"Our dear Theo, how was the hunting?" asked Martinus cheerfully, "No... mishaps, we hope?"

Hector answered for him. "Nope, no bodies yet. The kid had his first taste of bloodlust, though." There were murmurs at this, but Theodor couldn't tell if they were of dissent or approval.

"Ah yes, a delicate business, that. We'll arrange for that to be sated, if you should like," said Martinus, without a single change in demeanor. Theodor frowned. What exactly...

Alice butted in at this, "I don't think that will go over well, just yet."

Alexis snorted. "Don't tell me he's a soft one. We have little time to suffer from his guilt."

A black vampire spoke up from across the table in a deep voice, "I have a human he could take care of."

Theodor started. He hadn't noticed the man before. He was perhaps more frightening looking than the pale vampires. Instead of losing his color, turning had done the opposite to him. His skin was nearly as black as night, the whites of his eyes and teeth practically glowing in that sea of darkness, glinting in the light. It was startling to look at him. At the contrast. He towered over his companions, making his imposing appearance complete. One side of his mouth was twitched up in a faint smirk. Theodor wondered how he could have possibly missed the man.

"Excellent, Hugo! Perfect!"

"I believe he is responsible for the latest kidnapping and murder of a businesswoman in downtown Alban. We could give him to the fledgling to... investigate. With his Sight, it shouldn't be a hard task."

To investigate. To kill. Theodor's body reacted in much the same way as it had with the blood, but his mind recoiled. To kill a killer, but to kill nonetheless. He was a boy of seventeen, not yet even an adult, and here he was being told to take a life. No, he thought firmly, I won't do it. Alice's eyebrows raised. He opened his mouth to refuse, then stopped. But what about that feeling? That itching to close his hands around that girl's father's throat. And he was right, wasn't he? Didn't that man deserve to die? And didn't he have the power to make that happen? Again, why shouldn't he play God, when he was so able?

Was it wrong to kill, even if the person deserved it? The human in him would have said yes, but the vampire implored him to see reason. If the man they wanted him to "take care of" was really a murderer, wasn't he bound by moral law to spare the world of him? He had always just hoped that someone else would attend to the criminals, and he would be left out of it. But if the responsibility landed on his shoulders... what was the difference, then, between killing him and letting someone else do it? There was none, said the vampire in him. The only difference was when not killing him would result in letting him live. Like that girl's father. Then he knew what he needed to do. He needed to kill both of them. The murderer and the girl's father. It was just. It was right.

Alice giggled. "No Alexis, he's not a soft one."

"Good!" exclaimed Martinus happily, "Why not do it tomorrow evening, then? "

Tomorrow evening. Tomorrow, he would kill.

"Moving on," said Harvey smoothly, "what of the human Mary?"

"I'm watching her," snapped Alexis, "everything is fine."

"Not so," Martinus corrected, "our spies in Death have warned us that Jack has caught on. We still don't know the significance of her life, but the Magistrate has asked Mask personally to protect her as well."

"Bullshit." Alexis contorted his face in anger.

"Language, Alexis."

"I have her covered! Your faction needs nothing to do with it," he said angrily, gesturing violently with his hand.

"No one doubts your skill, otherwise you wouldn't be a Blood, but when Death is involved you have to accept that you may need some help."

He looked ready to spit. "Nobody can get to her without me knowing. It would be suicide even trying. I would have plenty of evidence to convict the would-be killers to the Magistrate for destruction."

"Very well, but if she is put in danger by any situation, make sure we know about it."

"Fine. Don't expect to have your nose in this one, though."

"We'll keep our nose a respectful distance from your affairs. Next, the human's informant."

Alice caught Theodor's eye. He had been studying the other vampires as they spoke, unsure of what he should have been doing. She suppressed a laugh, her small hand over her mouth. She gave him a wink. He raised an eyebrow at her. Grinning madly, she curled a finger, silently asking him to come closer. Quietly, he obeyed, making his way around the table while the rest of the group talked. When he was close, she grabbed his hand. Her skin was cold and soft. She was staring at him, smiling. Her lips were slightly parted, showing her white fangs. She was beautiful, even though her eyes held madness. The pointed teeth fit her. And that look was childlike, yet... demonic? Pitiless, to be certain.

Delighted at his attention, the girl- no, she was certainly a woman's age now- licked her lips. It was too much. His body responded the same way it had with the blood. And the killing. A heat came over him. The fires of desire were rekindled. He tried to shake it off fruitlessly. She was a monster. Sure, she looked his age and had a certain whimsical appearance that made her seem young, but there was no doubt she had killed her fill of people. And who really knew if they actually deserved it? But she had the Sight, right? She could see into people's souls and dig out their wrongs. Maybe she only killed when it was due?

