BITING FOR TIME

This is a short-story series.


Copyright 2012  MT Writer
(a.k.a. S.A. Grant)


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(c) 2012 S.A. Grant
(a.k.a. MT Writer)

Story is marked as "unpublished" and not listed in Smashwords Premium Catalog.


Most recent editing/revisions uploaded on 03-18-2013.

Vampire Glossary

Bloodbold - blood addiction that could jeopardize and expose the vampire species
Dematerialize – to physically disappear
Materialize – to physically appear
Matuphase - cycling from prematurity into an adult vampire male
preveems – teens 
show your teeth – to be brave; show bravery  
tooth-flash – to give notice; to warn; a warning; to admonish to stop
tundrav - vampire family dwelling; home; a lair
tvarmigan - vampire attire 
vampathic ability - vampire sensory perception
vampkinetic ability - vampire telepathic communication 
vamplings - young vampires
vampryn - a female vampire
vampstyle – vampirish; vamp-like
VIV – very important vampire  
vymmla - mother, guardian, caretaker



THE VAMPIRE SECRET
I've gotta a secret
And I really need to keep it
    I know you'd love to know    
But it's best you let it go
You should just surcease
Cause I've said, I'll not concede
I will not reveal
The secret I conceal
For this is MY secret 
And damn well will KEEP IT!
******


Chapter 1


What began as harmless teasing turned ugly between the preveems. Kave was rammed into the corner. His head jolted back from contact with the solid surface.

"Go ahead, say it again!" Raylen challenged.

Their attention-drawing conduct garnered agitated glances from passers-by, but Raylen pursued his target. Kave's pummeling was a long time coming and way overdue; plus, some shit just stops being funny. Raylen only cared about dragging Kave's lanky frame back to the tundrav. He'd take full responsibility for the raucous behavior if it came to that, but didn't look like anyone else would be getting involved.

Stunned into delirium from head-snapping whiplash, Kave still jerked and pulled to get free of Raylen. He felt like his head was submerged in thick pollutant smog, and as he attempted to spin around, Kave's face was punished yet again. He was getting battered while his opponent's confidence grew, but he wasn't giving in.

Raylen maneuvered to encircle an arm-clamp around the vampire's head, and then proceeded to drag Kave down the middle of the corridor. The vamplings were forbidden to use their preternatural abilities so as to not cause irreparable harm; nevertheless, the crunching blows were still punishing and no less painful.

Out of stubbornness, a trait inherent to vampires of all ages, Kave just didn't give a damn about his splitting headache. He fought on or tried to. He was conscious, still, and that counted for something. His long black hair, wildly tossed and entangled, swept the ground having lost its binding tie. He also lost his shirt, but he was hot anyway; plus, had he thought of it first, he would have ripped the damn thing off himself. Right now he needed to buy a little recuperation time because although his eyes were open, Kave could vaguely distinguish the familiarity of his surroundings. The brain smog was handicapping his sense of direction, which is a crippling disability for his kind.

"Sure, I'll gladly say it again," Kave pestered.  He stumbled about—all tangled in his opponent's legs trying to match Raylen's long strides. His balance was so poor with Raylen yanking him along that he pretty much crawled. When he reached up inadvertently to swipe at the blood trickling from his nostrils, he almost caused Raylen to come crashing down on top of him.
"Your vymmla is a disgrace to us all," Kave repeated while wiping the blood on his hand against his abdomen. "She shames the Bitten Race."

Ok. That did it. Raylen lifted his leg, balanced his weight and then came down forcibly whacking Kave's kneecap. The patella's break was loud and immediate upon impact, and Kave hollered out in excruciating pain. It was one thing to bad-mouth his sister, but interjecting remarks about their vymmla turned Raylen into a bone crusher. Fuck the rules!
"When we are no longer vamplings, I'll remember you said that," Raylen threatened.
With fatigue setting in, Raylen visibly strained, but he still robbed Kave of his initiative to resist; in fact, Kave was haltered like a grazing horse led to pasture. They had been at it long enough for an intervention of spontaneity to occur, but no one got involved. There was plenty of teeth-flashing going on, but not much else. 

Raylen proceeded down the ornamentally cemented corridor, passing up rows of ostentatiously displayed chambered lairs. He couldn't wait to reach the non-affluent split-level sector. His vymmla's tundrav paled in comparison to the vanity going on here in Kave's spot. The VIVs occupied the bottom-most boundaries for seclusion preferences—they all claimed. The truth is that their choice of depth centered on a desire to maintain barriers between the privileged and the insignificant; and second, in case of human invasion, the infiltrating contamination would be limited to the topmost levels. 
As far as Raylen was concerned, there wasn't enough dirt in the ground to bury the selfish as deep and far down as they needed to be.

Both were huffing and puffing uncontrollably by the time Raylen reached the clan chamber. He called out to his lair sister. It took him several attempts, but he knew she was inside. No doubt she was too humiliated to appear, but Raylen had discussed this with her time and time again. She had to stand her ground against her tormentors. On his fourth attempt to coax her out, Rhetha emerged from the narrow opening. The supporting crowd made up of Kave's bloodkin and other clan preveems began jeering at her once she appeared.
"Hey thing, where ya been?" someone shouted. Laughter erupted from the rowdy group. "Need your lair brother to stick up for you?" a male hollered. "When you gonna show your teeth?" asked one pretty preveem rumored to like Raylen.

Rhetha looked around, observing many familiar faces. Honestly, she really had no friends among the Shadow Species. It was times like this that she regretted her decision to stay and consequently, equally responsible for exposing her older sister to the cruelty of the vampires. 
Rhetha felt a slight hiccup in the air, which meant someone was coming. It was funny how she could do that; apparently, being around vampires was really affecting her mind.
A second transformation began taking shape right beside her. Common sense told her that it could only be who she thought it was. The tingling at her nape was further confirmation. The faint form began to visibly shade into a familiar silhouette. Yep, it was Flameryll, Noema's vampling. Okay. Not a surprise, but uncomfortable and awkward as hell.

Kave clumsily got to his feet with difficulty. He had to support much of his weight on one leg because of his busted knee. He wasn't quite the chatterbox he had been before Flameryll's arrival.  
Raylen chuckled as he noted the change in Kave's expression. That shut him up, he thought to himself. He focused back on Rhetha and gave her a subtle nod.  
She came forward, hesitantly, but she knew she had to demand an apology from Kave.  It was time for her to come out of her shell. Things would never change unless she did. At first, she tripped over her words a bit, not quite sure how to go about insisting on a vampire's apology.  Frankly, she wasn't the assertive type. Meek but nimble were accurate terms to apply. Forcing another to offer an apology was totally not her thing.
Her clear green-eyes met Kave's stare. She gently cleared her throat.

"Tttt-ache. TTTkkk. T-take back what you said about me and my vymmla," Rhetha stuttered.
Kave, having glanced back over to meet Flameryll's silvery peepers, decided to do the right thing all of a sudden. It wasn't going to mean much anyway, he promised to himself. His truce was temporary.
"I take it back," Kave said, laced with a lot of "whatever" attitude.
"Tell her you're sorry, too, and that it'll never happen again," Raylen directed.
Kave wasn't ready to say all that. He was just sorry for now, not forever, ever, and ever.
"Say it!" Flameryll shouted.  His outburst caused the lanky vampire to jump up, coming down on his crippled knee. Okay, it really hurt now, and Kave sure didn't want to end up flamed-to-a-crispy.
"All right," Kave complied. "Never again," he said, with each uttered word labored by great reluctance.
"And I'll remember you said that," Flameryll replied, taking the liberty to speak in place of Raylen.  He didn't bother to look at Rhetha. He was just as stunned by his own outburst as everyone else was, but equally fed up with the bullshit as much as Raylen. His lair sister deserved some respect, and he was going to start making sure that she got it.  No time like the present, either.  Now that he was coming into his own, it was time to start making a difference.  Flameryll casually lifted an index finger towards Raylen in a "here if you need me" gesture; he then disappeared right after.  
On that cue, the jeering group, that had been quieted, began dispersing quickly.  Kave hobbled along with them.

*****

Raylen felt oddly unsettled as he watched Kave and his loyalists depart. The curious grew more impatient, and Raylen didn't think his off-and-on-again friendship with Kave had very many "on" settings left. This battle was over, but the ensuing war could be hell. He and his bloodkin were in a precarious situation, and this made him anxious that his Matuphase would not begin soon enough. Fameryll was already advancing from his prematurity phase, so a lot would fall on his shoulders initially.
Meanwhile, Raylen had an inbred knowledge that something catastrophic was about to happen and instinctively, he knew to continue to delay the inevitable as long as possible. Kave would definitely factor into the big picture, a puzzle piece he wasn't sure how to engage as yet.
Raylen breathed in deep. One thing at a time, he coached himself.  It took only an appreciative glance at Rhetha to seize his roiling emotions.  How very beautiful, indeed. The paleness of her complexion was an enticing aphrodisiac.  She didn't even know it, did she?  Her skin's supple veil accentuated every exquisite feminine curve.  She didn't have to make an effort.  Rhetha was flawless.  It made no sense what spurred Kave's disgust in his lair sister.  Ultimately, the dolt was probably more interested in marking her some day, but he wouldn't get very far with that at all.  Raylen swallowed a half-crooked smile.

"I told you, Rhetha, you do have friends here," Raylen said, as he approached her.
"You're going to have to do more of that—what you just did, if you're gonna get any respect around here."
"They know," she said to him.
"No, they think they know," he corrected.
"We'll never be accepted. We're putting all of you in danger."
"Let us worry about that," Raylen said with equanimity. "And believe me, we're not."
"But if I don't start demonstrating real—and I do mean real, vampire-type stuff, this charade is over."
Raylen gave her a quizzical look. "You know, believe it or not, sometimes you do do vampire-type stuff."
"Yeah, right-right," she responded flatly.
He had to laugh and she joined him. Her dimples stood out whenever she smiled, but especially when she laughed. Her fake, darkened hair made her no less attractive, and her natural green-eyes rounded out her disguise quite nicely. She passed as a vampryn.
"How did you know Flameryll was going to show up?" he asked her, interrupting the laughter.
"A lucky guess." She wasn't going to admit it, not even to Raylen, but she had some kind of creepy connection to Flame.
"But we didn't rehearse it," Raylen went on. "It could have been vymmla showing up."
Rhetha shrugged her shoulders.
"How did you know?"
"Okay, don't make a big deal of it, Raylen."
"See? This is what I'm talking about. You're always so quick to deny that it very well may be possible that you've acquired some vampiric capabilities."
"What...through osmosis?"
"Yeah, we can call it that if it makes you more comfortable." He was impatient now.
"I'm sorry," she offered. It wasn't her intention to get under his skin. She glanced down at the concrete beneath her, shifting her weight to the opposite leg. Her arms were crossed in front of her. She was ashamed to admit her addiction to the blood she was being fed and couldn't stop craving. On top of that, he did ask a good question. 
"I just knew it was him, okay?"
"Right. How?"
"What can I tell you, Raylen? I just knew that's all." Now she was uncomfortable and really didn't like being pressured. "And how did you know who I guessed it would be?"
"Hello? I'm vampire... read your vibe." Raylen stepped back somewhat disgusted, putting some space between them. "You need to hone-in on whatever that is and start figuring it out, because you sure need a better answer than the one you keep giving me."

*****

Too defeated for words, Rhetha didn't walk in behind Raylen. They were all inside though. It was feeding time, too. Rhetha started pacing. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but Raylen's suspicions were her own. As far as she knew, she was a young child when Bellamy, whom she affectionally calls "vymmla," agreed to take her in. Her human name is ZoElla. She was the first to arrive here before her big sister, RoHellen.
Bellamy was gracious enough to keep them both, which was dangerous to do and completely against vampire law. All the while, the plan was to send them both back, topside, once their injuries healed. But nothing's ever simple anymore.
The story—at least the one she was told, was that a vampire named "Deathino" had brought her here. She was told that she was nearly dead having sustained a near-fatal injury from a vicious vampire attack. She got separated from RoHellen during the chaos.
Her memory only plays back bits and pieces of the event, but she knew the truth when she heard it. She was counting on her memory to some day fill in the blanks, and she would stop having to rely on Bellamy's account of the events—

Sensing movement behind her, Rhetha paused suddenly in mid-thought. She whirled around unexpectedly, surprising Flameryll judging from the look on his face.  He just stared at her, frozen into speechlessness.

"Oh, it's just you," she said casually.
"Damn, Rhea! There's absolutely no way you could have heard my steps," he said with amazement.
She shrugged. She didn't like being called Rhea, but Flameryll was the only one who persisted to use that name. She didn't tolerate it when others did, though.  But she did sense his approach this time instead of her usual nape tingle.  Hmm.  Duly noted.
"So ah, I just came out to let you know that your meal is ready."
"K, thanks."
"Are you becoming so lazy that the word "ok" is too damn long?" He joked with her trying to fill the awkwardness between them with some chatter.
She pinked.
"Ok," she said clear and proper. "While you're out here, I guess I should thank you for helping Raylen out a little while ago."
He shook his head, sort of-kinda laughing. "Kave is major tooth pain." He looked at her sheepishly. "I wasn't exactly out here trying to help Raylen."
Rhetha's throat constricted. Talk about speechless. When her throat opened up, she squawked out an embarrassing: "thank you, lair brother."

