I opened my eyes and blinked as I looked round the unknown room. Pale moonlight seeped in through the curtains and I sat up slowly, wincing as the memories of the night caught p with me.
“Aki……..wait, why aren’t I dead?”
“You sound annoyed.”
I spun round and was startled to see Aki sitting on a small chair next to me. There wasn’t a mark on him.
“How….what…what’s going on why aren’t either of us dead. That va-……that man was so strong. He should’ve killed you.”
“I don’t really know, he was hitting you and I was so mad. Then he went to hit me, there was this flash of light and he wasn’t there anymore. Just a pile of ashes. It was odd.”
Pile of ashes? You know what happens when vampires are killed right viewers? They disappear into ashes. So what the hell has he done???
I cleared my mind and smiled at him, “Thanks, he was really drunk. Just started kicking hell out of me. You saved my life.”
“Well we should really get you to a hospital-”
“No! No I can’t.”
Let alone my changed dna, they wounds would be fatal on a human, plus the not beating heart. Wow the looks I would get.
“I knew it,” He stood up draping the blanket around my now shivering shoulders. I puzzled over this then realised my shirt was piled in a corner with my other clothes. I felt the gauze round my wait.
“Oh, he caught one of your belts. Torn a big gash across your stomach. I patched you up a but and I washed your clothes. Your on the run aren’t you.”
I nodded, it wasn’t a lie. Not fully anyway.
“Yeah, how did you guess?”
“Just did. What did you do?”
“I-I…..” Well the rest of my story was false I thought I should tell the truth for once. “I killed someone, a man.”
He blinked and pushed his glasses up his nose just before they fell.
“Was it on purpose?”
“What? Oh. No. I didn’t mean to, no-one believed me though. He killed my best friend. I went to ask him why he did it and there was a fight. He won but when I tried to escape he fell down some stairs.”
“Oh.”
I didn’t tell him he had fallen on the banisters, one broke off and staked him.
“His father was very important, so I got all the blame. He was going to…..put me away. For a long time. So I escaped, I’ve been on the run ever since.”
“Should I expect police knocking at the door.”
I shook my head, “They gave up it was his special force that has been tracking me. They won’t disturb us, well you.”
He nodded, “Well, luckily I don’t think you’ve broken anything. I’ll get some more supplies from work. Hospital hopefully won’t notice. He walked to the door then turned back and smiled.
“Want something to eat?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I was just doing some toast, you think you can walk?”
“With some assistance yes.”
I gingerly stood holding onto him. I kept thinking though, how come he wasn’t hurt? It did not make any sense. With our combined struggle we made it downstairs where he lowered me onto a large comfy chair in the living room. He appeared moments later and handed me a plate with some pieces of toast on it and sat opposite me. He studied me as I ate and I suddenly got how all the animals in the zoo feel.
“What?”
“Nothing, listen you going to be okay?”
“Yeah, I’m a fast healer.” Little did he know I’d probably be healed up by this afternoon.
“It’s just, I have a club where I DJ. It’s my set tonight and I don’t want to miss it but if you’re hurt……..”
“No, go, go I’ll be fine. In fact, are my clothes cleanish?”
“Well yeah-”
“Then I’ll come with you, what’s the bar?”
“But you’re hurt!”
“Not really,” I peeled back the bandages, as I thought the gash had almost gone. He blinked in confusion then ran his hand over it.
“How…”
“Erm, wasn’t that bad. Really, now what bar?”
He continued staring then shook himself. “Oh, sorry O2. It’s on-”
“Yeah, yeah I know it, you DJ there?”
“The money’s really good.”
“Plus there’s all the half naked guys,” I thought silently to myself.
“What?”
Oh no, did I say that out loud? Okay from his face I must’ve!!! No!
“Er, nothing, sorry can I get dressed? I’m kind of cold.”
“Yeah sure, here.” He chucked the rest of my clothes at me. “The rest are upstairs. Think you can get up there?”
“Yes, I can. Seriously, thanks for all this.”
“No problem.” He smiled and it was like a chorus of chipmunks was singing the hallelujah chorus. God, I must be hallucinating. I yawned and stretched the climbed the stairs slowly. As soon as I was out of earshot I popped a coupe of ribs back into place and pulled my, cleaner than it had ever been, t shirt and pants on. The belts were ripped, however it didn’t seem to matter with them so I looped them around my waist and pulled my necklace from underneath my t-shirt.
“You dressed yet?”
“Yeah I fully clothed and ready to partay!!”
“Seriously no-one has used the phrase partay,” He said using air quotes, “In thirty years.”
I shrugged and laughed looking at myself in the mirror.
“Something’s missing.” He said from behind me, he bit his lip then his face lit up. He rummaged round in his drawers and pulled out a small black pencil.
“Now,” he said holding it up and advancing on me like a warrior on battle, the pencil his sword, “Hold still….”

