Life And Death

By Chrissy

Stella pushed ahead of Armand and ran excitedly into the room looking about eagerly. "Papa, papa," she cried in delight. "Is that my papa?" she asked pointing to the man who seemed to be so soundly asleep on her bed

"Be still, child!" Armand's voice was hushed but it echoed and cracked with the force of a whip.

"But I want to meet my papa," Stella protested.

"Hush - See? He sleeps." Armand's old heart pumped furiously, his excitement building with a delicious gush of anticipation. He had long awaited this moment. Now his plans were about to transpire.

But his excitement was interrupted when the child started blabbering foolishly. He spun on her with an angry snarl. "Be still I say!!" He seized the back of her hair and gave a violent jerk that snapped her head so hard the vertebrae audibly cracked. She was about to cry out in pain, but Armand yanked her close to his body, his hand cupping the nape of her neck burying her head against his chest so that her cries were muffled within the folds of his cape.

Antonio stirred. It seemed that he lay in a warm, soft, comforting bed and it was several moments before he became conscious enough to remember where he was and what had happened. He sat up quickly and the blood thumped in his ears. A familiar voice sounded in his head. Stella! He pried his heavy lidded eyes open and focused on the other two occupants of the dark room. He gasped at what he saw.

A man with long black hair, white skin and golden eyes was regarding him with a triumphant glare. The man held his daughter in such a strong clasp that with one arm he had lifted her feet from the ground, his fingers around the back of her neck holding her against him in a firm embrace. She was sobbing in pain, her own fingers clawing at the vice like grip that held her in its clutches. "Let me go, Armand. I can't breathe. You're hurting." Her voice was muffled, her face squashed into the man's chest.

Something swelled and exploded inside Antonio. Shocked wide-awake, mad rage consumed him and he came up from the bed in one bound.

"Take your hands off my daughter, you fucking piece of shit," he spat, his voice a wild growl.

Swiftly he rushed around the bed and came at Armand full force. Heaving all his weight behind the attack, Antonio slammed a clenched fist into Armand's face sending him sprawling off balance and falling awkwardly to the floor. Armand's face seemed to crumple inwards and dark red blood streamed from his nose and mouth. The hold on Stella was released and Antonio grabbed his daughter's wrist and jerked her into his arms.

"Are you okay, baby?" he asked, smoothing her hair anxiously. She looked so pale and sick he wanted to cry. Filled with concern and giving no second thought to the other man in he room, he turned his back on Armand and hugged his daughter to him. "We're getting out of here, honey," he whispered, "I'm taking you home."

Armand's eyes flared to a wild golden blaze. He wiped his face, but within seconds the blood faded as the wounds healed instantly. He came to his feet slowly and with unhurried steps he approached Antonio's turned back. Antonio sensed the movement and spun quickly, pulling the gun from his waistband. He pointed it at the approaching man.

With an angry snarl Armand knocked the gun from Antonio's hand and in a flash had caught Antonio in a similar clutch around the throat. With just a thumb and forefinger he effortlessly lifted him from the ground and brought their faces close together. "I am stronger, " he hissed softly, his eyes staring golden and piercing into Antonio's. "I will always be stronger. Remember this. You can never defeat me."

Stella began to scream and Armand turned his pale face towards her. "Be still, child," he hissed. "Be still!"

Stella stopped screaming and stared, unsure what to do. Her head pounded and her neck hurt from where Armand had snapped it back. She looked up into Armand's face.

"Go to the bed and lie down," Armand whispered. His eyes had begun to glow. "Lie down and sleep, my child. I must speak with your father in private."

Antonio was still caught in Armand's grip and he struggled in helpless fury as his daughter meekly crossed the room to the bed. She lay down on her back, folded her arms across her chest and promptly fell asleep.

With a satisfied sigh Armand turned his attention back to Antonio.

"It's easy to control her. She's just a child, but you," he looked deep into Antonio's eyes, a reflective gleam of admiration causing the golden irises to shimmer. "You are something else. You are a challenge."

Armand stared into his eyes for another long moment. Then his gaze dropped to linger on Antonio's mouth before moving lazily down his body and then back to meet him eye to eye.

"I wonder. Do you taste as good as you look?" He smiled revealing white pointed teeth. With a heavy moan, he pulled Antonio into a close embrace and lowered his head so that his lips gently touched Antonio's neck.

