Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Intermission

"What will we do with her?"

"Nothing. Well, everything, but nothing out of the ordinary."

"How can you say that? There must be something we can do! Think of her parents-"

"I am."

"Then how-"

"And how do you think her family will respond when they hear the news? When they learn that they lost yet another heir? They'll be furious. They better hope one of the young dukes had a bastard they can brainwash."

"But why are they targeting the family anyway? Surely it's all ancient history now."

"Go back to your textbooks, Matthews. Research the Gyran Dynasty."

"The vampire hunters from the Middle Ages? That can't be why, that was hundreds of years ago."

"This is a very old game they're playing, son. One that has no happy ending. And for the Gyrans? Their ending is coming a lot sooner than anyone would think. The Hamilton girl was a long shot, a last chance. That's why they sent her to be trained. Stupid move. It gave away their weak spot. "

"Sir?"

"The Gyrans have lost their touch, boy. They used to breed fighters, warriors, but now? They're scared. No one has had to fight for centuries and that's how they liked it. They set up our department and gave us the dirty work, claiming the laurels for every accomplishment. And the bloodsuckers knew that. This taking of the heirs is just a thumb in the face to the Gyrans."

"General?"

"Yes?"

"Didn't the Gyrans used to have superior strength and skill in fighting?"

"Now you're remembering. Good. I'd hate to send you back to school. Yes, they did. Still do, in fact. Another reason the leeches are getting them. You've seen regular vampires, Matthews. Imagine a Gyran vampire. And if she was double-bitten..."

"So it is true, sir?"

"What's true?"

"About the second bite. That it increases the strength of the vampire?"

"Get the wool off your eyes! The second bite is the clincher. A regular vampire isn't too different from you or me, just about three times stronger, and essentially the same inside. Hell, I've heard holy men preach that the regulars have a soul, like anyone else. And don't forget the looks. Four times as attractive. Five times as attractive as you, Matthews. But when the leech is bitten twice at time of contamination, it changes them. They're bloodthirsty, all the time. They become even more attractive, a sort of baiting technique, but it's a hard beauty. They rely on gang psychology, and they form groups quickly. The leaders are even more ruthless. I've seen fights in the prisons I wish I could forget."

"General?"

"Yes, Matthews?"

"What if the Hamilton girl, along with the other Gyrans, was double-bitten?"

"..."

"...Sir?"

"Pray like hell to as many gods as you can think. You'd need it, soldier."