Here it is ladies and gents. The first chapter of the next installment of the siren chronicles. I apologize for anything that’s just a little incoherent as I am writing this at about 1 in the morning. I hope you all enjoy, reviews are appreciated

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The first shot rang out; a hush fell over the square. The bullet seized the vampire in his right shoulder. He jerked back, but didn’t fall. This wouldn’t be easy, then again it never was. Luciouse didn’t understand how big of an undertaking this whole deliver the siren thing was going to be. About a dozen or so vampires closed in around us. The siren held fast, counting on me to keep her safe. She was stupid.

They were filling the gap quickly, and obviously shooting them wasn’t going to work. I’d have to hit them right in their heart if I was going to drop them. I’d have to try.

A second shot, same vampire dead in his chest. He stumbled back and fell. Damn straight – but there were still eleven more to be dealt with, and I wasn’t sure how many rounds were in the gun to begin with. Hell, the thing wasn’t even mine: if only Vladimir were here.

I felt something tugging at my shoulder. I looked down; the little siren was pulling for my attention. She grabbed her sword and raised it out of the sheath a bit. Was she looking for my approval? I nodded, if she thought she could take them who was I to stop her, so long as she didn’t turn that damn thing on me. I released her waist and like lightning, she drew her sword.

It was huge and menacing. The tip was squared and deadly sharp. She stood perched in a stance I couldn’t identify. I, myself, was a gun kind of man.

The other vampires laughed. They really shouldn’t have done that. She began to sing. The noise came over me as it had before, and I was bewitched; so were they.

By this point, they had us in a tight circle. She put a tiny hand on my head and pushed me down. Still singing, she took the sword in two hands. She spun; they fell, headless. Her voice drifted off; I finally had my free will back. She stood there, almost towering (or so I thought, I was still squatting) looking like a beautiful ballerina, only covered in blood.

I rose to my feet and held out my hand to her. We had to get moving there were bound to be more vampires coming. I wasn’t surprised when she didn’t take it. I, too, am a vampire, so leaving with me would be just as stupid as waiting around. “Just come on” I said angrily. This girl was going to get me killed.

“B-but, y-you’re a vamp-vampire,” she struggled out. She was mute not dumb.

“But I’m the good kind. I’m supposed to protect you.” I was lying, I was supposed to bring her back to Luciouse, who would have all sorts of test performed on her. But saying that wouldn’t help my argument.

“Ar-e you re-really?” Her eyes were filled with hope. She looked at me like a savior. Good thing I have no soul because I’d be going right to hell for this.

“Yes, now come on,” I said sternly. She put her tiny pale hand in mine and I gave her a tug. We needed to move quickly. We dashed through the streets of the crowded carnival district. I hadn’t bothered to put my gun away; passersby cowered away from us. Oh well, at least they moved.

I didn’t have my car; Vlady hadn’t taken it when he rudely kidnapped me from my apartment. My only hope was Edmund.

I ran. I ran like I’ve never run before. Vampires give off so much energy, you can feel them coming. I felt them, and they were close.

Finally we arrived at the run down apartment building. I looked around there weren’t any vampires that I could see. If I had seen some, I would find another place to go. I didn’t want anything to happen to poor Edmund on my account.

I hauled ass into the lobby. “Wh-ere a-are we?” she questioned.

“A good friend: a sweet old guy.” I didn’t mention he was a vampire that was the last thing she wanted her hear. I pulled her up the steps and to Edmunds door. I knocked furiously, pounding on the door over and over.

“Who is it?” the old voice called.

“It’s Jack. Let me in, it’s urgent,” I was practically shouting. I didn’t mean to be. The door unlocked with many clicks.

“Jack, what’s wrong?” Edmund said, staring at me through his coke bottle glasses. He glanced over at the siren besides me. I didn’t need to say a word, he understood. “Come in, quickly.” I flew past him, keeping the girl close behind me.”

