Centuries Blood

Two young men walked down the streets of Miami with a moderate pace under the leaves of the swaying palm trees.

It was summer, meaning that men and women of different ages took the opportunity to flaunt their chiselled and well tanned bodies with the revealing summer wear, whilst also resisting the morning heat.

Of the two, one was wearing a pristine white office shirt with the collar unbuttoned, a lavish pair of black flat front pants with an elegant black leather belt and well polished black loafers.

He was slightly taller than the other man, with dark hair made into an undercut, honey coloured almond eyes, a straight nose and clean shaven face.

His right hand was in his pocket and the way he walked exuded a gentlemanly elegance, further elevated by his muscular figure.

"Do tell me, brother. Why choose such a lavish city to reside in? You've never been the type to live in such....lively places," he said to the other man.

"Before I answer that idiotic question that seems to poke at my ability to handle fun, I must strike you back with another question, brother. Why in the blazes would you wear your trade mark attire even in the scorching sun?" asked the other man as he glared at his counterpart with exasperation.

He wore a long sleeved polo shirt and tight black jeans of the same colour. On his feet were navy blue running shoes.

Sparkling amber hair made into a modern quiff, brown eyes, a raised nose and a neat stubble could be seen on his face.

"Truthfully we are both oddities in this weather. Your choice of clothing is no better than mine. It hasn't changed either," the man in the white shirt said.

"Fair enough, you never took jokes well anyway. As for why I chose this place, the reason is quite simple. Enjoyment. After 4 whole centuries I simply chose a city that embodies the fresh, cool and fun atmosphere I was looking for. I have no doubt that if you look around you'll be pleased by what you see."

A young lady passed them going in the opposite direction, donning a yellow off shoulder crop top and sexy tattered studded shorts.

She had exquisite smooth curves, honey coloured skin that glistened in the sun, accentuating its flawlessness and when she walked with the healthy bounce of energy, one couldn't help but admire her long legs.

The man in the white shirt turned and perused from behind admiring the view with a slight smile.

The girl, as if sensing his gaze, turned and gave him a wink.

"Indeed," he said, much to the other man's delight as he wore a triumphant grin.

"Yet I find myself more interested in the news that made me hurry all the way here. Are you sure it was 'him', Cole?"

The man in the long sleeved shirt wore a grim expression and answered.

"Yes. I'm no fool. I had my loyalties scour the entire country. There have been four victims so far with six bite marks on their necks. I'm sure that's worth being vigilant brother."

"That proves nothing. Over the centuries we've discovered that there is more than one Progenitor. This could be another and it'd be best if we stay out of his way," the man in white said.

"Don't tell me you're still on this path of letting go, brother? Have you forgotten so easily the pain we have suffered for centuries?" Cole asked in a irritated tone.

"I hardly have the capacity to forget, brother, even if I wanted to. But what's an eternity of life if you can't enjoy it. I'm not about to spend the rest of my endless life searching for an all powerful immortal just to ask him the question 'Why?'."

"Enjoy? When was the last time you enjoyed life brother? I recall every detail. You were strangled by the binds of love only once and when it fell apart you've been too much of a coward to try again. That woman was a blot in your life anyway and I'm happy she was taken away," Cole said.

The man in white stopped, hand still in pocket.

However, when he stopped everything seemed to stop along with him.

The people on the street kept walking but the sound of their footsteps vanished. The sound of the engines of vehicles on the road dissipated leaving a great silence.

Cole stopped a few steps ahead and a took a deep breath.

"Take that back," the man in white said.

"Brother, I-"

"Take it back."

Cole slowly turned and saw the casual gaze his brother was giving him. There was no frown, no anger, no rage. Only the slightest of smiles perched on his handsome face.

"Sorry," he said.

"Good."

The man in the white shirt resumed walking and sound returned to the world.

"Where shall we dine while we wait for Gillian to arrive?" the man in white asked.

Cole sighed.

