I awoke only once that day, sitting up with a start when I found a small bar of sunlight falling over me. I hadn’t quite closed the curtain, and it had found its’ way into my dark room, disturbing my already restless sleep. I could only imagine my heart pounding in my chest, and I almost missed it as I closed the curtain completely. When I had calmed, I lay down again, eager for a dreamless sleep.

I awoke again when the sun had just disappeared behind the mountains. Again I felt that need for blood, and I decided to refuse William if he offered his own. I would obtain it myself.

I dressed for public, wondering how I would hide my fangs. I just wouldn’t communicate with anyone, smile not at all. It seemed simple enough, but I felt a flutter of nervousness in my chest.

I left the house without a word to William, though I assumed he probably knew I had left. I actually found it quite calming to be outside in the evening. It was cool, and the night animals were just emerging. I watched an owl fly overhead, disappearing into the wooded area around the house. Looking into the trees, I noticed a few lone wolves watching me with interest. I gathered my courage, taking a few steps towards them. They did not move, only watching intently. I crouched down and extended a hand, wondering if they would hurt me. One stepped forward cautiously, lowering his head to my outstretched hand. I could feel the breath on my fingers, and then his tongue as he hesitantly offered a welcome greeting.

I smiled to myself as I scratched the wolf behind the ears and the others came forward as well, no longer afraid. It was a bit intimidating at first, but I finally relaxed when they nudged my hands and sides for attention.

“I see they like you.”

I looked over my shoulder at William as he stood over me. One of the wolves ran to him, playfully biting his hand.

“Yes . . . I was surprised at first,” I said, standing. “Is it because of . . . because we’re—”

“Yes, for the most part,” William said, absently stroking the wolf’s head. “Were you leaving?”

“Not permanently,” I replied, hearing worry in his voice. “I was just going into town.”

“For blood?”

“Yes. I’m not going to rely on you forever,” I said, walking back towards the path. William said nothing, only following silently. The wolves trotted on behind him for a bit until we neared the road, and they turned back.

“Do you care if I join you?” he asked. I looked up at him, surprised at the casualty in his voice. It sounded as if we were just strolling, not out for blood.

“If you want to,” I shrugged, turning on to the road. He said nothing and continued on beside me.

We walked in silence until we reached the village. I was surprised at how many people were out and about. Most of them were wealthy, wearing expensive clothing and such. I began to look at them all, wondering how I would even begin.

“Choose a drunk or a victim of a brawl. It will be easier,” William said softly into my ear. I glanced into the alley to my left, seeing no one in it yet. I felt William leave my side, and I took his arm before I lost him in the crowd.

“Where are you going?” I asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice.

“To find my own victim. I’ll be inside the tavern. Don’t worry, I’ll find you if you need me,” he said. I nodded hesitantly, letting him go. I stood where I was until he was gone, and I finally looked towards the alley again. Still no one had stumbled in. But I was becoming impatient, so I walked towards it.

I stood in the dark in waiting. I wondered if anyone would come at all. And I didn’t know how long I could wait. I nervously bit my nail, leaning against the brick wall. I grimaced at seeing a rat run along the opposite side, and I wondered if what I had done was such a brilliant idea.

I looked out at the people in the street, bathed in light from the street lamps. I saw William taking a young woman towards a table in front of the tavern. I felt jealousy well up inside me when he sat close beside her, putting an arm across her shoulders to draw her near. I would have glowered longer had a thick arm not encircled my waist, turning me around.

I looked into the face of a man I didn’t know, but I could tell he had had much to drink. Out of instinct, I tried to push him away.

“What are you doing out here alone, lovely?” he slurred, fingers fumbling with the laces of my bodice. I tried to push him off, finding my arms pinned. I didn’t think I had the strength in me to do anything as he made an attempt to undo his trousers. But then I remembered how strong William seemed to be, as did Isabel. With ease, I managed to free my arms, and without a second thought, went for his neck.

The man struggled against me, letting out a feeble yell as I drank. I closed my eyes tight, horrified by what I did. When I felt him weaken, I still did not stop. Only when he was still did I release him, letting his body fall to the ground. I stood still in shock, looking down at him as I caught my breath. It was the most blood I’d had yet, and the feeling was tremendous. But I was still appalled at what I had done, and I turned, stumbling a few feet away until I fell to my knees, leaning heavily against the wall.

I sat there covering my eyes for a long time, listening to the sound of happy, oblivious people as they walked by. When I finally looked up again, I searched for William, but he was gone. That left me feeling completely alone, and I wanted to stand and run, but I felt too weak to do it.

I panicked when I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly turned, losing my balance and falling against the wall. I breathed when I saw it was only William, looking just as replenished as I had felt before. He looked down at the body, then knelt beside it, putting his fingers over the little wounds. When he moved his hand away, the wounds were gone.

“Remember to do that after each one,” he replied, rising and walking towards me. I nodded numbly, keeping my eyes away from the corpse. William extended his hand to me, and I took it, letting him pull me to my feet. I leaned against him, holding his shoulders for support.

“Are you all right?” he asked, laying his warm hands on my arms.

“No . . . I—I killed him,” I managed to say, keeping my eyes on a distant lamp.

“I know it’s a shock at first, but you’ll get used to it fast, really,” William said, pulling me off him. “It’s just how we live.” He began to lace up my bodice again, finally finishing it off with a bow. He looked at me and smiled, holding my face between his hands.

“You’ve done well for your first,” he said, guiding me out of the alley.

“You just leave it?” I asked, meaning the corpse.

“Yes, in this case they will think he died naturally,” William said, leading me out of the crowd and back to the road. I said nothing else, walking beside William as we made our way back to the manor. Feeling a little less disgusted, I could appreciate the feeling of being so satisfied. I felt wide awake and energized, almost good enough to run for as long as I could. But I merely thought these things to myself until we reached the house again.

“Was I only imagining it, or was there a tinge of jealousy you felt before you fed?” William asked as we walked into the parlor. I smiled to myself, trying to hide it.

“Jealousy?” I repeated. “Why would I have reason to feel that?”

“Considering the young woman I took with me . . .” He let the sentence hang, and I turned, looking at him with a mock glare.

“Why? What did you do?” I asked as he approached.

“Nothing, merely fed off her,” he shrugged. I smiled coyly, making a move to walk around him. He put his arm before me, stopping me. I looked up at him as he lowered his lips to mine. I inwardly grimaced at the thought of another woman kissing him, and I pressed my lips against his harder. He responded by putting his hand to the small of my back, then sliding lower. I pressed myself against him, not wanting there to be any space between us. He put a hand to my shoulder, slipping his fingers beneath the fabric of my dress. At this I pulled away, despite my shuddering breath.

“Alanna—”

“Just . . . not now, William.”

“Why not, when we’re like this?” he asked, running his thumb across my bottom lip. I had no answer for him, but the memory of the man—my prey for the night—still lurked in my mind. Maybe that was why I denied him, though part of me wanted to say yes badly.

“Tell me,” he said quietly, still holding me against him.

“You know why,” I replied, knowing he had invaded my thoughts. He paused, then nodded slightly.

“Sleep beside me then, won’t you?” he asked. I managed to meet his eyes and nodded. He offered a smile and kissed my lips softly before sitting down to talk.

When dawn finally came near, I went into my room to change into my nightdress. I then returned to William’s room, crawling beneath the sheets beside him. He held me close, running his hands along my back.

“Sleep well,” he whispered. I nodded, already almost asleep. I didn’t want to disappoint him, but the sorrow in his voice made my still heart ache.

Definitely not over; more to come!! Thanks for reading!