Flameryll didn't let the "brother thing" slow his roll. In vampire years, he was maturing much faster than she was. She noticed it, too. He caught her stealing peeks at his muscles when she thought he wasn't looking.
"Lair brothers have their duties to fulfill."  He purposefully stressed the word.
Rhetha looked away, embarrassed, but then she glanced at him and noticed Flameryll was enjoying her discomfort.
"Well, your arrival sure did make a difference," she assured, flashing dimples as she spoke the words.
His tone grew serious. "You didn't need me, Rhea. I know that once you set your mind to something, you have no human weaknesses.  You would have stomped Kave's vampire ass."
Her blush was a little more reserved this time.
"I came out here to watch," Flameryll added.
Silence crippled the conversation.  Had she stopped breathing?  Realizing what he just said, he started blushing too. Apparently, she didn't have a response for that "watching" part. Oops.

"Well?" Idamae shouted, poking her head out from the narrow chamber entrance of the tundrav. "Are you two gonna feed or what?"

This is one time Rhetha welcomed her big sister's annoying shrill.  She looked over and caught Idamae's amused expression.  Humph..., Idamae snooping on us?

"Hey." The affection in his deepening voice drew her green back to his silver. 
"It's getting dark topside." Flameryll paused making sure he had her undivided attention.  "Vampires will be on their way up. Don't stay out too long," he cautioned, fading into transparent form, but never breaking the connection from his eyes to hers. 
"See you inside," he added vampkinetically.
Rhetha startled. She thought she heard his whispered voice inside her head as he disappeared, but that was impossible. She needed to inhale and take a moment.
"I'll be in shortly," Rhetha called back to her sister. Her head was spinning. It was the first time both she and Flame ever did the flirtation-thing, if that's what this was? Mostly they teased one another bout' inconsequential stuff, but never breaching the imaginary threshold constructed between them.
Wow. Had it always been that simple? she asked herself. Okay. Wait a minute.  What just happened here?

Chapter 2
Bellamy's Secrets


Every new night, Bellamy suffocated from the weight of her own impatience, and it gnawed her hollow from inside out. Anxiety-ridden, she twiddled her fingers habitually in an evoked-response stimulated by the contemplation of her bloodkins' catastrophic predicament.  She yearned for guidance from her dearest friend, Noema, whose vampling was now in her care.

 Oh, well... she sadly mused.  It felt like her grief had balled-up and settled within her throat.  She was grateful to be situated in her lair within the tundrav, away from the young within her charge, alone, held captive by her thoughts.  
As she subconsciously twiddled, the vampryn's yellow eyes shimmered with tears that glistened like topaz crystals. In silence, she thought of the emotional pit she dug that held within it the receipts of damnable deceit.  Could she continually thwart excavation of her deception?  Some passing nights, when realization crept upon her, she masterfully battled-back its intrusion with repugnance and contradiction; however, no matter how temporarily appeased...., still burdened by her secrets.   
Bellamy allowed her thoughts to stray back to a night that can never be undone; the last time she saw Noema.  That night, against better judgment, both Bellamy and Noema visited the First-Family lairs of the Vamprantton Masters.  On this occasion, only one request was made and regrettably, Bellamy invited Noema to accompany her upon Noema's relentless insistence.   
At the time, it was of no matter to Bellamy; Noema had frequented the tundrav many times before, and alone.  The Vamprantton Masters were always welcoming of course, but their intermingling was shunned upon by societal norms.  They all knew the consequences, but as they were regarded as a "lower class" among the vampryn species, Noema and Bellamy took the greatest risks.  The consequences of their decision-making left Bellamy alone now, consumed by episodes of wakeful nights with a compulsion to avenge.  But there was too much to hide and even more at risk; thus, a painful lesson learned for Bellamy now that Noema was gone.
 
Bellamy swiped at her teary eyes as she became more emotional, this time thinking of the humans in her care.  In the moment, she somehow gained searing clarity of Rhetha's vulnerability.  The epiphany overwhelmed her with worry and assaulted her courage. She was afraid that Rhetha was becoming dangerously ill:  Bloodbold.  
Bellamy seized with a hard shiver as she thought about it.  Punishment for vampires with the Bloodbold disease is decapitation. What would they do to Rhetha, her adopted daughter?  She could only imagine that a human with the Bloodbold disease would meet a fate worse than death.  It would be a tormentous end for all three of them, most probably to include her beloved Raylen and even Flameryll.

 "Oh no," she uttered softly.  She inhaled to hold back tears.  No! Not now. 
Exhaling and shutting her eyes, Bellamy willed for composure until her sullenness dissipated.  Once able to refocus, she stood up to maneuver in the dimness, avoiding one small candle emitting a sorrowfully pitiful light.  
 She was left without choice, but responsibility became a great equalizer.  Bellamy internalized it as her duty and so set her mind to corral all fear, so that the weight of responsibility pulsated within her like a spawning stimuli.  In a new fearless mindset, she was compelled by responsibility, as the clan matriarch, to protect her mixed family at all costs.  Of course, there were uncountable dangers for a vampryn leaving the subterranean chambers to venture into places of human habitation, especially with all other Shadow Species influxing topside.   I will persevere, she subconsciously declared.

 Bellamy dressed in a traditional, velvety black, floor-length, tvarmigan garment that swayed and brushed against her ankles when she walked.  As she pulled the looping tassels together, she sensed for the weight of her small blade concealed underneath her clothing.  She would use it against her own kind if she had to.... anything to protect the secrets.  The task was heavy upon her and the urgency real.  She hoped not to get caught up in the throngs that could delay her purpose.  In her absence, Idamae had reassured that she would look after Rhetha while she was gone.  Fortunately, Flameryll was in the early stages of his maturity cycle, phasing from a preveem into a powerful vampire.
  If only Noema were here, how proud she would be to witness it, Bellamy thought to herself. 

 Idamae's voice disturbed Bellamy just enough to pull her out of her reflections.
 "Vymmla?"  Worry punctuated Idamae's inquiry for it was her third attempt to get a coherent response from Bellamy.  
"Vymmla, you're still here and not topside.  Have you changed your mind about the water?"


Chapter 3
Oh, Brother


Flameryll was relieved to see Rhetha walk in.  He had another annoying headache, too.  To get rid of it, he knew he would have to go to his lair to escape the glow of the burning candles.  It was his intention to do just that, but now that she was safely in, it was hard to leave her.  Rhetha was irresistibly appealing to him in a ....well, a vampire way.  He, a preveem transitioning through the Matuphase, was harboring an irrational compulsion to mark a human?  The absurdity wasn't lost on him and yet, there was no denying his craving for her.  His boldness was becoming harder to restrain when she was around.  
Flameryll also felt a great need to guard her each time the sun downed. It was not safe for Idamae and Rhetha to be out amongst densely packed groups of over exuberant vampires headed topward. It is characteristic of his species to keep bloodkin safe.  And with his vampkinetic senses revved up as part of the Matuphase process, Rhetha had her own personal security guard--little did she know.  Flameryll couldn't help but feel that there was something more to this magnetic field other than just her attractiveness anchoring him to her.  The "why" of it is something he couldn't explain....yet.

As Rhetha entered the tundrav, she caught a glimpse of Idamae's back, most probably en route to see vymmla.  
Good.  She didn't like the way her sister stared at her while she fed.  Flameryll and Raylen were less conspicuous about it, but she knew they were monitoring her, too.  There wasn't much privacy to be had during feedings, so she was really happy to have her own lair--uh, room.  Interestingly, human homes were not that different from this, Rhetha thought, if you didn't mind living in the ground as opposed to on top of it and.... just little things like that.  
The darkness and cool temperature took some adjusting to.  Initially, Bellamy strategically placed a few small candles around the tundrav making it easier for their untrained human eyes to adapt.  Rhetha's vision sharpened much faster than Idamae's did; in fact, the candle flames were useless to her and pretty much gave her a headache.  She could see just fine; on the other hand, she didn't feel the need to tell anyone, especially not Idamae.  
The fact remained, being here was one-hundred times better than being orphaned in a graveyard by bloodkin.... um, by their human parents.  She never wanted to leave here, which is why she cried her heart out to convince Bellamy to let them both stay. That was the night she became the recipient of a compassion she longed to experience from a mother to her child, but sadly it came by way of a vampryn. Bellamy did not orphan them and strangely, this felt right.  She couldn't explain why.  It just did. 

"Rhea, are you gonna just sit there?"
She looked up into the mystified expressions on Raylen's and Flameryll's faces. She couldn't help but to roll her eyes. "My feedings sure are taking on lots of interest around here," she quipped.
Flameryll didn't know where that was coming from, but Raylen did.
I had a talk with her after Kave and his gang left, Raylen admitted in a private mind-lock.  
Flameryll fought the urge to look at Raylen. He didn't want Rhetha to know they were discussing her, but she probably figured on it.  He shielded the connection just in case she attempted giving eavesdropping a try.  What kind of talk?
Really, it really wasn't anything... really, Raylen said.
What kind of talk? Flameryll insisted, noting the triple fondness Raylen had with the word "really."   
Like I said, there wasn't anything specific that I mentioned.  I hoped she would come clean.
I haven't heard you say anything, yet, Flameryll countered. And did she?
No. 
Don't pressure her, Raylen.  She's capable of coming to the realization on her own.
I don't think so; she needs help.  
Nothing's been proven....
She needs help.
....don't pressure her, I said.
I'm not pressuring her, dammit!  I'm helping her, like you should focus on doing instead of trying to....
Trying to what?
....mark her! 
Isn't that what you're trying to do?

Noticing the rigid movements of Raylen's body, Rhetha faked a cough so that both he and Flameryll focused back on her.  
"I hate interrupting you two, but I want to remind you that we all have an agreement about not talking about me unless I can hear it."
"We were going over the incident with Kave, that's all," Raylen told her.  
Rhetha didn't buy it, but she accepted his answer.  
For a brief second, she felt Raylen's piercing stare on her back.  Did he really know she had a problem?  When Raylen began fumbling with the book that was in his reach, she nervously sat back down. Rhetha selected her favorite spot, the one that gained her a quick exit.  It wasn't always this way, but lately she had a feeling of dread whenever it was mealtime.  
She fumbled with her cup and almost spilled its contents trying to disguise her trembling hands.  The aroma was hypnotic. She fought back the urge to consume the blood too quickly.  The portion she was being given just wasn't enough anymore.  With trembling hands, Rhetha tried to set the cup down gracefully, but the blood sloshed around.  
Her cup hit the table surface with a humiliating thunk.  Stinging perspiration began forming under her armpits. She shifted in her chair trying to disguise her tremulous legs, wishing she were invisible.

Raylen looked at Flameryll.  He was tired of pretending that the obvious wasn't obvious.  Rhetha's awkward control around blood spoke volumes.  It was a sign to him, and should be to Flameryll, that Rhetha was in peril of becoming Bloodbold, if not already diseased.  

Told you, Raylen said, inside Flameryll's head. 
Flameryll deliberately disconnected Raylen while simultaneously shielding his next words: I hope you can hear me.   

 
******
(Idamae is checking on vymmla's departure)

Bellamy hardly registered Idamae's approach.  The girls were forever perfecting their ability to move about by controlling their vibration pulses.  It seemed that Idamae was purposefully manipulating her rhythmical signature just now, and it was definitely impressive.  There being limitations to what humans are capable of and all; Idamae's training was on the right track.  
Of course, much time and effort continued to be invested into teaching the sisters the ways of the vampires.  Flameryll and Raylen were against it at first, but now stayed on top of the girls' lessons.  Together, they all rehearsed secret code words and gestures to play-up and play-out to camouflage their human inability to possess true vampkinetic gifts.  It was working, especially when the girls were in the company of scrutinizing vamplings and such.  How terribly it would all end, if deception were discovered.  
With Bellamy continuing to concoct blood-water mixtures that Idamae and Rhetha consumed, it kept suspicions manageable.  For the time being, no one was capable of fully detecting their humanism and as long as they avoided crossing paths with a master, everything was all right.  Bellamy pledged to shield them as long as possible, dreading a day that will come when they express to leave.

Bellamy watched as Idamae rocked back on her heels with worrisome impatience.  She plastered on an inviting smile, beckoning the young closer.  With masterful poise, Bellamy gracefully opened her arms out wide.  Idamae's broad smile seemed the perfect remedy to re-infuse the matriarch's fickle confidence.  On cue, Idamae walked over and nestled comfortably in Bellamy's embrace.
Idamae loved hugs even though it was a tough thing for a tomboy to admit to.  If only her human mom would have known this about her... perhaps things would have been different?  Idamae reflected and sighed.  She was never a tomboy until she experienced graveyard living with other unwanted people.  Things were working right up until the vampires came; nevertheless, she felt forever indebted to the ones that ultimately spared their lives.   