"First I want you to meet someone," he said. "And just in case, take these."

He handed keys to his brother that had a tag with the house number.

The two walked onward and turned to another street facing a cafe with an outdoor extension.

There were circular particle board tables arranged in a neat fashion, white umbrellas overhead to give a nice shade and elegant wooden chairs that perfected the view.

On one of the chairs was a young lady drinking coffee from her cup while enjoying the view of the street with a light smile.

She had chocolate brown hair made into a choppy bob, sand coloured skin and hazel coloured eyes.

She wore a multicolour skater dress and had one leg on top of the other, giving her carefree nature a highlight.

Cole walked up to the lady followed by his brother.

On seeing Cole, a radiant smile appeared on the lady's face as she stood up and embraced him, giving him a passionate kiss thereafter.

The man in the white shirt raised an eyebrow and took a deep breathe while looking sideways.

After the kiss, Cole gazed intently at the lady and smiled.

"Someone's in a good mood. Are you happy about something?" he asked.

"Playing dumb won't make me forget about tonight, Cole," she said, her smile still on display.

"Indeed. Though, I wouldn't dream of making you forget."

The lady shook her head and peaked behind Cole to see the man with his hand in his pocket, looking through the cafeteria window.

"Who's your friend?" she asked.

Cole turned to the man in the white shirt and smiled.

"This is-"

"Daniel Malborne," the man said with a slight smile as he extended his right hand.

The young lady obliged and shook his hand with surprise.

"He's your brother?"

"Indeed," Cole said. "Daniel, Margaret. Margaret, Daniel."

"Such a succinct introduction, brother," pointed out Daniel.

"Yes indeed. Margaret is my girlfriend. Forgive me for being nervous about giving such an introduction to my older brother."

Margaret started laughing, much to the two brothers' confusion.

"The way you two talk is the strangely similar. I thought it was a unique trait of Cole's but turns out it runs in the family," she said.

"Yes, we both do share.....ancient tastes," said Daniel with a smile. "Let me not intrude. I'll be waiting for Cole at home. It was pleasure meeting you, Margaret."

"Indeed," Margaret mimicked Daniel's aloof stature as she said, jokingly.

Daniel only smiled and walked away.

Once he reached a corner he vanished.

"Don't tell me you're falling for him already?" said Cole with a smile as he directed Margaret to sit.

"No. He's too beefy for me."

"And you're too carefree for him," Cole said.

"Hmmm, it definitely seems that way. I must say I'm a little disappointed that you never told me that you had a brother. I thought 3 months was the threshold where I get to know more about you. Are you on bad terms perhaps?" Margaret asked as she sipped her coffee.

"I'm sorry about that. It's complicated. It's certainly not a matter of conflict. Its the opposite. Our bond is too strong and too enduring to allow that. Now that my brother is here, we can start from there. And I'm sure you'll love my sister."

"There's a sister too? And here I thought I needed to get some new 'techniques' to get it out of you."

"Oh don't be modest. However, if you did learn a trick or two we can find out tonight. I have made reservations for us at a very nice place."

"Hmm. I was hoping we could go to my house and have a regular dinner."

"Why is that? Shouldn't a special night be celebrated in a fancy establishment?" asked Cole.

"Well, yeah. But..." Margaret said holding Cole's hand. "I tend to cherish moments when there is nothing to distract them. No fancy clothes, chandeliers, food or people in the background looking all judgey because we're being intimate.

I'd rather be with you, sitting on my couch and cuddling, watching a cheesy movie. Nothing too extravagant."

She looked at Cole intimately, a smile blooming on her face as she saw his reaction. He seemed both surprised and pleased.

"You should have told me to stop trying so hard all those months ago, then."

Margaret burst out into laughter.

"Maybe."

"Alright then. What milady wants, she gets. Though I wish you'd be the one picking me up as an offering of peace. I have to cancel my reservation and lose face."

"Dream on! What face could you ever need other than this one," Margaret said, pointing at her face.

