Part-11 A price for you alone

Tony sat in the chair of his office and slowly looked round, well this looked like fun. The town was small and scattered around a hundred square miles, most of which was farms, the main street consisted of two rows of shops, a few bars and not much else. His office was a decent size except everything was crammed into it, desk filing cabinet and cells all squeezed into a thirty by thirty room and at the far end was a door that led to his quarters.

Closing his eyes he let out a deep breath, the incident hadn't got him fired or even busted down but they thought a break, somewhere new would help him, let him relax.

Bullshit, he was trouble, a liability and they wanted him out the way. Oh he would have been out on the street if it wasn’t for his unique ability; Cops that Vampires couldn't read were few and far between. He was a good Cop but hot headed and that had landed him in trouble several times, his chief always looked the other way till now.

Damn he was tired or maybe just getting old. Maybe the transfer was making him melancholy. Fuck maybe he was just pissed at the whole damn world.

Outside he headed for the squad car, again basic and there’d be no denying who he was. Feeling eyes on him he turned to find a young girl watching him “Alright kid?” she nodded “You live there?” he pointed to the cabin and again she nodded. “What’s ya name?” she took a step forward “Madison but everyone calls me Maddy” Turning he made his way back to the house, the girl followed as he entered the house then stopped. “Well come in then, don’t just stand there letting the clean air in” Closing the door he turned to look at her in the light, his throat tightened “You’re a Vampire”

Something resembling pain passed her eyes and she seemed to wince at the name, poor kid she couldn’t be any older than sixteen “Well Maddy my names Tony Biagio, I’m the new law in town, for now” Maddy looked round then back at him “You came from New York” Tony nodded then turned to switch on the computer. “You shot two people” He whirled round “How do you know that” turning she walked to the cells and studied them “You were right, it was the only way” Tony stared at the kid; she was reading his mind, fuck? “You don’t like us, I mean Vampires” Tony laughed dryly “I don’t like most people” Maddy turned and smiled. Hearing a knock at the door he answered it, a big Vampire with cold eyes and blonde hair stood looking into the room.

“I take it your looking for her” he opened the door wide. Seeing Maddy Vlad nodded “It’s time to go” Without a word Maddy went to the large man’s side. “You shouldn't go wondering off without telling us” Tony noticed the affection in the Vampires voice, his hand holding hers tight, Jesus he was a bit old but then what did he care, they were Vamps maybe she was older than him after all once turned you were frozen in that state, not that it was any of his business. He watched as the two headed up the small hill to the cabin.

Just how had she read his mind?

Relief showing on her face Ania fused over Maddy “You gave us quite a scare” Vlad knelt in front of her “What were you doing there?” Maddy shrugged “Talking” Vlad turned to Brogan “What do you know of him” Lighting a cigarette he had to admit not much “New sheriff of the town, was or shall I say is a member of V.A..M.P.S. but sent here” Vlad sat, he had tried to read the Cops mind but found it impossible, he had heard of some humans with that ability …… “He got into trouble and was sent here” Brogan turned to Maddy “Is that what he told you?” Maddy shook her head “I read it”

The place sucked, the job sucked in fact everything fucking sucked. Tony had spent the last three days sorting bar brawls, traffic violations and the odd stray cow. Now at his desk he sipped his coffee and lit a smoke, he was just going to love it here….not. His mind wandered to the kid, he hadn’t seen her since his first night and maybe it was just as well, he wasn’t particularly fond of them and preferred to keep her kind at a distance. He wouldn’t mind knowing how she read his mind though. Stubbing the cigarette in the ashtray he locked up and hit the sack.

Brogan spent the day making calls and on the computer, finally he got a break. The Cops Police record popped onto the screen. Tony Biagio, thirty six, Italian descent, Parents own a restaurant; he had joined the force straight out of collage and worked his way up. Never one to work within the law he had run into trouble on several occasions but due to his ‘ability’ it had always been swept under the carpet till now. Shooting a Vampire and human he had killed both and was now reassigned till things cooled down. Brogan printed it off then went to the kitchen to make lunch.

