The characters featured do not belong to me, but to C.S. Friedman. This work is not for profit and meant as artistic expression inspired by the original work.
So The World Will Never Find You
by Beth
Damien sighed as he pushed through the crowd, taking another drink from a flask of liquor someone had pressed into his hand. At least in the black mask and cloak, even if he did make a fool of himself at the Jaggonath carnival, no-one would be able to tell him apart from every other guy dressed up as a vampire. And a few real vampires, he had no doubt.
He wondered what Gerald would wear. The adept had been reticent about his plans, only setting the meeting place on the outskirts of the city-
Near Karril's temple, he realised as a woman flung herself into his arms. She was wearing a version of a First Landing uniform, though he was sure the real colonists never had ones that tight.
She kissed him on the mouth. "Praise Karril," she whispered. "A man is waiting for you, two alleys down. An... urgent matter."
She laughed shrilly, and as she flung her neck back he saw the imprint of teeth. Not quite Gerald's type, he thought, too strong, but then he wasn't Gerald's usual type either.
He stumbled through the throng of people, found the alley, leaned against a door that opened to rapidly for him to do anything but fall through it to the floor.
A chapel of the Church, he realised as he looked around blearily. Closed down temporarily, with a pagan festival roaring through the streets. Yet there were candles burning, and a fresh cloth on the altar.
Something - someone - moving, and he raised his head as he struggled to his feet.
Layers of silk obscuring limbs and body, so that he could no longer recall their past or present look. A broad collar of beaten gold with a pattern of flames. Dark hair instead of light brown, but oh, never mistaken, and now he remembered too clearly.
"I remember you felt particularly strongly about that dream." Even the old mocking cadences were back in Tarrant's voice. "You will enjoy this better than you would have the masquerade."
Strong hands pushed Damien against the altar before he could think of fear, revulsion, desire, sacrilege.
"Don't worry," the man who had been the Hunter whispered in his ear as clothes were quickly, deftly pushed aside. "I won't let you think."
It freed him.