"A Dangerous Affair C10PG13"
By: Raq. Umali - umalific@hotmail.com
Editor: Jen2 - je2nifer_t@hotmail.com
4/10/01

BACK TO THE PRESENT!
(we've gone now to a full circle, excerpt from the last paragraph from the 
prologue)

Landing graciously on the balcony grounds he entered the room ever so quietly.  
Glowing the room smelt of wild flowers, erotically infiltrating his wild senses.  
Removing his coat he modestly locked the doors to the only other entrance in her 
room. Strolling over to her bedside, his eyes a deep glaze as hunger swept in.  
Lucky for her, his hunger was not for her blood but for her love.  Her figure 
and outline teased him through the sheer material that hung over her bed 
lightly.  With one sweeping movement he moved the sheets allowing himself full 
view of his beautiful nymph.  Indeed she was a blessing to everyone's eyes.

Mother natures' most perfect creation, golden tresses spread wonderously under 
her small frame, lips succulently pink and features more than heavenly.  She was 
indeed the sleeping beauty.

Darien grazed his large hands against the smoothness of her legs, clearly seen 
through her sheer and irridescent gown.  From her small ankles to the tops of 
her thighs he loved the softness of her beauty.  A bewitching midinette she was, 
all heart and no prejudice to taint her.  Eyes lingering to her tiny waist then 
to the tops of her mounds.  Teasing him slightly as they puckered to the touch 
of the cool midnight air.

His presence was known to her by the rapid beat of her heart, Serena's eyes 
slowly opened and found her mate as lovely as she had first laid her large blue 
eyes on him. She watched him take her in with his midnight eyes and as he 
lingered to her body's curveature she shivered at his need.  She too felt the 
desire that always had both of them in the heap of passion.  Especially after 
their first evening of love making.

Darien's eyes traveled to her awakened features and lovingly he smiled.  Leaning 
down for a sweet welcoming kiss, short as it was, sweetly innocent but still 
leaving her breathless.

"Welcome back my love... I've missed you" confessed Darien as he made himself 
comfortable next to Serena's side. Leaning down with one elbow, his view was 
never away from Serena.

"mmmm.. and I've missed you as well" she answered lovingly and lightly caressing 
his firm jaw bone.

"Why did you have to be gone so long?"

"I had to meet with some scientist for something special that Andrew and I are 
concocting" slightly rising to a sitting position. "I had to leave him there for 
I couldn't stand to be too long without you".  Serena moved closer to make 
contact with his lips.  Passionately she kissed him deeply.  Eyes closed they 
both felt the longing for each other and the loneliness they endured when away 
from one another.

"mmmm... that's what I call a welcome home greeting" she whispered.  Darien 
chuckled a bit as he met Serena's devious eyes.  During the moment of desirable 
silence, the powerful emotions of passion, love and lust were clearly shown 
within both eyes.  The question was asked and it was answered.  

Darien with one movement of his hand, waved the balcony doors close.  For they 
were to be lost in their own little passionate world, where needing and 
satisfying each other with love and fullfillment was all to worry about. It was 
something for them to only to enjoy and not the outside world.  In no time the 
quietness of the room became filled with muffles of pleasure.

****

It had been several months since Mina and Andrew had found out about the 
lifestyles of Darien and his pac.  After Emi and her nympho pac were deathly 
defeated by Serena and the evening of which her and Darien shared their first 
passionate bliss.  Serena returned home early in the morning to be greeted by a 
still frightened Andrew and a very confused Mina.  

The scene was almost comical but frightening to Serena.  She didn't know how 
much her cousins were able to accept and who would know they wouldn't tip 
Scotland yard or the community.  There would sure be a vampiric massacre going 
on and of course Serena wouldn't come out of it alive herself.  The town and 
community was single minded and un-educated for the most about witches, blinded 
by darkened fairy tales of witches sacrificing children for bad magic.  Surely 
they would react with a witch-hunt for Serena and her sisters and least to say 
they would not survive.

Serena walked into the study. Before her was the scene of Andrew, draped in 
clusters of garlic and holding a crucifix to his heart.  He sat in a corner, 
repeating prayers to ward of any evil.  Mina sat on the couch watching him, 
worried stricken to how her brother was acting.  Serena knew she had to go slow 
and make them understand.  

