This is another story in the "Blood Ties" universe (formerly "Harem Stories". We
finally thought of a name for our world <g>) If you'd like to read other stories in
this universe of a non erotica nature (yes, we do write those too!) then check out
the vorteX list fiction archive at: http://www.xmission.com/~listninj/vortex/

Thanks to S.C. for beta reading. Permission granted to place on the JADFE
archive. LaCroix belongs to Sony/TriStar and everyone else belongs to me.

LaCroix/Female
Explicit sex and violence.

"Upon a Winter's Night"  -- Part One
 by Altariel
 copyright 1998

Triona, Stephanie, and Lauren were in the sitting room. It was just after sunset
and the full moon was reflecting off the snow covered grounds outside the
French doors. Triona was trying to get her two *assistant's* attention back to
the work at hand. They, however, were more interested in discussing plans to
ambush Sarah and Terese with a snowball attack when they returned to the
estate after a day in the city on various errands.

"No! We need to wait in the bend of the path leading from the garage!"
Stephanie protested.

"That's silly, the driver will let them off by the front door, we can get them from
the alcove." Lauren told Stephanie, exasperated. The girl knew nothing of
strategy.

"No, he won't! You know LaCroix has been on a fitness tangent lately.  He
will make them walk from the garage!" Stephanie said smugly.

"That's IT!" Triona said, thoroughly annoyed. "I give up, forget it. Go play in the
snow, but don't come crying to me when Terese makes mincemeat out of the
two of you."  She turned off the laptop, giving up on the idea of work for the
evening.

The two women tried to look contrite, but failed miserably.

"Cool!" Stephanie shouted.

"Thanks, Triona!" Lauren beamed, practically bouncing out of her chair.  "And
as for Terese, she'll have to catch us first!"

Triona sighed. "Just shoo you two, go get bundled up first though. All we need
is for you to get sick."

"Wanna join us, Triona?" Stephanie asked on her way out.

"Nope, I don't have a death wish thank you very much. I'll just watch Terese
killing the both of you and serve hot beverages," she replied wryly. Triona
sighed in relief as silence fell in the sitting room, hearing the two racing up the
stairs to their suites to get bundled up.

She wondered idly where LaCroix was. No one had seen him since he had left
for the city the evening before, though they knew he had come back in the early
morning. She had an idea of what was going on, just wasn't sure if it was mortal
or vampire. And truth be told, she didn't really want to know.

As she turned to leave the sitting room, she felt a *shift* in the air. She knew
instinctively it was a vampire -- she also knew it wasn't LaCroix, or even
Nicholas, for that matter. Taking firm hold of herself, she finished turning,
showing no surprise at the presence of the woman who stood in front of her.
She was about 5' 6", with short cropped black hair in a punk style, with dark
brown eyes. From her pallor alone, Triona knew she was a vampire -- and the
reason none of them had seen him. She was more handsome than pretty, and
that was being generous. But Triona doubted he had brought her home for her
looks.

Keeping her voice level, she asked, "May I help you with something?"

"Oh, I doubt that very much," the woman replied in a condescending tone. "So
you must be one of Lucien's little pets. Which one are you?"

\\And not for her charm either,// Triona thought to herself angrily. "Well then, if
you don't need anything. I'll be going. I have duties to attend to," she stated
coolly as she headed for the door. \\She would not lose her temper,// she kept
repeating to herself.

"I didn't say you could leave," the woman said haughtily. "I will certainly report
your impertinence to Lucien."

Triona stiffened, starting to count to ten, then she thought, \\to hell with it, // and
whirled, laughing, to give the %&*# a piece of her mind.

The woman looked surprised, not the reaction she had expected from LaCroix's
little mortal.

"Let's get a few things straight shall we?" Triona said slowly and deliberately, as
if speaking to someone not too bright. She saw from the woman's expression
that her tone had not gone unnoticed. \\Good,// she thought. "There is only one
person in this house that I obey, and it certainly isn't you! And as for complaining
to LaCroix, please do be my guest. He has little tolerance for common behavior,
especially from a woman he brought to our home for what amounts to a one night
stand," she finished scathingly.

The vampire was infuriated, her eyes turning golden. Triona knew she should be a
little frightened, but wasn't really worried. She was sure that the woman's fear of
LaCroix would keep her from harming her.

