Blueblood

Story: Blueblood

Chapter 8 Ruben Chance

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

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Ruben Chance

In the shower, we cleaned up and yes, we did more than just bathe. What I found interesting was the heightened scents of smell. I could smell the soap more. Looking at it, it was just normal Ivory Soap, but it was stronger smelling than I remember.

Colin lifted his head as the shampoo was being rinsed. He opened his eyes and caught my look of amazement. He smiled. "You're smelling things and soon, you'll be hearing things better than before." He grimaced. "You're becoming the most perfect predator. You will even be able to see better than a cat at night."

I had no idea. "It's not bad."

Colin put his arms around me and looked very serious. "Listen to me." He urged. "Right now, you are fine, but this is not a good thing. This..." he waved at me. "...being a vampire is not good at all. If not fed, you become worse than an animal. You become this...mindless thing. You will hunt using those abilities. Almost no one can escape you. It will become like..." he thought of the best way to say it. "...it's like, you become this addict. When the hunger hits...you become something feral. The vampire's venom will shut everything down except to get blood. What was human about you will begin to fade. If you surrender to it, you will be this...horrible thing. A real monster. It was working with Brett, and it almost took Gabriella and me."

I nodded, hearing his words and the seriousness of how he said it. "But you didn't become a monster. I don't believe you ever became that horrible thing."

He sighed and looked away sadly. "The character of a man is pretty set. I never wanted to kill. I wanted blood. It took control like I can't tell you about, to keep from giving in was one of the hardest thing I've ever done. The hunger and urge were so powerful."

I was fine right at that moment. "I don't feel that."

Colin nodded. "Burke was thinking ahead when he gave us that blood. The hunger was stopped as soon as it began. Becoming a vampire is not a good thing."

"But it feels good." I pointed out.

"That's what the venom does. You get this...almost euphoric sense of wellbeing. That's part of the addiction process. It makes you want to do it again." He frowned. "I never wanted you to find out."

I nodded. "The serum will work again."

Colin smiled. "It will but believe me. It won't be pleasant at first."

I pressed my forehead against his, feeling defeat now. "I remember your reactions." I sighed, but I felt Colin's arms come around me. I looked up at him. "Now, that we're clean. How about that wedding night?"

Colin smiled at me. "What about it?" He chuckled as he kissed me. "This was not where we were planning to have that first part of the honeymoon."

"What's wrong with a series of caves in Arkansas?" I asked.

"We were supposed to be in Paris." Colin pointed out.

"Hopefully, it will still be there when we're...more human?" I pulled him tighter. "Whatever we are, we're still together and now if we're careful, we always will be. You did promise me forever."

Getting to where we were located in the Ozarks was a little more difficult for George. Burke had chosen this cave and had, through years, made sure it wasn't developed. George arrived in vans and with the help of others, made his way below. When Taylor led him in, he rushed both Colin and me hugging us. He looked us over quickly and then turned to Burke, his eyes narrowing.

"Why did you do this?" George demanded.

"The taking of Colin and Devon was planned," Burke said. "The turning of Devon into one of us was Devon's idea." He shrugged as he walked slowly over. "Trust is very hard for us. I had to be sure they could be trusted."

Colin took Burke's arm as he stood before George. "This is Burke. According to him, he is the oldest vampire in America. He seems like a nice guy."

Burke nodded. "See? Even he has trouble with trust. We all do. What a person does tells whether to trust rather than what he says."

George was angry. "At gunpoint!? They were taken with no real word as to where!" George all but yelled.

Burke gave a hesitant nod. "No harm was meant, but I had to be sure." He looked at Colin. "I allowed George in here based on the trust I've extended to you and Devon. You allowed those broadcasts to attract attention. That's what you said. It worked." He looked at George. "What do you plan to do?"

George frowned. "First, I treat them. You'll see how difficult the treatment is and decide it's what you want."

Burke nodded. "What I want is to see daylight myself, not just on TV or in movies."

I touched George's arm. "How is my mother?"

George shook his head. "When we realized you two were gone, she went crazy. Demanding a search of the grounds. After a day, I ended up sedating her. It was all I could do to stop her from coming with me when I told her you two had let us know where you were." He looked at what was being brought down. The trunks and equipment I knew. "Now, let us begin."

He prepped Colin and me. One more time, he inserted the needles in both of our hearts. This time, I knew the pain as the serum was fighting just the venom. I felt it work as the serum began to get my heart going. There was a fire inside. The pain increased! As it worked inside my whole body was burning! I now knew the pain Colin had been going through every night, but the pain didn't stop in five minutes. Then I felt the first weak beat as my heart was coming back to life. The burning evened out but kept going as it burned steadily now. It was agony. It seemed that it would never end! I'm not sure of the passing of time, but I guess the desired results were done and slowly the serum released its grip on me. Or the venom quit fighting the serum. I was so tired and fell asleep immediately. I woke to a familiar touch of lips on mine. This time, I was getting the cloth across my face gently.

"Hi, Colin." I greeted not even opening my eyes, but when I did, he looked so much better than he had the few hours before as he sat next to me on the bed.

"Now, you know the pain," Colin said sadly, but he was smiling a little. "Again, this is not what I wanted for you, Devon."

I sat up touching his face. "I don't want it for you, either, but we made a commitment to be together. I would have died anyway, now we can do all we can to ensure that commitment of forever is met."

Colin nodded. "I just wanted to tell you again."

"It's okay, Colin," I assured kissing him with no resistance at all from him.

The part where I didn't have the craving for blood was great, but I wasn't hungry for anything yet. However, when I was presented with something...a stew of some kind. I could smell the beef, I smelled the steamed and stewed potatoes, carrots and gravy and I could even smell the other ingredients like spices used. I always got the whole smell at once, and I did now, but I knew what the ingredients were. The scent was mouth-watering. The flavor was so...intense! I thought what I had wasn't going to be enough. I knew now why Colin ate so much! I was cautioned to take it easy as my stomach had been reprogrammed for blood. Now it was being re-reprogrammed to eat food again. It did get a little upset, but mostly just made noise.

We sat again at the long wooden table after the meal.

"So, what do you think we need to do now?" I asked Burke. "Are we to be Vampire Hunters?"

