Opium

By Debel

For my Muse, Alison, who brings the sunshine.

Detective Sergeant Sean Dunne cautiously sipped the boiling coffee from the steaming Styrofoam cup and watched with sleep deprived eyes as the photographer took the last shot of the young man's naked body as it lay sprawled face down on the hotel linen.

"What do you make of it Jake? Ever see anything like it?" Sean's voice was hoarse from too many cigarettes over too many nights.

The photographer only shook his short-cropped head and stashed his camera into its bag. "Beats me, Sean. I've seen it all and this is a notch beyond what I'd call unusual. You going to TJ's tonight with the gang? We're celebrating old Riley's retirement."

Sean only shook his head in the negative, not bothering to notice Jake had his back turned. The detective was engrossed in what he could see of the young man's neck. He pointed in its general direction with his cup and asked in an incredulous voice, "Exactly what the hell's that?"

The photographer finished with his equipment and leaned over the body, peering at the dead man's neck, as well, a perplexed look on his face. "Morissey said it looked like bite marks." He grinned and looked up at the tired, young detective. "Don't think that's what killed him though. It's just my uninformed opinion, but I'd guess it was the removal of that red fluid that circulates throughout the body's arteries and veins sometime between the hours of 1 and 2 a.m. this morning that did it for him."

"Shit." It was all Sean could manage after the night he had just experienced. He ignored Jake's wiseass remarks and shoved the coffee cup once again in the general direction of the white sheets. "Then where in hell did it all fucking go?"

The back of Jake's bony shoulders shrugged as he fiddled with his equipment. "That's your department, Sean. Maybe it's the same perverts who like to mutilate cows in Iowa or wherever the hell it is and they've moved up to humans." Jake turned around and squinted his eyes up at the detective's broad-shouldered, six foot frame and lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "Maybe, maybe it's a.......VAMPIRE."

For a minute the detective stared into Jake's gnome-like face, seriously considering the possibility, then he noticed the twinkle in the older man's eyes and he grimaced. "Shithead. Just because of that one incident this summer and I'm branded the detective most likely to replace Fox Mulder on the X-Files. Give me a break will ya?" He turned on his heals and left the room, trying to ignore the deep chuckles following him.

Sean finally made it back to his car and settled behind the wheel with a weary sigh. He pulled a cigarette out, lit it, looked up and noticed his reflection in the rear view mirror. Dark blue eyes framed in thick, black lashes stared back at him. The rising cigarette smoke couldn't obscure their redness; it only seemed to heighten it. The short black hair was tousled as if he'd just gotten out of bed and his normally fair skin was even paler than usual. "Shit," he mumbled and ran his hand through it, trying in vain to bring it into order. "You look like shit." He said to the reflection. The accusing eyes stared back at him as if from a stranger's face. "Is that all you can think to say this morning is 'shit'?" The eyes held on greedily to their baleful look. He started the car and pulled out mumbling, "shit," under his breath.

That evening he unlocked the door to his apartment and nearly collapsed on the bed, but instead made his way to the bathroom, dragging his clothes off as he went and leaving them on the floor where they lay in tired little bundles leading to the shower.

He stood under the hot water, his head bent and his arms braced against the wall, letting the steam and the hot water wrap around his lean frame, soaking into him and his mind. He drifted into sleep standing up and then suddenly, like photos from a grotesque family album, the pictures taken at the scenes of all the murders he had investigated flashed obscenely in the darkness behind his closed lids. So much mutilated, discolored flesh, all the young, old ones crying at him from all the open wounds like red mouths screaming silently in his head. He gasped, sucking in the water, coughed and staggered, naked and dripping into the bedroom. He grabbed the whiskey bottle he had left on the nightstand with a shaking hand and swallowed the burning liquid, coughing some more.

He collapsed onto the bed on his back and rubbed his face until the stiffness began to leave it and then he heard the noise. Just a small sound, but Sean's eyes flew open immediately and he knew with a certainty that someone was in the apartment. His hand moved automatically to cover his handgun lying beside the whiskey bottle. The breath stilled in his body as he listened for the sound to come again. But it didn't, only the man appeared. He seemed to walk out of the shadows in the corner of the room, letting the darkness fall away from him like a discarded cloak as he moved slowly towards the bed.