"Ya here that, kid?" Hector's voice cut into him, making him jump.

"Huh?" he managed, clearing his throat. He tried to shake Alice's hand off his own but she gripped tightly suddenly.

"We have a job you might be interested in," said the beautiful woman, Mina, with an air of impatience.

"Uh, what type of job?" he asked, more focused on trying to get Alice off of him.

"We just said-"

"Fetch," spat Alexis, "surely you can manage a dog's task?"

"Uh, yeah. No problem. What am I getting?"

"A fellow vampire. He'll most definitely resist you, but with your blood, it shouldn't be too hard."

He shook his head. "But I haven't been a vampire for more than a few hours, don't I need time to build up my powers?"

"Actually, ya could probably kick his ass right now, but you'll have a few days. Don't worry, kid, it won't be difficult."

"Yes, this is a particularly weak vampire. You can have, oh, say five days. You may wait for a while to develop, but any longer than that and we'll hire a lower faction to do it."

Theodor frowned. "Isn't this something his own faction should be doing?"

"Funny thing, that," giggled Alice, still holding his hand, "I already killed them all."

He managed to jerk out of her grasp finally. "Yeah... hilarious..."

"You see, Theo, his faction was never very responsible, but the vampire we want- Daniel- was betraying the Magistrate by releasing our secrets to a human. They asked his faction politely to silence him, but they refused."

"So our lovely Alice called dibs on taking care of them," said Hector, and the girl stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

That's barbaric, he thought with disgust.

Alice pouted. "Am I?"

"Alright fine, whatever. I'll go get this guy. In the meantime, can someone teach me to block out people trying to read my mind?"

Hector spoke before the girl had a chance, "I can field that one. Give it a day or so and I can help you with your other powers as well."

"What other powers?"

"We actually prefer that you learn them by yourself. They always seem to be less powerful if you're told beforehand."

"Next, the matter of Trevor."

They talked for another hour or so about different vampires and humans, about who should deal with whom, or whether they should commission a lower faction to do it for them. They had endless assignments from the Magistrate, some simple as sending a message to as drastic as killing one or even multiple people. Theodor realized after a while that they hadn't been commissioned by a higher faction to do anything. Everything came directly from the Magistrate itself. That meant... they were the top dogs? Had he really been born into the most powerful faction?

After a while longer he left to get some air, figuring they didn't really need him at all. He already had enough on his plate anyway. There was the impending situation with the other vampire, and the possible execution the next day. Outside he took several deep breaths. Being what he was was harder than he thought it would be. Things were moving so quickly. He wasn't really ready for it all, but it kept piling on top of him. He set off at a slow walk around the mansion, mulling in his thoughts. His mind wandered in the past, gliding through memories, emotionless. He remembered the times he had protected his sister with his life, but not the feelings he had when he did it. Looking back, he began to wonder why he had clung to her so obsessively.

Footsteps were audible long before Alice's voice called out to him. He stopped and waited for her. Beneath her form-fitting black dress, bare feet were poked out, running to catch up to him. Unable to deter her, Theodor waited in silence. Instead of slowing down, she ran right into him, grabbing his hands and spinning him around before reeling off laughing. He watched her, expressionless. She approached him again, walking slowly this time, hips swaying, a smile on her lips, her mouth parted. She stopped less than a foot from him, looking up at him and grinning madly. The girl was about six inches shorter than him, but he knew she could destroy him if she wanted. She was dangerous and wild. And undeniably attractive.

"Wanderlust," she said, placing a thin hand on his chest, "did it claim you too?"

Theodor didn't answer, instead settling for a thoughtful stare. She was beautiful, especially wearing that whimsical smile. Black eyes sparkled with... desire? She was a monster, he reminded himself.

"Well I find it's impossible to resist. I'll end up in the strangest places if I'm not careful. And sometimes," she began a slow circle around him, hand trailing across his body, "I find myself at the top of this one hill. It's wonderful there. There's this stunning view of my beloved Alban, and nothing between me and the stars on a clear night." Behind him, she stood on her tip-toes to whisper in his ear, "Like tonight." Theodor stood still, and she continued her path. "And sometimes, I find myself there in the arms of some lucky human, watching the sky while he watches me. My favorite thing, though, is waiting until just before sunrise to have my fun with him, and seeing the heavens light up in all their brilliant colors." She finished her circle, "But humans don't have the..." she sidled a little closer to him, eyes locked on his, "stamina... that we do, and I always end up disappointed." Her hand drifted across his face and down to his neck. Her fangs showed in her grin. "But maybe someone like you could keep me going until the sun comes up?"

"You're suicidal."

"I'm alive," she hissed softly, "don't you want to be?"

"I'm alive right now, and I'd like to stay alive."

