smile that only was meant for his mortal lover. Daniel smiled. Alexis cold fingers should have made him shiver, but they just caressed his face in a lovingly cool embrace. "But you are right. The night might be young, but you aren't ready to stay up for it" he said softly.

Daniel nodded with a soft smile as he gazed into Alexis deep eyes. He barely felt the chill of the mist that rose up out of nowhere around them that cloaked them in a see through shield. But he heard the rustling of the cape that flew around them both and enveloped them in darkness as they vanished from the spot.

"Hard to believe last night actually happened" Daniel said as he stared into the mirror above the sink in his closet-like bathroom. He had woken up that morning safe and sound in his bed, no sign of Alexi, or any indication that he had even been in his room to undress his lover and place him in his bed. Each night spent with him felt like it should have been a dream, but the mark on his neck was a constant reminder that it wasn't.

Alexi was a vampire. How old, Daniel didn't know. But the vampire had told him he was close to five hundred odd years old, and had come from the country of Romania, which he refused to call anything else. How he had ended up in Australia, he wasn't sure. The lions looks did nothing to betray his age, but despite being what he was, Daniel had discovered there was more to him than just a classy appearance.

Some of the myths of vampires, he had been told, were true. Bram Stoker had wrote a pretty fable, but he didn't need to travel with dirt. It was just a clumsy hindrance and entirely unnecessary. And having a harem of women at his every step? Not a chance.

Stephen King wrote about the legends convincingly. Alexi wondered if the author knew more then he let on, for he had most of it right. And although the film was good, vampires didn't live in the sewers. They had far more dignity then that.

Buffy was also a source for correctness. Although it was true that to be turned you had to drink the blood offered by a vampire, it had to be done a total of three times, and with the sires blood drunk a total of three times as well. And a demon didn't steal your soul and live in your corpse. That part was wrong. The only thing that changed was the fact that you could live with what you did. You're sense of guilt was no longer hindered.

Although while many of their tricks were 'Scare the tourists crap', as Spike had so britishly put it, said tricks had to be taught by Gypsies from his homeland. Alexi had learned such tricks, in return for the favour that he wouldn't hunt on Romanian lands.

But when asked about the current fandom of Twilight, Alexi had glared in such a way that he could have melted steel and said only "If I ever meet that Stephanie Meyer bitch, I will drag her from her house and into the sun and show her just how sparkly I can be while I burn her under the sun."

Daniel had wisely not asked what he thought of Pattison and Stewart, although the memory, while frightening at the time, did make him smile to envision such an act. All of this he had learned after the first bite had happened. That night, as he had laid in Alexis bed, he had been bitten and become a thrall. A thrall was a mortal who offered their blood to a vampire for nothing more then to willingly feed them. Although Alexi had stressed that he only drank to keep his body keeping young and healthy despite his age. To keep him 'revitalised', as he put it.

But Daniel had drunk the vampires blood twice so far, although he had been bitten numerous times. He knew Alexi would not bite him a third time to change him, unless Daniel was ready to die, and then be reborn.

He smiled now as he remembered the first time he had drunk the vampires blood. It had been a surreal experience, like he didn't know he was doing it as he saw himself doing it. He felt sometimes like he had trouble actually realising the things happening around him were real. He touched the mark on his neck, the reminder that told him it was true, before turning the shower on and stepping into the tiny space he was allowed to clean himself with.

Daniel worked on an island resort off the coast of the northern part of Queensland. A steward, a person who cleaned dishes in the resort kitchens and cleaned said kitchens, he had worked for three years and had outlasted a great many others who had worked in the department. One half of the island was dedicated to the paying guests. A total of six themed restaurants, Asian, Italian, French, Seafood, a breakfast and lunch restaurant respectively, two major pools, both offering salt and fresh water, a night time bar, a shopping promenade, hiking trails, watersports (the non sexual kind) and many other activities were offered to those who could pay to afford them.

The other half was hidden away to accommodate the staff. A total that ranged between three to five hundred staff was on the island at any given time. An open air staff bar, staff diner, swimming pool, beach, gym, corner store and internet cafe were offered to the staff. Thankfully, they had their own accommodation, although the two storied buildings were big enough to hold only a bed, and a little extra room for personal apparel and depending on the level, a balcony or verandah.

Daniel had an upstairs room in one of the many blocks of staff accommodation. He finished his shower and stepped out, seeing a morning rerun of Futurama, yet another hundred run episode of the time skips and the Harlem Globetrotters was playing on his television as he dried off his hair. He tossed the towel away before grabbing his plain blue uniform to get ready for work. He didn't want to go.

Although he had been on the island for three years, and had outlasted the other stewards that came and went, for the resort had a very large staff turnover rate, he was still in a lowly position. The problem, that he saw it, was that he was passed over each and everytime a supervisor had either quit or left, and someone else had received it. After working the am, the day and the pm shifts, after working in each of the restaurants, from asian to staff diner, and being able to handle up to three hundred and fifty guests at once with no help in the breakfast restaurant, it was never enough.

He sighed a bit as he adjusted his belt and sat down on his unmade bed to pull his boots on. The current supervisor was a horse named Sam, who had been on the island only three months, the mandatory probation period, before he was handed the position. Although he had been a good worker to start off, the moment he was given authority it slipped.

Sam was known to sleep during his shifts, or watch movies, only popping in now and then to make an appearance to show he was actually 'working'. He was almost next to useless in organising anything, was either late starting or leaving early, was suspected of drinking on the job, and had once turned up with the suspicious smell of weed on his shirt.

And yet management refused to get rid of him. Daniel snarled a little as he tied up his black boots and stood up finish grooming himself to look presentable. Today, he was working in the staff diner, on the day shift and he wasn't looking forward to it as he headed out of his room, locking the door behind him.

By the time he came back, nine hours later, eight working hours and one lunch break, he was on the verge of tears and wanted to either kill someone, or curl up in his bed and cry until he had nothing left. He ended up choosing the latter and kicked his boots off, turned the volume of the television up and lay face down on the bed, burying his head under a pillow.

The day had not gone well. Sam had not been in when Daniel had started, and had to jump into the dishwashing area to deal with the pile of dishes that just grew larger and larger. The other steward, a pig named Dwayne had been out the back of the diner smoking half the time and didn't really bother to help. He had done the breakfast shift and was due to finish by lunch. Daniel had tried telling him to stop smoking and get back to work as he needed the help, but Dwayne had simply ignored him.

The staff diner had to be kept clean at all times, and look 'presentable'. The higher ups, the big bosses as they were called, seemed to think that being able to keep up with the mass of dishes to be cleaned, keeping the floor and tables clean, keeping the buffet line clean and keeping condiments and drink dispensers filled was an easy task. And being that they didn't actually work in the diner, they thought it should have been. But the reality was that even on the best of days, it was hard to keep on top of everything. Especially since only one steward seemed to work at any given time.

By the time lunch had come around, Sam was still nowhere to be seen, Dwayne had left early and had left Daniel in charge to do most of the work. Being only a regular steward, Daniel was unable to tell off Dwayne since he had no authority to do so. Lunch was nothing special. Just the usual routine of cleaning dishes and pots the chefs used and clearing tables that were dirty after the staff left. Thankfully, and badly at the same time, most of the staff appeared right at the moment the diner opened, and left just as quickly. Which while meant a sudden rush of dishes to clean, meant most were dealt with early.

Sam did make an appearance, but only to fetch his own lunch. The horse had simply walked in, not bothering to check wether Daniel actually needed help or not, retrieved his own lunch and didn't even bother to look elsewhere.

"Where have you been all morning? I could have used the help" Daniel had said when he spotted Sam calmly eating his chips and nachos while the diner was full and bustling around him. Sam sat with his usual entourage of girls that he usually had on each arm any day of the week, looking completely at ease with the world.

"I was busy elsewhere" Sam had said, the face he gave Daniel expressed his annoyance in being disturbed during his lunch. "That table over there needs to be cleaned. Go and wipe it down" he ordered. Being the one under, Daniel could do nothing but comply. And he did with a bitter curse under his breath.

The afternoon had fared no better. The times between breakfast, lunch and dinner were spent to wipe the place down and clean it up before the next service was due to start. Although staff still seemed to think the 'Closed' sign on the doors was just for decoration and tended to walk in expecting food to be served. And they never liked to be told 'no'.

The pm shift stewards, a shewolf called Tori and a chubby minx called Marika had both started on time and had gone to do their respective jobs, because they knew what needed to be done when they started.

Tory, Daniel could actually enjoy being with. She liked a joke, even the sexist ones, and could hold her own when dealing with the jobs required. But she still had the annoying habit of smoking on the job. Although she was never gone for longer than five minutes. Marika though, Daniel couldn't stand. Both hadn't been around as long as him, Tori only four months and Marika only thirteen months, but Marika acted like she was better than Daniel.

He had just finished sweeping the tiled floor and had picked up the bucket and rag he had used to wipe down the tables and had headed out the back to the chemical store room where they kept the cleaning equipement. The rag had gone into the bin, the broom on its hook. He had taken a minute or two to rest up while he filled the mop bucket and head headed back into the diner to mop the floor when Marika had confronted him.

