THE CURSE OF DARK SHADOWS Round 3, Part Three

The beautiful, blue-eyed woman beckoned to Alex, and suddenly, the surroundings around him changed. The sky, already in the throes of dusk, darkened more and the air around the woman became thick, like mist; the scent of lavender perfumed the air heavily.

Alex felt like he was in a dream, but yet, he knew that he was awake. Wasn't he?

Inexplicably drawn by the young woman's yearning for him, Alex took a few, jerky steps towards her.

But then he stopped when a young man, looking very much like Fox appeared in the near distance off to his left. The handsome youth had materialised directly in front of a giant red rose bush that had long since grown wild.

Uncertain of whose arms he should go to now; Alex looked back and forth between the two.

In an effort to sway the Russian, the woman spoke; her voice was soft on the warm breeze. "Come to me Alex, it's me you desire, it is me who has always loved you. I can give you anything your heart desires." Angelique said as she held out her delicate arms waiting for him to come to her.

The name 'Angelique' popped into Alex's head. He wondered why he should know who this lady was, he had never met her before, or had he? The former spy no longer knew what was real and what wasn't anymore.

"Spencer...." Called the male voice.

Alex automatically spun his head to the familiar name. "Jamison?" He asked, more confused than ever.

"Yes Spencer, it is me. Don't go to her, she only wants to own you. Come to me, like you did once before. I promised you once, long ago, that I would love you until the end of time. I'm here now to prove it....Come to me Spencer....come to me."

Jamison's voice floated over to Alex's ears, and suddenly, it seemed right to him. Right that he should want the man named Jamison; a man who looked just like his Fox. Alex turned from his original direction and went directly toward Jamison, whose arms were wide and waiting.

"No!" Screeched Angelique.

Alex stepped into Jamison's strong arms, and he was instantly enfolded into a tight embrace.

Jamison kissed Alex softly on his mouth and sighed, "Go to sleep my pretty."

Immediately upon hearing the command, Alex felt his lids grow heavy, then they shut, and he was asleep.

"You bastard!" Screamed Angelique. "You are not allowed to interfere!"

Jamison's image disappeared, and Cristoff's replaced him. He still held the limp, slumbering Alex in his arms. He crooked his strong arm under Alex's knees and easily scooped the up Russian. Cristoff shot Angelique, a triumphant look. "All's fair in love and war Angelique."

"He's mine."

"Angel, please, screeching like a pea-hen does not become one of such beauty as yours."

"You vile....blood sucking...." Hissed the very angry Angelique.

"Now, now my pet, you sound just like the town gossips....tsk, tsk, tsk, such language." His exaggerated voice admonished.

Cristoff was relishing that for once, he had the upper hand.

"I served up that re-incarnation of Jamison Du pres` on a silver platter for you. Why did you come here and ruin my attempt at Spencer?" Angelique managed to regain her composure. She was positive that Cristoff would take her offering, readily, if not greedily. Thus removing the only real hurdle between her and Spencer.

"Because my darling, giving me Jamison like you did was just too easy. These men are not Jamison and Spencer, oh, they are re-incarnations of them, but they are not those two boys. Fox and Alex are different, their love for each other is stronger then even they know, we must win them over without trickery. You must become human again Angelique and then tempt Alex. Maybe this time he will actually fall for your charms." The alluring vampire laughed softly at his rival

Angelique threw Cristoff a cruel smile. "And maybe the beautiful Fox will come to you willingly this time, and not be taken by force...hmmm."

"Are you challenging me Angel."

"Yes, I am my darling. I will become mortal once again, and then we shall see who succeeds in winning the other first."

Cristoff loved a challenge. "Then it is a bet. The loser will be damned to hell for all eternity...."

"And the winner will spend all of eternity, living out their dreams with their intended." Finished Angelique.

Her image faded away, and Cristoff was left alone in the dark, with Alex. Unable to resist, Cristoff put his lips to Alex's very sexy, pulsing carotid artery. He gently sunk his teeth in and took a small sip.

Alex's body stiffened slightly in response to the stimuli; in his dreams, it was Fox who was roughly nibbling at his neck.

The Russian's blood was hot and flavoured with the spices of his picnic dinner. The green-eyed man was absolutely delicious and Cristoff desperately wanted to keep drinking, but that would be against his and Angel's rules of the game. So mustering all of his self-control, Cristoff reluctantly pulled out. He balanced the sleeping man in his arms, and set off for the mansion.

~Z~

The horse entered the darkened horse barn and rearing up she dumped her burdened to the ground then she wandered over to her customary stall to await her evening oats.

Fox's limp body hit the ground; his fall was broken by the sawdust that covered the hardwood floor. The bump knocked him into consciousness. Fox rolled to his back and his eyes fluttered open. He blinked them clear, taking him several seconds to realise where he was. The last thing he could remember was chasing you young woman through the dilapidated conservatory. He wondered why his head ached and raised his right arm and pushed his damp bangs away from his sweaty forehead. In the dim barn light, he caught sight of blood and froze. It took Fox a few seconds to focus his eyes, and once he did, he slowly pulled back his hand from his face and studied the marks at his wrist.

Were they teeth marks? He asked himself.

It was at that point that Fox found the strength to sit up, which he did slowly. Looking around, he realised that Alex was not in the barn with him.

Strange. He thought that Alex was with him in the shattered conservatory, sucking...his wrist? Fox studied the rapidly healing marks again. No. That wasn't right. Alex had taken a different trail than him. Suddenly worried about his lover, Fox jumped up to his feet. But it was way to soon to try and stand up. His head swam dizzily in circles and the agent had to grab the side of one of the stalls in order to steady himself. Fox looked up and out the large barn entrance and saw that it was full dark already. Now he really was worried. Why wasn't Alex here with him, in fact, how did he even make it back to the barn. Mulder turned and saw that his horse was in her stall, still saddled. When his eyes went back to the doors, Fox could see a large figure approaching in the moonlight.

In the dark-shadow's arms, was a limp body.

"Alex!" Cried Mulder, and headache be damned, he ran for his lover, whom he thought was dead.

~Z~

"Time to wake pretty." Whispered Cristoff into Alex's delicate ear when he saw Fox running toward them.

~oOo~

Take it away Ann!