"Point Margaret."

***

Daniel stood before a black and white contemporary style house. It was neat, with a nice lawn to the left and a driveway that looked to be well maintained.

He stood by the door running his hands along the walls.

"I'd say his tastes have improved," he said.

A shadow rushed from the street and stood beside him in the blink of an eye.

"Has my taste ever been bad, brother?" Cole asked with a smile.

"You have no idea," Daniel replied.

Cole opened the door.

"Please do come in," he said.

Daniel walked in and scanned the house.

What faced the door was a sizable lounge with four black couches and a circular glass table.

Open lights were on the ceiling, alongside a mini chandelier. In each corner of the room was an exquisite sculpture; two made of stone and the others, of wood.

A massive TV was plastered on the wall, which didn't have any decorations.

"What do you think?" asked Cole with a hint of pride in his voice.

"I shall reserve my opinion. We have other matters to discuss," Daniel said as he sat down.

"What a fine lady you've caught for yourself. You were always into the wild ones."

"What's life for, if not to be lived on the wild side?"

"Yet you're still searching for 'him'."

"I wasn't searching. Given that I've settled now, I'd say it's best to keep a lookout."

"Fair enough. But for you to say that means there was a reason for you to be vigilant."

"Yes. There were some wolves in this city when I arrived. They refused to have a Royal Vampire sharing their turf, so I removed them as the competition. They fled with their tails between their legs."

"Quite fitting. Though if I were you I'd make sure the threat was gone altogether."

"I would, but..."

"Margaret."

"Yes."

"I see."

Right then, there was a knock on the door.

Cole went up and opened it, only to see a girl who looked to be no older than 19 years, with leather black hair and grey eyes wearing a purple floral romper as well as sandals.

"Heeeeeey~!" she said with a smile, revealing a bottle of wine she had hidden behind her back.

"And here is the only one among us with an appropriate sense of fashion," said Cole hugging the girl. "Welcome sister."

"Hey bro. I really missed you," she said as she embraced him back. "You got me wishing I was a Royal Vampire too. Do I really need stand outside till you say so?"

Daniel stood up and went up to the door as well.

"Trust me, no one is exempt from our brother's.... insecurity. I was wondering why I took those keys myself," said Daniel.

The girl released Cole and rushed up to Daniel giving him a bigger hug.

"Well, what a lovely show of favouritism," said Cole with an annoyed look.

"Good to see you, Gillian," Daniel said as he embraced her.

Gillian gave Daniel a peck on the cheek and then sat on the couch with a bounce.

"Argh.. the comfort! Spoil me brothers!" she said as she relaxed.

"That can be done later. Let's talk about this now," Cole said as he sat on the opposite couch.

Daniel remained standing, hand in pocket.

"I made a few hundred humans my loyalties and had them scour the city and other nearby towns and settlements, giving me reports on a daily basis. That's how I found the information," Cole said.

"Wait, what are you talking about? Didn't you invite me for a get together or something?" asked Gillian.

"No, I didn't want our first chat in a years to be so bleak. There's a problem. 'He' is here," said Cole.

Gillian's eyes constricted and she sat up with a grim expression.

She took a deep breath.

"Are you sure it's him?" she asked with a shaken voice.

"He's not," said Daniel. "I advise that we stay clear of this. Its not worth it to investigate further. Like I said brother, there's more to life than seeking revenge or answers we already know."

"Why do you insist on not getting to the bottom of this? I understand Gillian hesitating as she was not with us from the beginning, but you?!" growled Cole.

"I'm not hesitant!" Gillian said with a firm expression. "I'm not. We're family, right? Besides if you die, I die."

Cole smiled as he looked at her. Then he looked at Daniel.

"Well?"

"You know what? Time is the one thing we have. We'll overstay our welcome for a bit as we resolve this...again," said Daniel as he shook his head.

"Fine. I have a date tonight anyway. I want to be in the right mood."