Edmund locked all 50 of his dead bolts and shuffled over to us. I flopped down on his plaid couch and let out a long held breath. Edmund stood before the siren; looking her up and down, walking around her like she was a car for sale. “My God,” he whispered. “This is the real damned thing, isn’t it?” he said astonished.

“Yup, and I only had to almost get my fucking head ripped off, oh, about eight or nine times.” I could no longer hide my frustration. The girl was good, but she wasn’t worth dying over. I want to live to see 501.

“Oh hush,” Edmund said, waving a wrinkly hand at me. He turned his attention back to the girl before him. “Hello there, I’m Edmund, what’s your name,” he spoke slowly, like she didn’t understand. She understood perfectly well. Again, she was mute not slow.

“Millilaya,” she said, with out a stammer, surprisingly.

“Can we call you Milly?” he said slowly. She looked over at me. I could sense what she was thinking, ‘Why the hell is this guy talking so slow’. She looked back at him and nodded. Milly – hmm – not exactly what I’d expected, but I guess it fit.

“Wow, remarkable.” Edmund was fascinated.

“Yeah, something else, huh…” Sarcasm was my second language. Edmund shot me a mean mug and went off into the kitchen. He came back with a bottle of O negative.

Milly looked at me horrified as I unscrewed the top. She sat down on the couch across from me and just stared wide-eyed. “Yes, this is blood. I have to feed regularly or I’ll lose it and eat someone.” The nice guy shtick was over. I was tired and cranky.

“Jack, stop that, you’re scaring her,” Edmund scolded. “So what happen out there?” I explained the story from when I’d last left his house, to now. His jaw had dropped somewhere between me having sex with Kitty and me being kidnapped. He never regrouped it. “Only you, Jack.”

“I know it, trust me, I know it.” I took another swig from the bottle. “So Milly, here’s the deal, I have very strict orders to bring you to a safe house.” If you’re going to lie you have to stick with it. “You’ll be safe there ‘til they can find you a more permanent living arrangement.” What a tangled web we weave. She nodded, putting all her faith in me, stupid girl.

It was midnight by the time I felt the vampire presence leave. Had they all just given up? I could only hope.

Milly was asleep on the couch, snuggling her sword, like a baby snuggles a teddy bear. I wanted to wake her, but I was so afraid she’d pull that thing out and castrate me. I’d wait until I was ready.

“Edmund, I have to get going. Thanks for everything, really,” I said shaking his hand.

“How are you going to get back to your place?”

“Walk, I guess?”

“No take my car. I’ll hitch a cab tomorrow and pick it up. I need to get out more anyway.” He was so kind; too kind, but I’d accept it. I walked over to the sleeping girl and lifted her gently. She never woke, but her arms slid around my neck – must be a habitual thing. Her skin was so warm against me. I’d been dead so long; I almost forgot the warmth of human flesh.

I carried her out to Edmunds beat up old Pinto, and placed her in the passenger’s seat. I buckled her up, of course, safety first. The car roared to life, making sputtering sounds as it did. God, this car wasn’t going to make it. I needed it to make it. So, on a gas tank full of prayers and wishes, I put the damned thing in drive and took off down the, now, desolate road. Once out of the city, the roads became even more desolate: nothing but trees, and forest. I felt like something was in there, waiting. I wouldn’t pull over and give it the satisfaction of tearing out my heart. I just drove.

We got to my place at a little past one. I parked the death trap car next to my baby, my Cadillac. I retrieved my siren and headed up to my apartment. Everything was how I left it, including the big gapping shattered window. I didn’t think any one would be dropping by tonight, so I left the window until tomorrow.

I let the siren down gently in my bed. I guess the couch was mine. She gave a little grunt, but didn’t wake. That was fine; she’d need her strength for tomorrow. I was beginning to feel exhaustion. I hadn’t rested in days. I flopped down on the couch and drifted into a comatose slumber.