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I looked her in the eyes and saw Kyle looking back. A frightened, confused, and angry Kyle, but it wasn't Katie watching me so carefully. “Good, you've broken it. Now, come with me. We need to talk.”

“Talk about what?” She asked warily.

“Oh, secrets, deep dark secrets.” I said softly while leading her to the stairs that would take us to my rooms. “Curses, things needing done, and a mutual adversary. Interested?”

She nodded, a bit stiffly, but I could feel her curiosity and drive to be free of the thing Wisteria had replaced her own psyche with.

“Then walk with me, and we'll speak of these things.” I promised.

Once in my rooms I waved her to a chair then quietly thought about a few things for a moment. “You should have been one of mine. Wisteria stole you from me when she killed Degna. Then she stole you from yourself by creating Katie.”

“Are you sure you can trust me right now?” She asked point blank. “You should know that Katie is still in here.”

As she tapped her head I nodded. “Yes, I can feel her, raging, plotting, hating you even now. But Kylie, or whatever name you should decide on, you are far stronger than that construct, and much stronger than your maker suspects. I should be able to teach you a few tricks to help keep Katie at bay during the bad times.”

“That would be much appreciated.” She tilted her head then followed up with a question. “What will that cost me?”

“Qid Pro Quo.” I chuckled and nodded in real pleasure at her perceptiveness. “In return, I want you to do a bit of spying on our eldest for me.”

“She'll know that I'm not Katie.”

“Not if you don't wish her to know that.” I answered simply then waited for her to work it out.

“Point taken.” She nodded. “I know how Katie acts and responds to things, but even acting like that bloody minded bitch isn't a very pleasant thought.”

“Your survival depends on it. That should give you some incentive.” I smiled for a moment then let my expression turn pensive. “Truthfully, more than yours does.”

“How so?”

“I'm old, Kylie, oh not so old as Wisteria, but old enough to know many things.” I shrugged. “One of those is that there are older, more powerful beings in the world than either me or Wisteria.

“Our Mother angered one of those a hundred years ago and since then we've been stuck in this town. Oh, our children are able to leave after ten years or so, or things would have become very uncomfortable in Ravencrest, but the older sisters are chained to this one small town.

“What I need from you is who or what she pissed off, and what exactly that curse is.” I finished.

“If she hasn't even told you, then I would imagine there would be little or no information available.” Kylie thoughtfully answered once her shock had faded. “I couldn't guarantee anything out of something like that.”

“All I'm asking is that you try.” I let out a sigh. “I am not so old that one place appeals to me for more than twenty years or so. Ravencrest palled on me long ago. I want my freedom back, Kylie.

“In return, I'll help you gain yours.”

I sat and thought about things once Kylie had left to return to Katie's room.

Having one of my own, even if that connection was tenuous, in Wisteria's camp would be a lot of help. I really did want to be free of the curse that held me to this town. Everything was so familiar these days, reiterations of things I'd seen before, people just like others I'd seen, and I was worried that I would go insane myself soon if I couldn't break the chains that held us here.

The older ones among us all ran that risk as the years went by. Some had already succumbed and had to be 'taken care of' to preserve the rest of us.

“Penny for them, Mother.” A familiar voice interrupted my rather dark thoughts and I turned to see Josephine standing in my doorway.

“Just thinking of what my role is in this house.” I let out a sigh and waved her to a chair. “I had no wish to become our 'enforcer' to begin with you know.”

“You're more humane than Wisteria would be.” She shrugged. “At least you make it quick and as painless as possible when you are forced to end one of our sisters.”

“The young ones are all afraid of me, you know.” I let out another sigh and gave my own shrug. “And the old ones are thinning out at an alarming rate these days.”

“The young ones all know of your reputation.” Josephine smiled at me. “And know how tightly you control things around here. Of course they would be intimidated in your presence.

“Think of it this way.” She went on thoughtfully. “You are a very successful CEO and the young ones are interns. They know you do the hard things, make the tough decisions to make sure that your company prospers and stays viable. They are mostly afraid that they won't measure up.”