Maddy slept but her mind raced, her parents the killer that took her life and the one who turned her swam in and out of view, their faces distorted, blurred. Over and over they taunted her, called her freak, a monster that should have died. The last of the sun’s rays had just disappeared over the mountains when Maddy emerged. Seeing the light on in the station she headed down the path.


On the porch Vlad watched as Maddy made her way down to the police station. He hated her being there, hated the amount of time she spent with that cop. If Biagio ever hurt her then he’d find himself in his worst nightmare.

Opening the door she found Tony typing out reports, he looked up “Hey kid” surprised to see her and so early. Maddy smiled and finding a chair sat. “It’ll kill you” Lifting his head from the computer he asked “What will?” She pointed to the cigarette burning in the ashtray and made a face. Tony laughed “Hell, I smoke too much, drink too much and eat all the wrong foods, Christ only knows which will kill me first” Turning she looked at the posters on the wall. “You’re not your normal Vampire?” he commented, Maddy flushed red but said nothing.


Part 11                                            Part 13....Soon

11 - Much has changed

Making a right turn Vlad drove up a narrow winding dirt road; tall pine trees flanked each side preventing Maddy from seeing anything. Taking a small bend the trees fell away to reveal a good sized driveway. Stopping he turned off the engine “Here we are” he announced a little too cheerfully. Maddy climbed out and looked round. Although dark she could see the worn peeling paint, the large windows placed in such a way as if an afterthought. Popping the trunk Vlad pulled out their cases. Hearing the door open Maddy turned “Welcome, welcome, you must be Maddy I’m Ania” Maddy smiled weakly. “YA dolzhen byl znat’, ya by vrezat’sya v vas snova v odin prekrasnyĭ den’” Hearing the insult Ania whirled round, she knew that voice “Vlad” she squealed as she threw her arms round him a torrent of Russian falling from her lips.

Vlad laughed and hugged her tight “How long, twenty, thirty years?” Ania gave him a playful thump “More like fifty” He whistled “Not long enough” he winked at Maddy. Ania turned to her “Pay no attention to him, he’s a dork” Vlad looked shocked “Dork, bozhe moĭ you’ve spent too long in this country, you’ll be chewing gum next” Ania gave a chuckle “Only if it’s O negative” 

Once inside Maddy sat quietly next to Vlad and sipped her drink while the two friends caught up. She looked round the room, it was nicely decorated if a bit tired but it gave the feeling of comfy relaxation.

Ania turned her attention to Maddy and switching to Russian asked Vlad about her. Listening she couldn’t help give a small smile, no matter how hard he was trying she knew he felt something towards her, noticing that Maddy had leant against him and was now sound asleep “Does she do that a lot?” Vlad looked down at Maddy and nodded “Da, she’s not that strong” Ania was suspicious “Even so she’s Vampire, to sleep in the day yes but at night?” Creeping towards her Ania leant down next to her “Listen” indicating Vlad to join her. Kneeling on the floor he listened looking at Ania in shock, why hadn’t he noticed before?

The two stared at each other as they listened to the unmistakable sound, the sound of beating. It was faint and slow but Maddy’s heart was beating. Vlad took his seat and stared at Ania “What the fuck?” This wasn’t possible, she was Vampire and Vampires hearts did not beat. Whatever this girl is or was before her turning, instead of becoming complete the two have merged. “Impossible” he couldn’t believe that a turning was anything but complete. “Are you sure……?” Vlad nodded, she was Vampire he had witnessed her fangs, the Rage. Ania looked at Maddy, poor kid whatever happened she was anything but normal, human or Vampire.