"Good question, and is that your whole name? It can't be just Burke." Colin asked smiling.

Burke nodded and smiled. "Well, my name is John Burke, but no one has used John in a while." He grinned at us. "I guess, calling you both Wentworth would be confusing."

I grinned. "Well, as it's new for me, calling me Wentworth would be new, but I'm no longer a McGee."

Burke nodded with a smile. "I'll stick with Devon and Colin. As for what I'd like you to be, with me, too, is Vampire Locators. We'll find them and we'll decide what to do afterward."

"You don't plan to kill anyone," I said to be clear. "Most everyone turned, had that done to them, not because they wanted to be."

Burke nodded. "I know, but is there anything human left? That's what we need to know. There are those that have given into the blood lust, and they are just...mindless predators."

George nodded. "We have some in New York like that."

Colin grimaced looking at me. "I've done that a few times." He frowned as I remembered him telling me about that vampire he killed on the battlefield at night during the Civil War.

George nodded. "That's why we have the interrogation room. We need to know if the desire to drink blood is the only thing that has them going."

Burke nodded agreeing. "That's it exactly." He sighed. "So, can I have this serum?"

George smiled. "It will hurt." He warned Burke.

I leaned toward Burke. "It will hurt a lot!"

Burke sighed again. "To see the sunlight again? It will be worth it."

"How many vampires do you have in this cell?" George asked.

"About a hundred," Burke replied.

"How do you keep track of everyone?" Colin asked.

"We keep up by email and ledgers," Burke answered.

"You have a computer?" Colin asked surprised, but I was surprised, too.

"We have one." Burke grinned. "Getting the wiring down here was a bitch. No Wi-Fi, though."

Colin shook his head, but patted Burke on the arm. "You definitely need an upgrade. There are ways to bring you into the twenty-first century."

"Perhaps he could do with a visit to Holms Laboratories." George smiled. "Now that you can see it more of the world and won't have to worry about the sun."

The process of getting Colin back on track with the serum was less lengthy even if Colin was starting over again, but his body adjusted faster going back to what it was used to. My getting on track was a little more involved. Burke had the pain for the first time but didn't give up. The third day of Burke taking the serum dawned and we walked outside.

The sun rose and I knew now what that tingling Colin mentioned was. It was like you hit your elbow just so and your whole arm tingled. This was over your entire body! Burke had the uncertainty in his eyes as the sun rose and peaked over the horizon. The first shining ray came and became brighter as more of the sun came up. I watched Burke look, and now that he could produce the moisture in his eyes, I saw them glisten. I had not been without the sunrise that long, but it was still nice to see.

I spoke to my mother several times and George was right, it took a lot to keep her and Gabriella from boarding a plane and coming here. I swore to her Colin, and I were fine.

Burke was beginning to eat again too and loving it. Tastes he swore he forgot and now relished all of them!

Colin got a new computer system for here in the Ozarks, but not as sophisticated as Wentworth Manor and nowhere near the system in New York.

Taylor, I found was Theodor! Theodor Taylor and went by Theo. He was staying in the Ozarks to keep things going, but Burke was flying with us to Charleston. We would start there.

We flew to Charleston and when we arrived, both Colin and I were pounced on by my Mother and Gabriella both hugging us.

"Listen, Devon McGee...now Devon Wentworth. You do not hold things back from me. Understood?" Mother said chastising me like I was a child. I was her child, so I guess that was okay. "If you knew there was a danger I don't know about..." she shook her head. "Why don't I know about it? You knew someone was after you for months!"

I shrugged throwing my hands up in frustration. "I didn't want to worry you."

"And being kidnapped didn't worry me!?" She shouted. "Security was frantic! I was frantic!" Then she narrowed her one eye. "Don't do that to me ever again!" She said shaking her finger at me.

I frowned, now I had to tell her about...me being a vampire...sort of. "Well, there is something else and now that I'm here..." I sat her down. "...you see I'm fine, but..."

She sat back a little. "You're one of them now, aren't you?"

I was startled. "How did you know?"

She shook her head. "Because you left without any serum. There was none there until George got there." She waved at Colin. "He needs it every day or he becomes that thing again." She shook her head. "You were gone almost two days before we knew where you were. They had blood there but no serum." She sighed. "Besides, you really wanted to become one of them."

I was shocked. "No, I didn't! Colin refused at first, and I never..."

She nodded but put that finger on my lips to stop me. "Yes, you did. I don't even know if it was conscious, but I raised you. I would have wanted it if your father was a vampire and knew he'd be alone. I don't like it, but I understand." She looked at Burke. "He's one, too."

I nodded. "He's a nice guy, Mom."

She nodded. "He'd have to be if you brought him here."

Burke was just staring at the house in amazement. He had done the slow spin in the center hallways as everyone did. "This beats the hell out of those caves!" He chuckled.

"We weren't limited by the size of the caves." Colin shrugged with a nod and then frowned. "It was nice down there, but how'd you get all that furniture in there?"

Burke grinned. "Well, over the centuries we had a lot of people in those caves, and many were craftsmen. We made almost all the furniture." He shook his head. "The wiring and plumbing...that was the hard part."

Colin nodded. "We'll take you to Holms Laboratories in Manhattan. The records you have? I'd like to get what you have on the others on the computer."

Burke nodded. "I'll let them know first." He shrugged. "Trust, remember?" Then he looked at Colin and me. "I'm sorry about the honeymoon."

I shrugged. "We've got a long life together now. We'll go eventually. Maybe we can meet some of those cells in Europe."

Mom heard that and looked at us warily. "Are there many?"

Burke nodded. "Oh, yes, quite a few."

Mom shook her head. "I had no idea."

Burke chuckled. "You weren't supposed to," Burke explained. "Many of us have no idea. We've just started to get contacts from other cells." He looked at George. "I'm surprised you don't have them."

George said a little indignant, but he smiled. "Who says we don't? The problem is the older groups are less trusting. Technology is another issue. Colin and I formed the group in New York beginning in the 1940s. Our technology grew and we were at the forefront here in the United States. Other groups came later. There's the one in Russia. There is one in China and India." He smiled. "Of course, we're just as bad. The serum I came up with, I will share...in person. Not by email or computer conferencing." He then grinned at us. "And I have something new for you four." He said pointing at Colin, Gabriella, Burke, and me. "You may not have to have daily injections anymore."