She laughed, "You haven't lived a day in your life, and I doubt you'll live a day in your unlife, the way you're brooding. Forget your sister; she's dead. You aren't capable of loving her anymore, and she doesn't deserve it anyway. I can show you new things to love," she said, stepping within an inch of touching him. He knew she wanted him to want her, and it was working. That heat washed over him again, stronger than before. A tension that was almost tangible was building between them. He fought to keep his hands from pulling her toward him, from pressing her slender form against him.

"New things?" he managed, focusing all his mind on something else.

"Come with me, right now. I'll take you far away from here, to a place you've never dreamed of." A spark was in her black eyes.

He sighed, unable to fight it. "Is this because I'm 'devilishly handsome'?"

"And because you're young enough to take a wild chance, and not be deathly afraid while doing it. Those so-called 'immortals' in there have never tasted life as it was meant to be."

He didn't care what her reasons were. She was irresistible. She was intoxicating. Her eyes filled his vision, her heartbeat pounded in his ears, her scent smothered him. Come with me...

"Okay," he whispered. The words left his lips without a thought. He couldn't refuse her. She was addictive. He couldn't get enough of her. Lust... the word rang through his head in her voice. He didn't care. He wanted to be alive.

"Okay," she whispered back, and lifted her mouth toward his. He obeyed, sinking into a heated kiss. She pressed up against him, practically writhing in his embrace. He couldn't help himself. Passion filled his body. Some of the same ecstasy he had felt while feeding began to pulse through his veins again. She was a drug. All he heard was her heart beating faster and faster, until a voice came crashing through it all.

"That's enough, Alice!"

Theodor shoved the girl away like she was burning him. She stumbled a couple of steps and caught herself, licking her smirking lips.

"Oh Hector, don't deny him what you yourself gave in to so long ago. I swept you away with but a touch."

"And I'm saving him from the same fate. C'mon, kid, step away from her. She's entrancing you with her aura."

"We were just- what?"

Alice's eyes took on a dangerous look. "He's mine already. Don't think you can keep me from him so easily," she hissed at Hector, before flashing Theodor that grin and twirling away.

"And that would be your first taste of our lovely Alice."

"Quite literally," added another voice. Theodor turned to see Martinus striding up next to them. "We'd appreciate it if you taught him to resist such things in the next few days, Hector."

"Of course."

"Excellent. Now, Blood is leaving, Theo, and we'd like to show you your room. If you desire a coffin, we can have one custom made for you."

"We were just... uh... wait, a coffin?"

"You can sleep in a coffin if ya want. Personally, I get claustrophobic in them, but it might be right up your alley."

"Um, no thanks."

"Very well," said Martinus cheerfully, "right this way." He set off in the opposite direction Alice had gone, and Theodor followed. After a while in awkward silence, he finally spoke, utterly embarrassed.

"About Alice... she sorta came on to me..."

"Don't worry yourself about her, Theo, it's her way. She delights in seducing and controlling anyone she possibly can. Her aura allows her to make you feel exactly what she wants you to, if you don't block it out. You'll be helpless to refuse her if you let her do it."

They entered the mansion again. Theodor spared a glance back and saw the sky lightening. Morning was coming, and he didn't feel a hint of tiredness. He heard several cars start before he closed the door behind him. Inside, Martinus took him on a twisted path through the hallways, ending up at a long stretch of doors. He walked to the seventh one down and pulled a key from his cloak. After he pushed into the room, he tossed the key to Theodor.

"Until you find your own place, you can stay here. You don't have to leave, but some prefer it. We like to have several havens around town for when the morning comes quickly."

The windows were boarded up and heavy black curtains covered them. A large, very comfortable looking bed with expensive sheets lay across the room. A writing desk and dresser and what looked like a full sized sofa all fit with plenty of space. The room was lit by various lamps, all gold-inlaid. All the furnishings and the lights gave off a rich, warm glow, very unlike the outside of the mansion. Everything was so elaborate and elegant, Theodor felt like he was wasting a fortune just by being there.

"Keep the door locked. Alice likes to wander the house during the day sometimes."

Part of him wondered just how much he would dislike the girl walking into his room, but he reminded himself that she had been trying to manipulate him. But still...

"Who keeps all of this neat?" he asked, trying to get his mind off of her. It was a physical thing only. He could resist.

"Servants. We ask them to leave at sundown."

"But... isn't that dangerous, having people around us while we sleep?"

"Yes, terribly. That's why we keep familiars to guard us."

"Familiars?"

Martinus sighed and motioned for him to follow. The man sat on the sofa and relaxed, somehow maintaining his perfect composure even while sprawled out like he was. Theodor sat on the other side, and after a moment's hesitation, put his feet up on the table. It was his room, anyway.