"You wretched little mortal.... girl!" she spat. "How dare you speak to me in such
a manner!" She stalked over to Triona, gripping her arm painfully. "I think I should
kill you," she snarled.

Triona merely looked amused. "If you want it to be the last thing you do before you
meet your true death, go right ahead."

"Do you really expect me to believe that LaCroix would kill me -- over you? A
worthless little mortal?" She laughed evilly. "I didn't believe his little threat when he
made it on coming here, and I certainly don't believe you."

She felt the *vamp strumpet* -- that's how she was thinking of her -- trying to
whammy her even as Triona mentally called for LaCroix. She knew he had to be
near. \\More than likely he had watched the whole thing,// she thought in
annoyance, tinged with a little fear.

"You'll have to do better than that," Triona said patronizingly, as all attempts to
control her mind failed miserably.

The woman hissed, pausing to consider. The little mortal seemed either mad or
extremely confident. The question was, which was it? This house was infested with
mortals, surely LaCroix wouldn't miss this one. After all, how could she possibly
mean anything to him? Decision made, she lunged for the kill -- only to find herself
being  grabbed and hurled against the wall.

                        ***********

Triona breathed a sigh of relief as LaCroix pulled the female vampire away from
her, smiling smugly as she made a satisfying thud upon hitting the wall.  And for
the moment at least, appeared to be quite stunned.

Amused, he noted her smile. "You seem pleased, my dear. But I must say, I think
you were more than a little foolhardy." He ran his fingers lightly over her bruised
arm. "It was something akin to a kitten taking on a tiger, after all."

"Not at all. I had utter confidence you would be there to rescue me." Triona
cocked an eyebrow. "Always supposing you didn't manipulate this entire scene for
some obscure reason?" She waited expectantly for an answer.

"Now there is a fascinating scenario, my child." LaCroix paused, hearing the
stunned vampire rousing. "One that we shall discuss at a more opportune time."

Moving to where the woman was stirring, LaCroix grabbed her arm roughly,
pulling her to her feet. "I warned you, did I not, Letitia?" he asked, his voice
pitched dangerously low. "Harm what is mine and pay the consequences."  His
hand gripped her chin painfully.

"She was rude -- a worthless mortal. How dare you treat me this way," Letitia
protested angrily, not yet realizing her peril.

"Instead of making excuses, you would do well to convince me why I shouldn't
stake you here and now." He tilted her head up farther.

Letitia tried to struggle, but the young vampire was no match for the powerful
ancient that held her in his grip. Now she was becoming frightened, and she
swore if she talked herself out of this she would make the little mortal wretch pay.

"I'm sorry, Lucien, I had no idea. I promise I'll make it up to you." She smiled up
at him seductively, pushing her body against his. "Can't we start over? I promise
I'll be good this time."

He wrapped his hand in her hair with a painful grip, kissing her roughly. "Oh you
will make it up to me, Letitia, I promise you."

She smiled to herself. It was always so simple. No matter how old the man, he
always thought with something other than his brain.  By the time she was through,
she'd make sure she'd taken out several of his little mortal pets.

She ran her hand down his chest. "Name the time and the place, and I'm all yours,"
she purred seductively.

"Indeed my dear, indeed." LaCroix smiled down on her. "Now I think you should
go and let me settle my... pet. I'll have my driver take you into the city -- it's such
a dreadful night to fly."

Triona watched the little by-play with interest, amazed at the utter naiveté of the
female vampire. She ate it all up, not even aware of his web.

With one last alluring glance at LaCroix, and a glare at Triona, Letitia sauntered
out of the room.

He watched her leave, a considering look on his face. He felt Triona's gaze on him.
"I have a few matters to attend to my dear. Please wait for me in my suite, I shall
return shortly," he directed as he turned to leave.

"Of course -- whatever you say, General. Whatever you say," she agreed,
wondering if what she thought was going to happen, was.

                        ************

LaCroix flew to the garage, giving the driver his instructions, watching as he
drove towards the house. He moved through the woods to the bend in the road
between the garage and the house, hearing the shouts and squeals of the other
women engaged in what sounded like a snowball fight. He waited patiently for
the car to reappear -- and with it the soon to be departed Letitia. He could
have staked her in the house, but out of concern for Triona's sensibilities, he
had decided against it.  And besides, this was so much more satisfying. The
prey, thinking she had escaped her fate, only to realize that there was no escape.
The thrill of the hunt.