Sean's arm shot out straight in front of him, aiming at the center of the guy's chest, and then the eyes captured him. They were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen on a man or a woman. The room was dark, but the eyes carried their own light and it wasn't from any world that Sean knew except perhaps the nightmare one that had come to inhabit his dreams. His arm remained steady and straight in front of him, but he hadn't pulled the trigger or spoken. He knew that his bullets or his words would mean nothing to this creature. A creature that stood at the foot of his bed as still and silent and patient as the darkness in a man's heart.

The gun's barrel tipped downward and Sean let it drop and dangle as he said, his voice finally coming and full of rough emotion, "You fucker, you're late. Where the hell have you been?"

The movement that passed across Armand's lips could only be described as exquisite. He looked down at the naked man before him and was reminded again why he loved this human so much. The look on the man's beautiful face was angry and completely without fear of him.

"You've not been sleeping and you're smoking too much again." Armand said.

Sean snorted and turned on his side to replace the gun on the table. He tried to ignore the effect Armand's voice had on him. It did things to him that made him want to forget everything and just listen to that voice. It was like listening to darkness, to everything that made the night beautiful, all of its mystery and seduction and danger. Sean stretched luxuriously and put his hands behind his head. "You've been gone for days. I have dreams when you're not here, bad ones. You know that. I always smoke too much. You know that too. Don't nag. It's not attractive."

Armand chuckled and Sean smiled at him. Sean looked like a boy instead of a man of 31 when he smiled. Armand reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. "You won't have any bad dreams tonight."

Sean's eyebrows went up in mock surprise. "I won't?"

Armand shook his head as the shirt fell away from his body and he began removing his pants. "No. You will not."

"And why is that?" Sean's eyes hypnotically followed Armand's movements. He knew what a private creature Armand was and how rarely he exposed himself. Sean knew this and treasured it the more.

Armand stood before him framed in darkness. The long, black silk curtain of his hair lying against the luster of alabaster flesh. He spoke softly as cat's paws, "Because I'm here."

The movement Armand made was a diver quietly sliding into water, leaving only a ripple to disturb the surface. He floated only a hand's space above Sean's body, his curtain of hair forming a wall on either side of the man's face, closing them off from the world. Sean sighed and knew at the opium touch of Armand's lips he was cherished.

His arms moved to encircle Armand and he rolled them over so he was looking down on the lush face with the hair spread out like dark angel's wings. Armand's flesh was cool in his embrace, hard and cool as an executioner's face. Sean shuddered and whispered, "You've not fed tonight."

Armand did not speak; he only moved his head from side to side and watched the shadows gather in the blue of Sean's eyes.

"Do you want mine?" Sean's voice was a whisper.

Armand's lips parted and Sean did not know if the voice issued between them or only echoed in his mind. "Always."

Sean forced himself to swallow and whisper again. "What do you see when you look at me Armand?"

Armand's eyes did not flicker from their serene gaze up at Sean's face, but the detective could see their inner glow. It was a tormented flame that drew him until he was falling into it, surrounded by Armand's voice. "I see your flesh and the blood that moves beneath it. I can hear it. It's singing to me now. It's a beautiful song, like you. It's everything you are. It's strong and angry and sad; it's cigarette smoke and whiskey and too much for words."

"And what song are you Armand? What does your blood sing?" Sean was amazed to hear his own voice. It sounded strange in his ears as he waited for the answer that he already knew, but horribly he needed to hear.

"Death." Armand's voice was a child's simplicity.

Sean closed his eyes and sank into the darkness that eagerly awaited him. Armand's voice commanding him to sleep was hardly necessary but soothing. He slept gratefully and deeply for the rest of the night.

Morning sunlight poured through the kitchen window as Sean prepared his first cup of coffee. He felt like a new man. His eyes were clear and so was his head. Last night seemed only a dream but Armand's presence always lingered like a ghost's touch along his flesh or across his thoughts.

He pulled out a cigarette and almost lit it, but hesitated thoughtfully, groaned regretfully and slipped it back into the package. It was a routine he would repeat throughout the day, sometimes less successfully. It was after dark when he returned home.

The TV in the bedroom was on. He walked into the room and began to undo his tie and shirt. Armand was lying on the bed in jeans and a black cashmere sweater and completely engrossed as only he could be by what he was viewing. Sean walked over and sat on the end of the bed, continuing to undress. "What're you watching?"