"Daniel" she had said in that stupid accent of her, Daniel could never tell if it was Mexican or New Zealand, or possibly Greek, but he didn't care which. "When you clean the front, you take the bucket of water and soap with you to clean the tables" she said as she looked down upon him.

"I did Marika" Daniel had said as he looked at her in disbelief. "I always do"

"No, you didn't" she said as she shook her finger at him. "You didn't, cause I can tell, and I say you didn't do it. I don't know how many times I keep telling you to do it, but you never do what I tell you."

"Marika, I did. I wiped down each table as i swept under..." Daniel protested but Marika cut him off with a quick and haughty swipe of her fingers in front of her face.

"No, you didn't. Because I can tell you didn't. And I say you didn't. Now remember next time" she said firmly. "Now go finish mopping up. I don't know what you did all day, but it doesn't look like you worked" she said as she went off.

Daniel had spent the rest of his shift shaking, in either rage or a desire to break down, he didn't know. Marika always did that. She was on the same level as him, but she always acted like his superior. And she never asked for his side of the story either. She always assumed she was right and left it at that. And when he actually stood up to her, she acted like he was going against God. At least Tori never gave him any problems.

Daniel had clocked out the moment he was able and left the diner without a backwards glance when dinner started. He had no appetite to eat at all after that.

It was well after dark when he finally managed to pull himself off his bed. He hadn't cried, although he honestly felt like it. His head ached, his body ached, he had a bad cottony taste in his mouth and he felt tired as he got up and trudged into his bathroom to get a shower going.

"Why does this happen to me?" he wondered aloud as he stripped naked. He held his hand under the water until it was just borderlining on bearable and scalding before stepping under. He wondered why he bothered at all. He did his job the best he could each time he went in, and it just seemed that no-one cared enough to notice.

He felt the hot water cascade down his naked body, but it didn't really felt good. It just felt hot. He slumped against the tiled wall and closed his eyes as he just let the water wash over him. But he had to get out eventually, and when he did, he really didn't feel better.

He sighed to himself as he stepped out of the shower and used the towel to dry himself off before slipping on a pair of thin shorts. He didn't bother with his hair as he placed his glasses back on and stepped out of the bathroom. He turned on his xbox and picked a dvd to put on repeat, a volume of the BBC comedy Bottom, which always made him smile, but for now it was just background noise. Daniel slumped onto the bed, laid down on his back and closed his eyes. He just wanted to go to sleep and wake up in the morning and be anywhere but there.

When he opened them, Alexi was sitting on his waist and looking down at him. Daniel was only very briefly surprised. He hadn't felt him there, or heard him come in. That vampire was sneaky.

"I'm not going to bother asking how you got in" Daniel said as he looked up at the vampire sitting on him.

"Because you already know I need to only be invited in once" Alexi said with a soft purr and a smile as he leaned down and kissed his lover on the lips. Daniel felt those cool lips press against his and he gladly returned the kiss, suddenly feeling better, but not much.

"You're not happy right now, are you?" Alexi said, looking concerned as he laid himself down easily on the younger lion and gently stroked at his face with a hand.

"How did you guess?" Daniel asked as he nuzzled at the gentle, but cool hand against his face. God, Alexi was like a walking icepack, but it felt so natural to be touched by him like that.

"Because you can't hide anything from me" Alexi said. Daniel didn't argue. "I can tell, my sweet thing, how you are feeling just by looking at you" he said softly as he stroked the lions cheek.

"It's just... I don't know" Daniel said as he looked to the side where the wall was. "I don't know why i bother doing my job anymore" he admitted.

"And why do you feel that way?" Alexi said as he traced a finger down Daniels jawline tenderly.

"Because I do my job, the others don't and they get rewarded" he said as he closed his eyes.

"Surely the others work just as hard as you" Alexi said, although he knew the answer already. He wasn't stupid.

"Like hell they do" Daniel said bitterly as he felt the cool finger trace down the side of his neck gently. "They don't do their job, they just fuck up and do bugger all and ... and it just isn't fair" he said as he felt like crying.

Alexi said nothing as he slowly sat up and slid his arms under the younger lion and pulled him up gently to hold him in his arms.

"I know my sweet, I know" he said softly as he held his lover close. "I know you work hard, because you believe in it. I know you believe the old sayings of work hard and you shall be rewarded. But we both know real life doesn't work that way' Alexi said as he ran his hand slowly down the smaller lions spine.

"I just wonder why I bother sometimes" Daniel said as he looked up at the bigger lion.

"Why do you bother?" Alexi asked.

"Because... I want to matter" he admitted. "I want to do my job, and have people realise I matter because i'm good at it."

"You do matter. You matter to me" Alexi said with a soft smile.

"I know. But not just to you" he admitted. "I want to matter in the real world. I had no real friends growing up, every job i've had since school has ended badly because no-one felt like i was worth anything, and i came here, and i thought things would be different, but its still the same" he said as he rested his head against Alexis chest.

Alexi said nothing as he held his lover close. He kissed the top of his head as he stroked his fingers through his soft mane.

"I once worked two days shy of two straight weeks, with overtime" Daniel said. "Eferyone else had reasons not to work that fortnight, but i didn't. I didn't say "I don't feel like it" or "I do'nt want to" like everyone else. And you know what happened? They cut my overtime in half and wouldn't tell me why. Meanwhile, they gave one of the new guys a recognition for pulling an extra shift" he said bitterly.

Alexi said nothing as he allowed his lover to vent his feelings. It wasn't the first time he had done it for him, given him a shoulder to cry on, and he suspected it wouldn't be the last. He didn't understand mortals sometimes, but he did understand Daniel.

Daniel had grown up as the one punished for every little thing wrong he had done, and had developed a strong sense of right and wrong. If only to prove to people he could know the difference. Everyone, from his parents, to teachers, to work place bosses had looked at him like he would be capable of doing nothing but wrong, and no amount of good could change that viewpoint.

He had gone through life believing that everyone looked down on him and expected only the worst, and had tried so hard to change peoples beliefs in him. He was kind, thoughtful and would most often put anyone above himself if he needed or wanted too. But the moment he did anything wrong, or if he let his guard down thinking he could be safe, as he put it once, he felt like he had a giant target on his back and everyone turned against him.

They stayed like that for a long while, how long it didn't matter. But it was enough for Daniel to eventually fall asleep in the larger lions arms. Alexi held him for a few minutes more before he laid him back down gently without waking him.

He knew how close Daniel was to losing himself. Any day now something would happen to him that would make him snap, and he would probably cross the line, although what line he couldn't say. As much as he wanted to turn him and put an end to his troubles, he wouldn't force the change on him.

He slowly laid the lion down and settled himself easily behind him and propped himself up on one arm as he watched him sleep. His lover looked more peacefull as he slept. Probably because he didn't need to worry in his sleep.

"Such things you worry about, my dear" Alexi said softly as pressed his nose against the lions hair and inhaled his scent softly. "One day, you will be free of them , just like me" he said as he kissed the lions neck softly.

Daniel moaned softly as he pressed back a bit and Alexi smiled as he slipped an arm around his lovers waist and held him close. It was almost like the first time they had met. Alexi smiled fondly as he remembered the night he had found his lover, and the night he had not only taken his lovers virginity, but had taken the first bite that drew them closer together. He smiled as he allowed the memory to take over.

(Flashback)

"Freshen your drink sir?" Daniel asked with a false smile on his face as he carried a tray of champagne glasses through the throng of masked guests. Most of them chose to ignore him, and not one of them said thank you to the lion in the waiters uniform.

Aura, the beachfront seafood restaurant was hosting a black and white masquerade for what had been labelled as a 'gentlemens' party, which to the staff meant 'dress up in a mask and act how rich and snobby you were'. It was a plate up affair, which meant there was just finger food already prepared that was served already plated. No cooking, and very little mess. Hah.

Daniel did not really want to be there. He had already worked the early am shift that morning, and would not have bothered to fill in for someone who had decided to turn up to work hungover. He didn't do the waiter thing, but when his boss did his ask/demand of him, he stuck to his rule like he always did. Which was 'if he had no reason to not work, he had to'. And the excuses 'I don't want to' or 'I don't feel like it' were never used by him, no matter how much he wanted to use them.

Of course, that was probably the reason his boss always came to him first when he needed someone to work, because he knew Daniel would. And of course, Daniel could have said to ask someone else, but wanting to be a good employee, he always said yes, even when he really didn't want to.

So there he was, wandering around the packs of black and white patrons who laughed, dined on fancy little finger foods and paid no attention to the staff who waited on them. On top of a long day where his supervisor was absent again and he got yelled at by three chefs who only unloaded their problems onto him because he was the first steward they saw.

"Thank god this stupid party will end soon" Daniel thought to himself as he passed by one of the large opened windows that looked out on the beach. He took a moment to stare out at the inky black waters beyond the dark sand and saw a guest standing by himself nearby. Daniel looked out for a moment, but saw none of the other staff out there. He figured they were either out the back trying to sneak some food or booze for themselves, or out taking a smoko.