After several minutes later, and me being poked in the eye twenty two times he finished and left me to admire his handiwork in the mirror, whilst he himself got changed. I walked closer, fingering the dark black lines not wanting to smudge them. I looked good, I got to admit. Make-up was generally not something I’d wear but this…wow.
“Good eh?”
“Yeah, the red eyes go particularly well with it.”
“Hey it was only a couple-”
“Twenty two.”
“Well if you hadn’t move-”
“I’d didn’t-”
“Wait, we sound like a married couple.”
“Yeah, come on deary lets get you to this club thingy.”
“Yeah, “He looked at his watch, “Bloody hell come on we got to be there in like, 20mins!!!”
“You don’t start until 8.00 though,”
“I have to set up!” He said, before placing his palm flat against my back and steering me out of the house. We walked quickly, breath freezing in the open air as bottles were kicked by our feet. It was a small suburb, not fancy but quite nice looking, well kempt. As soon as I saw the steam and smelt the stale air I knew I was in the city, I was home.
“It’s just up here.” He said pointing to a street, I followed his blinking slightly from the large neon lights outside the club. He walked over to the bouncers and showed them a pass they nodded and let him in but as I went to follow he shook his head.
“No, you’ll have to wait.”
He pointed to the end of a large queue and groaned. Thankfully Aki turned round at that point.
“No, he’s with me.”
The bouncer looked at us, me with the eyeliner and him with the peculiar glasses, “Ooooooh okay Aki,”
“W-wait no, not like that!” I stammered as Aki pulled me through.
“Come on honey, don’t dawdle.” He said flashing the bouncer a cheery grin, he winked back as he pushed me in still spluttering.
“Sorry, only way you’d be allowed in. Well unless you wanted to wait?” He said pulling me to the bar and sitting me on a stool. I shook my head and looked out over the dance floor. Couples were swaying slowly in the flashing lights and I looked up at him.
“I gotta go set up, you be okay here?”
I nodded, I was getting worried, I could feel my need for blood growing. I suppose I should explain yet another reason for my exile. I can’t kill people when I feed, I take a bit every so often. From many different people, unfortunately this means I have to feed a lot, one every night. It’s better though, although it means I have to keep a low profile. I sipped my drink and made my way to the front of the dance floor next to his booth. He had some headphones on and was busy sorting out his disks. I watched every movement then blushed when I realised what I was doing, I had to stay by this guy. He fought off an armed officer, a red officer. I don’t know what he did but I’m going to find out. No matter what.
“now ladies and gentleman, and those who can’t decide….” said the cheesy announcer. Aki rolled his eyes at this then winked at me, “We have our regular Mr.Cool, Aki Hakala!!!”
Some girls (and guys) were screaming as he approached the decks and expertly began mixing. I felt the music creep into my body and began to dance. I watched him and he looked up briefly catching my eyes. He was amazing, I was watching and yet again felt my blood desire growing. I had to find someone quick, or I’d go mad. I saw a young girl drunkenly going into the men’s room and grinned. I looked up and when I was sure he was busy I slipped in after her. I found her, head over a toilet. Silently I closed the door to the toilets and pulled her up. Her glazed eyes didn’t even register that I was silently feeding off her.
“Lauri where you-”
Aki stared at me in the mirror looking at the girl’s in my arms.
“No, you- you monster, how could you!” He said as I wiped the last of her blood from around my mouth. I sighed and he ran out. Shaking my head I tracked him through the club and followed him outside.

