The Nightwillow

Chapter 2

A new town, new faces. He had come to Sugar Hollow to get away from the city. It had gotten old there.

Things always seemed to be getting old now.

His tired, ancient bones didn't have any patience for the chaos. True, city life made things a little simpler; after all, the greater the population, the easier it was for them to cover up their after-dark activities - not that there ever was much to conceal. He had left behind his messy and impulsive youth long ago.

Sometimes he just longed for the simpler days before he turned, when he was surrounded by nothing but land. There was no traffic, no crowds, no hustle and bustle - when he could get on a horse and not see another human being for days. Now there was no way to hide away in peace without meeting his own death. Living near humans was more essential now that he wasn't human.

Ironic.

Coming to Sugar Hollow, an undecided little hamlet that couldn't choose between being part of the big city or holding on tightly to its country roots, allowed him to enjoy the quiet while not being so far away from his food source. He needed time away from the politics dominating conversations of late. There were too many forces trying to get him to take sides, and he never was a good politician. Everyone kept trying to get him to be a leader on one side or the other.

There was a reason Michael had spent centuries concealing his past. He had no desire to be anyone's figurehead again. The days of taking up the mantle for a cause were long gone, and he just wanted to live like any other blood-sucking vampire of the age. He wanted to run his businesses and make his money.

But that wasn't in the cards lately. He was getting dangerously close to offending all the connections he had by not taking sides in the political sphere. It was far better to get away to clear his head and gain some distance.

So here he was with the one man he could call a true friend. Fitz was a bit younger than him, and they rarely saw eye-to-eye, but he had been there with Michael through the years and could offer Michael a place to stay that didn't require him to pick a side.

Like Michael, Fitz leaned toward being politically neutral, but not because he desired anonymity. He chose neutrality, because it allowed him to grow in power and influence in any number of underworld spheres. Fitz was the politician of the two, and if daylight didn't force him into a dead slumber, he'd probably be Mayor of the small town.

For someone who loved accumulating power, Fitz tended to be affable and kind - which was why he garnered favors from influential people. Michael's friend had a way of making everyone - humans, demons, whatever - feel he was on their side without taking sides at all, a skill Michael envied and derided at the same time. No creature made a move without Fitz being in the know, and if Fitz didn't approve of it, the move didn't happen.

With all of Fitz's connections, Michael knew he would be able to set up business here with no problem. Michael's business dealings in the city were thriving. His burlesque clubs and pubs were welcomed by local fisherman and workers that needed to let off some steam. He had some clubs in the city that catered to a higher class clientele, but as members of society moved further away from the urban areas, Michael needed to follow.

So he sought out Sugar Hollow, where he could set up a quiet business that catered to the high-end and prominent clientele that liked to keep their late night excursions anonymous. They compensated Michael well through favors and other important connections, making Michael an even more important friend to Fitz.

If their friendship hadn't been forged in more difficult times, Michael was sure their relationship would be abusive toward one another. Instead, Fitz was straight with Michael when he needed something, and though Michael had a bit of disdain for Fitz's desire to walk among humans as if he was one of them, he trusted Fitz with his life.