He figured he should at least try and give it his all. He was working that night anyway, and if he didn't at least try, he figured he was no better then the other idiots who called what they did 'work'. So he hitched on a smile and headed outside of the restaurant.

"Would you care for a drink sir?" Daniel asked as he approached the guest. All he could see was the back of him, a black cape and a cascade of hair so white it almost shone in the night. The guest turned and Daniel saw he was a dark brown lion, whose face was mostly covered by a white half mask.

Daniel had to stare for a moment. The lion looked almost like a perfect replica of the Phantom of the Opera. He wondered briefly if he was even scarred under that mask. And for some reason, he found him completely hot. In a very dark and forbidding way.

"None for me, thank you" he said in a distinct accent and a pleasant smile before turning back to look at the dark waters. Daniel caught himself when he realised he had been spoken to, and that he had been staring.

"Well, if you need anything, I'll be happy to get it for you" Daniel said to him with a small, but genuine smile. "If you told me what you'd like, I can be sure to get it for you, if the restaurant has it in stock" he said, trying to be helpful.

"I wish to be left alone tonight. You are persistant. And slightly annoying." the lion said quietly, but it was loud enough for Daniel to hear. "Please go away, before I need to complain about you."

Trying to be helpful on a night when he didn't want to work, and he got shot down. He felt like he just got slapped in the face. He just stood there for a moment, before he turned to leave, suddenly feeling like he wanted to just throw the glasses through the window.

"I was going to say you have an excellent costume, an almost perfect replica" Daniel said without looking back at the guest. "Only thing wrong is you're a jerk" he added before he headed back inside. He didn't care of the guest heard him. At that moment he really didn't care that he could have gotten into trouble. He just wanted to get the hell out of there before someone had something new to throw onto him and blame him for.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" a loud voice asked. Daniel froze on the spot as he looked up at the fat bull that was bearing down on him. It was Damon, the function manager who was overseeing the party. And for some reason, Damon had never liked stewards.

"I...I was just..." Daniel began, but for some reason he couldn't finish his sentence. And part of him somewhat knew Damon wouldn't listen anyway.

"You're out here wasting time while all the guests are waiting to be served, aren't you?" Damon demanded as he gave Daniel a sharp jab to the chest with a fat finger.

"I am not. I was just asking the guest over there if he wanted a drink, and he said no, he wished to be left alone" Daniel said as he gestured to the silent lion who didn't seem to have moved an inch. Or seemed to have heard what was being said.

"Our guests inside are asking for food and drinks, and you're out here wasting time" Damon said as he gave another sharp jab. "Why did I even bother asking your boss for a replacement. Everyone knows stewards are lazy ass little worms who don't do their fare share of work" he sneered.

"What baout the others? I'm actually out here working. Where are they if the guests are waiting?" he asked, trying to get some sort of sense into the arguement. Although his questions didn't seem to help his case as Damon seemed to get more angry.

"I didn't ask about the others. I'm asking about you, you lazy little pissworm" he snarled as he gave Daniel another hard jab to the chest, making the smaller lion stumble back a step, and almost lose his tray.

Daniel found that he had no voice to object to the bull. Clearly Damon had already made up his mind on what was happening and nothing the lion could say would sway his mind. Daniel tried to form an apology, which he knew would be completely meaningless, when a soft voice interrupted them.

"I'm sure that if you headed into the back of your restaurant, you would find two of your waitresses gossiping over their mobile phones, and in the trash area behind the restaurant, you will find three of your waiters smoking a cigarette" the masked lion said, who had suddenly and silently appeared beside him.

"And how would you know that?" Damon said as he glared at the interruption. "And what's it too you anyway? This don't concern you."

The lions eyes seemed to glow a little as he stared at the bull, whose gazed seemed to slacken somewhat.

"You will go out the back, and discipline those staff members who choose to be lazy. And you will allow this young lion to go home, because he clearly does not wish to be here, and you don't want him here either" the lion said as he spoke quite clearly, but his voice carried the hint of authority that made it impossible to resist.

"Uh...yeah" the bull said without moving his mouth before he seemed to shake himself awake. He blinked a few times before he looked down at the young lion.

"Go home already" he said with a sneer as he headed back inside, making a straight line through the guests to the back of the restaurant, where he would find the staff who were goofing off.

"What....what just happened?" Daniel asked with a clearly confused look on his face.

"It is my small way for apologising for being a jerk" the lion said with a smile to him. "You were right. I may have looked like the phantom, but I was imperfect" he said.

"Oh, there's no need to..." Daniel began, suddenly feeling embarrassed that a guest would apologise.

"Oh, but there is" the lion said. "I am currently staying in the resort here. I would like you to join me for a drink, so I can apologise properly" he insisted. "I insist" he said as he held up a hand when he saw the lion about to object. "This party is boring anyway. The staff have made a lovely event, but the patrons are rather self indulgent and rather plain today. I would like some better company."

Daniel was about to say no, that staff were not allowed in the resort without a pass, and that they couldn't be in the guest rooms even with an invite, and that it was already late and he had work in the morning. But when he looked up at the lion who smiled down at him with a genuine friendly smile, he suddenly felt like all those reasons would just make him more insistent. So by the time he found his voice again, he could only say three words.

"I'd love to."

"Excellent" the masked lion said with a smile as he placed his arm around the smaller lions shoulders. "Pray tell me, what is your name?" he asked.

"My names Daniel" he said as the masked lion began to lead him away.

"You may call me Alexi" he said as they walked away from the party into the night.

Daniel had not been in the resorts master suite before, and he was stunned at the level of luxury that was in it. Four bedrooms, a living room, a study, a kitchen and a bathroom larger then his own little room, with gold and ivory inlaid taps, a power shower and spa. The amount of luxury that went into the most expensive room on the island had left him breathless for several minutes as Alexi had lead him into the spacious living room and allowed him to enjoy the view of the resort below them.

Alexi had already removed his mask and cape and jacket, leaving him in a tight looking pair of black pants and a white ruffled shirt half open across his chest. Daniel could see the tight defined muscles through the open shirt, and he had to keep reminding himself to not stare. But it was a bit hard not to.

"Now, about that drink" Alexi said with a smile as he picked up a bottle of dark looking liquid and two glasses. "I believe we should start off this little evening with one or two" he said as he twisted the top of easily.

"I really shouldn't" Daniel said as he watched Alexi pour the glasses full, but for some reason the protest fell apart in his mouth, and he found he really didn't want to finish it anyway. "Well, what the hell" he said as he took a glass. "I'll be in trouble if I'm found out up here. Might as well drink too" he said.

"You should learn to live a little more" Alexi said with a smile as he watched the young lion drink. "Take a few more risks. And learn to let go now and then" he said with a soft smile as his eyes looked over the younger lion slowly, his gaze centered mostly around his neck and shoulders.

"I'm not much of a party person" Daniel admitted as he took a sip. He wasn't much of a wine person, but for some reason the taste really agreed with him and he drained the glass in one go, which surprised himself. Normally, it tasted like burnt cardboard. His head started to swim slightly. The wine was stronger then he expected.

Alexi chuckled as he closed the distance between them and smiled to his young guest. He placed his still full glass into the lions hand after switching the empty one in one fluid movement and lifted the glass up to his lips.

"As I said before, I was rude. The party was boring me, and I felt like being by myself. You were trying to be nice, and I was rude. You were right to say what you did" he said.

"You heard me?" Daniel said as he felt his cheeks burning in a solid embarrassment as he felt the glass press against his lips, but he didn't fight it.

"I did. And I am sorry" Alexi said as he watched Daniels lips part gently and drink down another glass of wine. Alexi smiled as he watched the glass empty before he placed the glass down. He was tempted to fill a third, but he could see the lions face flush slightly from the strong aged wine. Alexi smiled. No need to get him drunk any further.

Daniel found himself staring up the lions gaze as he looked into the dark eyes. He found himself staring into the abyss that were those eyes, and for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to draw away. He felt an unnaturally cold hand slide up his neck and cup his chin in a soft touch .

"Did you get me drunk?" He asked softly as he swayed a little. His vision was starting to cloud and swim in combination.

"You are a really handsome young male" Alexi said softly as he held the lions chin in his hand. "It would be such a shame to have you end tonight" he said in barely a whisper. But as he spoke, he found that what he had planned, it didn't feel right to him.

"End?" Daniel said just as softly as he felt Alexi brush his hair back to expose his neck, but he couldn't fight back. Or he didn't want to fight back. He couldn't tell which. He felt the unnaturally cool fingers trace softly over his neck. His heart beat faster from the cold touch, and Alexi smiled as his fingertip found the lions jugular vein and felt it pulse.

"No more talk" Alexi said, almost an order as the air around them shimmered and the living room became the master bedroom. Daniel didn't seem surprised to see them standing in front of the massive double bed. He didn't even realise that they had changed rooms. "Now, let us enjoy this final night for you" Alexi said as he traced his hands down to Daniels waist and pulled him forward.

It was a delicious kiss, feeling Alexis cold lips press against such soft and warm lips as they kissed together. Alexi drew his hand up to the back of Daniels head and pulled him in hard as their lips went from a soft touch to a hard contact. Daniel closed his eyes with a soft moan as he was given such a dominating kiss. He knew who was in control here.