The car finally appeared, slowing to a halt as instructed. He heard the driver
explaining that he needed to check the engine.  LaCroix nodded at the man as
he made his way back to his rooms over the garage. Pulling the door open, he
reached in, pulling Letitia out of the car.

"What are you doing?" she screamed.

"Very simple, my dear, this is the time and the place for you to *make it up to
me*," LaCroix answered, his tone cold and menacing.

"I… I don't understand…." she protested, voice shaking.

"But of course you do. You lied to me, and you are a fool." LaCroix shook her.
"I can't let you live, knowing at the first opportunity you would kill Triona and
quite possibly other of my women. Did you really think I would be taken in by
your little harlot's act?" His laugh was chilling as he pulled her head back to
expose her throat. "But, I promise you a much easier death  than the one you
would have given my own."

He plunged his fangs into her throat, swiftly draining her to the point of
unconsciousness. No use letting her go to waste after all. Her blood only
confirmed his suspicions -- she had intended on killing Triona and as many of
the others as she could.

Dropping her still form to the ground, he plunged the stake he had brought with
him through her cold heart.  He would let the morning's sun take care of the
remains. So young -- and so foolish. This one would never have lasted long. No
control. \\ Where were these young one's masters,// he wondered in irritation.

He turned to leave, only to be stopped by a snowball ploughing into his chest.

"GOT YOU!!!" he heard Lauren scream as she came bounding across the
clearing. She came to a screeching halt as she saw that it wasn't Terese she
had hit, but LaCroix.

LaCroix arched an eyebrow has he brushed the snow off his jacket.  She tried
to help, but only made it worse as the snow on her mittens fell all over him. He
took her hands in his. "Stop helping, Lauren."

She nodded, stammering an apology. "I'm sorry, General, I thought you were
T...T...Terese. I would have never…."

He stopped her babbling with a kiss, smiling down on her. "It's all right, my pet.
I assure you I've been hit with much worse than snow in my life." She nodded in
relief. "Just don't let it happen again."

"No, I won't. Not ever, General!" Lauren said with as much assurance as possible.

"But I think it is time you and all the others came back into the house." LaCroix
began to lead her away from the body behind him.

"Okay." She looked past him, noticing the car and the dark lump next to it. "But
why is the car here, and what's that on the ground?"

"Lauren," he said sternly. "Listen to me."

She looked up at him, waiting.

"It is nothing that concerns you. I ask that you trust me in this and ask no more
questions. Do you understand?" He held her hands reassuringly as a torrent of
emotion ran across her eyes: curiosity, fear, a desire to please.

"Of course I trust you, LaCroix," she finally said, turning away from the car and
heading up the path. "I'll tell the others to come in now."

He pulled her back towards him, embracing her tightly and kissing her long and
deep. She leaned into the kiss, sighing as he released her.

"Good girl," he said approvingly. "Now let's round up the others. I have an
appointment with Triona I must get to." He kept hold of her hand as they headed
back towards the sounds of the snowball fight.

Terese pulled her throw on a dime when she realized it was LaCroix approaching,
looking very nervous on realizing how near she had come to throwing.

LaCroix smiled at her, running his hand down her flushed cheek. He found the
sight of so many faces, the blood so near the surface, intoxicating. He could hear
their hearts beating swiftly from their exertions, and now he had arrived, beating
for other reasons.

He ran his thumb over Terese's warm lips. "I think being hit with one snowball
tonight is sufficient, don't you, Lauren?" He looked over at where she was
standing, quirking a brow.

Lauren looked embarrassed, blushing furiously. Terese looked shocked that he
was taking it in such good humor. Stephanie was utilizing one of her best innocent
expressions just in case. Sarah was barely able to contain a grin at her friends
discomfiture.

"As much as you are enjoying this little battle, it is time we removed ourselves to
the house," LaCroix stated, brooking no argument. He started up the path, fully
confident that all four women were following behind.

The women were not all adverse to the view as they followed LaCroix up the
path and to the house. With that butler sixth sense, Baker was there to open the
door for them as they came to the entrance.

"Sir, ladies." Baker ushered them in, helping the women out of their snow
covered coats and hats.

"Baker, hot drinks for the ladies. In the study I think," LaCroix ordered.

"And your usual, sir?" Baker queried.

"No. Not right now Baker. I'm feeling quite -- sated." LaCroix said, his tone
making his women shiver.