Armand's voice was remote. "A Spanish movie, 'Law of Desire'."

Sean watched the screen as the camera panned slowly along the very attractive length of a very naked young man lying on a bed, another man on top of him, covering his very romantic face in kisses. Sean whistled and said, "What a beauty."

Armand scooted down to sit beside him. He looked at the screen and then at Sean's rapt face. "He's your type then?"

Sean nodded and said, "He'll do in a pinch."

Armand pushed Sean back onto the bed and began to cover his face in kisses. Sean struggled to sit up. "Armand stop. I've got to change clothes and go out. I've got to check out a lead."

Armand's lips continued relentlessly in their downward movement, pausing briefly on his neck and then traveling across his chest and Sean's oh-so-sensitive nipples. Sean made a valiant attempt and managed to raise himself enough to see the screen and what was taking place there. His smoky blue eyes widened and he let out a loud, "Wow!"

Armand glanced at the screen and then slammed Sean back onto the bed. This time Sean felt the sharp, sweet piercing through the tender flesh of his nipple. He arched his back at the sensation and choked out, "Sweet Jesus!"

Armand raised his head slightly and murmured, "Where are you going?"

Sean groaned, his eyes closed. "Going? Was I going somewhere?"

Armand moved up to cover Sean's lips with his. He whispered against them, "You're going somewhere."

Sean's lips moved against his, "I am? Did I say where I was going?"

Armand chuckled and got up, pulling Sean with him. "You did not. But I intend to go with you." He watched as Sean finished undressing and stepped into the shower. Sean ignored him. He had grown accustomed to Armand watching him like this. He loved to observe the normal daily activities. Sean supposed it made him feel connected somehow to some sort of reality. He grinned to himself as he turned the water on and thought it could also be that Armand just liked to watch him walk around naked. The shower door abruptly slid open and Sean jumped. "Jesus Christ!" Some things he would never grow accustomed to.

Armand stood, a serious look on his face, completely ignoring the chagrined look on Sean's. "You didn't say where we're going."

"Nero's" Sean's voice was stoic in its calm.

"The place where we first met?" Armand asked in that creamy, dusky voice of his.

"The very place. Would you please close the door, Armand. It's cold." Sean pleaded unashamedly.

Armand closed the door and Sean managed to finish his shower in peace. When he came out he found that Armand had already laid his clothes out for him. He sighed and put on the very tight jeans and the long, dark blue sweater. It hung loose around his hips, but molded itself across the shoulders and chest, with long, close fitting sleeves. Sean stood, looking at his reflection in the mirror, a crease furrowing his brow. "I don't remember buying this."

Armand stood beside him. A pleased look on his face. Sean looked down at him. "You bought this didn't you? Armand!" Sean looked at his reflection again, the frown deepening. "I look like a bad Ricky Martin impersonator." His tone was pitiful because he knew he had no hope of changing Armand's mind.

Armand tilted his head at him. "You're going to 'Nero's'. You need to dress appropriately."

Sean snorted as he walked into the bathroom and began to drag a comb through his hair. Armand's face appeared beside his. He looked at the reflection and thought for the hundredth time what an exotic looking creature Armand was and yet he moved through all sorts of places with the greatest of ease. Sean said, "Just because it's a gay bar doesn't mean I have to flaunt myself. I'd feel much more comfortable in something else. Besides I'm there to gather information not pick up someone."

Armand slipped an arm around his waist. "You can gather a lot more information looking like this."

Sean opened his mouth to reply and then noticed for the first time the light flush across Armand's cheeks. He turned and brought his hands up to cup the beautiful face. The flesh was warm to his touch. He had fed and recently. Sean moved his hands behind Armand's head, digging his fingers into the thick skeins of black silk and pulling Armand's head back. Sean stared into the eyes that were inches away and stretched into eternity. "Did you kill that boy? The one that was found in the hotel on Dickson Street?" He held his breath until Armand answered, "No. Of course not. I detest that sort of thing, leaving bodies lying about."

