~ Gift or Curse ~
by Blackgrl71

Author's Notes: See Part 1.

Chapter 9

Back at Andy's Apartment

There were a few hard truths about herself that Andy'd been forced to deal with since she found that necklace in her Parents' garden: for some reason she was Fey and her Parents were not. Her Mom appeared to be just as bewildered (and a little scared) as she was because the Sachs were as "normal" as apple pie and basketball. After further discussion about possible ancestors and the gene pool, there appeared to be little evidence that this was passed down to her.

The obvious question is what the hell is going on and why her?

She was Fey - perhaps even... Sidhe. The symbol on the necklace--A circled serpent overlaid with a triple spiral, and a blood-stone in the middle-had resembled a Sidhe relic: A Fertility Goddess to be exact. Wouldn't Doug and Lily get a kick out of that?! This discovery should have been exciting to her as well, but Andy was tired. Tired of feeling like events were unfolding around her that she seemed to have no control over, tired of not knowing what was going on, or who she was! She needed answers! Answers that wouldn't come from a book. Real answers!

She'd come to feel more comfortable in her 'skin' -with all her other-ness, but she sensed that these magical manifestations were just the beginning. That sense of awareness had intensified when Andy came to consciousness after finding the necklace. The world had been fuzzy, but she remembered the blurry image of her Mother hovering over her. The latest development only vindicated her theory. She'd been feeling a buzz lately, almost like a mild electric current, humming along her psyche whenever she came across someone or something not human,
This had come into sharp focus when Miranda walked into the office yesterday. The humming had been so strong! Like sitting directly on a giant generator. She wondered if Miranda felt their connection. She had to, right? Andy sighed as she crawled into bed, exhaustion and sleepiness taking over her from such an emotional day.


****
Upper East Side

Miranda swirled the bourbon around in the high-ball glass. She was sitting in her favorite chair in her study, watching the amber liquid slide down like 'fingers' in the glass. A light perfume of sex and blood wafting in the air. She'd just finished working on the Book. Draining the glass before depositing it on the side table, she contemplated her current... difficulties. She felt like she was sitting on the precipice of something much larger, which, for vampires, usually meant nothing good. The fact that it had something to do with Andrea was irrelevant because she would do everything in her power to exclude Andrea from the coming events.

Her head fell back against headrest before she gathered the will to stand and head up to her bedroom. She needed to rest, she had a very long day tomorrow. Along with maintaining certain standards at Runway, her evening also consisted of attending to her Master of the City duties. There were a few "Rat-Packs" that were making a nuisance of themselves and the New York City Rodere (Rat King) had requested back-up in dealing with them.

Not to mention the local Nimir-Ra (king of leopards): her former husband Lucas would undoubtedly be asking for more visitation rights to their daughters - which she would, naturally, deny. He continued to make life difficult for her through his Pard. However, he failed to appreciate that in the world of Lycanthropes - the Wolves ruled, and with her Emily as Ulfric, making life difficult for her meant making life difficult for him. She made a mental note to instruct Emily to take care of this latest inconvenience.

In addition, she had to check into her various holdings throughout the City; Hades - a leather club; almost all Supernatural liked their kink, Lust Feeder - a Were strip club, their lycanthrope abilities allowed them to be much more flexible than the average human. However, more importantly it allowed her to feed the Ardeur and other... things. names were uninspiring, but then again, she probably shouldn't have allowed her daughters to name the establishments Alas, the indulgence of motherhood. Shaking her head, Miranda returned to her mental checklist, and reminded herself to send Nigel out to check her private blood banks.

In the meantime, she'd also need to start preparing for a visit to St. Louis while shoring up alliances. The life of the Master of the City of New York was never done. In midst of all this, there should be plenty of opportunity to fire Andrea in the near future and continue on with getting her life/unlife in order. Before she fell into the deep-dead-like-sleep, a flash of gold-copper-brown eyes appeared, taunting her. Damn her!


***

Chapter 10

Andy was awoken by the musical strains of Can't Get Enough of Your Love ringing on her cell phone, startling her into pushing the TALK button to groggily answer, "H - hello?"

"Why aren't you up?" a voice said with a clipped British accent. "You need to be here with Miranda's coffee! She likes it blistering hot, latte, no foam, with an extra shot. To get this wrong will immediately mean your demise. Next you have to stop by Hermes and pick up the scarves. And you need to do this within the hour." The voice hung up before Andy's brain could catch up.

She laid there for a moment, before realizing she had a very limited amount of time before launching herself from bed, dashing wildly to the bathroom. "Shit, shit, shit!"

Andy decided that trying to balance scalding hot latte, with a whole bunch of Hermes scarves, her purse, all the while answering the dozen phone calls with Emily screaming into her ear, was an intensely unpleasant experience. She bolted to the elevators, keeping up her balancing act, desperately trying to not spill more coffee on her. Finally, she arrived at the Runway floor.

She dashed through the double-glass doors only to have Emily immediately in her face, grabbing things out of her arms, "Thank God! Where have you been?! She's almost here, I've been manning the phones and I desperately have to go to the bathroom!"

"Why couldn't you just go and let it go to voicemail?" Andy hurriedly sat down to wait for further instructions after Emily re-appeared from Miranda's office.

"You must NEVER let a call go to voicemail. One time an assistant missed a phone-call from Valentino, when Miranda attempted to call him back he was already on a 23 hour flight to Australia! She's now working at TV Guide. Now man the phones until I get back!" She snapped then walked briskly away.

Andy was happy to have a few minutes of respite before the storm called Miranda appeared. She could feel the tension knotting at the back of her neck. Miranda. She'd had another one of those dreams last night. She knew she needed to get a grip on her emotions regarding Miranda otherwise her employment here would be a lot more difficult than she already suspected. But how did one ignore the way her skin leaps whenever Miranda's eyes tracked over her body?

How was she supposed to ignore her the dreams that she'd been having long before they'd formally met? Dreams where they were both naked, where Miranda pinned Andy's hands over her head and marked her even as Andy writhed under Miranda's ravishing tongue. Dreams where their bodies were lathered in sweat, nipples brushing against one another-stoking the heat that rendered them both breathless. Dreams, where Miranda Priestly claimed her. How?

Surely Miranda notices, right? She'll know what to do, Andy confidently thought.

Suddenly, the doors opened signaling the arrival of Miranda in sexy red Prada heels that looked dangerously high, sheer black stocking, a gorgeous black pencil skirt, with matching jacket. Andy could hardly take her eyes off the beautiful egg-plant colored blouse, dangerous framed cleavage and mane of gleaming silver hair. Today, Miranda's signature forelock looked especially delicious dangling attractively over her eye. Before Andy could open her mouth, Miranda threw her jacket and purse on her desk and sauntered into her office, while firing off instructions.

"I need you to call Patrick and tell him that those models from the shoot were deeply disappointing. Also I need 10 scarves from Hermes. Then I want you to call my Ex-husband and tell him, 'No, I will not extend the girls' vacation. I expect them back no later than a week from today exactly.' Then you need to tell Jocelyn that I need competent ideas for the Pony - not ideas that would, no doubt, make a 4th grader's reject pile. Then call the caterer for next week's soiree. that I want warm rhubarb compote - is that so hard? Am I asking for the moon? After that you need to collect the mock-up from James Holt. Has Demarchelier called?

Andy was in a complete daze, "Ah, D- ah, Demar-"

"Get me Demarchelier on the phone. Now."

Andy dashed to her desk, trying desperately not to hyperventilate.

Emily came back just in time to see the look of terror on Andy's face. She smirked. "What- "

"Oh, my god, she said something about a - a Pony, then something about a guy named Patrick and James Holt..." Andy was practically wringing her hands.

Miranda stuck her head out of her office, "Why isn't Demarchelier on the phone yet?"

"Look, just go to James Holt and Hermes, I'll take care of everything else. Now hurry!" Emily smugly pointed towards the bank of elevators.

****

Staring morosely into her beer Andy continued her summarization of her first day at Runway to her Lily and Doug. "It was horrible! She's so... mean and, and, condescending - you can practically feel the flesh peel off your skin after she tears into you!"

"And then, and then, there are these...clackers, who wear these impossible high-heels that make this annoying clacking sound as they walk behind you while making fun of..."

"Andy-girl, take a deep breath... it's just 'us' girls right now. Ain't no one here to talk shit about your wardrobe, or make you fetch steaming hot coffee or tell you how incompetent you are. That's the "Ground Rules." Lily patted her arm, before peering down at her watch, "at least not for 6 hours."

"And guess what? Not only is Queen of Mean, Fashion Empress Extraordinaire, she also the Master of the City!" she watched the twin looks of horrific surprise and awe appear on both her friends' faces.

"Well that figures. I can't imagine that woman being anything less than a major Alpha! Wait she didn't try to slip you some fang did she?" Lily grinned at her own cleverness. "Maybe those skinny-ass models look that way cause home-girl has her own stock of "blood banks?""

"No way. You don't stay HBIC (Head Bitch in Charge) for not being able to put her fangs away..." he snickered at that play on words. "Well Andy, can you tell she's this bad-ass Master Vamp?"

Rolling her eyes, she tried to not think about the icy-disdain Miranda had shown her throughout the day. "If you girls are finished, yes she's completely professional-Except frightening her employees to death does seem to fall into the category of 'scary vampire."

They were hanging out at Andy's apartment, pizza and beers serving as replenishment after a hard day at work. Doug sprawled on one those old-school bean-bag globs plopped in the near the side of Andy's over-stuffed sofa. While Andy and lily curled up in either corner on the sofa with the pizza and beer between them.

"But that's not all," continued Andy. "In fact, the whole office seems to be a total soup of mystical people: Edgy-Emily is a Were-Wolf, Nigel is a Master Vampire too, and this other woman named Serena is a Were-Tiger! Crazy huh?!" The excitement in Andy's voice belied her critical scrutiny of her 1st day at Runway.

The soulful twangs of Otis Reddings' These Arms of Mine echoed around the apartment. Next to Barry White, Otis Redding was Andy's favorite. She became a fan of Motown-ish music via her Dad. Every Sunday morning he'd bake up a storm, while the playing the funky, old-school music of Motown and other "Golden Oldies": Otis, Barry White, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye - and really were there any women groups more fierce in glittering cocktail dresses than The Supremes singing I Hear a Symphony?

Needless to say after a very personally trying day at her new job, she couldn't think of a better way to wind down. She thought back to all the fascinating people she met at Runway - especially Nigel. The energy he gave off was very powerful, different than Emily's or even Serena's, but definitely not as powerful as Miranda's energy.

She'd never met anyone who could remain so wholly unaffected by chaos, sort of like Forrest Gump's Boat during a hurricane. Whereas Emily seemed edgy and a bit crazed (which could in all likelihood be from hunger), Emily just hoped that things wouldn't come undone - Nigel knew they eventually would. Andy wanted to be just like Nigel when "she grew up."

As for Serena - well let's just say if her self-esteem hadn't taken a serious hit since starting here and her connection to Miranda wasn't so strong, she'd have no problem showing her what she'd learned from her days at Northwestern. Andy may be a 'fashion dud' but she knew her way around a woman's body. Her attraction to Miranda was almost involuntary. Miranda was beautiful, timeless and so deliciously powerfully she almost made Andy's teeth hurt. Serena, on the other hand was a hot-house of sensuality. Warm, inviting and very very uh...Brazilian.

***

Earlier that day

This gorgeous woman came through the glass doors towards Emily's desk. Later Andy found out her name was Serena. However at that moment, Serena was busy looking Andy up and down, as she strolled into the inner-sanctum. With a smirk and shake of her head, before heading over to an equally smirking Emily, "see I told you. I have no idea where she found that outfit."

Serena just smiled, with an enigmatic look at Andy, "English, perhaps she hasn't had the opportunity to flower, hmmm?"

But Andy had been frantically trying to figure out who Zac Prosen was (wasn't he in High School Musical?) when a beautiful pair of high-heels appeared in front of her face, held aloft on Nigel's finger. "I believe you're a size 8 1/2?"

Looking on in surprise, she replied, "Ahh... you don't have to do that. Miranda hired me. She knows what I look like." Andy responded.

She felt mildly satisfied at her response until Nigel drolly answered, "Do you?" Before insistently holding the shoes in front of her face.

Damn, do I really look that bad? She took a quick perusal over her clothes: blue sweater, plaid skirt, off-white stockings, and flat, comfortable, shoes... ok, maybe she didn't look like most of the people here but still... did he have to totally diss her?

Before she could offer a retort, Miranda called from inside her office, "Emily? Emily?" Andy looked around and realized that Emily hadn't returned from her break.

She was about to inform Miranda of this fact when Nigel chimed in, head bent over a magazine, "She means you."

She quickly grabbed the shoes, shoved her feet into them, before dashing around her desk to present herself to Miranda, "What took you so long? Do I need an Act of Congress to get you to move faster?" she paused before doing a slow perusal down Andy's body and back up into Andy's eyes, judging, finding... wanting.

It didn't mean that her skin didn't feel positively scorched after feeling those wicked eyes on it. Shivering Andy found herself a bit breathless with humiliation and yearning. Her own eyes drawn towards the creamy, decadent, skin of Miranda's throat, down to the cleavage peeking out from the beautifully contrasting eggplant Marc Jacobs blouse. She had the sudden urge to nuzzle her pulse point while wondering what Miranda would look like flushed.

The clearing of a throat reminded Andy that her attention was required elsewhere. She could feel the utter mortification sweep over her, her face burning like a hot plate turned up high in embarrassed humiliation. But those gorgeous blue eyes held her trapped, captivated, she couldn't say a word as Miranda visually eviscerated her outfit. She could even feel her magic wanting to respond, her marks slowly wakening, moving, but somehow she was able to tamp it down.

She suspected Miranda wouldn't tolerate a magical output even if it was involuntary. Gosh, if all these conflicting, intense feelings she'd experienced so far were anything to go by, she would be an alcoholic or moonlighting as a Muy Thai kick-boxer to work out her frustration in short order.

She minutely shook her head as if to clear it. "Umm, my name is Andy. You called me 'Emily' but maybe you meant The Emily-"

Narrowed blue eyes grew progressively colder, snidely smiling full lips respond. "Emily, I need you to re-schedule my lunch with Donatella tomorrow. Then tell Jocelyn that the run-through is this afternoon and that the dismal examples she set forth this morning had better of improved by then. Then call The Palms - I'd like my steak at precisely 12:15 and I want coffee in 10 minutes. That's all." she turned away, utterly dismissing Andy.

What the fuck?! Andy unclenched her hands, her eyes prickling with both unshed tears and magic, before high-tailing it out of the office like her ass was on fire, feeling the icy-heat from impromptu dressing-down she'd just received.

She quickly grabbed her purse, but not before noticing a smirking Emily, "Do try to keep up? While I don't anticipate you lasting here for much longer, I would appreciate it if you could stick around longer than say... a week? I dread having comb over inane resumes all over again," she added a faux sigh as if to indicate how 'put-upon' she'd feel.

Rolling her eyes, quivering in residual anger, and Andy dashed out the doors. Emily appeared to be eternally anxious, never letting an opportunity pass to needle her and while Andy found that supremely annoying, she thought that Emily was mostly harmless. Besides Andy thought it'd be totally satisfying when it turns out that she happened to be good at her job, maybe give Emily a run for her money.

Andy straightened with renewed determination - perhaps she could get Nigel to give her some pointers.


***

Chapter 11a

Nigel hurried back to his office - she'd been on war-path lately and Nigel was often caught in the line of fire when Miranda was being particularly... difficult. He made a mental note to feed tonight, given Miranda's mood lately he'd need it. He suspected it had something to do with the new Assistant - Andrea (Six). It seemed Miranda held him responsible for her seeming involuntary response toward Six.

He saw the looks Miranda gave Andy when she thought no one was looking. Andrea was less... subtle. The look of hurt or even (dare he say it?) betrayal seemed very real. But so were the looks of attraction and even outright lust. During the run-through at James' studio last week, Nigel actually had to discreetly clear his throat in order to bring Miranda's attention back to something James was saying. Good thing Miranda is a vampire because her embarrassment would have shown beautifully on her creamy skin.

To "color" him surprised would be an understatement - something was clearly going on, something... otherworldly. He thought that Andy was Fey, maybe even Sidhe, Those tri-colored eyes and her moonlit skin gave her away. While it wasn't the first time Miranda was attracted to a woman, it seemed more profound, intense, unlike anything he'd seen. You didn't live as long as either of them had without 'sampling' lots of different experiences. He sincerely hoped that Six would be something special, worthy of Miranda's attention, because with the Council nipping at their heels he wasn't sure how unscathed they'd end up.

As he turned the corner to his office, Nigel halted at the sight of none other than Six. Oy vey! Naturally it wasn't enough that he was doing damage control, he now had to deal with her -- what was she wearing?!

"To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?" He headed towards his drawing table to look over the latest proofs in hopes that if he appeared to be "furiously working," she'd leave.

"Nigel! I need your help--" Andy stood, wringing her hands before she was distracted by the gorgeous bag sitting on his desk. "Ooohh, what's that?"

Snapping his finger to re-direct Andy's attention, Nigel said, "Hello?! Focus Six! What do you want?"

"Oh, well... she's TOTALLY unreasonable! I try so hard -"

"Come on Six! You don't try. I mean, have seen what you're wearing?! Where people would give their life to be here, you only deign to work here. Wake up Six!" Nigel said, tapping Andy softly on the forehead. "This is a multi-billion dollar kingdom and Miranda is the Queen - her opinion is the only one that matters!" He Pointed his pencil at her for emphasis, hoping it'd finally sink in and more importantly, would send her scurrying away so he could concentrate on fixing the latest disaster.

Andy stood near the doorway, eyes looking off into the distance, contemplating, before turning her attention back to Nigel, "Ok, you're right, you're totally right. But I need your help -"

Nigel looked up in consternation, knowing exactly what she'll ask. "Oh no. absolutely not! I don't have -"

"Please Nigel! I want to do better. I need to do better because..." She gulped, looking away, seeming to well up with emotion. "... because I know I'm supposed to be here. I can't explain it... just that there's something here I need to figure out."

Nigel watched her tri-colored eyes begin to glow, a muscle jumping in her jaw, hands clenching, "Please Nigel... work your magic - besides, who loves dressing women more than you?!"

Sighing mightily, Nigel said, "Fine Six! But you owe me big time!" He proceeded to make a few calls to clear up his immediate schedule for the next hour or so, then ushered Andy out towards The Closet.


***

Like a puppy who found its favorite toy, Andy latched onto Nigel as a confidante following that transformative afternoon. Beautiful brown locks flowing beautifully along her shoulders, perfectly applied make-up that accentuated her tri-colored eyes, full pink lips, lush lashes, and exquisite lingerie cupping her most intimate places. Decadent suits of armor by Michael Kors, or Diesel skirts accentuating her well-toned ass. Juicy Couture jeans showcased her long legs, Stella McCartney, Fendi, Chloe, even Dior caressed her shoulders, flowed or fitted her muscled abdomen, while Christian Lou's, Ferragamo, graced her feet.

In all, the moment she walked through the glass doors towards her desk, interrupting a conversation between Emily and Serena, only to watch their jaws drop in wicked surprise was immensely gratifying. Emily continued to appear stunned. Serena only tilted her head, trailing her eyes slowly down Andy's body, to her sexy Channel boots in appreciation, before smirking in amused approval.

Of course, that feeling was nothing compared to the one that coursed through her body when Miranda noticed, and stopped, and stared. It was as if they were the only two people in the office. Miranda's eyes began to glow, glittering lightening-blue, taking an obvious amount of time scorching a trail down Andy's body and up again. Andy watched as Miranda's fist clenched, knuckling white, a muscle jumping in her jaw. She started to speak, before stopping to clear her throat.. Slowly removing her glasses, Miranda surprised Andy with the barest curl of her lips. It almost sent Andy into paroxysms of happiness, only to her joy subside as she watched those eyes grow cold again, shutting off all warmth.

"I simply cannot understand why it took you so long to arrive. Despite a vast improvement in your fashion sense, and your apparent desire to consistently inconvenience me, I need you to go to Mark Jacobs to pick up the proofs. Then if it's not too much trouble," Miranda's voice took on a sarcastic note. "I'd like you to arrange a meeting with Irv at an impossible time for him. Then I'd like you to pick up Patricia and drop her off at the townhouse. As for my meeting with that new designer, make it a lunch date for next Thursday. As for right now? Coffee. That's all." Waving Andy away in dismissal, Miranda turned back to her email.

Andy, felt as if ice-water had suddenly been dumped down her neck. Her tingling eyes dimmed dramatically, her inky patterns stilled as if stopped in their tracks or to ward off the cold. It was a most unpleasant sensation. She could feel her continued frustration grow, humiliation yet again, but the disappointment was worse. What could Miranda possibly want? What would it take to be seen as... worthy?

Worthy of what she wasn't sure she was ready to decipher. She knew there was attraction there, but she also knew that there was something much deeper. Considering Miranda's treatment of her thus far she wasn't quite ready to pursue this... connection. Instinctually though she wanted some kind of acknowledgement from her that she knew it was there, instead of this "catch and release" game Miranda seemed to enjoy.

But if there was one thing she 'inherited' from her parents, it was her stubbornness. It was what made her editor of her college newspaper, and garnered her awards for her articles. You didn't do well in journalism, move to New York City, and "survive" an interview with Miranda Priestly, without a big dose of stubbornness and perseverance. She was turning over a new leaf. In the end, she was determined to be a kick-ass Assistant, master all things Runway, make Nigel proud, while learning more about who and what she was. And most importantly, she would get the "girl."


***

"Nigel since when do you take it upon yourself to make-over my Assistants?!" Miranda hissed from inside the Mercedes, glowing blue eyes glaring in his direction, a gleaming white forelock dangled over one eye as she waited for a response.

A perfectly manicured eyebrow crawled its way up his head in mild surprise. "I wasn't aware there would be a problem. I mean you had noticed her dreadful wardrobe malfunction the first few days, no?" was Nigel's droll response.

He was looking to incite a response, to give him some idea of Miranda's awareness about Six. They were on their way to various Miranda's Master of the City holdings. He mused whether he should have invited Six to meet him for drinks. This would have served two goals: one, to access Miranda's reaction and two, to see how Six responded around a majority of preternatural entities. Perhaps next time, he thought.