Antonio felt hot breath and then a needle sharp prick and realized that Armand had bitten him. At first his wild attempts to free himself from the iron grip intensified. But after a few seconds Antonio stopped struggling for the sensation was extremely pleasant. It was almost intoxicating. For several moments a soft sucking sound echoed in the room and Antonio relaxed in the sensual arms of his ravisher.

Armand finally pulled away and looked up at Antonio, who was taller by several inches. "My God! You're beautiful. Look at you! You even taste beautiful. So beautiful." His eyes gleamed appreciatively, his breath fanned warm and perfumed with blood. "You are a fabulous creature."

All at once Antonio realized he was being hypnotized. His gaze locked onto Armand's. He could not look away. Slowly his body relaxed and as it did he felt his anger diminish. A haze descended on his brain. All hostility left him and he could not have raised a hand to Armand even if he had wished.

Armand grinned knowingly. "Ahh! At last I have tasted you. Do not worry I was economical so not to weaken you. But now you are mine!" he gloated. "We will not fight now. Such a vulgar activity, don't you think?"

Antonio tried to pry his eyes away. He shook his head, but it did not clear the thick fog that smothered his thoughts. His arms hung heavily to his side and he was unable to raise even a finger as the man approached so closely. He ran a finger over the stubble on Antonio's cheek. "With you I could learn about love. I could learn what love is. You could show me."

With a quick movement he flung the cape from his shoulders and pulled his jacket from his body, throwing it to the floor. Beneath he wore a white linen shirt and quickly, his fingers fumbling with excitement, he pulled the top several buttons undone. His body was surprisingly corded and strong, but the skin shone pale and was traversed with a network of blue veins. Once more he encircled Antonio as a cat with its prey, coming in close to his face.

"My name is Armand," he murmured. His eyes slanted into Antonio's playfully. "And you are Antonio. Armand and Antonio. It sounds good, eh? Together we will conquer. With you by my side we will vanquish a monster. Annihilate, obliterate, exterminate, eliminate, eradicate, evacuate. We will do it all. The monster will be gone and the world will be safe because of us."

He walked away and then turned back to Antonio. "Do you know what happens when you die?"

Antonio stared back helplessly. He could not speak. He could not move one muscle. His head was filled with Armand's irresistibly seductive voice.

"They put you in the ground and worms crawl into your brain." Armand suddenly grinned, an evil gleam in his eye. Then he grew serious. "I could give you immortality. You would never die. You would remain exquisite forever."

He stared at Antonio for a long moment, wondering if his words were making any impact.

"I can read your thoughts," he laughed suddenly, flicking back the long raven locks from his shoulder. "You want one of those foul smelling paper tubes filled with dried leaves, don't you?"

Antonio made an infinitesimal nod of his head. A pit of raw anger burned inside. He knew he was powerless and he loathed the feeling. And he did want a cigarette. He always wanted a cigarette.

Armand was laughing. "How pitiful the mortal is! Consumed by cravings. Addicted to poisons," he turned back to Antonio, "I could make it all go away. You and me. We would reign supreme. But first I have a mission for us."

Armand was enjoying himself. A certain swagger and arrogance had taken over. He was in command and he liked it. He tossed back his head and his glossy black hair shimmered in the dimly lit room. Moving away from Antonio he began to pace back and forth.

"I have known about you for years," he said turning to Antonio. "You are special. You have the flame inside. And so does she," he jerked a thumb at Stella. "But she's young and foolish and of no use to me."

Antonio pushed back against the pervasive words invading his head, but it was to no avail. He tried to speak, but Armand held up a hand. "No. I haven't touched her. Well, not in the way that you think. That activity was lost to me hundreds of years ago. But we have shared blood. I had to do it in order to gain dominion over her. Your daughter has been in a trance the whole time she has been with me. She has not crossed over. She remains mortal. She can go back to her mortal life. I have no need of her unless you wish her to join us."

He came close to Antonio and the full force of his seductive presence filled the space between them. His eyes glistened softly. "I used her as bait so that you would come to me, my love. And now I have you. I have you here with me. It is a fine moment for me."

His arm went around Antonio's waist and he pulled them together so that their bodies pressed close. He felt a resistance and it made him smile. "Stop fighting me, Antonio. Just let it happen. Just let us be together as we are meant to be."

