Page 56 of The Vampire’s Prey

I slide to the side, so I can see her face. Her brows are knitted together in a deep frown.

"What makes you think that I do?"

She looks up at me, her eyes wary. "I mean, you're a vampire. By definition a monster. You prey on innocents for their blood.”

She looks down in wonder at her leg and runs her finger along where I cut into her. Already the angry gash is nothing more than a faint line.

Grabbing her tightly into my arms, I rest my chin on the top of her head and close my eyes. How can I truthfully answer this question when I struggle with it daily?

"Monster may be too broad a word. Just as there are bad humans, there are bad others. Just like you would not paint the entire human race based on the actions of serial killers, you cannot base your opinions of us based on the actions of some that are evil. Have I killed? Yes. But, I only kill in self-defense or in defense of another. I take no pleasure in it. I do not relish it. I do not find glory in anyone's death.” I grip her even tighter. “You asked about my armor. I was turned by a samurai as repayment for saving his life. As such, I have adopted many of their codes and ways of living. For me, all life is sacred, including mine. If you encroach on that sanctity, you are forfeiting that sanctity. It’s in the best interest of others that you are removed from the equation.” Her body relaxes against me, and I wrap my arms about her. "Not all vampires agree with me, and everyone must live by their own code. While living over in Asia, I was introduced to many ways of thought. I kept what fit and discarded what didn’t. I don’t subscribe to any one religion or way of thought. Instead, I find the idea that live and let live works the best for me."

She squirms in my arms, making herself even smaller in my grip. "So then monster hunters are the worst types of people then?"

Chuckling, I kiss the back of her head. "Some yes. Some destroy lives without taking care to even learn about them. They see or hear a monster story and go on a rampage, leaving innocents in their wake.” I shudder and burrow my face into her neck, careful to keep my lips and teeth away from her throat.

"I have seen the horror and destruction left behind by some so-called hunters. The poor bastards that were killed were not even other forms of beings. They were human. They just had the unfortunate luck to fit the type. Come. Enough of this sad talk.”

I lean her forward and ease out to dry off. After I finish toweling dry, I help Evangeline up and towel her down as well before setting her down on the closed toilet seat. Her poor face is still scrunched in thought.

"Why all the deep questions?"

Sticking out her tongue, she stands and grabs the towel I used on her and wraps it around her body. Growling, I tug it from her and toss it on the floor.

"I have already seen you naked, woman, you need not hide your delectable body from me."

Smiling, she strikes a sexy pose. "Who says I'm hiding? I'm cold, dang it all."

"Then we must remedy this!" Laughing, I scoop her back into my arms and carry her quickly through the house and back to her room. As we near the bed, I turn her in my arms and toss her over my shoulder to free my other arm. She laughs and kicks, struggling to be put down.

"Unhand me you brute!"

"Very well, miss.” Without giving her a chance to catch her breath, I toss her down onto the bed. "Consider yourself, unhanded."

Giggling, she shimmied under the covers and pulled them up close to her chin. "Ahhh. Much warmer."

As she settles in, I make my way over to the dresser across from the bed and pick up a small stuffed bunny and bring it over to her.

"This may be forward of me, but I saw the look in your eyes when I gave Marion a stuffie. I figured you might want one too."

Tears prick her eyes, welling up as she reaches for the bunny. Smiling, I hand it to her and go around the other side to climb into bed with her. Clutching the bunny tighter, she rolls towards me and rests her head on my chest.

"I'm so sorry," she mumbles half into my chest, half into the bunny."

"Whatever for, princess?" I smile down at her, stroking her hair.

"For being so mean to you."

Laughing, I clutch her tighter. "My dear, you are not mean. Bratty, oh definitely. But I have ways to fix that.” I tap her nose and pull the covers back up around her shoulders. "But right now, you need to rest."

Nodding, she lays on me for several minutes until her breathing finally evens out. I hold her to me for as long as I dare before I have to make my way to my chambers for sunrise.

9

Simon

The filthy bar crawls with degenerates all humping and grinding against each other. Lewd and crude. The very idea of my pure Evangeline working in a hell hole like this is enough to make my blood boil. I never question Father or his teachings, but I still feel he was too hasty in letting her go to this iniquity den with so little training. Just because she’s hot doesn’t make her the perfect candidate. I should have gone in the first place and cleansed this whole town. From just stepping foot in here, I know her intel is way off. She reported two or maybe three vampires. So far, I’ve counted at least five. And those are the ones I can see. There is no way there aren’t more of those damn bloodsuckers hiding in the shadows.

"What can I get you?"