"We don't?" Gabriella came over. "Why?"

"The whole thing is about keeping the serum levels at a certain point in your bodies," George said. "I think I have it now." He smiled. "I'll be doing it, too. I developed some highly condensed form of the serum. Inserting it in you, our bodies will slowly dissolve the disc of serum. The levels should be monitored at first to make sure you're getting enough. Instead of pain, the serum will slowly release the serum and keep the levels constant."

Colin's eyes widened. "No more pain!?"

George shook and nodded his head. "Theoretically."

"We'll be more normal than before!" Colin gasped smiling. "How long between doses? How often will we have to have a new disc put in?"

"Once a month." George grinned. "It's about the size of a silver dollar. Flexible and goes right under the skin, anywhere you like, and you'll barely notice it."

Burke smiled, "I guess I chose the right time to make contact with you guys."

"You're carefully screening those that get the serum?" I reminded George. "I still say, in the wrong hands, it could be compromised."

George nodded, "I haven't forgotten that."

"So, what do we call ourselves now? We're much more than Holms Laboratories." I smiled as Colin laughed nudging George in the shoulder. "We're becoming a network! Vampire Nations? Vamp Net? Come on, George! You're how old? Use some imagination!"

Now, there were a lot of beings like us and coming together was going to be difficult. First was the trust thing. Second, was the technology problem. According to Burke, a lot of the older ones (those vampires created before the twentieth century) were less likely to use modern technology, which I couldn't understand. It helped things move quicker.

"What's so bad about getting email?" I asked Burke as we all sat in our library/music room.

Burke chuckled. "Nothing. It's just that some of them are used to how things were. They're worse than the old couple that lives down the street I've seen on TV. They're used to how it's done. They're resistant to change. They have no grid to be off of since they're never been on it!"

I chuckled. "At least you know about the grid."

He nodded laughing. "I watch TV! Not a lot to do during those long days and nowhere to go. What else was there to do?"

"And you've watched movies?" Colin smiled.

"I have a few DVDs!" Burke boasted. "And a nice TV! I even have a Blu-Ray player!"

"We get it. You're up with technology!" I chuckled. "What did you think of the Twilight Series? Did you see that?"

Burke's eyes widened as he looked disgusted. "Pure fiction!" He sputtered indignantly. "And who the hell did Bella think she was? She attracts both a vampire and a werewolf!" He laughed. "She was cute, but Alice! She was hot." He let everyone know that was the woman he preferred. "But really? Bella becomes the focus of both the pack and a group of vampires? She wasn't THAT cute. Why was she so important?"

"You thought Alice was," Colin said. "Neither of them got my attention."

I nodded. "No, my attention was on Charlie. Bella's father." My eyebrows danced. "To me, he was the hot one."

Colin chuckled pulling me closer as he sat beside me. "He likes us older men."

Burke's eyes smiled at Colin. "Well, I should be driving him crazy. I'm two centuries older than you are."

I shook my head. "Sorry, I'd have a problem with that. You have that awful birth defect I'd have a hard time ignoring."

Burke looked surprised. "Birth defect? What birth defect?"

"You're blond," I said simply with a shrug.

Colin laughed when I said that. "I have dark hair," He told Burke.

George shook his head. "The point is, they are not likely to trust us at first." He pointed out. "These souls may have been vampires before that radical change in technology. The younger ones might trust us a little easier." He grinned at Burke. "And I like blondes." George's comment made Burke grin back.

Mom shook her head. "Wait. Werewolves? Are there werewolves? I never believed in vampires and here you are. Are werewolves real, too?"

Burke smiled shaking his head. "I've never seen one and I've not heard of any." He turned to George. "So, when are you inserting this disc?"

George gave a hesitant nod. "Well, there is a process. I have discs for Gabriella and Colin. I'll begin to make discs for Devon and you. It needs to be made from you for the serum to work the best. There is a unique venom in every vampire. I don't have a serum for you two yet." He waved us down. "It will take about a week. Sorry." He held out his arm. On the back of his arm was a shallow, almost unnoticeable little circle and a small slit that was healing. "I tried it on myself first."

I got up and looked closer at his arm. "How...I mean, will you insert one every month?"

George shook his head. "You're a former medic. I'll show you how to insert it and you can do it for Gabriella, Colin and even yourself. And you need to alternate points of placement. Right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg...you get the picture."

I nodded grinning. "An anti-vampire disc!" I brightened. "It will be valuable to the VUN!"

George's eyebrow rose. "VUN?"

I nodded. "Vampire United Nations!"

George rolled his eyes.

Colin put his arms around me but looked at George. "He won't let it go about the name. So, just give in." He kissed me on the neck and grinned at George.

George nodded looking at me, but let it go. "We'll insert your disc, Colin, this evening. I'll be monitoring your blood to see that the correct level of serum is properly supplied. It's very dense and should last the month. There may be some discomfort at first. Not pain, the serum will be constantly entering your system. The injections were a sudden...increase in serum and starting again what the venom was beginning to stop. The discs will give you a constant supply and keep things even. Your body will adjust. The discomfort will go away." He smiled. "Mine did."

I shook my head. "It sounds good, but I still hope things are secure. I can't shake the idea that someone will use this...badly."

George nodded. "I'm doing all I can." He said and was about to walk away and then stopped, turning to me. "VUN?" He shook his head and walked on.

Burke spent most of the evening on our computer sending messages to all he knew about the change and what could happen.

Colin sat in a chair near Burke. "The others know where you are in the Ozarks. We'll set up a clinic there."

Burke nodded. "That would be the best way." He sighed. "I worked hard to get them to trust me. I had to convince many to even use a computer and sign up for email. They never got on the grid to be off it."

"Change is a part of being in the world." Colin pointed out. "They will either accept that or be what they are forever."

Burke looked at Colin, but doubt was in his eyes. "Will that be mandatory? They accept or be what they are unchanged?"

Colin shrugged. "They'll have to. Even with these new discs, they will have to have them inserted once a month. George and I will be reluctant to just give the serum or discs without some contact."