Sean stared into the eyes for a heartbeat longer and then covered the lips briefly with his and released him. "I didn't think so, but I had to ask. What other vampires are around?" Armand didn't answer and Sean stared at him again and repeated. "Armand? Who else is in the city?" Armand shook his head slowly and wound his arms around Sean's waist. He pressed his lips against the flesh of Sean's throat and murmured, "None. An Old One perhaps." Sean's hands moved in the silky hair again, pulling Armand's head back so he could look into his face. "You've been looking for him. That's where you disappeared to and you're afraid." Armand shook his head within the confines of Sean's grip. "Not for myself." Sean released him and turned to stare into the mirror as he said. "I can take care of myself." Armand's eyes were huge as he met Sean's look and then he turned away.

Sean finished dressing and then heard a noise in the kitchen. When he walked into the room Armand was stuffing something into the garbage disposal. There was the smell of tobacco in the air. He made it to the sink just in time to see the last of the cigarettes disappear.

"Shit! Armand!" He stared accusingly into the satisfied face. "Was that my last pack?" He started pulling open drawers and cabinet doors. "Was it? Damn you Armand!" He moved into the other rooms of the apartment and began a frantic search cursing continually under his breath.

Armand followed him unperturbed. "I just can't resist watching these modern conveniences at work and you know how fond I am of that device in the sink. The cigarettes were just lying there. You shouldn't have left them out."

Sean straightened from scrounging between the sofa's seats and stared at him. "Excuse me for not putting them under lock and key in my own apartment. Obviously they're no longer safe in your presence. I'll just stop and get some more on the way to 'Nero's'" He picked up his jacket. Armand asked, "Are you really going to wear that jacket?" Sean drilled him with a blue stare and then began to make his way toward the door. Armand's arms shot out straight in front of him, pressing his hands against Sean's chest. "Aren't you hungry?" At the mention of food Sean's stomach gave a low growl. He paused. "Now that you mention it I could eat something." Armand smiled. "Come into the kitchen."

Sean stood before the open refrigerator and stared. It was well stocked with all sorts of edible goodies. The most he had ever kept in it was beer and leftover pizza. Armand was practically glowing as he held out a bowl of little, golden ball-shaped fruit. "Apricots," he said. "Try one. They look wonderful and the woman in the supermarket recommended them."

Under Armand's intent gaze, Sean picked one up and sank his teeth into the soft, plump flesh. The sweet juice dripped onto his chin and then he paused, realizing what he had just heard Armand say. His mouth was still partially full of apricot pulp as he asked in startled amazement. "You were in a supermarket? Picking out food? You brought home all of this?!"

Armand shrugged. "Of course. It was a very interesting experience. You can meet the strangest people in American supermarkets."

Sean shook his head. "Armand you continually amaze me. You are developing into Martha Stewart before my very eyes."

Armand's glorious eyes got even wider. "I tape her shows. She's wonderful!"

Sean felt as if he were Alice and had just fallen down the rabbit hole. "Well, show me what you've learned. What's for dinner?"

Armand sat across from Sean at the kitchen table as he wolfed down the last of the pasta smothered in olive oil, herbs and mushrooms, but no garlic. He loved watching Sean eat because he obviously enjoyed it so much.

Sean looked up and saw the rapt expression on Armand's face. He smiled and said, "That was a fantastic meal, Armand. I'm impressed. Thank you. Martha Stewart would be proud of you."

Armand smiled and Sean leaned across the table and kissed him with as much passion as he had attacked the meal. When he pulled away Armand whispered, "You're welcome. Do you want desert?" Sean grinned and replied, "That kiss was all the desert I needed. Let's go. The night awaits."

In the car on their way to 'Nero's' Armand asked, "Is the information you're looking for in connection with this boy's murder?"

Sean nodded. "Yeah. He was a soldier for Marcy's gang. He was at 'Nero's' on the night he was killed. I need to find out if he left with someone and who that someone was."

"What would you do if you found one of mine?" Armand asked quietly.

Sean darted a glance at him. "One of your bodies?" He asked.

Armand nodded and Sean's hands on the wheel tightened. "I don't know. It's never happened. I don't think about it. I can't. I'd go completely crazy. Maybe I'm already crazy and I'm really sitting in a hospital somewhere dreaming all of this." Sean knew that Armand was staring at him and then the vampire's voice came again, "What did you think I was when you first saw me? Did you know then?"