Serena's presence was heard and Mina ran to her cousin as Andrew voiced his 
chant louder and held the crucifix tighter and closer to his chest.

"Serena......." Called Mina as she ran to her cousin "why is Andrew like this??? 
What happened?  Andrew was mumbling something about Darien and Michael being 
vampires and you a witch.. What's going on?" Serena embraced her cousin tightly 
then her eyes locked on Andrew.

"Mina sit down for a moment" Serena whisped a stray of Mina's hair away from her 
face as she motioned her towards the couch. Serena's attention became focused on 
Andrew, chanting away, he kept his eyes steady on Serena.  Serena slowly walked 
over not wanting to scare him anymore than he already was.

"OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN...." Chanted Andrew as Serena came closer.

"Andrew..." whispered Serena as she came closer.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME YOU WITCH...... HALLOWED BE THY NAME" he raised his voice as 
he held the crucifix.

"Andrew... please..."

"Stay away from me or I will not be afraid to use this" he gestured as he took a 
vial out from his pocket.  "Mina come over here!......... she will kill you" 
Andrew called for his sister.

"Andrew its Serena....... Our cousin Serena?"

"No that's not our cousin.... She's a witch!"

"Andrew...listen.... Holy water kills and wards of evil, those who take life for 
pleasure.  Holy water and that crucifix will not harm me, for I am not evil as 
you may think" spoke Serena calmly, trying to make sense of to say to Andrew and 
Mina without scaring them into hiding.  Serena came closer and inches away 
Andrew held the crucifix high towards Serena.  "I tell you what Andrew, I will 
touch the crucifix and show you Im not here to harm you"

"Serena what's going on?" asked Mina

"You do that and I will sprinkle this holy water on you." 

"and if I do and not die as you think... will you sit and listen to what I have 
to say?" she eased her self slowly down to her knees to be in front of Andrew.  
Andrew held his breath as Serena sat and waited.  He was sure that if she hadn't 
been deflected by the image of the crucifix she wouldn't be harmed by the holy 
water thus showing her harmless, but you can never be sure he thought to 
himself.

"I will..." he said a little more calmly but still frightened.  Serena smiled 
and lifted her hands to reach out for the crucifix.  Mina sat confused to the 
drama her cousin and brother were acting out.  Serena's hands touched and 
grasped the crucifix as she watched Andrew's features turn a bit calmer.

"Now sprinkle some holy water on me so that i can prove to you that I am not 
here to harm you" Serena waited for his actions and indeed Andrew threw holy 
water.  Splashing all over Serena's dress, face, and arms.  Andrew sat still as 
he waited for a reaction to the holy water.  NOTHING... Serena started to weigh 
the crucifix down and smiled lightly.

"I told you that it will do me no harm for I am not evil" she stated taking the 
crucifix to her own hands.  "Now will you listen to what I have to say?" she 
asked.  Andrew sat quietly for a moment as if contemplating on what he should do 
or if he really believed that Serena was not their to harm them.  Serena read 
his mind and answered him freely.

"Andrew If I was to harm you I would of have done it already, but I am not.  It 
is me... Serena your cousin.... I would never harm you or put you or Mina in any 
danger".  Mina's eyes focused on Andrew as she pleaded him to believe Serena and 
let her in on their secret.  Nodding Andrew let his guards down and exhaled 
deeply before lunging to his cousin for a comforting hug.

The day was spent explaining and comforting them to what they now knew about her 
and Darien.  A little uneasy but not as frightened, Andrew was accepting the 
ideas more calmly than before.  Serena had explained that there was no harm to 
come to any of her family members and how they were all actually protected by 
Darien's pac.  She stated that On their neck was an invisible sign of protection 
from Darien that warded off other vampires should they try to pursue.  She then 
explained how Emi and her pac were a bunch of adolescent and menacing vampires.  

Andrew became calmer to each bit of information he was given.  True.. he 
thought, he had seen Darien and his friends many times before and each time they 
spoke to him with respect and never tried to harm him.  His heart returned to 
its normal beating rythym as he became at ease.  As long as the vampires did not 
harm him nor his family he would keep their identity a secret all the way to his 
grave.   

