Your Time's Run Out. Time To Pay Your Debts

[HIDDEN EVIL]

Sevanni didn't mind the warning growl she have. Almost as if she had that mutt instinct to protect her food bowl, but she was no mutt now, and it was only natural to be protective over your prey, especially more so when one was so new. A little grin struck lips, her arms letting the body go, dropping to the ground without a care for his body. She was such a good girl thus far.

"I never thought that I would have enjoyed that..." Her hand moved over skin, wiping the cool line of blood that touched lips and skin beneath them. She was lucky he was cautious with her. Giving her the time and space she needed, otherwise he would have gladly licked the blood from her face, even if it was just for a tease of a taste.

A clean white little hankerchief lifted from his pocket, fingers lifting it and handing it to her so she could wipe her mouth. He wondered; if she could so easily succumb to the efforts of a vampire, rushing past him so quickly, conforming to the strengths of what ran through her body, what else was she capable of doing? "Taking a life is not hard hitting to home..." He clearly meant her heart. "If you are dead, do you think there is still emotion and pain?" Not when it came to killing for a meal. Over time she would realize that.

He stood up straight, moving away from her and returning to the chair to pick up his book. "Try not to let the hunger overcome you." He turned back to face her, looking her over before eyes met eyes. "Just because you are you doesn't mean you can fully control your appetite. No matter how much you believe you can." Subtly spoken. "You have my blood in you now.....and everything......everything will change." Her appetite would grow over time to an extent that surpassed her limits. She would need to work on maintaining a balance.

He took it upon himself to near his leave. "Why don't you freshen up....I'll take you outside and let you have some fun." It was so hard to find himself within her. Usually he could be adoring and loving with his newlings, but Nixie had been different. they had hated one another for years, which made things incredibly hard. Her reaction was what was now unpredictable.

Taking the cloth back into his hand, still, she had missed a spot, sometimes blood just didn't want to leave, especially when they were going to depart from lips like that. His temptation flooding him, and with a rather slow but cautioning manor, Sevanni had leaned in, lowering himself to match her eye to eye, and letting his tongue drag over skin lightly at the corner of her mouth, letting lips press over skin before moving away. He half expected a slap in the face or a punch somehow, as stated before, she was unpredictable now.

But he strode to the door to take his leave, leaving her in the privacy of her own room. Annaliah walking in to come gather the remains of the human in which she had just fed from, hopefully the two of them would take to one another more than she had with anyone else.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

She took the handkerchief almost absentmindedly, wiping the blood from her face. She was paying more attention to what was going on inside her body than what was happening around her. For the first time in her life, she wasn't wary with Sevanni in the room standing right in front of her. What reason would he have to hurt her now? She could feel the blood rushing through her body, filling her... Strengthening her. She also began to take in the way that her body felt... Graceful, her motions made easily, where before, she had been a bit of a klutz, though had taken more than enough precautions to never let Sevanni notice that about her... At least more than was absolutely necessary. Everything about her felt stronger, including her bones, where before, her weakness had been her ankles.

Taking a life is not hard hitting to home... If you are dead, do you think there is still emotion and pain? That brought her back out of herself, and back to paying attention to Sevanni. She turned her moss green orbs on him, studying him for a long moment before speaking. "You forget, I was married to a vampire. I know there's still emotion... But I hadn't expected to enjoy taking a human life. Though I have no love for them, I don't desire to end their lives, either. I know it's a necessity now... That doesn't mean that i have to like it." But she did, and that scared her a little. She would have to do a lot of thinking. She felt... Free. Uninhibited. When usually she held herself on a tight chain, now all she wanted to do was to shed the chains and indulge in her desires... For now, she had control of herself... But how long would that last?

Try not to let the hunger overcome you. Just because you are you doesn't mean you can fully control your appetite. No matter how much you believe you can. You have my blood in you now.....and everything......everything will change. She closed her eyes at his words, trying to block them out of her mind. That was exactly what she was afraid of. Afraid that she would become the same kind of monster that she had hunted all those years. That she would lose herself in a blood lust so strong that she couldn't bring herself out of it... What would happen then? Would she have enough of herself left to go to Kat, to beg her once-was pack Alphess to kill her? She doubted it, and her losing her tight hold on her control was not a prospect she wished to think about right then. She was too afraid she would never come back.

Why don't you freshen up....I'll take you outside and let you have some fun. She cocked her head slightly, her eyes opening and her blond hair falling down over her face gently, and she nodded. She wanted a shower anyway. She wasn't even really sure how much time had passed from the moment her body began to die, until the pain ceased and she was able to move properly. And, also, she wanted to get out of this house for a little while.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her voice pitched low. Not threatening, more cautious than anything as he leaned towards her slowly, giving her warning, at least. Giving her time to prepare herself... But for what, she had no idea. Sevanni's intentions were never a easy thing to read. When he let his tongue slid over her skin, just below her mouth, she was not prepared for her reaction. All pretense of self control went straight out the window with her reaction.

At any other time, she would have hit him for being so bold, so cocky, to think that he had a right to touch her... None the less lick her. But not now. The feel of his lips, pressed lightly against her skin once he had licked the remaining blood from her, sent a small shiver through her, while not visible, very much noticeable to her, if not to him. Her head turned slightly as if she was going to meet his lips with her own. That wasn't exactly the case, however. She enjoyed the feel of his skin on hers, and simply wanted more contact, her cheek brushing against his slightly before he pulled back and turned to walk out the door. Only then did it hit her what she had done.

A small gasp, a mixture of shock and horror, pushed past lips parted slightly, clearly relaying the shock that she felt at her own actions. What had she been thinking?! Her right hand flew up to cover her mouth, turning swiftly around, away from Sevanni as he walked towards the door quickly. Had he noticed what she had done? Oh god, she hoped not. Her green eyes were wide with horror that she could barely contain within herself as the woman who had brought the male to her returned and began cleaning up the body, removing it from her room, and leaving her room.

Her body began to shake as she sank down onto her bed, pulling a pillow onto her lap and holding it to her tightly, as if the pillow could shield her. She didn't even know if Sevanni and the woman were gone or not, she couldn't notice anything in the room, her thoughts turned so deeply inward. What in the name of Heaven and Hell had possessed her to do something like that? And to all people, Sevanni Black! The one man who she had hated even more than Shaden Grace, one of the vampires responsible for killing her parents.