Alexis hands moved fast as he swiftly undressed his guest. In the space of a few seconds Daniel stood naked against Alexi, his bare body on full display for Alexis pleasure. Daniel found himself standing still as Alexi pulled away and slowly walked around him to view him. The younger lion blushed sharply in embarrassment and tried to cover his crotch with his hands, but Alexis hands very swiftly blocked his movement.

"No. Don't do that" Alexi said as he placed a hand on Daniels chest and slowly traced downwards. Daniels body was about as normal as they came. A little extra weight here and there, but not enough to call him anywhere near fat. Soft fur covered his just as soft stomach. Alexi drew his fingers down to the soft patch of dark sand coloured pubic fur and he drew his fingers through it slowly.

Alexi felt his breath catch in his throat for a moment as he gazed back at the lion. Something was wrong, and he couldn't put his finger on it. He had been with countless others before, and had learned names that would probably never be remembered. But for some reason, this encounter was different.

"Oh yes, very nice my sweet" Alexi said as he smiled as he looked him over. Daniel let out a soft moan as he felt Alexis cool fingers wrap around his meagre hanging shaft and eeped slightly as he felt him squeeze. "Yes, you will please me greatly tonight" Alexi said softly before he pulled his cold hands from the lion and undressed as well, his own tightly lean body on full display too.

His body was taller, tight and lean, a perfection definition of defined muscles that covered him. His body looked young, but old at the same time. Alexi obviously had no trouble being exposed so brazenly as he pulled his guest closer again. Daniel almost snapped out of it as he stared at the hottest body he had ever laid his eyes on. But a cup on his chin drew him back into Alexis eyes and he felt himself be drawn back in.

"What do you want me to do?" Daniel whispered, not daring to talk too loudly as he felt the cold hands travel up his arms to grip his shoulders. He stared back up at the dark eyes that seemed to draw him in deeper the longer he stared. Alexi stared back, and found himself puzzled again. There it was again, that feeling that this encounter was different, and that this lion...he was different to him as well.

Alexi could feel his body start to sweat from arousal, which surprised him. It should have been impossible for him to do so.

"Lay down, and let me take you" Alexi said as he pushed gently and lowered Daniel onto his back on the soft large bed. Daniel let himself be spread out with a large naked lion crawling ontop of him to plant another deliciously cold kiss onto his lips. Daniel shivered and moaned as he felt the cold body of the larger lion ontop of him, but it all felt so good. It was either the wine, or the fact that Alexi was the hottest thing he had come across, but there was nothing in Daniels mind to even suggest that he should fight back.

"That's it my sweet. Enjoy your last night" Alexi said with a smile as he broke the kiss and used his tongue to trace a slow line down the younger lions jaw and down to his chest. Daniel moaned softly as he felt the cool muscle trace its way down his neck, a place the lion seemed to favour his licking for a while before he felt the tongue trace across his pecs.

"Mmm, so divine" Alexi said with an approving purr as he sat up and displayed himself. He was finding himself start to pant. But why? What was arousing him so fast? Why did this lion taste so delicious to him?

And why did it feel so wrong to go with what he planned?

"Holy fuck" Daniel said, snapping momentarily from whatever hold the lion had on him as he saw the naked sitting lion sitting on his legs. But what he was really looking at was the lethal weapon he was sporting. It was almost ten inches long and thicker than his wrist. And it was hard and pulsing right in front of him. The lions balls were almost the size of apples, and they looked ready to spill their contents anywhere Alexi decided. Alexi looked down at the lion that was spread out before him, and found his lust starting to drive itself into overdrive. He had a huge sex drive that he could proudly claim, but it was rising fast. He had never been this hard so quickly before.

"Holy has nothing to do with this" Alexi said as he slid his cold hands under the lions legs and lifted them up. Daniel found his body contorting in a way he had never expected it to as his feet, somehow managed to find their way to rest against his ears. He hiss in pain as his back felt stretched and his legs and hips screamed in agony in being in a position they had never been in before. When he looked down at Daniels exposed backside, his back entrance exposed full to him, Alexi knew he had to have it. No, he knew he needed it.

"Forgive me, but the pleasure tonight is for me" Alexi said as he reached down and grabbed his hefty member and guided it against his target. Daniel let out a moan as he felt the thick head of the shaft press against him as Alexi lined himself up. A thick spurt of pre splashed onto the lions tailhole, the cold liquid making the smaller lion shiver from the contact.

"I apologise for your discomfort, but I need you for my pleasure" Alexi growled as, in one hard thrust, he buried himself into the lions rear.

"Holy shit, he's a virgin" Alexis mind screamed out as he felt how impossibly tight his prize was, as Daniel let out an almost equally loud cry as his virginity was taken in one rough plunge. Alexi gasped as he felt every inch of his shaft buried up the lions backside, his cock enveloped in a tight glove of heat as he held his conquest down beneath him.

Alexi felt himself lose control as he gave into his lust and started to thrust as hard and deep as he could. He felt the lions tight passage stretch to accommodate such a large shaft as he held him down. Daniel cried out initially in pain at first, the sudden stretching and forced entry into him made him see blood red stars of pain in front of him, but Alexi held him down and continued to thrust deeply.

The bed was shaking hard and the sounds of snarling were heard in the expensive suite as Alexi held down his prey and slammed his hips against the lions ass. Alexi felt himself get lost into his lust for the first time in years as he growled and snarled, the thick slapping sounds of his hips ramming against the lions backside started to mix together.

Daniel panted and cried out as he was held in that impossible position with his ankles touching his ears. He felt every inch of that hefty cock ramming its way into his guts. His body rocked and shook against the hard thrusting as he felt his body be slammed into the mattress beneath him. It hurt so badly, his ass felt like it was on fire and his insides were burning from the rough intrusion.

Alexi snarled as he shoved his cock in all the way in one swift movement, burying himself to the hilt into his prize as he held himself there, keeping the lion pressed into the mattress. He couldn't figure it out as he glared down at the writhing lion underneath him. He glared and snarled down at him as he kept the lion in place underneath him.

Why, why was this lion turning him on so much? Why was he so aroused and desperate to get off?

He snarled again and started to thrust harder, the younger lion underneath him crying out as he was hammered again and again as Alexi tore into him. He paid no attention to Daniels cries of pain or pleasure as he mounted him again and again, forcing him lower into the mattress with each slam into him.

Daniels mind was lost in a haze. He couldn't tell where the pain or the pleasure began, or could remotely even remember what was happening. All he knew was that his body was screaming against the position he was forced down in, but he could feel every thrust of the hefty cock that was slamming into him like a wild animal. He saw stars, fog and fireworks in his eyes, but he couldn't stop him even if he tried too.

Alexi panted hard as he felt his need rise. He had to plant his seed into his lion and... He was finding it harder and harder to resist what he knew would come as his hips bounced off the younger lions rear end as the bed shook and rattled in its place.

In the end it was too much as Alexi felt his balls tingle and churn as he knew his release was imminent. He held the lions ankles down beside his ears and he threw his head back and roared to the ceiling. The roar was feral, like a wild lions, but there was something else in there. The roar was different, like Daniel had heard that element somewhere before, but he couldn't remember. Then he felt it.

It was like a volcanic eruption, a small explosion of liquid heat that poured into his insides. It felt so different from the contrast of the lions cold body to have such hot seed. He knew it was Alexis seed that was spreading into him, but it was hotter then anything he had ever had inside of him. He could feel it spread inside of him as it coursed through his guts, filling him with a volume that he never thought existed.

His own length, ignored this whole time, throbbed and pulsed as his g-spot was drenched in the liquid heat of the older lions seed and, for the first time in his life, he erupted without touching himself. But unlike the sheer volume of seed that the older lion produced, his younger partner produced only a few pearly ribbons of lion seed that shot and covered his stomach before his orgasm quickly died down.

Alexi smelt the seed of his prey, and felt his hunger no longer able to be held off.

Daniel heard a sound like bones crunching for a moment, like they were being readjusted. He briefly snapped out of it enough to wonder if something inside of him had broken. Then he saw Alexi move his head to look back down on him. Daniels breath caught in his throat as he saw that the handsome lion that was holding him was no longer looking down at him.

What he saw instead was a ridged face whose features had been pulled back and transformed into that of a predator. His eyes were the deepest and brightest red he had ever seen, and two of the biggest and whitest fangs he had ever seen were exposed in the open mouth of razor sharp teeth. It looked like a mask of death and predatory hunger was staring down at him.

Even if he had wanted to, Daniel didn't get a chance to scream as Alexi snarled like a beast and in a rush of movement sank his fangs deep into the lions exposed neck. There was a harsh biting sound, something akin to someone biting into a heavily juiced piece of fruit before a spray of bright red flew into the air, coating the pillow and headboard behind them both.

Daniels eyes went wide as he was bitten, but he felt himself unable to fight back. He briefly wondered why he didn't even try to fight it as he felt his blood be drunk right out of the wounds on his neck.