Indeed it was a shocker to them for the most part, especially for Mina who 
couldn't shake the feeling of dating Michael whom was also a vampire.  

Mina was in denial for the now obvious reasons of not seeing Michael during 
mornings for breakfast which he always kindly refused, or community picnics he 
adamantly stated he was busy.  Blind as she may have wanted to be, it was the 
truth and definetly a scary thought to behold.  

Understanding the lives of Darien and his men was necessary. To explain their 
lifestyles and of their hunts and prey, and choosing men or women not of  normal 
statue or even middle class people.  

Then came the explanation of how she found out about her own identity.  The 
answers she had been given inside her book, the destiny of her and Darien.  It 
was hard to accept but in no time Andrew believed in his cousin once again and 
began to understand the life of a white witch.  It was not as horrid as all 
might have told of the tales.  Serena pleaded with Andrew and Mina for 
affirmation that they would not tell a soul.  For it depended on their dear 
lives.  At the end, both Andrew and Mina promised that they would not tell a 
soul.  

Though clearly explained, Mina still had a difficult time accepting all of what 
she had heard.  For the days after Serena had confessed, Mina strayed.  She was 
afraid and almost unwillingly wanting to accept that her cousin was not only 
dating the prince of Vampires himself but a witch.  That was another difficult 
fact to swallow.  Later after missing her brother who was now freely mingling 
with Darien and the others, Serena became unhappy at the absence of her cousin.   
Eventually Mina came around and fully accepted the truth.  "If Andrew can accept 
the facts then so can I".

Now it was back to their normal routine.  Living and being cautious, but at the 
same time happy with one another.  Andrew even became closer friends with Darien 
and the others.  He almost felt like one of them... well to a certain point.  He 
was glad that he made ties with Darien and the others and almost felt honored to 
be protected by them.  He knew how much Darien and his friends wished to be 
normal and to live as he and his cousins.  But their faith was a different one 
than theirs.  Wanting to help them in every way he vowed to make their lives a 
bit easier and as close to normal he could.
   
Andrew had spoken to Serena about an idea he had.  Reading and acquiring much 
information on the many different species of vampires, he had this very much 
brilliant idea.  The information he rapidly collected was not from the public 
library.  For that information had only depicted them as savage blood sucking 
murderers.  The information he held was from the library of the Prince.  It was 
there he had come upon a book "I Rise by Day", it was a vampires dairy of his 
daily rituals.  Rituals that he so bravely conquered during mid-day.  The words 
stuck to Andrew 'Mid-day', Impossible? not quite. This diary and other 
collections in the Mysterious shop that Lita and Ami owned were proof that it 
was possible for vampires to roam during the day.  

Speaking to Serena and gaining her attention, Andrew knew that Serena would do 
anything to give Darien a somewhat normal life.  Though skeptical as she was, 
Serena never gave up hope that someday they were able to come up with some type 
of scientific answer to allow Darien and his friends to live freely and as close 
to normal.  She would as Andrew suspected, DO anything for her love.

Many days and nights were spent on research and communicating with other 
scientists not afraid to be in contact with Vampires or knew much about them.  
They came up with a plan that had needed Andrew and Serena to travel to Paris.  
With secrecy she never gave any clue to Darien nor his friends about what she 
and Andrew were doing.  Her hopes were high enough and didn't want the same 
dissappointment to haunt them if their indications were not true.  And if it 
were to be, it would be ideal to her and to Darien.

Dangerous as it was a family ancestor of Vlad Nomaic, the author of the dairy 
was found.  Living in the tombs of his ancestor he lived during the day as well 
as the night.  At first Vlad IV was skeptical and a little inclined not to 
believe humans, for many years they hunted his brethren to their deaths.  Their 
first encounter with Vlad the IV was a blood curdling frenzy.

Serena, Andrew and two of his friends Melvin and Troy traced his whereabouts in 
Paris.  They had then decided to confront him and ask for his help in 
understanding the difference with him and the other vampires that would dare not 
roam the earth during the day.

The confrontation was especially frightening for Troy and Melvin.  Being their 
first ever encounter with a vampire they were scared from their minds and wits.  
But Serena and Andrew was more at ease, being around Darien and his friends 
helped.

