Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 19:18:26 -0400 (EST)
From: jennifer delaine lackey <lackeyj@indiana.edu>
Subject: "Unexpected Guests"

[inspired by S.L. Osborne's "The Deal"]

Unexpected Guests
By Jennifer Greenbury Lackey

        It was late, or rather early, and I was awake as usual and
working on a song. Sitting in my favorite chair, with my back to the
window which would eventually reveal the changing light of dawn, I
struggled with the chord changes. G then Am, that was good, then C,
repeat, but how to get to the chorus? I couldn't find a way to modulate
gracefully to the key I wanted for the chorus. A brilliant idea, or so it
seemed, had just occurred to me when I suddenly felt a cold breeze across
my hair and a presence in the room behind me. Wondering if I would dare
to risk my precious guitar by hitting an assailant with it, I twisted in
my chair to investigate.
        A man stood in the middle of my room, though the window behind
him remained closed, and the blinds were barely swaying.  He was dressed
in a fine, jet black silk suit, with a grey linen shirt, and he seemed
very familiar. He didn't appear armed, though he had a dangerous and
confidant air. He had the smell of a predator about him Q not exactly
comforting when he was standing uninvited in my bedroom.
        Fighting to control my fear, I said, as calmly as I could, "Don't
I know you from somewhere?"
        He laughed, acknowledging my bravado with a tiny nod.  "Allow me
to introduce myself. I'm Nick Knight."
        "Jesus Christ!" I swore, astounded. He winced slightly. "Oh,
sorry. Look, what are you doing here? What possible reason could you have
to even deign to notice my existance, much less barge into my house
without knocking?"
        "I'm sorry about the intrusion, but it's urgent that I speak to
you about the mercenaries, and your co-conspirator, Darkangel."
        "Co-conspirator is kind of a strong word. We're merely organizing
the Mercenaries' Guild, primarly for our own protection against those
other, more aggressive factions."
        Nick gave me a most skeptical look. "Well," I said sheepishly,
"perhaps co-conspirator is fairly accurate. But don't imagine that one of
your little tirades about fairness and morality will keep us from earning
our living, Knight. Neither one of us buys into all that Christian
nonsense, and besides, we're not planning to do any *real* damage.
Nothing that can't be rebuilt, anyway."
        "It isn't your petty mischief-making that concerns me. The other
factions can handle themselves in that," he said. I grinned, doing my
best Cousin imitation. "Well, I trust that you won't cause permanent
harm, at any rate. What's most important is Darkangel's recent
involvement with LaCroix."
        "Oh, your little Knighties slipped you a copy of her story too,
huh? You and Uncle certainly have gotten involved in our miniscule mortal
amusements. Aren't you supposed to be solving a murder, or drowning in
self-pity, or something? Don't you have anything better to do? I don't
think Darkangel really needs your help, adn I don't see why you're
discussing this with me, rather than her."
        "She has no idea what she's gotten herself into," Nick said. I
thought to myself, now this sounds familiar. "She should never have
dropped her protections that night. Now that she's bargained with him,
and allowed him some measure of trust, she's fighting a losing battle.
Eventually, LaCroix will get whatever he desires; hell, she'll end up
handing it to him on a silver platter."
        "Well, it seems chiefly to me that *she* has gotten what she
desired, adn that she struck a reasonable bargain with your master.
Darkangel's Wiccan Q she can take care of herself." My voice was
irritated, though I tried to keep my cool. Nick's constant insistance
that he knew everyone's business better than they did really pissed me
off. "Why come to me with your concerns, anyway?"
        He helped himself to a seat on the unmade futon. A wild thought
danced into my head Here is pretty Nicholas, sitting on *my* bed, and
instead of jumping him, I'm scolding him. What am I doing? I hoped that
he couldn't hear my thoughts. I lay my guitar down, leaning against the
desk, and turned my chair to face him.
        His face was solemn. "First of all," he said,  "I don't think
Darkangel will listen to me, but I thought she might listen to you.
Secondly, you're next on LaCroix's list."