She knew that she needed to get ready... But that was far from her mind at that moment. She had to calm down first, be able to function... And how would she be able to even face Sevanni when it was time for them to go? So many thoughts raced through her head, and she tried to quiet them, to simply focus, and think of something she could do, to save her pride if nothing else.

[HIDDEN EVIL]

He walked out of that room with a grin on his mind. How she had managed to let herself slip....she must have been thinking the same thing. It was normal. The only one he had complications with after turning them had been Alyson. Everyone else embraced their attraction, and on occasion managed to act out on those thoughts. Phoenix had acted as if she were oblivious to the idea, but he knew better. What she had done had proved it.

Even when she asked what he was doing, he continued to do what it was he wanted. Tasting her flesh through virgin blood and savoring the flavor until another time. Wasn't that the plan all along? Turn her. Get her to conform to him. Hope that she would eventually change her mind and discover a new view of Sevanni. After all, things between them were different now, and he only hoped she didn't fail to see it.

He showered. A hot shower to nearly burn the skin, which peeled over to reform new skin. Changed into fresh clothes. Something comfortable. Casual. Olive khaki's and a crisp white shirt. No button down, but he did wear one of those preppy vests. Tonight he wore sneakers, out of the norm of chic shoes he so bestly wore. Darien had been allowed into the library, so he would be there. The girls, probably prowled up together watching television or movies. They had been doing that night after night since they heard Shaden had moved in. Trying to get a peek at him once in a while, but he was out, mostly he had been out. To where, well, that wasn't much of a concern to Sevanni. So long as he wasn't dead and he returned once in a while.

He had PsiChi wandering around, sometimes following Darien to see how things were properly done around the house. He had cut loose Andrea, a relief to have. She didn't want to be kept like the other girls, then she could be released like a puppy off to the farm. And she was.

"Marcus." He spoke his name as if he were there, and as Sevanni turned Marcus's frame formed right in front of him in a rather shimmering smoke. "Yes Sir?" A breath withdrawn as he stood up straight, not a clue as to what he and Nix would do. "Could you have something set up out in the garden? I'd like to take Phoenix out for some fresh air." A little grin of pride, Marcus nodded his head after a yes Sir was given out, his form vanishing from the prospects of reality.

One look in the mirror and he could have been disgusted. Surely others would be mad at his actions, but what would you expect from someone like him? Nothing less one would hope.

"Mr. Black." Her sultry voice rang out. Marcus's girl. A sight that only a demon of his caliber would admire and respect. Perfect mates bound by darkness. How tragic yet so wonderful. "The mess is cleaned up.....would you like anything else?"

He nodded his head no.....a thank you given out to her before she turned and moved out of the door to his room, he followed soon after to make his way down stairs and toward the back of the house on the patio. He'd send Marcus to fetch her. Send the Phoenix to him like a free soaring bird. How much of her life was she thinking about now? Did she know that she had been the center of his plans? Did she believe her life to get better? And what would she think of the sight of Imogine? Think of her own child and want to flee from him?

Sometimes thoughts flooded his mind in fucked up ways that he himself couldn't believe to think such things. It was a gift and a curse, to be so on top of things when you didn't quite want them to be there. After Aubrey had been turned, his blood coursing through her, she had grown rather dangerous, needy like him, now mixed with not only lust but greed as well. Greed for beings much like he. Slaves. Pets. Lovers.

But what was it he really wanted from Nixie? For now he had to wait for her to come down. Since she wasn't on a time frame like a much needed appointment, there was no telling if she was going to actually show up.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

It had taken her nearly thirty five minutes to calm herself down enough to get up off her bed, lay the pillow down, and go take a shower. Her mind had been racing the whole time, taking her to dark places that she did not want to visit. Causing her to think about things that she should not be thinking about. She had been curled up on her bed like a child, knees drawn up to her chest, holding the pillow in front of her small body, separating her and the rest of the house.

She thought of Tarus... What would he possibly think of her, to have her show any bit of affection towards the man who had killed him? The man who had made their time together such hell? And yet... She was. She felt a strange... bond with Sevanni... She had acknowledged it to herself only once before, the first night that she was in Sevanni's old house, and had forced her mind far away from the subject ever since... But it seemed that her body was determined to betray her private thoughts.

She had thought of her daughter... Was Aura alright? Was Kat taking good care of her daughter? Was she loved as if she had been one of Kat's own children? Did Damien have anything to do with her? Damien... What did she feel for him now? Yes, the human part of her had grown to love him, but it had been the wolf side of her that had drawn her to him with such force. Her wolf had always known what she wanted... Unlike her more treacherous, human half. And now, she didn't have her wolf to rely on anymore... Once again, all thanks to Sevanni. So, after all he has put her through in past years... How could she do anything but look at him with pure loathing? At one time, she had... She had hated him with every cell in her body... Until this last time, when she had come here as his unwilling 'guest' and was forced under his company, though minus the collar. Yes, he did degrade her at times, but he was... Different to her than he had ever been before... More tolerant, in a way, and that had disarmed her...

She walked into the bathroom that was adjoined with her bedroom and turned the water on hot. She had always loved hot showers, they cleared her mind. Though she made certain not to make it too hot, not knowing yet what all her body could take.. Yes, she would heal much quicker now that she was a vampire... But wouldn't that ability come with time? She didn't know... Perhaps, if she were to find Ali, she would ask her... Or she could swallow her pride and ask Sevanni... But she would have to think about that. She wasn't even sure how she was going to face him after what she had done.

She put her clothes into the dirty clothes hamper and stepped in, hissing slightly at the wonderful sting on her skin as the hot water cascaded over her pale skin. She had been pale before, but soon her features would pale even more, making her a snow queen.

She spent another good thirty minutes in the shower, allowing the hot water to relax her muscles and clear her mind. She decided that she would simply refuse to say anything about earlier. She would act like it had never happened, and erase it from her mind. She was perfectly capable of doing that. Another decision she had come to was what her feeding habits would be. She would not feed from a woman or child. She absolutely would not... The thought of feeding from either one made her ill. She would stick to men, preferably those who were unwelcome in society, hoodlums, thugs, the ones that were a menace. If she could keep herself to those and those only, she would at least have a clear conscience.

