"I am honored at your invitation, your Holiness."

Alexander gazed at the man in a certain languor. "Of course you are." He paused, a certain significance in his words. "This is the first time you have had the pleasure of our company at such an event?"

Victor nodded as Alexander continued. "I trust you will partic.i.p.ate fully. I am unhappy when my guests are not pleased."

Victor understood the implied warning and bowed gracefully. He guided Ryan to the far side of the room, almost directly across from the papal throne. The two sat down at a table between two pillars, ignoring the inviting looks of those around them.

Ryan leaned close to Victor. "And what, pray tell, are we to partic.i.p.ate in?"

Victor looked down at his young charge, a youth who was 10 decades older than the next oldest person in this room. He brushed the hair from her eyes. "You will have to trust me."

From across the room, Alexander watched the sensual exchange between the two and was oddly excited. It normally took the depths of depravity to elicit any type of response from him, yet he felt his groin stir at this simple interaction between these two. He settled back on his throne; this night would prove to be even more interesting than he had thought.

Ryan settled back, not the least bit appeased. She glanced curiously around the room, trying not to make eye contact with those so obviously trying to do so with her. She was successful until her gaze wandered to the woman seated next to the Pope.

The woman stared boldly back at Ryan, a naked hunger in her eyes. Ryan estimated the girl to be 19 or perhaps 20 years old. She had long golden hair, a shade lighter than Ryan's, framing the sweetest of faces. The innocent countenance did not match the unbridled l.u.s.t in her eyes.

Ryan carefully let her eyes continue about the room, but her gaze was arrested by the very next man she came to. He was bearded and handsome, clothed in the robes of a cardinal. But there was no Christian charity in his eyes on this night. He gazed at Ryan in hot fury.

Ryan decided to cease her perusal of the room as it was having unintended consequences. Victor leaned close to speak in her ear.

"Her name is Lucrezia, and the man next to her is her brother, Cesare. They are both Alexander's children."

If this was not shocking enough to Ryan, his next words were more so.

"It is rumored she has been both her father's and brother's lover. She had another brother, Juan, whom Cesare apparently killed in a jealous rage."

Ryan suddenly understood why the bearded man looked at her with such fury. Lucrezia's attention was quite overt. Ryan's misgivings about the entertainment ahead dramatically increased.

As if on cue, great platters of food were brought in. There were gasps from the guests as entire stags were brought forth, the meat stuffed within the hide of the beast. Great boars, tusks and all, were brought in a similar fashion. Every type of exotic fruit and vegetable was available, and the people began to eat ravenously.

Alexander noted that the handsome pair were not eating. They also appeared disinterested in the proceedings around them. He was aware of Lucrezia's interest in the boy, although he had the feeling the boy would not be interested in her. He glanced at his temptress of a daughter; he did not see how that could be possible.

The food was whisked away as quickly as it had been brought in. A small ensemble in the corner began to play music and a group of 50 to 60 men and women came pouring into the hall. They danced around, playfully picking partners from the seated guests. The guests eagerly leaped to their feet and began to dance with the courtesans.

The wine and rich food were obviously beginning to have an affect as the dancers gaily began to shed articles of clothing. The more they danced, the more clothing was removed until several dancers on the floor were nearly nude.

Alexander clapped his hands and a group of servants rushed in bearing candelabra. Chestnuts were thrown amongst the burning candles and the courtesans began to snake their way through the impromptu maze, picking up the chestnuts. Ryan could see no rhyme or reason for this display, other than it put the courtesans in the correct positions for what was to follow.

Guests began to run out on the floor, shedding the remainder of their clothing. They grabbed the prost.i.tute of their choice, which was sometimes whoever was closest, and began to vigorously copulate.

Ryan, who had seen many things in the last two centuries, was startled by the display. She glanced across the room at Alexander who seemed immensely pleased by the exhibit, and indeed, was even cheering some of his favorites on.

Every type of s.e.xual act imaginable was present. Although the vast majority took place between men and women, there were a scattered few amongst same s.e.x partners. Oral copulation, a.n.a.l copulation, copulation with parts of the body that seemed incapable of copulation, all were performed with o.r.g.a.s.mic abandon. Those who were not immediately engaged in the s.e.xual act were voyeuristically preparing for it. Servants appeared to be keeping count in some bizarre contest.

Alexander felt his eyes drawn to the handsome pair, and was displeased. They were not partic.i.p.ating, and indeed, did not even appear to be enjoying the show. As if he sensed his scrutiny, the dark-haired man turned towards him.

There was a knowing, sensual look in the man's eyes. It was almost as if Alexander heard the man's voice inside his head.

I know what you want.

Alexander's eyes narrowed, but he did not turn back to the orgy in front of him. Instead, he watched the man across the room brush the boy's hair away from the nape of his neck with a languid gesture.

Ryan turned in surprise to Victor, who was partially reclined on a sofa. With little indication of his intention, he grasped the front of her shirt and pulled her effortlessly to the recliner in front of him. She tried to pull away but his grip was suddenly like iron and she was trapped, laying stiffly in front of him facing away.

