Nathan slipped into Dr. Robert's dressing room and was sitting stiffly on the divan when Robert returned from the stage. Dr. Robert shrieked with joy and threw himself on Nathan, embracing him. Nathan couldn't help returning the kiss, despite the foul mood which still possessed him. Ah well, he was in a foul mood most of the time.

"Darling, I've missed you! You'll get the bill to see just how much. But never mind that, I need to go shopping again tonight. Make some calls for me, won't you? I want to dress up my elfkins. He has a disturbing propensity for gadding about in forest rags," Dr. Robert said. He began to strip out of his pink stage outfit and put on a plain pair of black pants, but nothing else. Nathan was only mildly surprised that he didn't choose to stay in pink.

"If you like," he replied. It wasn't anything to him if Robert wanted to spend more of his money. He had enough of it. "Robert, how did you acquire an elf, and what do you plan to do with him?"

"Found him on the street, wandering like a lost puppy. Was pretty, so I brought him home so I can eat him up," Dr. Robert said, grinning in a feral manner, displaying his fangs.

"Then lets kill him tonight. I haven't tasted elf in centuries, and as I recall, it's quite a delicacy. It will also save me the price of a wardrobe," Nathan said idly. Dr. Robert's pout gave him the answer he was seeking. "You're already attached, aren't you?"

"Wot a thing to say, darling. Attached, to a juicy little pie like that? The thing is, I just want to spruce him up a bit, and you know how much pleasure I take in shopping…"

Nathan nodded. Dr. Robert wouldn't be the one to kill the boy. That was evident, whether the other vampire wanted to admit it or not. "In any event, I've offered him the sanctuary of my home."

"Darling, I've been your doctor for centuries, and I know wot that means. Means you intend to kill him, and won't give anyone else the doing. Really, now, Nathan, I saw him first and you mustn't be selfish, especially when you have dessert waiting for you upstairs under the name of Bierk." Dr. Robert smirked at him.

"Did you arrange the delivery of that parcel? I should have known."

"I was just trying to do something nice for you."

"You were trying to distract me. Do you think a mortal child or any sort is more tempting than an elf?"

"Absolutely not," Dr. Robert said, rocking back on his heels gleefully. Nathan sighed. Reasoning with Robert was impossible, so he didn't bother.

"You may have your elf for now, but just remember this: when I want him, he'll be mine."

Dr. Robert said nothing. He looked away. The expression on his face went quickly from cold anger to heartbreaking acceptance. Nathan squelched the urge to console him, to take back the words. He never apologized for anything, and Dr. Robert would forgive him eventually anyway. Robert got away with more than he didn't, and he knew it, so Nathan never felt bad when he denied him something.

He debated whether it would be best to end the elf quickly before Robert got attached, or wait until Robert became bored with him. At the slow rate that elves aged, Shelley would be ripe enough to eat for several centuries. It might be best to keep him around for a time anyway, for the taste of his blood would be well worth keeping him alive.

Nathan licked his lips, then he pulled Dr. Robert roughly up against him and kissed the vampire full on the mouth, slowly and languorously. Once Robert had melted into putty in his arms, he let go.

"Lovely, Nathan, darling."

Nathan nodded, then left the dressing room, moving with vampiric speed. He passed Shelley being escorted backstage by the Maitre d', but moved so fast that he was like a breath of cold air going past, not visible to any eye. Perhaps he would go upstairs and decide the fate of Henry Bierk…

You're so ill at ease...
A whisper in the trees...