His other hand came up and cupped the back of Antonio's head, pulling their faces close. Antonio's hot breath joined Armand's cool sighs. Their lips were inches apart and Armand's eyes dropped from Antonio's eyes down to his lips. "You are beautiful, my love," his voice came hushed and quivered with emotion. "So beautiful. My God! I will want you forever. I will never tire of you."

Their lips touched. Softly at first, just caressing, enjoying the velvety feeling. Then Armand's grip on the back of Antonio's head tightened and pulled him in to a lover's embrace. Their mouths opened and tongues touched and nuzzled.

Antonio could not help himself. He was powerless over his limbs, yet even if he could, he knew he would not be able to fight Armand. The seductive pleasure of his lips was all consuming. He did not want the kiss to stop. In fact he wanted more.

The kiss grew stormy, Armand's body pushed against Antonio's as the hold tightened. Then his lips pulled away, his golden eyes celebrated a victory. His breath came excited and loud. "You will be mine. I know it! You will become mine."

He stood back and regarded Antonio, then, with a quick movement he raised a finger and the sharp fingernail sliced into Antonio's T-shirt, the taunt material splitting away easily revealing a strong tanned chest. "Ahhh, my beloved," Armand's voice hissed approval.

His fingernail traced a line causing a sudden streak of red blood to spill between the coarse hairs of Antonio's chest. With a moan he wrapped both arms around the strong man before him and crushing his face into Antonio's chest, he licked the flowing blood with noisy vigor.

Then with a grunt of desire, he dropped to his knees before Antonio, his fingers pulling madly at the zipper, cursing as the long fingernails hindered his movements.

As he stood with the man kneeling before him, the beginnings of a hard-on tightened Antonio's balls. He knew what was about to happen and he knew he was powerless to stop it. His eyes slid across the dim room to where his daughter lay. Stella was completely and totally asleep, her chest rising and falling with a natural rhythm.

Antonio's head fell back on his shoulders and he closed his eyes in anticipation. Armand's mouth had found him. A soft, silken tongue was circling the tip of his engorged penis and the sensation was pure bliss. With a quick movement Armand wrapped his arms around Antonio, each hand clutching a hard buttock and he took him completely into his mouth.

When it was over there were tears in Armand's eyes. He flopped back on the carpeted floor looking up at the most divine creature in the entire world.

"If I release you, will you remain calm and not attack me?" he asked softly.

Antonio nodded and within an instant his head cleared, his body became his once again. He rushed to close his zipper, his thoughts in a turmoil. He had no fear of this assailant, but he hated the unpredictably of the situation he had been thrust into.

Armand chuckled happily to himself. "After five hundred years, I stir the senses once again." He stared up at Antonio with playful teasing. "Ahh, Antonio. Nothing so sweet has passed these lips for many centuries."

"Don't flatter yourself." Antonio growled back. "What just happened…. it doesn't mean anything, you know. It's a basic natural reaction."

Angrily he reached down and grabbed Armand by the long strands of hair. "I ought to fucking kill you!" he snarled yanking the man roughly to his feet.

"But you know that's impossible, don't you?" Armand smoothed back his raven tresses.

Slowly Antonio nodded.

Armand smiled slowly. "I cannot die, you see. I cannot hurt. I cannot be beaten." He looked intently at Antonio. "Do you know what I am?"

Antonio looked away. He knew the answer. He had seen the movies, and now he was face to face with the undeniable reality. It was unthinkable, but it was true.

Armand smiled watching him carefully. "Ahhh. I see you are intelligent as well as beautiful. You understand the relationship between us. I am stronger. I will always be stronger."

Antonio did not understand, but he knew it was true. This was no ordinary adversary. Armand smiled. "I see you are intelligent as well as beautiful. You understand the relationship between us. I am stronger. I will always be stronger."

Antonio did not understand, but he knew it was true. This was no ordinary adversary.

Armand composed himself pulling his jacket on and straightening his clothes. "Go light one of those damn cigarettes and then we can talk."

Antonio looked across at his daughter. "I just want to take her home, okay? You've had your fun. We've got nothing to talk about."

Armand's eyes glittered. "Oh, but we have much to talk about and we do not have much time. The terrible dawn is fast approaching."

"It's true? You can't go out in the sun?"

Armand's gaze saddened. "It is an unfortunate side effect. But there are benefits. I will never spoil. I will never wrinkle and sag. And neither will you if you join me."