"Nigel I won't tolerate insubordination." Nigel just looked at her - they'd been through too much for too long for Miranda to pull that card. And she knew it.

She sighed, turning away, watching the scenery passing by, "It's absolutely ridiculous! As long as I've been walking this earth to have... this 'girl' cause such disorder in my life is unacceptable! I find myself in a bit of a... quandary Nigel."

Miranda was frustrated with Andrea, but she found herself also harboring a strange sense of... respect for her 2nd Assistant. She'd hoped to have found an excuse to fire her by now, but Andréa had somehow thwarted all her efforts - not an easy feat. Then of course, there was the utterly confounded connection between them. It hadn't diminished since they'd first laid eyes on each in that hotel lobby.

"Well, unless you actually attempt to convey what it is exactly you're talking about then not even my sharp intellect will be able to assist you." His twinkling eyes gave away his slight amusement over Miranda's situation.

"Nigel I was sure I'd cured you of your tendency of being a bloody wanker long ago, but I see I still have 'work' to do." Nigel chuckled in response, "I'm talking about Andrea and our..., "she sighed again in irritation, shifting to cross her long legs, "My magic is steeped in Death, she is clearly a creature of 'Light.' How can there be such an intense connection between us? Not to mention she clearly has little understanding of who or what she is."


"Well I can tell you that Six is very aware of your connection and is confused about what she should do about it. In fact, she wasn't very clever or discreet about finding out your personal information. And let me be clear: she feels very strongly and she plans to do something about it."

Nigel stilled as only vampires could when Miranda turned intense blue eyes on him. "You know she does have some idea of what she is," said Nigel." She's Fey she hopes given our lovely city's diverse and lively population, she'll be able to find some answers. Perhaps meet other Fey."

"Hmph, well if she thinks that I'm going to allow a... relationship to develop between us she's clearly lost what mental acuity I thought she had."

Settling her chin in an elegant palm, she pulled out her phone, "Serena, present yourself at the Club tonight. I'm not interested in fending off the bottom-dwellers that are surely laying in wait."

Nigel was surprised. He knew that Miranda had been availing herself of Serena's services more than usual - something that surely had to do with her present 'circumstances.' But he knew how much Miranda can avoid self-awareness when it comes to emotional risk. Nigel rolled his eyes. this challenge would surely test his sanity. He just hoped it would all be worth it.


***
Chapter 11b

In all the years that Miranda had been walking the earth she had never shared her Marks, never mated and shared that mystical bond broken only by death. The risk had always been too great to contemplate. A mated Master Vampire would be so closely entwined with the spiritual essence of their mate that if her mate died, Miranda would die as well. Sure she'd been married a few times, even had long-term relationships with women, but she'd never been inclined to take that step.

Nigel thought that the older, more powerful Miranda became, the absence of a Mate makes her vulnerable. He's attempted to explain this to Miranda many times, only to have her scoff at the notion. It is believed in Vampire lore that all preternaturals were Imprinted on a Soulmate when they were Turned. Most never found their true Mates, but those that did underwent some kind of metaphysical transformation. At least that's what the legends say. None of the Council members were Mated - but then he couldn't imagine enough anti-venom in the world to tame that nest of vipers. But he knew that while Miranda had many strengths, her weakness lied in her inability to wholly connect with her emotional and spiritual needs.


It was why this almost involuntary attraction between Miranda and Andrea was... promising. He sighed, as usual he would have to take it upon himself to remain diligent and when necessary prod both parties into action. Then he would have a better assessment of what drew them together. Besides the tension between those two was driving him nuts!


***

Tonight was the Annual Runway Ball at the Met and Andy felt relieved to be excluded from the festivities. According to a gloating Emily Miranda's Assistants were required to memorize every attendee and their significant others in order to 'whisper' in Miranda's ear as she greeted them. It seemed tedious and more pretentious than usual. Plus Andy had major plans tonight. She was actually going to meet a Fey named Rhys. Apparently Lily met him when he attended one of her events at her art studio. Needless to say, Andy was practically writhing in excitement.

The office was quiet since Miranda already went home for today to prepare for the event tonight. Andy could only imagine how stunning she'd look in whatever gown she selected. Things had... evened out between them - the attraction leveled down to a simmer that was lower in intensity, though no less potent. When Andy wasn't frantically running from one errand to another, fulfilling impossible errands, she somehow managed to overlook how intoxicating Miranda smelled, or how her fingers itched to tousle that dangling curl into place.

However, her magic seemed to have a will of its own when it came to Miranda. She really wouldn't have such a difficult time reining in her magic if Miranda's own magic didn't respond so well to hers. It was downright distracting. Like that time a couple of weeks ago...

***
Miranda stood near the window, rocketing off a number of instructions that she would, no doubt, expect Andy to finish by the of the day. Unfortunately, Andy was busy being captivated by the way the sun seemed to capture her profile, encasing in almost an unholy glow, and hadn't written down a thing.

Miranda was wearing a baby-blue Carolina Herrara blouse that was a perfect match to her eyes. Unbuttoned just enough to offer a hint of delicious cleavage - Andy found that she was a slave to Miranda's cleavage, her full breasts straining just right. A Nina Ricci sand-colored fitted skirt, with an Ardienne Landau wide black belt, and gorgeous 5 inch black Prada heels showcased her beautiful, shapely, legs.

Andy was unaware of the lustful expression on her face, she hadn't realized that her not only did her eyes have that 'glowy-feel' to them, but her magical tattoos began moving, one even going so far as to form into a tentacle that was currently attempting to curl around Miranda's ankle.

It was only when she suddenly realized that Miranda had halted her speech, than Andy knew that in spite of her best efforts nothing seemed to dim her... connection to Miranda.

"Andréa get control of it! I won't have my employees becoming unhinged while on the clock. Do so at your own time." Miranda was also becoming aware that her own magic was awakening. She knew that her own eyes were glowing and that her gums ached. This would not normally alarm her, but she could also feel her Sabertooth-Tiger awakening for the first time in millennia; pawing at a mystical wall inside her. To say that she was disconcerted would have been an understatement.

She stepped closer to Andrea, her hands came up to grip her arms, not noticing her body pressed against Andrea's. She urgently hissed, "Andréa! Andrea! Concentrate!"

She noticed that more inky tendrils started to dance around her ankles and sliding up her legs. She gripped Andréa a little firmer,. "Andréa,, please! You have to concentrate! Focus on the magic, imagine you sucking in air... that's it. Good girl." Miranda could feel a bit of blood-sweat break out on her upper-lip, because she could feel the Ardeur also wanting to wake. It found Andréa very tempting.

Suddenly, Miranda felt Andréa's magic being sucked out of the air, leaving Andréa shivering. Miranda's legs felt a bit less shaky as well. It was as if she was released from some kind of mystical energy, "Get out! Go get me coffee or something..." her voice was an icy hiss. "And close the door." She turned away to gather her composure.

The click of heels indicated Andréa's departure - that and the feeling of energy being sucked out of the room. She gracefully sat in her chair, only to remove her glasses, and drop her head in her hands.

***

Andy remembered rushing out the door to the elevator, ignoring Emily's frantic questions and mild magical posturing - the feel of her lycan energy pulsing from her body. But instead of feeling scared Andy felt annoyed.

But mostly she felt... certain. Certain, that the connection between Miranda and her was real and powerful. Certain, that she was meant to be here despite Miranda's attempts to show otherwise. Certain, that she'd do everything in her power to get Miranda to acknowledge them.

It didn't mean that she'd deviate from her goal of gaining more information about her Fey heritage. Hence the reason she was looking forward to tonight's meeting, even though she would have loved to see Miranda all dolled up. Emily was off doing some kind of errand - she didn't really say, which was common. Their relationship is now one of 'barely tolerant,' which was too bad because when she wasn't being snarky or bitchy, Emily could actually be quite entertaining and funny. Plus Andy wanted to see her Change.

She mentioned this once when she, Emily, Nigel, and Serena all went for drinks one evening in between waiting for Emily to pick up the Book. Andy wasn't so insensitive to request Emily or Serena for that matter, to undergo a Change, but only wondered aloud about the experience. Emily, naturally, offered her analysis.

"Well we're not dogs for bloody sakes! We don't "perform" on command! If that was the case I'd do it now so that I could lick my twat!"

She talked about the different Lycanthrope genes, how or why some people get them and others, when bitten, aren't affected. She also talked about Packs and Dens. a little bit about her own background which passed down and that when it was passed down it often meant that that Lycanthrope was fairly powerful. She also talked about Submissives and Alphas - and other things that caused Andy to blushed terrifically. But she also mentioned how Master Vampires like Nigel and Miranda had what's called an Animal to Call. Nigel's was Wolves and Miranda's was Big Cats. It was a very enlightening evening to say the least.

Suddenly the doors whipped open and Nigel came storming through. "Six gather your things. You're going to the Met tonight."

"What? Wait! Nigel I can't, I have an important -," Andy stood from her desk, ready to defend her "position." She'd been waiting a long time to meet someone like Rhys.

"Really Six, haven't you learned by now? That your day or night can turn on a dime when dealing with Miranda. Now quit your whining and your rather unflattering imitation of a fish and grab your things."

"But where's Emily? I thought she was going?" she could feel her annoyance growing in leaps and bounds.

"Put that glow away Six. Christ! Haven't you learned to control that yet? Emily is still attending, but she's been... detained." Nigel began to usher Andy through the doors.

"Detained?! What does that mean? Nigel this was a really important night for me! I was going to meet that guy I told you about!" She was being dragged down the hall towards The Closet.

"It was some Wolf-emergency she had to deal with - much to the aggravation of our 'Fearless Leader' as you can imagine. Don't worry Six, even with your size I think I have the perfect dress," Nigel said as he tugged a reluctant Andy behind, "Oh... and you'll need to start memorizing names - I have the books in my office."

With each word, Andy began to realize the futility of having any 'life' outside of Runway. She was SOOO disappointed. But maybe she could have Lily call Rhys to meet some other time soon.

" Whoa! What a spectacular dress! This is beautiful!" said Andy, suddenly side tracked by the vision before her. "I'm wearing that?"

"With some fishing line and Crisco oil anything is possible," Nigel snarked in amusement.

"Ha - ha. Just give me a moment to call Lily to see if she can re-arrange something." She pushed the button to speed-dial Lily.

"Well hurry love, because time's a wasting." He pulled the dress out and was now hunting for the perfect shoes, and accessories to accompany it. He was setting a 'plan' in motion. He'd felt that not-so-little energy spike a couple weeks ago. He'd felt Miranda's energy because he was a part of her Line/ Kiss, but it was only after questioning Emily and finding out that it was Andy in the room with Miranda, that he finally had the answer to a couple of questions.

Magic steeped in Death, Vampire magic, only awakened in three instances: the Head of a Line called up the magic, a necromancer, and the very rare Fated Mystical Union. Mystical Unions so rarely happened because once mated, only in death could part them - and in the world of preternatural, sometimes not even then.

Nigel was starting to believe that this was the case between Miranda and Andy. Unbelievable really! Miranda had walked this earth since the time of Northern nomads and the opportunity for her to Mate was great. Instead she had settled with very muted imitations, not even opening her Marks to her lovers throughout the centuries.

But now, through some kind of mystical intervention, she had been... blessed for lack of a better word and she either didn't know it or was ignoring all the signs - a more likely scenario. Nigel wasn't about to let her ignore for much longer. He was determined to help Miranda reach her full potential. Starting tonight.

She'd be escorted by her sorry excuse for a potential husband - Stephen. Miranda always did go for the safe choices when it came to her marriages. They were utterly unworthy of Miranda's stature; it was why they always ended up tucking tail and running. Well perhaps this thing with Six would change all that.

The dress for Six was sublime; understated, but hot. Not so hot that it'd outshine Miranda's Valentino but a clear "second" and more importantly, designed to suitably distract Miranda... permanently. The dress was an off-the-shoulder Versace, a dark-eggplant that was so dark it appeared almost black. It cinched at the waist and helped emphasize the bodice, exhibiting a very sexy - yet- tastefully framed cleavage. Though the fabric flowed it the floor, it was snug enough to beautifully cup the shape of her ass very nicely. Elegant Jimmy Choo heels completed the look.

All in all, against that moonlit skin, Andy, was stunning. He could barely restrain himself from letting out a very unbecoming squeal in excitement.


***
Chapter 12

Andy was able to re-arrange her meeting with Rhys, but not without Lily letting out some of her frustration around Andy's general unavailability lately. "Andy come on, you promised you'd be here."

"I know Lily, but I have to go. You know I had every intention of being there but I was suddenly required to be at the function. Trust me, I've been looking forward to this ever since you mentioned him. Just please, do me this favor and I promise to snag you something really, really, cool from The Closet." Andy felt beyond disappointed about having to reschedule that meeting, but she felt even worse about missing out, on letting Lily down... again.

Sighing mightily, Lily said, "Ok, fine. But this is being added to the long list of I.O.U.s you've tallied since you started working at Runway. If I set this up again, don't let me down, deal?"

With a huge sense of relief, Andy replied, "Deal. I love you and I'll see you tomorrow." Andy hung up.

Now that she had a few moments to collect herself, she carefully laid her head back against the seat in the car. She was on her way to the Benefit, she was nervous, her stomach feeling like a school of butterflies were having a party in there. She pressed her hand against it, before sitting up once again. She couldn't remember a time when she looked... like this. She almost didn't recognize herself. She sincerely hoped that her magic didn't make an appearance. Although with Miranda around 'it' seemed to have a mind of its own.

Finally the car reached its destination. There were lights everywhere, the paparazzi interviewing, waiting for the next famous person to hit the red carpet. She grabbed her clutch and stepped out on the steps leading up the entrance. Straightening her shoulders, she gathered the courage to head up the steps, hoping to see someone from Runway. As she started up the stairs she heard a voice calling her name.

"Andy! Andy, over here - ," Andy turned her head to see Emily, resplendent in a beautiful Marc Jacobs gown. "My, don't you look so chic?"

"Thank you. You look wonderful as well. You look so... flushed - you haven't hit the champagne already? But seriously is everything ok? Nigel mentioned you had to deal with some kind of emergency." They ascended the steps together, Andy was glad that Emily was here - she'd of hated to enter the benefit alone.

"I'm fine. I had to deal with some naughty wolves... one in particular will no longer be howling at the moon. I mean how bloody dare he inconvenience me on such an important night!" Andy could feel Emily's energy prickling along her skin, almost like little fire ants.

"Well we're getting ready to go into the benefit, please tone down the energy you know it'll only irritate Miranda." And me, she thought, shifting uncomfortably.

Emily just smirked, as they stepped inside the beautiful room, filled with New York's elite. "All right, no need to get testy. It just takes me a... few to work off the excess energy."

They both snagged a glass of champagne from a server, "Now we wait for Miranda. I'm dying to see what she's wearing. I understand that Valentino came out of retirement to design her dress." Emily was practically trembling in excitement.

Andy rolled her eyes before continuing her perusal of the "glittering people" around the room. She wondered if she'd get out of here in time to maybe meet up with Lily and D-- Oh my God!

Andy was riveted. She knew that Miranda was attractive but this... vision was unlike anything she'd ever seen. She could feel her respiration increase and she struggled to dampen her magic which automatically flared as it sensed something usual in the air.

Miranda wore a beautiful Valentino that left her shoulders bare, gleaming and delicious. They looked strong - probably from the mysterious workout regimen that had Miranda leaving the office three times a week for an undisclosed location. She always returned with an intoxicatingly flushed look, veins pulsing as if they'd been strained under some unnamed source.

Her creamy, graceful neck was unadorned with jewelry, and her full breasts spilled out like a gentle bounty. Andy ached to nuzzle and lick, her way all over that bare skin. She could feel her eyes begin to glow and concentrated mightily so that her magical marks wouldn't begin acting out. It was her central nervous system, however, that was making itself felt: nipples hardened, the 'butterflies' in her stomach now performed a full "concert," her chest heaved, and her pussy moistened her thong.

Oh boy. This control thing was going to be hard.

"Andréa get a hold of yourself. She's on her way over here, we need to be prepared! Christ that's all I need is a 'magical melt-down at, oh, I don't know, one of the most important social events in New York!" Emily began walking towards Miranda. "Come on and pull yourself together!"

But Miranda had already noticed them, in particular she'd noticed Andy. Her penetrating stare was laser-focused on Andy with an intensity that belied her look of mild shock., Desire replaced the shock, and a beautiful flush crawled up from her breasts, to her throat, to sweep over her face. Andy felt paralyzed by that stare.

Miranda maintained a stillness that only vampires could do - like a predator right before it leaps for its prey. She only moved when she was tapped on the shoulder by a decked out Nigel who could barely contain his pleased amusement.

Andy's visual was interrupted by a patron stopping to talk to Miranda, they finally made it to her side and waited politely for Miranda to finish speaking. However, as soon as they finished, other patrons made their way over. Miranda tilted her head towards Emily to be briefed on who they were, while pointedly ignoring Andy. It didn't lessen her effect on Andy though. Now, instead of contending with her gorgeous eyes, Andy had to deal with the heavenly scent wafting from Miranda's skin.

"Well Six, I have to say, in these bright lights, I've out-done myself. Miranda certainly noticed didn't she?" Andy quickly looked at Nigel in surprise."You have to be deaf, dumb, blind, or Emily, to not of noticed the... connection between you too." Andy was stunned, but then realized that her obsession might not have been nearly as discreet as she thought, and was mortified.

He pulled Andy to side. "Don't worry Six, only those more... attuned to their environment would notice - and that isn't very likely at Runway. But you'll need to learn to control your magic. I'm having a damnable time trying to help Miranda control hers." His look suddenly turned serious. "Listen Six, I like you... unexpected, but true. So you need to really understand what and who it is you're attracted to. Not to mention the ramifications of that attraction because Miranda has powerful enemies looking to exploit any vulnerabilities. But this is something we'll need to chat about sometime soon. Ok?"

Andy nodded, glowing eyes wide in disbelief. "Thank you Nigel. See? I knew we were fated to be buds -"

"Don't get carried away Six. You're like a rambunctious puppy, that I've now been charged with potty training." Andy frowned at the analogy.

"Very funny," she said, rolling her eyes. "Well I have to get back to my duties, let's do drinks soon." She began walking over towards Miranda and Emily. "Oh, and you look quite dashing." She winked at him before continuing on.

"Cheeky girl."

It wasn't until later when Miranda 'released' them of their duties that Andy finally found the need for some air. She noticed some balconies earlier so she headed in that direction. She was in luck. The balcony was empty. She let the tension spill out of her with a sigh, lifting her third glass of champagne to her lips, looking out onto the beautiful lights running along Central Park.

She mulled over Nigel's words. She'd been reading up on vampires since her she'd started at Runway, more so since her "transformation". She knew almost nothing about Miranda other than how she liked her coffee, what her favorite restaurants that had that "duck" or "steak that she liked," were, and all the designers she dealt with on a daily basis. She knew Miranda lived on the Upper East Side, she had two twins from her Ex - who happened to be a Were-Leopard, and her preferred shade of lipstick. She knew all these things but she suspected that it was only a thimble of knowledge on such a complicated woman. It was fascinating and Andy couldn't help wanting to know more.

Suddenly the air behind her shifted and her magical marks moved. Only one person could do that: Miranda. Andy almost didn't want to turn around, her breathing picked up again. Her reaction to Miranda was pretty much automatic.

"Well I must say that Versace drapes quite well on you." She stood next to Andy, not looking in her direction, resting a hand on the railing.

"It's obvious that having you attend tonight's soiree was fortuitous since Emily can't be counted on to get a simple name straight."

Andy remembered that moment, leaning over Miranda's shoulder, fighting the urge to lick an earlobe, to whisper the Ambassador and his wife's names. In fact, her tongue pressed hard against her teeth, as if fighting to escape its prison. Miranda's perfume and natural scent almost had Andy swooning. An intriguing combination of vanilla, musk, jasmine, and cinnamon wafted from the woman next to her.

"Oh, so now you're talking to me?" Andy didn't know where she'd gotten this sudden courage, but she also realized that she was more than peeved that Miranda virtually ignored her the entire night.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Andréa. Honestly, I've had enough histrionics from this crowd I certainly don't need it from my Assistant -"

Andy couldn't believe that Miranda would deny their connection yet again! "Please Miranda," said Andy with a weary sigh, "I think you've figured out by now that I'm not a complete idiot, so do me the courtesy of at least acknowledging that."

"Andréa look at me! Whatever you think is between us," Miranda shot Andy severe look. "Will not - cannot happen. This is nothing"

Andy could feel her eyes glowing hotly in response, turning her body fully, stepping closer to Miranda, whispering heatedly, "You can pretend all you want Miranda. But your body gives you away. Even your magic gives you away. You think I don't notice the way your eyes scorch all over my skin when you think no one's looking? You think I don't notice the way your nostrils flare, taking in my scent, whenever I happen to pass you?"

She moved even closer to Miranda, her hand touching Miranda's on the railing, her fingers stroking over Miranda's knuckles. Her breasts brushing against hers - she could feel how rock-hard Miranda's nipples were - her own breasts felt full, aching.. Her skin felt stretched tight. She bent her head, almost nuzzling against Miranda's nose. Miranda's eyes had taken on that icy-glowy shimmer and the smell of roses wafted through the air. Miranda began to pant, sucking in air she no longer needed, her fangs glistening in the moonlight.

"Can you honestly believe that this is nothing?" Andy asked, pressing closer. "I can smell you Miranda. That musky-sweet scent-"

Suddenly Miranda moved, her hands came up clutching Andy's upper-arms. Not an inch separated their bodies. She could feel the heat emanating from Andréa's body, warming her like a hot summer day. The urge to bite that rapidly beating pulse in Andréa's neck was strong... so strong.

The Girl tried her in a way she hadn't encountered before. The smell of her was so intoxicating, rich... delectable. Andrea's own hands came up to her shoulders, and they nuzzled each other, hot breaths caressing full, pouty lips. Miranda's tongue came out to wet suddenly dried lips and Andréa whimpered - shredding the last of Miranda's control.

She reached up to cup the back of Andréa's head and crushed her lips to hers. So soft, so sweet. Slanting their heads to deepen the kiss, Miranda coaxed Andy's lips open to thrust her tongue inside, tangling with Andrea's, chasing, rubbing, causing her to moan.