“I never meant to be that way.” I answered softly.

“No, but then I never meant to be this gorgeous female either.” She grinned. “Shit happens mother, and all we can do is deal with it as best we can. You work to keep all of us safe. That's your way of dealing with it.

“And the older ones who have died?” She shrugged. “The only ones really constrained to stay in this town are Wisteria, you, and me. They couldn't bear to leave, but were dulled by the sameness they had come to think of as normal. If any of those had worked up the courage to actually leave, they would not be dead now and you know it. The ones who have left are doing well and you know that as well as I do. They all stay in touch after all.”

“That does help, I'll admit.” I smiled at the thought of all my daughters, and Wisteria's, who had left once they were able. We had quite an extensive clan built up by now. Who all worked to stay in touch with me and Josephine.

“Then stop being so moody about things, mother.” She rested a hand on my shoulder and gave me a little smile. “You keep us alive, safe, and show any who are bright enough to understand how to survive out in the world away from Ravencrest. All those outside talk to you, rather than Wisteria and that should tell you something important right there.”

“I knew I chose right when I picked you for my first.” I rested a hand on hers and gave it a squeeze. “You center me, Josephine, keep me in balance.”

“It's what I do.” She smiled. “Like you keep us safe. I'm balance, you're the Kali of our little group. Creator of life, mother of us all, and destroyer at the same time.”

“I'm not the mother of us all.” I pointed out.

“There is more to being a mother than simply making a child.” She said.

“I suppose you're right.”

“I am, and now...” She had a gleam in her eyes and actually smirked. “Would you like to hear about Pandora's latest antics?”

I was in a considerably lighter mood when Josephine left.

I was dressed simply, in snug jeans, a white silk blouse that showed just enough cleavage to be interesting but wasn't sluttish, and a pair of three inch heeled boots as I walked into The Guardian.

I smirked to myself, which I had been told appeared to make me smile mysteriously as the boys and a lot of the girls present watched my progress. I could clearly feel the desire, admiration, and yes lust that came from the boys along with the envy, admiration, and fear in the girls as they watched me.

One thing I had never gotten tired of in my existence was being beautiful, and — sexy. I smiled at all of them, giving the boys their little fantasies while reassuring the girls that I wasn't after their guys, or even out to score some strange that evening.

I ignored several boyish attempts to attract my attention and moved up to the bar, seating myself on one of the tall stools there and crossing my legs while giving Terrance, the bartender a smile.

“Good crowd for a Wednesday.” I commented.

“Much better since you showed up.” He grinned. “But yeah, it is a good crowd for the middle of the week.

“The guys who know anything about pick ups all know this is the place to come for that.” He chuckled. “The stories about the great looking girls and the sex are legendary around this town.”

“I suppose they would be.” I laughed. “Have my girls been behaving?”

“Always.” He chuckled. “They zero in on some guy or let themselves get picked up, lead the guy into one of the store rooms or out back, then a while later both of them show up with very sated and happy expressions on their faces. Wish some of the other sorority girls were as well behaved as your girls are.”

“Speaking of store rooms...” I grinned at gave him a look that there was no way of misinterpreting.

“I go on lunch break in ten minutes.” He gave me a similar look and grinned.

“Oh good.” I patted his hand as he gave me my customary wine — real wine, but blood red and very rich bodied. “I'll just wait here and follow you into the back once you've gone for lunch.”

“I have an hour tonight.” He winked.

“You're the boss.” I pointed out. “You could take as long as you like.”

“Nah, that sets a bad example for the help.” He chuckled. “Besides an hour with you...”

“You have some more customers.” I pointed out with a smirk and turned on the bar stool to watch the quiet studying and mating rituals in the large common room.

“Got the hots for the bartender?” A slightly slurred voice questioned as I was doing that. I turned to find myself looking at a nicely built brunette with a very pretty face who was obviously a sorority girl. “Give it up, he doesn't play with the customers.”

“That's because,” I gave her a superior smile, “he's got me.”

“Sure, I've heard that before.” She grimaced. “At least one girl a week tries to claim that.”