With the sleeping child in his arms he let Ania show him their room. There he put Maddy into a casket and closed the lid, his hand slide down the worn wood, no wonders she was so messed up. Ania stood and watched, yep, there was something more than mere family concern. “Come let’s have a drink before we retire” Vlad took one more look and followed Ania into the kitchen. Over warm blood they discussed Maddy, her fangs and “Her eyes aren’t like ours” Ania took a sip from her glass “What do you mean” Vlad knocked back the last of his drink, Jesus had he really seen it “They were but the last time, the rage…..they were almost animal”

The following night Maddy rose and opening the lid peered outside. The room was large and dim, the rich colored walls and floor a stark contrast to the other room she had seen. Climbing out she looked at the other two coffins, empty Vlad and Ania must be up or out. Panic gripped her as she thought of being here alone; taking the stairs two at a time she practically threw herself into the living room. “Well hello there, you must be Maddy?” The man that sat by the fire stood and walked towards her, her eyes darkened and her fangs flashed, the man stood and stared in shock. “Madison it’s ok, he’s a friend” the familiar voice spoke from behind, she ran to him with the speed that only Vampires had and threw herself at him, her arms wrapping round his waist in an almost death grip.

Without thought Vlad held her tight, the look on her face telling him she thought he had left her “This is Brogan, he’s a friend and this is his and Ania’s place” Brogan smiled apologetically “Sorry kid if I frightened you”  Taking her into the kitchen Vlad handed her a glass “Drink” he ordered softly. In the living room Brogan stood beside Ania “I know you said she was confused but Jesus, she a major fuck up” Ania nodded but said nothing, going to the kitchen she watched the pair, Maddy was a fuck up but also special, she looked at Vlad.

Vlad sipped his drink as he watched Maddy, she was Vampire? The fangs, the danger of sunlight, the need for blood all added up to Vampire but she couldn’t sense them felt no pain and her eyes his kind always turned to black molten orbs but hers were like an animal, deep down in his gut he knew there was something more. “Drink” her coaxed her gently touching her arm. Her deep golden eyes stared at him from under jet black hair as she gave a weak smile, a throbbing heated ache started low in his groin.

New York…..

The smell of rubbish and piss hit his nostrils like a rotten egg cooking in the night heat; he should be at home watching the football. Putting his hand on the bonnet he guessed the car had been sitting ten maybe fifteen minutes. Feet up whisky and ice and the game that’s what he should be doing right now not hanging around shit holes like this. Stupid fucker, if the car owner wants to go sightseeing at this time of night in this area then so be it, let him get what’s coming.

Why didn’t he join his father in the restaurant, spend his evenings handing out expensive slop to the wealthy....because he wanted adventure, well you didn’t exactly get it did you Tone he grimaced. At the other end of the ally he checked out behind the burnt out car and empty warehouses, nothing. Well Mr fuck my night off if you were looking for a blow job you picked the wrong place. He remembered his mother’s cries when he told them he’d join the police, the arguments and pleading. Pa had just smiled and mumbled if it makes you happy. That was ten years ago, he’d worked his way up from traffic to Detective.....then the shit hit the fan.

They were discovered. The country went into melt down, panic, protests and rioting hit the planet. The government stepped in, promised the public they were safe, that treaties were being signed and pacts made. Yeah right. If the county smelt of roses why the hell was he here, why was he a member of V.A.M.P.S. Ever since the bloodsuckers had come out of the wood work he had been cleaning up shit nearly every night. Tony Biagio, first class Cop and bastard, never taking shit but always ready to dish it out. He loved his job, the city but he was being reposted, some shit hole in the middle of nowhere, fucking bureaucrats.

 Part 10                                                                Part 12.....Soon

10 - Followed Dreams

Coffins skidded across the floor crashing into each other while Maddy stood in the middle of the chaos. “Fucking hell” Marcus exclaimed as his coffin shot past the door and crashed into the wall just missing him. Vlad entered the room “MARCUS, KEEP GRETA OUT” he yelled his voice just heard above the din. “WHAT'S GOING ON” Greta shouted but Vlad shook his head “IT'LL BE ALRIGHT. CLOSE THE DOOR”

“Maddy” Vlad leapt over the caskets and grabbed her.  She looked up him her eyes full of terror.

