(Cutting It Close was written by the lovely and talented Nicole Woodward @caffeineismymuse. )

The smell of blood still clung to Gideon Pierce as he emerged from the hidden elevator that connected his sleek Sydney penthouse to the labyrinthine tunnels beneath. His sharp blue eyes glinted under the artificial light, and a smear of red lingered on the corner of his mouth. He swiped it away with a silk handkerchief, barely sparing the effort for his reflection in the mirrored walls.

Marlowe lounged in an oversized armchair by the floor-to-ceiling window, her auburn waves tumbling over her shoulders. One leg was draped lazily over the armrest, the other extended just enough to keep the man under her dress working at his assigned task. Her hand swirled a glass of Shiraz, its deep crimson a striking match for the blood pooling in Gideon's veins.

"Busy evening, brother?" Marlowe asked, not looking up from the envelope she was reading.

Gideon tossed his jacket onto a nearby chair and cocked his head. "I could ask you the same. Enjoying yourself?"

She smirked, her blue eyes flicking toward him. "Oh, immensely. A little luxury never hurt anyone."

Gideon snorted. "Luxury? You've got the poor bugger about ready to pass out."

Marlowe let out a soft moan, her body arching slightly, then sighed as she reached down to tangle her fingers in the man's hair. "That's enough, darling. Off you go."

The man crawled out from under her dress, his face flushed and his lips glistening. Marlowe gave him a playful pat on the cheek. "Be a dear and come back later. I may need more ... attention."

The man nodded, stumbling as he hurried out of the room. Marlowe stood, smoothing her gown with an air of practiced elegance. She took a long sip of her wine and stepped toward Gideon, gripping the envelope in her other hand.

As she neared, her nose crinkled slightly, and her lips curled into a curious smile. "Hmm," she murmured, circling him like a predator sizing up her equal. "Exquisite. New blend?"

Gideon's grin widened, a flash of sharp teeth. "I've been experimenting. A mix of mortal lineage - strong bloodlines crossed for purity. Tonight's batch was a triumph. I've saved a newborn for you. Less than four hours old."

Marlowe's brows arched, her smile turning wicked. "You do love me," she said, her voice dripping with mock affection.

"Don't I always deliver?" he replied smoothly, stepping past her to take the envelope from her hand.

Marlowe's smile lingered as she watched him open it. Her brother's indulgence in suffering always delighted her, not for the act itself - she preferred her games to be more social - but for his meticulous dedication to their shared empire of horror.

Gideon's expression darkened as he read the invitation. "Cutting it close, don't you think? We'd have to leave for Spain the day after tomorrow."

Marlowe shrugged, swirling the wine in her glass. "I forgot to open it until now. Didn't think it was important."

"Didn't think it was-" Gideon growled, crumpling the envelope in his fist. "You forget there's more than just Australia, dear sister. Leonidas doesn't invite the world's coven leaders for fun."

Marlowe rolled her eyes but stepped closer to him, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. I had my reasons."

"And what reasons would those be?"

She hesitated for effect, then grinned. "I'm supposed to be having my New Year's Eve wedding with William Barrett."

Gideon's lips curled into a smirk, and he stepped out of her grasp. "William Barrett. Isn't that the bloke who owns half the boats in the harbor? What's this one now? Your fourteenth husband?"

"Seventeenth," she corrected.

"You know," he continued, his tone dripping with mockery, "it's taking about ten minutes to write down your name with all the last names you've accumulated. How old is this one?"

"He'll be eighty-two in February," Marlowe replied, sipping her wine with a casual shrug.

Gideon let out a low tsk, shaking his head. "Surely he won't be too cross with you if you postpone the wedding for a week. But we can try to make it back from Spain by then."

She waved a hand dismissively. "It's not about how he feels. William's estate is quite substantial. I'd hate for his heart to give out before the papers are signed."

"Ah, there it is," Gideon said, smirking as he leaned back against the window frame. "Always the pragmatic one, Marlowe. I'd almost admire it, if it weren't so obvious."

"I'm offering him immortality for marriage, Gideon. Eternity by my side. Surely that's worth a little pragmatism."

Gideon snorted. "Eternity? You've promised that to how many now? They never quite make it, do they?"

Her eyes cooled, but the smile stayed. "Not my fault they can't handle a night with me."

She glanced at the twinkling Sydney skyline for a moment before her gaze turned back to her older brother. "So, we're going then?"

Gideon sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before moving to drop into the chair across from hers. "It'd look worse if we didn't make an appearance. But if we're leaving in two days, we need to make sure everything here runs smoothly while we're gone."

"Ah, yes, the breeding farm," Marlowe said, her tone as casual as if discussing a wine harvest. "I suppose Duncan could oversee it. He's reliable, if a bit heavy-handed."

Gideon frowned, his expression hardening. "Duncan's impulsive. He can manage logistics, but I'll need Natasha watching him. She's better at keeping the humans in line without wasting resources." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "And the blood routes?"

Marlowe tilted her head, considering. "Leave those to Gabriel. He's been itching for more responsibility." She walked over to perch lightly on the arm of Gideon's chair, draping her arm around his shoulders. Her voice softened to a teasing lilt. "You see? It's all perfectly manageable."

"And your pleasure farm?" Gideon asked, his voice edged with skepticism.

Marlowe sighed, a mock pout on her lips. "You're taking all the fun out of this. Natasha can handle it, too. But before we leave..." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a seductive murmur. "Let's have one more party. Just one. Spain is going to be hopelessly dull."