Several weeks earlier
“So, this dude, he’s what dangerous?”
The General shook his head at the young vampire in front of him. His hair was short and black with just a small black beard at the front, his lip was pierced. But you couldn’t tell by looking at him that this person, this Ian Watkins was a trained assassin.
“His friend, a human is.”
“A human, goody lets play.” Said the girl beside him, her black curly hair hung round her face as she wrapped her arms round him, grinning manically. Her eyes were framed with large black spectacles.
“No, he’s not for playing Cath, he’s for killing,”
She licked her lips excitedly, “Even better.”
“He has powers, or so our sources say. Powers, like hers….” He said nodding to the girl next to him.
“No, I’m special,heh.” She stared at him licking at her fangs.
“No, I’m afraid you’re not.”
“Yes I bloody well am!” She said shouting suddenly and marching up to him.
“Cath, Cath Cath calm down.” Ian said pulling her away. “Come on you know what she’s like.”
“Just because she didn’t know the rule about not drinking blood after a person is dead is not my fault.”
“Yes it is. You didn’t tell her it would make her mad.”
“Then the appropriate thing, would be to end her misery.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“She’s a bloomin liability on this trip and you know it.”
“No,” Ian advanced on him, “Look, this guy is powerful. He has powers, like Cath’s. She could be useful.”
“Whatever.” the general stood up, “I want him gone get it?”
Ian nodded and picked up Cath from the floor, “Come on let’s go kill.”
“Me like.”


I followed him outside.
“AKI! AKI WAIT!”
He turned down and alley and I ran quicker eventually running in front of him and stopping him with my hands. His face was wet and he looked so confused.
“What? Wait for a murderer?”
“No, I didn’t kill her.”
“Well why’s she unconscious, why were you drinking her blood???”
“She was unconscious because she had too much to drink and-”
“He was drinking her blood as he’s a vampire.”
A velvety voice floated put of the darkness and a man stepped out followed quickly by a girl with black curly hair, and black glasses.
I stopped in my tracks and spun round, it was them! The infamous couple that were sent after renegade vampires….Like me.
“Leave us alone,” Aki said warningly.
“Don’t think we will. I want to play.” She said glaring at him. She walked closer,
“Hey, we have the same glasses, ha ha.”
I pushed her away from him.
“Leave now. Before you get hurt.”
“Tough words from a small vampire.”
“Erm, can I ask-” Aki started, I shook my head. I’d tell him later.
Ian walked forward then pushed me over onto the floor. He punched me, but I was up and trading blows as Cath walked round Aki.
“Well well well. Lookie here. Hmmmmm you remind me of someone.” She said peering at him. I swung at Ian once more an knocked him over onto his back and ran over pushing Cath away. She growled and I saw a small yellow light forming in her hands. Then flashbacks of that night hit me as I moved out of the way pulling a dazed Aki with me. Within seconds, Ian had rolled on top of me and was holding me down as she directed the yellow light at me. I screamed as it struck my skin, it felt like fire tracing my skin and I heard Aki shouted throwing himself at them. There was a loud scream and I saw them running away. A small yellow glow was still round his hand and he stared at it in disbelief before collapsing onto the floor. I ran over to him, picked him up and ran home.

“He can do what you can! You’re the only one who can-”
“Obviously not.”
They rounded a corner and a policeman stopped them.
“Hold on, ID please.”
She growled and stuck her hand threw his belly pulling his intestines out and threw him against the wall. Her left hand side stung as she felt the blood seeping into the burned skin on her free hand.
“He will pay.”