        Well, lucky me, I thought, giddily. Maybe he'll show up any
minute, and they can duke it out and ruin my furniture. Or perhaps they
would care for a more interesting sport? I slapped the thought down, and
tried to focus on what was going on. It was all a bit disorienting. Shit,
it was downright bizarre.
        "LaCroix's list for what, exactly?" I asked, though my mind
boggled at the possibilities. Darkangel's account of her encounter with
LaCroix was fairly explicit, and didn't exactly fill me with dread at the
thought of meeting the man. Vampire. Whatever.
        Nick's business-like tone seemed a good indication that he had no
idea of the images running rampant in my undisciplined brain. "LaCroix
sees the mercenaries both as a potentially dangerous loose canon, and an
intriguing paradox. People who vow to serve only themselves, and mean it,
are fairly rare. He intends to neutralize your threat and use you to his
best advantage. Because you and Darkangel seem to be emerging as the
primary schemers of the faction,  he plans to gain control of the faction
through the two of you. And, as he told Darkangel, your initiative and
inventiveness interest him. He's always most interested in the prey that
swears it will not succumb."
        I felt a little ill. All these things made a lot of sense.
LaCroix had almost admitted as much in his discussion that night with
Darkangel. While I remained confident in Darkangel's ability to handle
LaCroix if she thought that she could, I was very skeptical that I would
be able to do the same. I lacked Darkangel's religious faith, and her
ability with wards. The best I could hope for in the way of protections
was a small ability to control my chi, my body's physical energy, and an
abundance of stubbornness. I had a feeling this was not going to be even
close to adequate.
        But the last thing I needed was Nick's protection. That would
bait LaCroix like a red flag in front of a bull, and, really, I trusted
LaCroix, in his way, more than Nicholas. More damage has been done in the
name of good intentions than was ever accomplished by evil.
        "Well, I admit this has me a bit worried," I said to him, "but
please don't get any ideas about hypnotizing me, or otherwise interfering
with my life in order to save me. Promise me that you will let me choose
how I want this handled."
        "But you have no idea what you're dealing with Q"
        "Yeah, Nick. According to you, none of us do. Remember your
bright scheme in the last War? I'd rather be killed or brought over than
had my mind fucked with, okay? I'll fight you tooth and nail on this; I
may not win, but I'll fight you as hard as I can."
        He stared at me hard, obviously considering his options, and how
much resistance I could put up. "All right. I promise that I won't do
anything in your protection against your will."
        I relaxed a bit. I hadn't even realized that I'd been holding my
breath.  I've really got to get Darkangel to teach me how to set those
shields, I thought to myself.
        "Look, as a mercenary, I'm committed to doing business with the
highest bidder, even if that bidder is LaCroix. My best protection really
lies in the fact that taking me by sheer force is no challenge. LaCroix
will want me to give myself to him, willingly, after having declared
myself to be my own master. Of course, he could break me like a twig,
either of you could, but that wouldn't be any fun."
        Nick nodded. "That's true for the time being. But when his use
for you ends, so does his restraint."
        I laughed. "Well, Nick, as a mortal, it doesn't really pay for me
to worry about much beyond the next few days. Anything could happen. I
could die of completely natural causes at any time. My main concerns
right now are getting through the coming War alive and enriched, and
shepherding my fledgling Guild through it's formation. I will undoubtedly
remain useful to LaCroix until the end of the war, and I'll worry about
whatever's next at that point."
        Nick nodded again, but he had a worried look on his face. He was
truly charming, and my pique melted away. "At least you've been warned,
so you know what to expect, even if I couldn't get to Darkangel in time."
        I rose and sat next to him on the futon and covered his cool hand
with my own. "I have a feeling that Darkangel knew precisely what kind of
a bargain she was striking with the devil, and was satisfied with the
terms. She has protections of her own and can honestly take care of
herself. I think she'll be okay, Nick. I'll tell her what you've said,
but I really don't think it's going to be much of a surprise to her.
She's a wily one. If anyone can scheme to match LaCroix, it will be her.
And I'm no slouch when it comes to intrigue, myself. We'll step lightly,
Nick, I promise. And, anyway, we're not your responsibility."