"Wait, what?!" Gillian exclaimed.

"Don't act so shocked. I have a considerable amount of charm after all," said Cole.

"Does she know?" she asked.

"No. Its better if she doesn't..... for now. Preserving her humanity is something I want more than anything else. I don't want her to see the dark side of me. She doesn't deserve it."

"Then why are you with her?"

Cole was silent for a few seconds and then he spoke.

"Because I need her."

Gillian smiled teasingly and jumped up from the couch.

"Alright then. Let's help you dress up!"

Daniel shook his head, watching Gillian push Cole.

***

A shadow darted and appeared before a beige craftsman style house. The lights inside and outside were on, making for a beautiful view of the whole space outside in the night.

Cole was standing at the door wearing a casual shirt and jeans that accentuated his slim but chiselled figure. Recalling the battle that he had to walk out his front door with his siblings while wearing this get up for a special anniversary date made him smirk.

Nighttime was Margaret's favourite time of the day and for every celebration, she always chose a time after sundown.

Cole rang the door bell and waited with a feeling that he seldom experienced.

Anxiety.

He really liked Margaret. She appreciated the simple things above all else, choosing casual chats above extravagant boasts.

She made him nervous. He wasn't used to the kind of girl she was. It had been a long time since he felt serious towards a woman.

She vaguely made him recall how it was to be .... vulnerable.

For that, he was drawn to her.

After waiting for a few seconds, he rang the door bell again, getting increasingly nervous.

Still. No answer.

He put his hand on the doorknob and turned.

The door opened.

Cole became vigilant.

"Margaret," he called.

No answer.

"Margaret!" he yelled.

In desperation he pushed his foot through the door and...

It passed through.

Cole's heart pounded.

'That's impossible unless....' he thought and sped at lightning speed into the house!

He checked the lounge, the kitchen, the first bedroom, the second and then....

He finally founded her.

She lay in a pool of blood at the door of the third bedroom.

Cole rushed up to her and held her in his arms.

"Margaret!" he yelled, and tried to feel for a pulse.

However, she was cold and her heart had stopped.

Cole didn't know what to do. When he looked at her neck, he was all the more devastated.

Six bite marks.

He couldn't feel strength in his bones for a minute and just sat there while holding Margaret in his arms.

He shed no tears.

He only breathed slowly as he stared at her for a long time.

Even the blood that he sat in meant nothing to him at this moment. He felt he had lost it all.

He caressed her cheek and pulled back her hair.

He was familiar with the stench of death and with the number of years he had lived, he knew no amount of screaming or crying would bring her back.

So.... he sat in silence and allowed the demons within to eat him up. He pain, the rage and the hunger. The demons that had become one with him over the four centuries he had been alive.

Three hours passed as he sat while holding the woman's corpse.

A sharp cough broke the silence, followed by a sharp draw of breath.

Cole was flabbergasted.

It was Margaret!

She coughed and struggled to breathe as she tried to regain her senses.

Cole's eyes went wide.

'No! Please! No!' he thought as he looked at her.

The woman's colour started to return and her heart started to beat with a different rhythm from before.

Cole gnashed his teeth as he looked at her kneel and stare at her bloodied hands.

Margaret looked at Cole and then at her hands, then at the floor.

"C...C..Cole... whats....what's happening...Arrrrghhh!.." she screamed and covered her ears.

Her eyes flashed with different colours; from hazel to a deep red!

She screamed and tried to reach for Cole!

Cole looked at her with a bitter expression, looking as if he wanted to cry.

'Not her too,' he thought.

Margaret screamed and held onto him as she screamed.

"COLE...PLEASE ...help me.... My Ears ...my eyes.... It hurts.... My Chest!!" he screamed looking at him.

Cole couldn't take it anymore. This was unfair.

He looked at her gently as she started crying and ended her suffering the least painful way he knew how.

He held her jaw and neck, and with a great strength..... twisted.

Three figures stood in the living room while gazing at the woman lying on the couch.