They followed him as he walked towards the study, unsure of his mood.  He
seemed quite unlike himself tonight, almost like the cat that swallowed the canary.
They entered the very masculine room quietly, inhaling the pleasing scents of
leather, wool, and the smoke from the peat fire that was burning brightly in the
hearth. LaCroix indicated that they seat themselves as he poured small measures
of Napoleon Brandy into the waiting snifters.

"Sarah?" He indicated the tray. "Would you be so kind?"

"Of course, General." Sarah picked up the tray and passed the drinks around the
room.  She decided to enjoy the mood while it lasted, and it appeared the others
had too.

They sipped the brandy slowly as LaCroix watched them with an almost paternal
look on his face.

His attention was distracted by Baker's entrance with the tea tray. "And now,
ladies, I have other -- obligations -- this evening." He glanced up at the ceiling.
"You will all stay in the house till after dawn." Noticing Stephanie's expression, he
continued, "That includes you, Stephanie," he said sternly. "You will give me your
word."

Stephanie sighed, \\foiled again,// she thought. "I promise, General, honest!"

"I know you will keep your word, child. You certainly aren't foolish -- are you?"
He tilted her face up to look at him.

"No, LaCroix," Stephanie assured him, her eyes wide and innocent.

He chuckled, kissing her lightly. "You do amuse me, child." LaCroix looked around
at the seated women. "Now, if you will excuse me, ladies...."  He left the study,
barely stirring the air with his departure.

                        ***********

LaCroix entered his suite, hearing the slow steady beat of Triona's heart under the
strains of music coming from the stereo. She was standing in front of the window,
the moonlight silhouetting her body through the thin silk fabric of her negligee.
Aware of his presence, she turned to watch him cross the room, leaning against
the wall. Not touching her, he leaned down to kiss her. They kissed long and deep
-- their only point of contact his cool lips on her warm ones.

As LaCroix started to raise his hands to take her in his arms, she slipped out from
under his insistent lips. Bemused, he watched her move to the center of the room,
turn and hold her hand out to him.

"Dance?" Triona asked, her lips quirking in slight smile as the next track on the CD
began to play.

He recognized the song, 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes',  as he took her hand and
pulled her to him. His right hand firmly placed on her lower back, his left hand in
her right between them, they began to dance to the slow, sultry tune.

She leaned her cheek against his chest as they moved smoothly together in rhythm
to the music. Only the light of the fire and a few candles illuminated the two as
they danced. Turning her head slightly, she pressed her lips against the silk of his
shirt, breathing in deeply, inhaling his scent. She always loved the way he smelled
-- like a cold wind blowing off the ocean -- sharp, tangy and forceful. Allowing
herself to relax totally, she leaned into him, letting the feel of his body and the
sound of the music to totally envelop her.

She tilted her head up, looking at him consideringly. He noted her intent
expression with some amusement as he waited for her to come to a conclusion.
He didn't have to wait long.

"So, did you?" she asked him finally.

He didn't pretend not to know what she meant. "You are persistent, my dear."

"You said we would discuss it at a more opportune time. So I'm discussing it."
She watched him, a stubborn look in her eyes he knew all too well.

They had stopped dancing, but LaCroix continued to hold her against him. He
briefly considered *distracting* her, but realized she'd just bring it up again later.
"What do you think?" answering her question with one of his own.

Annoyed at his evasions, she pursed her lips, carefully considering her response.
She reached a decision. "I think it's entirely likely. Testing my loyalty perhaps,
or just breaking the monotony," she said in irritation. \\Damn games,// she thought.

LaCroix laughed at that. "You do give me entirely too much credit, my dear!"
He kissed the top of her head as she became even more annoyed. Finally, he
relented. "No, my dear Triona, I did not plan it. But if it had been a test, you
would have passed brilliantly. Your confidence in me was quite touching. But
you must promise not to take such a chance again -- no matter how much you
are pressed. It is quite permissible for you to scream in such a circumstance you
know.  It would not damage your dignity beyond repair," he chided gently.

He slid his hand up Triona's back to her neck, tangling his fingers in her hair,
pulling her head back. "Anything else?"

Triona looked into his eyes, like she was trying to see into him. "What happened
wasn't because I was jealous or anything -- I just wanted you to know that."
She took a deep breath. "I understand that you have *needs* that we can't
meet, that we're far too fragile, mortal. I was more than willing to be a gracious
hostess, but she never gave me the chance."