Sean forced a grin. "I thought you were the most beautiful guy I'd ever seen and I wanted you desperately."

Armand remained silent until Sean continued. "Okay, okay. I knew when I first laid eyes on you that you were something different. At first I thought you were one of 'them', the dead people I see sometimes and have since I was a kid. It wasn't until later that I knew exactly what you were and by then it was too late."

"Too late?" Armand whispered.

Sean swallowed and answered. "Too late for me because by then I'd fallen in love with you." He suddenly pulled the car over and parked at a convenience store muttering, "I need a cigarette."

Armand watched from the car as Sean emerged from the store, paused just outside the door and lit a cigarette, savoring a long pull from it. Sean's head turned and their eyes locked. It was a simple moment and Sean would remember it for the rest of his life. The truth of what he had just admitted for the first time hung in the air between them and it would always be there like a forbidden fantasy.

As soon as Sean slid behind the wheel Armand asked, "Have you seen this dead boy? Has he appeared to you?"

Sean shook his head. "No, nothing. They don't always appear. The last time was this summer. One of the uniforms walked in when I was having a nice chat with a woman whose murder case I was assigned to. You remember, I mentioned it to you. The guy still thinks I'm loony toones and I don't blame him."

Armand was silent for the rest of the trip and Sean was grateful. When they arrived at 'Nero's' it looked like a busy night even for a Friday. The place was one of the hottest spots in town. Just before they were to go in Armand grabbed him and pulled him aside. Armand's back was against the wall. Sean rested his hand beside Armand's head, his other hand on his hip. "Okay, what now?" he asked impatiently.

"If you meet someone tonight," Armand's voice was very slow and careful, "then maybe you should take him home with you.......for the night." The last words were almost a whisper.

Sean stared into Armand's face for long minutes, but Armand's eyes didn't drop. When Sean's voice came it was a mixture of disbelief and rising anger. "What's the matter? You tired of watching me jerk off?"

Armand grimaced. "Don't be crude. I only meant...."

Sean didn't allow him to finish before he exploded. "Don't be crude!" He stepped away and began to pace. "Christ! What do you expect from me Armand? I can't make love to you the way I want to and you sure as hell can't do anything except give me the, the.....what did you call it?...oh yeah, the 'Dark Gift' and we both know I'd make a lousy vampire. And now you want to drag somebody else into it......"

"Just for the night!" Armand's voice cut in quietly but powerfully.

Sean paused and looked at him. "Are you feeling sorry for me? Is that it? Or is it that you just want to watch?" Sean's eyes widened as he noted the change in Armand's eyes. "That's it! You want to watch me do it with this guy!" Sean turned and raked his hands through his hair, muttering quietly under his breath. Suddenly he savagely turned around and grabbed Armand by the wrist and literally dragged him forward and through the door into the crowd and the music. It swirled around them like an intoxicating elixir. Sean looked down at Armand and watched the lights play with his features and then plant themselves in his eyes and his hair. The sight of him tore at Sean's heart. "I'm going to talk to the bartender. Pick someone out for us why don't you." Sean put all the sarcasm he could into it.

He pushed his way through the crowd to the bar. While he waited for his beer, he slipped his jacket off. The place was thick with smoke and the heat from dancing bodies. And he knew without seeing him that Armand was moving to a chosen spot to settle and let them come to him as they always did. The way Sean had done.

Armand found his vantage point in a relatively quiet spot against a wall from which he could observe the entire room. He noted Sean talking to the bartender and then his view was obscured by two very tall men who were most certainly not interested in the view of the room.

Sean finished with the bartender and proceeded to make his way along the edge of the crowd with the beer in one hand and his jacket in the other. It wasn't difficult to spot Armand's location. He couldn't see him, but he could see the knot of men gathered and he pushed his way toward them and then through them until he was standing beside Armand.

Armand looked up at him and said in an imitation of his own voice, "You fucker, you're late. Where the hell have you been?"

Sean had just taken a sip of beer and nearly blew it all out his nose at Armand's luxuriously accented way of pronouncing 'fucker'. Somehow he had made it an incredibly sexy comeon rather than an ordinary, garden-variety cuss word.

"Are you all right?" Armand asked and the look of concern on his face only sent Sean off into another fit of coughing. He finally recovered enough to nod his head and choke out, "I'm fine. Just went down the wrong way."

