This is the sequel to my story "Fleeting Images" which can be found on my homepage This story doesn't make much sense if you haven't read "Images" first. Both these stories are adult in nature. Thanks to PJ and Shenandora for beta-reading, all mistakes still in it are mine alone. Disclaimer: Forever Knight and its characters belong to Sony/ Tri-Star and no profit is being made with this piece of fan fiction. It may be archived at FanFic2, the FTP Page and Jadfe, all others please ask first. Send comments and gorgeous vampires to cousinlucilla@freenet.de Flames will be used to lighten the long winter nights ahead. The Eyes of Truth 1/2 By Luc, September 2004 ~Large hands moving roughly over her pliant body. His hands. Lips meeting in feverish desire. His lips on hers. Her moans as she welcomed his caresses ...~ His eyes flew open and he needed to shake his head to clear the vibrant images from his mind. Groaning, Nick sank back into the pillows of his bed. He could feel the sheet tangled around his feet and kicked free of it before pulling the comforter up around himself. It was the dream again. The same he had been having over and over again since Valentine's Day. In the dream he relived the moments when Nat, mesmerized by Lacroix, had lain in his arms and he had pretended that he wanted to bring her across. How difficult it had been not to sink his fangs into her neck, the vampire clamoring for fulfillment. She had felt so good in his arms. The recurring dream grew ever more vivid and left him in a desperate state of arousal. Even now his flesh strained achingly against the silk of his pajama bottoms. He shifted until he found a more comfortable position and closed his eyes again, sighing. He resisted the urge to pleasure himself. Although it eased the immediate tension, it only left him feeling empty and more frustrated than before. As he lay there in his dark, silent bedroom, the images of Nat in his arms began to assault him again. Opening his eyes, he expected them to dissipate as they always did. But not so this time. And these images were different. Not the clear memories of his dream, but blurred and raw. ~What the hell is going on?~ he thought as he felt his body react to what he experienced. He concentrated and the images began to clear up. There was Nat, her face flushed and her eyes dark with desire as someone's hands fondled her breasts. "Oh my God, Nat," he managed to groan before a wave of desire swept over him. It was clear who the other person in that room was. "Lacroix, you dirty old bastard!" His enraged snarl echoed off the walls as he felt his master's thoughts in the back of his mind. ~ Yes, Nicholas, I can give her what you couldn't. See how she enjoys it. ~ Almost involuntarily his hand wandered down to his chest where he found his nipples hard against his fingertips. And he knew that his emotions traveled unhindered across the link back to Lacroix. ~Try to enjoy her, Nicholas. Use my eyes ...~ He succumbed, gave in to the raw sensuality the couple generated miles from where he lay. Lacroix's eyes became his, his master's hand became his own. It was as if he could feel the soft warmth of Nat's breasts on his own skin, taste her tongue in his mouth. He knew he was hard again and this time he couldn't fight the urge. He closed his fist around his engorged flesh and echoed the rhythm in which Nat's hand worked Lacroix. He thrashed on his bed in wild sensual abandon as he experienced the consummation of the act. The hot, slick flesh welcoming his master engulfed him too and when Lacroix's fangs pierced the skin of Nat's neck, he tore into his own wrist, gulping his own blood as if it were the true ambrosia that was instead running down Lacroix's throat. He screamed as he came over his own hand. Then a wondrous expression settled on his face as he felt Nat's emotions through the bond she had now established with his master. She wanted him, wanted to know what it was like to make love to him, not to Lacroix. He sobbed in relief and the feeling enveloped him like a warm blanket. When Nat fled Lacroix's apartment in embarrassment, he had long drifted off into blissful sleep. ~~~ He woke shortly before sundown, the memory of what had transpired earlier fresh in his mind. How could he endure work tonight, let alone face Nat? But maybe it was the best to just pretend that nothing had happened? He dressed for work and rode the elevator down to the garage. Instinctively his hand reached for the dial on the stereo as he gunned the engine and pulled out of the garage. A quick glance confirmed that it was still too early for both his shift and Lacroix's broadcast. So he chose to drive around the city for a while, something he usually found helpful to clear his thoughts. Tonight though it didn't seem to work. The music accentuated his mood with low beating bass motives that settled directly in the pit of his stomach. If one could consider music erotic, tonight's play list on CERK surely was. He got even edgier, the sheer vibration from the speakers causing a slight erection. ~ I'm going nuts, that's what's happening.