"Join you?"

Armand sighed impatiently. "Come, let's sit and talk. I have things to tell you. A proposition to make."

Together they sat in the uncomfortable vinyl armchairs and faced each other. "I told you, light a cigarette if it eases your disposition."

Antonio shook his head. "No. Carolina doesn't like it if I smoke inside. Not with the kids in the room."

Armand eyed him speculatively, "Carolina? Your wife?"

Antonio nodded. "You have a nice life?" Armand murmured softly, his eyes narrowing. "A nice wife, nice kids, nice house?" Again Antonio nodded wondering where this conversation was headed. He was surprised when Armand suddenly flung his body forward in the chair and glared at him angrily.

"It's wrong. It's all wrong. Damn you! You have the flame inside and you're wasting it all in a drudgery of domestic bliss. You have passion, Antonio. Passion and courage and magnificence. You were a man of action once. Years ago I watched you withstand a tidal wave of blazing guns. You did not flinch. You did not hesitate. A beautiful wild animal spitting revenge and fire. You did as your passion directed. You were splendid. Oh God, how you inspired me. And now look at you. Afraid to enjoy a cigarette because the wife might not like it. All that grit and spirit dissolved into a monotonous routine of household chores and virtuous compliance. This is not living, Antonio. This is death."

"And you can offer me…what?" Antonio raised an eyebrow sarcastically. "A different kind of death? Listen, I've had enough of this. I'm taking Stella and leaving."

Armand slumped back against the armchair. He had a sudden horrified sense of defeat. He would never convince Antonio. Not this way. He must try another angle, one that might stir the basic righteousness of the man before him.

"You know about the terrorist attacks in the United States?" he said, his voice suddenly brisk and to the point.

Antonio was surprised. "Of course"

"I know of the men behind the attacks. I know them. I know where they are. I know who they are. I can take them down. But I cannot do it alone. I need another like me. I need someone who will not hesitate. Someone with the flame. Someone who will stand alongside me." He looked intently at Antonio. "Someone like you."

Antonio was so taken aback that he laughed out loud. "You've been drinking some drunk's blood and it's gone to your head."

But Armand remained deadly serious. He features grew grim. "I have lived for centuries. I have seen wars. I have seen calamity. I have seen injustice and oppression. But this is a new and terrible evil. It is malignant and increasing in strength. This evil is relentless and will recklessly use weapons of mass destruction for it will not care if it is destroyed along with its enemy. This evil does not care, you see. It does not want to rule or control. It only hates. It only wishes to exterminate that which it hates."

He made a dramatic pause and then, leaning forward, hissed out his next words, while his golden eyes bored into Antonio's. "My world will become a wasteland. I will be forced to walk with rats and cockroaches."

Antonio surveyed him, a cold expression in his eyes. "And you are proposing…what?"

Armand cursed impatiently. "Haven't you been listening, man? I am proposing that you join me on the dark side. That we walk together in places where no mortal dare tread. That we travel to the other side of the earth and that we find this militant evil and that we destroy it."

"Just like that?" Amusement played in Antonio's eyes a contemptuous smile on his lips.

"Just like that." Armand returned quickly. "I cannot do it alone and of all the men on this planet I have chosen you as my accomplice." There was a long silence. "Will you join me? Will you accept the immortality I can give you?" he murmured finally.

Antonio stood up. "The United States has a strong military force. I think I'll put more faith in their government than two crazy blood-sucking vampires baying at the moon. Now if you'll excuse me, it's been very interesting talking to you but I'm tired and hungry and I'm want to go home."

Armand also stood to his feet, his eyes frantic, and his face even whiter than usual. He grabbed Antonio by the shoulder. "It will be painless. I'll make it painless. My love. I'll do anything you say. You can command me - I will be your slave. You will be the stronger."

Antonio shoved his hand away and began moving away. "You will be beautiful forever," Armand cried anxiously.

Antonio crossed to the bed where his daughter lay in deep sleep. "Wake her," he turned back to Armand. "Wake her, or I swear I'll drag your hide outside and give your blood sucking ass the best suntan ever."

Armand stared aghast, his eyes filling with tears. "You have not heard a word, have you? You have not listened to one word. I was so sure. So sure I could convince you …"

"Wake her." Antonio snapped.