“I hope they enjoy their fantasies.” I shrugged then got off the stool as Terrance turned the bar over to to his second and left the area. “Have a good time tonight, just don't get rowdy. See ya.”

I walked behind the bar and through the same door Terrance had used without once turning around to see if the little thing was watching.

But I could feel her shock and envy without looking.

There are times being me has its perks.

* * * *

“You are so beautiful.” He breathed once I'd gotten out of my jeans and top.

I stretched almost languidly and tossed my bra into the pile of clothing already on the floor before slinking up to him and starting to unbutton his shirt, making sure my hand spent a bit of time resting on his bared and well muscled chest. “So are you.”

“Shouldn't that be handsome?” He chuckled as our usual argument got started.

“Handsome can apply to a woman, so beautiful can apply to a man.” I grinned then gave one of his nipples a little lick. “And you, Terrance Locke, are a very beautiful man.”

And that he was. Six feet four inches of lithely muscled male with the classic Vee shape a man should have. Broad shoulders, trim but not narrow waist — with a six pack on his belly that drove women wild, strong legs, and the scent of him... Oh even I had trouble resisting that musk he put out naturally.

Above the shoulders was every bit as good. Strong neck that wasn't too thick, features that looked as they had been chiseled out of marble by some ancient Greek sculptor, and eyes of such a deep blue that they rivaled the Caribbean ocean on one of its better days. Thick dark brown hair that was neatly cut but still held a vivid life of its own...

Oh, yes. Terrance Locke was what was today called one hell of a hunk.

“Want to see the books, boss?” He questioned with a little grin.

“Beast.” I lightly slapped his shoulder and shook my head with a pout. “You know what I'm here for and it sure isn't to have a look at the books tonight.”

“Welll,” he nodded judiciously while giving my own nude form a long, appreciative looking over, “what is it that you do want?”

“You as naked as I am, and us on that couch over there.” I whispered with a seductive little smile and another pose for his enjoyment.

Needless to say that is exactly what happened within the next thirty seconds.

Though he did run over his self imposed lunch hour by a few minutes. Okay by half an hour if you have to know.

Oh, but that was glorious hour and a half.

And no, I didn't drink of him. Agreements made long ago, and I always hold to my agreements and keep my promises, prohibited that.

Accordingly, I'd fed before coming to this place.

“I love you, Milla.” He whispered as we were cleaning ourselves up and getting dressed.

“Terrance, Terrance,” I rested a hand on his cheek and gave him a long slow kiss before going on. “You of all people in this town know how dangerous that could be.”

“I don't care, you know that.”

“Which is why your family disowned you.” I pointed out. “I am not at all a safe person to love, dear. Though I do admit that I have never met another man I could love before you. But that love would involve things that overstep agreements made and held for a century, and a lot of people could die if that happened.”

“Always the mother, aren't you?” He looked at me and I could see the longing in his eyes. “Always concerned for your girls above all else.”

“Not just them, dear.” I touched his cheek and offered a sad smile. “Maybe I've grown soft over the past hundred years, but I'm also concerned about your family, and the true innocents who would be pulled into that kind of mess.”

“You can't be everyone's mother, Milla.”

“Until I can get free of this town,” I let out a little sigh, “I have to be. In time, I hope things will change, but for now things are as they are and neither one of us can change them.”

“Are we starting our usual argument here?” He asked with a lift of one eyebrow.

“No.” I kissed him again and finished buttoning up my blouse. “I want to leave this time feeling good for a change.”

“Me too.” He shrugged. “But this isn't something we can keep dancing around like some pit of fire in the middle of a dance floor.”

“I know, I know.” I kissed him again. “But trust me, I'm not simply dancing around the issue. I will find a solution.”

“I hope so.”

“I will.” I told him with more confidence than I actually felt, but recent developments did give me some hope in that respect.

“Hello Josh.” I greeted my 'historian' as he was poring over some old text in the library.

“Gah!” He bolted upright from the hunched over position he'd had while reading and gave me an accusatory look. “Please don't do that. You scare the Hell out of me every time you do it.”

