Sapphire Princess

VII

HOPE

In the past two days since I've arrived at the compound, May has been practically glued to my side. I have no doubt it's to keep an eye on me for Greg. At first, I debated punching her many times. However, the young redhead is starting to grow on me. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have a friend, even if I can't completely trust her.

Yesterday she had given me a full tour of the building. It's much larger than I had imagined and I was right when I said they were running a whole city in here.

Of course, I've gotten many strange looks. I guess hunters can tell a vampire just by looking at them, so that's been fun. I get the sense that many are either scared of me or want to kill me. I much prefer the first.

"So you said you were going to the library to look for Elise?" May questions as she shovels pancakes into her mouth. The cafeteria is crowded this early in the morning and the many voices make it hard to hear May.

"Yes," I almost shout, "I'd like to continue that search." Playing with the pancakes on my own plate, I don't eat more than a bite. Human food just isn't the same anymore.

When I've had to feed, I go down to the garage and sit in my SUV. Everyone is already on edge with me being here and I don't think feeding in front of them would help.

"We'll head into town today. The only information we have here about an Elise is that she bore Jonathan's first child, Nathaniel. They were married at the time, but not long after they separated," May tells me. I cringe at the fact she's talking with her mouth full. Maybe the palace equitique lessons stuck with me more than I thought.

"So her last name was Casper, for a time?" I question, intrigued with this information. If I could find their marriage records somehow, it could tell me what Elise's maiden name is.

"Yes. But you have to remember, if they were married in Roris, you won't find anything about it in the human world," she points out, standing from her seat with her empty tray in hand. I follow her to the trash, discarding my uneaten breakfast, then place the tray on the conveyor belt.

"Is there any way to tap into Roris' database from here?" I ask as we start our walk to the garage. May has agreed to let me drive as long as she gets control of the radio. A small price to pay for the comfort of my own car.

"No, we haven't been able to hack your system yet. You vamps are smarter than you seem," she comments, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

When we reach my SUV, I stop in the trunk to grab a blood bag. Hopefully May won't mind me feeding in front of her.

Climbing into the driver's seat, I see May moving Nathan's flag to the backseat. I watch carefully to make sure she doesn't ruin it in anyway. That flag is my most important possession.

Buckling up, I ignore the uncomfortable feeling of my leather jacket. I was finally able to get a change of clothes, but the wardrobe here is pretty limited. And mostly leather. Slipping on my sunglasses, I almost feel like some kind of undercover agent. I pretty much am at this point.

The drive to the library is filled with cheesy pop music, courtesy of May. It isn't terrible, though. It reminds me of the songs I used to dance to at parties. I really miss college.

Finally pulling up to the large brick building, I'm grateful to see it's actually open this time. Before I get out of the car, I open the blood bag and down it.

"Is that enjoyable for you?" May asks with a grimace. I try not to feel too offended. After all, a few months ago I would have gagged seeing someone drink blood like this.