Armand smiled and said, "Excellent." He then reached up and pulled Sean's face down to his and began to thoroughly kiss him in front of everyone. Sean wasn't allowed to resist for Armand's embrace held him tighter than any human's possibly could. It was rare for Armand to do something like this in public and it surprised Sean. But, it wasn't long until he forgot about Armand's normal behavior and the crowded room; he was only aware of Armand's kiss. The way it transported him as easily as a narcotic directly into his bloodstream. His tongue glided under a sharp point, releasing a drop of blood into Armand's mouth. He felt the change in Armand immediately, but he couldn't pull away as the embrace tightened and then Armand moved his lips to the pulse in Sean's throat.

Sean could feel the hunger in Armand. It was washing over him in great waves and he knew it must be growing almost beyond the point of Armand's control. "Armand!" he whispered it for there was no strength left for words. He prayed it would be enough.

Armand's hold on him eased and Sean rested his head against the wall, trying to recover some strength in his shaking limbs. Armand was staring at him with haunted eyes and Sean could only do the same.

"Are you the one's been asking about Alfonso?" The young, male voice broke through their absorption with each other and brought them abruptly back to reality.

Sean blinked and straightened, looking at the young man standing before them. Late 20's, compact, athletic body; curly, dark hair and big, brown eyes that missed nothing. Sean answered, "Yeah, I'm the one. I need to...."

"He's dead." The words were barren.

"I know. Was he a friend of yours?" Sean watched the young man's face. His eyes kept sliding to Armand as if he couldn't quite figure him out. Sean was familiar with the look.

"He was a friend." He seemed to come to some decision about Armand and settled his attention on Sean. "So, what is it exactly you're after?"

"A little information. Alfonso was here the night he died. He left with someone around midnight. Do you know anything about this guy he left with?" Sean asked.

The young man folded his arms and asked, "Why should I tell you shit?"

Sean tried not to show his impatience as he explained, "I'm a homicide detective investigating his murder. Can you help me or not?"

"A detective? No shit! You two don't look like detectives." The disbelief in his voice was evident as he added with a knowing grin, "Or act like ones." His eyes moved to focus on Armand again.

"This is my friend Armand. He has nothing to do with this. My name's Sean Dunne and you say you were a friend of Alfonso's?" Sean asked trying to get his attention.

The young man rocked back and forth on his heals for a moment before answering, "They call me Azul and, yeah, Alfonso was a regular here. Everyone knew he was hooked up with Hannibal. It was that weirdo he left with. He was always hanging out with him."

"Hannibal?" Sean asked. "Is that his real name?"

"No. It's what everyone calls him cause he's like that guy in the movie. Gives you the creeps just to look at him but he had some sort of hold over Alfonso. The dude is strange shit I'm telling you." Azul's eyes raked over Sean's body appreciatively. "Are you sure you're a detective?"

"I'm sure." Sean answered. "Didn't Alfonso mention anything to you about him, his real name, what he did, anything?"

Azul shook his head and then Armand moved forward, stretched out his hand and rubbed the back of his fingers along the young man's cheek. Sean watched the movement and felt it at the same time. He could feel the pull coming out of Armand. He had felt it for the first time when they met. It was something Armand could turn on and off at will and it was turned on to pull in Azul. "Armand." he whispered. "Let me handle ........."

"Shhhhh." Armand smiled at Azul and Azul smiled back. Sean could see the guy was caught in Armand's call to him. One look at the young man's eyes and it was obvious he'd easily do anything Armand asked him to at that moment. Armand continued to stroke his cheek and move closer, speaking directly to Azul. "Azul will tell us what we need to know, won't you Azul?" The young man nodded. "You've seen this Hannibal recently. Where have you seen him Azul?"

"Can't tell you. Have to show you." The look in Azul's eyes was close to rapture.

Armand turned him toward the exit, draped his arm around Azul's shoulders and glanced back at Sean as he said, "I knew you could help us, Azul." He turned his head to whisper in Azul's ear. "Sean's beautiful, don't you think?"

Sean was in a furious state with Armand by the time he slid into the driver's seat. Armand didn't relinquish his attention upon the young man. They sat in the back seat together while Sean followed Azul's directions to the location, which turned out to be a warehouse in a rundown district. Azul said, "This is it. He hangs around here a lot. Alfonso brought me here once when he was gone."