*** Flash Back! **

"Are you sure about this?"

"Melvin if you do not wish to accompany us, it is quite all right" soothed 
Serena as she sat comfortably in her carriage.

"Yes Melvin if you want to go back it is all right" 

"Yeah Melvin... if your scared you can go home" teased Troy.

"I am not scared...  Just a little uneasy that's all" he retorted at his 
irritating best friend.

"You two have never changed a bit" responded Andrew at his high school and 
college buddies.

"Now can you please tell me what where doing here?" Troy asked.

"We are here to speak to Vlad to helping us"

"Helping us, Vampires don't help anyone but themselves"

"Troy there you are wrong" smiled Serena thinking of her love.

"There are plenty of vampires out there that do care"

"Oh and you know so?" asked Melvin

"Indeed I do"

"I do as well" confirmed Andrew.

"Well... if you two are so sure then I guess I can believe you for now" uttered 
Troy.

The carriage came to a stop and in no time Andrew was helping Serena.  The scene 
was eerie and straight out of a horrific novel.  Silently the thick fog hovered 
over the graves, protecting those who had come to lay  there asleep for 
centuries.  Owls whooed, and ravens sqwaked giving it all the more frightening 
ambiance.  Thick trees surrounded the facility blanketing it from the outside 
world. The scent of the rotten moldy lumber penetrated the night air. Treetops 
secretly shrouded the ground below it from all light. It was a place forgotten 
by time, a sanctuary for the various creatures of the night to roam wild. 

"This way" trudged Andrew as he held Serena's hand firmly. The daunting trees 
did not allow for them to pass through side by side. Andrew stayed in front and 
kept Serena close behind him. Troy followed with Melvin behind, Melvin was not 
comfortable having his back exposed to the mystery surrounding them.

"Are.. you sure?" said Melvin hysterically. He followed behind them even closer 
with his flashlight that did not help. "How can you be sure this is the right 
path?" Melvin managed to cut his lip as he navigated through the bristles of 
shrubbery. Mixing his scent into the foul stench of the rotten leaves and damp 
soil. He tasted his blood as he felt in trickle down his chin. He hated the 
stinging most of it all. He wished for it to go away but it showed no intentions 
of leaving him. He turned around with his flashlight to investigate a noise he 
thought he heard.

A small pair of eyes glistened at him with a crimson aura. 

"You don't need that right now" said Serena "For the fog will only reflect the 
light back to you"

"Yeah... you imbecil... and you're a scientist?..could of fooled me" taunted 
Troy.

Melvin did not say a word.

Upon walking several yards away from the entrance, they came upon a large tomb.  
It could have been a house if at first glance, surrounded by dead foliage and 
shrubbery. The moonlight managed to find entrance through the leaves and let its 
presence known to the travelers below. Andrew pulled and pryed away to the 
entrance.  With a few clicks and a push Andrew cleared the way and walked in...

"Andrew be careful" whispered Serena as she followed behind him.

"Hello..." said Andrew as he pushed forward to the darkened rooms.  Clicking his 
flashlight Andrew shot the beam forward.  "Hel...lo..." Hearing footsteps other 
than theirs he motioned for them to be silent. Melvin did not seem to need the 
encouragement. He was twisted inside because of his own terror he witnessed in 
the woods.  Walking forward by himself, Andrew turned swept his flashlight from 
left to right, finding what made the noise to be a lonesome cat.  As he turned 
to give them a clear motion, The beam came face to face with a man. A man they 
hoped was the very soul they had come to see.  Only he was not too happy to see 
them.

"Trespassers" he hissed as the moment Andrew saw him. Then in a flash Andrew was 
struck across the face and immediately brought to the ground. Loosing his 
flashlight he could not see, only the soft light of the moon beams held light.

"ANDREW!........." yelled Serena as she closed her eyes to feel for her cousin.  
Upon hearing a womans voice, the shadow held back and was happy that he was 
indeed to feed tonight. "Andrew where are you?"

"I'm over here Serena.. DON'T move... Melvin, Troy stay close together with 
Serena" Melvin's fear had gotten the best of him as he curled himself frozen.

"I cant see you...... nor feel you..." Serena whispered.