Andy could feel her magical marks move on her skin, her other magic leaking out. She knew behind her closed eyes that her eyes bright and glowing. The smell of roses and... rain? permeated the air. God, Miranda tastes divine. Andy couldn't get enough. Her knees threatened to give out when Miranda suckled on her tongue, before withdrawing to suckle her bottom lip. Suddenly sharp pain echoed from her lip, a metallic scent wafted in the air. But Miranda only clutched her closer and groaned before sucking even harder.

The smell of rain grew, but if they'd looked they'd have only seen a clear night sky. It was the Ardeur waking, reaching out, wrapping its tendril around Andrea.

Suddenly Andrea was yanked out of her arms, and Miranda looked up to see Nigel standing between them. Her instinctive growl sounded less human and more animal, feral. Her possessiveness caught both Miranda and Andy by surprise.

"Miranda! there's no time for that!" Nigel glared. "Stephen," the name said with disdain, "is stumbling around in a drunken stupor, looking for you while making an ass of himself. Why are you even contemplating marrying that human?!"

Well this certainly answers any questions about a mystical connection between them, he thought before continuing. "Not to mention the magical output you're both leaking out is trickling all over the room, you'll have wolves baying at the moon any minute now!"

Miranda's eyes were almost completely bluish-white, glowing intently. Lips swollen, the blood from Andy's lip infusing her, flushing her skin pink, blood sweat dotted her forehead. Nigel quickly handed her a handkerchief for her to dab at her skin. Her hand was pressed to her stomach trying to calm the raging feelings and magic warring inside her.

Andrea seemed to be having no better luck. In fact she and Nigel would most likely have to help her control it. But Miranda didn't want Nigel or anyone else touching Andréa; physically or magically. "Andréa, concentrate!" said Miranda. "Please I can't hold it much longer, you have to concentrate. Nigel don't touch her!"

Nigel snatched his hand back, as if it was on fire, the movement faster than a blur. Hmmm, maybe things have progressed much further than I thought.

He made a mental note to contact the local Master Witch to gather more information on Vampire lore.. Nigel had a feeling that he might be in over his head. In the meantime, they had to figure out how to help Andy tone down, which seemed a rather dubious prospect anytime soon.

Andy was almost bent over from the sudden removal of the sensual haze and magical... joining. She could still feel her lips on Miranda's. Trembling, she brought her arm up, gently touching her fingers to her swollen, pouty, lips. The cut on her lower lip had already healed. She could feel her magical tattoos moving, caressing, her skin, almost like warm massage oil slithering over her body.

She had to keep her eyes closed because if she looked at Miranda right now, she wasn't sure there was anything on this earth that could stop her from dragging her back into her arms. Her scent painted the inside of her nostrils and her panting only took in more. Hands clenched, Andy tried to bear down, to concentrate. She felt like her skin was about to split in two, like something inside her wanted to get out. She didn't know what it was, but the urge to give in was almost primordial.

So she focused on that first, trying to stroke It, to calm It down. She could feel sweat trickling down her spine and her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest. Suddenly she felt a warm energy enclose her - almost like a mystical hug and a low, calming, voice sounded in her ear. "That's it Andrea... just relax and try to concentrate, focus in on your marks." The beast inside her responded to the warmth, and Andy felt it subside, leaving her surrounded by the comfort and calm of Miranda's magic.

Meanwhile Miranda was fighting a battle of her own - the Ardeur. The last time her succubus power had awakened was that moment in her office and she'd managed to wrestle it down. But for each time she denied It the worse It became the next time 'it' reared its head. A breaking glass nearby, forced her to shift her attention away from the Ardeur and Andrea.

"Miranda - where--, " a hick-up interrupted he slurred speech, "Where have you been? I see you have one of your delec- delectable, worker bees with you."

Leering is not an attractive look for Stephen, Nigel thought. But Stephen blathered on, "Most likely spraying the crowd with your arctic blast?!" Stephen laughed at his own cleverness. Nigel just rolled his eyes.

"Nigel please have Emily call for the Car and have her direct Stephen to it." Stephen attempted to resist, lurching out, reaching for Miranda only to land his hand on Andy. He suddenly felt his wrist captured in a crushing grip, bones threatening to snap.

"You might consider doing what she says Stephen," Andy said his name snidely, before she looked over at Miranda's enigmatic countenance. "I can't promise you that you'll remain unscathed if you don't." Then Andy let go of Stephen's hand .

Stephen immediately clutched the injured hand to his chest and said, "You bitch! You can't--" He was suddenly hoisted off the ground, with Miranda's hand around his throat.

"You'll do well to remember your place Stephen. You are expendable and touching what's mine will most certainly result in my... expending you." Watching Stephen turn an unattractive purplish color was interesting but she had other matters to attend to. She let him her power over him for a second longer before dropping her arm. Miranda looked on impassively as her fiancé fell on his ass, gasping for air. "Nigel please escort Andréa home." She shared a brief look with Andrea before turning away to once again stare out onto Central Park.

"Come on Six! Who knew you were so... butch?!" Silence greeted his attempt at levity and Nigel sighed. He gave Andy an awkward pat on her shoulder and said in a gentle voice, "Everything will work itself out Six. Things may seem... overwhelming but I'll be there to help you - especially since your fashion sense is much improved."

Andy's answering smile was incredibly watery, but at least it was there.


*****
Chapter 13

It wasn't until a few weeks later that Andy realized that not only did Miranda plan to continue to ignore the...connection between them - which in spite of Miranda, had only gotten stronger. But sometimes when Miranda appeared to 'lose' a little of her impressive control, Andy would catch Miranda glancing away, her cheeks stained pink, while she continued to create impossible tasks and making Andy's life as miserable as possible.

But then there were the very rare times when there was no one around. When Emily was off doing whatever Emily did, and the phones offered a brief reprieve from their constant ringing. Those times, Andy would look up and see Miranda staring... at her. But the stare was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. It was like a lion at the zoo. Everyone thought it was domesticated, but looking into its eyes you got a sense that at the right moment, at the right time, you could easily become prey. During those few seconds Andy could feel her own response - most of the time she wanted to fight but sometimes she wanted to purr.

But Andy wasn't anyone's prey. In those moments she could feel her eyes heat, her hands twitch, and her skin almost leap from her body. She never actually moved though. It was like she was frozen in Miranda's stare. Then suddenly normality would resume, and Miranda would turn away or continue whatever task she'd been working on. It was like being submerged in warm water and then suddenly yanked into cold air. While these moments were few and far between, they appeared even more often after the night of the benefit.

The general otherworldly atmosphere at Runway didn't help the situation much or really at all. Though, honestly, it wouldn't have been so disconcerting if Andy felt confident about who and what she was-beginning with her partner-in-misery: Emily. First there was the scent; Emily had an almost... feral scent about her - most likely because of her "wolfiness." It wasn't quite gamey and it wasn't unattractive. It was, in fact, sometimes down-right... stimulating. Particularly when something or someone pissed her off, her scent always became stronger.

Other times, Andy would come across an almost... metallic scent, blood-like, but not the scent of menstrual blood she was familiar with. It wafted from her co-workers and Miranda at the strangest times. Emily would appear as immaculately fashion-forward as ever, even if she seemed to have an unnatural obsession with blue or green eye shadow. Then there were her eyes... which often bled into an intense gold when she was angry, particularly, whenever she felt like Andy had committed some kind of "unthinkable" infraction. It was something Andy learned after what Andy privately referred to as the "disastrous book delivery".

***

Andy tried to calm her nerves as she got out of the elevator. Her first time delivering the book had been a train wreck and she really just wanted to melt into a pile of Andy-goo and die. Rubbing her face, Andy walked through the familiar glass doors of the office, and was unceremoniously dragged into the bathroom.

"Now you've done it! I specifically told you what to do, but instead you decided to take a 'tour' of her home! Are you insane? Why didn't you just climb into bed with her while you're at it?!" Emily visibly vibrated with agitation, and as she continued to talk, her voice seemed to get unnaturally deep. Her Power leaked out like hot needles, and her grip on Andy's upper arm became stronger. Andy knew she'd have bruises in a couple of hours.

But that wasn't what concerned Andy at the moment, "But the Twins told me to-"

Emily's grip tightened even further, her strength surprising. "The Twins?! Are you daft? That was a rhetorical question. When I tell you to do something, I expect NO deviation from that task! Are you having problems understanding simple instructions?" Emily's voice deepened further into a growl.

But Andy wasn't intimated, she could feel an answering physical response to Emily's posturing. "Take your hands off of me! It was a mistake! No one died, the Book was safely delivered, you-" Andy could feel her eyes burning, her expression rapidly darkening, and her posture straightening with a shift of...something.

The pulse in Emily's neck seemed loud, rapidly pounding away, the artery's blueness emphasized against Emily's pale skin. Andy could almost hear the blood rushing through it. Andy had a sudden urge to tear into that rapidly beating jugular at Emily's neck, to taste Emily's life essence on her tongue.

Emily's eyes widened in surprise, her nostrils flaring as she scented the air before staring steadily into Andy's eyes. "What are you?" She leaned into Andy's personal space even further, sniffing, mouth opening to scent even more.

Andy was rapidly falling into a rage. "Emily! You have ten seconds to take your hands off of me, or else -"

"Power down Andy!" said Emily with a scowl, "For cunt's sake I wasn't going to hurt you, you stupid bint! At least not physically! But you need to control it, now!" Of course, though Emily furiously, Andy couldn't just be a nice little Submissive Fey- she wasn't sure what she was - maybe even a Sidhe, but she knew that a confrontation to find out, when Andy appeared to have little to no control over it wouldn't be wise.

Little did Andy know that yet another Power had come online: precipitated by blood-lust. It came on with a suddenness that was breathtaking. Her magical tattoos came into sharp relief, one of them reaching out towards Emily, like a pool of tar morass.

"Andy! Andy! You need to get a hold on your rage!" said Emily, her voice edged with put-upon hysteria. Damn! Like I have time to be saddled with a powerful untrained... whatever she is! Emily quickly stood back from Andy, watching as Andy panted, trying to get control of the rage, the oily black tentacle paused in the air like a snake about to strike.

Andy could barely speak, the Power almost clogging her throat a she struggled to suppress it. On some conscious level she knew that whatever she was feeling couldn't be allowed to fully manifest itself right now. Plus it just down-right scared her - and she was already feeling anxious over Miranda's response from her "Book Delivery" mistake.

"I'm sorry," Andy said, her hands were clenched, nails digging so strongly into her palms that she left little furrows of blood. "The urge to rip your throat out is really strong. Maybe you should just leave me alone right now."

Emily narrowed, but she nodded once before stumbling toward the door. Miranda was going kill her for this.


***

Nigel was on his way to the reception area of Miranda's office before he felt it. What idiot is Powering up when Miranda is on her way in?! Well whoever it is....they're bloody fucking powerful! It wasn't Miranda because he'd know her Power signature anywhere. He continued on towards the double doors leading the reception area before the realization hit him... Six?! The lobby fairly reeked with the scent of her power. It smelled like... it smelled like... gingerbread! While he knew she was Fey he had no idea she was this powerful. Christ-on-a-bicycle! He wondered if Miranda knew. He hurried inside, immediately looking around. The door to the bathroom flew open and Emily hurried out.

"What in Hades is going on?!" he asked, looking at the slightly shaken Emily.

With a slightly sheepish expression in her eyes, Emily said, "I might have -"

"What is going on?" The icy tone echoed from near the reception doors.

Nigel and Emily whipped their heads around, staring at Miranda in stunned surprise and not a little fear, before Nigel responded, "I believe that's Six. I think she's having a few... issues. But don't worry I'll handle-"

"No, no. you've both wasted enough of my time with your incompetence. I will handle it. Emily don't you have phones to answer? Coffee to fetch? Nigel no one is to enter this area and have Roy on stand-by. That's all." And with that Miranda turned towards the bathroom, her own Power leaking out, the smell of thunderstorms and rain permeating the air.


****
Chapter 14

Miranda was hit by Andy's Power as she was heading into the building. She was like an electric tower about to over-load and as she got closer to the Runway floor, the feeling grew and grew. She knew it was Andrea because she recognized the Power signature from their little... encounters. It was all she could do to straighten herself before the elevator doors opened. For some reason her Power responded innately to Andy's.

Breath she no longer needed suddenly filled her lungs and her nipples tightened inside her lacy La Perla bra, scraping deliciously against the material. Wash-board abs tightened against the tornado-like storm gathering inside her. Her legs quivered so much it shook the vampire-like stillness she usually exhibited. Since she had recently fed, Miranda could feel a washing heat flow over her skin, making her usually creamy white skin slightly pink.

Blood-sweat gently beaded her upper-lip and she carefully licked it away. She couldn't do anything about it trickling down her back though. It was no doubt staining the white of her $1000 Escada blouse. She made a mental to get Emily to fetch her another blouse from The Closet. She found that she was almost... unsettled about the prospect of going into the bathroom. There was an internal acknowledgement that her life was about to irrevocably change, entwining with Andrea's. She'd been fighting it for weeks, but she strongly suspected it was about to come to a head. Mentally straightening her shoulders, she pushed the door open.

Immediately she was hit with the intoxicating scent of blood, before some kind of Power-wave flowed over her, instinctively calling on more of Miranda's Power. The smell of rain grew stronger and... cinnamon? Miranda could feel her eyes shifting, seeking prey before they landed on Andrea standing before the vanity mirrors, gripping the sink so hard, she could see that her fingers had cracked the porcelain.

"Andrea, you need to Power down! How many times must I tell you that I will not tolerate a metaphysical crisis while at Runway?" Miranda's voice had lowered to base-filled growl. She watched Andrea body glow like some moonlit essence, her body turned towards the mirror, her hair flowing as if wind was whipping through it.

"Miranda...," she panted. She had been trying to gain control, but it started to immediately unravel again the minute Miranda opened the door. She could feel Miranda getting closer even before she opened the door. What is wrong with me?! Andy suddenly wanted to go back to 'Normal Andy." If she had any questions about the validity of her Fey-ness, this unequivocally answered that. Her eyes widened as that crazy libido of hers reared its inconvenient head. Not now!

***

Miranda inhaled Andrea's scent, the smell of cinnamon and... roses? growing stronger - like a tray of ginger-bread cookies in a garden. The smell was delicious! She could see Andy's tri-colored eyes glowing like a star about to go nova. In response, Miranda could feel one of her more unpredictable Powers awaken... the Ardeur! Damn! She needed to control this situation - before it went beyond controlling.

Miranda gritted her teeth, trying to contain the Ardeur, but a wave a Power from Andrea made it too late. She tended to have iron-clad control over it but it was being prompted by something almost as powerful, and the Ardeur wanted what it wanted. She had been denying it and her response to Andrea for too long, regardless of her using Serena as a substitute.

The Ardeur wanted to be properly fed. Apparently now would have to do. Miranda quickly closed the door, reaching behind her, fumbling to lock the door before the Ardeur took control. It was difficult with Andrea having little to no control over her own... Miranda tilted her head - not the Ardeur, she thought, but something equally untamed.

Miranda's Ardeur was different than Belle Morte's. Granted she fed it through lust and sex, but she also fed it through power. Every battle she had slowly destroying that toady Irv, every maneuver where Jaqueline attempted (before she Blood Oathed to Miranda) bring her down that failed, every time she enacted discipline to either those in her Line, through her Master of the City duties, even at Runway, it psychically fed the Ardeur.

Of course, feeding through lust was... more delicious. Feeding it through power struggles was sharper - not as warm. And there was nothing like the feeding she got when she battled a Council member and won. It was why she was able to control it so much better than the vampires of Belle Morte's Line - or even Belle Morte herself, much to her severe displeasure. After all, her version of the Ardeur came from Marmee Noir (The Mother of all Darkness) so naturally it would be different because Miranda was her Childe.

Again, Miranda tried to gain control, but she'd never felt such a strong answering surge. The Ardeur could be called many things; uncontrollable desire, predator, succubus, power, lust...but for vampires like Miranda and Belle Morte, you simply could not exist without feeding it. What was astounding was that after two centuries, Miranda's control over It was masterful. It was why her current response was so... disconcerting.

Like an invisible cord reaching out towards Miranda, Andrea's... Fertility? seized her. It smelled... rich and warm, not dark and addictive. She had the sudden urge to revel in it, in Andrea. Miranda felt full, as if warm apple cider was comfortably settled in her stomach. Then Andrea turned around and their eyes locked and everything else became irrelevant, falling away like the world falling off a cliff.



***
Chapter 15

Andy's world was narrowed on one thing - the woman across from her, moving closer, stalking like the predator she was. Andy could see small beads of red dotting Miranda's forehead, her nostrils flared as the smell of blood and... arousal grew stronger. Suddenly the room grew dark, the smell of roses very strong. She felt sluggish. A sphere of light appeared in front of her, growing very quickly, stretching and unfurling until a... woman appeared, almost floating, before her.

Andy could only stare in amazement. The woman was bathed in a reddish-gold light. She felt her groin clenched and throbbed with tremendous desire.

"I know you are confused right now, but your destiny lies right in front of you. You only have to reach out and grab it." Her voice had a musical lilt, but it was no less powerfully amplified.

"Who are you? What's going on? And where's Miranda?" Andy felt like she was stuck in molasses and her words seemed mumbled, the effort to clearly enunciate too difficult.

"I am the Goddess Badb. I represent the cycle of Life and Death and Wisdom. It is for these qualities that I was selected as the first of your Patron Goddesses to contact you. Your journey began long ago. I am one of 3 goddesses who have designated you as our rightful descendent to carry on our will, an Avatar to the Fey. You are a full-blooded Sidhe and you are something else. For that you will have to ask the right questions from the right people. A quest is awaiting you - it will not be easy but you will not be alone. And you will certainly not be powerless" She tilted her head in contemplation of her charge.

"Wait, I don't understand. If I'm Sidhe then how can my parents be my... parents?" Andy felt mightily overwhelmed - "What quest? I don't have time to go on any quest. Have you seen my boss?!"

She felt more than she heard the chuckle coming from the vision in front of her, "Your will is your own. But know that many things lie in peril if you do not act. Your Life-Mate will assist you - but it will take some convincing from you to get her to see her worth in this journey."

If Andy didn't feel faint before, she was seriously starting to right now, "M, m- m Mate? Like significant other?" a flash of silver and whiff of rain ran through her senses. No, no, no...

"Your attraction to her is steeped in magic older than time; darkness to light; life to death: The Cycle of Life. What better than a vampire to be your consort? To compliment you, a creature steeped in Death? Your journey has just begun, but now you must look for the man with blue hair whom will lead you to answers that you seek. He will be your Guide to the world-between-worlds. Go forth my child, do not fight what you are - your destiny lies in wait. However, I leave you with a parting gift..."

And like falling through a hole in a tornado Andy was immediately transported back to the bathroom with Miranda holding her upper body in her arms while kneeling on the floor. She was looking down at Andy with concern colored by desire. Her beautiful icy-blue eyes lost a little of their glow but they were no less powerful staring into Andy's eyes.

"Well if you're through with your dramatics I think it's time to get back to you work," said Miranda as she started to let Andy go. Andy suddenly inspired, lifted her arm, to slide her hand up Miranda's arm to her shoulder before cupping her behind her head sifting her hand through beautiful white hair that was so soft, like silk.

She watched Miranda's eyes widen in alarm, "What are you-" Andy lurched up to press her lips onto Miranda's and nothing else mattered after that.

She forgot that she was on the floor of the bathroom at Runway, she forgot that Miranda was her boss, she forgot the Goddess, she forgot everything in that instant. Capturing Miranda's bottom lip between her own, she suckled it, whisking her tongue over the plump offering, before releasing it to slant her lips over Miranda's more firmly. As they kissed, the smell of roses, cinnamon, and rain grew strong again. If she had any thought that Miranda would pull away, it was immediately dismissed when Miranda opened her mouth to Andy's persistent tongue, deepening the kiss, teeth clashing.

Andy thrust her tongue inside the warm cavern of Miranda's mouth, before darting out like a tease, to swab at her lips, and then darting back inside again. But Miranda didn't remain passive for very long however- like the predator she was, she trapped and suckled Andy's tongue before releasing it to thrust her own in Andy's mouth--plundering, tasting and leaving Andy breathless. Miranda slanted her mouth more firmly over Andy's, mimicking another action she planned to take very soon, before capturing Andy's full bottom lip to suckle and nibble. Andy suddenly felt sharp twin pains and a metallic taste fill her mouth before Miranda's tongue once again swabbed up the taste, groaning in pleasure. Andrea tasted so... divine.

Andy, feeling the press of Miranda's fangs and still feeling the residual stinging from Miranda's nibble on her bottom lip, became intrigued. She gently explored Miranda's mouth, before settling on a fang, curling her tongue around it. Apparently, it was an erogenous zone because Miranda whimpered, tugging Andy more firmly in her arms, sliding her hands down her back to cup Andy's globes. Andy could feel her chest heaving as she tried to suck in air. The feeling of Miranda's desire was heady, and she felt almost light-headed, her panties soaked with desire.

But for Miranda it wasn't enough, she wanted to feel Andréa's skin next to hers, she wanted see if that scent of Andréa's arousal tantalizing her nostrils, tainting the air, tasted as good as it smelled. Feeling Andréa's nipples stabbing into her swollen, sensitive, nubs - she could feel Andy trying to rub more firmly against her nipples, causing her breasts to feel swollen and achy and her nipples to feel tight and engorged, the muscles in her abdomen jumping, building pressure in her pussy.

Miranda reached up into Andréa's chocolate brown waves, fingers cupping her scalp, pulling her head back to stare into those beautiful Fey eyes. Thick lashes restlessly lying against alabaster cheeks suddenly swept open and glowing tri-color eyes pulsed into her own glowing bluish-white orbs. Miranda's gaze lowered to Andy's swollen, blood-painted lips, open, panting in want. She watched Andréa's tongue come out to swipe at her suddenly dry lips, suckling momentarily on her lower bloodied lip.

The sight caused an even stronger wave of the Ardeur to come roaring back, bathing them both in its Power. Lust pressed in on her and Miranda felt feral. She wanted to tear Andy's beautiful red blouse open, latch her lips and tongue on her neck and bite the succulent pulse point visibly thudding under Andrea's skin. Blue veins suddenly seemed more prominent, teasing her with the sight of Andréa's delicious blood rushing through her body. It was wholly intoxicating.