All of a sudden Armand rushed at him all shrieking fury, a clenched fist raised. "You fool! I could just take you. I could take you here and now. I am stronger than you. I could deplete you so easily."

Antonio stood his ground, his amber eyes hard. "I'm leaving," he said coldly. "Wake my daughter. We're going home."

Armand's face contorted in a painful spasm, a sob fell from his lips. But then his features relaxed, his shoulders slumped in defeat and he smiled a tragic smile. "It seems I must give in, doesn't it? I cannot argue any more. The sun is rising. I am losing strength. There is no more time for me."

With a shrug of defeat, he gestured with one hand. "It is decided. I will do as you ask. I will free her," he snapped his fingers in the direction of the bed and Stella's body jerked awake. Sitting up she stared around in confusion, then she saw Antonio.

"Papa!" she croaked, her voice hoarse. "Hey! Your t-shirt's all ripped." Then she looked about her in puzzlement. "Where are we?" Her eyes found Armand. "Who's he?"

She stood unsteadily from the bed. "Jeez, You got any gum, dad? I've got this yucky taste in my mouth." Antonio took her arm steering her toward the door. "Come on, honey. We're going home."

"My head feels all fuzzy" Stella complained, leaning heavily against her father, her steps faltering. "And I've got THE worst headache."

"Is she going to be okay?" Antonio snapped, his angry eyes on Armand.

Armand nodded. "She'll be fine. She will be hungry. She may feel pain when the sun first touches her skin. But it will all soon diminish. Everything will diminish."

Dejectedly Armand trailed them to the door. "I will remember you forever," he whispered, his voice a low sad murmur. "I will remember this time we have spent together. I will remember the taste of you. But you will forget me, Antonio. You will know that something happened, but memories will fade as the day progresses."

Antonio turned back to Armand. "Listen, you fucking bastard! I'll never forget. And I'll never forgive you for what you did to my family."

Armand beautiful eyes shone as pools of heavy golden sorrow. "Remember only how I have loved you," he whispered earnestly. "Remember that, Antonio. Remember I will always love you, my beautiful beloved."

***

Armand pulled the heavy dresser across the door. The sun was up and he could not be disturbed. He needed rest. It had been an exhausting and fruitless night. He had assumed Antonio would resist at first. But he had not realized how little value Antonio placed on his looks and how much value he placed on his family. He had thought he would convince him quite easily.

Armand settled on the bed pulling the dark cape over his body, hoping for instant sleep. But his mind would not rest. It whirled with agitated thoughts. He must forget Antonio. He had wasted far too much time on him. He must find another to join him. He would not relinquish his world to mindless savages.

There were other men with the flame. All of them beautiful. All of them possessing the same fire and spirit as Antonio. All of them with the essential essence of energy and vitality that was needed to endure as a vampire. His thoughts turned to those men. He would have to be more careful in his choice next time. Think things through clearly.

His thoughts turned to his homeland. He remembered man named Luis who lived in Madrid. But as quickly as the notion entered his head, it was dismissed as unfeasible. Luis was a natural born killer. Luis liked to kill. In fact, he derived great pleasure from the kill. Luis killed indiscriminately. His character was as barbaric as his beauty. Once he crossed to the dark side, Luis might turn on him. The man was wild and undisciplined. Armand would not be able to manage him. No, no. He could not consider Luis as a partner. Far too dangerous.

Then Armand smiled. Ricky! What about Ricky? Sweet adorable Ricky. Ricky possessed an almost childish tenacity. Ricky always got what Ricky wanted. Armand smiled as he remembered Ricky's romantic escapades. Once he had even tied a girl to her bed in an effort to make her love him. And in the end she had loved him. She had loved him absolutely. But Ricky quickly tired of his captive and had gone on to charm other women. Armand's smile widened. Ricky - a ravishing sexual stallion. Ricky could make love all night long and never tire. His women were always left satisfied and content. But then Armand's smile faded. No - Ricky was much too fond of the joys of flesh to even contemplate. This assignment was far too important. Irresistible Ricky did not enjoy conflict and danger. He was not the right man.

Armand sighed. Sleep just would not come. His mind buzzed crowded with thoughts.