“That's the point, isn't it?” I giggled, which I found annoying, but fit with what girls did when in the presence of a decent looking guy. “Besides, you look much better sitting up straight than all hunched over like Quasimodo.”

“Thanks, I think.” He shook himself and let out a breath. “So what can I do for you, Carmilla?

“Any luck with your search?” I asked while noting that the heavy leather bound book he had on the table was a local history from nearly a hundred years ago.

“Nothing other than finding that a few people died 'mysteriously' at about the same time you and the others appeared here in town.” He said carefully and watched to see if that observation would anger me.

“Trust me, the ones who died that way were not all because of us.” I told him with a little smile. “But the ones who died all well deserved what they got no matter the cause.

“So anything of interest?” I prodded.

“Well, it seems that was a fairly strong colony of witches here at the time.” He shook his head. “Though getting anything definite on that is tough.”

“I know of them.” I nodded. “Was one of theirs among the dead back then?”

“No idea.” He honestly told me. “That's what I'm trying to research now, but the witches are harder to track or pin down than you and yours are. This is going to take time, I'm afraid.”

“I have faith in you, Joshua.” I used his full name and stroked his cheek with a fingernail.

His reaction was a mix of desire, fear and even revulsion that was quite interesting. Like a wine that had character but was not something you expected at the first sip. But I'd sipped that particular wine more than once so it was no surprise.

“Okay.” He nodded then gave me a look that was combined fear and longing. “Is there anything else?”

“No, dear, I've fed tonight, just keep looking.”

His expression held both relief and disappointment as I gave one of his shoulders a little pat and left him to his research.

Looking at Tobias Locke, the partriarch of the richest and most powerful family in Ravencrest, it was easy enough to see where Terrance had gotten his looks and magnetism.

But unlike Terrance, Tobias was an old school gentleman. Three piece suit with a pocket watch on a chain resting in a vest pocket, thick dark hair carefully brushed back from his forehead to fall around his shoulders, and an overly neat Van Dyke beard. He looked like he should be a professor of some mundane course like humanities instead of the most powerful man in Ravencrest.

And he wasn't happy with me at the moment. Not that such a thing was unusual. But then again, I was late for our appointment.

“You're late.” He made sure I knew that and glared at me as a waiter seated me in one of the restaurants his family owned.

“Tobias, it was only five minutes.” I chided. “I got slowed up with some parade these college kids were having.”

“Homecoming.” He snorted. “You of all people should know when things like that are going to happen. And I prefer to be called Mr. Locke, thank you.”

“Tobias,” I shook my head. “I've known you since you were barely out of diapers, and you expect me to kow-tow to you like everyone else?”

I let him splutter a bit while occupying myself with admiring the wolf's head logo on my napkin before looking up at him with a winning smile. “Come on, don't you think that is just a bit ridiculous?”

“You and yours are here on our sufferance.” He shot back.

“Of course we are.” I agreed with a little shrug. “But my association with your family has been profitable hasn't it?”

He refused to answer that one, but I knew he wanted to bring up his middle son, Terrance. To his credit that didn't happen. Nor did he openly say he didn't trust me. But I read all that in his emotions and expression.

“Tobias,” I shook my head, “When have I ever reneged on a contract, or violated an agreement made with your family?”

“You stole my son.” He whispered. So much for avoiding that topic.

“I did no such thing.” I firmly told him and stared at him while daring him to try and stare me down. “Terrance made his choice on his own, and I'm still trying to discourage him in that regard. I stole nothing and what is being given I haven't completely accepted as of yet.”

“But you laid with him again last night.” Tobias accused.

“Yes, and a most enjoyable time it was.” I smiled then stopped a further outburst from my dinner companion with a raised hand. “But I have not, will not, take of his blood. Go look for yourself and you will see that I am telling you the truth. I will not violate the pact, not even for him.

“But you can no more tell him who to love than your father could with you. I've been dealing with your family for a century, Tobias, at times I think I know you better than you do yourselves.”

“You haven't tasted of him?”