“It’s ok” wrapping an arm round her waist he pulled her into the corner and held her hoping she was at less risk of being hit, he began stroking her hair his voice soothing “Control Maddy” But she couldn’t control it, her body was charged so much she felt she could blow the world apart. Vlad cradled her and waited for it to pass, shoving any object that got too close.

The others sat downstairs and listened to the noise above, both wanting to see what was going on but neither willing to look.

He felt Maddy relax, her body started to shudder as a huge sob escaped her, the house stopped shaking and the coffins cessed their rampage. “I am a freak” Maddy stammered through her tears. “No, you’re not” But she refused to listen “I did this and the mirror it wasn’t supposed to happen but I couldn’t stop it, I felt, I felt…..” Maddy buried her face on his shoulder. “Maddy look at me” She shook her head. “Look at me” She lifted her head. “This has happened before and I don’t mean the mirror” She nodded weakly. “Tell me?” he asked as he wiped the tears from her face.

Her mother’s face came into view …..

Weaving her fingers through his she gripped them tight as she shuddered, remembering the day so clearly…..

Opening the door to her bedroom her mother had been distraught to find her daughter surrounded by flying teddies and toys. Screaming at her she had told Maddy that it was the devils work and that she must never play that game again, she didn’t till……. Louis was a boy at school, at first his teasing was just that but when she didn’t react, didn’t fight it got worse till one day he stood on the jungle gym shouting names at her, he had eaten his lunch there and picking up an apple core had thrown it at her. Something snapped inside her, the jungle gym started to creak then shake, the other kids shouted for him to get off but he had frozen with fear.

“It collapsed kill…..killing, him, the police said it was old and rusty that it was unsafe and should have been torn down years ago……”  Vlad listened as she rambled, recalling the day in her mind, harrowing for anyone but a child! “It wasn’t your fault, like you said it was old……” Maddy turned away her eyes full of pain of fear “I did do it, I wished it would fall…..and it did” Vlad pulled her closer his strong arms wrapped round her “You were ten, a child how could you know what would happen” Maddy closed her eyes and listened to his heart singing “I just wanted to frighten him” She shifted uneasily scared of what she’d see in his eyes - fear, hate... disgust.

Settled in the bedroom while their room was sorted Vlad returned to the others. “What the hell was that?” Marcus exclaimed. Taking a seat Vlad leaned forward and stared at the floor “It seems there is a lot about Madison we don’t know” With a sigh he sat back and explained what she had told him. “The poor kid” Greta wished she could do something. “What can we do?” Vlad wasn’t sure, she was telekinetic had been all her life but shame had her blocking everything that wasn’t the norm. “She must except what she is, learn how to control her Vampire side then we can work on the other stuff”

The phone call over Vlad stood at the bar window and looked out into the night. The air was warm and muggy except he couldn’t feel it, he hadn’t felt heat or cold since his turning, sometimes he missed it, missed the small things of humanity like waking in the morning and rolling onto his side, the tingling feeling you got in your fingers and toes when it was cold. His thoughts drifted to Maddy, her mother. What kind of woman scolded their child for such a gift, ok telekinesis was not something that happened every day but to tell a kid it was the devils work, to make her ashamed of who and what she was. He’d like to wring the woman’s neck.

Madison was bringing things out in him he thought were long dead, compassion, a need to protect, a passion he hadn’t felt since his death…..

He watched the stranger watching him, the man saluted then vanished into the dark. Checking the door he went to the office and stared at the phone, Aarons word rung round his head “This is serious, if they find out, I’m afraid there’s nothing else for it but move, you have to leave Snake canyon and take Maddy with you”   

The next night with Maddy outside Vlad told the others. He wanted to give her the news on his own unsure of what her reaction would be. Marcus and Greta listened as he explained the call he had made, that for Maddy’s safety she had to get out of the state. “So where are we going?” Marcus asked, he had gotten used to the sudden moves over the centuries but he had liked this place. “You’re not” Vlad sighed “You and Greta are to stay here, only Madison and I are to go as yet I don’t know but Aaron wants the two of you to stay here, for now” Greta was gutted, they had been together for so long it was like they were family. Marcus’s eyes burned with rage but he could do nothing, it was not his decision “We knew this could happen” he sighed turning to Greta.