Christ, and she was wearing a skirt - with Nigel's expert assistance in fashion, Andréa often wore these skirts. The sight often had Miranda visualizing her hand underneath the hem of Andrea's skirt; cupping her between her legs, rubbing and tugging on her nether lips, spreading her wetness over her fingers, on more than one occasion. Today's skirt was no exception. Her fingers twitched, wanting, needing, to feel Andréa more intimately.

Andrea's own answering Power was once again rising- but unlike before when it seemed more... nebulous, now it was sharper, cleaner. The scent of roses grew stronger, and they both lifted their heads to see actual roses suddenly sprouting along the walls of the bathroom, becoming so thick Miranda could no longer see the walls. A vine unraveled from the others, reaching out towards Andréa, leaping towards her ankle, wrapping around her foot. Andrea looked down, gasping in pain as the thorns bit deeply into her skin.

Andrea reached down to tear away the offending vine, but it started moving again, reaching up towards Andréa's leg. It seemed intent on ravaging Andrea's delicate skin, but power of Miranda's Ardeur stopped it. Weaving like a snake, the vine lifted its thorny end and poked mindlessly at the unexpected shield around Andrea as if searching for cracks in the invisible 'wall' of the Ardeur. The smell of roses became cloying, almost 'coloring' the air. Magic rode on its scent, crackling the hair on their arms. Andrea's inky marks firmed on her skin, before moving again. One seemed to split from her skin like taffy, then another, like black ghosts released from a bottle.

One by one, more images spilled off Andrea's skin, leaving her skin pink and bare. Soon thousands shadows were circling Miranda and Andréa, surrounding them until they could no longer see beyond the black cloud. Miranda clutched Andrea protectively close in her deceptively thin arms. She could somehow sense there was magic at work, but it wasn't like anything she'd ever seen. More rose vines, with roses in full-bloom spilled across the floor, punching through the wall of inky clouds. Like aggressive ivy, roses began to bloom the inky blackness, swirling, picking up speed, a black, perfumed, tornado.

Miranda tucked Andrea's head into her shoulder, one hand cupping the back of her head, sifting through glossy brown locks while the other wrapped around Andréa's middle. Andrea's arms clutched around Miranda's body, their legs entwined, hair whipping around their heads. They were an endless tangle of white and brown. Dark and light. Yin and Yang. Where she began Andrea ended, and where Andrea began she gave way.

Instinctively, Miranda let more of her Power leak out. She knew her eyes had bled into her Animal to Call. Her fangs lengthened and her nails elongated into short claws.

Andy looked up into Miranda's eyes and saw cat-like orbs staring down at her. She wasn't scared though. Intuitively she knew that Miranda wouldn't hurt her.


****
Chapter 16

Suddenly the inky tornado was sucked up and Andy looked down to see her inky marks were now permanent-looking tattoos on her arms. Feeling Miranda give a start, she looked up stunned at their surroundings.

They were no longer in the bathroom. In fact, they were no longer at Runway! They were in some kind of... forest? Lying on the green canopied-floor and... naked? Rose bushes spread out all around them, perfuming the air. Tall trees swayed overhead and a gentle breeze caressed her skin.

"Well it appears we're no longer in Kansas anymore," Andy quipped.

"Your powers of observation are stunning." Miranda drawled, rolling her eyes. She scanned the area for any threats before looking down and realizing her own nudity and Andréa's close proximity. "I'd desperately love if the magical theatrics could desist for the moment." However, that didn't prevent her from taking her time looking over the woman's body in her arms.

Andrea's tattoos looked startling against her pale skin, but somehow they fit. They were almost tribal but not as abstract. If she wasn't mistaken, the one on her left shoulder looked like some kind of bird. There was also a serpent-like animal wrapped around Andrea's ribs, its head pointing towards her thatch of glistening brown hair, and another on her thigh, resembling a horse with wings.

Andrea's full breasts, capped by eraser-like reddish-pink nipples, were tightening before her eyes, making her mouth water. Licking her lips, Miranda took in the firm, muscled stomach decorated by the inky tattoo that laid in stark contrast to her skin and-

Oh, surprise, surprise. "A belly-ring Andrea? How original."

She smirked as she continued on, before the smirk was suddenly wiped from her face as she saw the piercing nestled in pink folds, glistening in the sunlight. Perfectly manicured brown curls cradled the glittering Safire.

Her eyes immediately found Andréa's smirking visage. "Miranda... you should know not to 'judge a book by its cover.'" She winked at Miranda rakishly, before trying to sit up.

Miranda found herself compulsively doing something she hadn't done in... a very long time. She laughed. She laughed for no other reason than to experience the simple joy of the thing.

Andy heard the musical, lusty, laugh, come from the Dragon Lady and she was captivated. Miranda's head was tilted slightly back, that silver forelock falling over her eye, laughing. Looking back, if Andy was asked at what point she fell in love with Miranda - she'd point to this moment.

Surrounded by nature, enfolded by a rose garden, birds chirping a musical chatter, sun rays leaking through the canopy of trees, the breeze caressing their skin with a laughing Miranda was a singular moment for Andy. Like a crucial note in a symphony. Miranda's laugh trickled down to a chuckle and Andy could no longer deny herself. She reached up with both hands, cupping Miranda's s face and stilled her chuckle. Her breath tickled Miranda's lips before she gently pressed her lips to Miranda's mouth. Nuzzling her nose with Miranda's, Andy gently ghosted her lips over Miranda's, once, twice, before slanting her lips to press firmly against Miranda's once again.

And just like before it was wholly intoxicating and wonderful. Andy knew with inexplicable certainty that they would consummate whatever had been happening between them, on this forest oasis floor. She lifted her head for a moment to look into Miranda's eyes, searching for some kind of... sign.

Then, with the same kind of in explicable 'knowing,' Andy summoned the roses. The rose bushes rustled, vines creeping towards them to wind their way up Andy's leg, pressing down, once again dotting her skin with blood, causing her to gasp. Another vine crept up her back to wind around her shoulder and up neck, pressing down again, before retreating, leaving dotted trails of blood behind.

All of this sent Miranda into an internal blood-frenzy. Her nose flared trying to take in the delicious scent. It was at this moment when Miranda realized that Andréa had been blessed by a fertility goddess. She'd heard the ancient stories and vaguely remembered the details. She knew that these roses and being bloodied by the magical vines was considered a blood sacrifice, and in return you were blessed by perhaps the Goddess Danu? But none of that mattered right now, the urge to take Andréa seized Miranda with vicious intensity, mixing with the blood-lust and growing desire. Her hands came up, to gently push Andréa down to the forest floor, pressed down by her own body, settling her hips over Andrea's leg.

She removed her mouth from Andréa's to dip her head down to nibble on Andréa's shoulder, laving her skin, licking up the droplets of blood. Andrea's blood tasted... exquisite. Miranda closed her eyes and moaned, eyes rolling back in reactive pleasure. Andrea's blood was magic, it was roses and cinnamon and it spread through Miranda's body like a thick, hot, toddy. Her 'dead' cells awakened, stirring, her heart beating once again after more than a millennia. Her gums ached, her incisors lengthening again. The Ardeur once again beat at its "prison" inside Miranda's body.

"Let it go Miranda - my Magic wants your Ardeur. It wants you. I want you." Andy was busy mapping out the glorious skin on display, stroking up and down Miranda's back, her strong shoulders, before moving to cup those glorious firm breasts, watching goosebumps erupt in their wake.

Miranda let go.

The smell of rain and electric storms grew tenfold, and power rumbled through the air like rolling thunder. It washed over Andy, bowing her and causing her nails to dig into Miranda's back. Andy lifted one of her legs to wrap around Miranda's thigh, opening herself, offering herself to Miranda's touch, painting Miranda's abdomen with her wetness. The smell of their hot arousal was exhilarating.

Miranda shifted to press her thigh in between Andy's, more wetness smearing along her skin. But Miranda was busy licking the trails of dotted blood up Andréa's throat, before sucking on the mark left earlier on her pulse point, her tongue and mouth hot against her throat, the sounds of Andrea's pleas like music to her ears. Miranda opened her mouth wider, one hand glided down Andréa's stomach, while the other moved around her back to once again cup her bottom, squeezing, nails digging just this side of painful.

It had been so long... so very long since she'd let herself go, let the Ardeur free. It was so achingly sweet, it almost left her breathless. But another need was becoming urgent. The need to Mark, to open, to... merge. Miranda bit down and her fangs slid into her lover's flesh like butter melting on hot-cakes. Andrea cried out from the ecstasy of the icy-hot pin-pricks of pleasure-pain. Andy's back was bowing once again as her breasts pressed into Miranda's. She rubbed her rock-hard nipples roughly against her lover's but the action only seemed to increase the pressure, giving Andy no relief.

As Miranda siphoned the blood from Andréa's body she came to the realization that no other would ever suffice from this moment on. Her hand cupped Andréa's mound, moving up a little to let her fingers slide over Andréa's pink folds, pinching her lips, smearing her arousal. Tickling her folds, glancing over Andréa impossibly hard clit that was jutting up like a quivering pink nub. She worried the pierced hood hiding the sensitive nub underneath. Andrea's cum coated her hand, fingers, making it easier to slide around, to move down to dip inside her just for a moment. Andrea's hips moved, swiveled around, searching for that pleasure-giving finger, her hole wanting to be filled, clenching, feeling empty, needing Miranda to make her cum. She'd never felt this out of control.

Andrea was gushing wet, she could feel it sliding down the crack of her ass, her smell stronger, sharper as she felt an outrageous climax looming. It was almost too much, the feeling of pleasurable pressure, like a balloon filled with endorphins, building. Miranda continued to drink from the font of life that was her Andréa. She'd never tasted anything like it - it was like their essences were mixing, while all the blood she was ingesting seemed to be pooling down between her thighs.

Andrea's own hands were busy, claiming the mounds so tantalizingly rubbing into her hands. Cupping, kneading, squeezing, the pillowy mounds, before moving onto the her areolas. Swirling around her nipples, she heard Miranda give a growlish-purr, ratcheting the tension. "Please, Miranda, I need..." Andy's fingers were now twisting, pulling, and rubbing Miranda's nipples.

Andy's head lifted from the ground to stare into Miranda's only to find Miranda suckling-almost nursing, from her pulse-point. Every pull seemed to cause her groin to clench in need.

Miranda finally slowed, retracting her fangs stained red. Feeling Andréa's eyes on her, she lifted her head. Her eyes held no iris they were a whitish-blue, glittering into Andréa's tri-colored eyes. "Shhh... I've got you," she murmured. "You are delicious, I'm not sure I'll ever get enough of you. Mmmm, you've completely soaked my fingers Andréa, perhaps I'll have you clean them later. Right now though... right now, I'm going to make you cum for me."

She crushed her lips, stained with Andréa's blood, on Andréa's mouth, once again plundering, conquering. Her fingers then slippery began swirling, jerking, rubbing, Andréa's clit, causing Andrea's hips to jerk and her mouth to rip from Miranda's as cries spilled from her throat. Miranda then shoved three fingers into Andréa's grasping hole, while her thumb continued to worry and rub her engorged clit. She lifted her mouth from Andréa's lips to stare down, to watch her fingers rub, tickle, and then plunge into Andréa's grasping channel.

"Is this what you want Andrea? Hmmm? Your arousal smells divine, I can't wait to taste directly from the source." She suddenly pulled her fingers free, despite the gasping protest from Andréa, and painted Andréa's swollen lips with her cum. She then reached down to dip the same fingers into her lover's blood before placing them in her own mouth.

It was all she could do to keep her magic beyond the Ardeur from fully unleashing. With her Marks so open there's no telling the consequences. However, she nearly teared at this taste of ambrosia, before returning her fingers to Andréa's cunt to once again plunge with three, then four, fingers inside Andréa's snug, grasping channel. Thick cum spilling around the fingers, the sound seeming impossibly loud.

Andrea mewled and moaned, her own fingers now tugging insistently on Miranda's nipples. Relentlessly twisting, squeezing, rolling, the stiff peaks, she toyed with them until the dusky peaks were red and tender, before dragging them away to hold onto Miranda's shoulders. Andy began kissing along Miranda's jawline, damp with Miranda's blood-sweat, down along her neck, before stopping to suckle hard, in response to Miranda twisting and corkscrewing her fingers in and out of Andy's cunt. Andy felt stretched, full. Miranda paused for a moment, stilling her fingers and then removing them. Andy protested with a cry, while her hips continued to churn, hoping to bring back those wonderfully long fingers. "Lie still for a moment darling," said Miranda.

Miranda shifted her body to lie fully between Andréa's, she reached down with her hand to open her own glistening lips, her large clit peaking out of the protective hood, before pressing down onto Andy's clit, "Oh- oh, goddess! Miranda!"

The pleasure tore increasingly through Andréa's body, the feel of Miranda's clit rubbing along hers, her blood-cum mixing with hers, seemed to heighten her pleasure even more. Miranda's other hand reached around to cup Andréa's tight, shapely, ass, grinding their groins, their nubs intimately mating, heightening the pleasure. Miranda could feel Andréa's piercing adding another element of pleasure to this position, rocketing her pleasure.

Andy couldn't breath, the sounds coming from her mouth were unrecognizable. She brought her mouth down to the crook in Miranda's neck and shoulder, sucking hard.

Miranda groaned, her movements languid. She wanted to draw this out as much as possible. Her hand moved to cup Andréa's breast, while they slid naughtily slid along Andréa's crack, toying with her smaller hole, tickling the crinkles. "I know you want to come, I can feel how impossibly hard your clit is. But you cannot cum yet Andréa. Don't disappoint me love. You're doing so well."

Like all vampires Miranda could move inhumanly fast, her hips began picking up speed, Andy's head no longer sucking on Miranda's neck, was now whipping back and forth, the pleasure building like a nuclear reactor. If Andréa had been human no doubt the power behind their thrusts would have hurt her, instead this pressure was exquisite, almost not enough. The blood-sweat began dripping down from Miranda's face to Andy's, smearing into Andy's skin. The diverse mixture of scents was driving both women crazy.

Andy could feel her clit pulsating rhythmically against Miranda's rock-hard clit, fluttering in anticipation of an orgasm. Her wet channel, clenching, pulsating. Then Miranda lifted up slightly to slide those long elegant fingers inside Andy's tight, gushing hole and began moving inhumanly fast inside, before hooking, pressing onto that spot that stealing her breath, Andy feeling like she was loosing all sense of reality.

Miranda appeared to have fared no better, she continued to grind her unbelievably hard and throbbing clit along Andréa's, pressing her down onto the forest floor. Her other hand came up to lock behind Andy's head, pulling her forward for another soul-stealing kiss. The Ardeur reaching out, waiting for the right moment to 'feed.'

"From this day forward Andrea, you are mine," she said, her hips churning desperately as they both stared intently into each other's eyes. "No one else can have you, your blood is now my blood... my blood is now your blood. This is my will. Do you accept?"

Andy moved her head closer to Miranda's lips, knowing that she must maintain some equality in this partnership, but also knowing that she belonged with Miranda... just like Miranda belonged with her. "Yes, but you belong to me as well Vampire," she growled, "I will be your partner, your lover, your confidante, your protector... your Mate. Do you accept me as your Mate Miranda?"

Miranda's hips jerked, causing Andy to cry out, at that word Mate. She almost wanted to say no, but she knew that it was too late. She'd already been Imprinted, they were about to share Marks with each other. No matter. She already planned on Andréa never leaving her side. The thought of Andrea experiencing anything like this with anyone else was untenable.

She stared at her marks on Andrea's neck. "Yes I do Andréa. I accept." Miranda knew that these words held significance in way they never had before. A finality.

Andrea's eyes glowed even brighter, before she brought her head down, nuzzling into Miranda's neck. Miranda felt a pin-prick, realizing that Andréa had bitten down, and was now suckling Miranda's blood. It put pressure on her clit, causing her to grind down even harder, the pleasure-pain bringing the orgasm closer.

Her clit pulsated in time with Andréa's suckling... Gods! She's never felt anything like this! This outrageous climax coming like a looming locomotive. "Andréa... now Andrea, cum now!"

Andréa pulled back in time, the orgasm, the Ardeur, Andy's magic, all coalescing into one giant magical orgasm, sending both of them screaming as a huge ray of light came from Andréa's chest, through Miranda's, beaming straight up into the sky. Had they been able to look they'd have seen a huge green dog, the one from Andy's dream appear by their side, as if protecting them.

Cum gushed, and bathed their thighs as the vines curling around both their bodies. The orgasm so intense they could only hold onto each other for the ride. It was like a power grid directly hooked up to them, was now spilling out after being blocked up. It was so powerful that as they looked into each other's eyes, screaming from their pleasure, their magical output overloaded and darkness crept in. The world faded to gray then back.

Then they knew no more.


****
Chapter 17

What they didn't know yet that the magical output was so powerful that like an earthquake any preternatural creature within a 50 mile radius was impacted. And like ripples in a pond that 50 mile radius was only the epicenter that impact spread way beyond. Those really powerful beings beyond 50 miles felt a mysterious power surge. However within that 50 mile radius, beyond the immediate Runway location, it left the stronger ones wobbly on their feet, dizzy, while the weaker ones were either forced to painfully shift or knocked unconscious.

As for the Fey, they felt the powerful Fey signature, the kind that wakened magic, that most hadn't seen within themselves in centuries. Aside from the stories about Princess Meredith's ability to reawaken power within those close to her like her Consorts and reawaken magic they long thought dead within the Mound, this was a remarkable event. They also said that she'd been blessed by powerful Goddesses and that those that sought her favor would see the return of long-thought dead or dormant Powers. They wondered if she was responsible for the magical surge.

Naturally, on the winds of nature: air, water, fire, among plants and vegetation, and blood, carried the heated discussion and revelation about this mystical power surge to the ears of those who seek to sow seeds of intrigue within the Fey Courts, or those seeking to destroy Princess Meredith, her Consorts, and her sons.

A beautiful doll-like creature with delicate wings, Sidhe features, and a regal bearing - only she stood at 5 inches, was one of the first to hear the 'murmurings.' Queen Niceven the ruler of the Demi-Fey, who also has a somewhat reluctant Alliance with Princess Meredith, sat before a mirror, when she heard the 'whispers' on the wind.

She heard of Demi-Fey falling out of the sky to the ground unconscious, she heard others who'd been carrying on their everyday lives within a land called Central Park, rolling on the ground, blissed out of their minds, eyes rolling in the back of their heads. She'd even heard of those Demi-Fey who'd left the Mound in disillusionment over the loss of their magic, their wings no longer functional but like tattoos on their back, suddenly find paper-mache like wings sprouting from their backs once again.

She suddenly stood from her chair, directing her advisors to find Darius, the Princesses' son. She sincerely hoped that the Queen wouldn't summon her before she had a chance to talk to Prince Darius, because she suspected that she wasn't the only one to hear those 'whispers.'


****

Barinthius and Rhys had been sitting in a restaurant when it seemed as if something shoved them back' into their chairs, pressing down on their chests, knocking the air right out of them. Tingling followed and the pressure grew so much that they feared they'd loose consciousness. Then suddenly it was gone, but like blood rushing back into a limb that went to sleep, they continued to feel those tingles.

Looking in stunned surprise at each other, "What the Hades was that?!"

Barinthius only looked at Rhys with a grim expression, "I think we better call Princess Merry and Doyle. They may need to be here sooner rather than later."

Rhys was stunned. "Wait! You don't think that it was...Andrea?"

Barinthius only signaled for the check, "What do you think Rhys?! Do you forget who she comes from? We had no idea of Merry's power until it manifested itself much later in her life - almost the same age is Andrea. Think of her genealogy."

Rhys paled before nodding and pulling out his cell phone.

"No not here. And certainly not by phone. We'll need to move fast on this and we'll need to be discreet. Chances are that we weren't the only Sidhe or Fey creatures who felt that blast. Which means it'll be reaching the ears of either Queen Andais or King Taranis very soon." Leaving money on the table for the bill, they stood up, and headed out the door.

"We need to make contact with Andréa tonight. We'll go by her home tonight and wait to speak with her then -"

"You don't think that's creepy? Us waiting in the corridor like some kind of stalker? Why don't we wait for her to leave work and then initiate contact then?"

Barinthius just looked at him. "Perhaps you are right. We'll go wait for her at... Runway?"

They got into the car waiting for them, giving instructions to take them to Runway. Rhys took out a compact mirror to call on Princess Merry and Doyle.

He waved his hand over the mirror and they waited.

***

A green face appeared in the mirror, "Hey guys, how goes the Big Apple?"

"Greetings Galen. I'm sorry but I don't have time for pleasantries but I must speak with both Doyle and the Princess at once." Barinthius requested urgently.

Galen frowned in concern, "Sure, let me go them. They're in the other room." And he disappeared from the mirror.

After a few moments, an Ebony-colored man appeared and behind him a woman with blood-red hair and moonlit skin, "What's wrong?"

"Are you guys all right?" Princess Merry looked immediately concerned.

"We are fine Princess Merry. But I believe that we have a Story to tell you because events have quickly progressed to a noticeable level." This last part was directed at Doyle.

She frowned, staring between Barinthius and Doyle, "What is it? What's going on? It's not Andais is it? Or Taranis?"

"Please Princess, it will be a great deal to 'take in.' Perhaps Doyle should tell you the first part." She looked at Doyle impatiently.

"We did not inform you of our suspicions until we could confirm it. But we believe that along with your sons, you had born a third child. A girl. And her name is Andrea."

"What?!!!" her moonlit skin somehow managed to pale further as she brought an elegant hand up to her mouth. "I don't understand. I think I'd fucking know if I'd had triplets -" an ebony hand came up to comfort her, while Galen brought a chair for Merry to sit in.

"Merry we all know how the magic of the Mound and those who conspire against us can find a way to make trouble." Doyle then returned his focus to Barinthius and Rhys. "Are you sure? This is no small thing to be... uncertain of because of the implications."

"Of course, Darkness. We've already spoken to the Brownie-"

"Brownie?! Why would a Brownie be involved?" Merry was almost overwhelmed with these revelations.

"The Brownie's name is Morwen. She was charged upon her Death by your Grandmother to look after the child. Apparently she felt strongly that to remain... near you would have endangered her life." It was clear though that Merry needed more information and a few moments to digest everything.

"That's ridiculous! Why would Grannie arrange to steal away my child?! I don't believe it!" Merry was stunned.

