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serious?  Why are you here with me? Go!” 
    “I can’t, Annabelle.  She heard you were asking for me and thought you were a lover or wife.  I started to explain to her that you were my Maker, and what that is in the vampire world but she was upset and wanted to go home.  Her pain is my pain, I can feel it already.”
                  Annabelle claps her hands excitedly.  “I’m so happy for you, my darling child!  To find the one after all these years is exciting.  What can I do?  Would you like me to talk to her?  I can have Erik explain the Hunger to her.  Where would I be without my own companion?  Erik has been my redeeming quality, and we will help in any way we can.  Oh, I’m so happy for you, Ian!”
                  “Slow down a bit.  I’ve not gotten to the explaining of the Hunger part yet.  We were ‘busy’ when you arrived, and our evening got cut short.” 
                  Annabelle reaches into her purse and pulls out an invitation.  “An invite plus one to my annual masquerade ball Labor Day weekend.  Bring … what’s her name, darling?”
    “Ellie Dawson.  She is the human resources director at my hospital.  She has been working for me for about five years.  I noticed her at a dinner party for senior executives two years ago, and started tracking her last year.  I overheard some of the women were planning to come to the bar tonight and I made arrangements for Ellie to come here alone.  I stayed late at work and ‘ran’ into her.  I offered my escort to her.  Being that close allowed the passion the Hunger causes to run free.”
    “Bring your Ellie, and you two may have the cottage at the back of the property for the weekend.  This way there is privacy, and you can explain everything to her.”
                  Ian glances at the invitation in his hands.  “Where should I go to find a dress for the ball to send to her?  It has been awhile since I had a mistress or full time lover to buy for.”
    “Have Jasper provide me with her address, and I’ll send Claudine to her at the end of the month to help her pick something out for the ball.  Does compulsion work on her?”  Annabelle asks quietly.
                  Ian lays the invitation down on the table and shrugs.  “I don’t know. I’ve not had to use it on her.  I calmed her but have not compelled her.”
    “Not a problem, love,” she says. “If we need to, we can do it for you.  I have to go meet Erik at the restaurant but I wanted to bring your invitation to you.  I’m so happy for you, my darling boy.”               
    Annabelle stands up, leans toward him, and places a chaste kiss on his lips. 
    “See you soon!”  As Annabelle heads out of the club, she’s amused by this new revelation.  Ian has finally found a Hunger mate.

 

                 
                  Ellie sits quietly while she waits for Jasper after Ian left to meet the mysterious Annabelle.              
    “What was I thinking I was doing here tonight ?” she whispers quietly.  “What kind of person allows her boss to make love to her in a vampire bar and drink from her?”
    “A woman who knows what she wants and takes it, my lady,” a voice says quietly. 
    Ellie jumps startled at the intrusion. 
    “I’m sorry, my lady.  I didn’t mean to frighten you.  If you are ready, we can exit the back and avoid the rush of the club,” Jasper says , pointing behind her. 
    Ellie rises and walks toward the door at the back of the room walking through and down the corridor.                             
    “Jasper, who did all of these beautiful pictures?”  People and places from different eras all around the world lined the walls on both sides.  Color, black and white, all vie for space on the walls from floor to ceiling. 
    “I have to confess that I did, my lady.  I’ve always been