"Serena give me light" said Andrew from afar.  Serena nodded and understood.

"Give me soft light to mid day, bid me light to see the way" recited Serena as a 
soft glow illuminated from the candles above.  The chamber was now visible to 
the naked eye.  Cobwebs and dust lay thickly everywhere.  Her eyes roamed and to 
her beating heart found no signs of Andrew.  "Troy, Melvin stay close" whispered 
Serena as she nodded to them for approval. All they could do was stare from 
behind Serena.  Their actions and features foretold that someone or something 
was behind her. Swiftly Serena came about, before her was the sight of a very 
angry, very hungry vampire.  Her hood covered her features as she turned looking 
behind her to find both Melvin and Troy passed out cold.

"Its so nice of you to bring dinner to me" he hissed as he grabbed Serena by the 
shoulder, holding her tightly. He had sought his prey and it was now time to 
feast.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you" yelled Andrew.  Gaining the attention he 
wanted.  The unhappy vampire stared at him with daggers and his red eyes almost 
felt the pain he was to do to them.

"You... trespass in my home and you dare order me" he shot back. "You thieves... 
you will not get any of my family's treasures... You can try... but just like 
the others you will see your end" he breathed as he motioned to the ground where 
Troy and Melvin lay in shock. Decomposed bodies, bones and various weapons spoke 
the tales of those who had come to seek personal fortune. Only their clothes, 
which tainted in blood, had managed to remain intact. 

"We are not here to steal anything Vlad" Serena asserted.  Vlad's hands still 
remained firm on Serena's shoulders. He drew tighter at the sound of his name.

"How did you..."

"We are here to speak to you not to hurt you or steal from you" Andrew addressed 
as he came closer. Andrew straightened himself up. He dusted the cobwebs off his 
high collared shirt. He slowly approached the pair closer, but slowly as to not 
trigger any sudden attack from his cousin's captor.  

"Liars......" he yelled "You will be my prey tonight" as he held Serena with a 
grip.  His grip so firm, Serena jolted a bit to remove herself from his hands. 
Her hood had somehow befallen, leaving her more exposed than before.  Vlad's 
eyes looked hungrily, even more so as he was exposed the wonderful eyes and 
mounds of Serena. She felt his hot saliva fall on her neck. Then with a sudden 
bright flare, Serena's neck was brightly visible.  More so visible then when 
Darien had first daubed it in the beginning.. The mark was large and almost 
pearalized, for Darien had almost taken her whole entire body marking her his.

"THE PRINCE..." whispered Vlad as he looked on from her neck, to her chest. HE 
let his grasp go and stepped back in confusion.

"If you harm her, no doubt you will answer to the Prince" said Andrew as he came 
closer.

"How... , What..." said Vlad as he looked at Serena eyeing her with confusion 
and then to Andrew. "You are protected by the Prince... You are his minions"

"She's a more than just a minion" said Andrew as he put an arm around Serena's 
shoulder.

"What does the prince want with me?"

"Actually Vlad, we are here on our own mission."

"Mission?"

"Yes.. we need your help"


Both Troy and Melvin soon awoke thereafter, greeted by Serena and their new 
found acquaintance. With a bit of explanation of the theory they sought to 
prove, Vlad became more than willing to help them out.  Blood samples were taken 
and tests were done.  With Andrew, Melvin and Troy's knowledge, they would press 
on researching through the break of dawn to the darkest of night.  With her own 
challenge, Serena called to her sisters and asked for assistance.  She needed 
help attaining the ingredients that were to be mixed in the potion.  In no time 
help was found and another sister witch from the town aided Serena.

"Molly.. thank you for you help"

"You are most welcome.  I brought all the necessary ingredients you had been 
looking for".  Molly was a witch from Paris. A long line of loyalty connected 
the witches, helping one another if ever needed.  One by one, Molly had brought 
out her items.  "Chamomile, Gotu Kola, Butchers Broom, Devils Claw and Black 
Haw"

"Oh My where did you find all these in Paris?"

"I grow them myself in my garden, It is what you needed right?" she smiled.