"Show us the way in, Azul." Armand's voice would only accept compliance.

"No!" Sean twisted around in his seat. Armand looked at him and simply said, "Yes."

Sean swore under his breath and wrenched the door open. He hadn't brought his weapon and he felt naked in this isolated area. No cars, no lighting, nothing but derelict buildings and an omnipresent sense of danger. "If he hangs out around here he must be crazy." Sean said.

Azul looked at him and nodded his head. "I told you man. He's Hannibal and one crazy mother fucker."

Sean reached back into the car and grabbed a flashlight. Armand might not need it but he sure as hell did. The beam of light traveled across graffiti covered walls and the occasional rat as it scurried across broken syringes, beer cans and other refuse. Azul took them to a side door of one of the warehouses. It was jammed partly open. Sean moved the light upwards and noted broken windows.

Armand easily pushed the door open and they stepped into the cavernous interior. Sean's light picked up the debris on the floor. The place was in a shambles and had been for a long time. There was a smell in the air of mold, dirt and rat and pigeon droppings.

Azul moved to an elevator box which went to the lower floor. The light inside worked. It was in surprisingly good shape. Azul pushed one of the two buttons and it began its slow descent downwards. There was no elevator door and they watched as the floor disappeared above them and the lower space came into view.

The difference was remarkable. They entered into another world. The supporting pylons and low ceiling were lit in a golden light from wall mounted torches as if they were in the dungeon of an ancient castle.

Sean turned off the flashlight and whispered as he looked around. "I don't think this meets fire code."

Armand's fingertips covered Sean's lips and he moved close, his voice only for Sean's ears, "He's here. I can sense him now."

Sean took Armand's hand in his and searched the eyes of his vampire lover. "Why so interested in this case Armand? You're keeping secrets and I don't like it. Is this Hannibal a vampire? Is that it?"

Armand brought the hand that held his to his lips. "You ask too many questions."

"That's my job, Armand. I ask questions and you avoid them. I just wish you'd trust me more. I don't want anything to happen to you, you stupid fucker." Sean's voice was serious.

"And I do not wish anything to happen to you, you stupid fucker." Armand reached up and brought Sean's mouth down to his and they clung to each other until Azul pushed at Armand's hip. "Break it up will ya!" he hissed. "Christ! I've never seen two guys go at it like you two!"

Armand and Sean broke apart reluctantly. Armand set off as if he were homing in on a beacon. Azul's handsome face was full of surprise as he looked up at Sean. "What's with him? He acts like he knows where he's going."

Armand turned around, snarled just enough that his fangs glistened in the torchlight and hissed, "Shhhhh!"

Sean's eyes opened in wide-eyed innocence as he shrugged helplessly. He and Azul followed quietly until they came to the coffin. It sat on a slab of stone. A black coffin that shone in the torch light like ebony. Armand stood beside it, but didn't make any move to open it, instead he turned his gaze to the shadows between the light and waited.

What emerged was a man in a long, black trench coat and black fedora. Azul pressed close to Sean and whispered, "That's him, man! That's Hannibal." Sean made a movement forward but the man's voice stopped him. It was clipped and dry as a mummy's skin. "Visitors. What an unexpected pleasure. I'm afraid you've caught me unprepared. I have no refreshments to offer you." His small, blue eyes in their bed of pale wrinkles lighted on Armand where he stood by the coffin and the sigh that escaped him was wet with delight. "You've come! I knew you would." His eyes devoured Armand as if he were a priceless treasure.

Armand tilted his head, his lovely hair swinging heavily about his shoulders. His voice came and to Sean's ears there was an undercurrent of power he had never heard before. "I have come and you will die tonight for it." It forced Hannibal's insanity to the surface.

"But I wish to die. It has been my life's goal. I wish to be as you are. To receive the Dark Gift and live forever." His voice was frantic in its obsession. He waved his hands about wildly. "I have killed for you! I have sacrificed many for you and drank their blood and now you have come."

"And you think I will give you this Gift?" Armand was loosing patience. "Then you are a fool." A fool he intended to dispense with quickly. He moved forward. The look in his eyes made Hannibal reach out for one of the torches, suddenly seeing the magnitude of the creature he had summoned and his weakness overtook him. He feared too late. His hands did not reach the torch before Armand's found his neck.