She grabbed the towel that she had hung up beside the shower and wrapped it tightly around her body, taking the second one and putting her hair up in it so her long hair would dry quicker. She padded silently out of the bathroom, shivering once she opened the door to her bedroom, the contrast of the heat in the bathroom, and the coolness of her bedroom should have brought goosebumps to her flesh. This would take some time for her to get used to. Her body didn't react the way she was used to, so she was constantly getting small shocks.

She walked to her closet and pulled out a black skirt that went down to her mid-thigh and a white sleeveless shirt and put them on, along with a pair a white socks with black stripes at the top and a pair of black Vans. After she was dressed, she pulled the towel away from her hair, running the towel through her long blond locks in a effort to dry it quicker before brushing it, deciding to let it air dry the rest of the way.

At the exact moment that her hair was dried, she had someone knocking on her door. She didn't bother to tell them to come in, they would all on their own, with her permission or not. And, sure enough, Marcus peeked into the room, making sure that she was decent before coming fully into her room. "Mr. Black is waiting for you out on the back patio." And with that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

She sighed and turned around to put her eyeliner on, something she was absolutely never without. She wouldn't dare come out of her room without it on. It wasn't that she was trying to impress Sevanni, she just didn't like being without her eyeliner... It made her feel like she was naked, somehow... Like wearing a watch all the time, and then suddenly, you no longer have the watch.. It was just uncomfortable. She had kept him long enough... Best not to try his patience.

So, she finished her make-up and walked down the stairs, in no particular hurry, but not deliberately being slow either. Just walking at a normal pace. She felt like she was walking into a bad dream, the kind that you woke up with your cheeks burning red from embarrassment. So, running her fingers through her long blond hair, she opened the door and walked out onto the patio. She kept her distance from him, not wanting to give her body a chance to betray her again. So instead, she looked out over the yard and admire the way the moonlight made the place seem like a fairytale... When Phoenix knew that she was definitely not in Neverland.

Something was bothering her, though. Something that she couldn't quite keep to herself, as much as she tried. She stood there for several minutes, waging a mental war with herself. Part of her wanting to confront him about this... And a bigger part of her unwilling to ask for his help or advice... But, she needed some form of reassurance... Though she wasn't sure if she would get the answer she wanted from Sevanni... But, there was only one way to find out.

"I want to ask you something..." She couldn't look at him, so she looked out over the garden instead, studying each flower and how they shone in the dim moonlight. "And if you're going to give me some smart ass answer, do me a favor? Don't bother to answer." Her tone wasn't in the least bit bitch, but it was stiff, though only because she was struggling to keep her voice from wavering. "I know that, with some newborns... That they lose who they once were, become something else completely. They become a monster... I don't want to become like that... And..." How could it possibly be so hard to force the words from her mouth?! It was just one simple request! But she was having trouble getting it out right, and struggling all the more to keep her voice steady. She wasn't going to cry, that wasn't it... She was afraid, though she would never admit that to Sevanni, if he could help it. "I want you to make sure that I don't turn into that. You may not like how I am, but I enjoy being me... Not some blood crazed monster... You don't even fall under that category." The words were torn from her throat, but they were true none the less. She may dislike Sevanni Black, but that should not suggest that she didn't respect him, though she may not show it. Sevanni was not a monster. Evil? Yes. But not a monster. And her worst fears was becoming like some of the vampires she had hunted and killed before she had even come anywhere close to Sevanni Black's radar.


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[HIDDEN EVIL]

Sevanni was understanding when it came to his little ones. The adjustment with Nixie would take a bit for her to get use to, which he didn't mind. Keeping him waiting like that would not continue much longer, to that he would see to. But she had walked through french doors and meandered over toward the edge of the patio, looking over the view to the back yard. Keeping her eyes and attentions averted away from him. He said nothing, not yet. In a moments time she did manage to break the silence.

"I want to ask you something..." She looked away as she spoke, his curiosity piqued as to what it is she could possibly ask. It could have been a number of things. "And if you're going to give me some smart ass answer, do me a favor? Don't bother to answer." Brows furrowed, his mind wandering to the possibilities. Maybe it had been questions about what the possibilities of her powers. Why he had done it to her. If she was considered a pet or slave, or just a house guest.

"I know that, with some newborns... That they lose who they once were, become something else completely. They become a monster... I don't want to become like that... And..." A pause, hearing the wallow in her throat which made him turn his attention more to her with his posture. A couple of small strides over toward her, his hand moving up to rest against the column that held the patio banister and overhead roofing up. "I want you to make sure that I don't turn into that. You may not like how I am, but I enjoy being me... Not some blood crazed monster... You don't even fall under that category."

It was so odd that she would mention that when he had fought with himself about that very same thing only hours ago as she struggled in that bed, holding back her need for blood. A sigh escaped lips and he let his hand move to her own, pulling her gently along so they could walk off the patio and down the little trail toward the garden. Eventually he let her hand go. The thought of her being uncomfortable wasn't something he wanted her to feel. Considering that everything between them was changing drastically.

"When I was first turned I wanted nothing to do with eating mortals.....but the hunger inside of me burned so bad that eventually I became a threat to my own kind...." He could remember taking down an entire village in one night. But he wouldn't dwell on that memory. He was actually proud of that now. "It wasn't until my makers taught me how to control my appetite. Not suppress it, but to learn the limitations and respect the boundaries on being found out." More drab words drawled out without a thought to what she would learn about him.

"I can show you how to handle your primal evil....it just takes time...and a bit of control." Aubrey had already been a vampire before he turned her to be apart of him rather than Xavier, and look what she was now. A much more evil beast and uncontrolled by anything or anyone. He didn't want Phoenix to be the same way. No....not yet.

"You have a very harsh temper, and a smart mouth to match it.......but I don't think you will grow to be worse than me......" Not fully. Unless that was what she wanted, and then it would be up to Sevanni to tame her back down. A hard feat of course, but it would have to be done.

They made it to the center of the garden, his motions paused as the made it to the garden bench made of stone. Flowers of all kinds surrounding them and the moon clear as day. Full, aware of their presence. He moved behind her, almost stalkingly, and he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"See up there......" Directing her eyes to the full moon and the essence it held over the earth. "That doesn't control you anymore unless there is a ring of blood around it....For my lineage, that means that it is the most vulnerable state for us...." For those who had his blood inside of him. It was the same for the others, not to mention his creators.