His vision blurred and began to grow dark, like the light was being sucked out of everything he saw. His body grew number and heavier with each passing moment and with every slurping noise that Alex made as he drank his victim.

And the more Alexi drank, the more he felt weak. Like his body was unable to hold the strength it once had. He felt a coldness begin to spread through him. He felt it in his neck at first, like an icepack was being pressed against his wounds. Then it began to spread, starting with the tips of his figners and toes before coursing its way slowly up his limbs. His arms and legs grew heavier, like dead weight as he lacked the strength to lift them.

His vision swam and blurred. He saw two, then three of everything in front of him. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but his voice was tiny and weak, not even he could hear his own voice above the loud slurpings.

And then he felt Alex draw away before he could finish. Daniel for a moment felt confusion. He had felt he was going to die, and at the last moment he didn't. He was dimly aware of a ripping sound, like someone had just torn the flesh of something other then him.

And he felt something cold press against his numb lips, something like liquid ice coated his lips and dripped into his mouth. He was vaguely aware of someone, possibly Alex telling him something like 'Drink', and the liquid ice filled his mouth before he managed to gulp it down. It felt different from the coldness in his body. It felt...natural. Like this coldness was meant to be there.

Then, everything fell black.

When he opened his eyes next, he was lying in his own bed in his miniscule room. For a moment or two, he felt unable to properly wake up, or even move for that matter. His whole body was numb and colder then it normally was, even under his blankets.

But as he moved, his body fell back into place, like life was suddenly rushed back into him. His body felt renewed, almost like it was better after such a night. He felt revigorated, almost energised as he slowly sat up. He also realised he was naked, his uniform from the previous night folded neatly against the end of the bed.

As Daniel managed to get out of bed, he failed to notice the figure hidden in the tree outside his window that watched every move he made, not like a predator, but like a protector.

Daniel felt cold, but it wasn't uncomfortable. More like...he had just been outside on a cold day with just the right amount of clothing. The room felt warmer then it usually was, and that warmth against his skin failed to raise the goosebumps it normally would have.

He made his way into his bathroom, trying to decide if last night was really a dream, or wether or not it had happened. He did remember working, the boss of Aura giving him shit, and then....

Everything came back to him in a sudden flash of mixed feeling over everything he remembered. It felt like he just got slapped. The rush of images and sensations and feelings hit him like a tonne of bricks to the back of his head and he had to hold onto the bathroom sink to steady himself. As he pulled himself back up, he caught a glimpse in his bathroom mirror and saw the two large bite marks across his neck, bite marks that stood as absolute proof and left no lingering doubt over what had happened.

"I had sex with a vampire" Daniel said to his reflection, so much more paler then it normally was.

"And I think I love him. "

Alexi smiled as he stroked his lovers hair softly. The morning sun that beamed in through the cracks of the curtains didn't bother him. For a vampire of his age, it took time for the sun to burn him. The longer he went without blood sped up the process, but although he had his thrall, his willing bloodbank, he had other sources, some not so willing, to keep him alive.

The second time he had bitten him, and given him his blood, wasn't as grand. Alexi had a passion for theatre, and had taken Daniel out for a private performance. He had performed several songs just made for the grand stage to his private audience in a spectacular theatre, where Daniel had no idea where he had been taken, before they two of them had decided that they couldn't keep each other off the other any longer.

Alexi had taken him on that stage for yet another hot and hard night of passion. Daniel had become more used to the lions dominate and rough loving after several times with him. And during that night, like he normally did, he drank of his thralls blood after climaxing in his lover. But during the passion, he had lost his control, only briefly and drained him far more then he had intended. Alexi had to give Daniel his own blood, or else lose him.

Yet, biting wasn't enough. He had to drain, and then feed him his own vampiric blood a total of three times. Of course, Daniel had to be near death for it to be taken effect. But he had no intention of giving him his blood for that third time. If that happened, well, there was no cure for vampirism.

The thought of blood in his mind made him smile as he thought of a little morning snack. His face morphed, the ridges stood out and made him more terrifying then his handsome face was. Daniel was no longer afraid of that face. Or the long fangs that he was sporting. He did wonder briefly if Daniel had been afraid that first time he had seen it.

Alexi was just about to take a bite when a harsh knocking on the door was heard. The sound was loud enough to wake Daniel, who woke up alone. He sat in bed, and looked around for a moment, not seeing the vampire in the room. But he figured he had left already as he stood up. He didn't even care as he realised he was still in his uniform from the previous night. Alexi tended to come and go. Sometimes Daniel fell asleep with him and woke up without him, or fell asleep alone and woke up with him. Although those times he was naked and feeling Alexi rub his goods in the smaller lions face.

"Please don't let it be my boss" Daniel thought, praying to whatever god happened to be listening to him. But the gods apparently were not on his side as he saw his boss standing in the doorway after pulling the door open.

His boss, a bloody ugly pittbull by the name of Stafford was standing there, already fully dressed for a day of work.

"Dan" he said, not looking pleased to see him. "Good to see you're already dressed. It'll save time" he said. Daniel groaned inwardly. He couldn't possibly think Daniel was ready for work at a time like this.

"I fell asleep in my uniform" Daniel said to him. "And besides, I'm getting out of it. It's my day off, and I need it" he said.

"No you don't" Stafford said. "Sam called in sick today. Apparently he's got Gastro and he's vomiting something cronic" he said.

"I saw Sam yesterday. He looked fine" Daniel started to argue, but his boss cut him off.

"'That was yesterday. This is today" he said. "I need you to work in half an hour, and work overtime tonight" he said, looking down on Daniel like he was expecting him to say no, just so he could yell at him.

"Stafford, I can't" Daniel said to him. "I haven't had a proper day off in ages, and I'm tired of filling in all the time. I need this day off. Ask someone else" he said.

Stafford just looked down at him, not saying anything for the first few moments, then he folded his arms.

"Do you have a good reason to not come in? Or do you just not feel like it?" he asked point blank.

Great, a dirty play. Play on one of the few honourable things he believed in, one of the few things that just never seemed to pay off. And of course, Stafford knew that Daniel would, because he was that sort of worker.

Daniel just stared at the ugly bastard for a moment, suddenly angry that he would pull such a move on him. And he realised something. Why bother doing it anyway? It had never helped in the past. And if everyone else could do it, why not him?

"I don't feel like coming in, ok?" Daniel said, deciding to make his stand. "I've filled in enough times for everyone one else, especially at the last minutes like this. Go ask someone else to stop binge drinking long enough to actually work for once. I don't want to work today" he said.

His boss looked taken aback for a moment, obviously having not expected such an outburst from an employee who seemed to do nothing but work for a living. And for a moment, Daniel actually thought his boss would just walk away and ask someone else.

Just for a moment.

"You are working today. And if you don't show up, you'll be penalised" Stafford said in a final sort of voice before he shut the door in Daniels face and walked off.

For a moment, Daniel couldn't say anything. Another slap in the face, this time for standing up for himself. He just felt more defeated as he turned to get his clean set of workclothes from his wardrobe. He looked up as he pulled his shirt off the hanger to see Alexi sitting on the bed, already dressed in his lordly clothing.

"I can make him disappear" he offered. He sounded quite genuine about it, like it was the best favour he could give him right then. And for a moment, Daniel wanted so badly to agree.

"It wouldn't solve anything" Daniel said as he took his uniform into bathroom and locked the door behind him. He hoped that Alexi couldn't hear him cry. But the vampire seemed to know everything.

The diner was packed once again. Everyone seemed to have come in at the same time again, right when it opened, every assorted staff member lining up across the diner. And of course, with the length of the line and the time it was taking to get to the food, every single one of them was complaining about the service.

And then the diner was filled and people were complaining that there no seats, and that people were taking too long to finish their meals. And of course they had no seats with their friends, so when one seat did become available, they dragged it over to another table, packing more people around the table and just adding to the general chaos.

There were complaints to the chefs that the food wasn't up to their standards, that the salads had been picked of the good bits, that the drink dispensers were empty, that this food and that food had been emptied already, and that they couldn't find what they expected to find.

And Daniel was right in the middle of it. Clearing away plates from tables that were meant to be removed by the lazy staff who left them there, refilling condiments that were used up, refilling the drink dispensers when some fat landscaper complained that there were no drinks for him. And of course, Marika was on, and after a ten minute lecture about how nobody does their job around the place, she disappeared out the back of the diner for a repetitive smoke.

Daniel kind of felt like he was a zombie. He just didn't feel anything. Everything felt like he had done it all before and he would do it all again. It was almost like he was on automatic. It was a weird feeling, like watching his body do all the motions while he stood by.

Refill the salt and pepper. Top up the apple juice dispenser. Put a rack of plates through the dishwasher cause Marika wasn't there. Take that rack of mugs to the mug rack next to the dispensers. There's a stack of half full plates on a table someone just left there. Clear them off and wipe down the table. Put another rack of plates through the dishwasher. Dry those plates and stack them out for easy access.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

And then some stupid staff member ended up dropping a full plate of food on the floor. And instead of apologising and helping to clean up, the engineer decided to hurl abuse at Daniel for a dirty floor that made him drop his food, and then stand over him as he tried to clean up and tell him how lazy he was.