~ Another piece, this time one with a seductive female voice whispering over oriental-sounding music. As the one before, it made its way straight to his groin. He gnashed his teeth until his jaw muscles hurt, but it helped. "This, gentle listeners, was one of my favorites." Lacroix's dulcet tones replaced the music. " 'The Eyes of Truth' by Enigma. Which brings us to tonight's topic, my children. Can you see the truth? Or has your vision been clouded so you couldn't see what was there in plain sight? Sometimes it takes someone else's eyes to make us realize what we have overlooked for so long. Come and share your thoughts with me, and I may enlighten you." Again music set in. Nick stepped down on the brakes hard and brought the Caddy to a screeching halt at a street corner. Other cars swerved around him to avoid collision, horns blaring, their drivers shouting obscenities he didn't hear. He only felt the pulsating need racing through his veins. With trembling hands he pulled his cell phone from his coat pocket. "Schanke? It's Nick. Listen, I need to call in sick. ... No, nothing serious, a slight fever ... Yeah, I can handle it ... No, no need ... Ok, thanks." ~ I didn't even have to lie. It is a fever and it makes me sick.~ He sat there, fingers clenched around the steering wheel, taking one labored breath after the other until his eyes had returned to their tranquil blue and the tips of his fangs had retracted into his gums. It was clear that the invitation had been for him alone. What else could Lacroix want from him? Revel in his obvious victory? If he didn't go, would he be conceding defeat? Or would he if he went? He decided not to go to the station but wait for Lacroix to come home to his own apartment. He knew where his master had set up residence but hadn't been there since Lacroix had settled for good in Toronto. Meeting at the Raven, at CERK or at his loft had been enough. He had not felt the desire to face Lacroix on his own territory. End of part 1 The Eyes of Truth 2/2 By Luc, September 2004 Disclaimers in first post Parking the Caddy across the street from the old warehouse, he took to the air and landed silently on the roof. The lock on the skylight was easy to break and he descended into the main living area. He looked around the room and felt his master's presence emanate from every piece of furniture, every object, especially the old books. Even the color scheme was familiar. Whereas he preferred leather and dark wood, which reminded him of the castles of his youth, Lacroix had always liked light colors. White and red. Nick knew that those colors had dominated Lacroix's villa in Pompeii. At least their preferred furnishings seemed to still echo their long lost mortality, Nick mused as he set out to explore his master's dwelling. He eventually picked one of the books and settled into one of the armchairs near the window. After all, he did have time. It was not a long wait. Barely an hour had passed before a tingling sensation at the back of his neck announced the arrival of his master. "Nicholas? I was expecting you to come to the station." "I thought you would." Lacroix smiled, exuding an air of cool superiority. He settled gracefully into the armchair next to Nick. "It doesn't matter, really. So, now that you're here, I take it that you are searching for answers." "Indeed I do. Why, Lacroix? You already knew that Nat and I can never consummate our relationship. What was your point?" Lacroix shrugged out of his leather coat and draped it over the back of the other armchair. "I had no point, Nicholas. Not at the beginning at least. Your doctor friend came to the Raven to speak to Janette, but she found me there instead." Lacroix did not elaborate. This was not the right moment to tell Nicholas that Janette had left. "She felt the need to talk to someone about you, and I offered her my hospitality." "That was obviously not the only thing you offered her." "She wanted to know if it was possible to 'make love to you'. I merely informed her about your special limitations regarding that matter." "But you ... and she... " "I