"Humans with vampire blood in them. It is more addictive to them than human blood is to us. If you let a human drink from you, you can be sure he will do anything for you just to get another taste. Also, our blood gives them extra strength. They heal wounds quickly, even from the brink of death, and move faster. Some even develop mental powers that are, though by far inferior to our own, formidable against other humans. Within a week or so, depending on the blood, it will wear off, but they will crave it for months after."

Something nagged at him in the back of his head, but he dismissed it.

"So I can make servants," said Theodor to himself. "Then... can I make other vampires?"

"Yes, it is possible, but strictly forbidden without our permission. And we are not allowed to give you permission without the Magistrate's permission. At some point it may be beneficial to the faction to have you sire a fledgling, but for now consider it a privilege you do not have."

"How do I do it?" he asked, then cursed himself for doing so. He would truly be a monster to bring this life onto another person. It would be better if he never knew. Martinus seemed to agree with him, and only revealed it reluctantly.

"You must drink from a human, then he must drink from you. After this, the human dies and a vampire is born. We repeat; never do it unless it is with our permission. Only then can you sire another. Punishments are severe for this type of crime."

Theodor nodded. He didn't plan on it, anyway. Then he frowned thoughtfully.

"So, who is my sire, then?"

"Harvey, since he seems to produce particularly powerful fledglings. Mixing your blood with his was the best combination, we believe. It seems to have worked well, too. You will be among our top members, if you live long enough."

That nagging feeling came back, stronger than before, but he couldn't place what it was.

"Hmm. So he's technically my father, then?"

"In a sense. If you look at it that way, then Alice is your sister as well. But we don't consider who sired whom in this faction. We will all help you grow, and what you do with Alice matters little, as long as you don't let her control you."

He turned red, and a ghost of that heat flared in him at her name.

"Morning approaches! We must see to some things. Tomorrow we will speak again. Don't forget what we and Hector have taught you," Martinus said, standing. He adjusted his cloak and strode out, stopping at the door and turning. "Tomorrow, your powers will show themselves even more. You will do great things, Theo." He left, closing the door behind him.

The feeling he had been having came back again. There was something wrong with what Martinus had said, but he couldn't place his finger on it. He stood and wandered to his bed, running his hand across the soft sheets for a second before collapsing on top of it. What was it? His brain knew but refused to tell him. After several moments of thinking fruitlessly, he felt a presence in the room. He sat bolt upright. A silhouette stood in the well lit room. Luna's shape was unmistakable. The long curly hair, the way she stood. Her delicate hands. Something was dripping from them. Luna. His other half. Emotion sparked, and was quenched just as quickly. Tears threatened to form, then stopped. A battle raged inside of him. What was still human in him fought valiantly, but was slowly, inexorably, backed into a corner and snuffed out. Cold uncaring washed through him.

"Go away," he snapped. She vanished that easily. It was then that that nagging feeling was finally answered. Martinus had said that feeding humans vampire blood would make them heal quickly. Even from the point of death. Harvey's voice rang in his ears.

"You were as good as dead when we found you. The only way to save you was to turn you into one of us."

Why hadn't they just fed him their blood, if they wanted him to live? Then Alexis' voice came to him.

"Because you have strong blood, boy."

So... they turned him into a vampire because it benefited them, even though they could have saved him as a human? What kind of epiphany is that? Didn't he owe them thanks? After all, they had made him immortal and powerful. They had given him the strength to overcome the death of Luna painlessly. But... but part of you wants to feel the pain. Hadn't he thought himself a monster just a couple of moments ago? What is happening to me? Now he was thankful?

Part of him balked at his own weakness, reveling in the new strength he had. Of course he was thankful. He had been given godlike powers. He had been given a new life where nothing could hold him back. He was capable of anything. Another part of him yearned to find Alice again, and take her up on her offer. I'll show you new things to love. True life, as it was meant to be lived. And a small, minuscule part of him wished he was mourning for his sister again. It told him he was a monster living in man's world now, an affront to God. It wanted to break down and cry over his loss. His other half.

That part was smaller than before. It was so tiny, he wasn't sure it was there at all.

Isn't this what it means to be a vampire?

The silhouette of Luna flickered in the corner of his eye, but he felt nothing. He was cold. Detached. Inhuman.

A/N: School has started again, but I don't think it should affect my writing rate. Keep reviewing and I'll stay motivated!

Reviews:

infallallthingsaremadesplended: Glad to hear you like it! And I can't comment on the girl or it would spoil it!

Bleached Roses: Yay! You're reviewing my story! Don't worry, all is forgiven, as long as you keep reviewing... (hehehe) But anyway, I've always loved vampires so I finally decided to give in and write about them. As for Theodor, well it was basically an accident. I was looking for a good name that meant something I could work with, it didn't matter what it was.