Blood Magic

Chapter 9

November 5th, 1:00AM

Leon's POV:

After leaving our house, I stayed a couple nights at a cheap motel on the edge of the city. I knew it wasn't necessary, but I needed to give myself time to make a game plan, and I needed space away from Milo. My instincts told me that I needed to do this on my own, which was something I wasn't used to. Since I had first gotten with Milo, we made all our decisions together, big or small.

While I wasn't sleeping, I spent the past couple days wandering aimlessly in the sunlight. It had been overcast, occasional rain splatters providing me some much-needed shade. It didn't technically bother me like it would a vampire, but after living in the night for so long, my body was unaccustomed to the large quantities of sunlight that shone through easily during the day. I chose the daytime to hopefully avoid Milo better, but also to avoid other vampires.

At night, I found myself often returning to the same place. Just on the edge of town, there was a huge, Victorian-esque mansion. Gargoyles sat on the porch, seemingly watching over the property. The curtains were perpetually drawn, blocking the outside world. I would sit just out of sight, waiting to see any signs of life or movement coming from inside. Once, I saw the drapes flutter, but they didn't properly open. In that moment, I felt my heart begin to race, my eyes seeking out him. My brain warred with these feelings.

Milo, thankfully, hadn't found me yet. I wasn't sure if he was searching, but I simultaneously hoped he would and wouldn't. I recognized the fact that I missed him, and I wasn't even remotely upset with him or anything of the sort, I just needed the independence. Even if I was just searching in circles for that other vampire. Wandering the same spots would likely make it easier for him to find me, but I was drawn to this mansion, and there wasn't anything I could do to keep away.

So, I sat in my car, trying to fight the urge to drive back to that mansion. My eyes flicked about, looking but not really seeing. I wasn't sure why I kept fighting this. I had told Milo I was leaving so I could stop, but my mind was still at war with itself.

While I was drowning in my thoughts, I started the car, driving away. Subconsciously, I knew what was going on. Subconsciously, I processed the scenery change before my eyes. Subconsciously, I processed the prickling of my skin and the quickening of my breath. My thoughts began to race again, continually flicking back to images of the vampire from the club.

I mulled over the possibilities of my actions, and pondered the consequences. The splattering of rain against my skin made me refocus. I actually saw the scene in front of me, taking in the beautiful mansion, only partially lit by the outside lights. Briefly, I saw the curtains flicker to reveal a face.

Without thinking, I walked up the path to the door, knocking on it loudly. I waited, then realized what I was doing. Panic bubbled up when I realized I had basically entirely disregarded my plan to leave a note or a letter first, but it was too late. I had been drawn here, and now I was being drawn in.

I don't even know for sure whose house this is.

Quickly, I turned away, starting to move down the steps. I had only taken a singular step when the huge door creaked open behind me.