Nathan Roulan might have passed right by Orlando the Elf had the boy not suddenly cursed in Elvish and caught his attention. While it was true that his tall blond good looks and odd clothing would have drawn Nathan's attention anyway, his mind was preoccupied and he wasn't looking for prey.

Nathan hadn't spoken Elvish or heard it spoken in over a thousand years, not even with Shelley, Dr. Robert's new toy. In fact, the toy was just what he was thinking of when his preternatural hearing caught the sound of Orlando's words.

Another elf in New York? But then it turned out this one was hunting for the other. Interesting. Nathan knew this could be used to his advantage. This elf was older than the other, almost, but not quite, too old to be killed and eaten…though certainly the blood would be just as fine and sweet. Tonight, Nathan would feast on Elvish blood. Tonight.

"Have you a name?" he asked coolly as he forced the boy to walk with him back towards the hotel. "I've given you mine."

"It's Orlando. I'm the Captain of the King's Guard, and I'm here to return his son to him."

There was a fierce determination in his voice, and Nathan smiled slightly at it.

"Interesting. I was of the impression that Shelley had been banished from your world due to an illicit love affair."

"The King made a mistake. I'll-- I'll convince him of that."

"I take it that means he doesn't know you're here. And although I have not had the pleasure of meeting him, I do know how the minds of kings work, especially stubborn ones. That is to say-- no one will miss you either of you."

He stopped walking to look at the tall young elf, and saw him struggle to cover his fear. This pleased Nathan. There would be some challenge in this after all. Orlando didn't reply to him, and it irked Nathan again that he couldn't read the minds of elves. He turned and jerked the boy along again, leading him into the grand Hotel Roulan at Times Square. The elf looked around, taking it all in with an innocent wonder that served only to make Nathan's hunger flare.

He pushed the elf into an elevator and slid in his passcard which allowed him access to the private levels. It was made of glass, and when it shot upwards, the elf nearly lost his balance, a moment of terror flitting over his features before being replaced by exhilaration.

"What devices you have in your world!"

Nathan smiled coldly. "You have no idea."

Orlando didn't read the sarcasm. "No," he agreed, "None at all." But his excitement and interest lapsed back into wariness. "Are you taking me to Shelley?"

"Shelley is here."

"That isn't a direct answer."

He was clever. "Touche. But you are correct. You will be allowed to see your friend only if I permit it. Do you understand?"

Orlando hesitated a moment, then nodded, his expression grim. "You are requiring a price of me."

Nathan smiled slightly. "There is a price for everything, boy."

Orlando lifted his chin. "Why do you think I will pay yours?"

"Clearly your interest in the prince goes beyond the call of duty. You said you came after him on your own, after all."

"He is my best friend. Have you no mercy?"

"None at all." He grabbed Orlando's chin, looking into his deep violet eyes. An odd color for an elf, and those eyes reminded Nathan of a woman he had loved not so long ago, a female vampire whom he had been forced to leave…Lucy. But Nathan shook his head. He couldn't think of Lucy now. And someday he would find her again -- he didn't doubt that.

"No," Orlando said, "You wouldn't, would you? A vampire is a creature without emotion."

"There you are wrong, elf." He shoved Orlando against the elevator wall. They had arrived at the correct floor, and the doors opened so the elf, off balance, fell onto his back on the floor. Nathan towered over him, purposefully intimidating. "Vampires do feel emotion. But we have no mercy, and no pity." Then he smiled and offered Orlando a hand to help him rise, but the elf ignored it and got to his feet on his own.

"I want to see Shelley."

"You are in no position to make demands. Are you in love with him?"

The elf looked away, crestfallen. Nathan laughed.

"What is the price?" the boy whispered.

"Oh, but you'll see soon enough. For now, come in to my parlor... you are my guest, after all."

Him litle answerd th'angry Elfin knight;
He neuer meant with words, but swords to plead his right.