There was a man in Puerto Rico. A cop. What was his name? Tony. That was it. Tony. The flame burned especially bright in Tony. And he was beautiful. Impossibly beautiful. Armand's heart lurched painfully at the vision of Tony in faded blue jeans, unzipped - pulled on hurriedly from the shower, the dampness causing the denim to cling to hard buttocks and bountiful genitalia. Armand swallowed hard. Those wet curls clinging to muscular shoulders. Oh God! No - he was too attracted to Tony. He would want him endlessly. And Tony possessed his own dark side.

Who else? There was that boxer, Cesar. No, no - he would never adjust. Then there was Morales. Oh! The way he wore that gold medallion so close and snug to that beautiful corded throat. Armand frowned. Morales was brave and daring. But Morales loved only Morales.

There were many others. But they were dismissed as quickly as they came into his head. Armand tossed and turned. Then suddenly he sat bolt upright.

Miguel! Miguel Bain!

Miguel was perfect! Of course! Why hadn't he thought of Miguel for this assignment before? Miguel was afraid of nothing. Miguel was a man of certain desires and ambitions. From the moment he had been born, Miguel knew what he wanted and contrived to get it whatever the cost to himself or others. Miguel had no morals and did not trouble himself with a conscience. Miguel was a man of superb courage and passion. And Miguel was highly intelligent. Miguel would readily accept immortality. He would accept the life of a vampire. He would understand and be appropriately grateful.

Sleep began to settle upon Armand. He smiled. Miguel knew the tactics necessary for a search and destroy mission. It was his life. It was his profession. Together they would overthrow the terrorist threat to the world. And once the world was safe - well - Miguel would unite with Armand.

Armand sighed. Those beautiful ebony spirals that curled into that tempting delectable neck. Those sensual amber eyes that could harden in contempt and soften in desire. Those luscious pouting lips. That magnificent body. Miguel was perfect. It would be paradise. They would be lovers for an eternity.

"I want only a companion. That is all I have ever desired." Armand whispered.

He decided there would be no debate with Miguel. He would be taken without consent. It was the best way. Miguel would understand once he crossed over.

***

Carolina awoke from an uneasy sleep to hear the shower running. After a few moments Antonio climbed into bed and pulled her close. His body damp and warm .

"How's Stella?" she asked, loving the feel of his strong arms about her.

"She's gone straight to bed, the poor kid's exhausted. She slept most of the way back."

The bed creaked as Carolina turned to face her husband. "What happened, Antonio?" she asked softly. "You've told me nothing." Antonio had phoned her several times on the journey back, but he had been vague about the events in Mexico City.

Antonio pulled her even closer. "I told you. It was just some sick pervert. I dealt with him. It's over."

"But who was he? It's like you're holding back from me. I want to know, Antonio."

"There's nothing to tell."

Carolina's voice was hesitant. "Antonio? You didn't kill him, did you?"

Antonio pulled her even closer. "He was already dead when I got there, honey."

Carolina stiffened. "What? What do you mean?"

Antonio tried to reflect, but it all clouded over, his mind becoming thick, his memories indistinct and blurry. A shadowy figure flitted through his head, but he could not capture a thought.

His lips caressed his wife's hair. "You know, I think I might quit the job at the hotel."

Carolina sighed. "Are you changing the subject as usual?"

Antonio smiled in the darkness. "I love you, baby."

Carolina relaxed against him. What was the point of arguing with a man who loves you? Her hand found his aroused penis.

"Wanna make love?" she whispered.

"Always," he replied, moving to kiss her.

***

Miguel laughed. A wild, abandoned laugh that was especially his own. Today's kill had gone extremely well and he had been richly rewarded. His bank account was very healthy. He might even buy that yacht he'd had his eye on. He squirmed on the bed enjoying the sensation at his cock.

At this very moment the world's top super model was giving him the best head ever. Life was sweet. Oh so sweet. This bitch was good. She knew her stuff. The climax was coming. Oh so close. Oh so good. Here it comes …

A noise in the room startled him and he opened his eyes in surprise just as his cock exploded in hot, mind-blowing pleasure. A man stood by the bed looking down at him.

Caught up in the sensation, Miguel's body convulsed with spurting enjoyment, his gasps echoed wild and ragged. It was several seconds before he found his breath and voice.

"Who the fuck are you?" He snapped angrily, feeling under the pillow for his gun. He shoved the girl away from his groin and sat up abruptly.

"I am Armand," said the stranger approaching. Miguel stared as the golden eyes began to glow. "And I have chosen you."

THE END