Victor stared across the room at the Borgia Pope who was suddenly oblivious to the carnal display in front of him. He watched in fascination as the dark-haired man pinned the youth in front of him. He somehow had the feeling he was about to witness something far more extraordinary than a simple s.e.xual act.

Ryan was angered by Victor's actions. He rarely used his strength against her other than in play.

Relax, came his voice inside her head.

Ryan was further angered that Victor would use his power in such a way. His influence over her was extraordinary, but he rarely forced her to do anything. Against her will she felt her limbs relax and a peculiar languor steal over her. She rested her head against his chest.

Alexander watched the youth's expression. The boy suddenly appeared drugged as he relaxed in the man's embrace. The man, his eyes still locked with Alexander's, rubbed his thumb against the pulse in the boy's throat.

Alexander felt his excitement quicken. Although cries of ecstasy were all around him, he had eyes only for the pair across the room. He felt himself actually leaning forward in his chair.

The man gazed mockingly at Alexander and Alexander felt his frustration build. He did not think he spoke the words aloud, but he knew the man heard them.

Show me.

The man had a knife in his hand that glittered from across the room. The man appeared to toy with it, caressing the boy's throat with the flat of the blade. The boy did not appear frightened by the weapon, and in fact, appeared almost to be aroused against his will.

Ryan struggled feebly in Victor's grip. "Why are you doing this to me?" she whispered through clenched teeth.

Victor knew why he had initiated the act. But his reasons for continuing had nothing to do with the Borgia Pope and everything to do with his hunger for this dark child.

The knife whispered across the boy's throat and Alexander could see the crimson of the blood from across the room. Never taking his eyes from him, the man lowered his lips to the wound and began to drink.

Alexander felt his pa.s.sion strain the confines of his holy raiment. The boy's eyes closed briefly and the perfect lips parted. The eyes reopened but now they were distant, focused on a place that all of Alexander's depravity had never succeeded in taking him.

The man's eyes were closed now as well, locked in his unholy embrace. He no longer seemed concerned with satisfying Alexander's voyeuristic pa.s.sions, intent only on satisfying his own pa.s.sion. Alexander finally had to look away.

He gradually refocused on the couples in front of him, but their straining and grunting seemed somehow sordid now, pathetic. He turned his gaze back to the dark-haired man, but he was not surprised to see he was gone.

Alexander would not know how few years he had left alive. But in the ultimate retribution for his sins, he did know he would never again be satisfied.

Victor did not wait for a carriage but spirited Ryan away in his arms, on foot. She was nearly unconscious because he had bled her completely. It was unfortunate he could not have warned her of the night's events. He knew how headstrong she was, and she probably would not have complied with his wishes. He could have forced her, which is ultimately what he did, but keeping her ignorant had been much simpler.

Victor had been at the mercy of the Church before, and knew that sometimes the best way to fight it was to join it. It had been Marilyn's idea to toy with the Borgia Pope, well aware of his perversion. She knew if Victor could gave him the ultimate gift, s.e.xual excitement, the Pope would leave both Victor and his lands alone.

Victor glanced down at Ryan. He knew she would be angry upon awakening. She would not understand why Victor chose to do such a thing. Ryan's way was to break a man in two, but Victor had learned that although effective, force was not always successful. If it were truly counted, Victor's wealth would be unmatched in the known world, but wealth and power sometimes bred enemies of the envious.

Ryan knew she was being carried but was too dazed to open her eyes to see by whom. She was laid gently to rest on a soft coverlet and heard the murmur of voices. There was a ringing in her ears so she could not make out to whom they belonged.

She rolled over onto her side, wishing the pounding in her head would dissipate. Images from the night swam through her mind, coupled with Memories stirred from her own blood. Her skin felt flushed.

A cool hand startled her out of her feverish thoughts. She turned instinctively and sat upright, seeking a sword or a weapon to defend herself. But Marilyn was much faster than she and easily captured the flailing wrist.

"It's just me," Marilyn said, as if that should comfort her.

Ryan stared at the woman, still half-upright with her arm still in the defensive gesture. She slowly lowered the arm. Marilyn pushed her gently but firmly back onto the mattress and stretched out beside her.

"Victor sent me to watch you, he is concerned about you."

Ryan turned her shoulder slightly, speaking under her breath. "He must be concerned if he sent you."

In a flash, Marilyn pulled Ryan to her, her face so close to Ryan's cheek could feel her breath on her neck. "Be careful, little one," she whispered into her ear.

Marilyn released her, settling comfortably behind her. But Ryan was anything but comfortable, pressed up against the other woman. She lay stiffly for a few moments, but finally her fatigue began to overcome her and the stiffness seeped from her body.

Marilyn felt the girl relax and reached over to stroke her hair. Normally Ryan would not suffer such attention, but she was too tired to pretend the cool caress was unwelcome.

Marilyn was once again amazed at the effect this girl had on her. Under normal circ.u.mstances, a Young One, especially one who had just been bled, would hold no attraction for her. But Ryan's vulnerability only seemed to heighten Marilyn's desire. She knew the girl lying on the bed could offer her only token resistance in her current exhausted state.

