Devon stood on the rooftop and looked down at "Inner Sintome." Shaking his head ruefully, he fervently hoped he would find his prey here. This was the sixth gay bar tonight and he was becoming frustrated. Making sure there were no witnesses to his inhuman ability, he stepped off the rooftop and floated gently to the ground.

Once landed, he smoothed back the portion of his burgandy waist length hair that had blown in his face and strolled to the front entrance of the club. He could have easily entered unseen, but he wanted to be noticed in case his prey was present.

The entrance sentinel was large, well muscled, and ugly. Devon could see the interest his approach sparked in the big man's eyes. Continuing his nonchalant stroll, Devon seemed to flow up the stairs until he came to a stop a mere two feet away from the almost drooling human.

Devon did not usually use his physical beauty as a tool, but tonight he had dressed his 5'9" lithe frame in an outfit meant to draw attention to himself. He had worn his long hair down and loose so it framed his oval face and set off his sea green eyes to perfection. He had even used a foundation to give his naturally pale face more color.

The bouncer unconsciously licked his lips as he gazed at the gorgeous man before him. It took him a couple of seconds to realize that the vision had spoken and he forced himself to focus on what the seductive sounding baritone voice had been saying.

"Huh?"

Devon repressed a smile as he repeated his question, "What is the cover charge?"

The bouncer raised hopeful eyes to gaze into Devon's and replied, "A kiss would get you in free."

Devon merely raised one eyebrow and waited patiently. Giving a deep sigh and a sad little smile, the bouncer held out his hand, "$20.00."

Realizing the bouncer knew how ugly and undesirable he was to others, Devon felt a flash of sympathy for the human. Pulling a twenty out of his back pocket, he placed it in the man's outstretched hand, grabbed his wrist gently, pulled him closer, and gave him a short but passionate kiss. Releasing the man and smiling at his shocked expression, Devon murmured softly, "Keep the change."

Devon smiled to himself in satisfaction as he felt the startled pleasure radiating at his back when he continued his journey into the dark confines of the club. Just inside the door, he took a moment to open his senses to the fullest.

Gently touching the minds of the inhabitants within, searching for the signature malignancy of his prey, Devon was startled to brush against the mind of one of his kind. Even though he was curious, he didn't stop his search. He could always satisfy his curiosity after his prey was located and dealt with.

Walking further into the dark interior, Devon continued scanning while he nimbly avoided brushing against most of the bodies crammed into the too small area of the popular club.

It wasn't until he had almost reached the bar that he stopped abruptly. There! His prey was here! There was no mistaking the sick twistedness of that mind. Finally! Now Devon could go into the next phase which involved casting out the bait, himself, and reeling the prey in.

Devon stood still for a moment and focused on the corrupt mental energy of his prey, trying to pinpoint his exact location. All the mental energy being released into the crowded club made that impossible to do, but he was able to determine which area of the club the evil energy level was the strongest.

Deciding the dance floor was the best place to be, he started forward only to be halted abruptly once more, only this time it was because he barrelled into someone. Reacting quickly, his hands shot out to grasp arms, intending to help prevent the other person from staggering into anyone else.

When his hands closed on the arms in front of him, he gasped at the spark of energy that coursed through his body on contact. Quickly releasing the arms, his startled gaze flew up to meet mint green eyes and he tried to step back again.

It was his turn to have his arms grasped in a grip of steel and he brought his hands up reflexively to push against a well muscled chest. It was like pushing against a steel door. Unmovable.

His gaze still locked with the green eyes in front of him, Devon tried to comprehend why fear was one of the emotions running rampant through him as he blurted out words he couldn't seem to stop, "Let me go!"

In answer, the other man stepped closer, trapping Devon's hands between their bodies. Devon had to force himself to stand still, fighting down the instinctive urge to struggle. He didn't understand why he was feeling this way and he didn't like it. No one had ever made him feel this way before.

Anger started to replace his unreasonable fear and he opened his mouth to demand his release once more, when a soft spoken voice reached his ears, "You've never met one of your own kind before, have you?"

