Eternal Night

(III) Chapter 19: A New Creature

Comté Armand Philippe de Chacier leaned against a garland-wrapped banister as he looked out over the ballroom from his place on the second floor. His eyes swept over the space as the staff finished putting on the finishing touches of the holiday decorations. The annual Winter Solstice ball was scheduled to take place two nights from this evening, and dare he admit it, he was actually looking forward to the event.

Truth be told, he had been feeling a little lighter these last few nights. The ache of Cece's absence was still very much present – and undoubtedly, it always would be – but the weight of it wasn't quite as consuming as it had once been. He soon heard the reason for that sudden respite calling out from behind him.

"Ah! There you are! I had wondered where you had disappeared to."

Señor Eduardo de Meirás stepped in to stand at his left, leaning against the railing.

"Not disappeared," Armand corrected. "Just... making sure everything is in order for the weekend."

"I thought that's what the party planner was for?" Meirás offered teasingly. "Or has this last summer taught you nothing?"

Armand didn't bother to even grace that with a response. Instead he sent the man a pointed look. The Spanish devil smiled mischievously.

"You de Chaciers – all such stubborn creatures. It's a wonder I still put up with you after all these years."

"Well, you always were a glutton for punishment."

Satanas laughed through his nose, the hum of his amusement low and deep. Armand could have sworn he felt it vibrate in his own skin.

"If enduring your collective obstinacy is the price I must pay to continue my enjoyment of the special... intimacy I have with you... ," and Eduardo sent the man a meaningful look that would have made him blush had he fed recently, "... and the rest of your family," he quickly tacked on, "well, it could always be worse."

Armand laughed.

"You're not very subtle, are you?"

The Spaniard suddenly leaned in.

"You all like to complain about my lack of subtlety, and yet when it comes down to it, we all know you appreciate it."

The words were spoken with a sensuous husk and Armand watched Satanas's tongue run across his bottom lip suggestively. His throat went dry, recollections of just where that particular appendage had been earlier this evening sending a quiver down his spine.

"I think that depends entirely upon the situation," he said at last, voice equally low. Eduardo inched a little closer, the tip of his nose just barely brushing that of the man in front of him.

"Is that an invitation to investigate this further?" Meirás inquired. "Because if it is, I wholeheartedly accept."

"Tell me – after all these centuries, does hedonism ever get boring to you?"

Another rich, suggestive chuckle vibrated in the Spaniard's chest before he closed the distance and lightly kissed Armand on the lips.

"Never, old man."

"Who are you calling old?"

Eduardo reached with both hands to take the Comté's face in his, mouth moving in for another kiss, when a great rumbling noise interrupted them. The two men looked out over the room as the chandeliers above started to clatter, crystals clanking together. Then the windows began to rattle, the ground quaking as a great light filled the night sky, growing brighter and brighter.

"What is happening?" Armand muttered under his breath. Lifting himself up and over the banister, he vaulted over the railing and landed with unnatural grace onto the main floor of the ballroom. Eduardo followed suit, the pair heading out onto the veranda overlooking the back yard.