"What of your sister?  Is she in?" Bellamy had only to sense for Rhetha vampathically, but she limit the use of her vampiric abilities so as to not impose on the girls' privacy.   
"She was right outside the tundrav when I spoke to her last.  She said she wouldn't be out long."  Idamae pleasured in vymmla's enveloping warmth.  She clumsily tried to free one arm to push-up the loose hair-ring from releasing and cascading hair into her face.  Peering out one eye, she was resigned to appreciatively focusing on the cleanliness of Bellamy's private space.  Idamae noted a particularly weak candle burning a short distance away.  She no longer had to rely on the candles as often as she once did.  It was a strange thing really, but Idamae never dwelled on it.
Rhetha was still out?  Bellamy gently probed.  "You haven't said anything to upset her, have you?"  
"Nope.  Looked to me like Flameryll accomplished that all by himself."  
"What!" Bellamy couldn't hide her alarm.  She had meant it as a question, but the tone of her voice was rushed and tension-filled.  The last thing Bellamy needed was for Rhetha's feelings to get the best of her.  Flameryll and Rhetha did a lot of verbal jostling and teasing that sometimes ended badly.  Bellamy knew that, right now, Rhetha needed to maintain an even temperament.  Emotional acrobatics could prematurely trigger the Bloodbold symptoms and clearly, Rhetha was already displaying signs of susceptibility.

Idamae pretended not to notice the startle in Bellamy's voice. 
"I think Flameryll must have said something to her because Rhetha's face was all red," Idamae casually clarified.  "Not an angry red, but a blushing red."  
The clarification, she hoped, would make things better, but she immediately became aware of Bellamy's trembling arms.  Idamae tried to transmit reassurance through an affectionate squeeze.  Bellamy seemed to need a hug more than she did; after all, vymmla had been making more and more unscheduled topside returns.  The stress of it was obviously becoming increasingly difficult to mask.  Anyone would begin to frazzle at the ends, including a vampryn under these circumstances.
Bellamy was smuggling water through the vampire portals.  The danger of her being caught frightened them all.  What would a vampryn be doing with water?  No explanation would be adequately appeasing to the vampires and certainly do nothing to dispel the unsubstantiated rumors already rooted and growing like wild weed among the clans.  
There were rumors that Bellamy had a human lover because she was topside more than any other.  They said she was a disgrace to the Bitten Race.  She could be severely punished for her indiscretion, but nothing had been proven.  Additionally, the First-Family Masters had to give the order and none would, for complicated reasons, Idamae was told. 

"Vymmla, why not go another night?  We'll do fine without the water for now."  Idamae tried to sound convincing.
"You both have hit a spurt of some sort—which is a quite odd, but what do I know..., really?"  Bellamy's voice trailed off. 
Idamae chewed a smile.  Vymmla rolled those R's beautifully.  Rrreally; Spurrrt.  "We feel useless when you go topside, alone, just for us.  Isn't there a way I can help, vymmla?" 
"You volunteer to watch over your sister.  This is always enough when I'm gone and the most important to do." 
"Rhetha will be fine.  She's not an 8-year-old anymore."  She was trying not to sound frustrated.  "Please, vymmla, let me help?"  

Bellamy loosened her arms and brought her hands up to rest on Idamae's shoulders.  She never ever thought of it before, but maybe, just maybe there was a way.  A human with water was not an oddity.  Plus, there was another place Bellamy had to go and it had nothing to do with gathering water.  It was risky, unsafe, and a bad idea for a vampryn.   Potentially, she could expose the Shadow Species if she got careless.  This trip was really all about helping Rhetha before it was too late; but in fact, Bellamy knew it was much more about trying to save them all from exposure.

"Idamae, there is something else I have to do.  Something I've never done before."
"Then you should take me. I'm not afraid up there.... up top. You don't have to do this alone anymore."  
"The human dangers of it—" 
"I lived in a graveyard with my little sister.  I know what danger is!"  

By now, Idamae was on the opposite side of the lair.  She didn't mean to sound harsh or be disrespectful, or to cut Bellamy off.  She grew up fast exposed to danger.  That place they refer to as the "topside," she lived there!  Her expression tightened.
"As much as I love and respect you, vymmla, especially for teaching us about the vampires, I really don't need a lesson on humans."  She struggled with holding in her emotions trying to remain respectful to the only adult, human or non-human, that ever really showed the sisters any compassion.  But, their human home was a graveyard for damn sake!  Idamae's chest constricted as she relived the experiences over again in her head.  Her face reddened even more.  
"And while we were out there in our new home, I met lots of humans—mostly dead and buried ones.  But I knew humans that were alive, too, the good and the bad ones; the ones that were supposed to love back, but wouldn't and didn't."  She paced about trying to level her irritation and new energy.  No.  Idamae didn't need a lesson on humans.  
"Vymmla, I know people who faked their sincerity and then stole from you; the treacherous kind that kiss you on the cheek and then betray you.  I know humans that take you to a graveyard and then desert you!"  Idamae was beside herself, now.  Her voice had risen substantially.  She did not welcome vampire lectures on human dangers.  
"The most dangerous kind of human is the one that deliberately breaks your heart," she added.  
How would a vampryn know or even begin to understand something like that?  Impossible.  Idamae had personal experiences to draw from that taught her more than she ever wanted to know about human dangers.  And I'm not afraid of any of it, she told herself.
  
Bellamy considered Idamae's request.  At this point, she vampathically assessed her deeply, needing to connect the trigger responsible for Idamae's disobedience.  Her invasion was brief though, just enough to make a determination on how to proceed.  The last thing she wanted to do is to project how much more complicated things really were now.  Just one error would be a thunderous collapse and frankly, her bloodkin's extinction.  Noema was gone, but she wasn't, and really all they've got left.  Sure, everyone has a tipping point, even humans.  
The graveyard ordeal was a painful memory and this was Idamae's fuel: a preservation mechanism fueled by one's own courage to engage and be willing to sacrifice anything; much like Bellamy, actually.  

That's what I needed to see, Bellamy thought to herself.  The fighter.  
The redheaded tomboy still exists under the dark-colored hair disguise.  This is the fearless protector.... the boyish human warrior.   
"Then while you gather the water, there will be some business I must attend to," Bellamy quickly said.  "You must do everything exactly the way I tell you to, Idamae.  Everything." 
"Everything.  Absolutely exact," she repeated with focus-toned conviction.



Chapter 4
Flameryll's Touch


Well, he wasn't apologizing for it, but the silence was inescapable and awkward.  Raylen was right as usual.  It was unmistakable Rhetha was incrementally untethering, he just didn't see why Raylen had to be so fucking blunt about it.  And of course she needed help and will get it—from him.  He was all for it.  It had nothing to do with marking her, either.   He could have left the channel open for Raylen's benefit, but he wanted to see if Rhetha could thread-in vampstyle without an audience.  He hated watching her wriggling in the chair.  They knew she wanted to drink the blood mixture, but mortified to try lifting the cup again, at least not while her hands still involuntarily tremored.  He could tell that she was enraptured by the guesswork and ignoring all other inanimate objects in the room...yeah, that would be him. 
Flameryll tried repeatedly to reach out to her, but mentally she was blocking and probably had no idea she was doing it.  There was nothing he would not do to help comfort her and to get the chance to tell her so.  He nearly gave up, but then Rhetha looked in his direction so outright and sudden that it took Flameryll a minute to realize it.  He glanced over to check on Raylen who was sulking and seemed no longer interested in either of them.  Raylen the pretender, sounded about right.  This didn't matter.  Flameryll casually tapped his left temple.  I hope you can hear me, Rhea.  Try to connect vampkinetically.  I know you can do this. 

Rhetha frowned at the new hand signal because it made no sense.  She shook her head in agitation.  He knew darn well she couldn't communicate back, but there was something different in the way that he looked at her.  The silver shimmer in his eyes intensified and was becoming more translucent.  It had a slumberous quality, she observed.  He never looked at her this way before.  Not with a mesmerizing stare that took her breath away.  Sure, they had the flirty-thing outside the tundrav, but this was distinctly unstabilizing; yet, she could not resist her fixation.  
It made her recall a conversation with vymmla about some vampires having the skill to wield the power of hypnosis.  There was something intrinsic about those that could actually do it, but it was absurd to think that Flameryll—in the early stage of his Matuphase, could accomplish it.  Naah.  One could not deny that his silver stare was intriguing and in fact, his eye-color was much argued over, but she reminded herself that he was only a vampling in transition.  A hypnosis feature was not likely.     

When Flameryll abruptly stood up, Rhetha realized she had lost a modicum of time.  He seemed frustrated at something and as he walked by, Flameryll brushed her elbow.  It startled her a bit and Rhetha stiffened.  The contact erected every tiny hair on her trembling arm and made her loosen hold of her cup.  The residual warmth unexpectedly lingered, exposing an indisputable consciousness of the gentleness in his touch.  As she relaxed, the sensation slowly oozed through her body like blackstrap molasses on an electrified unfurling ribbon.  She shivered from the unadulterated prickling warmth and then even fought the compulsion to turn and track his exit.

Good gosh.   Rhetha swallowed hard trying to keep time with spontaneous hiccups threatening to clip her shallow breaths.  Hold it together, she urged herself.  She feared not being able to recap her emotions from surging out of control and spewing anywhere near Raylen's censorship.  He would probably suspect her undoing to be the blood addiction, and she wholly dreaded the particulars of that conversation.  Although he kept his back to her and engrossed in the book he held, it was doubtful Raylen's inconspicuous behavior meant he was oblivious to her—or Flameryll for that matter.  They knew better. 
She leaned forward in her chair.  These were not the typical overt symptoms that manifested when she fed lately.  No, not at all.  This was a deep and smoldering stir unhinging her self-control and so unnerving, Rhetha was forced to lick her quivering bottom lip.  
All right, it's not the first time Flameryll has ever touched me, she reminded herself.  And with this admittance.... something internally triggered.  Just like that, the rapidity of her heartbeat began to slow upon the mere thought of his name.  
Unbelievable, she marveled.  The spiraling swirl of her emotions came to an abrupt end, too.  Flameryll's name was like an internal salve.  She looked down at her hands and the visible tremors had instantaneously ceased as well.  Rhetha was baffled, but relieved, for now she was able to grasp the cup of blood in front of her with a strong disciplined grip.  Rhetha lifted her meal without the clumsiness that had besieged her initially.  Now, this is what she wished Raylen to witness, but still he hadn't turned around.  Nonetheless and whether he detected it or not, a new catastrophe was eclipsed.  This was good for her.  Rhetha was back in command of her faculties.

"You done?"  
It was just as Idamae suspected.  Raylen was still monitoring things.  
Generally soft-spoken, her reply was almost a whisper. "Yes."  She delicately coughed. "I am," she completed. 
Rhetha hoped he wasn't analyzing her tone because her answer came out softer than she intended.  Just how much Raylen was aware of she couldn't really tell, but still he didn't turn.  Well, that was fine by her.  
She thought of Flameryll who headed for some privacy of his own.  Rhetha sighed with wonderment about what it was that he had done to her...if he had done.... something.... or, if what he did.... was it deliberate?  Wow.  Her encounters with Flameryll were so confusing.  And for her part, she wasn't experiencing the typical fluttering butterflies.  Uh-uh.  The sensation of his gentleness was so overwhelmingly sensual that it embedded deep within her feminine circuitry and took up residence somewhere near her heart.  Rhetha stifled a giggle to avoid interrogation from Raylen—still annoyed and in the room, but as she exhaled a long satisfying breath, she hid a blushing smile. 

******


Flameryll didn't look back.  He couldn't.  He picked up the pace to get away from her.  Disappearing would have worked faster, but around Idamae and Rhetha, these things weren't usually done.  The protocol around the tundrav was to downplay their nature.  He passed Raylen's lair and Idamae's room along the way.  The tundrav didn't seem so compact now; in fact, it felt like the place had just been renovated and that his lair was miles and miles deep in the earth.  The tingling in his fingertips continued to buzz him.  He wondered if Rhetha felt it.  She had too, didn't she?  Her humanism the possible hindrance, but that was the whole issue lately.  It is clear to him that her perceptions are as keen as any vampling's. 

But did vymmla know?  There would be consequences to this, he analyzed.
Idamae and Rhetha might have to go topside.  Flameryll wasn't sure he wanted to see that happen.  On the other hand, it would be impossible to hide Rhetha's addiction from vymmla and Idamae.  He wasn't all that sure of Raylen's intentions, either.  He would be capable of doing so much more for Rhetha when he got back.  How would Raylen feel about that—really, really feel?  Unfortunate as things are, he couldn't deal with this issue just yet; right now, he was near the peak of his Matuphase and had to go away for a short time.  Flameryll hoped the final stage of his phasing would be quick.  Complications prolonged the transition.  It meant he would be away longer, too.  Coming back to find his lair sisters gone was not something he wanted to experience. 

Flameryll.
Vymmla.  Flameryll replied as soon as he heard Bellamy's voice. 
Flammmme...Rylll.
Rhea?
Huh, what did you say?  Raylen questioned. 
Flammmme...Rylll.
 