"Apparently this girl has something to do with a Prophesy. We should be receiving more information about the Prophesy very soon. In the meantime, let us find Morwen to gain more information. But you should be prepared to fend off any 'fishing' by her Majesty because chances are we are not the only ones to of felt that magic. Tell me did you not feel something?" Barinthius tilted his head in anticipation of the answer.

"Magic?! What are you talking about?" Merry had to consciously close her mouth which had gaped open like a fish at this point.

"If my intuition proves correct, your Daughter participated in a Mystical Joining the kind only told in legend. It was powerful enough to cause Rhys and myself to almost loose consciousness." Doyle and Merry saw Rhys nodding in confirmation behind Barinthius.


****

Merry was stunned once again, she began rubbing her forehead in weariness; will this constant intrigue never end?! Of course she felt something, but she assumed it came from one of her Consorts or Taranis "feeling out" her thoughts for weaknesses. But a daughter?! She then thought back to all those years ago when she realized she was pregnant - the vision she had following the loss of Frost one the Fathers. Creation magic is some of the most powerful magic on earth, but it is unpredictable. On that night which seemed so long ago, it appeared as if the world had been holding its breath for a long time then suddenly let out a great sigh. Magic older than anything she'd ever known exploded all around them.

On the estate of Maeve Reed an exiled Seelie, the very air became 'colored' with magic, you could practically taste it. In attendance that night was the Demi-Fey looking like a cloud of brilliantly colored butterflies. Followed by various Fey who sought sanctuary from the Queen and her now deceased son Prince Cel were the fearsome 8 foot Red Caps, the half-Goblin-half-Unseelie Twins: Ash and Holly, and other Unseelie men who'd been former members of the Queen's Ravens (personal guard). And of course there were her Consorts. All whom watched as the wild magic whipped around them like a joyous symphony of magical notes.

The magic had manifested itself into Fey Dogs that had long thought be extinct - as goes the magic, so goes the heart of Fey magic. Dogs ranging from the size of small ponies to small terriers such as her twin terriers: Mungo and Minnie, and each dog went to its Master. But the next manifestation was a black, pony-sized, Kelpie. They were hunted to extinction in Europe. They either lurked in water waiting for prey to get close before dragging them down or gallop like a pony on land. The kelpie was one of Doyle's dogs.

As the world exploded around them, disorienting them, it was only the touch of their dogs that kept them grounded. All except for Frost, who had no dog. It was during this phase that he was found laying still. The world really does function around the principle of yin and yang, a balance, and the magic of the Fey was no different.

So as the Creation Magic created it also must have its sacrifice. Frost played that role. But as with all things magic even this too was unpredictable. As Frost's pulse slowed, one of the dogs broke away from Doyle and began to change shape as it headed over towards Frost. By the time it arrived, it was the size of a horse, green sweeping away the black fur, with huge yellow-green eyes. The Cu Sith or "Hound of the Sidhe." It licked across Frost's face and then he was transformed into a Stag. But it was during this phase that she had the vision of her pregnancy.

Ghost-like apparitions of children hovered around her... but Merry's eyes widened as she remembered that vision. There was a very faint outline of a third child, she suddenly remembered it reaching its hand out towards...NO! Holly?! And someone else, but she couldn't remember! How could she have forgotten her child! She could feel the guilt and anguish building inside her like a flowing river.

****

Merry consciously returned to the present crisis. She turned back towards Barinthius and Rhys. "Doyle, Galen, get everyone ready, we're going to New York! Barinthius and Rhys it is important that you gather as much information as possible and keep me abreast of everything. In the meantime, prepare for our arrival - I'll call you with the flight details."

She turned around to head out towards the garden, she would need to gather all her mental resources ... she felt a wave of tenderness and wonder, her daughter!


***
Chapter 18

Bartolomew walked faster than even the human eye can see along the marble corridors. He had important news coming from an underling in New York. He came to a set of doors, he could hear the ever-present groans coming from the other side. He rolled his eyes in irritation. He certainly hoped that Belle Morte didn't expect him to participate. He preferred to 'feed' the old-fashioned way.

He opened the door, immediately assaulted by blood, sweat, and other odors - not all appealing. He scanned the room, looking for his Master. She sat perched in contentment watching over the orgy, the lust feeding the Ardeur and from the source Belle Morte.

"Bon Soir, Bartolomew! 'ave you come to join us?" her eyes remained closed, their beautiful golden fire hidden.

"Greetings Master. Non, Madamoiselle. I have news. From New York." He bent to kiss her ring, and he felt her hand slide into his hair, teasing the curls.

But he felt her shift into awareness at the mention of New York. "Really? Do tell ma petite."

"It is believed that the Daywalker may have Mated, shared her Marks." The hand stilled in surprise.

"Truly?"

"It is believed that the 'Joining" was felt by every vampire within a hundred miles, perhaps more."

He could feel through their link a stunned surprise before she immediately slammed down her shields, shutting him out. "Bring Padma 'ere. We must make arrangements."

As she watched him leave, she wondered, what have you done Daywalker and who is your... love? Because she had felt... something, like a sudden itch along her mystical lines, the Joining must be powerful indeed. This is unacceptable! How does that saying go? If she cannot have her, no one can.

****
Padma had always been clever or so he thought. Even throughout his life, he had been a man of opportunity and so during his undead life he continued on with this trend. However, Irritants like Jean-Claude or Asher occasionally thwarted his efforts to gain Power. Daywalker was a different story.

While yes, he'd see both Jean-Claude and Asher dead, but not before he made them choke on his cock. He smiled sinisterly at the thought of both men impotent and at his mercy. There was nothing more... delicious than unwilling, suddenly powerless, Master Vampire enemies - well except maybe for that "firecracker" Werewolf Sylvie and her pathetic Ulfric: Richard. But he had 'plans' for them too: one that he intended to change to power dynamics of St. Louis, even the "New World" forever. Obviously, with him as the Master of said domain.

However it was the Daywalker that he reserved a special place of hatred in his cold, dead, heart. She'd made a fool of him one too many times, but her time was coming to an end. He just received information that she has developed a rather... strong interest in someone, possibly a Consort. Sharing Marks with Daywalker's paramour would not only enrage her, but also cause her extreme agony, particularly once he killed this paramour. Although, keeping her around for his own unique... pleasures, while making Daywalker watch, might be even more thrilling. Especially once he disposed of yet another female Werewolf - Emily.

Emily, he thought in disgust. A woman as an Ulfric! Have the Americans no shame! Well since all Animals are his to Call, he also had plans for his little red-headed Werewolf as well. He was still smarting from her attack at the Council meeting. He planned to humiliate her before her Pack as an example, then he would kill her.


****

Since Padma had never been an inventive or ingenious man, his thoughts of "world domination" and vengeance were rather unoriginal. Killing a loved one of his enemies was about the limit of his abilities against Miranda. Little did he know that several powerful entities were vying for the ability to wreck havoc on Miranda's life, entities that might in fact, put his undead life in jeopardy. But Padma throughout the ages, while fiendishly clever enough to stay "alive" this long and powerful enough to start his own Line/Kiss, he wasn't nearly as smart as he imagined himself to be - which will guarantee him another painful, if not fatal lesson in knowing one's limits.

However, Padma is nothing if not consistent, much to the dismay of his own Lieutenants.
Padma's second; Captain Thomas Carswell stood near his Master's desk, stifling a great sigh of annoyance because he suspects that his Master was about to embark on a journey of madness, yet again. The one bright spot is that he hopes Padma's plan would see his own demise as well.

He's lived long enough and more importantly he lived for a Master he didn't respect, while doing unspeakable things he'd never imagined doing. He despises Padma and worse his Master knows this and this realization provides Padma a constant source of amusement. Thomas believed in honor, dignity, respect, and integrity - everything his Master was not. But he was linked to Padma through the Kiss and even if he wanted to disobey an order, Padma could mentally induce to him carry out whatever heinous act he desired. And so his hatred seethes and his own self-disgust continues wreck havoc on his daily life.

"Thomas, pack a bag, it's time to take a bite out of the Big Apple." Padma cackled at his word choice, a slight hint of his Indian ancestry within his accent hidden by the clipped notes of British imperialism. Thomas merely rolled his eyes.

"Master, are we packing for pleasure or for trouble?" It would be left up to him to make all the preparations, seek answers, because he knew that Padma would offer little in the way of real planning.

Thomas watched warily as Padma smugly smiled, "Oh Thomas, trouble? No, this is about my ascension to my rightful place." His smile widened, "Prepare accordingly."

Well as vagueness goes - that was pretty vague, but the immediate feeling of trepidation grew exponentially.


****
Chapter 19

Jean-Claude woke from his Sleep - like most undead when the sun rose he fell into a Sleep that turned him corpse-like. It was considerably unsettling for Anita, but she's learned to live with it. Presently, if his heart could beat frantically he imagined that at this moment it would. He ran his hand through his long black hair, before swinging his legs out of his bed. Daywalker! He'll have to ask if Asher felt it. He wondered who or what the other... energy was? His bedroom door opened and none other than Asher walked through. That gleaming, long, golden hair, falling down one side of his face to hide his acid burns, while the rest spilled like a golden waterfall down his back.

"You felt it too, didn't you?" he asked.

"Oui. Which means mon ami, that if we felt it the Council will know about it." He thought that getting Daywalker here sooner rather than the scheduled two weeks from now would be crucial.

Asher nodded, "I felt Mademoiselle Priestly, but there was something else... something powerful" his eyes widened as if he was having a revelation. "I cannot be certain, but I think our Daywalker... shared Marks-mayhap even a Joining."

"We can only hope we have chance to talk with Mademoiselle Priestly before the trouble I sense reaches upon our shores." Jean-Claude ignored the human compulsion to pull his hair in frustration.

"Contact Anita and Richard and have them meet me at the club soon. For now I must go feed." He gracefully and effortlessly stood up, gliding towards the door.

"Coming?" he held out his hand for Asher to take. He sincerely hoped they were all prepared for the inevitable trouble heading their way. Little did he know just how much things were about to change.

*****

Later that day, Anita walked into the club, looking for Jean-Claude but he was already on-stage, "milking" the crowd with his voice. He was 'feeding' his Ardeur, feeding through the emotions of lust wafting through the room. Whipping their lust, awakening Anita's own version of the Ardeur.

Near the far-side of the stage stands Richard, shirtless, in jeans, warm brown curls resting against his forehead and trickling down his back, standing next to his bodyguards; Jamal and Shang-da. She wasn't in the particular mood to deal with Richard's brooding, self-defeating aura, today.

A short, blonde, vampire-version of Jason glided up to Anita, "Greetings toots. JC did mention you'd be dropping by. You wouldn't happen to need a gay stand-in for what ails ya, would you?" he asked cheekily.

"Byron, not only am I not interested, but that one... moment, while pleasant, was just that: a moment. I'd say don't let it go to your head, but I can see that's too late." She shifted her glance towards the stage again, "How long has he been up there?"

"About a half hour or so. He shouldn't be too much longer. So how are you?" He "guided" (because no one really guided Anita anywhere) her over to her table near Jean-Claude's office and the stage.

She settled in her seat, before starting to fidget... she could feel something in the air. Something that started last night, like a... burp in an energy field and she suspects that's why Jean-Claude requested her presence tonight even though it was Micah's night.

She sighed. The problem with balancing multiple lovers is that oftentimes the scheduled-appointments are sacrificed. Given that she had very little time to spare, this often requires her soothing ruffled feathers. Although she knew she wouldn't be nearly as charitable as her lovers.

She watched as Nathaniel glided across the room to chat up Gregory - another of her Were-Leopards, while Claudia her Were-Rat bodyguard (insisted by Jean-Claude and Micah) stood with her huge muscular arms crossed, holding up the wall, at a discreet distance away from Anita.

Anita comfortingly pats her Browning Hi-Power in her custom-made shoulder holster and her Firestar which she tended to do when she was feeling uneasy. She figured when weird stuff was happening sticking to her motto of "shoot first, ask questions later" would do her in good stead. Although she really wished just for a short period of time she could have some semblance of normalcy and contentment.

Suddenly she felt a presence at her side and realized Asher had appeared, "Greetings Anita. Jean-Claude wishes to thank you for coming, he realizes that you had other plans tonight. But it was urgent."

He effortlessly sat in the chair next to Anita, he swept his long blonde hair to side to lean over to kiss Anita's cheek, "How are you ma petite? I see that you've made significant progress on controlling your Ardeur."

"Well there's 'controlling', then there's controlling. As long as I feed it before it feeds on me and barring any mystical mumbo-jumbo, I do ok. So now that we've got that out of the way you gonna tell me what's going on?" Asher was so beautiful regardless of his scars. She was glad to see that he finally felt comfortable enough around her that he no longer did the sullen- bitterness that seemed to pervade his aura.

"I cannot go into detail ma petite, but there was a bit of a... magical release last night. Did you not feel it?" he asked.

Anita thought about the feeling of growing uneasiness that began last night... that itch or almost like a knock on her metaphysical shields. For a moment she thought she was getting a visit from either Marmee Noir or Belle Morte. But then it died down.

"Well, I might have felt something but I thought it was the usual visit from one of my metaphysical "buddies"." She sighed and ran her fingers through her curly dark-brown hair. "So if it wasn't them then do you know who or what it was?"

"We will have to wait for Jean-Claude to provide the details. In the meantime, you should understand that it could impact all of us. It will behoove us to act quickly."

"Well when you say it like that I'm not sure I want to wait for Jean-Claude and shouldn't we be includin' the others - I mean if you say it's another the-world-might-end crap then it seems like just a couple people should know." Anita was growing annoyed because she hated when Jean-Claude decided to share information with her only when he was good n' ready.

While she was aware that it might have more to do with her Type A personality, she was also aware that when he was slow on giving up the info, it usually meant it had something to do with the Council. This often led to someone dying or lots of blood and mayhem which consequently spelled "vampire fun" for the Council. Well her friend and fellow "Monster-Hunter" Edward has some new equipment he wants her to try out, so she might have to give him a call. Although Edward usually can 'scent' the winds of trouble before she even picked up the phone to call him for back-up and as humans go there wasn't anyone more you wanted to have your back in a dangerous situation.

"Ma petite, merci beaucoup for coming to meet me, I'm well aware of your "Date-Night" with Monsieur Micah -," Jean-Claude as usual glidin' in without barely a ripple.

"Hi sweetie," she leaned up to kiss him fully on the mouth, " Now that we've got a couple of the pleasantries out of the way, you mind tellin' me what the hell is goin' on." She impatiently asked - patience was never her strong suit.

"Oui, Anita," Uh-0h, it's never good when he calls her by her name, "I know through our shared Marks, that you felt a bit of a magical surge against your shields. We all did. However what makes it worse is that it appears to have Daywalker's signature. Like a musical not left hanging in the air, you know what kind of genre and the artist - it is the same for a magical build-up."

Anita looked perplexed for a moment before it dawned on her. "Oh, the Council's not gonna like that huh?"

"I'm afraid it is more than that. For us to have felt this kind of... joining whomever she was involved -," Jean-Claude can be so polite, "with had to have been very powerful in her own right. In fact, it is a power that could shake the very foundations of the Council as we know it."

"Shit! That's not good. Talk about bringing the heat, if that Machiavellian-Belle Morte knows - and it seems like she would, then she just might declare all-out war, wouldn't she?"

"More than you realize ma petite, more than you realize." answered Jean-Claude.

Christ! She'll have to call Edward for back-up after all.


****
Chapter 20

Miranda shifted, rumbling in her throat, something was... teasing her into wakefulness. She started to lift her eyelids but they felt heavy, like she'd been drugged. With this realization came the knowledge that she was lying on something warm. So warm it was heating up her normally cool undead body. Then the 'warmthness' moved and followed by a groan, directly near her ear. Needless to say she was startled because it was at this moment she realized that she was lying on a body. Once again, she tried to peel open her eyes, a bright artificial light pierced her eyes, making her lids blink rapidly, but not before she noticed the tousled brown hair.

She forced her eyes to stay open this time, taking the startling image of Andrea Sachs. She took a quick perusal to gain some understanding of the situation - it was then that she noticed they were both naked. Her eyes involuntarily widened, then closed briefly to trying to remember what the hell was going on. It was clear that they'd just been intimate... she looked down. Very intimate. But how, why, and here on the bathroom floor?! Miranda began to feel appalled.

Hands moving down her lower back towards her ass opened her eyes quickly and then falling right into the beautiful tri-colored, lidded gaze of Andrea. She suddenly became self-aware; one - not only was she was lying naked on Andrea, but two - they smelled (she sniffed the air) like sex, blood, and other fluids, and three - they were in the Runway bathroom.

So caught up in this increasingly mortifying scene that she didn't notice that she was rocking her hips into Andrea's. Hearing a whimper from Andrea, she realized her... movements and immediately stilled, then she attempted to extract herself from the admittedly tantalizing warmth of Andrea. At the same time she was desperately trying to remember what happened.

"And-," she cleared her very dry and sore? throat. "Andréa, what is going on? And you will have to let me up. In case it has escaped your observation we're in the bathroom at Runway. Naked." She lifted her hand to run her fingers through her own tousled silvery mane, while the other hand attempted to push herself from Andrea's body.

Andy noticing her own dry and sore throat - almost as if she'd been screaming for a long time at a sporting event. "Miranda, I don't know if YOU'VE noticed but -" she coughed a little of the dryness away, "but I seem to be in the same predicament as you."

Andy could feel her own mortification stealing over her - she was naked, in a Runway bathroom, on the floor, with... Miranda. Saying boss seemed... weird. Andy watched as Miranda attempted to lift up off of her. The feeling of loss as Miranda's skin peeled from hers was... strong, even aching. She didn't want to let her go, but she understood that not only was it untimely, but it was inappropriate - someone could come in here any moment.

That didn't mean the feel of Miranda's delicious skin didn't stoke her desire or that their nipples momentarily dragging against each other's skin was provoking. She also began to notice her other bodily parts. Her nipples felt sore and swollen - but not nearly as swollen as between her legs. She also noticed a stinging sensation running along her legs and around her hips. Her legs felt swollen as well, she looked at Miranda's and hers were plump and pink. Like they'd been enthusiastically nibbled and sucked on. Aside from the unusual stinging along her legs and hips, Andréa felt... well fucked.

Their sweaty skin seemed merged together, Miranda thought. She continued to run an internal check over her body, noticing the stickiness between her thighs, the stinging of... scratches on her back and... what felt like scratches along the side of her torso and legs?

Miranda pushed up to sit back on her heels, thighs splayed open to accommodate Andréa's body. She looked down at herself before an involuntary gasp left her mouth, pointing at her stomach, "What is that?!!!"

Andrea ... wow! She could feel her pulse quickening and she licked her suddenly dry lips - which Miranda zeroed in on with narrowed icy-blue eyes. Miranda was the most enticing person she'd ever met. And she was all hers! She remembers everything that's happened, for some reason... the feeling of contentment and pure decadence she was feeling right now, sat... just fine with her. She wanted to stretch like a lion in the sun after eating. Obviously for Miranda it didn't.

But she had plans to help her along. "Miranda I didn't know you were into tattoos."

Miranda gritted her teeth, her hands clenched around her thighs while she glared at Andréa. "I am not, in fact, as of --"She looked at the clock on the wall, "as of three hours ago, not a single tattoo adorned this body."

She could feel a growing sense of desire, contentment... and another startling revelation -they weren't just her emotions, they were also Andréa's. She looked down at Andréa, splayed between her own thighs, taking in the gorgeous creamy skin, interspersed with black tribal tattoos that appeared to be in the shape of various animals. However, along her long, shapely. legs, were rose vines similar to the tattoos that decorated her own body.

She looked down at her own newly acquired tattoo that ran along her stomach, disappearing around her back; beautifully detailed, exquisitely crafted with brilliant blood-red colored petals and grass- green rose vines. As for the emotional connection she now shared with Andréa it could only mean one thing. The one thing she spent all her undead life avoiding: they and shared Marks and were Mated!

She turned her eyes back onto Andréa's beautiful tri-colored gaze, they watched each other steadily, as Andréa propped herself up onto her elbows, her beautiful hair spilling along the floor. Miranda felt like she should be feeling... more trepidation or anger, but any hint of those feelings gave way to something else. The feeling filling her up like water being poured into a cup - this feeling of... intense satisfaction.

She closed her eyes again and suddenly remembered something huge happening when they orgasmed together, almost like a magical output. Whatever it was it was powerful enough to knock both Andréa and herself completely out. She remembered some kind of... light coming from Andréa's chest at that moment. She opened her eyes as she felt Andréa's hand caress her thigh.

"Are you all right? Miranda as much as I'd dearly love to stay and curl myself around you," She began to waggle her eyebrows a bit, "perhaps even a continuation of our recent activities. Nothing like getting to know your partner than skin-to-skin contact." Andy sat up even more, putting her closer to Miranda.

"But we're on the bathroom floor at Runway and I can sense Emily, Nigel, and even Serena outside. Strangely I thought there seems to be... little movement." She frowned, sliding her palms up Miranda's smooth thighs, not in a sexual way, more of a soothing method. However, Miranda felt anything but soothed right now.

"Your powers of observation are astounding me yet again Andréa. But unless you can locate our clothes which I am almost positive we were wearing when we began this... journey, then you really are magical." She shifted away to stand up and found that her legs were somewhat rubbery.

Andrea reached up to steady her, discreetly inhaling the scent: sweat, blood, cum, - delicious. "Miranda what are we going to do?" she began to stand up as well, "I mean something happened between us, you can no longer ignore it."

Since she wasn't nearly as graceful as Miranda she almost stumbled standing up, if not for Miranda reaching out to hold her arm she might have fallen on her ass for sure.

"I'm well aware that things have changed Andréa. I am under no illusions that we have a bit of a situation - however right now there are more pressing things to deal with." she turned around to head towards the door.

Andy was watching the tight ass and back muscles shifting as she walked before she realized where she was headed, "You are most certainly aren't going out there dressed like that!"

Miranda stopped with her hand on the door before sending Andy an amused glance, "Can't you sense it? Can't you sense that all is quiet and still outside this door? We need clothes and we need help because if the magical output we exchanged is any indication this may have lasting effects and we need to be prepared." She started opening the door, "and staying in here naked with no phone, will not solve anything."

