Justin's transfixed gaze flickered briefly before he managed a response, "Take my ring off? But why?"

"Do you trust me, Justin?" Brian asked, his feral eyes locked upon his target... unflinching and unrelenting.

Swallowing deeply, Justin responded, "I trust you... I just don't see the need for this."

"There is every need, Justin. It's important that I know you trust me... there is so much I wish to share with you. This will be a testament to that trust... and will enable me to be more open. The question is - do you want that?" Brian asked, finding this to be as equally important as claiming him just moments ago had been. "You have my word, I will return it to your finger upon your first request."

Justin flushed slightly, before answering, "I don't know why I make such a big deal of the ring. I'm not sure I even believe the legend that is supposedly attached to it... but I have honored my grandmother's request regarding it all these years."

"I'm glad you have. I think we both know the legend is true... and that you will come to no harm without the ring when in my presence. I wonder if you truly know what that means," Brian whispered, his eyes penetrating Justin's intently.

Shrugging, Justin responded, "Not really. Gran went on about a soulmate and that basically, he was the only one I should ever trust. She said the ring would keep me safe from an evil one that wished to destroy me... it all sounds crazy when I repeat it. I find it hard to believe it has any substance in reality."

"It is very real, Justin. You might not be ready to fully accept it yet... but the threat she warned you about is very true and needs to be taken seriously. Regarding your soulmate, maybe you are just not seeing clearly enough... take off the ring, Justin. It will not only open up your mind but your heart as well," Brian further urged him, determined to win this battle of wills - and once and for all have the answers he so desperately craved.

Justin's eyes focused even deeper on Brian's, a gasp escaping his lips as he slowly acknowledged, "It's you, isn't it? Not only the man of my dreams... and you have featured there quite often now that I can recall it, but... it's always been you."

"Slide the ring off, Justin... let's explore our connection further," Brian huskily breathed, unable to resist sinking his lips into Justin's incredibly soft and pliant ones. "Just do it, Justin... I promise no harm can come to you here... nobody can penetrate these walls without my express permission, and I assure you, I have no intention of allowing any such interruptions."

Moments later following several forays by Brian's jabbing tongue, Justin pulled his head back long enough to look at Brian searchingly as he made his decision. He ran a finger around the bold crest on the front of the ring, before slowly sliding it down his finger. He let it dangle for several seconds before letting it fall completely away, enclosing it in his hand before lifting it to show Brian. With a soft and nervous smile, Justin asked, "Now what happens?"

"Slip your pants on... I want to focus on you right now... and not the obvious attraction of your beautiful cock. Then, go over to the table. You must be hungry by now. Pour yourself a glass of wine, and fix a plate of the cheese, fruit, and meats that are on ice... then we shall talk," Brian said in his firmest of voices, intent on no refusal of any kind from the delicious blond now.

"I am a bit hungry," Justin said smiling sheepishly, as he pulled on his pants relishing how it felt knowing Brian's hot eyes were wantonly roving over him; instinctively knowing they would find their way back to the bed before this night was completely gone.

Brian watched him under a narrowed gaze as he approached the table, more than a bit confused. Justin was following his directive easily enough, but he was not pulled under his power - still. Then, he recalled he had only enjoyed a small portion of Justin's blood... a matter he intended to rectify before that ring slid back on his finger. Was that the answer... or could it be more?

He gave him a moment to place food upon his plate and pour a glass of wine before allowing himself to sit across from him, the sight of the boy still tempting him almost painfully. Brian was amazed at how much he still wanted him... almost as if he had never had him yet, but he had... and had him so exquisitely well. And for Brian Kinney, that was always enough... but he knew things were different with Justin. Whether he wanted to verbalize it or not, he knew without a doubt Justin was his true soulmate... this boy would always belong to him - exclusively. And now it was time Justin understood and accepted this as well...

Justin smiled across the table as he helped himself to the vast array provided before him, gesturing toward Brian as he paused in his enjoyment of his meal. "You're not joining me, Brian?"

"No, Justin. I enjoy a special diet, although watching you is extremely stimulating. Watching your mouth around those strawberries is intensely erotic... but enough of that. I'm trying to keep my mind clear of any paths that lead us back to my bed... for the moment," Brian growled huskily.

"Well... I certainly wouldn't object to a return trip..." Justin began throatily.

With a hiss, Brian halted Justin's speech, "Do not do that, Justin. Don't tempt me when I have already advised I'm trying to focus elsewhere. You will learn my passions are very difficult to restrain. Now, how about you tell me about yourself... family, friends..."

"Sorry, Brian. I will try to behave myself." Justin smirked. "Let's see. My parents are divorced and I have a younger sister, although I don't see her a lot. She clings to our father a bit and he is a homophobic asshole. Tossed me out the moment he learned I was gay. My mother is very supportive, even if she doesn't understand my lifestyle, she doesn't judge or interfere with it. My best friend, Daphne, is probably my only real friend. But she is the greatest. I have never been one to open up and let others in very well."