Flameryll sat in silence.  The voices were crowding and causing signature distortions.  He was certain it was vymmla's vampkinetic call, but then he couldn't tag her signature to maintain the connection.  A sharp pain in his gut made him double-over.  He stopped just short of banging his head on the waist-high table in front of him. 

Oh, shit.  Pain paralyzed him while the voices in his head clashed again.
Are we going to work together on this or not?  Raylen sounded exasperated.
H-heeyy, Raaaylleeen.  Flameryll struggled answering back.
Raylen? 
There it was again, a female voice, but there was no way Flameryll was going to take another guess at it.  He was nearly hallucinating.  He waited.
No, Bellamy responded upon hearing Raylen's name.  It's me.
Vymmla? questioned Flameryll. 
Flameryll, are you all right? asked Raylen.  
Flameryll held off on communicating to allow the pain to ease.  He shook his head at the new developments.  The timing was perfect and lousy at the same time.



Chapter 5
Now What?


 The arduous phase of his vampiric maturation now begun, Flameryll conjured some of the bravery he had compartmentalized in preparation for the final stage.  The crippling pain was affecting his vampkinetic communication and made it difficult for him to recognize his bloodkins' voices. 

Flameryll, what is it?
 
This time he was sure it had to be Bellamy's voice.  Flameryll shut his eyes and concentrated on transmitting his thoughts directly to her.  He grew anxious about the time because he had so little of it.  He knew exactly where he would go from here.  Be that as it may, transporting himself into seclusion was of pressing importance, least he becomes deprived of the strength to do it at all.  Leaving was a lot harder than he anticipated, but it would be only temporary, he hoped.  With no time to spare, Flameryll had to transmit to Bellamy.  He attempted to be resourceful in spite of the onslaught of accumulating exertion, while struggling to touch her with his mind. 

Vymmla.
 
Bellamy tensed upon hearing the abating volume of Flameryll's connection.  Something was wrong. 
I will come to you, Flameryll.  
No need.  This, you cannot help me with, vymmla.  It's time. 
Bellamy understood his words, but the knowing didn't assuage her concern. 
It cannot be now, Flameryll.  Bellamy remained cautious.  Are you certain?
She didn't want to overwhelm him with questions, but Flameryll had just begun the prematurity cycle 17 nights past.  Noema's vampling was phasing faster than any she has ever known, and it was way too soon.  This was another decisive moment when Noema would know what to say and do for her vampling.  Bellamy felt like an incompetent substitute, but wanted to be the best caregiver she could be, to honor Noema. 
How can it be at this time?  Bellamy questioned again.  Be certain and clear. 

His peaking phase would be painful and difficult.  If there were complications such as a deceleration, it could halt the exhaustive process, sending Flameryll back to the initial stage to begin the Matuphase all over again.  Some vamplings suffered to an unbearable degree to transition to maturity, but there was no other way but through the Matuphase.  

I am clear.  Flameryll answered her.  And more certain of this than all other things; it is my time, vymmla.   
A weakness permeated all through his body and externally, his limbs grew heavier.  Flameryll had to go.  
Then there is nothing more to speak of.   Bellamy wisely ended her inquiry.  She knew his time was short.  
Vymmla, why had you called on me before?   
Oh, yes.  It was to tell you that Idamae would accompany me tonight.  
Vymmla, no—   
Do not be concerned with it now.  Be well, vampling.  Return to us anew.  She promptly disengaged from the mental thread.   

Just as he feared, Flameryll regretted the timing of his apex.  He didn't have the luxury to stay back and convince Bellamy to change her mind.  Thereupon permitting a vaporous emanation to pervade his physical form, Flameryll opened a channel to Raylen as fast as he could.      
Hear me, lair brother.   I go to complete my transition.  Vymmla has taken Idamae topside.  Be vigilant.   
It was all he had time to pass on.  Flameryll disappeared. 


******

After receiving Flameryll's message, Raylen really had no time to react.  It was too soon wasn't it?  He used his vampathic ability to attempt detection of Flameryll within the tundrav, but his sensory was met with a prevailing void.  Flameryll had transported elsewhere.  They were all gone.   

What was that about Idamae?  Raylen had no foreknowledge of vymmla taking Idamae topside.  Bootlegging water from topside to the tundrav was distressingly hazardous.  He could not understand why vymmla would compound danger by taking Idamae with her; second, nor did he know how to address it reasonably enough to explain it all to Rhetha.  How do you explain what you don't understand?  Just coming right out and telling her would be the best thing, especially since their absence would be apparent.  Raylen was worried for all of them, but he sure wasn't going to frighten Rhetha about it.     
Maybe he could distract Rhetha by talking about Flameryll.  How much did she care about Flameryll anyway?  It wasn't lost on him that Flameryll mentioned Rhetha's name through vampkinesis.  It was unlikely the two were communicating although with her blood addiction, one really didn't know the extent of Rhetha's capability.  Admittedly, not even he was one-hundred percent certain she possessed any ability, but it would really be phenomenal if Rhetha was some type of vampryn hybrid triggered by the disease.  Neither would keep it a secret from him, so he didn't want to speculate why Flameryll called out for Rhetha in a mind-lock.  Voices and names can get twisted during the critical spire of the Matuphase.  Flameryll was in pain and susceptible to hallucination.  It had to be the cause for the mix up.  In the meanwhile, Raylen vampathically sensed Rhetha's annoyance tick up.  Her impatience was thinning as she endured the irritation of glaring at his back.   

"I wonder what's taking Idamae?"  Rhetha attempted conversation, but very perturbed to still be staring at Raylen's backside.  
"My sister would have been back from vymmla's lair and checked on me two or three times by now." 
"Ah, she's gone with vymmla," Raylen informed.  He placed the book down and turned to face her.  
"Gone where?  Vymmla had to make a water-run tonight.  Idamae only went to see her off before vymmla went up top, didn't she?"  
Raylen couldn't figure any way around the truth.  "Idamae is with vymmla.  They went together, Rhetha.  Flameryll told me," he admitted to her.   
Disbelief halted Rhetha's nerve to speak and with her guard down, Raylen picked up on her confused thoughts.  
"Flameryll is gone, too.  He's begun to apex.  He has gone into isolation to complete the Matuphase."   
All Rhetha could do was stare at him.  She had been told the initial phase would last at least thirty to forty nights and to her knowledge, Flameryll was only halfway there.  There had to be a miscalculation somewhere, but for the time being, she was more concerned for her sister going topside with vymmla.  She was left with Raylen.   
Rhetha looked him square in the face.  "Now what?"     


******
Topside In Merryville
(A vampryn and a human)

 
It was Bellamy's first time transporting a human to the top, an exhibition of betrayal against the Shadow Species.  Well, there's a lot more where that comes from.  Any relationship with humans is the highest form of treason, and Bellamy crossed that bridge long ago.  It's a new secret of forbidden secrets to withhold.  Bellamy was determined to keep their house of cards standing, while simultaneously balancing its new construction.   
Okay.  Here they are now.  She hadn't devised any type of plan for this, but Idamae would be an asset as far as procuring water, thereby freeing her to investigate the real purpose of her mission.  She needed help for Rhetha's blood addiction.  That was that. There was only one place she felt she could get it—maybe, but worth the risks no matter what.  Another looming problem was her appetite.  It was time for her to feed, something she would have to take care of away from Idamae's range of view.  This would be a topside water-run never to be forgotten.    
With her vampryn abilities heightened, returning safely below was among her objectives, too.  Merryville was a perfect choice.  She frequented it on millions of occasions.  Most vampires selected the slow-paced city because of the ease in which they could remain shadowed without detection.  It was also an unsuspecting community of "always too busy" humans.  In a place like Merryville, the Shadow Species just eat and run; nothing can be more perfect than that.  Merryville is also the sisters' former human home.  They would have to come back here one day either by choice, necessity, or on the run.  Bellamy was convinced of that. 
She slowly released Idamae's hand while continuously monitoring the security of their location.  They were more at risk to encounter encroaching vampires than humans.  She sensed for the hidden blade tucked within her tvarmigan.  It was still in place.  Up against another vampryn, she would not need a weapon necessarily.  However, Bellamy was more concerned about tussling with the males of her species.  There were more and more vampires forcibly claiming rights' to feeding grounds to bar other predatory elements from hunting within their so-called boundaries.  A decapitating weapon would come in handy at that point, and especially if she—and Idamae, were caught with water.  
Relieved that they were in a secure place, Bellamy turned her attention to Idamae.

"How are you?" 

Idamae was overcome with dazing exhilaration.  Manifesting from below to topside in a matter of seconds was mind-bending, but she knew it was real.  She wasn't hallucinating by any stretch of her imagination. 

"I'm okay."  Idamae's voice was thin and faint, affected by the whizzing travel.  
"That's quite some hocus-pocus, vymmla."  
Bellamy frowned, not being sure what Idamae meant.  
"We're in a secure place, but not out of danger.  Do you understand?"
Idamae took in her surroundings.  Bellamy had nestled them within the thickets just outside the city limit.  She recognized the familiar Merryville lights twinkling up ahead.  She hadn't been back, topside, in years.  She was grateful to be living below with her sister because it's not like they really had a life upside anyway.  Idamae mind-blocked those memories from coming to the fore.  This wasn't the time for that.
"Just tell me what I need to do, vymmla.  I'll be fine."
"We are only 7 miles from the city. There's an alleyway right behind a merchant who favors placing his overstock in storage out back.  We have to collect several of those flat rubber things for the water."
"Do you mean those hot-water bottles, vymmla?"
"Yes, the rubber things.  I will then take you somewhere to fill them with fresh water; then, you will hide them under your clothing."
"But where will you be?"  Idamae's voice filled with concern. 
"I will not be far.  When I feed, I will have to sever my connection, but I will be near.  Understand?"  
"I do, but I'm not worried about myself.  I am topside, after all.  I doubt I'm in any kind of danger around water." 
"Don't get careless, Idamae, of course you are.  We both are."
Idamae considered the big picture.  Bellamy was going to some secret place, off to do who knows what; plus, the last time she was in Merryville, it was in a graveyard and vampires attacked her and Rhetha.  It was a terrifying encounter and thereafter, they learned of the existence of vampires.  
"You're right, vymmla.  We both have to be careful."
"Ok.  Now from here, we will physically materialize right behind the store in the back alley.  We have six remaining hours til the sunrise; time is on our side."  Bellamy hesitated for Idamae's compliance.
"Let's go get that water," Idamae said, "so we can get back to the tundrav."


******
Heerrreeee..... Kitty-Kitty
(At another location in the city of Merryville)

Kave motioned for the other vamplings to stay hidden in the dense trees and thorny shrubs, protected by long shadows.  He got right inside their heads, vampkinetically, to make it clear he wanted to play with this one by himself; well, just for a little while longer.  Running wasn't going to save her, but he would let her go on believing.  Humans were so optimistic.  Kave sneered as he scented her sweat ornamenting the night air.  He inhaled deep and hard, but it only displeased him more.  His appetite would not be sated until he had her.  Oh, he burned for a taste, but Kave knew how this would go.  Like all the others, the female would keep running until she found some place she felt safe to hide.  In spite her odds, he expected she would not submit. This one was going to scratch and claw to stay alive. 
Well, it was her bad luck to come this way.  He and the vamplings were just roaming Merryville seeking to carve out their own feeding grounds in the competitive Merryville market.  This secluded area offered possibilities because of its proximity to human recreation.  Upon the completion of his Matuphase, he was thinking about coming back here to guard it with the efficiency necessary to warn off other Shadow Species.  Meantime, he was just looking the place over in a strategic sense, trying to gain a perspective.  He wasn't expecting human visitation so soon.  Unfortunately for her, this was going to be more than just a practice run tonight. 

Kitty didn't panic.  The guy trailing her would have to give up soon enough, she expected.  In her heyday, she was an accomplished distance runner.  The fool had no idea.  Where the rest of the posse disappeared was a bit disconcerting.  She wasn't going to be cornered by a bunch of out-of-town juveniles.  This was supposed to be a meditation reliever; a peaceful midnight run passed the park; instead, she was running for safety to get away from the mob pursuing her.  Kitty scolded herself for knowing better than to take a run fraught with assured vulnerabilities at this time of night.  Her decision was the opposite of common sense judgment.  

There were no lights this far out.  The nearest neighborhood was two miles up the road.  Her pursuers were behind her or at least one of them was.  She was against turning around and doing another head-count.  Calling out for help crossed her mind, but Kitty feared the echo would have too far to travel to become audible to people shut inside their homes, and most probably, sleeping at 1 o'clock in the morning.  Kitty's adrenaline surged.  Her chaser was in for a long night; yet, she was still a bit concerned.  She's made bad decisions before.... lots of em.  She hoped she was going to make it out of this one.