Without realizing it his hands had started to move down in a soft caress, those arms, eventually resting on her hips, and his head moved beside hers, nearly resting on her shoulders. Such a short little thing, petite and beautiful. She even smelled better. "Everything inside of you builds up times ten.... and here...." He motioned hands around to rest on her stomach, just above her abdomen. "It builds like fire inside of you, making you more prone to feed more and more." His hands slid softly on her sides to release his hold from her form. Raising to stand straight, see her reaction. Already she had shown her weakness to him up in the bedroom, but would she let it happen again?

"I never said I didn't like how you were Phoenix." The first official time he had said her name in full like that. Usually it was Nix or nixie to her face, but never Phoenix. "I wouldn't have wanted to turn you if I didn't." Maybe shocking words to awaken her. A new reaction. But would it be hot or cold?

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

She knew that he was listening to her, knowing that she had piqued his curiosity with the first part of her confession... her plea, really. She was terrified of losing herself, of becoming something that was thrilled to kill innocent people, something that deliberately preyed off a innocent person, a woman... Or a child. If she were to ever kill a child, no matter the circumstances, that would be the end of her. She would make sure that her life was ended after that...

When he came closer, walking up beside her, she could feel his eyes on her face. She tilted her head so that her golden hair fell to hide her face from his view like a veil. When she was done speaking, she waited silently for his answer. In a way, hoping that he would promise to keep her from that path... And in a way, hoping that he would not make such a promise. That would give her more guard against him, put her back on the defensive.

His hand enveloped hers and he tugged gently, walking off the patio. She followed behind him, barely noticing the hand that held hers. She was worried about what he would say, what his response would be. He let her hand go once they got into the garden, walking slowly, in no real hurry. She listened to him speak about how he was when he was first turned, turning her face to look at him for the first time since she had come outside. For a second, she seemed to forget about her own fears and concerns, catching a glimpse of how he used to be. Of how others of his... their line were. She was part of him now, so his elders were hers as well.

I can show you how to handle your primal evil....it just takes time...and a bit of control She gave him a tentative smile, white teeth flashing at him, nodding her thanks. He may not realize it, but him telling her that he could teach her how to control her urges made her feel like a weight had been slightly lifted and she could breathe easier. Not by much... But even that little bit, she was grateful for... Though she didn't think that she would say that out loud, especially to him. She smiled mentally at that thought.

They had reached the center of the garden and the small stone bench, but they both remained standing. She was actually... Enjoying this. Actually being civil with Sevanni, and she wondered how long it would last. Sevanni slowly moved behind her, and she followed him with her gaze, unable to drop her suspicions of him completely, even if he was being civil... If not somewhat friendly towards her right now. His hands laid gently on her shoulders, and he got her to look up at the moon which had turned full without her even realizing it.

See up there......That doesn't control you anymore unless there is a ring of blood around it....For my lineage, that means that it is the most vulnerable state for us.... It was strange to be able to see the full moon through human eyes... Especially to be around someone who wasn't a wolf and not fear for their safety. Since she was 13, she had not seen the full moon through human eyes, but lupine. She studied it for a long minute, silent, until a question occurred to her. "Vulnerable? Blood on the moon will weaken us?" She was soaking this in, like a eager child, willing to learn everything she could. This would have come as great news if she had found this out a few months ago, but now it only intrigued her.

His hands slowly moved from her shoulders and down her arms, and her mood suddenly changed. She was enthralled by the way he touched her, every fiber of her body paying close attention to his movements as he rested his hands on her hips. Everything inside of you builds up times ten.... and here....It builds like fire inside of you, making you more prone to feed more and more. Everything? She tried to keep her mind focused on his words, but her mind seemed more than happy to pay attention to his hands, instead. She had to fight the urge to lean back against him, to lay her hands on his skin... Anything. She turned her head towards him, looking at his expression, her moss green eyes clouding slightly.

She turned as he stepped back away from her, her eyes locking with his. I never said I didn't like how you were Phoenix. I wouldn't have wanted to turn you if I didn't. That brought her up short. She had always assumed that he had put her through all the hell that he had because she had done something to offend him. True, they had been enemies from the start, but it had been species rivalry, and then a game of cat and mouse. Truthfully, she had found herself amused by their game. She had denied that fact for a long time, along with quite a few other facts, that were becoming more than apparent over these last few short months.

Since she had woken up just a short time ago, so many questions had flooded into her head that she wanted answered... But at that moment, the there was only one question that she needed answered more than anything else. She took a step towards him, moving a strand of blond hair from her face somewhat impatiently. "Then why did you? Why have you allowed this game of ours to continue for as long as it his, our deadly dance? And why now, why me? What do you want from me?" Her words were spoken softly, just a simple curiosity. No accusation, no condemnation... Just a yearning for answers.

[HIDDEN EVIL]

"Then why did you? Why have you allowed this game of ours to continue for as long as it his, our deadly dance? And why now, why me? What do you want from me?" A straight forward question given as she moved a step closer after he took a step back. No hair in her face, which was all the more likable for him, but he did like it when she tried to hide behind tendrils.

He was glad she didn't ask about Tarus and what had really happened. That had been the only worry in his mind since she came back. Since he came back. He knew it would ruin nearly everything, and even as he didn't lie, he also didn't have to tell her anything.

Maybe the question needed to be thought upon, but he had known the answer to it for far too long. It was what everyone probably would have wanted to know. To him it was apparent, and he could see where the confusion and curiosity would set in.

For a long while he had opted to seek out Nix and cause her great harm. Mostly because of his frustration with her mouth and her way of actually getting under his skin. He wanted to make an example out of her, but of course she had begun to grow used to it. Or so he thought, and so it seemed.

Faded gray scanned over mossy greens, unsure if he should actually answer her questions. It was apparent that Marcus knew that the luxury of mother natures element was good enough for the two. The bench was never there. which was how he managed to know when to stop, but it had been because of Nixie that they had began walking. Pondering over things he hadn't thought about in a long time.

"Because when I see something I want...." He coudln't finish the sentence because he felt so lost in her sights. Wanting to break the hold and look away so he could finish his sentence. But he had a feeling that she already knew the rest of what it was he wanted to say.