She wore simple grey sweat pants and a sleeveless top, both stained in blood.

Of the three figures, one had clothes that were also stained with dried blood.

"Enlighten me, brother. In what universe would snapping your beloved's neck be the best solution to calm her down?" Daniel asked.

Cole ground his teeth and faced his elder brother.

"Well won't you do me the honours and tell me what I should have done, my all knowing brother?" he said.

"You acted rashly this could-"

"IT COULD WHAT, DANIEL?! Damage our relationship? I panicked! The one thing I did not wish for her just happened tonight!"

He then grabbed Daniel's collar and bellowed.

"Tell me I was wrong now, brother? Do you still think we are dealing with some random Progenitor? Hmm?! It's him! Only he would smell my scent on Margaret and decide to give her this dreadful curse that we've had for centuries! Even death is much better than this."

Daniel remained silent.

Gillian only looked at Cole with sympathy.

Cole released Daniel and went over to Margaret.

He stroked her cheek and sighed.

"What do you intent to do if its really him then?" Daniel asked after a long pause.

"It depends. Does the current series of events warrant your involvement in searching for this bastard?" asked Cole without looking at his brother.

Daniel remained silent.

"I have endured different shades of pain, brother. Through thick and thin I've powered through all the embarrassment the world has thrown at me because you were by my side. And now that a common threat descends upon me and my beloved you turn a blind eye?" Cole asked.

Daniel walked to the window and lay his hand on the frame. He took a deep breath and gazed outside.

"Do you want us to be here when she wakes up?" he asked.

Gillian was puzzled. She had thought for sure their brother would choose to change his mind, but he actually changed the subject.

Cole was even more so dumbfounded. He glared at his older brother and ground his teeth.

"No. I'd prefer for both of you to not be here," he replied.

"Very well. Gillian. Let's go," said Daniel as he wore a stern face and walked out of the door without looking back.

Gillian hesitated, but in the end she opted to follow.

"Just call if you need me, brother," she said to Cole, who only nodded.

She left afterwards, leaving Cole who sat on the table and continued to gaze at the woman on the couch.

She was breathing.

Her heart was beating at an irregular rate, and it seemed her body was adapting, changing and improving.

He could see dark veins dancing at her neck, eyes and mouth.

She had become a Royal Vampire. A vampire only second to Progenitors, those said to carry the purest of vampiric blood.

She had become like him.

What she had experienced when she first woke was the evolving of her basic senses and the first experience at thirst that burnt from her chest.

Imagining the sweet Margaret that he had just been talking to a few hours ago turning into a thirsty beast was an unbearable experience.

Quite frankly he had contemplated on killing her.

To relieve her of this burden.

However, he realised that it was not his choice to make.

***

Daniel and Gillian walked along the street in the night in silence.

Gillian had a ton of questions for her brother. To her, Daniel was the more level headed of her brothers. He was by no means a moral saint. He could execute questionable deeds as much as Cole, some even more atrocious as she had witnesses in her century of life.

However, what set him apart was the he had boundaries. He was charming, he was friendly and he wouldn't resort to the shedding of civility unless something he truly wanted was at stake.

And that was the problem.

No one knew what exactly he wanted.

He was the type you call when you have a problem, and he would solve it, only to leave immediately after.

Before she could open her mouth and ask, Daniel spoke first.

"Let's find a place to dine and talk about your endeavours," he said.

They walked for a while until they reached a certain small time restaurant.

It was neat despite its lack of renown recognition in the stars department. There were black and red tiles, glistening with a spark of cleanliness, friendly as well as tidy waiters and clean wooden tables covered by matching black table cloths with red embroidery at the fringes.

Large windows were on the walls with the restaurants name and also allowing for the customers to have a fresh view of the well lit street. The glass on the window made the distant lights into a bokeh that made the scene even more vibrant.

"Have you turned into a cheapskate in the time we've been apart? I thought you'd take me to a 5 star restaurant at least," said Gillian with a smile.