The crunch of bone echoed in the underground chamber and Sean winced. He watched helplessly as the figure in black crumpled bonelessly at Armand's feet. "Shit, Armand! How am I going to write this up?" He came to stand beside Armand and gazed in melancholy consternation at the lifeless body. "If you want to be my partner I'm going to have to teach you some less violent methods in dealing with the criminal element."

Azul came to stand beside them and nudged the body with his toe. "Damn bastard deserved it."

Armand pushed them both back, reached up and grabbed a torch from the wall and let it drop onto the body. The coat ignited easily and then Armand was tossing more torches until it was a bonfire of flame and smoke. He turned, silhouetted against the backdrop of the inferno and said, "What are you waiting for?"

Sean lit a cigarette as he leaned against his car and watched the firemen put their equipment away. What was left of the building stood amidst the smoking rubble in the dawn light. Sean sighed. It had been a long night. He slipped into the car and Azul asked from the passenger seat, "Where did Armand go?"

"Back to his place. He's a night person." Sean answered.

Azul's voice was surprised. "You guys don't live together, then?"

"No. Can I drop you off somewhere?" Sean was anxious to get home himself.

Sean drove and Azul talked. He was still wound up from all the excitement. Sean sat silent and listened. He stopped in front of Azul's apartment and before he could say anything the young man took his hand in his and wrote his phone number in the palm of his hand. "Call me." he said and leaned over to press his lips against Sean's. The detective sat and let the warmth of the kiss envelope him. It wasn't the intoxicating touch of Armand, but it was human and warm and simple. Sean opened his eyes slowly as Azul pulled away, a smile on his face and then he was out of the car and Sean was left alone with the lingering touch.

Sean didn't call, but Azul returned the following night, Armand's arm draped across his shoulders. They stood grinning at his door. Sean pulled Armand into the kitchen as quickly as he could. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Leave this kid alone." He was tired of playing games.

Armand moved close, encircling his waist with his arms and Sean's hands automatically reached up to stroke his hair. "He wants you." Armand's lips moved against his throat. Sean stiffened in his arms. "So you bring him over here like a present? I don't want him Armand. I only need you."

Armand pulled back and Sean saw in his eyes all the arguments they had had before on this subject reflected in their depths. Armand wouldn't let him look away. He trapped him in words he didn't want to hear. "I want you to make love to him. I wish to see you do this."

Sean tore out of his grasp and the word, "No!" shot out of him. Armand pulled him back. "You don't find him appealing?" he asked.

"Of course I find him appealing. That has nothing to do with it! Christ!" Sean sensed he was loosing control of the situation. If he ever had been in control he thought. He allowed Armand to pull him into the room. He went immediately for the whiskey bottle.

Azul's skin beneath his was warm and supple. Sean let the strong fingers on the back of his neck pull his face down to the equally warm and supple lips. He couldn't remember exactly how they had ended up in bed. It was like a dream, a dream orchestrated by Armand. He parted his lips from the sweet taste of Azul and turned his head to find Armand's gaze locked on them. Everything in Sean yearned for the creature standing so close and then Armand was on the bed beside them. He reached out to stroke along Sean's back and paused as the pleasure-born shudder passed along the flesh beneath his touch.

Sean's body began to move within the tight embrace of Azul's arms and legs. His need was intense and his body plunged into the one moving so eagerly beneath his and all the while he never let go of Armand's gaze. He clung to it. He made love to it. And then the need in his body broke it and he struggled for it again but he was lost.

Sean opened his eyes to find Armand still beside them. His great, beautiful eyes touching him so intimately it hurt. Sean closed his eyes and let the sadness sweep over him. It always happened this way. The touch of mortality after tasting the sweetness of paradise. He moved without thinking, only knowing he needed the comfort of Armand's embrace and pressed his face against Armand's neck and let the tears come.

After some time he said quietly, the tears still clinging to his voice, "I need you Armand." He felt the arms around him tighten and then the hands moved along his hot flesh as cool as a night breeze. He raised himself and tasted again the opium touch of Armand's lips. "But do you need me?" he asked.

"Always." Armand said and the tormented flame in the heart of his eyes grew until it consumed everything.