Burke nodded. "Of course, you wouldn't." He sighed again. "Most of them I've met and in contact with were like you and I were, hunting, but not hunting humans. The only thing we did was wake up, seek blood, and stay out of the sun. For many, that's all there is. There could be some dangers if their human nature comes back."

"That will be true of all of us." Colin pointed out.

Later, when it was almost time for Colin to have his injection, George erected a little elevated couch and numbed the upper portion of Colin's left arm. Using a scalpel, George cut a slit. He opened a case and pulled out a disc. It was thin, like a wafer and dark in color.

"This is highly condensed serum made for you using your venom and blood," George said to Colin. Then he used a surgical tool to raise a portion of his skin and gently pushed the disc in.

I watched as Colin's eyes showed a little change, he didn't grimace, but he was feeling something. "Are you feeling a discomfort? Any pain?"

Colin searched himself mentally, I could see it. "Kind of..." He shook his head. "It's not pain, but I feel something."

George nodded. "That's normal." George then chuckled. "Or at least I think it's normal as I felt the same thing. I was the only one that tested it...so far. I was the Guinea Pig."

I smiled but was a little worried. "You don't test on animals?" He didn't test it?

George shook his head. "Why? Chemically or otherwise, we can't be hurt, a little sick maybe, but not any more than we can catch a disease." He shrugged.

There was something bothering me, but I was new to this kind of world, so I really didn't say anything, but I did tell Colin. I got my daily injection and endured the pain, as Colin had before. After the pain, I had the blood rush and erection as a result, which we enjoyed.

"I guess since you're on that disc, you won't get the nightly erections," I said sadly.

Colin looked amused. "I don't really need it to be aroused by you. I think we did just fine without it. I can go again if you like." Then he looked at my eyes and...didn't frown but was puzzled. "What's on your mind?"

I shook my head. "It's probably nothing."

"Devon," Colin said in that way to say; don't be that way.

"Do you get an impression with Burke?" I asked. "You said that you felt something when you met me, and you could always tell something about other men even before you were turned. What do you feel about Burke?"

Colin's head backed a little with surprise. "Nothing."

"I said it's probably nothing." I dismissed.

"Wait," Colin said. "I said, I feel nothing. I don't feel good or bad about him. That's really a first."

"Isn't that odd?" I questioned.

Colin settled down next to me propping his head on his hand. "I figured it was because of his age. He doesn't wear his feelings on his sleeve like most people. It's hard to say." He shrugged. "I thought, because of his age, he was just hard to read."

I nodded. "What about Theo?"

Now Colin's eyebrows came together. "He, on the other hand, I got..." he thought. "...it was unsettling. Again, I'm not psychic. I thought, may just have been traumatized by his wife's death and not liking vampires he doesn't know, but...when he had that gun to your back...I believe he would have pulled the trigger if we hadn't gone with him. What do you feel?"

I shook my head. "I don't really know. My feeling is like always, we need to be careful with the serum. Now for some reason, I'm just more cautious about that."

Colin now frowned. "You think they'll do something with it?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."

Colin got closer. "What did you feel about me when we first met? Then you saw the picture of me. What did you feel about me then?"

I smiled. "I liked you the moment you stepped out of the car." I chuckled. "I was puzzled by the picture."

"But did you feel bad about me?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. I never felt bad around you."

"No threat?"

I shook my head again. "I've never felt threatened by you. Even when I found out you were a real vampire."

Colin smiled. "I think you feel as I do and are able to tell whether or not to trust."

I nodded. "Maybe, but think about it, Colin." I put. "How do we know about any of them? We're taking Burke at his word and the same for Theo. How do we verify what they tell us?"

Colin shrugged. "You're right. I guess because Burke trusts Theo, we just accepted it. I'll have someone at VUN look into Theo's background."

I grinned. "Now, you're calling Holm's Laboratories VUN?"

He shrugged again with a grin. "Why not? It's pretty catchy!" He settled down more and brought me close to him more. "Now, about doing it again..."

I kissed him gently. "As many times as we can. I can't get enough of you."

Without letting George know our concerns; because if we checked them out and found nothing, what could we say? Colin spoke with the man we hired as Head of Security at Wentworth Manor. Finding nothing didn't mean there wasn't something, but we had them both looked into. There was another problem. Burke was a vampire and had no records really to check. Theodore Tayler did. It was a week later when we flew to New York.

We arrived and as always, we were flown from the airport to VUN.

George had my blood in storage and men at the lab had begun making the disc of serum for me. George took the disc made for me. "Ready?" He asked after numbing my arm and did the little slit. "Here we go."

Once he started to slip the disc in, I felt...well, it's hard to describe. Have you ever felt...not right? You're not sick really, but something's just...not right. That's what I felt. Colin and George assured me that it would pass.

George had taken the blood from Burke and was starting to make the disc for Burke. Max Schuller, Head of Security for Holm's Laboratories...VUN. A heavier set man than he should have been and Hebrew. He came to Colin and me as we walked down a hall of Holms Laboratories.

"I've got some things on Theodore Taylor I thought was interesting." He said giving us a pad, like those portable hand-held devices people carry. It had Internet and other features on it. He pulled up what he'd downloaded. "According to this...Officially, Theodore Taylor is dead."

Colin looked startled. "Are you saying the man who claims to be Theo isn't Theodore Taylor?"

Max shook his head. "No, I'm not." He ran his finger over the screen and Theo's picture came up. "Is this him?"

Colin and I nodded.

"That looks like him," I said. "But looks can be changed. Are there fingerprints we can compare...if we had the man that claims to be Theo and had his fingerprints."

Max nodded. "Sure, his records were sealed by the government." He grinned as added. "But our computers can hack any system. His past is...well...he was in the Navy at eighteen. He joined the Seals. After ten years, he went to work for the FBI...he was an assassin."

My eyes widened hearing this. "An assassin!? For the government!?"

Max nodded. "That's the unofficial designation. The thing is...he was never married." Max said. "And!" He said emphatically. "He was killed while on an operation. Officially."

Colin frowned. "So, what's unofficial that you found?"

"He's on assignment," Max replied in a near whisper.

I was now a little panicked. "Wait! Do we have a government agent in our midst?! Does that mean the government knows about us? Knows about Burke and the existence of VAMPIRES!?"