Gideon raised a brow. "Dull? With every coven leader in the world under one roof?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, dull. Full of posturing and power plays, none of which will matter. Don't expect me to bow and scrape for Leonidas. There's obviously a reason he's called a Yule in Spain after years of silence, but I have no intention of watching him ruin everything we've built here."

"And you think I do?" Gideon replied, his voice low and cold. "This isn't about loyalty. It's about keeping our enemies close. You know the VHA wants him out of the picture as much as we do. Because unlike Leonidas and the others, we adapt. They cling to old rules and dead traditions. We built something better."

"Better?" Marlowe echoed, a teasing edge in her voice. "You mean crueler."

Gideon's grin widened. "Let's settle for efficient."

Marlowe laughed softly, setting her glass down on a nearby table. "So, what's your grand plan, dear brother? Go to Spain, smile for the cameras, and what? Watch as the covens squabble over who bows the lowest?"

"We'll listen," Gideon said, his tone suddenly serious. "We'll watch. If the VHA makes a move, we'll know. And if Leonidas tries anything we don't agree with-" He paused, his blue eyes gleaming with malice. "-we'll remind him that the world isn't his to command anymore."

Marlowe's smile turned wicked. "And if the opportunity arises to tip the scales in our favor?"

"Then we seize it. But for now, we keep our heads down. Let Leonidas think we're just another coven eager to play along. Let the VHA think we're their loyal dogs. And when the time comes-" His voice dropped to a near-whisper, dripping with venom. "-we'll show them who really holds the leash."

Marlowe raised her glass in a mock toast, passing the glass to Gideon. "To subtlety, then. And to one last party before we dive into the dull, dreary politics of Spain."

Gideon smirked at her disdain, but accepted the glass. "One party. And I mean one. Keep it contained, Marlowe. I don't need a disaster on our hands the night before we leave."

Marlowe reached out to adjust the collar of his shirt, her lips curling into a dangerous smile. "You won't regret it, brother. I'll make it a night to remember."

"Somehow, that's exactly what worries me," Gideon muttered.

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The grand hall of the Sydney penthouse had been transformed into a den of decadent indulgence. The soft glow of candlelight reflected off crystal chandeliers, casting flickering shadows across the gold-accented walls. Tables lined with silken cloths were laden with goblets of the finest blood vintages while musicians in the corner played a hauntingly beautiful melody.

Vampires from the Pierce siblings' covens and a handful of outsiders mingled, their laughter and low murmurs filling the air. Marlowe stood at the center of it all, a vision in emerald silk, her auburn hair gleaming in the candlelight. She held a goblet in her hand, its contents an unnervingly bright red, and her lips curled into a seductive smile as she gestured to the crowd.

"Darlings," Marlowe purred, her voice cutting through the soft murmurs. "It's so lovely to see all of you indulging tonight, and on such short notice, no less. But before you grow too comfortable" - her lips curled into a wicked smile - "I have a treat you'll want to savor."

The room quieted, all eyes on her as she raised her goblet. "Tonight's blend is something truly special. My dear brother, Gideon, has been... experimenting." She tilted her head toward him. "And the results are nothing short of extraordinary."

Gideon stood near the edge of the room, leaning casually against a marble column, his sharp blue eyes scanning the crowd with predatory detachment. A smirk played on his lips as the guests turned to him, and he raised his glass in a mock toast.

"You're too kind, sister," he drawled, his voice low and smooth. "But let's not forget the real joy of creation: watching them break. Tonight's batch was particularly memorable." He glanced at one of the goblets on the table, his gaze darkening. "Their screams-musical, really. Something about desperation makes the flavor richer, don't you think?"

Marlowe laughed softly, raising her glass to him. "Always so poetic, Gideon."

As the crowd applauded and began to drink, Gideon's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of impatience. He drained his goblet in one swift motion, the blood leaving a faint red stain on his lips as he set the glass aside and moved toward a set of ornate double doors at the far side of the hall.

Marlowe intercepted him, her fingers brushing his arm as she leaned in close. "Going to indulge already?" she teased, her voice low enough that only he could hear. "At least pretend to mingle first."

Gideon's grin returned, colder and sharper. "Let them drink and gossip. It's time for me to enjoy the fruits of my labor." His eyes gleamed with a sadistic hunger as he glanced at the doors. "They've been waiting for me."

"And what mood are you in tonight?" Marlowe asked, her voice playful. "Seduction? Dominance? Or are you feeling... inventive?"

Gideon tilted his head, considering. "All of the above. There's one in particular-a dancer. I think it's time to test her limits."

Marlowe laughed, a soft, melodic sound that sent chills through the room. "Always the artist, brother. Enjoy yourself. Just don't forget to leave a few for the rest of us."

He pushed the doors open, stepping into the dimly lit chamber beyond. The room was lavish, lined with silken cushions and chains that hung from the ceiling, gleaming faintly in the candlelight. Humans knelt in varying states of undress, their bodies trembling with anticipation. They had been groomed and broken at Marlowe's pleasure farm, their wills bent to the siblings' whims, and tonight they were Gideon's to command.

As the doors closed behind him, Marlowe turned back to her guests. She lifted her goblet in a graceful arc. "To indulgence," she said, her voice rich with satisfaction. "And to the pleasures only we dare to savor."

The crowd erupted into applause, their glasses clinking in a symphony of decadence, while Gideon's thrilled laughter echoed faintly from the room beyond.

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