Devon's anger melted away as fast as it had appeared as it dawned on him that this was the other vampire he had sensed earlier. Closing his mouth, he shook his head no, not once breaking eye contact.

Green eyes smiled at him as his body was drawn even closer to the other's. Devon's eyes widened in surprise and a little apprehension. He had never been this close to another of his kind before, with the exception of the one that had made him. The knowledge that vampires were dangerous to one another had been violently instilled into Devon by his master, but he had assumed a confrontation would be avoided in such a public place.

Devon knew the other vampire was older and more powerful than himself. He felt a bit sad that he would soon be destroyed because, despite his danger, he was feeling a sexual attraction unlike anything he had ever felt before.

Swallowing nervously he decided to see if he could ason with the other vampire. He didn't particularly want to be destroyed, not after he had found a good way to use his vampiric abilities, and he definitely wanted to take down his prey first.

"I have a job I need to finish. If I give you my word that I will meet you for battle where and when you want, would you be willing to wait until I complete my task?"

The other vampire stepped back a pace, eyes widening in surprise. "Battle?" Narrowing his eyes, he hissed angrily, "What are you talking about?"

Devon blinked, astonished at the other's reaction and words, "I'm assuming you wish to destroy me since you have not let me go." Giving a lopsided smile, he shook his head, "I may not be as powerful as you, but I promise to give you a battle you will enjoy remembering for years to come if you will let me finish the job I am here to do."

Devon was surprised but pleased when his arms were released. He didn't understand why the other vampire looked a bit shocked, but he thought it best if he didn't stick around to find out and waste his chance for escape. He gave the other his thanks with a relieved smile, then scooted around the obstacle to finish his journey to the dance floor.

Shaking his head, he sighed deeply. He had never imagined his night would end up this way, but he was bound and determined to take out the prey that had eluded him for so long. Reaching the dance floor, he forced himself to push the thoughts of the gorgeous vampire and his imminent destruction out of his mind and focus on reeling his prey in.

Starting to move sensually to the beat, he was surprised to feel an arm go around his waist and a body come into contact with his. Turning his head to see the other vampire behind him, Devon opened his mouth to speak. Long, graceful fingers stopped his words when they were placed across his lips. He raised an eyebrow in a mute question and the other vampire leaned closer to place his lips next to Devon's ear and spoke, "My name is Justin. You and I need to have a long talk."

Devon shivered as Justin's breath caressed his skin. When Justin pulled him firmly against his body, Devon arched his neck so his head lay on Justin's shoulder, moaning at the delicious, unfamiliar feeling that raced through his body. The feeling was so intense, he was tempted to forget why he was here and let Justin do whatever he wanted to him. When Justin's lips lightly touched his neck, Devon gasped in shock and started to offer more of his throat in submission.

Before he could complete the move, he forced himself to stiffen in Justin's arms and whispered frantically, "Please. Wait."

Gentle hands turned him around. "Why?"

"I need to take care of something. It's vitally important." Devon's pleading eyes looked straight into Justin's and he didn't resist when Justin pulled him close. He was almost to the point where he didn't care if he was destroyed by this sensual creature as long as the amazing feelings Justin invoked didn't stop.

Justin once more brought his lips next to Devon's ear. "Can I help?"

Devon laughed nervously in response. He hadn't expected that question. He pulled away slightly so he could see Justin's face and licked his suddenly dry lips, "The best way you could help is by letting me push you away as if we were having a disagreement. I'm going to need to leave the club temporarily and hope my prey is interested enough to follow."

Justin's eyebrows rose at the word 'prey', but he only nodded and replied, "Go for it. I expect you to honor your word and come back here to me when your task is complete."

"My word is my bond," is all Devon said before he scowled and pushed Justin away roughly. Glaring at him as if angry, Devon stalked off the dance floor in the direction he believed his prey was. Schooling his face into an expression of sorrow, he headed for the back door and prayed fervently that the right person would follow.