Colin nodded. "And if they don't it already, they know about me and you! And Gabriella!" He gave the pad back to Max. "For all we know, Burke is working for Taylor, too!"

"We're setting a clinic up in the Ozarks and are giving Burke the serum!" I said now really worried. "If the government learns we have it, they..."

"...could do anything!" Colin said taking my hand and leading me down the hall in a hurry. "We need to stop the serum from getting to the Ozarks! We need to tell George!"

We told George what we'd done and what we found out about Taylor.

George was furious! "I've sent some serum already! It's on the way!!" He grabbed a phone and dialed. "Has the plane taking the serum arrived at the Ozarks?" He nodded to the voice. "Good...stop it from being delivered!" He looked at Colin. "We need to speak with Burke!"

The three of us confronted Burke. It wasn't the Interrogation Room, but...it was in an office that George didn't use much. He was a scientist, not an office man.

"Do you know what Taylor is?" Colin asked angrily, to which I put a hand on his arm to ask Colin to calm down.

Burke looked surprised at the anger. "He's a man that lost his wife. He's been helping some six or seven years."

"Records say he was never married," I said. "Records also say he's an agent for the government."

Burke looked again surprised. Startled! "What!? An agent? He didn't tell me about any government connection." Burke said urging us to believe him. "I found him as he was...or said he was...looking for the vampire that killed his wife! He was very determined."

George nodded his head. "Did you find the vampire he was looking for?"

Burke shook his head. "No! That was an impossible task. He really had nothing to go on except his wife died of an attack and loss of blood, he said."

"And you believed him?" Colin asked.

"I was suspicious at first, but he was..."

"Determined." I finished for Burke with a nod.

"Yes! He never left me." Burke said.

"But he found out you were a vampire!" George said. "He's on a mission!"

"To what!?" Burke asked.

"Find out where all the vampires are!" Colin said getting up as he was pacing now. "And now, he has my name, George's, Gabriella's, and Devon's!"

"And we all walk in the daylight!" I added. "And now, about to get the serum! That would be the perfect thing. A man that won't die easily, won't age or get sick!"

Burke shook his head. "I never knew this! I swear!" He pleaded for us to believe him.

"He is the Fox Mulder of the X Files! And we're the X File!" I said loud urging Burke to understand.

Burke laid his head in his hands. "I'm telling you I didn't know." He looked up sadly. "He has asked what it was like to be a vampire. He wanted to know a lot about how I lived and what I did."

"Were you planning to make him a vampire?" George asked.

Burke sighed sadly. "I was thinking about it." He shook his head. "He and I...well...we became a couple about a year ago."

Now, I was unprepared for that. "A couple? You're lovers!?"

Burke smiled a little. "I've lived for about four hundred years, and I've loved a few people. They weren't all female. Sex is sex. Love is love." He shrugged. "I'm alone a lot. I've been thinking...just like you did, Devon. If he loved me and I loved him...what better companion than another vampire?"

"And what better way to earn trust?" I reasoned. "Become your lover!"

George got up and picked up a phone. "I want our best team to go down to that complex in the Ozarks." He said into the phone. "I want Theo Taylor brought here immediately. He's a security risk and be prepared for a fight. He's professionally trained and will fight very well." He hung up and sat down again. "I hope we got this in time. I hope he hasn't reported any of this to anyone."

Colin frowned. "I'm sure he's making reports all the time."

"If he won't come in for questioning." George frowned. "God, I can't believe I'm saying this." George moaned. "He might have to be eliminated."

It took a few hours, but we were told that Taylor was being brought in, at last. He was not fighting anyone and carried some books he handed to Burke.

"I was told you needed these," Theo said, but looked at Colin, George, Burke and I were standing there. "Is something wrong?" He looked puzzled as the men that accompanied him came closer to him and now some other men were coming into the hallway.

Burke took the books. "Thank you." He said softly and then looked at Theo. "Who are you working for, Theo?"

Theo's eyes widened. "You, Burke. You know that."

Colin nodded. "We need to talk." He walked toward the Interrogation Room motioning for the men to "help" Theo in to do that.

I watched as Burke and George headed in the room. Let's just say, the men with Theo stepped up and were making sure Theo went in the room. Whatever Theo was, he wasn't stupid. He was looking around for a way to get away.

"I'd think seriously about that," I warned.

Theo was taken by the arm by two of the men and pushed farther toward the room. Once there, we had printouts of what we found out.

"I'm not good at giving the third degree," Burke said softly. I could see his heart was breaking. "I was in love with you, Theo. The problem is, I still am."

Colin frowned. "I'm not good at the third degree either. I'll tell you what we know." He pushed some of the pages toward Theo. "You're on an assignment. You work with the FBI, and you are not and never were married. There was no wife killed. You seduced Burke after you found out he was a vampire and have been working to find more." Colin folded his arms and glared at Theo. "You don't have to say we're right or wrong, because we are right."

"Then why am I still alive?" Theo asked coldly. "You could have killed me."

"You had to give reports," George said logically. "Of course, we can ask you and you could say anything. I won't believe you. None of us will, but we'd like to know what you've told and to whom."

Theo looked at the pages in front of him and his eyes grew. "How did you get these? It's classified."

Colin rolled his eyes as he folded his arms. "Oh, please." He sat down next to me; his arms still folded. "You know what we are and how long we live. We helped build a lot of computer systems and we are ahead of the game. Any computer system can be hacked. Firewalls don't always protect. We've had creatures like we are, very computer savvy working for decades! Far longer than anyone that wasn't a vampire could." He looked at George. "We need to be prepared for when the government gets here. I'm sure he let them know where we are and what we are."

George nodded but walked over to Burke. He said something quietly to just Burke who just nodded a reply but didn't look at Theo or anyone else.

George looked at Colin. "I'll have the best lawyers ready, and our men will be ready." He said looking at the men there who were there to make sure Theo cooperated. "But what do we do with him?" He pointed toward Theo. "We can't just kill him."

"No, we can't." Burke nodded. "Even now, I still love him."

George nodded. "I know you do." He led Burke away. "For one of us to love is not easy. Especially, someone, we will lose eventually." He sighed with understanding. "I can say it will be okay, but those are just words. It doesn't take the pain away."

"We have a detention area," Colin said sadly. "We'll put him there for now. Until we decide what to do." He nodded to the men who were guarding Theo. "Lock him up."