Sitting on the bed Vlad explained as gently as possible about what was to happen. The girl sat motionless and listened. “I’ll be with you” Maddy didn’t respond ‘Still I’m on my way, on and on it goes’ She was leaving, the town she had grown up in and known all her life….. Finally she turned to him “Where?” Vlad shook his head; he wasn’t to know till the last minute. Maddy nodded “When?” He hesitated; wishing he didn’t have to do this “Tomorrow” he mumbled. Things where spiralling so out of control but she no longer cared where she was or who she was, except….. “You won’t leave me?” she implored.

Vlad smiled “Never”

Part 9                                                      Part 11......Soon

9 Watch it fall apart

Marcus searched the area but found nothing, whatever or whoever was here had gone, the only thing to tell they had a visitor was a feeling and a faint scent, he inhaled, Vampire but not the one from the bar. Indoors he told Vlad. “Hristos, that’s all we need, how many know of her existence?” Vlad growled “And how?” Marcus shrugged “It was going to be difficult to keep secrets” Vlad nodded “I need to make a call” he muttered as he headed for the office.

Maddy stood under the shower and let the scolding water run down her skin; she didn’t feel it hadn’t felt anything since her turning. In her old life, the mortal world she was a freak and now as a Vampire she was even more so. ‘Chained like a slave’ the songs words pounded over and over in her head, she was a slave, a slave to her new state, her thoughts, her mind was filled with darkness, black thoughts that taunted her wanted her to do things. She thought of the stranger, he wasn’t here to say hello, she couldn’t feel him but knew what he was, a raven… the bringer of death.

Back down stairs she went outside and sat on the ground. A black wolf stepped from the trees, Maddy smiled. It watched her for a moment then crossed the grass and sat beside her, scratching behind its ears she told him of her thoughts. Greta stood at the window and watched, her heart in her throat, this was not happening, could not happen, Vampires and werewolves did not interact but her eyes were telling her different. “What’s wrong?” Vlad appeared at her side. Nodding towards the glass Vlad followed her gaze.

Together they sat and listened, smelt the world around them. Maddy could feel its heart the steady thump thump of an animal in peak condition. The air around them was filled with the smell of sand, cactus and palm trees, the odd rabbit that ran past and of the others inside, the wolfs ears twitched at the slightest sound but made no move to leave instead it sat with her and listened. A howl from the trees had the wolf heading back to its Veil; Maddy went indoors and up stairs.

Checking on her Marcus found her in their room sitting beside one of the coffins “You alright?” Maddy nodded. Kneeling in front of her he reached out and touched her cheek, his body burst into flame. “Don’t” Maddy looked at him with pleading eyes but Marcus wasn’t listening he had to taste her, his lips came down on hers. Maddy shrunk back “NO” Stunned Marcus froze, shit, he had just made a huge mistake “I’m sorry”

Vlad’s eyes followed Marcus as he stormed down the stairs and out into the night, reading the man’s mind he swore as he bolted for the stairs. Maddy looked up as the door opened again and Vlad approached. “Leave me alone” she sighed. “Marcus?” She refused to meet his gaze as she gave a weak nod. Vlad growled but didn’t move. “I’m tired” getting to her feet she climbed into her coffin and closed the lid, Vlad stared at the wood for a second then left.

Downstairs Greta and Vlad relaxed, an old black and white movie flickered on the screen but neither were watching, Vlad remembered when it was made, Clark Gable was the hottest thing since sliced bread at the time and he had gone to the cinema to see it with some girl, after he had gone to her place for a little F and F, 1934 Christ, sometimes he felt old. Marcus returned and joined them; nothing was said over the incident.

