Midnight Shadow

Chapter 10 - Compromise

I tried to stay out of their heads as much as possible. I knew Mrs. Hill was alive and that Mia wasn't going to hurt her. Not just because I was there but because Mia's family was the most important thing in the world to her. I wondered idly about what she would want to talk to me about. She obviously wanted to say something.... and she wanted me to respond in a particular way. To have an answer or an opinion or something, other wise she could just think it. She didn't know when I was was listening of course but that didn't really matter. I felt restless for a moment and suppressed the part of me that still screamed in my head to kill the young vampire girl in the living room with the closest thing to a mother I'd had in five thousand years. It was getting easier.

It was one in the morning and everyone was asleep... Well all the mortals were anyway. I sat listening to Mia creeping towards the gazebo. I had the strangest feeling of apprehension as she approached. I wasn't calm, which I could understand, but I had no ill will or intentions at the moment. I realized that I was feeling Mia's emotions. She was nervous about something... I studied her closely.  I could see her just as easily as I could a human in the mid-day sun. It was strange and something else.... pleasant? no, that couldn't be right... comforting? No, not with all the anxiety she was feeling at the moment.

Thanks for meeting me... Her thoughts came to me.

"You make it easy. What do you need?" My voice was harder than I'd intended. A result of the tidal wave of emotions flowing out from Mia.

Ash, Dianne is trying very hard to get me to stay longer. To consider staying permanently.

"Um... ok. Is that a problem?" I responded in a bewildered way.

Well no.... (the waves are getting stronger... real fear was gripping her now)  Not if I can... prepare.

Prepare? What was she talking abo..... and the puzzle piece clicked into place.

"WHAT?!?!" I snarled at her... She wasn't actually asking me if she could... no. She COULDN'T be asking me permission?!?!?

Ash, listen to me please  she pleaded in her mind Do you remember what I showed you last night?

"Yes, of course" my voice was till menacing, threatening her with involuntary snarls. I fought to control them but the fear she was washing over me wasn't helping.

Ash, I haven't killed an innocent human in 300 years and that was an accident. But I AM a vampire Ash; you know that. If I am going to stay here much longer... I... I need.... I need to feed.  Her eyes fell and the ocean of fear changed. Suddenly, instantaneously... she was ashamed. A soothing calm rippled through me.

Ash, remember what I showed you... the murderers, the rapists, the abusive, the predators of children... these are who I seek. I can't live on animals for very long. I will need to feed... soon.  Another snarl ripped through as my nature overtook my mind for the briefest of moments.

"What are you saying Mia? You want my permission to take a human life???" I spit at her through clenched teeth.

She drew in a soft breath. "Yes....please" looking down the whole time. I felt her embarrassment, her disgust with herself and something else very small. Some strange desire I couldn't understand. Not a blood lust, something different and almost pure.

Ash, listen to me please. No innocent human will be harmed. I'll find a criminal, a vile disgusting plague on this community. I'll make it quick and painless. He'll never know and there will be no evidence. But Ash.... the stronger I thirst the harder it gets to maintain control. Animals around here are fine for a while but spending so much time with humans is taking it's toll. Please Ash, I'm begging you. What ever you need from me to prove it I'll do. It'll be a blessing on this town if I take some of the wretches I came across while traveling here.