Something moved out in front of her.  The darkness made it difficult for her eyes to adjust, but she was still capable of making out the outline of a tall-framed individual. This couldn't be the same guy chasing her.  Was it?  How did he... 
"Isn't this a bad time for a stroll?" inquired a scary voice. 
"It is when you're on my block," responded another intimidating male. 
The second voice came from somewhere behind her.  Kitty held her breath, paralyzed with fear.  Why didn't she hear any extra sounds, like foot-falls pounding the pavement?  Are they running with bare feet?  A myriad of emotions assailed her.  She couldn't think.  She then heard a menacing chuckle coming from the one not more than 8 feet in front of her.  
"Where's the Keep Out sign?" asked the tall-framed male in front. 
"Maybe you missed it...., but, it'll be a quick read after I've impaled it to your ass," said the voice behind her.  
Kitty considered the standoff.  These two weren't from the same gang.  This was just the break she needed to race out in front.  All she would wait for— 
A gust of wind whooshed past Kitty's left ear.  Whoever was behind her was now in front of her.  A struggle broke out somewhere near, but the darkness was playing tricks on her.  Her vision adjusted, but partially, and not by much.  The disputing adversaries were a blur, but it looked like the fight was above ground, like... in the air?  The sounds coming from the combatants were odd and downright petrifying; in fact, she thought she distinctly heard vicious gnawing and groveling and....yelping?  It sounded like a dogfight, but she didn't have time to waste now that there was no one behind her.  Kitty took off headed back home as fast as she could. 

Kave's canines sliced through the intruder's skin.  The blood shot out like a pressurized faucet; evidently, the vampling had recently fed and was ready to re-engorge himself on the female Kave had been pursing.  Both denominated as vamplings prior to matuphasing, the best they could do was beat and bite the hell out of one another.  They were forbidden to go any further than that.  Kave had a vicious bite, and he proved it over and over again.  He tore into the tall male's pale flesh and tendons with razor-sharp accuracy.  He had a lot of pent-up aggression to release stemming from the uncharacteristic loss he suffered at the hands of Raylen earlier.  Of course, Raylen was an acquaintance of sorts, which made one helluva difference compared to this.  Kave needed this though, so he took his time levigating the greedy bastard trying to usurp his meal.  As for the human, the group would track her down in no time.  He'll catch up.  She wasn't going to get very far. 

She ran hard.  Looking back was not an option so long as the discontenting sounds were growing farther behind her.  Judging by how quick she reached the park's official running path, she knew she was moving.  The park lamps were extremely dim and offered little aid, but this was okay because too much lighting made her vulnerable.  Her long heavy ponytail whipped at her back with every stride.  This is one time she wished her expensive running shoes mimicked its television commercials.  

I can go faster than this; I'm Kitty Warner, a three-time champion runner.  
She reflected on the form that contributed to her former success.  What she wouldn't do to regain her champion form just one last time—but she sure was gonna try.  Kitty began shortening her stride to increase her turnover.  She brought her arms in and held them closer to her torso, and swung forward-to-back at precisional 90-degree angles.  She loosened her fists and relaxed her shoulders because running tight was defeating the purpose.  Next, she checked her breathing technique being sure to alternate nose-and-mouth breathing to get the maximum amount of oxygen circulating to her muscles.  Within her mind, she rhythmically chanted: breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out.... 

"Heerrree..... kitty-kitty.  Heerrree..... kitty-kitty."  

Dammit.  She just couldn't win tonight.  Again, Kitty didn't hear any other runners back there or on the running trail.  She was dumbfounded.  And was that a lucky name guess or what?  She was forced into another abrupt stop, but this time she couldn't see the guy.  She did a complete 360 degree-turnaround and still nothing.  

Where the hell....  
Kitty's internal dialogue instantaneously shutdown when she witnessed what happened next, out of thin air.   

The vampire came out of obscuration.  He literally materialized from nowhere.  Right. In. Front. Of. Her.  She heedfully staggered back, trembling so hard that her teeth chattered.  Even with the horrendous dimness of the park light, the first thing Kitty noticed was his sallow, washed-out skin.  He re-positioned his arms casually behind his back, as he began to assess her.  He was nothing like the juveniles she had been trying to escape from.  There was a formidable aura about this man.  His eyes were.... well, they seemed to be glowing.  He was one of them.  She wasn't sure how she knew it, but she did.  This guy was definitely one of THEM. 

For no sensical reason, Kitty became acutely aware of a pressure sensation inside her head, but it was nothing like a migraine.  It felt like a pull or like a suction.  And why did it feel like she was standing in quicksand all of a sudden?  Her body became heavy and enfeebled.  And the man just stood there, with his charcoaled hair groomed against his broad shoulders.  It was him.  It had to be him.... he was doing something to her. 


******
Kave being Kave

Kave watched as the badly bitten and bruised male disappeared.  They had both reached an understanding, of course.  The vampling wasn't going to be blood shopping on Kave's block anytime soon, at least, not without permission.  With that settled, Kave was about to dematerialize when he vampathically sensed Hanoah, Elo, and Drette coming back.    
 "What happened to the female?"  Kave demanded. 
 "We had to let her go, Kave,"  Drette replied, as he transitioned into physical form.  
 "What?  You let her get away?" 
 "Another vampire got to her first, and we didn't stick around."  Hanoah told him. 
 "Older than us," Elo tacked on. 
 "I want that female," Kave insisted.  
 "Impossible and too late.  Besides, I can't take another bite."  Drette then looked over at Elo and Hanoah.  They were all done with the hunt.  "We're going Under.  Are you coming with us?"  It was a dumb question to ask, but Drette did it anyway. 
 "Not yet." 
 "But this area may already be taken," Drette pointed out.  
"I want to know who it is," Kave said and then he disappeared, ready to tangle one more time.


The Matuphase

Flameryll kept with vampiric tradition by seeking to complete his maturation within the ancient subduction domes.  What was inconceivable is that he then selected the most archaic core of the subterrestrial vampire chasms, the Vekliac Stones.  Not many vamplings dared to endure the excruciating temperatures within the subearth; in fact, some of the successful include the likes of Sayten and his twin Deathino.  It is a dangerous choice because the Matuphase was strenuously challenging in of itself; so, to successfully emerge from the depths of the Vekliac would be legendary.  The accomplishment would be the equivalent to magnified reverence multiplied one-hundredfold, according to how Noema described it.  Would she be right?  For amongst the Shadow Species, Flameryll's pedigree would undoubtedly be the most unique to ever be embraced.  
Would he be the recipient of a ceremonial bestowal of masterdom?  Not even he could allow himself to simplify the complexity of his situation.... this, if he were to survive.  Nothing was assured, but hence it was his choice.  Vekliac is his choice and thus, he submerged himself within the cellular cocoon deep in the earth.  The Stones consumed what residual vampling ability he instinctively, foolishly clung to. 
Flameryll curled within the hot and humid domed-space depleted of his strength.  He reflected again on words shared by Noema: wherefore with this end-time comes a new vampiric genesis.  He was fearless.  Anxiety freed him.  He was vulnerable now just like a human, helpless and feeble.  This was a time for reflection and adjudication.  His avowal....

And he grows into his Power....
from vampling to
Vampire.

**************************

Chapter 6
Don't Feed the Vampires

Bellamy was apprehensive standing near the water fountain surveying the park.  Idamae, on the other hand, was more than satisfied with the location.  It looked different in a lot of ways than how she remembered it, but this was the place.  Idamae shook her head as she took it all in with admiration.  Finally, the stingy city of Merryville invested in its hard-working citizens.  She wondered what it took to make it all happen; nevertheless, they really fixed the place up.  It was beautiful or maybe she's just been away too long.  Idamae noted the merry-go-round up ahead and even how all of the swings were functional.  No broken seats or dangling chains.  This place used to be too hazardous for children to enjoy and run around and play.... or for people, period.  Not a stray barking dog in sight!  

"Idamae, I'm not sure about this. Why here?"
"Relax, vymmla, I remember this place."
"That's not the point," Bellamy replied.  
"Well, they sure have done a lot to it, but I'm comfortable here."
"I'm picking up vampire activity; it's vague, but they are out here."
"Vymmla," Idamae giggled, "this park is huge and even more so than I recall, but it's going to be all right."  Idamae dropped the empty water bottles on the ground, kicking up loose dirt and tiny pebbles.  She took another look around.  "It makes no sense for vampires to be where people are not; besides, it's probably against the city ordinance to be out here at this hour.  I'll get the water here."
Bellamy yanked Idamae around and gave her a stern look. "You'll do exactly what I tell you to.  That's the agreement."
Idamae was startled, but remained quiet.  Bellamy's tone reminded her that this wasn't playtime. Bellamy released Idamae's shoulder and was compelled to survey the area one more time. "Did you feed this evening?"
"Yes, I did.  I have had my meal."   
"Good.  It should be sufficient under the circumstances.  A vampire will be able to detect the vampiric properties within your blood cells and shouldn't cause any problems."
Idamae nodded again.  "I drank all of it, too," she assured, hopeful that quantity made a difference.
Bellamy stepped away to give herself space to dematerialize.  "Stay here.  Get the water.  I'll be back."

Idamae watched as Bellamy's silhouette slowly disappeared.  She couldn't understand why Bellamy was stressing.  The whole point of her coming along was to help relieve some of that stress, and she was failing miserably.  
Idamae walked over to the water fountain and depressed the foot pedal.  A thin water stream gurgled up.  Humph, that figures.  They improved everything but the water pressure around here.  Her hearing tuned to some low-flying bats advancing towards her in a wild pattern, causing Idamae to cover her head and duck.  Apparently, they didn't get rid of the bats, either.  
Idamae bent over to separate the bottles, then randomly selected the first to fill.  She uncapped the opening and held the bottle beneath the crooked stream, but the flow was slow and so uneven that it frustrated her.  Idamae remembered there was a water hydrant that used to be out near the huge oak.  It was a good length away, but Idamae felt she could go there and return just in time for Bellamy's pickup.  

Should Have Begged

Upon leaving Idamae, Bellamy invisibly transported outside an old dilapidated building.  It had been some years ago since she had last been here, but it still looked like the same rundown structure she recalled.  Just how the occupant preferred it.  From its outside appearance, no one could tell what was really going on inside.  Before she could approach, she had to disable the lighting situated over the door.  With minimal effort, Bellamy made the bulbs shatter, spitting glass chips and pieces everywhere.  Unexpectedly, the door swung open and an agitated-looking woman, holding a mop, poked her head out.  

¿Hay alguien ahí? 
A cleaning lady, Bellamy thought to herself.  
¿Quien anda ahí?
Bellamy carefully translated the woman's words, who evidently insisted to know who was out here.
"Aqui viven personas y no animales!"
Now that wasn't necessary.  Bellamy was offended.  
The plump woman clutched her crucifix and with a whole lot of attitude, turned back inside.  Bellamy stayed put.  There was something odd about the woman's choice of words.  She didn't feel comfortable revealing herself just yet.  A few moments later, the door opened a second time.  An old familiar face came out and stood on the steps, staring out into the darkness.  It was Delano. 
"Show yourself," the man demanded.
Bellamy came forward and stopped.  She waited to vampathically sense his recognition; thereafter, she proceeded to approach him.
"Bellamy.  Is that you, Bellamy?"
"It is."  Bellamy didn't want him to misconstrue her visit, so she added, "I'm only here because I need your help."  
Well that was a harsh greeting, he thought to himself.  "What if I say no?" Delano replied, disappointed in the way she was presenting herself.
"I'll get it somewhere else," Bellamy said.
Delano took in a deep breath.  His muscular arms stretched the seams of his lab coat.  He wasn't the typical nerdy-looking scientist.  Indeed, he was the mad-type and probably the most insane of them all--in Merryville, that is.  "You show up out of nowhere and whaaa..... expect me to—tttto-to just jump right in and help you with your problems?"
"You don't have to, Delano, but I warn you, it would be in your best interest."
"Hell, now you're threatening me, too?"  He wasn't really shouting at her, just talking loud.  "I thought you said you could get it somewhere else?"
Bellamy paused.  She did say that, and this wasn't the way she wanted this to go.  Delano knew she wouldn't hurt him.  Bellamy gave up on the tough act real quick, which didn't suit her for the most part, anyway.  
She looked him directly in the eyes, and now she was the one inhaling a deep breath.  "Look, I need your help, okay?  I desperately need your help."

It was impossible to hold back his agitation.  Delano flung the door wide open behind him.  "Then why didn't you just beg me the first damn time?"  He stared at her with a clenched, handsomely chiseled jaw.  She didn't look away.  The two ran hot and cold by nature's design.  Nothing had changed.  He wanted her as bad as he ever did, and she needed his help more than she ever had.  His was a loaded comment, too.  She knew what he meant.  Interestingly, this was one rocking bridge Bellamy hadn't crossed.  It was too shaky and unstable.  It didn't keep Delano from trying as hard as he had to get her to cross over.  
He held a shaky hand out to her and Bellamy tenderly took it.  His emotions stirred just being near her, and he was so very happy to see her.  It seems as though no time had even passed at all, but that was a lie; nearly 40 human years, he sort of estimated.  Yeah, sure he was just guessing.  What would anyone expect?   He's a scientist-slash-chemist-slash-blood expert-slash-researching test prober.  Not a guess-a-matician for goodness sake.  Plus, he was infatuated with a vampryn that he could never officially introduce to any other human being without leaving out the details.