"Simple places like this are the best venue for catching up with family. The rest I will supplement with love," Daniel said caressing her hair.

Gillian shook her head with a smile.

"I've dated hundreds of dudes and that defence is still the weakest I've heard," she said.

They sat on one of the tables and ordered their respective meals.

"While we wait for our meals, would you care to tell me what you've been up to?" Daniel said as he sat upright and gazed deep into her eyes.

"Ease up on the fatherly gaze. I haven't been doing anything too bad."

"I was already suspecting you to be playing the international role of Vamp Hooker."

"Oh my God, that's how low your opinion of me has become? What happened to pampering me as the baby sister?"

"Because last time we were together you hadn't reached a full century yet."

"Okay okay, enough with that!" Gillian said with a short laugh.

"Well, If you really want to know. Since we split, I followed your advice and went to school. Schools, actually. You were right. It's definitely not the same as living in a single generation, but I finally felt like life was worth living. The friends, the experience and even the knowledge.

Just like you said, only we who get to live for centuries can admire the evolution of man. We see how they grow, what they build and it becomes like watching a film."

Daniel smiled as he heard her say that.

"Interesting. I'm impressed. I'm glad it was a... helpful experience. Though, I doubt that was all," he said.

"Fine, fine! Before finally overcoming my existential crisis, I had loooooads of sex and alcohol. There, I said it! And you know that guy who said 'All is vanity'? He wasn't lying. It gets boring after a time," said Gillian as she lay her head on the table.

Daniel's smile became even wider.

"I'm not judging you. What I care about, is seeing you grow. The light in your eyes is still there. You did well to keep it. I've seen my fair share of vampires who turned depraved after a point. What was the most worthwhile thing that you noticed?"

Gillian wore a contemplative look and then sighed.

"There are few of those. Frankly, I'm still trying to find out if I'm right, but when you found me I didn't embrace my femininity. I saw it as a weakness. I thought hanging out with the men, as the century I was born in demanded, was the only way for me to find happiness or validation.

But I was wrong. Throughout the life I've lived I've met some super cool women who've risen from the burrows of life and made history in less that a quarter of the time I've been alive.

I guess what I'm saying is, I recognised that women have strengths that men don't and the opposite is true. Embracing myself as I am helped me get through my 'phase'.

And basically you guys are overrated."

Daniel finally laughed, much to Gillian's delight.

"That's good, sister."

"Yeah," she said. " Can I ask my own question now?"

"By all means," Daniel replied with a slight smile.

"Why won't you help us search for this guy? Why are you so hell-bent on avoiding a Progenitor so badly? Cole really needs you right now. We both know what's going to happen when Margaret wakes up. Cole will be heartbroken or worse," she said with a look of concern.

Daniel kept his smile and looked at the table cloth. He grabbed a napkin and held it tight.

"I'm afraid," he said.

Gillian was shocked.

"Afraid?"

"Yes. Afraid. Afraid that following this path will force me to take four centuries worth of steps backwards. I've done everything in my power to move on.

The memories of when we were turned do nothing but bring me grief. It was the start of a pathetic life that I slowly moulded into something I could control. It's best to continue enjoying life as it is."

"And what exactly is this enjoyment you talk about? I can hardly get you to laugh, brother. Isn't what you taught me that life is about discovering new things, meeting new people and finding love?

I can already tell you haven't been doing any of that all this time. Find a girl and hook up, instead of having a few flings here and there. Move on from your past with Lina."

"I wish it was that simple."

"What makes it complicated then?"

Daniel sighed and clenched his teeth.

"Because I was cursed," he said.

"W..what?" Gillian shrank back. "Cursed by who?"

"Her mother. Lina's mother."

"What? Was she a witch or something?"

Daniel smiled bitterly.

"No."

"..."

"Sister. The greatest curses in this life are the ones that have nothing but a voice and emotion backing them. They aim for nothing more than the soul and break it."

