The heavy drapes shuddered slightly; the window creaked once as if moved by a breeze, then became still again.The heavy drapes shuddered slightly; the window creaked once as if moved by a breeze, then became still again. And in the far, dark corner of the girl's room a man came to be. He stood motionless as if in a trance while he took in his surroundings. He was a remote, majestic figure. Like a fine-spun dancer, his body was slender but not sparse. Powerful muscles rippled in his back, arms and thighs. The man was sensual, animal and completely nude. He glided noiselessly across the bare wooden floor and came to rest at the foot of the bed. He studied her form -- the soft curves of her reposing body, the lines of her face, the hair splayed out on the pillow. His hard eyes traced the firm, supple thighs, the taut nipples strained against the thin fabric, the smooth hands. Two desires began to burn within him, one ancient, the other ageless. He turned to the window and gazed out on the serene, moonlit lake. It brought back half-forgotten memories of his youth, so long ago, of Lake Hermanstadt, and the Scholomance. The ritual of the Becoming -- how long ago had it been? he wondered. He could not remember, could not even say with certainty that it had happened at all. So many memories, so many nights like this -- The girl moaned, and he whipped around quickly and silently to face her. Her breathing had become irregular -- panting as if trying to wake herself up -- and he moved to her side to lay his hand on her chest. |