Daniel just kept working. Just let it bounce off him as best he could. But every bounce felt like it was chipping into him and wearing him down more. He went and collected the mop and bucket and allowed himself a thirty second break as he filled it. And of course, the moment he leant against the wall, Marika stuck her head in, saw him and screamed at him to get off his lazy ass and do some work. He couldn't even say anything to her as he picked up the mop and bucket and headed into the busy diner to clear off the floor.

"I wonder how much more i can take" he wondered briefly as he dunked the mop in the bucket. He felt worn out. He didn't even react when one staff member bumped into him without apologising. But when he pulled the mop out and dragged it across the remnants of the splattered food, he looked up for a moment and saw Sam walk in with his tow of friends behind him.

Everything seemed to freeze for a moment. A sudden realisation flooded through him, as well as a hatred and rage that he had rarely experienced before. He felt more angry in that moment then he had most of his life. And it was all centered towards that horse.

Sam was perfectly fine. He was laughing with his friends, looking perfectly healthy like he had been the previous day. No sign of sickness, no paleness, no weak movements. He was fine. And he managed to convince his boss to ruin Daniels day off so he could have his fun.

Daniel grit his teeth as he saw Sam look over his way and give the lion a grin, a grin that solely said "Ha fucking Ha" to him as he headed over to collect his food. And Daniel suddenly just didn't give a shit. The line had been walked over. He had reached the edge, and he just felt himself fall over the cliff into the raging sea beneath him. Daniel dropped the mop onto the floor and picked up the bucket as he made his way over to his bastard of a supervisor.

"I thought you were sick" Daniel said as he stood in front of sam.

"Oh, I got over it. Thanks for covering for me" Sam said with a big shit eating grin on his face. Daniel just shook his head at him and got angrier. "Oh, and you might want to clean up that mess over there. Someone might trip and fall" he said, his grin seeming to get wider.

"Fuck you Sam" Daniel said as he picked p the bucket and tossed the hot soapy water onto the shit eater. Sam cried out, not in pain, since the water wasn't boiling, but in shock that someone would do something like that to him.

"You fucking asshole" Daniel shouted. The diner suddenly went quiet as everyone heard the shouting. A commotion like that was sure to drag everyones attention to that one point, and they did. Every head turned as they looked over and everyone saw the soaking wet horse that was dripping wet with suds and standing in a puddle of water.

"Me? I'm the asshole?" Sam said as he glared at the lion who dared soak him. "You're the fucking prick who just dumped this shit on me" he shouted.

"And you're the fucking wanker who dodged work" Daniel shouted back. "You're not sick. You're just a fucking wanker. A goddam fucking prick who can't do his goddam job properly."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sam shouted back. "Me, not do my job? I'm not the one standing here chucking a hissy fit cause I decided to work on my day off" he shouted.

"You are a fucking asshole" Daniel almost roared at him. "I've had it with you. All you do is jack shit around here, and then you have the nerve to say I don't do my job. Well fuck you" he shouted. He was going red in the face, mostly from the rage he was feeling. He didn't care that everyone was watching. He had been pushed over the line, and to hell with everyone.

"What the hell is this?" Marika said as she, conveniently, managed to return from her smoking break in time to catch the shouting match. "Daniel, what the fuck have you done? You decide to go and pull this shit when you know you're behind you lazy little..." but Daniel refused to go any further.

"You can shut up too" Daniel said, fury in his eyes as he rounded on the bitch. "You shoudl've been in here helping me in this shit, but no. You have to go out for a pack of smokes every five minutes, then come back in here and bitch to me" he shouted.

"How dare you..." she protested, but he cut her off.

"Fuck you Marika. I do my job. And I'm sick of you telling me otherwise" he shouted. "You want the job done right? Do it your fucking self for once" he shouted as he shoved her out of the way and walked out. Every eye in the diner was on him as they watched him storm out in the middle of the service. Most of those staff had never seen him act like that before, and some wondered how well they knew him. But no-one tried to stop him.

Alexi sat outside in the trees, carefully watching his lover in his room. The shaded branches kept him hidden from the dying sunlight of the afternoon, as well as the view of the staff who wandered around the village blocks. He was old enough that sunlight wasn't able to burn straight through him, but he still hated the smell of his own burning flesh.

He had watched from a distance of his lovers meltdown at his workstation. Daniel had finally snapped after being pushed to the edge one too many times. Alexi wanted nothing more then to comfort him, to wrap him in his arms and make him feel like nothing could hurt him. But he felt that Daniel needed his space right now.

All the lion had done after his breakdown had head back to his room, lock the door and lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. Alexi was worried for him as he sat in the tree and watched. Daniel barely moved, just rolled over now and then from one side to another. He hadn't gotten up to get anything, or had anything to eat nor drink. Alexi could have just walked into the room, which he could have done regardless of if it was locked and done something, but he didn't feel like it was the right time.

The sun started to set properly, bathing the sky in a rapidly darkening red. Quite appropriate really. Alexi leaned his head against the tree as he watched his lover. He saw movement, which made him cock his head up to look, but all Daniel did was kick his workboots off his feet and onto the floor. He rolled onto his side facing the wall and laid still.

"I did wonder how much it would take you to go over the edge" he thought to himself. "I guess it is a good thing you were not carrying a knife" he added to his thought as he continued to watch patiently.

Alexi began to wonder if Daniel had simply fallen asleep when he saw him sit up rather suddenly. He peered forward and saw Daniel cross his room to open the door. He saw Daniels boss walk in, as well as a rather prim and proper looking doe walk in as well. Alexi figured it must have been one of the females working in the human resources department. No other female in the resort wore a suit like that.

"Oh dear" he said out loud as he realised that Daniel must have been in trouble. The females from the human resources department only come to staff problems in person if there was serious shit about to go down. They normally handled such problems in their offices.

He watched closely as it looked like the boss and the doe were both talking, and from their hand gestures, they were either loud, angry, serious, or all of the above. From the way Daniel was gesturing, he was trying to explain himself. But one angry looking swipe in the air from his boss made him shrink back.

Several more wide spread gestures, and a rather open mouth from the boss were followed, while the doe just stood back with her arms folded as she watched Daniel get obviously berated in front of her. Alexi felt his anger rise as his claws extended enough to shred into the bark of the tree. Why wasn't she stepping in? Why was she letting this happen?

Daniel must have felt that Alexi was watching because when his boss stopped waving his arms around, the lion walked over to the window and placed a hand on the curtain. Alexi saw Daniel look out for a moment, and Alexi felt the breath in his throat catch.

He had seen that look before. For a moment, he went back into his memories and saw Daniel back in the waiters outfit, carrying the tray off food amongst the partygoers and getting berated from the boss of the restaurant. He was wearing that same expression then, and he was wearing the same expression now.

Daniel was alone in there. Whatever reason his boss and the doe were there, they were not on his side. Daniel was by himself, probably feeling as defeated as he looked. And if those two were not on his side, the outcome was only going to be one thing.

Alexi saw defeat in his lovers eyes, the longest moment he had ever had to witness in the longest of times for him, before Daniel drew the curtain. If the outcome was what Alexi thought it was, Daniel did not want him to see the results.

Alexi gripped the trunk of the tree hard enough to almost rip out a football sized chunk. And that wasn't exactly a hard thing for him to do. But this wasn't something he could just barge into. This was a matter that Daniel had to deal with. No matter how pissed off a vampire could be over his lover looking like he was facing the chopping block.

Alexi forced himself to sit back in the tree and watch for the curtain to be pulled back. He felt like it was going to be somewhat of a long wait. But he forced himself to sit still and wait for the curtain to move. But all he saw was the shadows getting longer and the light was getting darker.

By the time it was pitch black and the outside lights in the staff village came on, Alexi was not in the mood to wait anymore. He effortlessly slid from the branch and almost glided to the glass door. He landed without a sound outside the glass doors, pausing only briefly as he stood up. After a moment he had swept the curtain aside.

"Daniel?" he called out softly, but he didn't expect an answer. The lights were off, and the room was empty. It looked like it had been empty for a while, most likely after the curtain had closed whatever happened had happened, and Daniel had left.

"Oh my sweet" Alexi said as he sighed. He stroked his chin for a moment as he took a look around. The boots were missing, so Daniel must have put them back on and went off somewhere. He inhaled a moment. The scent of the lion was dying in the room thanks to the air conditioner, but the lingering trail headed out the doorway.

Alexi never had trouble tracking someone down, and even though the trail was faint, he was able to follow it. He had no trouble staying out of sight either as the trail led to one of the resort tracks that ran behind the staffs village and to the edge of the island where the staff had access to a beach. The beach was riddled with stones and mounds of shoal, which were perfect for the islands staff, and not the guests, who used the resort front beach consisting of shells and fine sand.

Alexi seemed to appear out of the shadows as he emerged from the road. The moon was coming out, the sunset gone for the day. It gave just enough light for normal furs to see by, but Alex could see every stone and every wave of the inky black sea in front of him.

And he saw Daniel standing in the sea. From how high the tide was for the evening, he must have just stood there as the water simply rose up. He was knee high, still in his uniform.

