This has the distinction of being my first attempt at Prey fanfic.

Teachers

A distinguished gentleman with white blonde hair sat behind a large, ornately carved desk. The office was richly appointed. Thick carpeting, leather couch along the far wall with matching chair and ottoman. The northern wall was entirely window, from floor to ceiling. The view now was of the city at night. It sparkled below like a fine, rare jewel. He sat there sipping a glass of dark red wine, ignoring the stack of mail arranged on the desk.

There was a knock on the office door, and after a slight pause, the oak door swooshed open part way. One of his secretaries peeked around the door. She was of average looks, approximately mid-30's, and slightly overweight.

"Sir, there is a gentleman here to see you. He doesn't have an appointment." She swallowed nervously. "I didn't want to interrupt you, but he said it was urgent."

"They always say it is urgent, my dear." He set the glass of wine down on his desk.

A young man stepped around the secretary and into the office. He was dressed in black, his brown hair cut short.

"This time it is." The young man replied for himself. To the secretary at the door, he said, "Thank you."

She glanced at her employer who gave her a curt nod, and she left, shutting the door firmly behind her.

"Thomas, how good of you to come by for a visit." The gentleman behind the desk smiled. "Please, come in. Have a seat."

"I won't be staying long." Thomas took a few steps forward across the plush carpeting but did not sit down.

"May I offer you a drink?" He picked up the glass of wine, saluting his visitor, then taking a sip. "Oh, that is right. Your kind does not drink blood."

"No." Thomas blinked, but otherwise betrayed no emotion. "Thank you."

"Well, then. What is so terribly urgent this evening, Thomas?" He asked, leaning back in his chair. "One of your dear little human friends in grave jeopardy? How tragic."

"No." Intense blue eyes stared evenly at the older man. "It's about Lewis."

"Ah, your teacher." A nod. "The one you betrayed. He taught you everything, gave you everything you needed, and repay him how? Hmm... Perhaps Nicholas has contaminated you somehow."

"I betrayed no one." Tom's eyes narrowed. "No more than Nicholas."

"We could argue the point but that would prove futile, I believe." He drained his glass of "wine".

"Do you know where Lewis is?" Tom cut to the chase. "The government had been holding him in a private facility. I found out today that he escaped."

The fellow behind the desk chuckled. It was the kind of chuckle that would frighten a human. But then, Tom wasn't human, and he wasn't easily intimidated. He stood his ground, waiting. "And if I knew, you expect me to tell you? Perhaps Lewis did not entirely rid you of your vestigial sense of humor."

"If he succeeds in killing off the humans, what makes you think _your kind_ won't be next on the extinction list?" Tom challenged him.

There were muffled sounds of a heated discussion outside the office door, and then a woman with a mass of curly dark auburn hair burst in. She held a cell phone in her hand, and waved it at Tom.

"You were to wait outside." Tom said to her.

"Walter is on the phone. It's important." She glanced at the man behind the desk. He wasn't a very pleasant looking fellow. "Hi." Quick smile that did not reach her eyes. "I tried to wait, but Walter is really anxious to talk to you."

"Alright." Tom turned back to Lacroix. "Another time."

"I look forward to it, Thomas. And please, bring your lovely friend with you." He had not missed the electricity crackling between the two. How galling for Lewis, he thought. His best pupil not only taking up the side of the humans, but taking one as a lover as well.

The office door shut, and Lacroix waited. After several seconds the door to his private bathroom opened. Lewis stood there in the door way, leaning a shoulder against the frame. He sighed heavily.

"Children these days, Lucien." Lewis shook his head. "You teach them, you indulge them, and how do they thank you?"

"Indeed." Lacroix concurred, steepling his fingers in front of his chin. "Indeed."