Before even he knew it, the so now uncautious and without thought Sevanni had leaned in and kissed her. Lips pressed against lips, no tongue in the equation but just lips. Part passion filled it but he was being a little pulled back to give more because he was unsure of what her reaction would be.

Getting turned down was not usually something that happened whenever he made a move on a female, this was different because it was Nixie. Unexpected, not something that she could possibly even consider.

Why wouldn't he though? He had changed her into what she was now so he didn't have to be attracted to a weremutt any longer. He wanted her, and he wanted her as a vampire, and he made it so. Before Aubrey, after Aubrey, after Annabella and Shaden and all those in between, even Emiste, it had been Nixie that he wanted in his life, and it was more than just some pet or slave or some random guests acquired by force....She wanted to know, and he showed her.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

Sevanni didn't answer her for a long time, as if he was thinking of his answer. She could have almost rolled her eyes at him, she knew damn good and well that he was already well aware of the reasons behind the questions she had asked. He never did anything without knowing the exact reasoning behind his actions. At least, not as far as she could tell. Even when he was angry and seemingly out of his mind with rage, he was still somehow very collected in the things he did, never doing anything on impulse. And so, she stood there silently and waited.

Because when I see something I want... He left the sentence hang in the air between them, unfinished... Not needing to be finished. She would have to be a moron to not know what he was going to say after that. He simply stared at her, and for a moment, she became lost in his cloudy eyes, wondering just what had made him so distrustful of everyone around him, except for a select few who he allowed into his inner graces. She had never thought about why Sevanni Black was the way he was, that was just how things were... Until now. Now, after living under the same roof as him for months without the degradation that she was so used to from him, she began wondering who he really was, when he allowed his more... caring side to be shown.

She was going to ask him more questions. Why in the hell would he want her? She couldn't see someone like him desiring her... The type of woman that she pictured being perfect for him was someone submissive, someone who wouldn't dare contradict him, and someone who... just... Was not her.... Then again, he had been with Aubrey Mayor. Before she could open her mouth to ask the questions that was swarming around in her head, he had leaned down so that he was level with her, and pressed his lips against hers.

She wasn't prepared for that, nor was she prepared for her initial reaction. She stepped closer to him, actually kissing him back. Her lips were soft against his, though there was a under current of... What? Passion? Desire? Lust?... Something else? She didn't know. It only lasted for a minute, however, before she regained control of herself. She gasped, her right hand moving swiftly across his left cheek in a sharp slap, taking two quick steps back away from him. Her eyes held his, and she tried to conjure up the anger that she should have felt, tried to yell at him... Tried to do anything that she would have normally done. Attacked him, thrown something at him, hit him again... Something. But all she felt was the same emotion that had spread through her when his lips first touched hers. She wanted to feel his lips against hers again. Before she could even think about it, she acted on her own desire. She closed the space between them again, putting one hand around the back of his neck to pull him down to her level, standing up on her toes to reach him for another kiss, pressing her lips against his. This kiss was slightly more urgent than his had been, not as tentative. Just lips pressed against lips, but with a slow burning fire behind it.

She pulled back quickly after a moment, struggling with herself for control once again. She kept her eyes on him and backed away quickly, back towards the house. She couldn't be around him... Couldn't trust herself to be around him. She was a prisoner to her own desires, unable to stop herself from reacting on impulse... And she wasn't sure whether to curse herself or to just let it ride, for once in her life not deny herself what she wanted... In the end, she turned and quickly ran back onto the patio, through the french doors, and out of sight, running to the room that held all her drawing utensils. Her art was her only solace now, now that she couldn't shift into a wolf and leave her thoughts, emotions, and conscience behind. She didn't stop until she was safe in her private sanctuary. Sevanni had placed all her drawing things in here, though she kept the pieces that was still a work in progress locked safely away in her room. She didn't like people seeing her unfinished work. She closed the door swiftly behind her, pressing her back against the wood, closing her eyes and listening to hear if there was footsteps behind her. She didn't know what Sevanni would do... But she couldn't see him right now, not until she was in better control...

She walked over to where she kept her sketch pads, pulling them out along with her charcoal pencils, curled up on the couch, and began to draw, losing herself in the lines, shades, and curves. Not even sure what she was drawing yet. She did this sometimes, just picked up some paper and started drawing without having the faintest idea of what she was supposed to be drawing. Just trusting her hands to draw something that suited her standards of her own work.

[HIDDEN EVIL]

It was different than kissing anyone he'd kissed before. Like a relief to feel those lips on his and give back to him the unexposed pleasure from her. He was shocked that she had allowed it to go on for even more than a couple of seconds, but of course she had pushed away, still, his feet stayed firm to the ground as she backed away and her hand, swept across his face with the power of her new strength.

His head turned to the side, his hand moving to rub his jaw at the small sting she gave. He turned eyes to her with his guiding head, lowering his hand slowly as a bit of madness flooded him. It was slightly a turn on to even experience her hitting him, no repercussions to administer to her for that little action.

He didn't say anything. He didn't have to because she had moved close to him, his own mind rambling with her actions and wondering if she was going to slap him again. Only her arm moved around his neck, pulling him down as he obliged and met her face to face where she pressed lips heavenly against his own.

This time he could feel the passion she held. The urge to tighten her hold and not break free. His right arm folded around her waist, a palm pressing flat against the small of her back as he held her against him with little ease. Wanting to pick her petite form up and lay her out to discover why mortals liked it soft and slow. Not that he was hard and fast all the time, but he didn't want to rush himself on her. Not like he usually held his affairs.

Before he wanted to spread lips and taste her more she had pushed him away. Preparing himself for another slap, only she hadn't. Instead she held the face of embarrassment or shame. He wasn't sure which it was. With a turn of his body he watched her as she ran off. Feeling as if he had lost his breath, wanted nothing more than for her to come back.

"Nix wait." words given out as she made her leave. Apparently not loud enough. "Nixie!" But she had vanished through doors and ran into the house after he made his way visibly down the path of trail and flowers. No more blond locks to see bouncing off of her back. No black and white fabric.

This time he did breathe. Taking in a deep breath and exhaling hard and swiftly. He shouldn't have kissed her, but he had to. He was compelled to do it by his own thoughts and apparent attraction toward her. He just felt like he had done something wrong, or, that she realized what she had done and managed to double take her actions and fumble over them without him watching.