You know, what is it with me? I always seem to get people in trouble. I think Aki’s okay, a bit drained maybe. He’s not bleeding. I managed to get him back to his house. Why does the guy have to be so heavy, he ain’t much taller than me but sheez…..I put him on the sofa, he seems to sleeping. God he looks so peaceful, I doubt he will be when he wakes up. From the fluttering of his eyelids I’m guessing it will be soon.
He opens his eyes and looks at me, smiling. I think the nights events hit him roughly three seconds alter when he frowns and pushed me away from him trying to sit up.
“Look, I’m not a monster. I don’t kill people.”
“And I should believe you because….”
“Was that girl dead?”
“No but she-”
“Loo, vampires generally kill….but I couldn’t, I can’t even now. It’s one of the reasons I’m on the run. I got kicked out of the clan. I can’t say why yet, it’s too…” I sighed unpicking the hem on my sleeve. “Painful, but they were sent to kill me. They can’t have a rogue vampire running round. Those two were so powerful, I never thought they’d send them after me.”
“You know them?”
“Well, not personally. I know of them. Everyone does. She’s crazy, should’ve been killed. She drank bad blood and it twisted her mind. If it was anyone else apart from his girlfriend she would be dead but….he won’t let anyone touch her. Sad and romantic but cruel in the long run.
“Wow,”
“Yeah, so….forgive me?”
He sighed then stood. “Yes, but no more feeding off people.”
“I can’t I’ll die.”
“I’ll get you some from the hospital.”
“You’re gonna get sacked.”
He shook his head sadly, “We have ten staff covering a large hospital. We could be stealing x-ray machines and they wouldn’t fire us.”
I nodded and looked down at my feet. I was shivering and I knew I was going paler.
“What’s wrong?” He said concerned by my appearance.
“I, I didn’t take enough from that girl. You stopped me. I, I’m gonna have to go out and feed.”
“No,”
“Aki-”
He stood in front of me, “Feed off me.”
I reeled back wards as he pulled his t-shirt down to expose his neck.
“Go on!”
“Aki, I can’t-”
“You have to. If you feed off someone else I’ll kill you.”
He looked so threatening and I feel the heat radiating from his body, enticing me. I cursed and moved closer replacing his hand with mine and wrapping the other round his neck. I tilted his head to one side.
“I’m sorry.” I said before biting down on his neck. He gasped and winced, balling his fists. I swallowed the blood in my mouth but something was wrong. It tasted, wrong…..there was something else in there that tasted like…Oh bloody hell!!!
I tore my mouth away from him rushing to the sink and washing my mouth out. I retched and threw up grabbing the counter so hard it would break. He ran after me grabbing so tissue and dabbing at his neck. I spat on my hand and rubbed it over the cut and blinked.
“Healing spit. Very useful.” I panted as his cut closed.
“What happened?”
“You’re blood it’s….there is vampire in there Aki. I can taste it alongside your human blood. That’s…it’s impossible, I’m lucky I’m not dead. I think it’s quite dilute so I may just be a bit weakened for a few days.”
He stepped back, “Vampire? But I’m not….I can go in the sun and I don’t want to drink blood!”
“Look, you ain’t a vampire. You’re…I don’t know what you are…..did someone try and bloody you, when you were younger?”
He shook his head, “I lived with my mum until I was eighteen then moved here, no-one tried anything. I never even knew about vampires until tonight.”
Alarm bells were going off in my head as I leant over the sink. Something was definitely wrong. Then it came to me, I shot my head up and turned round. I looked him over, the black hair, the pale skin…..I knew I recognized him.
“Wh-what was your father’s name?”
“Erm, I don’t really know. It was really odd. Blaize or Blaine or….”
“Baine?”
“Yeah that’s it….how do you know that?” He asked me, but I couldn’t answer.
I was passed out on the floor.

“We need a new strategy. We can’t beat them….well him, in a straight fight Cath.”
“I know, I know…..look at the moon though. Can you see the cat?”
Ian looked at her and frowned, “Don’t you mean man?”
“No,” She giggled, “Look a cat.”
He shook his head, he hated it when she was like this. Sometimes she was so clear-headed then she would snap, she’d go on about nothing and be frightened of things that weren’t there. He sat her down as she looked at the moon again. He pulled her hand towards him and bandaged it up.
“It’s that Aki, he has the same power as me. He looks like me too. You think we’re related?”
He scratched his head. “Possibly, but with him there we’ll not even get close to Lauri. He’s like a bodyguard. But a bodyguard with death rays. It’s not possible Cath. We have new orders to kill him too. We can‘t do it!”
“Maybe, remember though, he is only human. He can be killed, easily. We just need to find his weak point….”
They both stared at the floor then looked up at the same time.
“You thinking what I’m thinking?” He asked.
“Yeah,” She said quietly. “It was the man in the moon, not the cat.”
He groaned and smacked his head on the table. “NO! LAURI IS HIS WEAKNESS!!!”
“Ooh, okay then,” She said smiling up at him. He sighed and ran a hand down his face in desperation. It was going to be a long day.


