Hidden Acres

Chapter Four

             He grunted at the sight of the drained grizzly bear hidden in the shadows of the forest. Removing his Stetson, he slid from his horse and stilled his body as he searched for clues. His mind honed in on the scent and presence he recognized despite the years that had passed. Growling in frustration, he looked back towards the herd of horses frolicking in the late morning sun. What had happened? 

           His mind could sense the use of force the bear's brain had endured at the hands of Gideon and explained the attack he had felt on the protective field last night. He hadn't bothered with investigating until now, knowing he would find evidence of what had transpired despite not having witnessed it. Usually, it was the prints of bears or cougars he would come across as none were daring enough to attack the jolting sensation they felt more than once or twice. 

               Years ago he had perfected the ability to protect his feeding source with just the use of his mind. He was able to project a type of force field around whatever his mind had deemed important enough and provide protection at all costs. Even against other vampires.  It had further developed and the force field had taken on a mind of its own as he watched the rippling affects move through the herd. They would protect each other and stand together against a threat, acting against their nature but still in full control. 

          Their free will was still present but their minds were strengthened by his connection to the herd and their fight response was initiated instead of the flight. His bloodhound senses recognized a new, foreign smell that belonged to the new trainer as he remembered first meeting her. He knew she liked to come out and look out over the heard on her night rides but she had never ventured closer than the hill above them. Why had she come down? 

         Had she seen the grizzly and thought to protect the horses. Had she witnessed the interaction and thought it odd. Dammit, this was why he didn't like newcomers. They were too curious for their own good. He'd have Lawlor check in and see what he could find out.

            "You hoo! I see you came down to investigate little Miss Rosy's escapade." Mara came trotting over on Blue, her smile wider than he liked. It usually meant trouble.

              "And what would you know about it?" Clint asked as he crossed his arms and looked up at her.

                 "Rosy told me all about it last night. She said some scary grizzly tried to attack her but the horses saved her. She also said someone had been walking down here with a light but I told her she was probably seeing things." Mara jumped down from Blue's back as she took in the grizzly bear, narrowing her eyes at his neck wound.

              "It appears she may have been right. Another vampire?" Mara asked as she walked around the bear carcass. 

              "Yes, Gideon. Aline must be up to something." Clint had met Mara over in France by accident one night as they had both been chasing the same meal. 

              Since that night, they had remained fast friends and had helped each other navigate the world of being vampires. She was a younger vampire by a few decades with different senses than his own but one he greatly respected as they saw eye to eye on things. Their passion that they could successfully live off the land without having to harm one another or humans to survive. 

            While he was amused by what humans thought of vampires in their books and tv, one thing they had wrong was not fearing them during the day. Their sensitivity to light was no different than the average fair skinned human. Their skin would warm and redden but nothing that would remain for very long. Melanin had been bleached out by the vampiric change his body had gone through and blood no longer flowed through his veins. Even those with darker skin would notice a change with no shade difference anywhere on their body, only one seamless color without blemish.