Dr. Robert stepped out onto the stage at Club le Robert in the bar at the Roulan Empire Hotel in Times Square, Manhattan. His outfit outshone most of those worn by Broadway performers, and in fact, Las Vegas Showgirls would have been jealous. The number of sequins was nearly blinding. The audience was stunned into approval. They loved him. They always loved him. He made certain of that.

When Dr. Robert performed, he used the strength of his vampiric powers to win over the audience. It wasn't clear whether he was aware that he did such things, for he seemed truly to both believe in and thrive on the adoration. Tonight his cabaret number was little campy, but it didn't matter. He was a star, and he was shining.

He was performing "All That Jazz" from "Chicago" with the big band orchestra backing him up, steamy lights setting off his snow white skin and smoldering blue eyes, his death-black hair and ruby-slipper lips. He had added a little choreography, mainly involving a chair. It was all very Bob Fosse. What a shame he wasted his talent on a small venue, but he even knew the dangers of a vampire going mainstream. Oh well, at least he was in New York.

When the applause came, it was like a warm bath, and he drank it up. He took a small bow of six or seven graceful sweeps, and accepted a bouquet of roses. He looked around the room. Where was Shelley? There was only one thing he needed more than applause, and that was blood…and sex…and he intended to get both from the young blond elf tonight. Ok, maybe that was two things, but Dr. Robert wasn't one to muck around with details.

He flounced backstage to his dressing room, demanding of several of the servants… slaves, workers, guards, whoever Nathan had employed here…to find Shelley. Meanwhile, he draped himself over the divan, admiring himself in the mirror. Damn, he was a beautiful creature. No wonder everyone wanted him. It was almost a burden sometimes.

He smiled at his own reflection. How bloody feral. Yes, he was a murderer. He tilted his head. That didn't bother him. In fact, he took pleasure in killing. He remembered vividly one of the last nights in Las Vegas. Two young, screaming boys. He had slaughtered them completely without mercy. He had showered in their blood. He had watched the lights in two sets of blue eyes go out forever. Mrs. White and Jezebel had made pies out of them for him. He still had a few in the freezer.

Nathan hadn't interfered. He hadn't been there that night when Dr. Robert had decided to do away with them, mostly just for the pleasure of killing the innocent. The little pair had trusted him. Maybe even loved him, a bit. But that hadn't mattered. He had needed to prove to himself that 'love' meant nothing -- and he had. Aside from Nathan, the two he had loved were gone forever.

And as for Nathan, loving him was…necessary. Dr. Robert couldn't imagine things otherwise. They were the oldest of friends, and two mortal boys had nearly come between them. Julian and Evan… best to put them out of his mind. After all, he would never see them again.

He wanted Shelley. It would be hard not to love him, for Dr. Robert already had a huge crush on the pretty thing, but he would manage, somehow. He grinned as he recalled their shoe shopping trip to Greenwich Village, the boy's delight in all the new exotic footwear they had acquired. He would shape up just fine. A perfect plaything. Dr. Robert only hoped Nathan wouldn't try to take him away. He wasn't sure Nathan had entirely forgiven him for the time he had stolen Julian and run away to New Orleans.

He smiled, thinking about it. He had meant to kill Julian then, but instead had fallen for the beautiful youth. What a glorious body he had had. How delicious his rich, hot blood. Dr. Robert became aroused just thinking about it. He stood up, stretched languidly, and took off his clothing. Shelley had better get here soon or all this was going to be wasted.

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