Theo's eyes were now worried. "You can't detain me! This is illegal."

"We're illegal! We shouldn't even exist!" I said. "I am the only one here that chose to be what I am because I loved a man that is a vampire. Not any of these men had a choice."

"You're a threat to national security!" Theo said as the men pulled him to his feet.

"No, we're not," Burke said softly. "You know we're not. I only killed the ones that couldn't contain themselves. They were a threat to regular people, and you know it. You were there and killed many yourself." He was really starting to get upset. Then he glared at Theo. "I WAS FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU, DAMN YOU!!"

"That's your fault! A fag from any century is still a fag!" Theo spat angrily. "I never loved you!"

George led Burke toward the door. "Let's go, John."

Now, I was hurting for Burke. George took Burke away.

"All vampires are fags!" Theo shouted to Colin and me. "You all fuck each other!"

"True to human nature. When things don't work out, you insult. Like calling us fags would hurt us, but we're not all killers." Colin said firmly. "You are. You were even paid to do so, but you think a comment like that will make a difference? We're fags, but you are a killer."

"You can't do this!" Theo protested. "You can hack our government's computers. You're dangerous!"

Colin nodded to one of the men there to keep Theo there. "He needs to be locked up and watched."

"Don't worry, Mr. Wentworth." One of the men said as he pulled Theo to his feet and now they were dragging him along.

Colin came to me and put his arms around me. "This is a dangerous thing happening."

I nodded putting my face to his neck. "If they come, and we both know they don't follow laws sometimes...storm in here under one pretext. Kill. There might not even be any questions afterward."

"We need to get Gabriella and your mother to safety," Colin said. "Just in case."

"Where would that be?"

He smiled kissing me. "Really? We have a plane. No flight plan needs to be done. They can disappear." He grinned. "I'll send a secure phone they can use and an untraceable card they can use."

"He is right, though. There are more than a few of us that...are gay."

Colin nodded with a smile. "Or, maybe they aren't gay, but enlightened. I was homosexual before I was turned."

I nodded. "Yes, you were."

"I think men like Burke have just lived so long, he can see that love doesn't have to be gender specific. He's enlightened."

"But you felt something from Burke, I could tell," I said.

Colin nodded. "Definitely. I saw his hurt and I sensed that." He looked at me. "Didn't you?"

"I did." I kissed him gently. "I love you, Colin."

He grinned. "You like us older guys."

"Sure." I nodded. "I like a guy has to be a little more seasoned by life and time. That attracts me." I chuckled. "It gives more flavor to a man. In fact, I will state, having never seen you younger, that you are more attractive now than you were at twenty or even thirty!"

"As much as that guy that played Charlie in the Twilight movies?"

I kissed him deeper with more desire. "He doesn't hold a candle to you." I patted him on the chest. "Which is saying a lot! Until I met you, he was HOT!!"

Colin's eyes widened as he smiled. "I'm hot?"

I kissed him again. "Baby, you are white flame on FIRE you are so hot!" I grinned. "And I don't need the Internet to see you naked." I held my wedding ring up. "I can any time I like."

Colin laughed harder. "Want to see me naked now?"

"I'll never get tired of it." I felt his hands come down my back as he easily went below my belt line and squeezed my ass gently.

"I never get tired of you naked either." Then Colin looked disappointed. "But we might need to let Gabriella and your mother know what's happening."

"We'll send the plane down to take them...where are they going?" I asked.

"Anywhere. England?"

"Let's do it." I agreed.

We computer video called them. Colin said our phones could be monitored, but the computer line was secure and all anyone could get was static and snow.

Mom looked upset when we told her about Theo and Burke. "That poor man! To be used like that!"

"This is a serious situation, Mom," I said stressing how important this was. "You and Gabriella need to be ready when the plane gets there."

"I'll need to pack!" Mom said.

"No!" Colin said quickly. "Don't even pack. Get in the car and get on the plane. No calls, no credit cards. I'll send a card that can't be traced in the plane. Use that. Get a hotel and whatever you need there! I don't know what Theodore Taylor did, but if he has been in touch with the Bureau, they won't waste time. As a matter of fact, when we disconnect, you go right then!"

Gabriella nodded. "We will, Daddy, but how will you know we've gotten there?"

"There will be a secure phone on the plane, you can take it with you," Colin said looking at her. "Understand?"

Gabriella shook her head. "Of course not. To me, this talking and seeing you when you're a thousand miles away is magic, but I know what you want me to do."

Mom looked into the computer closer. "It will be fine. Is it really that bad?"

"We don't know, Betty," Colin said and then smiled. "I mean...Mom. It could be. If the government sent an agent it could very well be trouble."

Mom smiled. "Thank you, Colin, for calling me Mom. I'm happy Devon has you. I know you'll keep both of you safe, but I'll say it anyway. Be careful."

"We'll talk when you get on the plane," I said. "Bye." I hit the disconnect button and sat back with a sigh. "I hate that you put in so much work into restoring Wentworth Manor, I hate you can't go back."

Colin nodded but smiled. "Who says I can't go back? We will go back. This thing will die, but we won't." He grudged a nod, "Not necessarily."

"Maybe." I grinned. I sat back and looked at him. "You know? I do like a man that's seasoned. You're seasoned just right." I pulled him into a deep kiss which he returned instantly. "I love you, Colin. I also lust for you, Colin. It's never stopped."

"Lust isn't bad. I do for you!" He smiled. "We have a few hours. Shall we undress and look at each other?"

"Look, touch, make a lot of love," I said taking his hand. "Shall we?" His response was to get up immediately and hurry back to his...our apartment.

Who needed the serum to get an erection? All I needed was to see him! Sitting on the bed naked, I watched him, and he knew what he was doing as he slowly undressed a few feet away. He slid his pants down slowly as he faced away, but allowing me to see his beautiful, uncovered ass. He looked back as he did smiling at me. Once his pants were off, he turned to me. To me, he was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. I smiled as he cocked his head.

"You're interested." He pointed at my more than ready erection.

I nodded coming over to him, again arms came around each other as we kissed. "I'm very interested." I chuckled running my hand over his equally ready erection. "As are you."