        He looked as though he remained unconvinced. Moving a little
closer to him, I said, "How about a little payment for all this time
pulled away from my song? I am a mercenary, you know. And time is money."
        His amused little grin lit up the room. My, my, Nick certainly
was beautiful when he smiled. You've got to hand it to LaCroix, he
definitely has taste. Nick looked at me askance. "What sort of payment
did you have in mind? I don't have any chocolate on me, and if you're
expecting the kind of payment LaCroix gave Darkangel, that seems a bit
much ..."
        "No, no. I wouldn't be opposed you understand, but my rates are
fair." I privately doubted that a tumble with him would be the event that
erotic games with LaCroix would be, but it seemed particularly unkind to
mention that. Besides, Janette hadn't seemed to have any complaints, so
perhaps Nick had some hidden merits. But the sun would be rising soon,
and he really should go. "How about a nice, long kiss? That should be
reasonable enough."
        Nick's eyes twinkled. "Agreed," he said. He leaned over and
kissed me, with surprising passion. I felt his tongue in my mouth, and I
ran my tongue along his lips, feeling his fangs descending. He pulled me
tighter to him, and the kiss deepened. I was hot and cold at once.
Gooseflesh ran over my back. I felt myself beginning to lose control, adn
I pulled back. He let me, but kept me in his embrace, holding me,
undoubtedly feeling my racing heart.  He dipped his head down, adn I
suddenly felt his breath on my neck. Now, this was a bit worrisome,
considering how long Nick had subsisted on nothing more substantial than
cow blood. But he merely kissed the flesh covering my fragile veins, and
released me. He looked a little dazed.
        Trying to make light of what seemed to have almost happened, I
said, "Now that's what I call a kiss. I consider myself paid in full."
        He chuckled.
        "You should go," I told him. "It will be dawn soon, and I doubt
you want to have to hide all day here. Although, the curtains are heavy
enough. My rate for lodging is substantially higher than for my time."
        "No, of course I'll be going," he answered. Trust Nick to miss a
joke.  He stood.
        "Well, I appreciate the concern, I guess. Have a little faith in
us mortals, Nick.  Sometimes brains are a match for brute force."
        Casting a dubious look over his shoulder,  he was gone.

        Sighing heavily, I marveled at the turns my life had just taken,
so abruptly. I picked up my guitar, and walked into the living room, to
lay it in its stand. Well, so much for finishing that song tonight. I was
much too stunned and tired to get anymore work done tonight. The sun
would be up within an hour or so, and I decided to go straight to bed. I
completed my usual bedtime routine, closed the heavy curtains, undressed
and settled into the warm covers, wondering if my dreams would shed any
light on my newly discovered predicament.

        I awoke abruptly, startled and immediately aware of a weight on
my body. The weight of a person, a man. I felt his breath on my neck, in
just the spot that Nick had kissed me earlier, and heard LaCroix's voice
in my ear.
        "So, my darling Nicholas has been to see you, has he? I'm
surprised you're still alive, with his teeth so near your lovely veins.
Nicholas is not known for his self control." His voice was velvety, each
word a purr, but the steel of his will lay close to the surface of the
tones.
        Why, oh why, oh why, I thought to myself, didn't I learn those
sheilding tricks from Darkangel? I never imagined LaCroix would move this
quickly. Bad mistake Q I should have known. One must *never*
underestimate LaCroix. Now I was in a difficult situation, with those
teeth so close to my veins ... I summoned clarity of mind, and focused my
chi in the center of my body. Then, lifting my hands slightly, I pushed
him with it. Not as hard as I could, but enough to test the trick's
efficiency. He obviously felt it, but it didn't push him off of me.
        "Well, now," he purred, "there's a trick I haven't seen in a
while, though  it will take considerably more than that to remove me by
force. But I'm not interested in an arm-wrestling match with you, my dear
mercenary. You'd have no chance of winning anyway. I'm here to negotiate.
I believe Darkangel informed you of the arrangement that she and I made.
I'd like to extend the same courtesy to you." I could feel his eyes
boring into mine. "What's your price I wonder? Will it be as amusing as
Darkangel's?"