“So when will you be back?” I asked as Aki pulled his uniform into a bag.
“In a few hours. I only have a short shift. I’ll bring you some blood back….if you’re good.” He said chuckling as I pouted. “Just don’t eat everything okay?”
I nodded and slumping down on the couch. I had just closed my eyes went something wet touched my lips, when I bolted upright though, all I could hear was the door slamming shut. I ran a finger over my lips…..had he just kissed me?
I wandered about the house for a long time. I wanted to eat, but this whole ordeal was getting weirder by the minute. I don’t remember if I explained who Blaine was yet. I was in a bit of shock. He’s the leader of the vampire clan! He, the one who despises humans….not only married but had a child with one! I don’t believe it, it Aki hadn’t been right in front of me not three hours ago I definitely wouldn’t. I should leave, get out of his life, but for some reasons unknown to me I can’t. I go to the door and my feet feel like they are cemented into the floor. And this morning, he kissed me. Or did he? I think he did but I can’t be sure, what if he didn’t then I do something…would I do something?
“Okay, I’m home! Fresh blood for you,”
I raced to the door grabbing the bag.
“Can I microwave it?”
Aki pulled a face then nodded as I ripped it open, pouring it into a bowl. I pulled a box of weetabix and mashed it up in the blood.
“Ew.”
“Makes it all crunchy, seriously it rocks.”
Aki rolled his eyes as I shoved it in the microwave then sat down with it, using a spoon I ate it quickly as he stared at his fingers. I finished quickly then sat next to him again,
“About this morning.”
Oh god.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have, you just looked so angelic.”
I snorted, “Me angelic?”
“Look sorry okay?” He looked at me smiling again. I knew I would regret it but instead of saying anything I leapt at him, pulling his mouth to mine in a passionate kiss. His glasses were digging into my nose so I pulled them off his nose quickly. We gradually pulled away, me panting and him just blinking.
“Oh.” He said standing up, “Erm….that was…”
My heart sank and I stood also walking to the living room, “Forget it.”
He shook his head; he didn’t say a word before flinging me onto the sofa and joining me.
“But-“ I protested as he pulled off my t-shirt. He grinned and pressed a finger against my mouth.
“Shut up.”

It was several minutes alter that I was wondering what the hell I’d done. Aki was sleeping next to me; the glasses that had discarded were now on the bedside table. I traced the outline of his face, shocked at the amazing resemblance. I slowly moved from the bed to the window, tucking the covers round him as I went.
I stared at the dark world outside, this was my home. I was darkness. As I turned round the moonlight lit up his pale skin. He was good for the moment I’d only corrupt him. If I hadn’t been so lost in though I would’ve noticed the other presence in the room, it wasn’t until a chloroform-soaked rag was pressed to my face and curly hair was tickling my face I realized what a mistake that was.

When I awoke, faint sunlight was shining on my arm and I howled in pain. Trying to drag the arm away I realized I was chained and I was starting to panic (and go on fire) when a curtain was pulled over the window.
“I guess you don’t like that huh?”
I froze and tried to see the face of the figure in the darkness.
“Ian…should’ve known it would be you.”
He laughed then pulled the curtain open ands I screamed again.
“Now little vampire, we are going to kill you. But if you help us, it will be quick.”
“No, I won’t help disgusting lowlifes like you.”
“Even if it means saving your…boyfriend.” Said Cath stepping out of the darkness. She traced the flat of a blade down my chest the ripped the point downward. I yelled for help as the blood poured down my skin.
“What you going to do him?”
“Leader wants him, I guess you know his father by now. However, if you co-operate fully, I won’t kill him. Just capture him. And your death will be swift.”
I shook my head, then stopped. Aki would be killed otherwise. I couldn’t do it! I couldn’t let him die.
I shook my head as single tear fell down my cheek. The blood loss was starting to take it’s toll on me and as sunlight burst open again, a yell reached my ears that was not my own. I fell into unconsciousness as a pale figure scooped me into his arms.

I opened my eyes, looking at the wooden roof of a building. I sat up again, feeling the stitches in my chest and scratched my head absent-mindedly. I pulled the cover over me and poked the figure lying next to me. Aki groaned.
“What, Aki where are we?” I asked shaking his shoulder. He rolled onto his back, eyes unfocused without his glasses. He picked them up and sighed.
“I rescued you, why? You not happy?”
“What? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? Wait how did you find me.”
He stood and walked away from me, stumbling I followed him finally grabbing his shoulder so he faced me.
“How?!”
“I tracked you.”
I took a step back.
“What?”
“I think, I think my vampire powers are becoming more….I don’t know.”
“Aki…..don’t worry.”
He turned on me eyes blazing. “Don’t worry? I feel like I need to drink blood okay?”
I sat down, “I don’t know what to do…..well there is something we can do…..we could ask the leader of the vampires. His HQ is in Russia.”
“Won’t you be killed?”
“Not if the soldiers recognize his son. By the way that won’t be hard, you are a lot like him. Plus….well you took on two vampires……”
“They aren’t dead, they escaped through some sewers underneath the building.”
“Damn.”
I cradled my still sore hand against my chest.
“Where is this?”
“Old family home, it’s been deserted for ages. We were right by it and I couldn’t carry you far without you bursting into flames.”
“Aah, Aki?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
He shook his head, “No need.”