She opened the door and nearly staggered. The residual magic was floating in the air like a pollen-dusting. Even the smell, almost like the smell of ozone on a hot pollution-free day, with a hint of... roses and rain still lingered. She stuck her head out further, noticing Emily on the floor, while Nigel was slumped against Emily's desk looking almost dead. She continued her perusal of the room before noticing that apparently Serena must have just come through the door because she too was laid out in front of it. And from the looks of both Serena and Emily, something - most likely Andréa, caused them to partially shift before they were knocked unconscious.

Suddenly she felt the warm press of Andréa's body behind her, "What's going on, why is it so quiet?"

"Apparently, our "little" magical light-show was felt quite strongly. Let's hope it didn't extend beyond these doors." Miranda thought about the repercussions of this possibility with the Council making things difficult.

Then Andréa opened the door wider to step around Miranda, "What are you doing?! Get back-"

"While I definitely feel uncomfortable about flashing the Runway staff, we need clothes and I know you have an outfit or two in your office. THEN we can wake them up." As she continued on towards Miranda's office she briefly paused to look coyly over her shoulder at Miranda, "Besides us Fey don't have as many hang-ups around nudity that most others do." She winked before stepping around Emily's prone form to continue on.

Miranda sighed exasperated, following Andréa, "I certainly do not have hang-ups around nudity. In case it's escaped your notice I'm surrounded by nude models all day long. Of course being nude myself is not... an ideal situation" she finished dryly.

Once she reached her office, she paused for a moment to take in Andréa's glorious form while she looked out of the window, "Ah... Miranda, you should come see this." She was pointing out the window.

Miranda grabbed clothes from her closet then headed over towards the window next to Andréa. She sharply inhaled as her eyes widened in stupefication at the sight outside her window, "Bloody hell! Well it appears that our... joining was quite potent." She quickly started to get dressed.

"Pick something quickly, then wake them." she pointed towards the reception area, "I need to call my daughters and make sure they're all right." She turned towards her desk to reach for the phone while rubbing her forehead.

She and Andréa might as well of sent a target beacon to any and all enemies. Of course Miranda was mindful that most of these enemies were hers. Feeling a hand gently grasp her shoulder, she turned towards Andréa, "It's going to be all right Miranda. Clearly whatever happened between us was fated."

She continued on despite the eye-roll from Miranda, "Everything will work out - we'll deal with whatever happens. It may not be pleasant or nice, but I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather take on the world with"

"Well Andréa while I can appreciate your... optimism, there are things in play that will change our lives and those whom you hold close to your heart forever." Miranda experiencing something she hadn't felt in centuries - reticence. Even a faint feeling of... tenderness as she took in the woman staring so intently into her eyes.

"Are you sure this is what you want? Because once you've acquiesce," she stepped closer to Andréa, "I'll never let you go."

Andy just smiled and slid her hands up Miranda's unbuttoned shirt before clasping them around her neck. Damn, she was so sexy! "What if I had plans on never letting you go. Do even know what you put me though these past few weeks, because of what you tried to deny?! I think I've gone through five vibrators alone." She watched Miranda's mouth curl into the tiniest of grins before leaning to press her lips against hers, coaxing her lips open before gently searching inside Miranda's mouth.

She pulled back, softly kissing Miranda's lips and nuzzling her nose against Miranda's, her fingers sliding through silky, white hair, while Miranda's hands caressed Andy's lower back. "While we were... indisposed earlier, a goddess visited me, you were or are a part of my destiny from the moment I laid eyes on you in that hotel lobby." She gently kissed Miranda again, "Maybe even longer than that."

"Very well Andréa. You've sealed your fate to mine, go wake the troops and have them meet me here immediately. And later you will tell me more about this Goddess." Andrea beamed even as Miranda affectionately rolled her eyes. Andy stood back from to finish dressing and then started to head out towards the reception area.

Sure thing love. Um, I'm starving, and since you're in essence my Wife, I'm sure you don't want me to die from hunger." she snickered over that little announcement, while Miranda let out a snort in exasperation. "So can we order something?"


****
Chapter 21

Emily felt a tickling around her nose. She unconsciously attempted to swat whatever it was away. But it didn't go away. In growing annoyance she began to gain consciousness, her vision remained unusually blurry, and the headache that must have been waiting on stand-by suddenly became incessantly strong. She lifted her hand and almost scratched herself silly when she realized that she'd partially shifted.

She concentrated for a moment, watching the skin sweep away the fur, the nails and hands shorten into their elegant, human length. Blinking furiously the clarity allowed her to notice Andy standing in front of her.

"Bloody hell you stupid bint! What did you do to me?!" she looked around, aghast at seeing both Nigel and Serena on the floor. "What the fuck did you do to them?! Oh my God, where's Miranda?! If you've done anything to harm her -"

"Cool your jets British Knights! Miranda is in her office making calls. As for harming her?" she was amused because Emily rarely allowed herself to look anything less than together even when she was channeling a harpy. But her clothes looked rumpled, one of her heels were broken, and total 'bed-head', weren't exactly a "cute" match to the rest of her outfit.

"Come on, Miranda wants to see everyone in her office so help me wake these other two. If you need to go to the bathroom-," she was cut off from a very anxious Emily.

"Absolutely not! The last time anyone was in there I everyone was knocked unconscious. It is the epicenter of this utter disaster!" Andy desperately tried not to laugh as Emily tried to walk in those broken heels while trying to look indignant - but in that British way.


****

Andy was kneeling down by Nigel. She'd never seen a vampire sleep even though he wasn't technically asleep. Right? With no respiration or chest moving he appeared almost... dead. But then some would say he is dead. She thought back to Miranda when she was staring down at Andy in the throes of passion. Vampire... biology may be different but she couldn't think of anyone more alive than Miranda.

She focused on Nigel and put her hand on his shoulder. Then she gently fixed his glasses that were sitting askew on his nose. A hand suddenly came up and gripped her wrist tightly. She raised startled eyes to Nigel's - which were suddenly opened.

"What have you done to Miranda?" his voice was a sinister whisper and his grip tightened. Andy knew she'd have bruises later (although little did she know that the extra "juice" blessed upon by the Goddess will more than likely take care of any bruising).

"Nigel really?! Miranda is fine. She's in her office on the phone." Nigel stared at her for a few more moments before finally letting go.

Andy refused to rub her wrist even though it was aching slightly, "A lot has... happened, but she's fine. She needs everyone in her office. And Nigel I'd prefer it if I never get another bruise from you." She stood up and started to head back to office before hearing the reception phone ringing.

She looked over to Emily reviving a groggy Serena, before picking up the phone, "Miranda Priestley's office how I may help you?"

A cultured male voice on the phone answered, "May I speak with Andréa Sachs please?"

"This is Andy Sachs. Who is calling?" Andy frowned, trying to place the voice - she never gets calls at Runway from people she doesn't know.

"My name is Rhys, we were scheduled to meet up sometime this week but I'm hoping you would have a little time today." Andy was pleasantly surprised, but also disappointed because she couldn't think of a worse day to meet Rhys. Maybe she could meet up with him tomorrow.

"Oh Rhys! Yes, I'd love to meet with you but I'm dealing with a bit of an emergency here and I'm not sure when I'll be available. Perhaps-"

"I'm sorry Andy, but it is very urgent that I meet with you." He paused and gave what sounded like a deep inhalation, "It is about your heritage."

Silence met the other end of his phone, "Ok, is there a number where I can reach you? I have to deal with a few things here and I'll call you back when I've got some time to meet." This seemed to be a day of huge revelations. "Can you tell me anything now?"

"I am sorry, but I think it is better to talk in-person. Suffice to say that it's about your lineage, your Sidhe lineage. You do know what that is correct?"

Andy had to take a couple seconds to collect herself, "Y- yes, I know what a Sidhe means. I'll call you back as soon as I can, ok?" She wrote down his phone number and just stood for a moment in shock.

The Fey were a diverse species: from Goblins or Red Caps to Demi-Fey or Brownies, but it was the Sidhe that ruled in either the Unseelie or Seelie Courts.

She had to tell Miranda as soon as possible because it might have something to do with their Joining. She turned around and found Serena standing in front of her, staring at her, and looking a bit worse for wear. The look she was sending Andy was not friendly. Andy felt her hackles rise in response, even though they really couldn't afford any distractions right now.

"Serena, I can see you're fine, a little un-tucked but fine. Is there something I can help you with?" she was about to continue on before she heard a low-base growl erupting from Serena's throat. A wave of... menace and power reached Andy's consciousness causing her magic to waken.

Suddenly she watched as Serena's eyes widen right before she leaned in faster than Andy could stop her, and began sniffing around her neck - actually around Miranda's Mark. Her arms instinctively came up to grip Serena's, effortlessly jerking her away. Andy released a growl of her own, her eyes felt hot and glowing, and the smell of roses began to drift into the air.

However Miranda's voice suddenly interrupted their stand-off. "Am I interrupting something? Please save the posturing for later. Emily I need you to cancel all my appointments today. Also call The Palms and have them deliver food to the house and call the "Bank" to have some blood delivered as well. Now, call for the car. You'll all be joining me at the townhouse. This fall-out will need to be dealt with immediately." With that said, she returned to her phone calls.

Even though Miranda knew that they really couldn't afford for further distractions she was also wise enough to know that if Andréa was to truly be her Mate and Consort she needed to start understanding her place as her Mate, which meant dealing with Miranda's minions on her own. It was all about Power, Andréa will have to understand and manipulate that concept the fullest advantage -- especially since Miranda's plotting enemies were powerful in their own right.

To that end within the privacy of their relationship, outside of Runway, this power dynamic would be interchangeable, between the role of Alpha and Submissive. Andrea would have to learn those rules as well, since Andrea will function as the Dominant to Miranda's Subordinates. This is easier said than done because one cannot 'learn' how to be Dominant it is an innate ability, and she'll when dealing with Dominants like Nigel and will have to dance a fine line on how to... govern. Andréa will have to learn all of this quickly - apparently that starts now.


****
Chapter 22

Andrea's eyes never left Serena's. She knew that Serena was concerned about Miranda, it was the only thing that prevented her from escalating this moment. Well that, and Miranda. Instinctively, she knew that she needed to show that she was no push-over. With that realization she let a little of her power leak out to wash over Serena's, watching her stumble back a bit, pushing back the heat of Serena's power like an icy-hot wave.

"Let me be very clear Serena. I would never hurt Miranda and what happened today was about something much bigger than you, even bigger than Runway, so whatever's got your panties in a twist, I'm not the person to whose leg you wanna piss on." She let that sink in for a moment before she continued on.

"I know you care about Miranda but... this was fated. I know that doesn't make sense, but nothing in the world will keep me from her side. If you could understand what we experienced together earlier... it-," she swallowed a sudden lump, "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Miranda will need you Serena, this is not the time for bullshit." She paused again, pulling in her magic. "Cool?"

Serena bowed her head, breathing a bit heavy, "Fine, but all this had better have a good explanation." She started to turn towards Miranda's office, "Andy you're good people and I'm happy that Miranda has Mated. If it had to be anyone, you're not a bad choice."

She continued on into Miranda's office but not before stopping to leisurely look Andy up and down, "And besides, perhaps Miranda will be kind enough to... share occasionally." She disappeared inside before Andy could respond.

The others were already inside, so Andy hurried over - after all she knew how much Miranda hated to be kept waiting.


****


Later they were all piled into Miranda's car, heading towards her townhouse, she sat next to Miranda, with Emily on the other side of Andy. Nigel and Serena were following behind in another car. The atmosphere was a bit tense as they took in the mounting evidence of their magical explosion. They saw humans helping people off the ground as they drove past. They knew they were humans because they could sense little magic or preternatural energy emanating from them. As opposed to the people they were helping off the ground, whom they could sense were preternatural.

As for Andy she could feel the Fey much stronger now. Before it seemed faint and often confused their auras with Preternaturals - Miranda's "people." Not anymore. Her sensing of Fey energy now acted like a conduit. Like an electrical surge flowing from them, feeding her own energy, replenishing her reserves from her earlier activities. She felt Miranda's eyes on her, and looked over at her. What are you doing? echoed in her head.

Andy started a little before realizing that it was Miranda in her 'head' so she focused and sent a thought back. Wow! How are we communicating? I thought you could only do this with those with other Preternaturals? Can the others hear us? Can you sense the Fey? Like from a distance?

Miranda answered back: Apparently my ability to communicate has expanded to include you. Though I suspect that you are the exception - perhaps because of our Joining. A bit, but I imagine not like you, why? However Miranda was not entirely focused on their mental discussion, she was starting to feel an... itch. Her nether regions were tender but sensitive from their earlier activities, even though one would expect her to feel completely sated after their orgasmic explosion. But their residual connection has only served to heighten her intimate connection to Andréa. Miranda's powerful olfactory senses can still smell the left-over arousal and blood from earlier. Andrea looked lovely in her Channel boots, Juicy Couture dark jeans encased those long legs that not so long ago were wrapped around Miranda's back.

She was still wearing an Escada blouse from Miranda's closet - which Miranda was convinced she purposely left unbuttoned more than usual. So Miranda took advantage of the extra hint of cleavage by taking a leisurely look from Andréa's decadent lips, her delicate chin, that beautiful swan neck - however she stopped at her Mark.

Miranda stared at her Mark with a growing sense of... fierce possessiveness. This Mark would clearly signal to ALL Preternaturals that Andréa belonged to a Master Vampire, to her. A sniff from a preternatural would find Miranda's scent in the Mark. But it also reminded Miranda that she'd need to bring Andréa up-to-speed on vampire etiquette and rules as her Consort and Mate.

However that didn't detract from the growing need to... possess Andréa again. Most likely, because what had happened earlier seemed so... involuntary. Miranda liked to be in control - she was a typical Type A personality, she didn't particularly like to do things in other people's timeframe, even if it was inevitable. So it stands to reason that she'd like to undress Andréa at her leisure, spread her out on her bed, with her gorgeous chocolate-colored waves spilling on her pillows. She remembered the taste of Andréa, but she wanted to taste directly from the source. But before she could continue on with her fantasy Andréa sent another thought.

Well before I could sense them (the Fey) faintly, but now it's almost like an electrical current buzzing energy back and forth between me and them.

Did your little goddess provide additional information about your evolving powers? Miranda mentally drawled.

No she was pretty... vague to tell you the truth. Of course at the time, it didn't seem like a good idea to ha e a full-length chat - if you know what I mean. The indecent waggle of Andy's eyebrows following her explanation, was met with an eye-roll and a shake of her head from Miranda.

I see. Well when we get to the townhouse we'll have a nice long chat about what you did 'chat' about. Miranda's mental drawl now bordered on edgy because she had the sudden urge to pull Andréa over her lap to 'teach' her some... decorum. Cheeky girl.


****
Chapter 23


As the car pulled up to the door of the townhouse, Andy watched it open immediately as two red-heads peeked out; The Twins. The few interactions she's had with them ended with Andy thinking how remarkably spoiled and... odd they were. But she'd grown fond of them since they cleared the air with a few things. She thought back to that time when she had to pick them up at school. Caroline had called the office complaining about not feeling well, Miranda was in another part of Runway no doubt terrorizing an employee or two. She was about to offer to send of a text message to Miranda, when Caroline interrupted her.

"We'd like to go home now. Mummy probably knows already. So please have Roy pick us up. Thanks." And with that she hung up before Andy could get a word in edgewise.

She was about to send a text to Miranda, when she walked through the doors to stop at Andy's desk, "Call Roy and have him come pick you up immediately. Then you need to go to my daughters' school, pick them up, and then drop them home."

Andy caught totally unawares for the second time in mere minutes attempted to respond, "What - how -"

"No, no. don't talk. Just do. You should already be walking out that door."

Andy stood up, while calling Roy at the same time to meet her downstairs. As she rounded her desk Miranda called from the office once more, "'Oh and Andréa, you need to stop at this address to pick up something. It's for the girls. Make sure they get it as soon as possible. That's all."

Soon Andy found herself in lower Manhattan, near Wall Street, standing before a building with the traditional brickwork of a New York City townhouse. She looked down at the piece of paper making sure she had the right address. She lifted her hand to press the button for entrance when the large dark green door opened and a very tall man with grey hair swept back into a ponytail, answered the door. The guy must of have been close to 7 feet.

Just as Andy was about to open her mouth, a deep, cultured, slightly accented, voice flowed from his mouth, "Mistress Miranda sent you?"

"Ah, yeah. I mean, yes. Miranda sent me. She said -" Andy felt like she was involved in some kind of clandestine mission. Not to mention he was causing her magic to buzz along her spine and her tattoos to 'twitch.'

"I believe you are here for this." He pulled from behind him a red paper bag. "Make sure the Twins drink plenty of water afterwards and then they should be fine. If the Mistress has further need of my services please do not hesitate to contact me. Please let her know I am at her disposal and as always it was an honor serving her." And with that he stepped back and closed the door.

When Andy finally realized that flies were about to use her tongue as a landing pad, she closed her mouth and headed back to the car with the red bag in her hand. When she arrived at the school, she saw the Twins sitting a little forlornly on the steps of the school, both in the same pose. That was one of the odd things about them: they often mimicked each other. Sometimes they'd say exactly the same thing, in the same tone, at the same time. Other times they'd walk in perfect synchronization or they'd tilt their heads in contemplation at you and you weren't sure if they were contemplating if they liked your outfit or if they were going to... eat you. Needless to say Andy found them to be a bit disconcerting at times, but in a weird endearing sort of a way.

After a while she'd gotten used to it. But as she escorted them down the steps of the school she noticed that they did look rather... sick. They were significantly paler than usual, making their freckles stand out like chocolate chips. Their breathing sounded labored as well and they appeared to be shivering. As they descended the stairs Andy gave into the urge to hold their hands.

As she took their small hands into hers, her magic seemed to awaken causing her tattoos to twitch once again. They both lifted bloodshot eyes, heavy-lidded with sickness to stare into Andy's slightly glowing tri-colored eyes.

"You're Fey aren't you?" they both asked.

Andy frowned; she really needed to get them home quickly. "Yes I am or at least I think I am. Why do you ask?" They reached the car door which was being held open by Roy. She ushered them inside.

They languidly settled into the seat before answering. "Well your eyes are clearly Fey. But... we don't know what kind of Fey - definitely one we aren't familiar with." They closed their eyes, the icy-blue so familiar to their mother's.

Andy was about to answer but was interrupted by the Twins. "Did you get the medicine?"

"Um, if you mean a red paper bag, then -"

She was cut off once again. "Yes, that's it. Roy, how long before we get home?"

"About 10 minutes or less." Roy answered.

Before she could finally join in on the conversation her phone rang. It was Miranda.

"Andréa, did you pick up the package I requested? How are the Twins?" rapid-fire questions added to the Andy's continued state of confusion.

"Yes to the package. In fact the Twins were just ask-"

"Andréa please don't babble. The Twins? How are they?"

Andy squashed the need to sigh and answered. "They don't look too good. They look a little pale and their breathing seems to be rather labored."

"Please tell them I'll be home within the hour. They've... experienced this before. They know what to do."

Andy felt her concern build for the Twins. Miranda wasn't prone to dramatics so it stands to reason that whatever's wrong with Cassidy and Caroline concerned Miranda greatly enough to come home in the middle of the day. She looked them over once again, noticing the little drops of... blood-sweat dotting their brow. She pulled a couple tissues from her Michael Kors bag and handed them over to the Twins.

They had their eyes closed and as soon as Andy started to touch Cassidy's shoulder they startled Andy a bit by opening their eyes, once again in synchronization. "I was just going to offer you some tissue. You're beginning to sweat a little. Is there anything I can do right now? "

She felt so bad for them. Since Miranda was a vampire and she knew their father was something Other, what she'd normally try to do to make them feel better might not work on account of their physiology.

They both opened their eyes again, "We'll be fine once we take our 'medicine."

They stared steadily, with their heads tilted in some deep contemplation, at Andy for a moment, their labored breathing seemingly loud in the Mercedes. "We're sorry got you in trouble that one time. We are well aware that we can be... as difficult as our Mum - in a way cooler way of course, but you seem to be different than the usual yodels that 'play' as her Assistant."

Well this seemed to be a day for astounding events - an apology from the creepy, yet normally bratty, kids of Miranda was truly remarkable. And problematic because Andy might start to... like them. Well since they "shared" and extended the proverbial olive branch Andy figured she might as well return the gesture.

"You guys are brats but you're smart, loyal, and you love your Mom - so that's can count for something." Andy smirked to take the sting off the 'brat' part of the sentence.

"Well at least you don't have your 'balls in our Mum's purse' like Emily, plus we've never known a Fey before. What's it like?"

"Charming ladies. But we're here and I need to get you inside so you can take your meds. As for me being Fey - it's sort of a recent realization, I'm still... trying to find myself." She stepped out of the car in front of the house. "Sorry for the cliché but that's as good an answer as I got."

The door opened and their housekeeper Carmen stood in the doorway.

"Hola Andy! Andele mujers! Let's get you inside. Adios mio! Look at you! Ay!" she motioned the girls inside and Andy handed her the ubiquitous red paper bag.

"Gracias Andy. El hefe will be home soon, I'll take it from here."

"No problem. Are you sure? I can wait until Miranda gets here." She stepped just inside the entrance and watched as Carmen started to help the Twins up the stairs. "Oh, Miranda instructed me to tell the girls that they need to make sure they drinks lots of water after they take their medicine."

"Si, I know. It's no problem you go 'head-"she was interrupted by the Twins who both turned their heads towards Andy.

"Thank you Andy. We have a feeling we'll be seeing each other quite often." They continued up the stairs with Carmen following close behind before they stopped once again. "Oh your life is about to get very interesting. We advise you to not 'fight it' and to stay strong." And they continued on leaving Andy with her mouth agape for the 3rd time that day. She heard Carmen chuckling as she followed after them.

And that was the... bonding moment between her and the Twins.


****
Chapter 24

She wondered what they'd think about her evolving relationship with Miranda. As the car pulled to a stop she noticed two men coming up towards the townhouse, one with wispy white hair and the other with blue hair. She suddenly grew concerned for the Twins as they stood in the doorway.

"Miranda -"

"I see them. Nigel, Serena, deal with it. Emily come along."