"Yes... it is..." Serena gleefully added as she hugged her new found friend. 
"Thank you"

"Your welcome, Perhaps I can stay and help you" smiled Molly

"Of course... you can... I would still need your help anyway... I'm still a 
novice at making potions" whispered Serena as both girls giggled.

The two girls got along just well and hurriedly worked.  With Andrew and the 
others doing their part, Serena and Molly worked on theirs, taking a bit longer 
though for some ingredients had to be dried.  The tedious task of drying, 
powdering then mixing the right amount was meticulously done.  

Test after test after test, Andrew had broke down Vlads ancient blood and found 
its difference.  A different cell that had evolved over time was not present in 
normal vampires.  With many evenings of looking under the microscope, Andrew was 
able to single it out.  It was then the task of reproducing it without 
corrupting the cell.

The mixture that Andrew had held had at lease a good pint of Vlads blood.  With 
his blood already flowing with the particular cell to be mixed in with their 
synthetic ones.  Serena's natural mix with a bit of her and Molly's magic gave 
the mixture an healing affect.  It would not harm the vampires that took it, but 
instead help them aleviate the strain on their skin once exposed to the bright 
sun.  It was similar to the chemical that Vlad and his family had.  

A day or two had gone by and in no time Andrew was ready to combine the 
mixtures.  Vlad, Troy, Melvin, Molly, Andrew, and Serena all waited in 
anticipation as they focused their eyes on the mixing of the two syrums.  
Serena's hands steadied as she poured her contents to the beaker that was held 
near the flame.  Inside the beaker was a blood red mixture that was heated for a 
speeded effect.  Serena's mixture of dark green easily mixed in with the 
thickened blood.  They watched in silence as the burner was turned off and Molly 
stirred contents of the beaker.

Its done" motioned Andrew as he pushed his glasses back.

"When do we administer this and how long will it be good for?" asked Serena.

"Well.. it should be good for a good months time and 6 cc's of this should do 
the trick"

"What are to be the consequences if it doesn't work?" asked Melvin

"I don't know.. It might be fatal or it might not"

"So when do we give this to him?" asked Troy

"We'll we travel back to London tomorrow and we can give it to him then"

"YOU WILL NOT!" interrupted Serena "Are you crazy... I will not have you 
administer that to Darien without any test" as she gave them all firm looks.

"Serena who will we test this on?" asked Andrew "surely we cant capture another 
vampire and test this on him"

"Yes we can".  Vlad gave his own opinion in the matter. "As I see it, Serena is 
right.  We shouldn't give the prince this serum until it has been tested to be 
genuine.  I mean if something was to go wrong atlease it is not the prince's 
life in"

"Andrew... I will not let you give that to him" whispered Serena.

"Serena.. then who will we give this too?"

"I know someone..."

"You do?".  Andrew turned to Vlad and awaited for any more information he had on 
their guinea pig.

"IVAN"

"IVAN?"

"Yes.. hes a friend of mine that's always been jealous of my rising by day.  He 
would not object"

"If it be fatal?" asked Serena

"It doesn't matter to him, hes been looking for a way out of this world".  Vlad 
gave each person a look of surety and turned to contact his friend.  

The serum was administered and a good evenings rest was for Ivan. The following 
day was blessed to Serena as the Serum worked as well as they had planned.  
Serena hugged her cousin and the others as they witnessed themselves Ivan's 
entrance to the light.  Although he was clothed and wore sun glasses he did not 
see his death upon the sun's ray's hitting his flaxen skin. It was pure joy to 
Ivan and now thanked the scientist and Serena for his new gift of living.

A few more test needed to be made before they fully be sure that the serum was 
safe.  Ivan's skin had turned into a bit greenish color. From Molly's theory was 
because of much of their part.  Perhaps they had mixed too much of their side of 
the potion.  For the potion that they had made once taken was to be within the 
lining of their skin.  It would explain the greenish tint on Ivan's skin.

The flaws were small and Serena had wanted to return to London.  Being away from 
Darien for two weeks, she had missed Darien with her full heart.  The 
anticipation of seeing him was more than she can bear.  Even more so now that 
they had seemed to crack the tradition of their only nocturnal presence.

"Andrew I'll see you in London in a few days" said Serena as she began walking 
towards the carriage that waited for her entrance.