"If you're trying to drown yourself, you're not doing a good job" Alexi said softly as he walked up and stood behind him.

"it's a good idea though" Daniel said, his voice croaking slightly. Alexi could see the tears on his cheeks, tears that had been falling for so long and were still falling.

"They didn't care, did they?" Alexi asked as he put a hand on the lions shoulder. He felt Daniels body tremble, almost like he was about to just fall over from the slightest amount of pressure.

"They fired me" he eventually said after several minutes of silence. "They didn't want to listen. They talked to Sam, talked to Marika, and made up their minds before they came to see me."

"Oh, my sweet, I am so sorry" Alexi said as he slowly drew his arms around his lion and pulled him against him. He felt Daniels body give out slightly as he held him up so effortlessly. He had never noticed before, but Daniels body was so light. He wondered how he had never noticed before.

"Its like...the last few years just didn't matter" Daniel said. He didn't even resist as he felt Alexi wrap his arms around him to hold him up. "They just..only cared about what just happened, like that was the defining moment of my life."

"They don't deserve someone like you" Alexi said as he brushed his lips against Daniels neck softly. "You're too good for them. They will regret what they have done" he said.

"They won't" Daniel said as fresh tears rolled down his cheeks. "I did everything I could do make everyone happy, and one mistake and I'm fired" he said. "They want me gone tomorrow."

Alexi said nothing as he held his poor lion against him. Anger and fury were coursing through him over the treatment of someone so close to him. But the fact that his lion was in his arms crying and feeling as defeated as he looked was stopping Alexi from unleashing all kinds of hell on those responsible.

"Why didn't you kill me?"

"What? Alexi asked as he looked at him for a moment. He had heard the question, but he didn't understand it.

"That first night you took me" Daniel said as he stared at the dark water. "You tore my throat open. You were going to kill me after you fed. But you didn't. You let me live. Why?" he asked.

"Why do you want to know that?" Alexi asked as he kept his arms around him. "I don't know if this is the right time to ask" he added, somewhat uncertain.

"Alexi" Daniel said as he pulled himself from the vampires arms and turned to face him. Alexi saw the many streaks of tears down his lovers cheeks, and saw no spark of light in the eyes he loved to look into.

"All my life, no matter what i did, I feel like no-one cares. I thought moving up here to work meant a fresh start on a life that I was failing at. But today, it just proved no matter what, they were waiting to pounce on me so they could get rid of me" he said as he drew his arms around Alexis waist and rested his head under the taller lions chin.

"You're the only one who showed me that someone actually liked me. I just want to know why. Maybe you were horny, maybe you were hungry, maybe you wanted to taste someones death again. I don't know why you chose to let me live, some ... deadbeat like me. What made me so special that you're the only one who found something in me?" he asked as fresh tears once again coursed down his cheeks.

Alexi was silent for several moments as he held his crying lion against him. It was a while before he spoke, but when he did, he made sure his lion could hear him.

"Daniel, I have been alive longer then you. And not living for ever longer than that. I never chose to be a vampire. I was turned out of my own desperation to stop someone I loved from dying. Unfortunately, he did. He was killed. I killed his killer and took every pleasure in it I could."

"For the last lifetimes I've lived, I've done a lot of things. Many of them you would have nightmares about. I've killed many, tortured more, and eaten from countless. And i've never once felt the guilt that any person with a soul would."

He placed a hand under Daniels chin and made him look up at him.

"I don't know why, or what it was about you that made me feel that way, but that night, you made my heart beat again. I felt like i was alive for the first time that i could remember. And I felt that if I killed you, I would die from the guilt."

Daniel looked up at him with an expression that could only mean he didn't believe a word of it. Or that he didn't believe that he could mean that much to someone.

"You mean something to me. And that's why i love you. You matter to me" he said to him as he held the smaller lion down.

He felt Daniel hug him tighter as his head laid on his chest. Maybe he did believe him, and maybe he didn't. He probably didn't. He had spent so long believing that no-one cared, he even found it hard sometimes to believe that Alexi did.

How long he held him there, he wasn't sure. He knew the moon rose up in the sky higher each time he looked, but he didn't say anything. He didn't want to spoil the moment and make it worse. The only sounds he heard were the waves softly washing onto the beach, and teh soft breathing of his lover in his arms.

"Do it" Daniel said after a while.

"Do what?" Alexi asked, again surprised by the question.

"Do it" Daniel said as he looked up. "Change me. Make me like you" he said.

"Daniel..." Alexi said, somewhat surprised by the command. "Daniel...I don't think you know what your asking..." he began to say, but Daniel cut him off.

"Alexi, I've spent my life making every decision for someone else. I've tried to prove to everyone that I'm good by bending over backwards for everyone, and doing everything for them. I don't care if this decision means I'm selfish, but I'm sick of making everyone else happy. You're the only one that has made me think I'm actually special, and I want this. I want to stay with you. Forever. And if that makes me selfish, then fine. I'm selfish. I just want me to be happy for once" he said. Alexi noticed that the tears had stopped flowing as his lover spoke.

The vampire was silent for several moments. Only the soft sounds of the water breaking over the sand were heard in the dark night as the darkness flowed around them. Alexi could see that Daniel was serious. This was a decision he wasn't making to make Alexi happy. This was to make him happy.

"Please" Daniel almost begged. Alexi looked into his lovers eyes, so dead after such a short yet miserable life. "I...I can't take this anymore. I can't live like this...I can't...I just can't do it" he said.

"Daniel" Alexi said softly as the bones crunched in his face, the dark ridges on his vampiric mask pulled his skin tight as his fangs were exposed, and his eyes glowed a dark red in the night like two glowing embers. "If this is what you really want, I will give it to you. But you must the take the consequences of this decision" he said.

Daniel didn't reply. He just closed his eyes and tilted his head as he held onto Alexi as tightly as he could.

He didn't even cry out as he felt Alexis fangs tear into his throat. He felt Alexi grab onto him hard enough to almost break the bones in his spine as the vampire drank his blood.

But it was different this time. It wasn't slow like it was the last times. It was fast. In the span of a few moments he saw his vision swim, the stars above turning into blinking blurs that spun around in front of his eyes. The sound of the waves were washing together in nothing but a long drawn out woosh of noise.

He felt his body grow cold as his heart slowed down, reduced to nothing but a few pitiful beats that fought to keep life in his mortal shell. His arms felt weak and he felt his grip fail him as his arms fell to his sides as Alexi kept drinking.

"Alexi..." was all Daniel could make out with his energy failing to let him say anything more. He ended up closing his eyes, the effort was too much to keep them open. He fell slack, his body becoming the dead weight that meant he was dying.

He felt something brush up against his head. It felt like Alexis hand. He wondered what it was doing up there. Then he heard something like fabric being torn, and thick cold liquid like molasses run down in rivulets against his forehead.

He felt a hand on the back of his head gently lift his head and press it against the nape of Alexis neck. The cold ice like liquid pooled against his lips before it began to drip through the minute gaps between. It tasted so...so cold.

"Drink it my love. I know you're weak, but drink it. Please" Alexi said, his voice carrying the concern for his lover in the last word he spoke. Daniel felt like he could do nothing more as he felt the liquid pool against his tongue like liquid ice, before he gulped it down.

"That's it my love. Feed on your new life" Alexi said softly as he felt his lion drink. Daniel would not see it, but Alexi could see the change happening already. It started like fire, like it always did.

As Daniel drank, dark spots began to appear over his body. They started small, but began to spread slowly the more he fed. Over his fur, his skin, even his clothes. It spread like spilt ink that connected to another spot, then another as it covered him like a second colouring. When he was mostly blackened, that was when the first whisps of smoke started to rise his body.

Alexi could feel the heat as his lovers body grew hotter. The smoke began to thicken as more whisps appeard over him. And the heat rose even more. Daniel felt so hot to the touch.

Alexi knew was coming next, and he pushed Daniel away, just as the lion screamed as his body ignited from the inside. Daniel cried out in pain as his body became a pillar of fire so hot that his flesh was reduced to white cinders, and the water of the beach boiled at his feet.

"I love you Daniel" Alexi said softly as he watched his lion burn, the fire lighting like a beacon in the dark night. He knew how much pain he was going through, but it would all be over. His mortal shell had to be burned away, to make way for the new life that the fire would bring.

He could only imagine what the lion would be like once he woke up.

It had been over a week since Daniels disappearance from the island resort. A representative of the Human Resources department, and a member of the islands security, had entered Daniels room the day after his dismissal. What they could not understand was that how, if the island boats had not transferred him to the mainland at all, could his room be empty. The only thing they found in there, was his nametag on an unmade bed. They found no trace that anyone had helped him off the island, or that he was still there.

It was like he had disappeared into thin air. But no-one wanted to admit it.

And the stewards suddenly found themselves without mercy. The meagre few who, like Daniel, had been able to do their job, were hardly affected. But those who had treated him as a scapegoat, found themselves no longer able to simply excuse themselves. Because with Daniel gone, they were no longer able to mask their poor work performances. They had always been able to shrug off their many, and constant, mistakes by focusing the attention onto things that Daniel was meant to do, but did not, most of which were made up on the spot.