As Roy opened the door, she could hear a low-base growl emanating from either Serena or Emily. She watched as Nigel stepped forward, partially blocking the men's vision of Miranda and Andy. However, Andy... felt something from them and as she got closer to them that feeling grew. A feeling of familiarity, a recognition, she could feel her magic wakening, reaching out towards to the two men whom were now completely blocked from her vision by both Serena and Nigel.

She stopped on the steps leading up to the front door, she looked back at the two men. She could feel the slight heat and an almost hum from her eyes - she knew they were glowing.

"Andréa, what -"

"Miranda, I think those two men are here to see me. I think they're... Fey!"

"Wha-," Miranda feeling immensely protective knew how precarious their situation was and didn't want to take any chances but Andréa had already started moving towards the two me.

Andy stepped around Emily, "Serena, Nigel, it's cool. I think they are here to see me." She mentally requested Miranda to instruct Nigel and Serena to let them through. Serena had already partially shifted, her hands slightly furry, her nails turned into claws. They stepped aside and Andy could feel that Miranda had turned to follow her.

"Serena, Nigel, allow them through," said Miranda.

Andy She stared at them, feeling an emotion sweeping over her like nothing she'd ever felt. And considering the day she's had so far this was a remarkable feat. The two men just started back. The one with white hair, had a scar running from his eyebrow through across his eyelid - although his eye appeared whole, ending at his cheekbone. Nevertheless, he was handsome, almost beautiful. The other, his hair was a gorgeous cerulean blue - almost the same color once lectured to her by Miranda long ago.

"Greetings Andy. My name is Rhys. I kn-"

"Rhys! Oh my gawd! What are you doing here? You never told me you were a full-blooded Fey-"

"Actually we're both Sidhe and we have very urgent matters to discuss with you."

The blue-haired man stepped closer while Miranda protectively moved closer to Andy's side.

"My name is Barinthius. We are both liaisons of Princess Meredith Gentry of the Unseelie Court. Perhaps you've heard of her? "

Before Andy could answer, she immediately received a thought from Miranda: perhaps we should move this inside. I don't think it's safe to have this conversation out in the opening. Having a discussion about a royal family member of the Unseelie Court in open would not be ideal.

"Well it sounds like you gentlemen have something substantial to say - or you'd better because I'm not in the habit of wasting my valuable time." Miranda warned.

Rhys stepped towards Miranda, not intimidated, "Actually vampire we're here for Andy-"

Miranda's eyes started to glow, Serena gave a low growl, and Nigel started to close in. "You'd do well to remember that you are on my territory and as such the safety of all my people are my responsibility, particularly my Ma-Andréa's." While she sensed the importance of their visit, she wasn't willing to tell perfect strangers how evolved her relationship with Andréa was. With too many enemies that kind of information could put Andréa in peril.

"That's enough! Both of you! Miranda, love, you're right we need to move this inside. All this posturing is not going to get me answers. And I suspect that a fight on the sidewalk in front of your townhouse or your daughters is not what we can afford." She stepped towards Miranda, capturing her eyes, leaning her head in to nuzzle Miranda's ear and throat.

Please sweetheart - make nice? She sent this thought privately because she suspected Miranda wouldn't want to be perceived as... sappy in any way right now - or ever for that matter.

Miranda caved like a frat boy in a whore house. Fine, but one wrong move and I'll personally see just how allergic to iron they are since the Fey were supposedly deathly allergic to iron.

"Everyone inside. After you, Andréa," and she followed Andréa inside, mentally directing her towards the sitting room. The Twins were there waiting for them. She leaned down to give them a kiss and hug.

"Hello Bobbsie, Mummy has some business to attend to. Why don't you go upstairs, finish your homework and see what level you can reach on Guitar Hero? I'll come up to join you as soon as I can." She ruffled their hair. They looked at their Mother then at Andréa and then at the two Sidhe men.

"Hello Andy." They paused and noticeably look at the marks in Andy's neck. "We see things have started to get interesting. Hi Nigel, Emily, and Serena. As for you two guys, we expect full introductions when your grown-up chat finishes." And with that the Twins kissed their Mum once again and headed out the room to go upstairs.

Nigel drawled, "Miranda I see they have your penchant for dramatics."

Carmen appeared in the doorway, "Can I get anyone anything?"

"Yes Carmen, a couple bottles of that Ahnfeldt Merlot Napa Valley, a pitcher of plasma, and some... hor'dourves for our guests." She looked around the room for any additional suggestions. "Anything else? Don't worry, we'll have something more substantial catered later." She gestured for everyone to sit while mentally requesting Andréa to sit next to her.

Miranda continued "Now that that's settled, perhaps you two would care to explain who you are and your urgency regarding Andréa?"

Barinthius spoke up, looking at Andy, "Andy do you feel your magic? Did it... respond when we approached?"

"Yes, but it's weird. It didn't respond in a defensive way but more like it sensed you were similar, even familiar. I can't explain it." She took a moment to search for the right words. "But it felt comforting - attractive even." She quickly looked at Miranda when she sensed an increase in... tension at those words. "But not like 'attractive' in the I-wanna-sex-you-up-kinda way." Andy ignored the snort coming from Emily and carried on, "More like 'attractive' in like "hey I know... you because we're alike" kind of way."

She watched as a tear formed in one of Rhys' eyes, slowly it made its way down his scarred cheek. "Andy, your magic knew us because you are like us. In fact... you're family."

At this shocking announcement, Andy started to frown fiercely, "What are you talking about - my family never mentioned you -"

"No, not the family you were raised with... your real family." She watched Barinthius take a deep, steadying breath, pausing for a moment, as if gathering himself. Andy watched all of this with a growing sense of trepidation.

Everyone remained silent; she looked at Miranda in consternation. Miranda reached over to lay a hand on her knee while sending a mental message: Whatever happens we'll face it together - I believe those are the words you used? An arched well-manicured eyebrow complimented this statement.

Yes, I believe I did say something along those lines. Anyways, thank you for... being here with me.

Don't be silly Andréa, of course I'd be here with you - where else would I be. You've caused an epic natural event, tying us together for eternity! Really Andréa, don't be absurd. The barest hint of a smile took the sting off of this declaration.

Andy smirked: only Miranda could tell you how much she cares and insult you all in the same sentence.

She refocused her attention on Barinthius and Rhys. "All right guys. Give 'it' to me. I can tell you're building up to a 'big reveal' - not helping my stress levels by the way. So?"

Barinthius sighed, but before he could speak, Rhys beat him to the punch, "You are the daughter of Princess Meredith Gentry, Heir to the throne of the Unseelie Court."

The silence was deafening after that pronouncement. Andy sat there with her mouth agape, even Miranda appeared to be suitably astonished. Emily took this opportunity to chime in, "I thought you were from Ohio?"

"What are you - wait, no! My Mother is from Ohio, she's human, what you talking about?!" she could feel emotional angst building... but deep inside she knew that she was different from her "parents." A hotly intense, emotional sensation crawled up her throat, her stomach knotted, causing her swallow over a lump and her eyes to slightly water. She took a moment to compose herself, Miranda moved closer to slide her arm around her shoulders, hugging her in close.

"You have mere moments to explain yourself - I can assure you that my patience is at an end. Andrea has had a bit of a trying day, your pronouncement-"

"Andy, you were taken at birth, magic was used to hide your presence, and erase our memories of a third child. It was believed that this was done so for your protection -"

"What?! Wait a minute! So you're telling me that my life up until this moment has been a lie?!" She quickly stood up, shaking off Miranda's arm, energy coursing through her veins, emotions heating up her magic. She started to pace but what she really wanted to do was punch something.
She could feel her energy and magic building up along with the intensity of her emotions. Could any of this be true? She always knew she was different - were her parents... not really her parents?

"I don't believe you! My parents are Richard and Aubrey Sachs! Not some princess Meredith..." everything seemed to be happening too quickly: the Mating with Miranda, now this... emotionally it was almost too much. She started breathing heavily to go along with her pacing, her eyes while she could feel them glowing became blurry as tears started to form. Nigel stood up to gently take hold of her shoulders. Andy stopped to look at the compassion emanating from his face, in the background she could hear Miranda demanding more information. At the same time Andy heard the soothing tones of Miranda's voice in her head: come sit down love, drink some wine. We'll get to the bottom of this - I promise we'll deal with this together.

Nigel drew her into his arms, comforting her. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, she lifted teary-eyes to see Rhys had approached from the side.

"I'm very sorry And, it was not our intention to cause you pain. But we sensed your Joining earlier today." He stopped for a moment to interrupt the argument between Barinthius and Miranda. "Congratulations to you both on your Joining. Whenever someone from Sidhe royalty mates, their Fey subjects can feel the magic from the Joining. Since I am one of Princess Merry's Consorts and Barinthius a member of the royal family we felt the Joining much more intensely. That's why it was urgent that we see you."

Andy pulled away from Nigel and Rhys and started to pace once again. The sudden urge to flee or expend energy she'd since restored from her earlier lovemaking/mating ritual with Miranda was strong. As she turned around to make another line across the room she was startled by the sudden appearance of Miranda in front of her. She slid her arms around Andy's waist and tugged her closer. She brought a hand up to caress the back of Andy's neck, while nuzzling her lips below her ear. Like some kind of switch that's been turned off, Andy calmed. She snuggled into Miranda, sinking into her. The tension dissipating like mist in a storm.


****
Chapter 25

Miranda nudged her chin to look into her eyes, "I know this is difficult, but we need as much information as possible because if our... Joining was as powerful as I suspect."

They both remembered the visual evidence of their Joining from the drive on the way here from Runway, "Then we need to be prepared. Not only because of my own... enemies, but more importantly if this story is true then you may have powerful enemies as well."

She watched as a tear spilled down Andréa's cheek.

She leaned in to kiss it away, tasting the salty evidence of Andréa's distress. While she managed to minimize her astonishment over Andréa's possible lineage, one didn't live as long as she had and not bore witness to the multitude of ways the world of preternatural and magic can instantly turn one's life upside down. In fact, Power comes not just from innate or magical ability but being able to push through true adversity, and in the preternatural world that meant life or death struggles while emerging victorious. That took cunning, intelligence, luck, and true Power. She'd like to believe that she was becoming an expert on being victorious - the downside was that her cache of enemies were many and powerful.

As she soothingly ran her hand through Andréa's beautiful brown locks, she mentally urged Andréa to get more information, quickly. Meanwhile she beckoned Emily over, "I want everyone here within the hour. Call The Palms and have them deliver food within two hours. Follow up with the Banks and have them deliver extra blood: various Types - my usual for me. Then call my Ex-husband and have him collect the girls - explain that it's for their safety. I know he'll want to be at this meeting but I need him elsewhere in order to protect Caroline and Cassidy - even him. As for our guests--?"

She looked at Barinthius and Rhys, "It's been a while since I've dined with Sidhe, do you have any nourishment requirements?"

"No, the Sidhe eat most things humans do. However had we been Goblin, then our requirements might have been a bit different." Rhys' attempt at levity fell flat as everyone began bustling about to prepare for an emergency meeting. He shook his head, "Boy, tough crowd."

"Andy, please it's important that we fully debrief you of your heritage - because Princess Meredith's enemies will quickly become yours once word gets out of your Joining. And-" Barinthius took a moment to prepare himself, "and Princess Meredith and her Consorts will be arriving tomorrow morning to meet you." Princess Meredith lineage was mixed: Sidhe, Brownie, and Human. As a consequence many didn't find her a worthy heir to the throne of the Unseelie Court; leading to several attempts on her life. This includes the Queen's attempt to drown her as a little girl. Hence the reason Princess Meredith didn't live at Court; it tended to be bad for one's health.

But Queen had three problems: one - her son was a bit of a psychopath and even a sexual sadist such as the Queen cared enough to know that this could spell disastrous for a Court that had already been abandoned by their Goddess. Which leads to her second problem: the magic of the Court was dying, as a result important relics and individual magic was slowly disappearing. This leads to the third problem; she was unable to have any more children. Given Cel's (her son) proclivity towards psychotic craziness, the Goddess forsaking the Fey, she decreed that the first of her closet relatives either her son or her niece to announce a pregnancy would be named the next heir. This in turn led to more attempts on Merry's life.

Andy jerked herself out of Miranda's arms, turning fully to Barinthius and Rhys, "What?! That's impossible! You haven't given me one ounce of proof that you're telling the truth. I have Parents-"
"Andy, as soon as you completed your Joining, brining you into Sidhe powers, the Birthing Spell was broken." He stepped closer to a slightly shaking Andy and laid a soothing hand on her shoulder, "The parents you grew up with... will no longer remember you. Your family will no longer remember you." He grew concerned as the shaking grew stronger, her breathing increased, and her hands clenched. He started to speak again before Andy's hand raised to forestall him.

"I need a moment. You've just told me that my entire life is a LIE?! I need a fucking moment!" she turned on her heel and quickly left the room before anyone could stop her. Hearing the front door open and slam shut sent them into action, Miranda was out the door before anyone could blink. She moved at a vampiric speed, a blur to human eyesight, and even some preternatural.

Miranda paused for a moment on the doorstep outside, sniffing the wind, trying to catch Andréa's scent. She was her... Mate and no matter how foolish her actions were right now, Miranda's protective instinct was in full-force. She shifted her eyes into her Animal-t0-Call: bleeding icy-blue into golden cat-like irises. She sent a mental message to Nigel, telling him to hold down the fort until she returned and to call in reinforcements. The door opened and the two Sidhe men stepped out.

"We figured since we're the cause of this we could assist you."

Miranda continued to ignore them. Reaching out, the astral connective thread between herself and Andréa has grown much stronger since their Joining. This included a ability to scent a 'prey' from over 200 yards away.

Ah, there she is: Central Park. Miranda set off towards the Park, with Barinthius and Rhys following close behind.


****

Andrea finally stopped running, bent over trying to catch her breath. She slowly sank down on her knees, feeling the tears spill down her cheeks, her head bent with her hair spilling around her. A one humorous thought flitted through her mind: the only thing needed for this moment would be a sudden deluge, so she could lift her head and yell "WHHHYYYY!" she snickered to herself

But since she'll leave the dramatics to Emily, she just sat back on her heels, lifting her head to take in her surroundings - realizing that running out of the house without telling anyone where she was going might not have been the best idea in the world. But she needed air. She needed to escape the... utter insanity of the situation, even if it was for just a few moments. Besides she could 'feel' Miranda coming closer.

Aubrey and Richard Sachs were not her real parents. Suddenly she had an idea: she started patting around her jacket for her phone. She'd prove to everyone that this was all just a misunderstanding or an incredible story. She pulled out her phone, scrolled through the number until she got her "Parents." Her thumb hovered for a few moments over the CALL button, a moment of indecisiveness: butterflies started dancing in her stomach, and her palms started to sweat.

She pressed the button and hesitantly brought the phone to her ear. RING-RING-RING.

A voice answered on the other end... it didn't seem recognizable. "Hello."

Andy hesitantly answered, "H- hello? Is...--" Andy swallowed, "is Aubrey there? Or is my Mom there?"

There was silence, "Who is this? Who are you?" the voice cracked.

"It's Andy!"

A gasp followed by an outraged,"I don't know who this is but whoever you are - my daughter died when she was five years old! This is not funny!"

"What?! Who is this?! What daughter?! This is An -" a knot grew in her stomach, her eyes watered, Andy's fear grew.

"Stop it! How dare you! I don't know what game you're playing but our daughter passed away many years ago. Whatever prank you think you're playing is CERTAINLY not funny. Call here again and we'll call the cops!" and with that she hung up.

Her head hung down once again. Tears fell hot on her face, dripping off her chin. She began to quietly sob. She brought her hands up to wipe away the tears, trying to calm her shuddering. She knew she needed to 'get a grip', it was clear that events were unfolding quickly, but she didn't know who she was anymore. She no longer felt like 'Andy.' Her life, her entire life... did she even have a degree anymore? Lily, Doug, were they real? She thought back to the incredible 'story' of her life told by Rhys and Barinthius. She needed to take stock of everything that was happening, perhaps things would begin to make sense, starting with her Sidhe blood. She'll have to look back at the few things she'd read on the Sidhe. She thought back to her friends, especially Doug, who was a total fairie-phile.

She was almost too scared to call them because... what if she 'lost' them too? Her eyes started watering again. Maybe she could ask Rhy and Barinthius what impact this has had on her friends. That would help prepare herself for... or as much as she could, for potential loss.

So apparently she was a full-blooded Sidhe... royalty even. More importantly, her mother was Princess Meredith Gentry?! Everything she'd ever done, ever believed in, ever known...was a 'lie.' How the fuck was she supposed to just reconcile with that?! She pinched the bridge of her nose fighting off the beginnings of a vicious headache.

Suddenly she felt the air shift, going unnaturally cold, causing goosebumps to erupt all over her skin. She raised her head, realized that the grassy meadow she was in was suddenly empty, sound seemingly sucked away. But... something was here with her.


****
Chapter 26

She scanned the area intently, wishing Miranda would hurry up, even though she could feel her getting closer. Small, twin, pin-points of lights stared back at her from the darkness, more than one set too. Andy slowly stood as she stared at the pin-points that were getting progressively larger fast, the feeling of danger getting stronger. She reached down to slip off her heels - couldn't really run (or possibly fight) in heels, or at least she couldn't. Maybe she could use them in case she needed to poke an eye out since she didn't have much in the way of weapons. However she did have her magic and more importantly she was close to the entrance of the Park.

She called on her magic, her tattoos moving on her skin, the smell of roses wafting in the air, her eyes humming heat and glowing, while slowly moving towards the entrance. She watched as forms appeared to go with those sets of eyes. Shit! She concentrated, calling her magic to grow stronger, she sent a Hurry! to Miranda. She slid her jacket off, her arms exposed from wearing a short-sleeved shirt. Her tattoos suddenly erupted from her skin like black shadows dancing around her. She looked up seeing that the pin-pricks were now huge creatures, gray scaly skin, hands the size of cement blocks, tentacles flying about their heads, pillar-like legs with claws for toe-nails. But it was the large mace in their hands and their scary-looking fangs that really gave Andy pause. They were huge, there were about seven of them in varying sizes - but all over seven feet, and significantly closer!

Her heart felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest in sheer terror, her body tensed for fight or flight. She didn't know what these things were but the menace emanating off of them was very apparent. Unbeknownst to Andy her inky tattoos had formed. If she looked behind her she would see a huge black dog with wings, a black horse with 3 sets of powerful legs, and 2 huge black flying manatee-like things stood squaring off with the imminent threat to Andy. Thorny rose vines danced around her feet before rearing up like cobras.

"Yoouuttthh are thhee One." The apparent leader lisped at her.


"What?! What the hell are you? And what do you want?"

"We arreettthh SSSttthhpppaanx and yooouuttth mutthh die."

"What did I ever do to you? Wha-"

She was cut off, a grey tentacle suddenly shooting towards her like whip. She managed to duck just in time. But she could hear a click and looked at the end of the tentacle and noticed little knives. It was also at this time she noticed her black shadows had solidified- what the hell?! But she was too busy fighting another tentacle and fear from taking over rendering her immobile in terror.

She started back-peddling, almost falling on her ass, and her magic became unfocused. It was only the sting of the rose vines that helped her refocus a little. Ok, clearly her magic was evolving a little: clearly her inky tattoos were a little more now than... dark tribal tattoos and her rose vines seem pretty intent on protecting her. She just wished she had more of an idea on how to control them. Maybe if she can somehow get them to distract, she could hold these things off until Miranda gets here.

Speaking of Miranda, she sent out an urgent mental plea: Miranda! I'm in a little trouble here, where are you?!

Suddenly the talkative monster (and apparent leader) launched itself towards Andy and like a woman possessed she found herself bending backwards like a yoga expert and a sudden white blur came out of nowhere and tackled the monster. She watched as the two creatures landed on the ground and rolled to a stop. The white blur, which was a huge... Cat?! Was trying to get its huge jaw locked around the tentacled creature's neck, while the tentacles started nipping at its hide, leaving bloody furrows along its muscled flank.

Andy stood for a moment transfixed before she heard: Andréa you must concentrate! Use your powers to fight. I can't help you while fighting these creatures at the same time! Andy's glowing eyes opened wide for a moment with the realization that the huge cat was Miranda!

"Andy look out!" came a voice from behind.

She turned quickly and saw Rhys and Barinthius already in engaged in the fight. She felt a sting on her arm - that bloody nick brought her back into focus. She took a quick peek at her arm, then looked over at the huge cat and saw it was on its back, a tentacle wrapped around its neck. A huge arm lifted itself to prepare for a huge strike. Feeling a terrified-rage for Miranda, Andy moved like a woman possessed, whirled away from the creature that was trying to impale her on a tentacle, focused on one of her rose vines. She watched it whip up to the creature's face and spear it through its eye. It burst with icky purple-colored blood.

While the beast screeched in pain, Andy quickly returned her focus to Miranda-cat. She concentrated on one of her magical tattoos - the huge dog with wings. She watched as it launched itself at the beast on Miranda. It clamped its jaws with razor-sharp teeth on the creature's moving arm. As the dog whipped its mouth back and forth, tearing the arm from the creature's body, Miranda-cat whipped her head up to clamp her huge teeth into where the shoulder meets neck.

Suddenly Andy felt another nick on her arm and realized that her beast had re-grouped a bit and was even more enraged. Taking one last look in Miranda-cat's direction she focused on another vine and sent it flying towards the creature's neck. Since the vine moved very fast and the creature while huge was slow and lumbering. Consequently, it couldn't stop the vine from wrapping its thorny self around the creature's neck, digging in painfully. The purple blood starting to run in rivulets down its torso. The creature wailed in pain, Andy urged her vine to tighten -she wanted its head. But not before the creature managed to swipe one huge paw at Andy's body. The painful crunch was the only clue of how much it was going to hurt before she was hurtled through the air to land on her back, snapping its hold on the rose vine.

She heard a roar and painfully lifted her head to see that Miranda-cat had finished off her opponent. Andy's dog was still tearing into its still hide and Miranda starting loping towards her. But Andy saw another one of the creatures head towards Miranda-cat so she focused on another of her inky-tattoo-now-entity: the manatee. She sent it flying towards the creature that was about to intercept Miranda. She watched its twin join it, they both landed on either side of the creature halting it in its tracks. The creature snarled, but the manatees wrapped themselves on either shoulder down towards its arms. Then they enfolded the creature almost entirely. Whatever they were doing to it seemed to hurt a lot if the screams were anything to go by. But her attention was immediately snapped up by another creature landing on Miranda-cat's back, before it even landed Andy was already moving.