Gillian was confused. Before she could ask, the waiter brought their food.

"Now, then. Let's eat," Daniel said with a smile.

***

Cole was still sitting on the lounge table with a solemn expression as he stared at Margaret, who's eyes began twitching as she slowly began to wake up.

Cole took a deep breath and swallowed some saliva. It was time to make a decision...

Margaret slowly opened her eyes. She was a bit confused and her senses kept blaring like sirens.

She saw that she was on a couch, and in a blood stained top and sweat pants. The blood stains jogged her memory, and she started to panic.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a figure sitting on her table with a serious face, gazing at her.

Her mind tried to work out who he was for a few seconds, and then...

Cole...

Cole Malborne..

Cole!

She instantly backed away from him, making the couch slide backwards. She was panting heavily with her eyes wide open.

She still remembered the last thing she saw and heard before she blanked out.

Cole rose from table, hands in the air in order to make sure she settled down and didn't consider him a threat.

"Relax, Margaret...its just me," he said in a low voice.

"You..... you," Margaret said stammering.

"What...wha.. What did you do to me?! You did something with my neck! I...I.. only remember you and ....blood! What the hell is going on?!"

Cole sighed and put his hands down.

"I know. I snapped your neck so that you would calm down. You were freaking out. We need to talk about this," he said.

"Talk? Talk?! I can hardly concentrate on my hearing and the pain in my chest is eating at me! What the hell is going on?!" she screamed as she fell from couch, clutching her chest.

Cole hurriedly ran up to her and lifted her back onto the couch.

He took a deep breath and spoke.

"You were turned into a vampire tonight..... It was too late when I arrived and when you woke up you were screaming and crying.... I couldn't handle it so I... did what I did."

"A what???!"

"A vampire."

"Cole... what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"As we speak you're actually able to hear the precise frequency of my heart beat."

"W...wwwha...How...wait-"

"You feel so thirsty... and the picture in your mind right now is of you ripping apart my neck and sucking my blood.."

"No! That's not ....wait!-"

"You're feeling a pulse of strength in your bones that you can't help but want to let loose on anything you see... Am I right?"

"I...I ..." Margaret started to break down. It was all true. All she could think about right now was blood. Finding some poor soul to suck it out from.

She couldn't believe it.

Before the immense thirst, her morals were shattered like they didn't exist. She wouldn't give seven fleeting sh*ts if she killed someone right now... as long as she could quench her thirst.

Tears ran down her cheeks. She couldn't believe this was her own mind. She couldn't believe that this was happening to her.

'Vampire?! No way... I must be under some drug that's screwing with my mind right now! What the hell is he talking about? Is he messing with me too?' She thought as she tried to stand up.

Cole was heartbroken seeing Margaret like this. He was really beginning to regret not killing when she was out. But that would have been selfish.

He only ground his teeth as he saw the disbelief in her eyes.

From under the glass he table, he took a wine glass and extended it to Margaret.

It was filled with blood.

"You don't believe me? Tell me you don't feel like devouring this glass whole," he said.

Margaret stared at the glass and her vision changed..

Her pupils became blood red and her whites became pitch black. Her vision became so focused that she could only see the wine glass in Cole's hand.

Her ears picked up the almost imperceptible sound of the blood colliding with the glass.

It was freaky.

The smell of the blood assaulted her nostrils and she grew savage for it.

"You still think I'm lying to you?" Cole said.

Margaret pulled herself away, her hands shivering vehemently. She looked like a drug addict stuck in a rehabilitation centre.

"Why.... why... What would...why is this happening to me?" she murmured in a broken voice.

She then realised something that she had missed and looked at Cole with shock and asked.

"How do you know all this??! You know everything I'm feeling like... You are.... you're a vampire??" she asked with a perplexed expression.

"Yes. I am," Cole replied.

Margaret's breathing became hastened and she slowly started to digest everything.