told her that there was a way to experience what it is like to have ... you." Lacroix leaned close to him and lay his hand on Nick's knee, squeezing it gently. "I got the rest, thank you, you don't have to go into detail." His son's voice sounded rough. He was obviously remembering the previous night. "Oh, Nicholas, stop lying to yourself. You are burning to know everything." Lacroix had moved his hand from Nick's knee up his thigh and was rubbing gently. "I make you the same offer I made her. Use me; experience her through me. Her blood is still inside me, you need only ask." "What's your gain? Surely you will not let me take your blood without wanting something in return." "True. But why don't we discuss this later? You don't have much time, her blood is fading fast." Lacroix could see the gold in Nick's eyes. He loved to see the vampire emerge in his reluctant child. There had been times when Nicholas had enjoyed the gift he had bestowed on him. But these moments had become rare and far between. Yet, right now his child was fighting his own war over again. ~ Carpe opportunitatem, Lucius.* ~ He told himself. But he knew that he was walking a thin line here. One false move or word and Nicholas would retreat into his shell. At least he would not lie to him. Not this time. Nicholas would get to know everything that had transpired in this room before, even if it wasn't flattering to him. He slowly moved forward, cupped the head of his favorite with his hand and threaded his fingers into the dirty-blond hair. "Nicholas, my price for letting you partake of Dr Lambert's bounty is one night with you. I want you to give yourself to me and in return you will feel and taste your beloved Natalie." "One night only?" "Yes, that is the bargain. Of course I'd be delighted if you came back for more but I won't force you." He could clearly see the mistrust in Nicholas' eyes. "I don't know. I ..." "Nicholas!" A hint of impatience crept into his voice. "You admitted yourself that you can never make love to her. Why waste this opportunity now? It might very well be the only one." The conflict was open clearly visible on Nicholas' face now. But then his countenance softened and he nodded almost imperceptibly. "Close your eyes, Nicholas." Nick obeyed. The connection he shared with his sire began to thrum as Lacroix opened the link and began to pour his memories of his encounter with Natalie into it. Nick could feel her thoughts that had been captured in the blood. The deep desire to make love to him. How close she had come to ask him on Valentine's Day. And how hurt she had been when he had denied her at Azure's. He shivered as the realization hit home that Natalie had not forgotten any of it. "Shh, Nicholas, it's alright," Lacroix whispered. Under no circumstances would he allow his son to succumb to his foolish guilt now. And Nick relaxed as he realized that Natalie did bear him no grudge about it. Lacroix pulled him closer so that his face came to rest against the cool neck of his master. "Drink and see for yourself, Nicholas." Nick hesitated for a fraction of a moment but then he sank his fangs deeply into the proffered flesh. He took small sips first, looking for Nat amidst the essence of his sire, concentrating to filter her already faint presence from what he tasted. There. Her familiar scent manifested itself on his tongue. His mind reeled when he tasted her despair that she couldn't be with him. That she was doing this just to get a glimpse of what it might be like. He moaned longingly and ground himself harder against his sire's body. He re-lived it all, everything he had already seen this morning in his solitary bedroom, experiencing anew the mortal love that could never be his. Still shivering he eventually withdrew from Lacroix's tight embrace. "Nicholas, you are not thinking of bowing out of our agreement, aren't you?" Nick stood there, head bowed. Slowly he raised his head, leveled his gaze to his master's and held it. "No, Lacroix. We had a deal and I intend to keep it. Though I ask you to grant me a twenty-four hour reprieve." "You sound as if I were to take your head." "Will you grant me another day?" "Fine, Nicholas, take your day. But I expect you here tomorrow night, is that clear?" "Yes." Nick stepped into the elevator and his eyes stayed on Lacroix until the door closed. He would be back. ~The End~ * seize the opportunity (hopefully, since my Latin classes have been awhile, thanks to PJ ;) (Note: There will be a third installment which , naturally, will be exclusively uffish in character.) comments to: cousinlucilla@freenet.de