She heard one of the Sidhe men shout, "Here, Andy catch!" and without breaking stride her hand somehow reached up and snatched a long knife, similar to a Japanese Tanto, out of the air. She watched as the creature swiped a huge paw along the already bloodied flank of Miranda-cat. Andy focused down and sent a vine ahead to snag on one of the creature's paws. And again without even realizing it she launched herself the last few feet, hooked her arm around the creature pining Miranda-cat down, but before she could bring the arm holding the Tanto to stab it, one its tentacles wrapped around her hand, the tiny knife digging into her wrist. She stifled a scream of her own.

The creature's other paw made a swipe at Miranda-cat, leaving another huge bloody furrow. Andy was suddenly filled with a white-hot rage, the heat in her eyes increasing. This heat seemed to travel throughout her head, coursing down her neck, over and down to coalesce into her left hand. The heat grew in her palm and had she been able to look into a mirror she'd see that her eyes glowed like the sun and that glow encased her shoulders, down to that hand. However what was now sitting in her hand was ball of glowing heat edged by white rays similar to the ray that rocketed out of her chest during her orgasm with Miranda. The sensation if Andy had a moment to register in the midst of her rage would be a like an icy-hot sensation much like the sensation of a limb waking when its circulation was completely cut off. This sensation dimmed the pain of her other hand clutched by a tentacle.

Andy was holding off the creature. She watched as the creature brought its razor sharp teeth - similar to a set of giant piranha teeth, closer to Miranda-cat's sluggishly moving body. It was going in for the kill. Instinctively like some kind of newly awakened dormant DNA, Andy brought the hand with the glowing ball of icy-fire to the creature's mouth, shoving it in, cutting her fingers on its razor sharp teeth. But the creature immediately brought its hand back, screeching. The tentacle that was wrapped around her arm immediately let go, Andy brought the Tanto towards its neck, and slashed through muscle and tissue. The screeching diminished into a gurgle, while Andy and Miranda-cat watched the creature's head glow as if a light was penetrating every orifice. The light continued to grow a bright-orange and suddenly the head exploded, spraying unpleasant tissue matter all over them.

But Andy didn't spare a moment looking on in astonishment; she refocused her gaze on Miranda-cat. Aside from the blood and specks of the creature's purplish blood, Andy subconsciously registered the white fur with gold stripes - she was as beautiful in cat-form as she was in 'human' form. However none of that mattered right now, Miranda was very hurt.

"Miranda sweetheart, how can I help you?" it seemed as if Miranda-cat was losing a lot of blood. With her chest heaving in exertion Andy gently placed her hands over Miranda's wound, trying to stem the blood. Miranda-cat laid whimpering in pain, her huge head lifted up and licked at Andy's hand.
Andy could feel tears start to form, "Baby, please shift back. I heard that helps... just hang on sweetie. I'll see if I can get some help."

She looked up trying to locate Rhys and Barinthius. Suddenly inky shapes formed around Miranda and her - no longer the magical inky forms, just wraith-like entities that started swirling around them. They began to pick up speed, creating a funnel, encasing them. She could feel her hair wildly dancing around her head and she could practically 'smell' the magic in the air. She leaned over Miranda-cat protectively even though she believed that whatever this was meant them no harm.

Nuzzling her face in Miranda-cat's fur, eyes closed to keep out any possible debris, she missed the entities whipping through Miranda-cat's body before one-by-one they danced along Andy's skin. Her ears felt pressure similar to the when a plane gains altitude, she yawned to relieve it. However, it still felt like cotton was stuffed in her ears, because all sounds outside of the funnel were blocked out. One stopped along Andy's shoulder, forming like an inky gelatinous blob, and then sinking into her skin to form back into a tattoo. For Andy the sensation was tickling along her limbs, caused her to open her eyes. Surprised she caught the last inky wraith dash from a wound along Miranda-cat's side and right before her eyes the wound started to close.

Even more astonished she frantically looked at the rest of Miranda-cat's body to access the damage - damage that was no longer there. Mouth hanging open she finally registered the frantic voices of Rhys and Barinthius.

"Andy! Andy! Thank the Gods! Are you all right?" they reached her side, a sword dripping with purple goo in Rhys' hand and a pair of Sais clutched in both of Barinthius' hands also dripping with the creature's blood.

"Guys are you ok? Can you help me with Miranda? She's hu--," a growly voice interrupted her.

"Stories of my demise are greatly exaggerated, darling." Miranda, no longer a cat, was attempting to sit up.

Andy quickly looked down, "Oh my god, Miranda!" she immediately stopped short when she realized that Miranda was not only whole and human, but she was also very... naked.

Miranda seemed totally unselfconscious about her nudity, covered with blood and a little gore - and the new rose vine tattoo, she was still gorgeous. With a couple tears escaping her relieved eyes, Andy immediately leaned over Miranda, her hand coming up to cup her face, she leaned her face in their foreheads touching.

"Miranda baby, I thought... I was so worried. Don't ever do that to me again!"

She carefully helped Miranda sit - she knew that Miranda didn't want to look more vulnerable than she already appeared to be. However she was able to hug her into her body, while her other arm tried to wipe away some of the blood and gore. Miranda tilted her head a little and brushed her lips over Andy's.

"I felt your fear right before we entered the park... needless to say I'd appreciate it if YOU never scare me like that again. Not to mention, as my Mate you can no longer go off gallivanting by yourself." She touched her lips to Andy's, gently nibbling for a moment more, before pulling back to whisper. "It appears as if you have some powers that are truly remarkable. When were you going to tell me about them? And here I thought I was saving your life?" she smirked, even though internally she was concerned as she looked over Andréa's cuts and bruises.

Miranda knew they needed to get out of the park and return to the townhouse before something else... unpleasant happened. Plus she needed blood, very soon, even though Andréa had some kind of healing ability she was unaware of.

"I - I didn't - I mean I wasn't even aware I had these powers Miranda. It almost felt like someone else was inhabiting my body. I just saw that thing hurt you and it was like something... was called up inside me. I can't explain it." Andrea attempted to take off her slightly torn button-up shirt to help cover some of Miranda's nakedness.

She looked up and saw Rhys' grinning countenance, with roving eyes. She frowned.

"Wow Andy! That's some woman you got there." Before he could continue Andy interrupted him. She could feel a growl welling up in her throat at Rhys' lecherous looks in Miranda's direction.

"Rhys, eyes forward! Barinthius can we borrow your jacket? Obviously Miranda can't go waltzing through New York without clothes on. Even for New York that's a bit much." She watched as Miranda momentarily disdainfully looked at the jacket before putting it on. Andy shook her head in amusement -at least that will never change.

A drawl came from Miranda, "Rhys while I'm practically quivering at your approval we have more immediate concerns to address. Do either of you have a cell? We need one of you to contact the townhouse for a ride and reinforcements." She ran a soothing hand along Andréa's thigh. A tiny smile appeared on her lips at hearing the sub-vocal growl from Andrea as a possessive warning to Rhys.

Barinthius stood with his back to everyone, choosing to remain vigilant against additional threats. "Those creatures were Fey. I must contact Doyle to get reinforcements. Someone knows about you Andy and with Princess Meredith arriving soon, the threats against you could increase."


Before they could respond they heard a swoosh and they tensed for another fight. But it was Nigel and Roy appearing at the edge of the meadow, along with a few additional subordinates. They rushed over to them, with the subordinates formed a protective circle around them.

Miranda motioned her hand towards Nigel and Roy. "As you can see my people are a little more diligent in protecting their own."

Nigel handed over some clothes for Miranda. She pulled on loose yoga-pants and a v-neck shirt, with a quarter-length grey jacket. Loose clothing in the event she needed to shift again. Although, if she didn't get some blood soon she wouldn't be able to fully shift into her cat form, only partially shift.

"Well I see I can't leave you two (Miranda and Andy) alone for a moment." He looked around at all the carnage.

"As humorous as this may be we need to get to the townhouse. Barinthius and Rhys call whoever you need to, find out who did this!"

"Wait what do you mean these... things are Fey? Not any Fey I've ever heard or seen -" Andy stammered.

"And just how many Fey have you've seen Andréa? As these two gentlemen will tell you, the Fey are a varied species." She raised a questioning eyebrow in response. They were all hurrying towards the car.

Irritably Andy responded. "I know that Miranda. But what kind of Fey are they and why do they want to kill us?" her irritation had more to do with fear for Miranda than herself. She kept remembering how that beast almost gutted Miranda.

Running her hand through her hair, trying to tame the locks, "Andréa let's just get back to the townhouse and I'm sure these nice men will explain it all to you." She leveled an unflinching gaze on Rhys and Barinthius. "Won't you?"

It was unacceptable and suspicious that with the arrival of these two men coincided with an attempt on Andréa's life, and her own, for that matter. Although she felt more than with a little relief that Andréa could hold her own in a fight. But it was apparent that she was untrained and unaware of just how deep her power ran. The cramping of her stomach and the sudden onslaught of light-headedness reminded her of her need for blood.

A subordinate opened a car door for them. Miranda entered first followed by Andy. Miranda settled back into the soft leather seat, finally allowing her sore muscles to relax. Her stomach cramped again, she brought her hand over to rub away the pain. The longer she went without the blood the worse the cramping became, particularly after she shifted.

Are you ok? Andréa's concerned voice sounded in her head.

I'm fine. I just need some blood sooner rather than later. Miranda shifted in the leather seat, trying to get comfortable.

Sweetheart if you need blood then take it from me, responded Andréa.

As tantalizing as that proposition may be, I think you've expended more than enough sacrifices today. She eyed the various oozing cuts and bruises dotting Andréa's creamy skin. You cert-Andréa gently interrupted her response.

I'd rather you take from me Miranda. You don't need to go to... somewhere else for it. Andrea knew about Miranda's blood donors. She also knew from personal experience that Miranda's bite was... a bit sexual. So the thought of Miranda sharing that with someone else bothered her... greatly. But she knew that Miranda was the Master of the City so perhaps she was unaware of certain Vampire politics regarding 'blood donation.' All this went through Andy's mind as she stared into the now gorgeous icy-blue eyes of her lover.

Even with traces of smeared blood and a little gore on her face and neck she was still the most beautiful woman Andy had ever known. Now that the adrenaline was wearing down Andy was registering other sensations on her body: soreness around her wrist, the sting of a few scratches, tenderness from her various bruises, and the shakiness from the huge expenditure of magic. Not to mention the terror she felt from watching Miranda being mauled. She moved closer to Miranda, practically sitting in her lap.

Miranda please... I almost lost you. I... she gulped down the lump. I just want to feel close to you again. I'm sorry if I'm acting all needy but... I just need this... I need you.

Ignoring everyone else in the car, Miranda slid her arms around Andy's waist; she tugged her even closer so that she was sitting in her lap. Miranda felt an inexplicable need to be closer to Andréa too. Plus, that rapidly beating pulse with her Mark was 'calling' to her. She remembered how Andréa's blood tasted; she closed her eyes in remembered pleasure. Although, she'd be so ever thankful if this time around the exchange of body fluids didn't cause a catastrophic event. She nuzzled her head into Andréa's neck, blocking everything, everyone for the moment - the world would come crashing in soon enough.

Andrea's hand was caressing her hair, while the other curled over her heart. She turned her head to find Miranda's lips again. Miranda brought up her hand to help deepen the kiss, her tongue re-mapping the inside of Andréa's mouth: thrusting, searching out Andréa's tongue. Miranda's other hand dipped underneath the back of Andréa's shirt, caressing soft skin, re-connecting on a physical level. Andrea's tattoos were gently moving on her skin, reacting to Miranda's touch, one even reached out like taffy and caressed Miranda's hand.

Like some kind of post-battle lust. Arousal coursed through their veins and with Miranda needing to Feed, it made her arousal much sharper. Luckily they were in a limo with Rhys, Barinthius, and Nigel. Roy drove as usual. While all were experienced public sex voyeurs - this was Miranda Priestly and Andrea Sachs - the daughter of Princess Meredith Gentry, heir to the Unseelie throne. In fact, the two Sidhe men were feeling more than uncomfortable because Andréa was practically... their niece and in Rhys' case: possible daughter.


****
Chapter 27

Luckily they pulled up to the townhouse with both Emily and Serena waiting outside and phalanx of guards standing along the front. Nigel loudly cleared his throat, "Ladies, we've ar-,"

"Everyone step out of the car. I believe I've given all of you instructions that need to be followed sooner rather than later. That's all." Icy-blue eyes stared down the two Sidhe men, everyone else knew better than to ignore Miranda's "request." She could feel Andréa nibbling her ear, ratcheting her arousal and hunger.

Rhys stared at her before a tiny smirk appeared, "I guess we'll see you two in a jiffy. Don't take too long." With that he nodded in slight approval - Andy's Mate was strong indeed. She'd need to be if those Fey bottom-feeders they fought today are any indication of what's coming. He stepped out of the car, followed by Barinthius and Nigel.

While Nigel dealt with a frantic Emily and Serena, he turned to Barinthius, "We must contact Doyle and Merry immediately. Doyle can get here quicker - which he'll appreciate because he hates being trapped in a plane."


***

Meanwhile, inside the car discussions around future plans were stalled. Miranda began unbuttoning the slightly torn shirt, raking her nails against Andréa's firm stomach, leaving slightly pink furrows behind. However, Andy shifted until she was straddling Miranda's lap. She then swept her tousled hair to the opposite side of her Miranda's Mark.

"Are you sure?" Miranda was busy nibbling down Andréa's slender neck, tasting sweat and blood.

Andrea licked a trail around Miranda's ear and hotly whispered, "Yes, I've never been surer in my life."

She dipped her tongue into Miranda's ear, eliciting a moan from her. Her lightly scratching Miranda's scalp, she brought her mouth around to Miranda's lips again, swirling her tongue inside her mouth. Both of their aching, turgid, nipples scraped against the other's chest, and at times rubbed against each other, driving their desire for each other higher. Miranda pushed Andréa's shirt off and then reached up to push her bra-straps down her arms. She licked a path back up to her Mark. She could hear the blood rushing to through Andréa's veins tantalizing her. Andrea began grinding her hips into Miranda's, whimpering, moaning, through her lust.

Miranda could feel her own eyes begin to tingle, her mouth start to water, and her fangs ache with the need to bite. One hand crawled up Andréa's thighs, a thumb making maddening circles near her inner-thigh, driving Andréa a lil' insane. That bit of skin felt increasingly sensitive and so close to her pussy made her that much wetter. She could feel her panties become wetter as she leaked more juice.

The smell wafting up into both of their noses, filling the air in the limo. The "Old Andy" might have felt some embarrassment over how turned-on she was, but this "New Andy" wanted to... purr. She felt wanton especially as she felt Miranda's fangs scrape against her very sensitive Mark. Andy gave a little cry. It felt like the Mark was pulsating, becoming swollen with blood, as if preparing for Miranda's bite. It felt similar to another pulsating, swollen part of Andy.

"Mmmm, you're ready aren't you?" another scrape of her fangs against Andréa's neck followed by a similar reaction illustrated this point. Miranda moved the hand on Andréa's thigh to the button on her slacks. She brought her other hand to help lower the zipper and Andréa lifted her hips to help shove the slacks down her thighs.

"I had every plan to taste you much more intimately but time constraints have led me to improvise. I hope you find my... ability to adapt adequate." She was now sucking on her Mark, preparing it/Andréa even more for her Bite.

"Oh god, yes! Whatever Miranda... please just do something!" as Miranda's fingers plucked at Andy's now soaked panties, the need for relief was becoming imperative. Those wicked fingers slid past Andy's panty-line, worrying her pubic hair, avoided her throbbing clit, then lightly pinched her labia. She could feel her hole gushing even more juice, she'd be surprised if she didn't leave a wet stain on her pants.

Her hips shifted closer to those wicked fingers, trying to get them to move to where they were desperately needed. Her hands clutched at Miranda's shoulders , the pressure built in her nether regions, her stomach felt cramped from her abdominal work in trying to grind her way to an orgasm. Andy's breath sounded loud in the interior of the limo - thank the Goddess that Miranda dismissed everyone including Roy from the limo. Not that she might have been able to stop anyways if he could - Miranda had that effect on her.

The sudden scent of rain and earth, mixed with roses grew strong in the air. It was if their Powers were readying for the Marking and sex. Andy lifted her head to stare into Miranda's lidded glowing icy-blue gaze. Just as was about to lean in once more and capture those lips, the merest grins curled those beloved lips, eyes narrowed to a hint of wickedness.

"Hold steady darling, let's change perspective." And with that Miranda's hand that was teasing her pussy was quickly removed, while the other reached down and whipped Andréa's panties off, then those same hands lifted her off her lap eliciting a yelp of surprise from her, and quickly turned her around to straddle Miranda's lap in the opposite direction.

"Miranda, wh-" a hand sliding into her hair, sweeping up the locks on the side of the Mark, while the other hand slid back through her moist curls, worrying her labial lips, and the brush of the Vampire's scorching lips settled on the Mark.

The surprise was quickly swept away into the all-consuming desire that they'd been working themselves into. Andy's juices staining Miranda's pants, sweat dampening her shirt.

"Ready darling?" Miranda's voice was guttural and growly sending hot shivers down Andy's spine.

"Look how wonderfully slutty you look; sitting there with your shirt half hanging off, your breasts spilling out of your bra, nipples rock-hard, grinding wantonly on my lap. You love it don't you?" she continued firmly stroking that spot inside Andréa's body.

"You love my fingers inside you - I want you to soak my fingers so I can taste more of your deliciousness."

But Andy was too busy panting through the love-lust that seemed to have imprisoned her voice to respond to Miranda's dirty talk. Her head fell back onto Miranda's shoulder, a keening moan spilling from her throat, the weight suddenly too heavy, her hips grinded copious amount of lubrication coating those wicked fingers. She could only nod in acquiescence and hoped that Miranda understood.

She slid into her weeping hole, impaled her two then three fingers, and the fangs sliding like liquid into the Mark unleashed a sob from Andy's throat. Each pull of her blood coincided with the deep thrust and press against her the little ball of flesh inside her cunt, wringing a cry from Andy's lips. Andy lifted her hips impaling herself even more on those long, wicked fingers that erringly had no problem finding her g-spot.

The amount of girl-cum leaking out of her grasping channel was making a 'squish' sound every time Miranda penetrated, wiggled, swirled, pressed, and then retreated before repeating all over again. The pressure continued to build; the rhythmic pull of blood seemed to pulsate her quivering clit at the same time. The angle of the position made Andy 'feel' the bump against her g-spot even more. Like their earlier love-making, it was almost too much. The pleasure seemed to be tearing her apart and making her over.

Her cries and whimpers increased in volume -but that didn't matter because she could "see" the orgasm like a big freight train from a distance, her hole wildly clenching around Miranda's fingers.

"Miranda! I'm going to cum!" she cried.

Miranda with her fangs firmly entrenched inside Andréa's neck, her tongue siphoning the blood, laving the wounds, causing Andy's hips to jerk in reactive pleasure-pain. She was synched into Andréa on a level she had never experienced before. The events leading up to this moment reinforced this idea, so without interrupting her Feeding she responded to Andréa's desperate pronouncement

Touch your clit mi'amour.

Even before Miranda finished that sentence Andréa's hand that had been digging into Miranda's thigh started combing through her wet folds. She collected the abundant moisture, almost tangling with Miranda's plunging fingers, and dragged those fingers to her swollen clit. She began circling, spreading, her cum along the hood, worrying it until the pinkish-red, ultra-sensitive, head peaked out.

Like a pressurized cooker, the orgasm built along with those wicked fingers that were now curled and pressing hard on the g-spot in Andy. The pressure kept building, her clit impossibly hard, her nipples tight and straining in the air, and she could hear her wetness spilling onto the floor of the limo. Miranda brought the hand holding onto her waist to sweep up her tensed abdomen to her cup her full breast.

Those fingers cupped and gently kneaded before circling the areola and then clasping the nipple. When Miranda pinched and rolled those fingers that set off a domino effect that ended in a powerful, mind-numbing, orgasm. As the orgasm rolled through Andy, her tattoos slithered along Miranda's and her skin, gleamed the dim light. Unbeknownst to either of them Andy's magical tattoos were healing torn and scraped skin.

Andy's head snapped back onto Miranda's shoulder, her mouth fell open in a wail, while Miranda moaned through their connection. Andy's clit rhythmically pulsated in time with her wildly spasming hole that tightened around Miranda's thrusting fingers, as 'girl juice' gushed out. The air was thick with the smell of blood, sweat, cum, and magic. Miranda slowed her fingers while retracting her fangs, laving the blood weeping from the wounds. Little cries spilled from Andy's throat as the orgasm worked its way through her body, little quakes continuing to contract her gushing walls around Miranda's fingers.

Miranda peppered and suckled her way up to Andréa's jaw, a tousled white forelock spilled onto her forehead, tickling against Andréa's ear.

"I think it goes without saying that I'm thrilled that your orgasm does not coincide with a natural emergency." She nuzzled into Andréa's neck, while gently pulling her fingers free from their wet, velvet prison. "That was divine darling. I dearly wish we had more time."

Andy swallowed to get rid of some of the dryness in her mouth. "Geezus Miranda, I have to say that making love with you is truly remarkable." She turned her head to capture Miranda's lips. She pulled her head back to look into the gorgeous blue eyes. "But surely we're not finished... don't you n-"

"As much as I'd love to have those succulent lips of yours wrapped around a rather... "tortured" part of my body, we have an urgent audience waiting for us." She dipped her head in for another kiss and she brought up the hand that had been busy between Andréa's thighs and saw the glistening juice on her fingers. She brought those same fingers to her lips so her tongue could give them a rather thorough cleaning. She hummed while she "cleaned" and Andréa just stared in renewed lust.

"I have to say that as post-battles go, this is by far the best experience."

"And what do you know about post-battle experiences?" sniffed Miranda.

"I played volleyball in college; sporting events can feel like post-battles. Granted back then that meant dancing and one too many drinks, so you'll understand that I'm finding this method a lot more my... speed." The last part ended on a purr while Andy turned sideways in Miranda's lap to loop her arms around her neck.

"Be that as it may we need to get inside to start the meeting. Straighten enough to walk inside somewhat appropriately.

They shared one last kiss and prepared to meet the world.



To Be Continued...

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