He nearly growled with anger and frustration. Now the thoughts of hurting someone hit him like a Ram truck. Getting it all out of his system. Or, he could go find her, talk to her somehow. But all in all he knew she would want her space. Keep away from the embarrassment. As long as she didn't feel shameful about it, things would be okay. Not to say he wasn't confident about himself, there was no reason to be anything but. She however was younger, newly made and confused even, and it was going to be up to her what was going to happen. He already knew what he wanted.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

She heard him call out her name, but she couldn't make herself turn around and face him, embarrassment at her lack of control swamping her. Instead, she kept running, hoping that he wouldn't follow her. To her extreme pleasure, he hadn't. He apparently understood that she would need space, need time to think through things.

For a long time, she simply sat on the couch, her feet curled up under her and just drew, letting her mind wander. Yes, she had a problem with acting on her impulses... But... Sevanni hadn't put those impulses in her mind... She must have already wanted to kiss him, in order to act on that particular impulse. So, she couldn't find it in herself to be mad at him. But, she could be mad at herself.

She had accepted that Taurs was dead, though it had taken her a long time to do so. Because of her wolf, she had gotten with Damien and had gotten pregnant. It had been her choice to leave Kat's pack and come back to Sevanni. He had given her a choice... Though not much of one if she wanted to protect those who she considered family... And it had been her choice to leave Aura in Paris with Kat and Damien. She had done that for the sake of her daughter's well being. Though she didn't know at the time that she herself would be a vampire, that didn't mean that she wasn't concerned about having Aura around all these other vampires... and now, it seemed like a good idea to have took Aura to Paris when she had.

So, how long had she felt this attraction to Sev? How long had she subconsciously been thinking about him as more than her enemy? And, with her thinking along those lines... How much of a traitor was she being to Tarus? But... No matter how many times she tried to bring that thought up... She couldn't seem to make herself feel horrible about it... She couldn't help it... But she did feel like a bitch. And that was almost as bad.

Hours later, she finally brought herself back to the here and now, out of her inner turmoil. She looked towards the clock. 5:02 a.m. She sighed and looked down at what she had been drawing, a scowl on her face. She had been drawing Sevanni, sitting in his study behind his large desk. His eyes were staring out at her through the drawing, a cigar in one hand, the other resting on his chin, that irritating smirk on his lips. She glared at the picture for a long moment, before standing up with a huff and putting her pencils away and walking out of her private sanctuary and up the stairs towards her room, the sketch pad in her hands. Though she may not be pleased with what she was subconsciously drawing while she was on a hours long mental rant, it was still unfinished, and she never started something without finishing it, and so she couldn't leave it down there. She would lock it up with the other drawing that was, at this moment, unfinished.

She wasn't even paying any attention as she walked into her room, closed the door behind her, and turned towards where she kept her safe... Not until she had already started to work the combination did she realize that she wasn't in her room alone. She groaned, wanting to kick herself. How could she have been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn't even notice that Sevanni was in the room with her? She closed her eyes and counted to ten before turning around to face him, not really sure what she was going to say to him. She found, however, that she couldn't look him in the face. So, instead, she lowered her face to stare at her shoes, her hands going behind her back to hide the drawing from his sight. "How long have you been up here?"

[HIDDEN EVIL]

Sevanni had stood there for a couple of moments, thinking about what the hell had just happened. What went wrong. A glimmer of swirls in black and baby blue appeared, and Cree's form laid on the stone bench, perched as if she were laying on a bed with her head laid back, hanging from the edge. "Why did you not go after her?" She asked with a pouting tone. Sevanni turned his head in her direction, a bit of a scowl on his face.

"I don't recall letting you out of your box." A devilish smile rose over her face, dark curls barely touching the ground as fingers trailed up and down the center of her body.

"You know.....She's up there in that room of hers. She's quite the artist...." Sevanni smirked. Cree was always laying eyes where they didn't belong, and she mentioned it to merely piss him off. One reason why she stayed in a wooden box on his dresser.

Her body motioned to sit up, the sultry form of her standing and moving over to him. I think she rather enjoys this confusion....face it Sevanni......you're far too cruel to deserve such a thing like her." She started to chuckle and Sevanni was steaming mad. However her words were truthful. Nixie wasn't so open to him being so nice. She had seen a different side to him and the way he came off in private only confused her to no avail, which meant that Cree was right, or was she?

"Keep your nose out of my business." She frowned and tilted her head to the side, eyes moving in the direction of the house. "Why don't you go to her......see if she'd like some company today." Cree's suggestion was what he had been thinking, as if she were in his head. Without debate, Sevanni had turned as Cree vanished into the air, back to her antics somewhere throughout the grounds.

He attempted to touch hand to her drawing room, but no nerve to open it and invade her space. That was one thing he really didn't like to do. Intrude on their own rooms where they kept their special activities. He didn't even go to the doll house where Nite and Dae spent most of their time when not in the house or out causing trouble. Not unless he was invited.

He traveled over to her bedroom, slipping his hand over the knob and moving in through the darkness, making himself comfortable as he took a seat. Only over a short amount of time had she entered, a pad in hand, closing the door and moving over to a safe. Now he was curious as to what it was she had drawn, and when he made a little grin she paused and turned to him.

"How long have you been up here?" He met eyes to hers but she was clearly hiding so she wouldn't have to look at him all together. "Not long....a few minutes." Hands assisted him in rising to a stand, moving over toward her but with just enough space...

"May I?" He asked, hand held out to see if she would let him look through her work. Curious as to whether or not Cree was right. What did she draw? He'd never known she had done so until she had asked him for a personal room like the others had, and never having seen the inside of it made him more and more curious to see how she spent her time in there.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

She had wondered if he would be angry with her for her swift retreat... But she couldn't help it. It had been a shock in itself for him to kiss her. She had never thought he thought of her as anything more than a disgusting weremutt, as he so lovingly called lycans in general. Never once, before the time that he had brought her to be a unwilling guest in his house had he even so much as said a kind word to her... then again, she had been nothing but a bitch right back to him as well... But what had shocked her even more, had been the fact that she had kissed him back. So many thoughts ran through her head while she kept herself locked in her personal haven, surrounded by her finished work that she hadn't sold or given away.