"Yes... I will be there as soon as I pack everything away".  Andrew hugged his 
cousin and bid his goodbye. "Have a safe trip and give everyone my regards till 
I get there." He kissed her cheek lightly.  Serena turned to Molly and thanked 
her and the others, approaching Ivan and Vlad seprately.

"Vlad, Ivan, thank you for you help.  This whole idea would not of been possible 
without your help...Thank you" whispered Serena as she hugged both men.  "This 
means more to me than all that you may know"

"Serena" spoke Vlad "I have a clue as to how it means to you.  For I know now 
that you and the prince have something very special"  Serena nodded in 
agreement.

"Indeed she is" spoke Ivan "You are truly special Miss Serena, thank you.  The 
prince is a lucky man to have found such a witch" he smiled lightly winking at 
her.

"You men will join Andrew on his voyage back to London correct?"

"Ivan will, but I will not" said Vlad

"Then it is goodbye" said Serena as she gave her new found friends a last hug. 
"Ivan I will see you in London in two days" she lastly stated before entering 
her carriage.

***

Serena and Darien had made love well throughout the night and into the still 
dark of the early morning. After two weeks and one day of deprivation from one 
another, the evening was of amorous love and soulful desires. Touches ignited, 
sparking up the flames that kept them hot.  Their kisses were flamingly more 
intense than of kisses of newlyweds on their honeymoon. The mixture of moans and 
pulsating desires was incredibly strong.  Exhausted by the end of their heated 
passion, they had both made up for what they had missed while they were apart.

Waking up to the ray of light that filtered through the heavy curtains,  Serena 
woke to the scent of roses.  Her eyes fluttered open, beside her was not her 
love but a well-groomed rose that could only be from her prince.  It was well 
into the morning and indeed she didn't expect him to be there for the sun was 
already in full bloom.  She sat up as she picked up the rose.  Lovingly she 
coherently inhaled the beautiful scent and smiled.  "Soon my love.. very soon"

**

Two days later, Serena had invited all to dine at her house.  Her invitation was 
to her closest family and friends. Darien and his companions, Serena's Wiccan 
sisters and Mina all sat dining with one another.  When asked for the gathering, 
she simply smiled and answered 'it's a surprise'.

Serena smiled to herself as she listened to the light conversation around her. 
She even noticed the  bedroom eyes and flirtatious stares that Darien's 
companions and Serena's sisters seemed to give one another.  Indeed their circle 
of friends were now becoming more than just friends. Mina and Michael were back 
to themselves.  In love, as was Serena and her Prince. Mina and Michael were 
well off on their love affair as well.

Content Serena happily sighed as she began to focus her attention on her 
dessert.  The sigh was quiet but heard by the man who closely sat next to her, 
Darien.  The sigh roused his attention and he lovingly stared at his Serena for 
any type of discontent.  What he found was a large mischevous smile plastered on 
his beautiful woman's features as she played with her food.

"Serena, love... Didn't your mother tell you not to play with you food?" he 
kindly played.  Serena brought her head up and lightly giggled.  Indeed she was 
very giddy.

"What has brought this little girl out of my Serena?" he whisperingly stated as 
he caressed her bubbling cheeks.  Serena turned to face her lovely prince and 
smiled as she placed her hand over his.

"Cant a girl be happy?"

"Just happy?"  Darien eyed her suspiciously as he asked for answers.

"just wait a while and you'll find out why I'm so happy" answered Serena as she 
gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek.

Darien left it at that, as long as she wasn't bothered by anything it will not 
trouble his mind.  He knew that after the evening was over, she will let him in 
on her little secret.  

Hours had passed and everyone had retired to the library for more light chatter.  
It was Brandy for the men and light wine for the women.  Serena sat close to 
Darien as he lovingly played with her fallen curls. Playfully giggling as Darien 
whispered sweet nothings to her ear.

As the others flirted and mingled the door bell rang.  Gaining the attention of 
not only Serena but others as well.

"Who in the.. Its 2:30 in the morning".  Mina eyed Serena.  The men began to 
sniff the air and smelled a familiar scent and another that they sensed was a 
newcomer.  Darien eyed his men and was about to stand when Serena pulled him 
back down.