I knew the road to Russia would be hard. Freezing cold, no place to stop as neither of us had money. But I knew we had to do this, Aki needs to know more about himself. I don’t feel the cold but Aki is freezing. Oh no his lips……
“Fuck Aki, here.” I said pulling my coat around him. The fir trees above us shaded most of the light but I could tell the sun was setting, then it would only get colder although it did mean I didn‘t burn. I was thankful then for the heavy coverage of trees. I cursed inwardly as Aki shivered next to me.
“I can’t feel my feet!”
“We need to build a fire.”
“Have any matches?” I though then crowded triumphantly, pulling my lighter out of my pocket.
“I can’t believe you brought that!”
“Who’s got the dirty habit now eh?”
“Still you!”
I laughed and pulled him over to a log, sitting him down on it. I quickly gathered some firewood and lit it with great difficulty, finally sitting down next to Aki. He shivered even in my large coat and firelight.
“You’re going to freeze. I can survive because I’m a vampire. Even with your vampiric cells it isn’t going to be long before you…before you…”
He nodded and a thought hit me. It wasn’t a very good plan, it would keep him safe for a little longer though….
“Aki…..”
“Yes?”
“I have an idea of how you can stay warm.”
“What?”
“If you had more vampire in you…you’d be okay.”
He nodded, “You mean give me some of your blood.”
“Yes.”
He thought for a moment, pulling the coat further round me then kissed me quickly.
“I trust you.”
I nodded and pulled a small knife from my pocket. I made a small cut on each of our hands then pressed them together. We both flinched as we felt each other’s blood flow through our hands. Then I pulled us apart and dabbed at the already healing cuts. He let the coat fall from his shoulders.
“I’m not cold anymore.” He said, “Thank you,”
I smiled and lent back forgetting my precarious position. Aki laughed as I fell backwards into the snow, I wriggled into a sitting position and he laughed and straddled my hips.
“Why do you like sitting on me?”
“Hmmm……” He said, leaning back in mock thought, “Just do.” He said finally leaning over and kissing me into the snow.

I don’t know how long we were out there. Time stood still, days became weeks and I knew that the small sips of blood from Aki and various creatures was slowly poisoning me. I prayed we would reach civilization soon. I’ve never been religious, so when we did I didn’t see it as a miracle from up above, Plus vampire hello evil.
We approached the small town nearby over the cliff. Moonlight lit the sleepy town as small dots walked up and down the streets. I looked at the shadowy cliff and back to the town. So many deaths here and yet no-one noticed the vampiric members of the public. I could smell them, the air was thick with it and Aki stiffened next to me. I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and walked forward. The snow crunched underneath our feet and I stumbled twice.
As soon as we reached there Aki ran to the nearest bank and subsequently to a café. I’ve never seen anyone eat so much pizza in one go. I nibbled at the edges but I wasn’t hungry for that. I needed blood and Aki knew it. He booked us into a hotel and I took some from a sleeping man in the next room. It was as I was returning to the room I heard snuffling noises. He was crying.
“Aki?”
He lifted his head from his knees, tear stained without their usual black rimmed glasses. He looked younger, vulnerable and I pulled him next to me on the bed.
“I nearly bit someone.”
I flinched and patted his shoulder in what I hoped was a reassuring motion.
“I won’t be a half-vampire for long will I?”
“No, I’m afraid you wont.”
“But I can’t feed on people! Its evil!”
“I feed on people am I evil?” I said turning his face to mine. He shook his head slowly then sighed.
“I didn’t mean that. There will always be a dark side to me and I’m afraid this…this will let it out.”
“Dark side? Aki, you were a nurse for Christ’s sake! You got the Flu after tending to patients, you’ve saved my life many times how can you be evil?”
He was quiet for a long time then kissed me as if to avoid the question. I didn’t object obviously, it was hard to think when his tongue was massaging mine while his hand was…..busy. I should’ve though, that thought haunted me as I lay awake that night thinking.