She had gotten her love for drawing from her father. He had been a tattoo artist, but his true passion lied within putting pencil to paper. He would sit with her for hours and teach her different techniques for drawing. Watercolors, pastel, paintings, landscaping, charcoal... And over time, she had developed his love and appreciation for art in all forms as well. He had told her that she had a amazing gift for drawing. She had portraits of her mother and father hanging up in her drawing room, the first two pictures you would see when walking in there. She had the bone structure of her mother, and her mother's thick, blond hair... But her eyes belonged to her father. Her mother's eyes had been gray, but her father's had been a twin set of her own.

Once she had realized that Sevanni was there, she couldn't make herself turn back around and walk out. She had run from him once, and she wouldn't do so again... Especially since this was her room. And, lycan or not, she was still very territorial over the things that were hers. She wouldn't be run out of her own space. She had expected him to be upset with her, to lash out at her for smacking him... But he had been calm. Standing and walking towards her, not crowding her in any way, making sure that she had enough room to feel comfortable and unthreatened.

May I? A request, not a demand as he raised one hand out for her to hand over the drawing that she held behind her back, like a child trying to hide a piece of candy from their parent. For a moment, her grip tightened protectively around the notebook of solid white paper. "It's not finished yet..." Slowly, she pulled her right hand, still grasping the sketch pad firmly, and held it out toward his outstretched hand. Her eyes went to his face, waiting for him to open the cover and see the drawing that was inside, watching his expression. She didn't feel right letting him see it period, let alone when it was unfinished work... She was a perfectionist about her art work, but she couldn't seem to tell him no. If she would have still had the ability, she would have blushed.

"It's still a little rough, so don't judge it too harsh just yet..." She said, a little embarrassed, trying to explain should he not like it. And that thought was a little disturbing of itself... Why should she be trying to explain anything? She didn't give a damn if he liked it or not... Did she?

[HIDDEN EVIL]

"It's not finished yet..." Surprisingly she hadn't objected to him seeing, because her hand moved out, lifting the pad up toward his hand where fingers so gladly took hold of it. He opened the cover, ony to find out that Cree was once again correct. She really had to stop spying on people, but from time to time she had managed to do good deeds when doing so. For instance, she would occasionally check on Imogine and Mallie for him. Make sure that they were well and his worries could end.

Sevanni had only been able to see Mallie every other weekend, but that didn't feel like enough. He loved her as if she were his own daughter, and even though she had been taken by Aubrey, she had been in his house for a long while, and the two had somehow managed to grow fond of one another.

It had been when she was turned that he was furious. Opposed to immortal children, but in that instance there was no choice. If it was her life or her death, her life would have surely been chosen over the latter.

He lifted eyes to Nixie, a little hint of a relaxed smile rose over lips before he lowered his eyes once more. "It's still a little rough, so don't judge it too harsh just yet..." He somehow moved to sit on the edge of her bed, unable to grasp the concept of why she had actually drawn him.

A small sigh lifted from his throat as he lowered the cover of the pad. Not wanting to give it back to her, but reluctantly he had. His arm branched out, handing it back to her before he managed to ask her. "Why did you draw me?"

How could he not ask? Cree had doubled his curiosity with Nix, and this had only proved her worth. Cree. Such a devious broad who had a lot of information. Aubrey had tried for months to find her box and be rid of her, but he made sure that it wasn't possible. Even Kane and Abel had attempted it once, and after that, he made sure Cree could come and go as she wished but only to Sevanni. Hence the lack of remembrance of what she was doing out of her box.

"I thought you hated me......" Clearly she had. But she also kissed him back after slapping him. A slap so full of hate and desire that it was nearly impossible to want more. If she had attempted to do it again he probably would have tried to take her out there on that bench.

No mention of it being good. He actually loved it and thought to see if she would do a portrait to canvass the wall above the stone fireplace between his room and Darien's room where he relaxed from time to time. That was what he needed to do. Retire for a few months, maybe a year and just spend time with his blood family. See to it that all was well and calm before he attempted his.....

Well, perhaps that thought would be better off finished another time. There were many things to take care of before even considering a break. "And you left......Why did you run off like that?" Still he remained there on the edge of her bed. Unsure of what she would say about that. Get the fuck off my bed you evil bastard. Damn now I need a new bed. Something along those lines, but she was nearly more unpredictable now than she had been before.

[*Phoenix McKenzie]

She watched anxiously as he studied her work of him, nervous in the fact that it wasn't finished, and the fact that he had never seen any of her work before. He had never cared to ask what her hobbies were, nor pay attention to find out on his own. To be fair, though, not many people knew of her drawing abilities, outside of Kat's pack, anyway. Kat had been the first one to see any of her drawings other than her parents, and that was only because Kat had stumbled on her after a pack meeting, when Phoenix was sitting on the floor outside of one of the doors, sketch pad in her lap and drawing away, pictures of the pack in both human and lupine form. To her relief, she didn't see any sign of a sneer or anything else that would mean a negative reaction to her work.

She took the drawing back from him as he sat on her bed, turning around and making sure that he couldn't see the combination to her safe as she opened it and placed the sketch pad safely inside, shutting the door and locking it securely before turning back to him. Just in time to hear his question.

Why did you draw me? She sighed, pushing herself up onto the desk that held her safe, sitting down on it and crossing her legs, chewing on her bottom lip as she thought about a way to answer that question. Why had she drawn him? What in the world had made her begin to draw the man sitting on her bed in front of her, while her mind was elsewhere? Could it be because she was thinking about him? But no... If that had been the case, she would have drawn him in the image that she had been thinking of him... And some of her thoughts were not too pleasant as she remembered their history.

She raked her fingers through her long hair irritatedly, a small, frustrated sigh pushing past pale pink lips. "I honestly don't know. I wasn't even paying attention to what I was drawing... I do that sometimes... Drawing helps me think, so I just let my body draw whatever it wants to draw while I think. I don't realize what it is until I start to pay attention again."

I thought you hated me...... Yet another thing that was hard for her to explain.. Because she herself didn't know the answer to that. She continued to chew on her bottom lip, a habit of hers that Tarus had often gotten onto her about. She had ended up making her lip bleed around the wrong vampire on more than one occasion... She had always told him that she would be the reason for a vampire to get gray hair. "No more than you hated me. I guess we're both confused then." She stood up and began pacing back and forth, kicking off her shoes in the process. Normally, she would have taken them off first thing, but Sevanni had her so out of whack she didn't know what she was doing from one second to the next.