Opening her eyes she listened to the teasing in her mind, the calls and shouts that filled her head to the exclusion of all else, she had killed two but the others still lived. ‘Do it, do it’ rang over and over in her ears, “No” Maddy muttered, no more killing, no more pain but the voices ignored her, kept harassing. She felt it rising, a power that surged through her like a NASA shuttle on takeoff. Closing her eyes she tried to fight it.

The energy built, flooded through her body, first her toes then her legs, it crept up her body till it consumed her, her fingers tingled. Climbing out of her coffin she paced the floor “Control, control” she mumbled over and over but the energy continued. Falling to the floor she grabbed her head as her mind pulsed, she rocked back and forth “I can control it, must control it” she cried but still it surged through her, Maddy felt as if she was holding a cable with fifty thousand volts flowing through it,  that if she let go it would shatter the room. 

Unable to keep it locked any longer she released it. The room exploded into life as a wind ripped though it, crackling drowned out her thoughts as it almost bounced around the walls. she concentrated hard, tried to stop it but it was too strong, she gave up and collapsing to her knees again gave it free reign.

Downstairs the others watched the screen all deep in their own thoughts. A sound like a deep rumble shot through the house causing them to leap to their feet. “Maddy” 

Part 8                                                         Part 10

8 Slammed all the locks

Maddy sat in the garden and listened to the night creatures as they moved through the dark. Marcus stood at the window and watched, he didn’t like to take his eyes of her for a second. “Is everything alright?” Greta asked as she entered the room. “Yes, just keeping watch” Greta took his arm “Go, take a break I’ll keep an eye on her” Marcus nodded, as much as he liked bottled blood fresh was way better. “I won’t be long” Greta watched as the child looked up at the sky, following her gaze she smiled as a star shot across the sky.

Watching till it was out of sight or burnt up. Maddy wondered what her parents were doing.

Closing her eyes she concentrated till their faces came into view then their minds. She choked back a sob as she read their sorrow, the heartbreak of her disappearance. She had been put down to another victim of the killer, that they had to face the fact her body may never be found. Trying harder she felt their hearts, the steady thump of their life but inside, mixed with each beat she felt pain. Wiping the tears from her face she stifled another sob. “Madison?” Vlad’s voice came from the dark. Turning away she wiped more tears from her face. “What’s wrong?”  Maddy shook her head. Sitting beside her he pressed “There’s no tears without a reason” he murmured softly. Vlad listened as Maddy in hushed tones told him what she had done “I only wanted to make sure they were ok”

Vlad was disturbed by her revelations but kept it hidden “Sometimes we do things we feel is right” Maddy nodded. Vlad lifted her face and wiped a tear from her cheek “Maybe you shouldn’t do those things without checking with me first” Maddy nodded again then climbed onto his lap. Vlad tensed as her body sunk into his, this was not good but to push her away would make her feel worse. Putting his arms round her he let her rest her head on his shoulder, Maddy closed her eyes and listened, not with her ears but with her heart, she could feel his heart as it pulsated, as before it grew in speed then started to slow down as he fought for control and won.

Vlad’s mind was reeling, how can she read a mind from so far away, and feel their hearts, impossible. Yet she had done it and felt their pain. He thought of all the other things, like her locked mind, her inability to feel pain and it was bloody obvious she couldn’t feel a Vampire if one stood next to her, what the hell was going on?

Greta watched with concern as the two huddled on the seat outside. “I’m losing, aren’t I?” Marcus asked from behind as he too watched the scene before them. Greta said nothing; turning to him she took his hand and held it tight.

“So what do we do, tell her?” Marcus asked. “Not yet” Vlad responded. Greta fiddled with her fingers “You ever heard of a Vampire like this before?” she looked at Vlad, as the oldest he had been round the world and back and had seen many things. He shook his head “Look Maddy won’t read your minds if she doesn’t suspect so act normally and everything will be ok” Greta stood “I better get back before she does wonder what we’re up to” Closing the door behind her she left the men to it. Marcus leaned back on the sofa his legs outstretched while Vlad switched on the computer and did some work.