        A hundred things flew through my mind, each more dangerous and
debauched than the last. But LaCroix managed to find the worst of them
all, the one desire that would put me more in his power than any other.
        "So, you want to join us, cherie? Why, that's hardly a price at
all. I'd be delighted to welcome you to our ranks. I can always use a
schemer of your quality in my little troupe." His voice, sounded, indeed,
honestly delighted.
        I tried to master my own voice, and to quell the trembling that
was threatening to over come me. "While  I appreciate the welcome wagon
and all, as Darkangel told you, not everything that rattles around in
this skull is what I would really want.  I must admit, as you have
already seen it, that immortality appeals to me. Think of all the
songwriting, all the reading I could get done. But, frankly, I'd be a
fool to come across with you as my master. You bring me across, and I'll
walk into the sunlight immediately. A long life is not worth my freedom.
Long life as a slave is no life at all."
        LaCroix chuckled. "I can't say that I'm surprised. But I thought
for a moment you might make things easy for me. Ah, well. " He sighed,
and suddenly his weight was gone. He was sitting next to me, on the bed,
stroking my face and rolling a long red curl between two fingers. "A
shame, though. You'd make a lovely vampire.  So if you won't allow me to
grant your heart's desire, what is your price, mercenary?"
        "I'm not sure I'm willing to mortgage myself as far as Darkangel
has. I don't want my hands tied in anyway. An ongoing contract would be
too constrictive for me. I will certainly consider your offers for work
as they come in during the war, and perhaps we can negotiate the prices
at that time." I didn't really think that he would agree to this, but I
thought I was worth a try.
        His voice was in my ear again. "Surely you don't think I will
agree to this?" The velvet had turned to scorn. Maintaining his respect
was crucial; I was playing a very dangerous game. Perhaps Nick was right
about being out of my league. Oh, certainly he was right. But my options
had been narrowed very quickly. And I still found the thought of Nick
'protecting' me more frightening than LaCroix's threats.
        "Well, cherie, you are wise in understanding that."
        Egads, I thought, that is really disconcerting, having my
thoughts read and responded to.
        "Yes, it is isn't it?" He purred, his breath so close to my neck,
his laughter just beneath the surface of his words.
        Now that I had adjusted to the surprise of his appearance, his
proximity was becoming quite arousing. My mind kept returning to
Darkangel's description of his teeth in her neck, the ecstacy to which he
inflamed her, his exquisite technique.  But the lay of the century wasn't
worth playing into his hands. I felt steady in my resolve on this issue.
        He spoke again, "I'm glad to know I've been getting good
reviews," and as he said this, he brushed his cool lips against the flesh
of my neck. My temperature soared about ten degrees, and  my body
threatened to take control of the situation without my mind's input. I
reigned my hormones in.
        The problem was, not only did I want him, I knew that I must make
some concession to him, in order to keep his interest and save my life. I
had to make it seem that I was useful to his schemes, or he'd surely
drain the life from me right there.
        "All right," I said, "what would you pay for the promise to
inform you of any moves I make against the Cousins before they occur? For
the duration of the coming War, with the understanding that you will not
interfere, merely get out of the way.  Will you sate my lust for you,
this day only, in exchange?"
        "Hmm." He considered the proposal, while running his lithe
fingers along my bare sides, and down my breasts. He was enjoying teasing
me, sensing every shiver and quake inside me with his telepathic powers.
"Yes, I think that might do, for a start. You drive a hard bargain, ma
cherie."
        His teeth are hovering over my neck, and *I* drive a hard
bargain! "Well, I somehow imagine that you have benefitted most from this
deal. You know what they say. You can't get a fair deal from the devil."
        "Cherie, you wound me! The devil indeed! My dear, heaven will
never be so close to you as it will be today." And with these words, he
kissed me, gently at first, then gathering passion and force. I could no
longer form thoughts or sentences. My body was his, utterly to do with as
he would. As he moved down to my neck, he whispered, "and this is only
the beginning ...."



lackeyj@indiana.edu    "Just watching the dark" - Richard Thompson
   Any resemblance between graduate students and the living dead
                     is purely coincidental
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