"I never doubted that for a moment. You have always filled your role exquisitely."
He caressed the side of her neck with his thumb. "You have no need to worry
about retribution, the matter is over."

"I know," she said simply.

He realized with a start that indeed, she *did* know. "You never fail to amaze
me, child. Indeed I am fortunate in having you."  He looked down on her warmly.
No recrimination in her eyes, no judgment, only acceptance. Of him -- and his
nature.

"There was little choice after all." She shivered a little, thinking about what had
happened. Finally letting her brave facade drop, she threw her arms around his
neck, burying her face in his chest. Her voice muffled, she admitted, "I was
frightened, Lucien." She shivered uncontrollably in his arms.

"Shhhhhh." LaCroix held her securely, running one hand up and down her back
comfortingly. "It is all over now. Listen, your favorite is playing."  He began to
move again to the music.

She pulled her head away from his chest to smile up at him shakily, moving with
him. As 'Moonlight Serenade' played, the two once again danced. LaCroix felt her
start to relax -- her pulse quickening as one hand moved languorously from her
neck to her bottom, leaving a trail of fire along its path. She made a little gasp as
his other hand moved to join its mate cupping her, pressing her up and against him.
Instinctively reaching up for his kiss, she met his lips as they descended on hers
gently.

He slowly moved her back towards the bed,  his hands roaming over her silk
clad body with increasing fervor. Stopping only to swiftly remove her gown,
LaCroix gently eased her back onto the bed. She watched him avidly as he
quickly removed his own clothes, kneeling next to where she lay, naked, on his
bed.

Triona eased herself up to kneel in front of him, running her hands up his legs,
across his hard stomach, to his chest.  Totally engrossed in what she was doing,
at the feeling  of his muscles under her hands, she never saw his eyes shift from
ice blue to gold. His low growl, as she kissed and licked his nipples, alerted her
to the change. She looked up to gold eyes, reaching up to run her fingers across
his lips, brushing them across the tips of his now extended fangs.

She pressed her fingertip against the tip of one, easily piercing the flesh against its
razor point. Blood welled from the wounded finger, and she swooned back as
LaCroix sucked it away, his tongue sending frissions of delight washing over her
body. He caught her against him as she fell back, running his fangs up her arm,
leaving droplets of blood in their wake. Triona moaned as he ran his tongue up
and down her arm, licking away the blood.

In little gasps, she pleaded, "Oh please, Lucien,  I offer you all.… Please...."
She threw her head back, exposing her throat in total surrender to the vampire
before her, utterly lost to the blood lust screaming through her.

"I will take all, my pet," he declared in a voice that was more like an animal growl.

He moved a hand to her mound, finding her well past ready for him. As he
pressed into her center, his lips and fangs found her throat. He didn't bite -- not
yet. Instead, he made little punctures in the skin; over and over, licking away
the blood from each one of dozens of tiny wounds.

Between the manipulation of his hand and what his fangs were doing at her
throat, she was in a frenzy. Past speech and almost past thought, she could only
react -- the little animal sounds she made low in her throat exciting him past all
control.

In what seemed like one smooth movement, he pushed her back onto the bed,
sinking his fangs deep into her throat and thrusting his hard length into her. She
screamed at the onslaught, her nervous system overloaded by pure sensation.
Her hands clawed at his back as she came -- her inner muscles grasping at him
even has her life's blood flowed away. He reached his own climax on the heels
of hers, pummeling her body.

Her hands fell limply away, no longer having the strength to move them. Triona
felt as if she were at the eye of a storm. Calm, she *felt* her blood being pulled
from her, reveling in the feeling of it and the pleasure LaCroix was experiencing.
She  knew she was close to the edge -- but trusted him implicitly, *knowing* he
would not let her die, one way; or the other.

"Lucien," she whispered, her voice so quiet that only a vampire could have heard.
She felt his awareness return at that moment, and smiled.

He pulled away from her, eyes returning to ice blue. She was so pale, he thought,
like alabaster. And as fragile, he reminded himself as he placed a finger softly on
her lips. They parted at the touch.

"Stay with me?" her voice startled him.

"Always." He drew her to him.

"Forever," Triona whispered, at last falling into unconsciousness.

"Forever." LaCroix kissed her closed eyes, then her lips, before pulling the quilt
over the both of them to sleep the long winter's night through.

End

altariel@usa.net