But without him, they suddenly realised they were no longer able to get out of actually doing their job. Their constant smoking breaks and 'let him do it' attitudes disappeared when their boss actually saw them no longer working for their dollar.

And unable to use the excuse of 'But Daniel didn't do this or that', eventually they were all disciplined with written warnings, unpaid overtime, and extended shifts. Their poor work performances were no longer tolerated, and all the work they had left Daniel to do, they now were forced to pick up the slack.

Once they realised how much work had actually needed to be done, it was almost one by one that they began to feel how badly they had treated them. Only those that seemed to be able to feel remorse felt the need to apologise. Those that didn't feel the need, were met with discipline as they refused to admit they were actually at fault.

It was at the end of the first week, that Sam had been demoted back to a regular steward after he had been found sleeping in his bedroom during a work shift he had meant to be overseeing. Unable to pass off the blame to his favourite punching bag, he had been demoted on the spot, in favour of a dismissal.

The Human Resources department had realised they had made a mistake in firing a steward that had actually worked. And so they had made attempts to contact Daniel with an apology. But those attempts had been met with an email that no longer existed, and a phone number that had been disconnected.

And Sam blamed Daniel for everything.

"Fucking asshole" the horse complained as he made his way to the staff area of the beach after a particularly gruelling shift. He had forgotten how much work was actually involved when he was no longer able to just stand around and watch. "How dare he... how DARE HE" he shouted into the night sky, the beer bottle in his hand spilling a large splatter of beer onto the sand.

"I can't fucking believe it. That prick throws water on me, gets fired, and now I'm in trouble" Sam said angrily as he continued down the sand. It was getting late, the sun had already set and the last rays of blood red night sky were falling into darkness.

"I did not do anything wrong. I did my fucking job. Supervisior means I stand around and make sure they do their fucking job" Sam said angrily as he stumbled over a dune. He almost tripped over a rock, which made him curse Daniels name to the moon. His boots stomped into the grains as he took a swig of beer.

"And now I'm in trouble, cause everybody else can't do their own jobs while I'm watching them" Sam said in sarcasm as he spoke to no-one in particular. "And I'm the one in trouble, cause with that prick gone, I'm the one everyone's looking at" he said angrily as he drained the last of his beer. Feeling the buzz, and getting angry over it, he threw the bottle into the black water.

"You know, you really shouldn't be doing that" a voice said behind him as a light was shone onto him. Sam turned and squinted into the light that shone into his face, but he couldn't see who it was.

"Who the fuck is that? Security?" Sam said angrily. "Don't shine that fucking light at me" he shouted.

"Sorry mate" the figure said as the light tilted down slightly, enough to shine it on Sams body, but keeping the light out of his eyes. "I heard voices down here. Thought I'd check it out" he said. The light moved, indicating a shrug.

"Yeah, well it's just me down here" Sam said. "And what the fuck do you mean I shouldn't be doing what?" he snarled.

"Well, throwing trash onto a beach isn't allowed around here. Someone working here as long as you should know that by now" the figure said. Sam saw him take a few steps forward, but he still couldn't make out who the security guard was. Probably a new guy who thought he could spout the rules anyway he wanted.

"It was one fucking bottle" Sam said pointedly. "And anyway, I'm pissed off, Ok?" he said with a huff. "Some asshole steward got himself fired, and now everyone is against me, cause they don't think that I can do the job, just cause I took one fucking nap" he said in annoyance.

"Just one nap and they demote you?" the guard said, with what sounded like a smirk on his face. "Must've been a long nap" he said.

"Yeah, whatever" Sam said. "It's all his fucking fault. Wanker couldn't do his bloody job properly, and I'm supposed to be the one to be blamed for it?" he asked in an angry shout.

"Well, that is a supervisors job, isn't it?" the guard said with another step forward. "I mean, supervisors supervise, don't they?" he asked. "They make sure their workers do their job and get the job done, so everything works smoothly. You must have been pretty pathetic to let one stewards bad performance get you demoted."

"Oh fuck you" Sam shouted at him. "It aint my fault he..." he began.

"What, it's his fault you slept with every chick you could bed?" the guard said.

"Huh?" Sam said as he began to protest, but the guard cut him off.

"Was it his fault that you slept during your shift and didn't help out?" he asked.

"Uh..yeah..." Sam said, starting to wonder what was going on.

"And was it his fault that you faked serious illness cause you didn't want to turn up to work with a hangover because you binge drink on a worknight?" he asked, another step taking him forward.

"Hey, is it my fault the nurse doesn't know the difference between gastro and a hangover?" Sam protested, then shut up when he realised he admitted it. "Ok, forget i just said that. But it's still the nursed fault. It's not mine" he said angrily.

"Yes Sam, it is your fault" the figure said, as the flashlight was aimed upwards to highlight Sams face. Sam shielded his eyes from the bright light, unable to see anything behind it.

"It fucking aint" he protested as he squinted. "Anyway, what kind of security guy are you? A fucking interrogater?" he demanded. "And get that fucking light out of my face, before I kick your bitch ass" he shouted.

"When did I say I was a security guard?" the figure said, with an obvious smirk in his voice.

"But...But you said you were" Sam said, suddenly feeling a flash of fear in his chest as his heart began to race. Something really wasn't right ere.

"No Sam. You said I was" the figure said. Another step forward pushed the figure standing right in front of him, the flashlight held up against the horses face. Sam wanted to take a step backwards to get the light out of his eyes, but something was making his legs unable to move. Or stop shaking.

"Oh, and there was that other thing you shouldn't be doing down here" the figure said.

"What?" Sam asked, his voice suddenly coming out small, and for the first time, there wasn't a hint of arrogance in there.

The light moved, and the figures face was highlighted. The lions face looked the same as it did the day Sam saw him get angry. But it was different at the same time. His mane was no longer the dark sandy colour it had been, it was a deep obsidian black, darker then the night sky around them. His sandy coloured fur was paler, a definite coldness etched into the face.

And his eyes. They had been blue before. And he had worn glasses. Stupid round blue lensed glasses that made him look like a twit. But now they were red. Red and shining like two glittering rubies that stared back at him. No, not rubies. They were the colour of blood. And there wasn't a single trace of mercy in those eyes.

"You really shouldn't blame me for you being a pathetic loser" Daniel said as the sound of bones crunching was heard for a second as his face changed. Ridges appeared as the muscles and bones across his face bunched up, stretching the skin and everything under them into a dark vampiric mask. Two ivory coloured fangs descended from under his upper lip, his dark tongue flicking over them rather hungrily.

And those eyes. They glowed. Like they were lit by a hungry inner fire that lit up his gaze, a gaze that was focused on the horse in front of him.

Sam let out a scream as the flashlight was dropped, highlighting the white sand of the beach as the scream continued. There was a roar and the sound of tearing flesh, and a splatter of dark red blood flew onto the sand in front of the flashlights gaze.

Alexi stepped slowly out of the shadows, a hand under his chin as he watched the scene with a smile on his face. The sounds of his lover feeding brought his smile a wider stance as he watched Daniel slowly stand up above the twitching horse lying in the blood soaked sand.

"Now, you could have killed him" Alexi said as he saw Daniel wipe his face after it had changed back to normal. He stood up, wearing black leather pants that clung to his long sexy legs, a white ruffled shirt around his toros that chose to highlight his new muscles. There was not a trace of unwanted fat or extra weight on his new body. His lover was dark, strong, dominant, and drop dead sexy in his eyes.

"I chose not too" Daniel said as he licked the blood from his fingers, looking down at the still twitching horse, dark rivulets of blood coursing their way into the darker waters of the sea. "I'm not a killer" he admitted as he pulled his glasses from his shirt pocket and readjusted them on his nose.

"Clearly not" Alexi said as he walked over slowly, coming to stand to look down at the horse with his throat bleeding into the sand. "After everything he did to you to, you chose to let him live. Not the choice I would have made" Alexi said with a slight smirk on his handsome features.

Daniel merely smiled as he licked the dark blood from his lips and turned to look at his lover.

"He'll still be alive by the time anyone finds him. But he won't sleep for the rest of his life. He'll be too afraid I'll come back and finish the job" he said with a wicked smile that danced across his features.

Alexi smiled and wrapped his arms around his lover, pulling him close as he ignored the gurgled cries of help from the horse as he try to make himself be heard.

"I love the way you talk" Alexi said with a grin as he planted a hungry kiss on the lions lips. The two of them stood over the bloodied horse on the sand as they made out. Their tongues danced in each others mouths as their hands roamed over each others bodies hungrily, the two of them wanting more of the other, unable to get enough.

When they finally pulled away from each other, both were smiling to the other, smiles meant only for the others eyes.

"You know, there is a splendid Japanese production of Phantom of the Opera that will start in a few hours" Alexi said with a grin. "Would you care to see it?"

"I'd love too" Daniel said with a smile as Alexi drew his cape and drew it over the both of them, the two vampires disappearing under the cloth, the beach becoming silent once again, the only proof that they were there was the horse on the beach barely alive in a pool of his own blood.