Marilyn toyed with Ryan's hair. She wondered why the girl was so feverish. Normally those who were bled were cold and pale. This one felt as if she were on fire. Marilyn put her cool hand on Ryan's arm and felt a tingle of excitement at the heat emanating from her.

"And how was your evening?" Marilyn asked idly, still fingering her hair.

Marilyn felt the girl stiffen again. Ryan slowly turned to her and Marilyn saw fury in her eyes, the fury that was stoking the fire in her body.

And Marilyn saw something startling within that fury. A distance between Ryan and Victor that had never been there before.

It was the slightest whisper of invitation, a vague, sensual promise that Ryan would turn her considerable charm on Marilyn were the circ.u.mstances ever right and Victor ever wrong. It was astonishing for Marilyn to see because, in that instant, she understood how truly powerful Ryan would become, and how magnetic her attraction would be.

And then the whisper was gone and the veil behind Ryan's eyes was replaced, leaving only the vaguest of impressions that anything had been there at all. She was once more a Young One who was simply angered and exhausted. Ryan turned onto her side once more, and within minutes was asleep.

Marilyn lay next to the sleeping girl and stared into the darkness, her eyes thoughtful.

Victor returned sometime before the morning light. He raised an eyebrow at Marilyn's proximity to Ryan in the bed, but Marilyn seemed unwilling to engage in her typical banter with him. She gazed down at the sleeping girl next to her.

"It is her one weakness."

Victor removed his outer coat, laying it at the foot of the bed. He glanced over at the contemplative woman. "And what might that be?"

Marilyn brushed a lock of hair out of Ryan's eyes. "Her need for sleep. She sleeps much more than any of our Kind."

Victor shrugged. "She has greater need of it than any of our Kind. She withstands more strain than most Old Ones could bear."

Marilyn turned her attention to the handsome dark-haired man. "Yes, I'm well-aware of how demanding you can be."

Victor ignored the innuendo in her voice, although he knew her words to be true. "I don't think Ryan is nearly as vulnerable as you believe her to be. I did not ask you to stay here tonight so much to protect her as to keep her in check. Ryan can be very temperamental."

Marilyn was thoughtful, thinking back to their earlier wordless exchange. Temperamental was an understatement. For the first time she wondered if Victor could indeed control the hot-blooded creature he had made.

Marilyn smiled ever so slightly. And she wondered if she could be strategically near if he failed.

CHAPTER 25.

RYAN SWUNG THE AX IN A SMOOTH, practiced motion. The wood split cleanly down the center, each piece falling to the side. Jason sat a few feet away, watching the rhythmic motion.

"Can you teach me to do that?" he asked between chops.

Ryan set up another piece of wood on the block. She swung the ax up over shoulder in a graceful arc and brought it hurtling downward. She made it look effortless, but the speed with which the ax-head traveled was extraordinary.

"Maybe when you get a little older."

Ryan set another piece of wood up. She had learned to chop wood when she was about his age, but children were raised differently these days. She paused. She had also had a few "advantages" that other children did not.

The ax came swinging downward once more, splitting the wood down the center. She bent down to pick up another block of wood when Jason's next words stopped her in her tracks.

"I wish I had a dad like you."

The incongruent phrase gave her pause. Ryan turned to look at the little boy. "Why a dad?" she asked, curious but not insulted.

"Because I already have a mom," he replied with a 5 year-old's logic.

"Oh," Ryan said. She picked up the block of wood and set it on the stump. She glanced over a the boy. "What happened to your father?"

Jason looked down at the ground. "He died when I was little. In a plane crash."

"Oh," Ryan said in understanding. "My parents are dead, too." Ryan hefted the ax handle, gazing at the blade. "I don't think you'd want me to be your dad. I don't think you'd like your new relatives."

Jason was silent for a moment and Ryan set another piece of wood up. She was bringing the ax over her shoulder when he spoke again.

"Was your dad a lot like you?"

Ryan stopped the swing in mid-air. She turned away from the boy, fighting against the sudden loss of control. But the battle was quickly lost and with incredible force, she hurled the ax across the yard toward a large oak tree. The ax hurtled end-over-end until it embedded in the tree with a tremendous crack, splitting the tree down the middle. Jason stared wide-eyed as Ryan stalked across the yard.

Susan had been watching the two from the gla.s.s door. At Ryan's startling act of violence, she ran out to Jason. Edward was right behind her. She picked Jason up, clutching him to her breast, but he was not upset. He stared at the tree in wonder.

Edward watched as Ryan's back disappeared into the afternoon shadows. He sighed and glanced to the pile of wood she had stacked, and to the tree she had destroyed. Ryan only chopped wood when something was bothering her.

Susan carried Jason back to the house, setting him down once they were inside. Jason was less frightened than concerned that he had upset Ryan. He looked up at Edward as the elder man re-entered the mansion.

"I didn't mean to make her mad."

Edward rarely acknowledged either of them so it surprised Susan when he paused, then actually sat down next to them.

"It's not your fault," he said in his very British accent, "Ryan has something of a bad temper."