Maddy stood under the water the words ‘Trapped inside inferno waits’ ran round and round her head. She loved Avenged sevenfold but this song was starting to become her purgatory. Stepping onto the mat she wrapped the towel round herself; she was hungry but tried to ignore it. The hunger had other ideas, it demanded satisfaction now, she could feel the rage inside her building, intensifying till she could no longer contain it.

The mirror cracked, Maddy fangs bared as she let out an almighty howl.

Greta dropped her glass with the sound that exploded round the walls “Lieber Gott” she turned to Vlad and Marcus but they were already halfway up the stairs. Vlad broke through the door to find a young Vampire in full Rage.

Grabbing Maddy roughly he pulled her against him “Control Madison, Control” Marcus looked at her with an open mouth, even though he had had the very same as a youngling he hadn’t been in the position to remember, Maddy looked at him and snarled “Her eyes” Marcus gasped.  Vlad nodded “Go to Greta, I think she was shaken up a bit” Marcus could only nod besides he didn’t really want to stick around just now. Maddy snarled and wailed as the hunger swamped her, Vlad could do nothing but wait till she took that control back, quietly he started to hum, an old Gypsy song that he knew from his homeland. The deep tuneless sound was having an effect; the young Vampire went quiet, as she gained control the real Maddy started to surface.

Finally deciding it was safe Vlad let go and looked at her “How do you feel?” Maddy felt befuddled, hazy but most of all she felt “Hungry” Vlad threw back his head and laughed “Well hurry up and get dressed” Maddy looked down at the towel she was wearing and blushed. Getting to his feet Vlad looked down at her trying not to pay too much attention to her bare flesh “I’ll explain downstairs” On the other side of door Vlad leaned against it and groaned, his concern was Maddy but he could not help his reaction as he held her damp body.

Downstairs Greta handed Maddy a glass which she finished in three swallows then asked for more. Greta went back to the kitchen and returned with another glass, this time Maddy drank it slowly. “What you felt was what we call the Rage, it’s more common within the first few weeks of turning but to happen now has been heard of” Maddy sipped her drink “Will it come back?”  Greta gave a comforting smile “Possibly, it’s our body’s way of saying it’s not getting enough blood…..” Vlad added “You have been drinking barely enough to survive, the body will and can only take so much then self preservation kicks in” thank god she had been here. Maddy shuddered “I didn’t like it” Marcus looked at Vlad then back at her “You remember it?”

“Kinda, it’s not that I remember but felt, it was dark, very dark, all I wanted was to feed, to have blood and it would have killed for it” Vlad understood, he had seen the rage a few times over the years normally in new turnings who hadn’t the sense to listen to their bodies but nobody had ever been able to remember. “Have you had it?” she looked at the three of them, Vlad and Greta shook their heads. “I, err, well…yes” Marcus looked at Vlad sheepishly “Not long after I was turned, I was too sure of my self control” Images of the night he had met Marcus flashed into Vlad’s mind and he laughed “Da, you tried to rip my throat out” Marcus joined in the laughter “And I made a right fuck up of it” Vlad told the story of their meeting.

Vlad had felt the rage and gone to investigate. Finding himself at a frozen lake he spotted Marcus on the other side. “Unfortunately I had to get to him first” Marcus explained that in his haste he had run onto the ice only to lose his footing and go skidding across the ice on his ass. Maddy giggled as the image of Marcus scooting past Vlad came into her mind. Greta having heard the tale before went into the kitchen to wash the glasses. Looking up from the sink she peered into the darkness “There’s somebody outside”

The two men exchanged looks, they too had felt a presence “You stay with Maddy, I’ll take a look” Marcus headed for the door.

Part 7                                                                Part 9