"Hmmm, a trait we have in common. I am sorry about your father, though I do understand it. My parents were assholes too. I noticed you flex your hand a great deal at times. Is that simple nerves or something more?" Brian continued to probe.

"Nothing simple about that. It hits me from time to time, but not as often as it once did. I was bashed several years ago. It created some brain damage that affects those nerve endings."

Brian mulled that over in his head, not liking his realizations. The ring protected Justin from Melanie destroying him... but not from a violent attack. Just the thoughts of anyone striking out at this beautiful boy in anger... his boy... made Brian want to respond savagely. Pursing his lips, trying to project an air of calm he asked, "Bashed? I hope the offender was brought to justice."

"You and I both know how that works out when it's a straight man against a gay man. Although, I think he's secretly in the closet. He got off with community service. Of course, who would dare stand up against the Hobbs family, with them being such upstanding members of the community," Justin said with a bitter laugh.

"Hobbs?" Brian bit out carefully, between clenched teeth.

"Chris Hobbs, local football hero... and all-around good guy according to the rest of the click that hung on his every word and movement. But he is a homophobic prick that I think secretly dabbles on both sides of the fence. Doesn't matter any longer. That's all behind me now," Justin said, shuddering in remembrance of that horrible time... the pain, fear, and the long recuperation. The precise time when his family fell apart... and he was on his own not long afterward.

Brian instantly filed the name into his memory, although he did remember it from the investigator's report. The information provided had been sketchy at best... now he understood. It was all he could do not to excuse himself at this very moment to go hunting for Chris Hobbs and exact vengeance on Justin's behalf; in addition to doing it for himself in his primal anger that this worthless specimen had caused pain to what belonged to him.

Watching as Justin pushed his plate away, along with finishing his second glass of wine, Brian stood and moved to the other side of the table to reach out to Justin with an outstretched hand, his eyes luring him into giving him exactly what he needed the most right now. Unknowing of what he was accepting, Justin placed his hand in Brian's as he allowed himself to be led back to the bed, the ring currently forgotten by one of them, laying safely on the table. Brian looked back at it with a smile knowing they would have no further need for it on this night. For now that he had gained a bit more of a glimpse into his beautiful soulmate, his most primal hunger needed to be satisfied.

He would feed on the very essence of this beautiful blond... and in doing so bind them even closer together; for he knew in only true unity could they fight the force that threatened to not only keep them apart, but destroy them as well. Brian watched with hooded eyes as Justin shucked his jeans as quickly as he had slid into them wondering how he would ever be able to let this boy walk out of here and leave him. The beast inside of him raged to bend him to his will by any means necessary, keeping him captive at his side... while the more rational side, limited as it was, reminded him that would steal from Justin the key ingredients of who he is... of what made him so special. He couldn't do that to this creature of perfection. He wanted him exactly as he was now... unchanged, but hopelessly tied to him.

"It's time you made your own discoveries... about me," Brian began as he urged him to lay beneath the sheets, removing his own pants and joining him in rapid order. "I wish to tell you a story... although, it's not a very pretty one."

"Go on, Brian. I want to know everything about you," Justin assured him.

"Indeed you shall, my boy. My story starts out with a witch. A wretched, cold, and lonely woman that sought the wrong person to love. When the man could not respond to her feelings she cursed him to eternal darkness. Legend states that the doomed man had a counterpart to complete him, although he had always been accustomed to walking alone, and was skeptical of such a man's existence. To find out much later that man did exist... and that nothing would matter more to him than making this rare and exquisite man exclusively - his," Brian whispered, his eyes pouring over Justin like liquid fire.

Swallowing deeply, Justin said, "This almost sounds like a story of personal experience. I could be wrong, laugh at me if I am... but it sounds like you are speaking of yourself and possibly me."

"I am most certainly not laughing, my beautiful boy. I was cursed nearly three hundred years ago. I am immortal... and we are destined to be together. Can you not feel that pull, Justin? Unlike anything that you have ever known. Are your thoughts and dreams constantly possessed by me? And no, I haven't been able to use my supernatural powers on you to overpower your will, your ring has protected you. Try to refute my claim... if you can," Brian boldly challenged him, knowing he wouldn't be able to deny the truth, realizing for all their sakes Justin needed to come to terms with this now.

"I always knew there was something different about you... but immortal I had no idea. But I can't deny your words, Brian. I have been drawn to you from the instant we met... almost as if it was like you said - a predestined meeting. What it all means I don't yet understand, although I don't think it's something I can run from. My question now is... exactly what are you?" Justin asked, determined to know everything no matter the consequences.

Probing his eyes deeply, knowing he could erase Justin's memory should it become necessary, Brian went forward with full disclosure needing for Justin to know everything. Letting his fangs drop in a sharp clicking motion, Brian's eyes reddened as he gazed upon Justin with hunger mixed in with a tenderness he couldn't begin to understand. In a gravelly voice, full of emotion and need he whispered, "I'm a vampire, Justin. I will live forever."

