The Tiger and the Man

Wind whistled around the darkened buildings of a small New England town, freezing all exposed skin upon contact. It was bitterly cold without the wind, but the lone figure making its way toward the forest that bordered the town seemed not to notice, for the shirt that clad its torso was sleeveless. Almost as quickly as one would have noticed the person's presence, they had disappeared into the trees.1

Fabian sighed with relief as he stepped onto the forest path, but quickened his pace. The sooner he reached Abernythia, the better. What better place to seek refuge from a relentless witch than the home of Lord Sterling? Not only that, but what better place to find Tora, Sterling's most exotic and entrancing fledgling? He shook his blond head with an almost forlorn sigh as he thought of the cold-hearted she-vampire. Now that was an ice queen if there had ever been one.2

It was half an hour after the male's thoughts had fluttered around Tora that he reached Castle Abernythia. Its white walls were certainly a sight for sore eyes, but its welcoming, warm halls were the piece de resistance of the entire edifice. As soon as the blond vampire was admitted, he went in search of Lord Sterling. As he moved from room to room, his thick-soled, steel-toed, buckle over-dosed boots made a dull thump on the marble floors. His artificially cyan eyes darted about, searching for Sterling, at the same time wishing for a glimpse of Tora.3

Lord Sterling was in the main ballroom, sitting back and watching his multitude of guests dance to the highly appropriate waltz music. When Fabian came up next to him, he motioned for the blond man to sit by him, his grey eyes crinkling at the corners in a smile.4

"Hello, Fabian. What brings you to Abernythia this night? Besides Tora," the Ancient vampire added, turning to regard Fabian, his pale lips upturned in a teasing smile.5

"Some fool witch, for the most part. And who says I was even thinking of Tora? She hates me," Fabian finished almost sadly.6

"Only your darting eyes and the way you tense every time you see hair that even closely resembles hers," Sterling replied in what would have seemed a flippant manner to the casual eavesdropper.7

"Hmph...Well, it appears my darting eyes have found their prize," Fabian replied after several minutes.8

The crowd parted as a petite woman with tiger hair and amber eyes made her way to Sterling. She wore a Tudor style dress in red, rust, and gold that complimented her unusual hair and eyes magnificently. Upon reaching her sire, she stopped short when she noticed Fabian. In reply to the shy smile he offered her, Tora sneered almost imperceptibly and then turned her attention to her Father.9

"Sterling," she said in a low voice that fell pleasantly between a tiger's low roar and low wind chimes.10

"Tora," the Ancient replied with a fond smile. "Tora, I'm surprised at you. Why don't you greet Fabian with a little more warmth than that?"11

"Fabian," Tora fairly growled at the blond male.12

Her amber eyes narrowed in cold dislike as they swept over Fabian's garb. Really, what was he doing at Abernythia now? His fawning and chasing was getting beyond annoying and if he wasn't careful, she'd feel the inclination to kill him. She looked out over the floor as the music changed and sudden found her delicate hand grasped gently in a larger one and being led out onto the floor. The she-vampire almost snarled in disgust, for the hand belonged to Fabian.13

Fabian felt Tora's offended anger and it burned him like a hot knife, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. All of Castle Abernythia would see him dance with the Ice Queen if it was the last thing he did; and it probably would be. 14

The orchestra struck up a song that started out slow and progressively gained speed. To keep up appearances, Tora danced with the rude upstart. They kept pace perfectly and to all who watched seemed to move with each other as one, fitting perfectly together. Those who knew Tora, however, could sense the distaste in her facial expression and movements. 15

The dance lasted an for what seemed an unnaturally long time for the pair who had no idea that Sterling had ordered the orchestra to keep playing until he told them otherwise. Finally, Sterling saw Tora loosen up just a bit and signalled for the orchestra to quit, which they did all too readily, their hands aching from the fervor with which they'd played. The vampires stopped their dance and stood regarding one another for a moment before Tora disengaged herself and left the floor. 16

Fabian watched her go, a smile upon his pale lips. Even if he ended up dying by her hand later, at least he'd danced with her. He'd seen the look in her amber eyes as well. She didn't hate him, she feared him! It would take a long time to prove to her that her fear was misplaced, but he was up for the challenge. His smile still in place, he followed the she-vampire off the floor and through the crowd.17

From his seat, Sterling watched the two and smiled, his grey eyes sparkling. This would have an interesting outcome, for sure.18

----To be continued....----