“I gave my word to your grandfather.” I shrugged. “And I keep my word. For one like me, that is a currency that can't be devalued, you know that.”

“Yet you still play with my son.”

Ahh, and there is the WORD, Tobias.” I smiled again. “Playing. But am I simply playing, or is it more? And before you say anything, I'm still working that out, but I assure you that your son is safe from my more sanguine proclivities. As is the rest of your family from any of mine or Wisteria's. If one of ours dares to violate the pact I would end them, and quickly.”

I had done that in the past, even in his lifetime, so he couldn't argue that point.

“Now,” I pleasantly went on, “I'm anxious to sample the new addition to this wonderful establishment's menu, if you don't mind.”

Eating solid, human food was difficult, but I covered that by tasting, moving things around on my plate, and effusively complimenting the chef, and staff.

And we finally finished the real business that had made this meeting necessary.

Keeping the peace in Ravencrest was nowhere near as easy as one would think just from looking at the town and its inhabitants.

In fact, it was far harder than it would have been in most small towns.

But it was something I, Tobias Locke, his father and grandfather, had worked to maintain for many years.

I had just finished making Cyrus' death look like an accident when I sensed another presence in the room. Turning slowly, I saw a distinguished older man looking first to the body then to me.

Theodore Herman Locke stood there simply taking in the tableau without saying a word for a few moments. “Who are you and what happened here?”

“I am Carmilla DuLac.” I introduced myself, ready to kill the man to preserve the secret of what really had happened that evening. “I know who you are, Mr. Locke, but why are you here now? Was that one important to you for some reason?”

At my gesture towards Cyrus' cooling and mostly drained body he snorted. “Only that I came to do to him what you already seem to have accomplished Vampire.”

“Oh?”

“He violated one of mine.” Theodore answered. “I was coming to make certain he didn't do that to anyone else and I should have intervened long ago.”

“Well, that seems to have been taken care of, sir.” I smirked to see what his response was. While noting that his presence literally filled that large room even when he was quiet.

He returned my smirk with a wry grin and nod. “That it has. What happened here?”

“He became overcome with his lust and tripped on the stairs.” I answered simply.

“While following you, I would imagine.”

“Of course, sir.” I nodded then put on a contrite expression. “I was so shocked and horrified when he managed to miss the stairs and fall over the banister. I should actually be screaming in my distress now.”

“Feel free to avoid that.” He said with a chuckle. “My old ears are fading but your anguished screams in this place would probably hurt them in spite of that fact.”

“Then of course I will refrain from disturbing your tranquility.” I smiled. For some reason I actually liked this man.

“I would appreciate that.” He gave me a faint smile in return then asked quite bluntly. “What is it you are doing here in Ravencrest?”

“Making a home.” I shrugged. “Since you know what I am, my maker angered someone, Someone powerful, who cursed us to stay in this town. Believe me when I say I want no conflict with anyone here, and will work to blend us into the usual society as painlessly as possible.”

“Touch one of mine and that will be impossible.” He told me as his bright blue eyes bored into me as if trying to penetrate my soul, or what I had left of one.

“I had already noted how 'protective' you and the elders in your family are of your own.” I answered. “I swear to you that they will be safe from me, mine, and any others that come after, though before you demand it, I do intend to severely limit our numbers and prohibit needless killing. To keep the peace, you understand.”

“And what would you do if one of yours did try taking one of mine?”

I gave him a direct look, which was something women in that time rarely did with a man, and answered simply. “I will kill them for you.”

“I'll hold you to that promise Vampire.” He told me.

“I always keep my promises, sir.” I responded.

“Come see me Monday, Ten O'clock.” He nodded. “We should firm up this pledge and I need to ascertain just what you plan doing in this town.”

“I will be there, sir.” I lowered my eyes in a proper feminine acknowledgment. “I look forward to it.”

“For some reason, so do I, lady.” He answered, then was gone as quickly as he'd appeared.

Now that was an interesting man. I actually was looking forward to our meeting.

So The Pact between Wisteria's and mine was made with the most powerful family in the area.