"Can I touch your fangs?" Justin gasped out in unexpected awe of the revelation he was now beholding. "I should be scared to death... but somehow, I'm not. I can't believe this is real... things like this don't exist, or so I have always believed."

"Touch them, Justin... only be careful, they are sharper than the most precise razor. And no you have no reason to be afraid of me... I mean you no harm - ever. I want you too badly, more to the point - I need you," Brian responded fervently, almost sounding like a vow.

Justin reached out, surprised his hand was not trembling to lightly touch the long pointed fangs protruding from Brian's mouth. He stroked over them lightly a few times, assuring himself of their substance and that he was not fantasizing their existence, before his eyes lifted to Brian's probing ones letting his mind completely fall into Brian's care. Trust and unspoken emotion blazed equally between them. With a soft whisper Justin asked, "You want my blood, don't you, Brian?"

"More than anything, Justin," Brian rasped in a ragged growl. "I have tasted you briefly, but to fully enjoy you... I hunger more than you will ever know. I do warn you, it will bind you closer to me than you already are. I need to be completely honest with you in this. Already I am incredibly possessive of you... once I have the full essence of you inside me, it will only increase. Do you want that?"

Smiling the bright, beaming Sunshine smile that melted Brian, he answered, "I want that, Brian. Ring or no ring, I have wanted to be with you from the very beginning. Maybe my inhibitions are lowered now... but I know I love how you are so possessive of me... that you would want me so much to be so. I don't want that to change."

"You are sure, Justin? This is something that cannot be undone," Brian murmured, almost salivating at the thoughts of finally exploring this delicious boy completely, yet wanting him to be fully accepting of what it meant.

Justin fully reclined, exposing his throbbing pulse to Brian's hungry gaze with a needy whisper, "Drink from me, Brian. I want it."

"Relax yourself, Justin. There will be an initial sting... but once that has passed, you will feel pleasure, your cock will stir as I feed on you... and once we are done, I intend to enjoy that cock again - thoroughly," Brian told him in primal need, his lips hovering over the pulse that beckoned him, kissing it lightly, his tongue stroking it before he slowly slid his fangs home.

Despite the instant pain of the sharpness of Brian's fangs penetrating his tender skin, Justin remained still as he lost himself in the sensation of the suckling motion Brian began to exert upon him. He reached up to twist his fingers into Brian's hair, not to pull him away... but to hold him to him. Justin squirmed as Brian's words became almost instantly true. His cock began to fill as Brian continued to feed upon him. Justin moaned out his surprising pleasure, lost in the bliss of how good this actually felt... how much more he wanted Brian now.

Brian released a growl that more resembled a feral howl at the connection of Justin's blood to his throat. He had a brief taste of him earlier, along with the one he had initially stolen on his cut finger in what seemed like a lifetime ago... but nothing to compare to this. He had to focus not to drink too quickly, nor too deeply. He didn't want to weaken Justin... he was not even close to being finished with his exploration of this exquisite creature. Now more than ever, he knew this tempestuous blond was his true soulmate. He would never let him go. Mine, mine, mine was the chants in his mind as he continued to feed on him. His hand strayed down to clasp around the hardened cock of the beautiful boy, pulling it in succession with his suckling motions.

At last, he forced himself to retract his fangs knowing he had taken a great deal of Justin's blood and not wanting to overwhelm him in this first feeding. He closed the wound with his tongue, licking it over and over again... knowing he would never get enough of this boy's exquisite skin. He raised his head to probe Justin's eyes deeply, before he assertively announced, "You are mine, now. Forever mine. I will never let you go."

Outside, Melanie stared at the home where she was barred access, while cursing her sister with every vile form of evil she could imagine for blocking her out. Justin was now vulnerable in a way he had never been before. The foolish twit had removed the ring. She could feel it... as well as she could feel the hate building in her as she felt the bond strengthening between the two destined lovers.

The circle was almost complete. If she didn't find a way to destroy Justin soon... Brian would realize how to finally destroy her. Lindsay apparently didn't even know the secret. Her foolish sister thought she could be killed by her own hand... but only the total binding of these two would accomplish that. Lindsay could slow her down... hurt her even but not destroy her. Only Brian and Justin held that power... only they didn't realize it - yet. She was determined they would never discover the true power their love could affect.

Her eyes continued to blaze as she walked around the house, a plan beginning to form. At once she cackled in delight, realizing her error and what she must do now.

"Enjoy your moment, dear Brian... it won't last. I see where I made my fatal error. Possessing your friend to be close to you was not the key. Getting closer to Justin will achieve my goals. Oh yes, enjoy yourself, Brian... Soon I will find a new outlet to destroy this happiness you think you have found. When Justin is facing his destruction... you will be forced to come to me. Then, I will destroy him and we will be together forever."

TBC