What had made her kiss Sevanni? But, more importantly, what had made Sevanni kiss her? "I'd always thought the hate was mutual." No... At first, it had been... But when had it turned into something like this? When had they started to become attracted to one another? And why had she not realized it before now? She had known of her dangerous attraction to Sevanni, had acknowledged it to herself and only to herself after spending some time around him as more than a slave. All the other times she had been around him, he had deliberately given her reasons to be on the offensive... But this time... This time was different. She didn't know how to react to this side of Sevanni Black... It was as if he was a completely different person.

And you left......Why did you run off like that? She stopped pacing and turned to look at him, her mossy green eyes clearly showing her confusion. She was disarmed at the moment, and that was unsettling. If he were to attack her in any way right now, be it physically, emotionally, or mentally, she would have no way to fight back. There was very few times when Phoenix Marie McKenzie wasn't completely and utterly on guard... And this was one of those times. She felt vulnerable standing there in front of him like that, defenseless with her guards down. So, she walked over to her bed and sat down as well, keeping a decent distance from him, unsure of herself.

"I needed to think... Kissing you back was the last thing that I had expected to do... Everything's turning upside down... To be honest, I feel like I'm falling down the Rabbit Hole or something... And the ground is coming at me fast, and there's no way that I can land safely and in one piece." She didn't know if she was making any sense. He probably thought she was babbling nonsense, but it was the truth. She felt like she was spiraling down a long tunnel, having no idea how to stop, or save, herself.

[HIDDEN EVIL]

He gave her the privacy of unlocking her safe and pushing her belongings inside. He had his own little stash that requires some heavy security, so the importance of letting her own privacy about combination's and such had been submitted with the action of a head turn.

Granted her response had been reasonable. Often he found a few of his people lost in the trance of their own little hobbies. You just couldn't tear Darien away from sorting without it being in the back of his mind. Interrupt Emiste and you were liable to get something cut off or stabbed. Ixandra had been his morning dew, unable to know what it was she thrived for but in the end it was always the same. They all had their special little quirks that he admired, and it was only right to understand Nixie's response.

"No more than you hated me. I guess we're both confused then." A serene little glimmer of a smile. "No." Softly spoken after she finished her notion. No. He wasn't confused. It was her that had been confused. For the most part really, but within Sevanni there were a few things that were unsure to his realization of her.

"I'd always thought the hate was mutual." No need to argue there. He had hated Phoenix for the longest time, but it wasn't for the reasons she would believe. "It is.....I mean....it was." Subtly spoken out as the last words were brought out to ensure she was clear of the past tense.

He watched as she indulged on her lower lip, unable to stop her. Not wanting to stop her. He had seen her do it before on many occasions. However, she hadn't managed to spill blood in front of him, maybe once, but he wasn't sure. If she had it would more than likely be bad news bears for her because he wouldn't want to resist the urge to take the trickles into his mouth.

The sublime feeling of her blood went crashing through his mind like a whirl wind. She tasted divine of course, but it was that behind her mind he searched for answers. Who was she really underneath her hard exterior? Behind the facade of false pretense? Did she regret the night? Regret everything before that moment of now and how much of it all at current would she give up to leave? Would she leave? Could she leave? Leave him?

"I needed to think... Kissing you back was the last thing that I had expected to do... Everything's turning upside down... To be honest, I feel like I'm falling down the Rabbit Hole or something... And the ground is coming at me fast, and there's no way that I can land safely and in one piece."

She had paced here and there which had made him a bit uneasy. He hated that. Constant movement. Jumpers and those who fidgeted hands and couldn't stay still. When their actions of the body was moving more than their brains and to know that she was finished had caused him to settle down without telling her to do so.

His little Alice had bewitched herself. Perhaps he as the mad hatter had somehow pushed her in that direction. Confusing her with words and actions and letting her scamper off to visit the field of flowers. If she had been offered to take the second out, would she take it? Reverse time and act as though none of it had happened and that his little Alice had been in a dream. Waking up in the meadow with her daughter and ex lover near by? Would he allow it? Could he let her go so easily if she was no slave of his?

Sevanni had turned a couple of people most recently, and he didn't really want to take that path, but after what he was told, he had no choice but to travel down that road to a rendition not his own.

She had been sitting at a good distance away, but it wasn't far enough to where he couldn't compel her with his own touch. If he had done it again would she tell him to leave? Would she finish the drawing or start another? Would she give in to temptation and take the cheshire cat's advice?

Now there was no queen to yell off with her head. No Hyde's and Marcus's to follow her like a deck of cards marching as an army of one.

His body half turned to face her. The solemness he held over his features would come off as sincerity and he needed her to know that no matter what had happened between them, things between them now were different. They had to be for the sake of things. She was no longer the Lycan marked weremutt. Not taken by those he had loved and hated.

Whilst he took a liking to Tarus in the beginning, the moment the two of them had hooked up there was nothing but disdain for him and her more so for the actions of her taking him into her grasp and claiming they loved one another. Maybe they had. Maybe she had a shot at true love, but not with him alive.

Sevanni let his hand slide over to her own, gracefully and gentle his touch had formed to the fledgling. "I'll catch you." Maybe it was corny but it was true and he meant it. "I'll always be there when you need me." Soft words all around. Not only had he desired her in her old form, but he had pushed the envelope with his feelings toward her far more now than ever.

He let his other motion to her free hand so both hands were held by his. Pulling her gently close as he nudged a little closer himself. "I kissed you because I am drawn to you. I always have been." The words alone were enough to shock her. Put her in some form of a transive state that she would be blown out of her own mind by some verbal bomb.

His right hand slid strands of blond locks behind her left ear, seeing her face clearly and letting fingers sweep skin to just feel her one more time. "This was the only way......" He stopped talking. Stop amidst his words of his own confession. He was greedy and she knew it, and he had shown her just how commanding his greed within had been. He had forced her to become what he was. A vampire. Apart of his blood line. Dangerous. There were no words he could use to finish that statement. Not then. Not ever.

His thumb trailed over her lower lip that had previously been nibbled on, wanting to nibble on it himself. Letting it trail down her chin before leaving flesh all together. A sigh emitted, then he looked away and let go of her hand for hands to rest on his own lap.