Colin nodded as he rubbed his face against mine. "I will always be interested, Devon. You're my life, a part of my soul." He kissed me longer and deeper. Consuming me slowly. "Make love to me."

And I did, and he did. It was what we liked, slow and very loving.

He rested his head on my chest as I toyed with his hair as I was feeling content afterward. I thought about how things had changed for me in the past year or so. Colin put his hand on my chest and rested his chin on his hand.

"Things have gotten very complicated, hasn't it?" He asked quietly.

I chuckled, nodding. "To say the very least. We did what we did to attract attention. I say we did."

Colin frowned. "We meant to attract other vampires, not any government agencies."

I shook my head. "That wasn't our doing. Theo was with Burke long before we were attracted attention."

Colin nodded. "But we did. We attracted Burke's attention and because we did, we attracted Theo."

I gave a grudging nod. "And now we have an agent...are we certain he's working for FBI, CIA or any other agency? This is a bit of a stretch even for those groups."

Coin smiled as he settled back down. "I knew you could sense things. You knew the serum was in danger from the beginning. More so than George and I were even before you became like me." He looked at me critically. "You think he's independent?"

"I don't know," I said exasperatedly. "I just get the feeling he's hiding more." I gave him a helpless look. "Not really helpful, is it?"

Colin grinned. "You sense something, so it is helpful." Then he did it again. "I never wanted this for you."

My eyebrows rose. "Of course, you didn't. It has been an exciting two years. I get this Blade, Underworld, Bruce Wayne, and 007 James Bond feeling." I grinned. "With a few other movies and stories mixed in."

Colin chuckled. "So, who's Batman?"

I grinned. "You are, of course." I kissed him. "I'll be Robin. You know they were lovers."

"Ah, but which Robin?" Colin asked and saw my surprised look. "I read comics!"

I nodded. "Of course, you did. Why not? You had time."

We spent a few more minutes in bed and had to get up to check on Gabriella and Mom's progress. They had boarded the plane and now flying over the Atlantic. That was another first for Gabriella. She had flown, but not overseas. We were on the main floor of VUN. There were a few people still looking through the internet files trying to find evidence about deaths and people that vanished to find more vampires.

I noticed that George was spending a lot of time with Burke. "I think...maybe George is smitten."

Colin looked over at George and grinned. "Maybe."

I nudged Colin. "He called Burke, John!" I pointed out. "Not Burke. I just hope he knows Burke will be on the rebound."

"Well, it was going to happen," Colin muttered. "David was a nice guy, but he is fully human. Burke is a vampire, as you and I are. He won't necessarily die."

I sat back a little. "Is that how you saw me?"

Colin grinned shaking his head. "You were right when you said it was going to happen. You were to become a vampire and you are. I just didn't want you to suffer."

"But you would have if I hadn't been turned."

"I just didn't want to admit it," Colin said shrugging.

I leaned toward Colin. "I'm not suffering. I've never known the hunger. I've never been ruled by the blood lust. I was turned by you because you love me. That's different."

"And selfish." Colin gripped. "I didn't deserve you being turned."

I sighed. "I'm not suffering, Colin. I love you and now we can be together a lot longer. You won't be alone."

It was later that Max Schuller came again to us.

"I've contacted an agent with the FBI. Rather, he contacted us." Max informed. "He wants to speak with someone here."

Colin looked surprised. "He knows who we are. Why not just come here?"

"I get the feeling he's..." Max thought of how to say it. "...he's not against us." He handed us a piece of paper. "He would like a face to face in a public area. He suggested here." He pointed to an address.

Colin nodded knowing it. "That's a pretty well-trafficked part of Central Park. There will be a lot of families, meaning children." He nodded. "We'll take this meeting."

We went to Central Park. The area we had been asked to meet this agent was near the carousel, so there were many mothers and fathers with children, so a lot of noise from the music from the carousel and many voices. It was summer and no school. Based on a description, we waited after getting some coffee and waited. It wasn't long before a man that met the description came over to us. He was in his forties, but fit. He was an agent. Dark hair that many men had, losing its grip on his head, but not a bad looking man. He sipped his cold coffee, smiled as he sat at the outside table with us.

"I didn't expect you two. I'm Ruben Chance." He said sticking his hand out to us. "You've made a somewhat...visible sensation, Misters Wentworth."

Colin nodded. "We didn't mean to attract your attention. Why did you want to see us?"

Ruben smiled. "There is a problem with your background, Colin Wentworth and you are very wealthy. You are also a vampire."

It was said so casually, I was surprised, but Mr. Chance wasn't frightened or upset by this knowledge.

Ruben looked at me. "Are you one, too?"

"Just recently turned," I answered. There was no point in hiding the facts.

Ruben nodded. "I understand about some of what you may be going through." He explained. "I have an uncle, Alexander Chance, that is a vampire as well. Actually, he's a great, great uncle. He's more than a hundred years old and still going strong." He smiled. "There are many out there that are vampires, but they don't hunt. Not people anyway."

Colin nodded. "He was turned unwillingly."

"Of course." Ruben nodded. "He was serving in World War II. He was bitten in Europe while serving over there. It took him a while to travel back to the United States. He had to secure passage and make sure he could stay out of the sun. He got himself shipped in a container, had enough blood as in rats and other things. He contacted his brother here, told him what happened, and my great grandfather secured him and got him to safety. That's how I know about you and about vampires." He sighed. "I'm here because we knew about you, Holms Laboratories and have watched you, but there has been an increase in attention by those in the Bureau in the past few years. Now, something is happening. There is a plan to go in and see more. This is going to happen soon."

Colin nodded. "Because of Agent Taylor?"

Ruben looked puzzled. "Agent Taylor? Who's that?"

Now, I was puzzled. "Agent Theodore Taylor. He's been doing an investigating mission in the Ozarks where there are more of us."

Ruben thought a minute. "I don't really know this man." He looked at us. "Are you sure he's with the FBI?"

Colin nodded. "According to our research, yes."