"It was my fault that this happened. Someone from my past returned and hurt you instead of me... he's the one who turned you... I'm sorry," he said.

Margaret did not know what to say.

Her world view had been flipped in just one night.

One second she was preparing to have her boyfriend over for a date, then she felt weak and lost consciousness, then that boyfriend of hers suddenly snapped her neck when she woke up and then told her that he and she were both vampires.

There was no letting such a thing slip easily and just accept it.

"This is your fault?? You're sorry?" she said with a forlorn expression.

She suddenly stood up and walked towards the door. She walked briskly, intending to go home and just lock herself in her bedroom.

Cole followed after her.

"Margaret, wait! If you want to leave that's fine, but you have to drink this blood first, or you'll die!" he said.

Margaret ignored and powered through the pain she felt as she rushed towards the door.

Cole rushed up to her like a flash and grabbed her shoulder.

"Please wai-"

Before he could finish, a punch smashed into his face with great weight and power!

He was caught off guard by Margaret's suddenly speed and the force of the punch made him fly across the room and hit the wall with a heavy impact!

Spider web shaped cracks were left on the wall after Cole slammed into it, and he lay on the ground, his hand on his face as he groaned.

Margaret was shocked by her own strength. She felt a surge of power in her hand.

In one moment she almost rushed over to Cole to make sure he was okay, but then she remembered all that had happened and shook her head in frustration and left the house.

She kept shaking her head as she walked on the street, trying to clear her mind.

The sensations she felt were still getting stronger and she felt them overcome her bit by bit.

As she walked she saw a young man approaching her with concern in his eyes. He was half a head taller than her, with blonde hair. He wore a blue shirt and dark pants, approaching with a his hand extended.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked, looking at her top.

Margaret was confused at first, but then she looked at herself and saw the blood staining her clothes.

She was about to reply when she felt the sensation in her chest grow. It influenced her senses, making her hearing more astounding.

She heard his heart beat and also the flow of his blood.

Her eyes turned red, and she started to breathe slower, her visage looking like she was in ecstasy.

Instinctively, she wrapped her hands around the young man's neck and stared deeply into his eyes.

"Uuum... miss...what are you..."

He didn't get to finish. He saw a pulsing wave flow from Margaret and into his face, making his mind turn sluggish.

He became docile, as Margaret slowly touched his neck, feeling the sensation of blood that passed through, warm and thick.

She breathed slowly and began to open her mouth.

A quick shadow darted and held her back.

He saw a few people in the street, some watching what was happening between Margaret and 'blue shirt guy'.

(A/N: Wink. Free guy reference).

Others were already recording videos with their phones. This would definitely be great content to post online, with titles like 'The blood witch and the innocent dick head that fell for her' or 'Paranormal Love'.

Cole raised his right hand and waved it lightly.

Everyone on the street looked at his hand, and they immediately paused like statues.

"You will forget what you just saw, delete any footage you have recorded and walk on back home," Cole said and snapped.

And just like that, everyone on the street, resumed moving, others stopping the videos from running and deleting them.

Then they all began walking away, including the guy who had walked up to Margaret.

Soon, the scene was clear and the night became dead silent once again.

"What....How did you do that?" Margaret looked at Cole and asked in awe.

"Mass compulsion. A perk of being a Royal Vampire. You compelled the guy with the blue shirt unconsciously. You need blood," he said and then looked Margaret in the eye.

"Look, I know I messed up. I should have just left you to live in your beautiful world. It was my fault for thinking I can love you without implicating you into my own dark and bloody world. You can hate me all you want. That's fine. But, you have to live long enough to do so.

I can't allow you to publicly feed on a human. Drink the blood I offered you so that you won't die. Then I'll teach you the basics. After that you're free to do what you want."

Margaret kept looking at him.

She was still uncertain about all of this. Confused and angry.

But if she was really dying, then perhaps she had to listen to him.

She had her emotions and thoughts to sort out, but from the looks of it, her symptoms would only get worse.

"Fine."