Coincidentally and to her own detriment, deceit was Bellamy's game of choice.  It was probably what brought her here now, he suspected.  He would just have to wait and see which cards she was willing to put down on the table.  She is an excellent bluffer when it comes to hiding things and telling half-truths.  Stalling is another one of her skills, too—on a personal note, that is.  For the time being, some of the awkwardness and animosity in their greeting dissipated, plus she did take his hand.  What he really wanted to do was lift her palm and place a compassionate kiss in the center of it, but good sense prevailed.  He would not have been able to stop.  Perhaps a gentle hand squeeze would convey how much he missed her and, yes, still ached for her after all this time.  "See, that wasn't so hard now was it?" he joked with a weary smile.  

Funny How the Night Moves

The color drained from Kitty's face.  There was something strangely wrong with this guy.  She feared he was some kind of serial killer—but even more than that... like, some kind of night-thing she's never seen before.  How he moved through the night was eerie.  He had a power over her or perhaps her thinking was impaired, because no one in his or her right-mind would be posed like a statue in front of a murderer.  But he was the one keeping her from moving her legs.  She couldn't move her ams, either.  His expression had not changed since he appeared out of nowhere.  He didn't even move his lips and yet, she could hear him inside her head.  
"Look, Kitty bargained, "you can have all my money, but it's back at the house.  You can follow me there.  It's all yours.  You can have it."  
But I've got plenty money, gold, silver, diamonds, and jewels. The kinds of riches you humans cannot even fathom.  
Once again, Kitty noticed that the man hadn't moved his mouth, but he did answer and she heard it.  And what did he mean by.... you humans?
"I don't know what you are, but I won't tell anybody.  Please, just don't hurt me."
Vampire.  That is what I am.  A vampire.
Ok.  Kitty wasn't sure she heard that right.  No, she could not have heard him correctly.  Her mind was like putty.  He didn't say vampire.
Will I have to spell it?  He toyed with her.
His eyes changed colors.  They had been clear and silvery, but were now red slits.  
This is a nightmare.  "I'm trapped in a nightmare," she said out loud. 
Oh, Kitty, Kitty.... this is no nightmare.  
He tilted her head using just the tips of his long fingers.  Kitty started screaming.  She screamed as loud as she could, over and over and over.  With his other hand, he ripped and tore her clothing. 
"No! No! Nooo!"  Kitty was hysterical.  "Help!  Somebody help!  Heelllpp!  Somebody please, help me!"
I'm not going to rape you, Kitty.  It's not my style.  He laughed.  It's all about appearances.  You'll be found in the morning.  
Without turning around, the junior master sensed an incoming signature behind him and issued a vampkinetic warning. 
I don't know who the hell you are, but I'm.... having a drink.  Leave us.  He then put his large hand around Kitty's throat, cutting off her windpipe.  She struggled for air.

"You are in my territory," Kave said, undeterred and in full volume.  
"Sure it is.  Go pick another fight, vampling.  I'm not the forgiving kind."  
"I was distracted, but I have been tracking this human within my boundaries."  Kave was too stubborn to accept the vampire's warning, and then even flashed his canines in a show of aggression.  He was aware that he was at a disadvantage, but anything was worth a try.  Perhaps the older vampire would compromise.  By their laws, Kave was younger and that afforded him some protections.
"Distracted?  Now isn't that a pity?  I just hate when that happens.  But... you lost track, vampling.  Finder.  Keeps.  Her."
"I'm staying," Kave told him.  "She's my kill."
The vampire backhanded Kitty and she slunk to the ground.  He pivoted to face his pretentious challenger.
Oooh, ssshiiittt.  Kave took a step back as soon as he noticed the vampire's red slits fluctuate back to silvery-clear pupils, an identifiable attribute of the Vamprantton clan.
"You're so hot for this human, you don't even know who the fuck you're challenging, vampling."
Right.  An immediate apology was in order.  Kave was just about to give it, when he was lifted up and thrown backwards against a large oak. 

Idamae shot out from around the tree, hands waving in the air, running like a wild banshee.  She had been hiding behind the oak near the water hydrant, quietly witnessing the confrontation without detection.  She crafted the stealth technique to perfection, thanks to Raylen and Flameryll, but now her cover was blown.  

Vymmla.... vymmla....  vymmla.  Idamae mentally sent out an S.O.S. to Bellamy, who had promised to stay connected to her.  Vymmla.... vymmla, I'm in danger!  Come get me.  Please, come get me quick!  Normally, Idamae was courageous like most tomboys, but something about the vampire was familiar and scary. 

Kave lay crippled on the ground where he was thrown by the awesome strength demonstrated by the older vampire.  He recognized Idamae's backside running in the opposite direction, but so did Trevell, a member of the First-Family Vamprantton Masters.  Trevell reached out with his power to prevent Idamae's escape.  At first he mistook her for another human, but then he registered Idamae's blood scent.  He assessed that it was odd, but then it seemed familiar again.  Trevell detected she was a vampryn of some-sort-of-something.  He shrugged it off.  Idamae wasn't what he was interested in.  Kitty, on the other hand, seemed to be on everyone's menu tonight and too bad for all of them.  

Idamae could have disappeared instead of trying to run.  He never heard of a vampryn running and not disappearing from a fight.  Where the hell was she going?  Kave wondered.  She was out here without Raylen and Flameryll by her side, which was unusual.  They have a reputation of being overbearing lair brothers, but possibly she snuck out on her own.  Kave refocused on Trevell who was headed back to the female lying unconscious on the ground.  There was nothing he could do to stop him.  That female he was tracking was going to be someone else's delicacy. 

Interesting night, Trevell mused, but was satisfied that he had taken care of all the disruptions.  He carried on with his plan to feed.  When he reached Kitty, Trevell didn't even bother to pick her up; instead, he lay down beside her.  He repositioned her thick ponytail to the opposite side of her neck, ready to delight in his prize.  Ants overran her partially naked body as she lay on top of a large ant mound, but the tiny pests didn't bug him.  His jaw stretched wide and his teeth elongated.  He didn't want to indulge too quickly, though.  He sinfully dragged his tongue up and down the side of her neck to mock Kave, assured the vampling was watching.  As he prepared to take a bite, Trevell vampathically tuned-in to the presence of yet another incoming vampryn signature.  He casually lifted his head to address the latest newcomer. 

I Will Slice You To Hell

The vampryn appeared out of the blackness, charging forward with blade in hand.  
Tears streamed from her topaz eyes.  She felt like a failure again.  She should have never left Idamae alone.  She knew it was too big a risk to take, but she had given in to Idamae's choice.  Bellamy was horrified by the image before her.  First Noema and now Idamae; one more regret with no redeeming satisfaction.  She would decapitate the vampire drinking the very sustenance that gave her human daughter life.  Uncontrolled tears fogged Bellamy's sight, but she didn't have to see him.  She could smell him.  Bellamy hurled all her weight forward with the intention to get some revenge on Idamae's behalf, and for Rhetha, for Flameryll and Raylen.  This was for her, too.  One slicing motion to make the bastard pay.

The iron blade got his attention.  Trevell stood up fast when he realized the vampryn meant him irreparable harm.  He propelled himself forward so that their bodies collided in mid air, crashed to the ground, and rolled end-over-end.  Trevell was on top, then Bellamy, then Trevell again.  He was on her back, her face down, pinned under his weight.  Her arm stretched out for the blade that she dropped due to the terrific force of their collision.  Bellamy was dazed, but used her mental strength to try and recapture the weapon.  Trevell impeded her effort by halting Bellamy's magnetic pull.  He fixated on the blade so it wouldn't budge in either direction.  It became stuck between two opposing gravitational forces.

As he fought her, vampire against vampryn, Trevell couldn't understand what the hell was going on.  All this over one human female was too ridiculous to make any sense of.  The vampryn's hair covered her face.  Trevell grabbed a handful and yanked, twisting her head sideways so he could see her face.  She was no match for him, a junior master, but the vampryn's anger fueled the ferociousness of her will to battle against him.  He'd never experienced anything like it before.  His vampathic sensory detailed that she was not only a vampryn, but was subclass in order.  The vampryn must have lost her capability of sight and smell.  He is of the superorder and couldn't understand why he was encountering this level of absurdity at this hour.  Misguided fools, he assessed in private thought.  

Pinned on the ground and contained, Bellamy took notice of some movement from the body.  It moved, rolled over on its side.   No, no wait.  Wait a minute.   Bellamy breathed deep.  Idamae's scent was off.  It was a human scent, purely human, and it was still alive.  Idamae's essence was nearby, but that female was most definitely not her human.  It was not Idamae.  Her rage caused her to make a grave mistake.    

Idamae is here... somewhere.  Bellamy traced the presence of another vampire—it was a vampling over by the tree.  It was in that vicinity from where she was picking up Idamae's presence.  There was interference or blocking coming from somewhere.  It wasn't hard for her to figure out the source.  She needed to know if Idamae was okay, so she reached out to the vampling over by the trees.  

Who are you?
Kave.
Kave?  What have you done with Idamae?
I've done nothing!  Kave shot back.  
Where is she? 
Injured but not harmed. 

"Why are you familiar to me, vampryn?" Trevell asked, looking down, examining Bellamy's profile. Trevell forced more of his will on her, manipulating the ability to flip Bellamy completely around.  She looked up into the vampire's face and saw his red-then-silver glare.  It was then that she paid closer attention to his blood-scent on a cellular level.  It took only a moment and then all the air in her lungs expelled.  "Shall we?"  Trevell dematerialized, taking Bellamy with him. 
 

******

Delano drove up to the park with his headlights off.  After Bellamy had given him a description of the park, he knew it had to be Kenyon.  They were only thirty minutes into their conversation when Bellamy's expression alerted him that something was seriously wrong.  Her emergent departure spurred him into action even though she was against his involvement.  
He wasn't sure how to help, but physically, he knew how to handle vampires.  Bellamy's description led him here to Kenyon Park, the largest in Merryville, and had a lot of ground to cover.  His haunch to head straight for the south-end where all the old sprawling trees made for magnificent landscaping and good hiding places was the best starting place.    
Delano flashed his handheld light that tucked nicely into his large palm.  
"Anybody out here?" he shouted into the dark. 
"Hello?"  He wasn't sure if the silence was a good thing or not.  He hoped if Bellamy wasn't out here that she made it back to his lab with the girl.  Thirty minutes wasn't enough time to hash-out a constructive plan or offer sound advice for a blood affliction. He was a good listener for Bellamy's sake, and here he was getting involved with vampires all over again.   
"Help." 
Delano stopped shifting the light and held it steady.  There was a voice pleading for help coming from out of the darkness.
"Help."
Delano heard it again.  Sounded like a female voice, but not Bellamy's.  It was the girl.  Oh, no.  Just the girl.  What happened to Bellamy? 

"I'm hurt," the female cried out.  "Please, help me."
"Don't you worry, I'm not leaving here without you," Delano assured.  He started a comfortable jog towards the sound of the voice.  Loose change jiggled around in his pockets.  He had forgotten to empty them.  Maybe it was a good thing, at least the girl could hear him coming.  He came upon her quicker than he anticipated.  The light beaming from his handheld revealed an unconscious female lying on the ground.  Her injuries were probably so severe that she slipped into unconsciousness, drifting in and out, perhaps.  He carefully maneuvered her into a sitting position.  He slid the palm light in his back pocket, then picked her up and carried her in his arms, heading towards the car.
"I'm here," the voice said.
Delano looked down at the girl in his arms.  Well, who the hell is this? he thought to himself.  He called out to the voice in the dark.  "I'm on my way, just hang on."
Delano got to his car and laid the girl on the back seat.  He didn't see any obvious injuries.  No blood anywhere.  She was breathing, but out cold.  He got in the driver's seat and started up the car.  He decided he would drive out and pick up the second girl.  She had mentioned that she was hurt, so he wanted to find her quick.  There was sure to be tire-markings embedding a trail through the park to upset a whole lot of people.  They would have to prove it was him, of which is no small task, but he'd deny it to the city park officials.  Delano spotted the second girl with his low-beams on.  He jumped out and rushed to her.  

"See? told you I wouldn't leave you," Delano said.  He squatted down to take a closer look at her.
"Thank, you."  She shook uncontrollably and began to cry, relieved that someone had found her. 
"What's your name?"
"Kitty," she whispered.
Her face was swollen, especially her left eye.  Dried blood was matted around her mouth and nose.  She looked like she'd been beaten.  
"Who are you?"
"The name's Delano.  I was, was-zzaah.... out here looking for my dog." 
"I hope you find it," she replied in a meek voice.  Kitty didn't care what he was doing in the park.  She was glad somebody normal-looking was out here with her.
"What happened, Kitty?" Delano asked in a cautious tone because he really didn't want to pry.  It seemed to him that she was in a relationship that was going to end up killing her some day.  He took off his lab coat and covered her partially clothed body. 
"You'll never believe it," was all she answered.