“So, when do we go to see the clan? Where is it?”
“Where, when why you do ask a lot of questions. We can’t go now unless you want a pile of ashes for a boyfriend and you see those menacing cliffs over there…” I said pointing out the window. He frowned following my finger and nodded, “We have to get half-way up there. He gulped noisily. “We will need equipment and as we are leaving tonight you will have to go….on your own. I don’t want you too just stay out of dark alleyways and be back before sun fall.”
“Yes oh master.” He said mock-bowing.
I smirked, “And you know it. Go on get!” I said half shoving him out the door. He grinned and sped off through the door. I sighed sitting on the bed. He wanted to feed? I just hoped the leader would know what to do, I don’t like him and I’m sure the feeling is mutual. I know something about him however that I can use as blackmail. He has broken one of the three fundamental rules of being a vampire. I cannot talk having broken three but he is the leader. Whilst in the middle of this I must have fallen asleep as I awoke to Aki shaking me.
“Come on move!” He said pushing me half off the bed but in my incapacitated state I completely fell off. He pulled me back and thrust some climbing equipment into my hands. I looked up and caught sight of the red skin.
“I’m going to be a full vampire soon, I can tell. We need to go quickly and quietly.”
“Why quietly?”
“I don’t have much money left. Unless you have hidden money in a bank-”
I shook my head. “Can’t have to move all the time remember?”
He shook his head then smiled kissing me on the forehead, “Just keep your big mouth shut.”
I feigned hurt and shrugged my arm round his shoulders, I leant in nibbling on his neck. “And there was me thinking you loved my big mouth.”
“Agh, we don’t have time for…..that….Lauri stop!” He said giggling as I pushed him onto the bed.

It was a few hours later when we were climbing in the twilight that I started to wonder. Where were all the vampires? There should’ve been more, guarding, patrolling whatever. I should’ve stopped but as we pulled ourselves up to the cliff and found myself staring at some black boots my mind mentally kicked myself.
“Hello boys.”

“I can’t believe you fell for it.” Said a female voice next to my ear. I shot up, I was bound (again why me?) and struggled with the ropes. I looked across at Aki on the left in the same position as me. I turned to the right slowly and saw the leader bound up as well. It was then I noticed the smell. It was like burnt flesh and I looked at the floor. Piles of ashes littered it as pools of blood slowly dried around them. The walls were splashed with blood and I stared at the two in front of me.
“Finally awake? Wondering what happened to your kinsmen? Well the leader didn’t take to kindly with having a mortal children hybrid linked to his name.” I opened my mouth but she interrupted, “Yes, even I could see the resemblance between Aki and our leader there. The resemblance is uncanny. Whilst mine, as I am female is more a passing one don’t you think?”
I growled at her but she smirked slightly. Her clothes were stained with blood as were Ian standing next to her. She clicked her fingers and some more vampires crept out of the darkness. Then she turned away and shut the door on us, leaving us in the dark.
I turned to the now conscious leader and then looked back at Aki.
“I know, the likeness is uncanny.”
I nodded, “ How could you?”
He turned to me and shrugged, “Do what?” He said nonchalantly.
“You know exactly what! You disobeyed one of the rules Master.” I said, spitting the last word out with contempt.
“I am the master, I’m above them.”
“And look how it turned out! You’ve got two half-vampires with extraordinary powers. One a crazed lunatic and the other…. Well, got to admit the other isn’t bad.”
“Indeed.”
“Why’d you do it? I remember everything. It was approximately –1°c, there was….there was a spider on the windowsill I remember everything about the night you killed him!” I shouted suddenly breathless, “I remember hearing his screams and running and running, I never made it because of your stupid guards! I had to listen to him and it’s all because of you!”
“ You knew what would happen, you knew the price!”
“And yet you do it and get off Scot free!”
“The reason you were banished was not because of your past lover Eero, it was because of your murder!”
“I did not kill him, he fell. Look, he saw me crying and wanted to know the reason. We fought, he fell the end. If you hadn’t betrothed me to him then he wouldn’t have been jealous!”
He hung his head slightly, “Do you not think I don’t know I did wrong?”
I looked across at Aki and he raised an eyebrow.
“I know you love him.”
My head snapped back.
“If you hurt him….”
“Why would I? He could be our only hope against her.”
Catherine slowly walked into the room and raised an eyebrow.
“You two being chummy? Wow I never thought I’d see that! Are you two plotting against me?” She said standing in front of the leader. She grabbed his hair and forced his head upwards. “I can’t have that.” She said tightening her grip. He looked over at me, sorry evidently written in his eyes. Then the head fell to the ground and I winced as cold blood splashed my face.
“We are sister and brother. Twins I believe, I had to kill most of your friends. The leader organized them to attack me! The indignity of it all. They weren’t hard to kill though. Some were even intelligent enough to follow me. Of course seeing as though Aki shares the same powers I will have to kill him.”
She walked over to his unconscious body. I struggled with the bonds as stared at him. With a flick of her wrists she untied him and threw him across the room. I heard a snap and I hung my head. No-one would’ve survived that. I saw a trickle of blood on the floor and hot tears sprang from my eyes. I blinked and hot rage sprang up to replace them. With strength I didn’t know I had I broke the chains and leapt at her. Ian stood in the way yet again and I felt strong hands pull me of him. I shrugged them off and pushed the offending vampire backwards. I turned round and snapped his neck. I recognized him. Ian…something. I’d been his friend whilst he was here. I didn’t think of that. All I knew was that Aki was dead. Yet again I leapt at Catherine and was intercepted by Ian. I pushed him off and punched him in the stomach. The anger gave me such strength that I knocked him out. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a knife. I stabbed him, over and over again until my hands were red and he didn’t move anymore.
“You killed him!” She screeched pushing me out of the way and tending to her fallen comrade. I looked at the injuries I’d sustained and ran over to Aki. I checked for a pulse…
“AKI!” I shouted hugging him. He groaned and I let him down again. He sat up and with my help slowly stood. He took in my bloodied attire and the room around him slowly.
“What happened?”
I shook my head, he didn’t want to know.