Ruben shrugged. "That could explain the FBI's sudden interest. I'll look into it." He promised. "I was here to warn you about what the Bureau was planning." He sighed and reached in his pocket and pulled out a small card. "This is my private number. It goes straight to my personal phone. It's non-traceable, so secure." He handed us another piece of paper. "You will need help from someone higher in the government to stop this. Here's my cousin's number. She's a Congresswoman. I mean the national Congress. Not state congress. She knows about my great, great uncle, too and will be sympathetic to you. I know you're not hunters. No one has been killed, that we know of by you. Her name's Grace Chance. Tell her who you are and that you've spoken with me. She'll be more agreeable to help you."

I smiled at him. "Thanks. You have our number?"

He smiled. "Of course." He said like I shouldn't be surprised.

"I mean our private number." I clarified. "One that is also non-traceable and secure."

He chuckled. "No, I don't have that."

Colin smiled. "Get your phone out. I won't be writing this down for you."

Ruben nodded and got his phone out and ready. Colin gave him the number to use. "Got it," Ruben said saving the contact. "I'll look into this Theodore Taylor. I can text you with what I find?"

Colin nodded. "It will also be secure."

Ruben nodded. "I'll let you know as soon as I find out." He rose, shook our hands, and left.

We didn't waste time and called Grace Chance from VUN. She was married now and had a husband with another name but was elected as Grace Chance and remained that way. At first, we didn't connect with her, but her office. I mentioned Ruben and said it was urgent. The man that had answered the phone told her and she called back immediately.

"My cousin told you to call me?" Grace asked.

"I won't waste your time. We don't have that luxury." Colin said quickly. "Ruben told us about your Great Uncle Alex. We're like him."

It was on a speakerphone, so I heard her intake of breath. "You are?"

"My name is Colin Wentworth. I'm married to Devon McGee who is now Devon Wentworth. He's a vampire, too. Check with Ruben, he knows about what I'm saying. The FBI is planning a raid on Holms Laboratories. That is a facility that helps those like us who are vampires in the United States. If they do this, we could lose a lot of lives." Colin said. "I'm not an alarmist, but I have a daughter that is also a vampire. Your assistance is needed yesterday."

I couldn't imagine what went through her mind. Her day had been busy with things about taxes, law and helping the people that put her in office, but to have this just dumped in your lap out of the blue!? It took her a few seconds to think about what was said.

"I see the urgency." She said finally. "I will, of course, contact Ruben to verify this."

Colin nodded to her unseen. "I know you will. Can we count on you?"

"I will start as soon as I hang up." She promised. "I'll be in touch." And the line closed.

I smiled at Colin. "It's our first ray of hope."

Colin frowned. "I hope so." He was less willing to hope yet.

Tensions were high at VUN. Mom and Gabriella were in London now and secure. We all expected any moment for the doors to VUN to burst open and men coming in bullet-proof vests with guns. A day later, Colin's phone rang. The ID said it was Ruben Chance.

"Hello," Colin said a little tense.

"Can I come there?" Ruben asked. "But I won't be alone. I have information you will want to hear. This isn't a raid. In fact, that has been scrubbed. Is it alright for me to come to Holms Laboratories?"

Colin looked at me. "He wants to come here." He whispered to me.

"At least he asked to," I pointed out.

Colin nodded. "When can we expect you?"

"In a few minutes. I'm downstairs." Ruben said.

"We'll be waiting," Colin said and ended the call.

True to his word, Ruben came with four other men. Why did they always look like agents? Dark suits, sunglasses when it wasn't bright out and walked...like a challenge was being made to try and resist them. No emotion on any face.

Colin motioned for them to come to a conference room with George and me. Sitting, Ruben waved the other men to wait in a common area.

"Well, Grace called the Bureau's Director and got the raid scrubbed," Ruben reported. "We have yet another issue."

"Oh?" I asked.

"Theodore Taylor. Do you know where he is?" Ruben asked.

"Yes," Colin answered.

Ruben sat forward resting his arms on the table. "He's bad news. He was with the FBI. He's a rogue agent and was presumed dead."

"He isn't," I said.

"He was..." Ruben thought again how to explain it, "...a gun for hire. Not really affiliated with any agency, but used...unofficially...by many; CIA, NSA, and us. He did...operations that were not always on the up and up. It's said, he was working with Bio-weapons." He sighed and sat back again. "He's wanted for questioning about several operations where there were deaths, not only for the enemy but some of our own men and women."

"So, he's not going to be reassigned to be able to come after us again?" Colin asked carefully.

Ruben shook his head and held his hand up. "I promise. He has things we need answers for, like those deaths and other things. He won't be seeing freedom." Ruben looked at Colin seriously. "You have him." It wasn't a question.

"Yes," Colin answered. "We'll release him with the understanding this stops here. The investigations, the probing..."

Ruben nodded. "Understand. That's the plan, but you've attracted attention from others. I can't guarantee you won't be investigated later."

George looked at Colin and me. "We don't have to figure out what to do with Theo. I say, give Theo to their men."

Colin looked at me. "What do you sense?"

I grinned. "Going on my senses? What about yours?"

Colin grinned. "I feel we can trust Ruben."

I nodded. "I agree."

Colin stood and walked out of the conference room and vanished a few minutes and returned. It didn't take but a few more minutes before Theo was escorted in by four of our men.

Ruben rose to face him. "I'm Ruben Chance of the FBI. You are hereby under arrest for several murders, Theodore Taylor. You will be taken in and questioned."

Theo looked almost panicked. "But they are dangerous! They're vampires! They are a threat to national security. Their computers can hack into any computer! They are a threat to not only this nation but people in general! They're vampires!"

Ruben looked back at Colin, George, and I. He pointed to the sun beaming in the room. "They are out in the daytime. They aren't doing any vampire stuff. All I see are businessmen." He grinned at us and motioned for the men that came with him. "Cuff this man. We're taking him in." His agents came in and cuffed Theo. "If he starts going off about silly things like vampires, gag him." Ruben turned to us. "Gentlemen, thanks for your help." He winked and walked out of the room as Theo was being escorted again, this time by the FBI.

I smiled at Colin. "I think it's safe to call Gabriella and Mom. We can tell them to come back."

Colin nodded. "Perhaps we can go on that honeymoon now." He grinned as he kissed me.

"Can we just book a cruise or something? I need a vacation." I sighed and sat slouching in a chair. "I'm tired."

Colin chuckled leaning down to kiss me. "I love you, Devon."

I grinned at him. "I love you, too, Colin."