"It's okay love... Its Andrew.." giving him her innocently bright eyes.

"and the other?" he asked questioningly as he sensed that she knew more than she 
was willing to reveal.

"He means no harm" Serena smiled, the large and comforting smile that she was so 
known for. Everyone eyed Darien and Serena as they talked.  As the men looked at 
him for orders, Serena stood.

The doors opened and indeed revealed Andrew.  It was Mina at first who greeted 
her brother, then followed by his cousin Serena.

"Where is Ivan?" she whispered to him as she hugged him.

"I told him to wait in the receiving room.  I think we should explain first of 
our travels to Paris" he eyed her for her approval.  Serena nodded.

"Andrew......" smiled Darien as he gave him a welcome home shake "where have you 
been?"

"In Paris..."

"I bet for some very important experiment." said Michael

"Infact it was and is very important.  So important that it deals with all of 
you".  The others were silent a bit.  The remark sounded like betrayal, although 
they knew that Andrew would never betray their lives.

"OH?" asked Darien "How so?" he said as he kept his eyes on Andrew.

"Nothing as to what you are thinking" Andrew calmly stated as he looked from 
Darien than to Serena.

"Perhaps everyone should take their seats" instructed Serena "We will explain 
what we have been doing in Paris for two weeks".  Darien eyed her all too 
suspiciously.  Not a look of betrayal, but a 'what have you been hiding?' look.  
Everyone took levy to a couch or a chair waiting for their explanation of some 
sort, and to how they were involved in the whole thing.

"Perhaps we should start by saying that, our business in Paris was not of any 
political or scientific value to anyone but you men and one particular woman" 
motioned Andrew as his eyes contacted Rei-lee's.

"It is nothing of any harm to you.  For you all know how dear you are all to me" 
Serena's eyes contacted Darien's as his own eyes softened.  

"Go on" whispered Darien

"Our purpose in Paris was to research and find a way to give you gentlemen and 
woman a little more flexibility in your long lives."

"Flexibility? What do you mean?" asked Rei as she wondered what the cousins had 
in mind at the idea of flexibility.

"Let me go back and perhaps you'll get the idea" said Andrew "Darien, after 
letting me into that huge library of yours.  I had encountered one book that had 
enlightened me as well as inspired me.  The book is called 'I Rise by Day'."

"Inspired? How so?" asked Michael as he held Mina in his arms.

"Well.." said Andrew as he looked on to his cousin.

"Vlad Nomiac I, had written that book in account to what he had done in his 
everyday life."

"So, what does this have to do with them?" asked Mina

"Vlad was a vampire Mina" said Andrew, "and what Serena meant by everyday is 
exactly that.  Vlad had accounted his adventures as he ventured out in broad 
daylight".

"WHAT?" said the other men all around, eyeing the two cousins.

"Impossible" said Rei "He would of never survived would he?!" she turned towards 
her brother.  He gave her a look of no answers.

"Apparently" said Andrew "You all have not read the book"

"After reading the book, Andrew had called me and asked for my help.  Once 
reading the book I was a bit skeptical to his intuitions but if he was right 
than it would be somewhat ideal for you." Serena gave all of the men a look of 
love and respect.

"And what would this ideation be?" Darien asked.

"The idea......... of you, and the others roaming by day." answered Andrew.


Stay Tune for chapter 11......

Thanks to all that have waited patiently for this new post.  I would like to 
thank Jennifer for editing. * raq whispers * psssst... hey blame it on Jennifer 
for the long wait.  She had it for a while like a week or two and didn't get her 
butt moving fast enough!  ALSO... * raq thinks evilly * Chapters 11 and 12 are 
DONE!  SHE has them I DON'T!, yep she has 11 and 12... SHE has the 
responsibility of editing.  SO flame her and tell her to hurry her tushy up! 
Heheheheheh Jenn.. don't hate me... you know I wuv you ;) heheheheh...... Her 
email is je2nifer_t@hotmail.com SHE also co-wrote this.. so give her some props. 
:)

OKAY.. For the first 10 emails I get. I will put you guys in the pre-readers 
list :) ... Untill now its only to those who always email me all the time and 
have continued to follow my stories for quite some time.


* raq waves * HI GINA...... HI BECKY!