“Where are you going?” She screeched. She threw me against the wall and I felt my arm break. Her and Aki were standing to nose to nose.
“You going to do it? Kill your sister?” She said. He looked at me and I recognized the fear in his eyes. He was scared to death, but then he shook his head. He pushed her away, golden light shining from his hands. She screeched then returned her own beam. On and on they battled until their beams met and an explosion of light filled the room. I heard them shriek then their voices fell to a barely audible murmur in my ear.
“I don’t want to kill you!”
“Why? Afraid?”
“You’re my sister, I can’t….”
She cackled and I cringed as Aki’s scream echoed round the cave.
“Look, I don’t want to do this. But you leave me no choice…..” He said before she screamed and the light disappeared. They both stood shaking slightly, then fell to the floor. I ran over to Aki, his pulse was not there and I sobbed pathetically. I pulled his head to rest in my lap then turned to look at Catherine. She too was still and I looked at Aki again. His eyes were glazed, glasses broken at the side. A trickle of blood dribbled down his chin and I swept it away with my hand. As I watched the crimson flow an idea struck me. I raised the knife and cut my wrist, the metallic blood dribbled out and I flinched. I brought my wrist to his mouth and watched as it fell into his open mouth. His eyelids flickered and his body convulsed. He sprang forward, leeching onto my wrist and sucking the blood away. I forced him off me and he lay there panting. Blood smeared his mouth and he looked at me.
“Why?”
“I’m sorry, it’s selfish but I couldn’t let you die Aki.”
“I’m a vampire then.”
“Yes.”
“Immortal? Have to feed on humans? Live in the night.”
I nodded sadly, I’d cursed him. He laughed and then sat up. He pulled me to him and nuzzle into my neck.
“So I get to spend eternity with you huh?”
I froze and nodded, “Only if you really want to…..do you?”
He brushed my hair out of my face and nodded.
“I love you.”
Blood pounded in my ears and bit my lip absent-mindedly.
“I love you too Aki.” I said before claiming his lips in a kiss mixed with the tangy taste of blood and him.
I’m an outcast no more.


Epilogue

Lauri and Aki climbed down from the bloodbath and followed a trail to a lake. They tripped and washed in the cold water, not felling it. Lauri dried himself and they lay all night in each others arms. As the light of dawn hit the trees above them they stirred and Lauri led him to a cave.
“It’ll all be okay Aki.” He said going forward.
“Yes, it will.” Said Aki, his eyes glazing black and the iris’ disappearing.