He carefully placed her into the passenger side.  Delano adjusted the seat so that she could recline.  He wanted to give her ample room to stretch her legs out nice and comfy.  He adjusted the headrest for her, too.  As he shut the door, he picked up some movement in his peripheral vision.  For shitsake, how many were out here?  He asked himself.  He started walking over to take a closer look. 
"No!" Kitty pleaded.  "Don't go near him." 
Delano saw the fear in her eyes as he was about to retrieve his palm light, but her expression was enough to make him change his mind.  He strained to see what was out there, but under the circumstances, he wasn't all that curious.  Kitty said it was a "he," which didn't describe Bellamy at all.  He guessed it was Kitty's husband or boyfriend out there in a drunken stupor.  Alcoholics were among the usual type of cowards that beat women.  Delano decided to get back in his car.  He wasn't out here trying to save the world.  

It had taken Delano a longer drive back.  He was extremely cautious to avoid bumps and potholes or anything that would cause jarring or further injury to his passengers.  Girl number one, on the backseat, still had not wakened.  When he got to his place, he drove his car right up to a side door obscured by thorny brush.  He knocked on Rosita's window to wake her.  They met in a spiraling staircase that tapered below the top structure of the lab above.  It was difficult getting girl number one through the maze.  Kitty limped mostly on her own power, assisted by Rosita, whom she was introduced at the doorway.

This was a stark contrast to what the place looked like from outside.  Kitty had come down quite a few steps to reach this secluded part of the house, but the interior was inviting.  She noted the dark oak panels and sturdy beams in the ceiling above.  She felt safe enough to stay and certainly didn't want to be home alone after what's happened.  Kitty was willing to wait until sunrise.  Rosita offered her a big fluffy pillow, and Kitty graciously accepted.  It was the other female that Kitty was concerned about.  She was found in the park as well, according to Delano.  Kitty couldn't help her curiosity about the young woman on the couch.  Had she been attacked, too?   

"Are you comfortable?"  Delano asked.
"Very much so," Kitty responded, grateful to be wearing his oversized coat.  She was a little bashful now that her mind was clearer.  Her rescuer is extremely handsome.   Is this guy a doctor?  She was very curious to know. 
"Rosita's gone upstairs to bring down some ointment and bandages." 
"Oh, that won't be necessary.  It's just a little swelling."
"Maybe she should bring you a mirror, too."  
"Is it that bad?" Kitty asked.
"I'm afraid so, especially that left eye."  
Kitty reached up to inspect her eye and immediately withdrew her hand.  An excruciating pain shot up to the top of her head.  She had no idea her eye was severely swollen, but it did explain the beige haze around Delano and other objects that she was experiencing. 
"I had no idea."
"Don't worry.  The swelling will go down.  Better take some aspirin for that headache, too.  
"I don't have a headache," Kitty responded.
"Wait for it."  Delano joked.  "Your adrenaline will normalize and believe me, you're gonna have one serious migraine on your hands."
"Okay.  I'll take that aspirin, please," Kitty requested.
"Coming right up."

Right at that moment, Idamae shot straight up, startling Delano and Kitty.  Delano headed over towards her, but Idamae pulled out a blade that Bellamy had insisted she have, back at the tundrav.  This seemed to be the "just in case" scenario Bellamy had prepared her for prior to their departure topside.

"Whoa, there young lady.  We're here to help you," Delano said, slow and easy. "Please, put that blade down."
"Where am I?" Idamae demanded. 
"I'm Delano and that's Kitty.  You're at my place.  I found both of you in the park."
Idamae heard footsteps behind her and shifted with cat-like reflexes towards the sound.  She went from a sitting position to turning around into fighting stance on top of a cedar table to meet the threat at the doorway.  Idamae's eyes flickered red, then normalized.
"Holyshit," Delano muttered, as Rosita walked into view at the room's entrance.
"What the hell are you?" Kitty shouted.  She thought she had gotten away from these night-things.  She thought it was going to be safe here. 
Idamae didn't answer.  She was surprised to be standing on top of the table.  Her reaction was impulsive.  It just seemed like the thing to do.  Her movements were so quick, she was beginning to feel nauseated and dizzy.  Felt like she was about to teeter over, only she didn't want the unfamiliars to suspect anything.  And where was vymmla?
  
Delano took a small step towards—
"Come near me and I will slice you to hell mister," Idamae threatened through gritted teeth.
Delano stopped moving.  He was more afraid of her hurting herself with that blade.
Kitty slowly stood up, intensely staring at the young woman with the artificial hair color, expertly twirling the knife.  "RoHellen?"  
Idamae's eyes squinted as she turned to face the owner of the voice.
"Ro Pelty.... is that you?"  
Idamae's body seized-up suddenly, buckling her legs so that her balance faltered.  Delano lunged forward just in time.  He caught Idamae before she hit the floor.  Rosita didn't hesitate to grab the knife that clamored upon hitting the hard surface.  
Kitty was dumbstruck.  It was RoHellen encircled in beige.  The spooky thing about it.... looked like Ro had found the fountain of youth. 

Trouble in The Tundrav

Raylen was beside himself.  Within the passing hours, Rhetha's health took an unusual turn.  One minute she was up and moving and then she wasn't.  She fed at sundown and maybe it wasn't enough, but he just did not know.   He laid Rhetha down in his lair to keep an eye on her, monitoring for the telltale signs and symptoms related to the Bloodbold addiction.  Unsteady balancing coupled with hallucinations are not indicators of the disease.  She even had a couple of seizures.  Raylen pulled out something to write with.  The best he could do is start documenting Rhetha's symptoms and let vymmla decide what course to take.  It would probably be the best way for Bellamy to come to terms with Rhetha's addiction, that is, if she knew.  
Unfortunately, Bellamy and Idamae were still topside.  They both should have returned by now, but this wasn't vymmla's usual water-run routine.  She took Idamae along on this occasion, which was probably slowing things down.  There were still a couple of hours before sunrise.  Raylen did not want to, but he was going to have to go topside to feed while Rhetha was still out.  If Bellamy wasn't back before Rhetha woke, he needed to be able to feed her in a sufficient timeframe, if in case she was experiencing addiction complications.  Fresh blood needed to be in his system, so it was imperative he go topside to get what he needed, especially since he was in the unusual predicament of biting for time.

******


Chapter 7
Biting By Any Means Necessary
(Progression of the Matuphase)

Sweat-drenched and wailing, Flameryll's knees were tucked and pulled into a tight ball.  His long arms locked around his legs.  He tried sucking in air as a diversion, but the abdominal pangs intensified into a prolonged burning climax.  His mouth spread wide and his jaw loosened, but this time he was incapable of sound.  On a hard convulsion, Flameryll's head slammed right into his knees.  The hard smack resulted in sharp toothends briefly nailing his tongue to the floor of his mouth.  He felt a tremendous pulling-pressure of his spine, as though he were in some kind of skeletal traction device.  He thought if perhaps he uncurled, the agonizing expansion in the girth of his bones would ease, but this was not the case, nor could he fully extend; in fact, no position felt any better than another.  
The Matuphase also critically compounded his thirst; hence, it would have served him well to have fed because Flameryll's paling lips were scaly and parched, blistering from severe blood deprivation.  Despite it all, he wasn't second-guessing.  It is to be exactly this—as it should be; besides, not completing the process was equally a fear of transitioning vamplings.  Not anyone wanted a do-over.  Flameryll didn't have the patience for failure, nor willing to bear the stigma attached to it; and so, there will be no second chances at this agonizing process for him.

Here secured within the Vekliac Stones are histories of the vampire masters that preceded him and from whence his power centered.  For Flameryll, this should catapult his subclass status once and for all; in fact, it was his anticipation of acquiring this knowledge that helped to buffer the intolerable pain.  It tempered his impatience.  One can't really blame him for inventing himself some desired relief under these anguishing circumstances.  Whatever it takes, each painful minute is worth knowing the truth, yet nothing was more important than getting back to Rhetha.  Of course, he wanted to help Bellamy for sacrificing to keep him and Raylen safe, but it was Rhetha on top of his list.  Bellamy wouldn't have to send the girls away.  He could figure something out to get Rhetha's blood addiction under control.  Flameryll wanted to keep Rhetha.  He knew that now.  Bellamy had a human lover, didn't she?   Well, he didn't know that for sure, but his mind was made up about Rhetha.  She wasn't going anywhere if he has anything to do with it.  
For now, he had to get through his transition.  His identity had to be indisputable because of the leverage it brings to the whole equation.  It's why getting through the Matuphase will matter to the vampires.  He should be respected like any other clan member of his bloodkin.  It is right and it is simple.  Flameryll is more than ready to step into his reign.  

He kept his eyes shut tight.  Vampiric knowledge about the origination of his line unbraided like a frazzled knitted-stitch, with each interlocking loop connecting to a patchwork of featured scenes, and unwound behind his lids like a black and white movie reel.  Ready or not, Flameryll was experiencing his very first nightdream.   The Vekliac Stones powered-up his subconsciousness to a burgeoning hyperactive state.  And from this remote mindspace, Flameryll bilocated to the past, fully awake and alert in his mind's eye.  It is said that during the Matuphase, data probing is oftentimes subjective to an inexact mind, but nay sayers couldn't deny that certain details did present exclusive tidbits decipherable to construct the false from the truth.  Flameryll, aware of his unique attributes, journeyed only to look upon the face of his vymmla and the vampire that sired him.  This was about confirmation for him.  And so he went back.  Flameryll's nightdream went all the way back to the night of his conception.  


Nightdream I:  Synner and Beggar


It was difficult for Synne to tell who was appreciating the sex more.  Like the twins, Synne used sex like an instrument, practicing enough times to perfect her technique, and play with new partners along the way.  Only this time for Synne, it was more about necessity than pleasure, but the lines blurred with each climatic payoff.  Synne had needs just like her centuries' old twin brothers, except she did not care for the low-breeds.  The twins humped anything, but oh no.... not Synne.  The purer the blood the whiter the skin, which left her options limited to cousins and such.  Purebloods reigned, not half-breeds and mutts.  Being female had its disadvantages, plus she was much younger than Deathino and Sayten, but it was a powerful thing to carry the Vamprantton name.  Sexing is an inevitable recreation to long-thriving vampires and vampryns.  Synne chose wisely.

Cousin Aarcelo was happy to oblige.  Synne was just the right challenge for his vampire ego.  She gave as good as she got, but her arousal wasn't easy to come by, well, figuratively speaking.  A vampire had to do work to get Synne off, and she'd let you have her if you deserved as much. 
Satisfied that the task was being met, Aarcelo's moan made Synne's core quake, flooding her channel excessively with the stickiness he chased.  
"You turn loose or I'll pull out," Aarcelo ordered.  His baritone threat echoed in her ear, edging her towards another orgasmic cliff.  Positioned between her slick legs, Aarcelo thrust harder, demanding her obedience.  It was the kind of madness Synne responded to, and he knew it.

She wanted him in not out, so Synne wrapped her long legs underneath his ass, sealing his escape.  Like he was really going anywhere, she chuckled to herself.  Her maneuver to prevent his departure made Aarcelo swell, his plunging more unforgiving, and his depth exquisite and pleasurable.  Synne hollered, complimentary of the delicious pain, and digging her nails into his bulky thighs just for the hell of it.  He wasn't going anywhere.  There was no way he was pulling out of her, but playing games with Aarcelo was sooo damn rewarding.  She decided to dare him to pull out.  She'd have him begging and not the other way around.  Well, imagine the pair:  Synner and beggar.  
She used one hand to shift the head.... umm, the head where the eye-sockets are latched for eyeballing.  
When Synne read his perplexed expression, she knew she had him. "Out," was her breathless challenge.  She unlocked her legs.  Let both her arms spread out, palms down, on either side of her body.
Aarcelo stared back into her eyes and kept working. Right, like she really expects me to pull out, he mused.
  
Warm sweat dripping from his brow landed on her pearled nipples.... the wetness culminated into a mind-blitzing sensation.  Synne's shiver pleased him.  He wasn't pulling out.  Arcelo attempted a vampkinetic dial-in, but got a busy signal.  Synne was blocking his call.  It was just like her to keep her satisfaction bottled up and hidden, but she wasn't fooling him.  She's satisfied.  She is.  She's definitely satisfied.  He held her gaze, defiant and unblinking.  Another challenge?  Aah, the blinking grame.  He wouldn't and she didn't dare.  The only sounds to be heard were solely his own, laboring with lustful effort to win out pleasure for himself.  And his sounds grew louder with each rhythmic, ramming, punch.  She held back and was holding up... quite nicely. 

"You like it don't you?  Tell me you like it, Synne.  Say that you like it." 
His ego was desperate for her approval, and it turned her the hell on.  
The fragility of the vampire ego, Synne taunted back.  
Aarcelo's momentary pause proved to her that the mental jab struck the vampire's sensory nerve.  She won.
"Bite me," Synne commanded, breathless and undone by his weakness.

"I thought you'd never ask," said a familiar voice from out of nowhere.  Then a physical form continued to shape into a recognizable identity and  stood at the foot of Synne's bed.  "Aarcelo, I'll take it from here."

*

Once.  Twice.  Thrice times more Flameryll tried to shut off their explicit conduct, but there seemed to be no exit door to his virtual nightdream.  The names and the faces were all that he traveled back to retrieve.  And the rest of it?  He didn't want to see the rest of it.  He didn't need to see the rest of this.  Confirming the history of his bloodline is what mattered to him, besides, the past was not breachable.  No one transcends its barriers to create new history.  His surrogate had explained it all to him and inasmuch as Noema cared, it was her wish that he know the truth.  She assured him that he had nothing to fear—that he would survive his Matuphase within the Vekliac Stones.  All Vampranttons do.  There was no question who sired him now, but why had they given him up, a pureblood, the most unique of their kind? 

Rocked by a new wave of pain, Flameryll struggled with the question and held onto himself.  He languished over it many times before, but his virtual respite was over.  It was time for another excruciating surge within the hot stones... stretching muscle mass.  Flameryll started to wheeze as mucus clogged the back of his throat, but he was too weakened to rid himself of it.  He stayed still, curled tight, tears streamed from his fluttering eyes.  A crescendoing thrum between his ears then broke down into what seemed like shrapnel ricocheting right into the sensitive nerve-endings within his fingertips.  Vampires possess unique pain thresholds, and yet Flameryll felt like his were in shatters.  He released his wrapping-grip from around his knees to rub at his temples with his aching fingers, but it was to no avail.  He couldn't stop the transmission of pain flitting through his stretching body.  He lay scrunched and knotted up, craving another nightdream escape.  With strong-willed concentration, he swayed trajectory of his next virtual travel back to the night of when Synne gave him up.  As the pain steadily suppressed his subconsciousness, memories of Noema burst to the fore of his mind's eye. 


Nightdream II:  Bargain With A Synner


Synne tried to shush his crying.  The dreaded light was less than 30 minutes away.  She wasn't going topside, but upward where the subclass sheltered just below the humans.  Fortunately, the Vamprantton clans were all probably in-lair at this hour.  Strategically, it presented Synne a window of opportunity and this time, she was going to make it happen.  Twice before she failed.  It was hard to give him up, but too dangerous to keep him.  She knew she could not successfully hide the secret of his existence indefinitely.  How would she protect him?  There was no way the Vamprantton heirs could be trusted not to do him harm.  The First-Family masters were already feuding for dominance and in fact, the in-fighting was jeopardizing the unity between the clans.  Furthermore, Sayten favored Drackk as First-Heir, so her tiny one didn't stand a chance.  Synne had to give him up, and this was the perfect night to save him.
Assured that no one was the wiser, Synne swaddled the tiny one underneath her tvarmigan.  His crying fractured into occasional hiccuping whimpers.  He was going to make it.  All of her scurrying and hiding and planning were coming to an end.  Her tiny prince was going to make it and some night will experience his maturation through the Matuphase.  Well, she knew better than to put the thing that should come last, first.  What comes first is to save him.  She needed to reach the tundrav of the vampryn she had chosen for the task.   

The soil this far up was suffocating and lacked the quality in richness that Synne was accustomed to.  The dwellings were dizzyingly crowded rows and frankly, detestable by her standards.  This was no place for the future prince of the Shadow Species, but the vamplitt couldn't very well stay with her.  This option was foolproof and whereupon locating her target, Synne materialized just inside the tundrav's closed space. 
The occupant, Noema, was already positioned in attack mode, ready to charge forward, and displaying menacing teeth-flashes.  She quickly dropped to her knees when she recognized the intruder's silverish glare.  Noema's thoughts swirled.  She had only returned from a Vamprantton lair less than an hour's time ago.
"Calm yourself, subordinate," Synne warned. "Your deviance will not have to be exposed unless you reject my purpose for being here."
Noema rose to her feet, but kept her head bowed. 
"Your infatuation with my bloodkin makes you my perfect choice," Synne told her.
"How can that be, vyrdame?"
"Yes-yes, I know.  This is a horrid place for a vamplitt."
Noema's head shot up. "Vamplitt?"  She then heard the unmistakable sounds of a muffled whine.  She watched as Synne carefully reached underneath her tvarmigan to retrieve the young.  Awareness gripped her.  Noema now understood exactly why her uninvited guest had come.
"But vyrdame—
"You will do this!" Synne demanded. 
"I am leaving—
"And you will take him with you, unless you would rather bargain your fate with the Vampire Council."
"Oh no—please, no, vyrdame."  Noema feared being burned and staked if found out that she was breaking vampire law.  Her sexcapades with the First-Family members were forbidden.  Vampire laws were designed to preserve the rare, untainted clans of the species.  Noema knew the rules and the consequences.  The Council didn't bargain.
"You will never be lair mate to any Vamprantton master.  It will not ever be.... no matter what you've been told.  The young has to be protected.  And he is the only true connection to my bloodkin that you will ever be so privileged to experience." 
That didn't make sense to Noema.  Why would the vamplitt be safe in her care and in a deteriorated environment among the subservient class?  This far up, underneath the humans?  It placed him in jeopardy.
"I cannot offer him anything but hardship," Noema whispered.
"That he survives to make it to his transition is all that I care about.  And you will see that he does."  Synne extended her arms out to Noema.  The vamplitt kicked and wiggled about in protest. 
"What do I call him?"  Noema asked, accepting the fussing bundle.
"Flameryll."   
*

As his second nightdream evaporated into a mental black hole, Flameryll's body suffered a violent contortion.  There was a slow dribble of bright crimson drops sliding down his mouth's blistered corners.  Physically, his body was under siege by the transitioning process of the Matuphase.  Psychologically, Flameryll embattled emotions of bitterness and resentment.  Because of his pureblood, he now understood that he was in peril from the moment he took his first breath.  He hadn't considered being a threat to an insecure father and had never imagined being an omen to his endeavoring siblings.  Plus, he wanted to bear no malice for Synne's decision, but it was hard to reconcile being abandoned.  Completely.  
Well, he wasn't that vulnerable vamplitt anymore.  Flameryll would be able to defend himself from any effort to oppose him now.  Would they still?  Who was left?  The remaining elders would be inconsequential at this point.  He was looking forward to reacquainting himself with the Vamprantton clans, soon, and it would have to be on his terms.  

With great effort, he tried to calibrate his squinting eyes to adjust to the solid darkness.  Some way, he had to get up and feed.  Flameryll concentrated on forcing his lethargic body to comply with his wishes.  He scented blood above him where other phasing vamplings were positioned within cocoons much higher up.  There were no others lower than he was at this depth unless they were his bloodkin.  Wouldn't that be something?  On the upper levels, he could find what he craved for sure.  He knew it wouldn't be fair to feed off other vamplings looking forward to completing the Matuphase, but he needed sustenance to propel him through another virtual nightdream escape.  It helped him endure the horrendous pain.  Unfortunately, for some poor vampling, Flameryll risked disrupting its cycling and perhaps even triggering a deceleration of the maturation process.  Well, he couldn't help that.  No vampire would ever want to admit it, but biting for time is a lousy way to exist.  He had to.  A Vamprantton master survives the Matuphase biting by any means necessary.


********

Awaiting Her Fate
(Bellamy taken underground by Trevell)


Her crime?  An erroneous attempt to behead a member of the First-Family masters.  Her offense punishable by daylight and therefore, Bellamy was imprisoned in one of the lower-level grottos within the bowels of the earth.  Her custodian never spoke except to bark out the specifications of her confinement cell to the guards.  Trevell introduced himself as being a member of the Vamprantton clan, but she vaguely recalled his name.  Interestingly, after their brawl topside in the Merryville park, he mentioned that she was familiar to him, too.  Nonetheless, his detest for her was unmistakable through his silver-gray stare.  Being that he was a vampire of few words, it was hard for Bellamy to glean if his abhorrence was because she was a low-bred vampryn or whether he actually did know something of her past.   

Even so, his translucent eyes gave him away, not his Vamprantton name.  Like the rest of his clan, his eye color was an intimidating feature and accurately defined the strength of his power and the prestige of his lineage.  Trevell had the perfect, sculpted physique to match, too.  Whatever made her think she could detach his head from its body?  She had lectured Idamae about caution, yet it was her own carelessness that put her in here.  And Trevell knows her?  This was her first-ever imprisonment inside a Vamprantton dungeon.  It's a far cry from the sex-incited romps she experienced with master Dralin long ago.  Is that what he knows?  

Disgusted with her predicament and completely worn out from the fight, she didn't have any idea what to do now.  Nevertheless, Bellamy was more sure-headed this time 'round, much wiser, and much older compared to the last time she was in the presence of a Vamprantton.  Regrettably, she hadn't anticipated the potential for a disaster of this magnitude.  

Bellamy took a pensive look at the lumpy ground beneath.  The near-odorless droppings from the cave-dwelling bats nesting high above sickened her.  No doubt this is where the bats strategically sheltered within the dark caves and since they know the way in; they know a way out.  Bellamy judged that daylight was near.  Raylen and Rhetha were probably concerned.  By the time anyone discovered her inside here, it would be too late.  But Raylen and Rhetha were back in the tundrav together, so that was good.  Idamae was topside and possibly injured.  It was Bellamy's hope that Delano found Idamae by now.  At least Idamae's humanism protected her from the coming sunrise, so they would have that in common.  Stubbornness would be the second thing, but not anything Delano couldn't maneuver past.... like he did with her.  And he would protect Idamae at all cost... again, for the vampryn's favor.  
Kave would be a problem if he were still topside in the park.  Not that the vampling was a challenge to Delano's proficiency, but Bellamy knew that Delano helping Idamae was not something a vampling like Kave should ever be a witness to.  How would it be explained?  Bellamy was convinced no one could tell a lie and then keep that lie a secret better than she could, but she didn't want her bloodkin continually snared in the webs she spun.  Regrettably, Idamae would have to be the one to authenticate a new tale to corroborate the deception.
Alas, Bellamy then thought about the other human female in the park, the one that she mistook for Idamae.  She couldn't imagine Trevell would not go back to finish her off.  An unfortunate casualty for sure, but in all likelihood the distraction kept the Vamprantton master from detecting the manufactured cells coursing through Idamae's veins.
Bellamy rested her head back against the bare stone, tugging her tattered tvarmigan beneath her.  None of this did her any good.  She knew that she couldn't affect the outcome as a captive inside her limestone prison.  Worry and emotion set her fingers rapidly twiddling in familiar spastic twirls.   Imprisoned.  Awaiting her fate. 


********

Him Again
(Raylen is topside searching for Bellamy and Idamae)

Raylen kept his channels open, attempting to communicate with any others still roaming topside this close to lighttime.  He knew if everything had gone smoothly, Bellamy would have returned with Idamae lugging water back to the tundrav by now.  Raylen was pressed for time not only by the sun, but also Rhetha was alone down below.  However, his strategy to locate vymmla and Idamae was quite sound.  Fortunately, this southern city was populated with just over 900,000 humans, making his task less overwhelming for a vampling.  The added benefit of a good feeding made the difference as well, reminding him again that he needed to get back to Rhetha as soon as possible.  

Raylen began vampathically tagging, as he vanished and reappeared in new locations all around Merryville.  By escalating his sensory output and his reception, he would subsequently hit on something tangible to lock on to.  Merryville was a favorite destination for the Night Species and definitely vymmla's choice for water retrieval.  His lair sisters had not been back here since they were, well, practically children.  Might have had something to do with vymmla letting Idamae tag along this time.  Who wouldn't be curious to return to their place of birth?  Obviously, their timing was all wrong. 

Raylen suddenly caught the whiff of a familiar scent.  It was coming from a human recreational site.  As he was about to dematerialize right into the center of it, he thought better of his technique.  Walking over was the human-thing to do since it was so close to daylight.  Moving at a quick pace, he honed-in on Idamae's scent near a fountain of water, then vymmla's signature came in even stronger.  They were out here somewhere, but vampkinetically he couldn't connect.  His sensory processed other vampire signatures needing to be deciphered and each one vied for immediate attention. 
 
What happened out here?  With keen vision, Raylen noted empty, rubbery, water containers spread around a large hydrant.  Idamae's scent was strongest over there, but then pinged-ponged over to a large tree.  Simultaneously, he tried again to connect with Bellamy, but vymmla wasn't relaying back to him.  Raylen noted some deep tire etchings in the grass—sort of a trail.  A human scent combined with Bellamy's signature stood out, but it wasn't Idamae's artificial mix.  There were two ... or two-and-a-half humans?  His internal alarms went haywire at this point.  There was something begging for Raylen's attention.  He then transfixed to a threading that was incredibly very familiar to him.

"They are all gone," Kave wheezed. 

Shit! Raylen's temperature skyrocketed.  This asshole again?  Still out here?

"I saw it all.  And you're not gonna believe it." 

"My bloodkin... what's happened to them?"  Raylen tried speaking in an even tone, but he sensed he had failed. 

"Help me back-to-ground before the sun, and I'll tell you what's happened to your Bellamy and Idamae." 







******
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a second-year participant in the NaNoWri November 2012 challenge. My vampire stories are part of an anthology of continuing related short stories.  This series is currently in progress.  Please stay tuned for the additional chapters.  Story is marked as "unpublished" and is NOT in Smashwords Premium Catalog.

Thank you!

MT Writer (a.k.a., S.A. Grant)

 http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/pride4mt