About 24 hours prior…

Alan sat at the bar quietly and kept looking at his watch and the time. “She is taking her sweet time, Amos.” Alan sighed and shook his head. Noting that the time was close to midnight, he waved down the waitress and blood bunny Amber.

Within seconds of Alan’s little wave, Amber came skipping over to the bar. “What can I do for you Master?” She smiled and touched her neck while giggling. “I know that you prefer Veronica, but I assure you my blood will satisfy as well.” She paused and cleared her throat, “Assuming that you haven’t promised Veronica anything.” She raised one eyebrow and leaned on the bar. “So, where is my bunny buddy tonight, Alan?” Amber saw that Alan’s drink was empty and made him another Bloody Madelyn.

Alan could certainly smell the excitement within Amber’s blood and how its heated flow gave off a subtle sweat then backed by a light fragrance of hibiscus. “Amber…” Alan smiled, “…Perhaps later, I would like to double-check with Veronica before I brought you into the fold.” He pointed at the flat screen that was hanging over the bar. “Please change the channel to fourteen. They have added a new section to their news that is about thirty minutes long.” Alan turned to Amos once again to see him on his mobile talking.

“…I will be there soon.” Amos concluded his light conversation and hopped down from the bar stool. “That was Sylvie, the two of them seem to be in an apartment complex doing charity work.” Amos laughed and donned his light gray jacket. “She wants me to look at someone that is injured.”

“What about the stuff I need to go over, Amos?” Alan asked with a slight tone of anger in his voice. “Look at the screen up there, the news channel has made that…” He pointed at the title of the show ‘Mysteries of the unknown’. Alan turned back to face his friend, “This is important stuff, Amos.” He nearly yelled but recalled he was still in public. “This stuff is so strange it will break the veil at some point. I need Sylvie to help me resolve this.”

Nodding briefly, Amos zipped up the jacket. “I know why, you are predictable. You want to use her visions to try and solve these mysteries and patch the veil breaks.” He sighed as he headed for the door. “That's why you are testing her with Tarsey’s skull.” Amos held onto the door exit for a few seconds. “You want to be the Veil Council leader that bad huh?”

Pursing his lips and nodding, Alan picked up his drink and sipped it before answering. “Indeed. I thought the plan was a good one.” He shrugged.

“Good Luck.” Amos snorted and walked through the door into the street.

Waiting until Amos left his sight, Alan grumbled and started watching the television. “I hate that he knows what I am up to.” He pointed at the video. “What they are all missing is right there in front of them.”

Amber finished serving another patron a martini and walked back to Alan, leaning on her elbows once more. “I have that problem myself. Since I barely speak, people tend to not pay attention when I do say something.” She winked one of her sparkling hazel eyes, “I will be happy to hear what you have to say, Alan. Seems important.”

“It is coming on now.” He pointed to the visual on the screen where a church was burning down and could hear howling coming from inside. “This happened a few days ago, news fourteen broadcast this at the time, but everyone was looking for the Cross-Killer and didn’t pay attention.” He waited until the smoke got real thick from the large church. “There. Look closely.”

Amber turned and to see the flames and thick haze envelop the Colonial Heights First Catholic Church. Shocked, she barely heard what Alan was trying to explain. When Amber did manage to look up she tried to see what Alan was pointing to. “Sorry, I don’t see anything but dust and smoke.” She paused to move some of her long platinum hair from her ears. “I do hear them screaming..but..” Amber peered at Alan with wide eyes. “They sound like they are celebrating their impending demise.”

“Odd, don’t you think?” Alana affirmed. “What I see every now and then is a pair of diamonds rising from the smoke and then disappearing within seconds afterward.” He sipped on his drink and then continued, “This is a repeat broadcast but a new show so they can show off all of the missed news.” Alan sighed as he watched the multiple sets of diamonds float away on the screen. “Initially the reporter was telling everyone that the church was locked from the inside and the fire was started within the main chamber by the parish members.”

“Jonestown part two?” Amber inquired as she dug out her iPhone and tapped the screen a few times. “If this is a repeat, then maybe I can download the footage and go slow enough that you can point out what you want me to see.”

Hearing the name Jonestown, Alan raised his eyebrows and nodded. “Certainly similar.” He smiled at Amber briefly, “You know your history, I don’t know anyone that would have made that connection.” Finishing off his Bloody Madelyn, Alan wiped his lips clear. “I don’t think there were nine hundred people in the church.” He tapped on his lip with his index finger, thinking. “I do believe that the fire marshal later confirmed just over one hundred were burned to death.” Alan wiggled his finger at Amber, “This is just one strange event.” He watched as Amber found the footage and loaded it onto her phone. “One frame at a time.” Alan waited until he saw the first set of diamonds float out of the top of the church. “Stop.”

Amber hit the pause button and waited. “Okay, where do you want me to..” She stopped mid-sentence when Alan kissed her on the lips. “Wait…what..” She froze in place and looked around. “Alan…Why did you just turn me into a ward?” Blinking her piercing hazel eyes as they adjusted to the abilities that she was gaining, Amber saw exactly what Alan was referring to. “Diamonds floating? It looks like sets of eyes, Master.”

“Sorry, I know that you weren’t expecting that.” Alan looked down at his empty glass. “I didn’t know what else I could do.” He shrugged, “I am sincerely sorry I didn’t ask.” Alan gave a reassuring smile. “Just say the word and I will release the bond. Kinda figured you couldn’t see what I saw without ward enhancements.” He pointed to the crowd in the bar, “Others would have spotted the anomaly in the footage if it weren’t…” He lowered his voice to an almost inaudible whisper. “Supernatural.”

Picking up the tiny whisper like it was spoken normally, Amber smiled and giggled at her newfound powers. “Amazing. Everything that the other wards say is true. I heard you clear as a bell.” Amber tied up her shiny hair into a bun and dismissed the incident. “I know it wasn’t a kiss of passion, Master.” She laughed, “True, I would have liked you to ask…however, I know why you did it. I forgive you, Alan. Don’t worry about it.” Amber winked one of her green-tinted hazel eyes. “Let’s keep going for now. Show me everything.”

Excited that he was finally being taken seriously, Alan paused and scratched his shaggy brown hair. “There’s a few more things where I saw with those diamond eyes….” Alan rubbed his chin, “..at least I think they are eyes.”

Amber poked her new master and laughed, “Are all vampires this flighty? You lost focus.” She chuckled, “Vivienne used to do the same thing, but Faye usually kept her on track.”

“Who?” Alan inquired, before it came to him. “Ah..” His hands began shaking, “The Raven. I..I don’t know how you…” He pointed a nervous finger at Amber, “...you can speak so casually about her.”

“I lived with her?” Amber volunteered. “She has a manor, a huge one, just on the outskirts of Petersburg.” She started scrolling through other news footage on her phone. “Yeah, We were in charge of helping wards that lost their masters get back into their lives. When Sylvie decided to move, the three of us blood bunnies…Um…” Amber made Alan another drink. “...Veronica, Jessica and myself…We asked Sylvie if we could go with her.”

“Any reason why? Sounds like you had it made in the manor.” Alan queried.

“The place is so old and to be honest, at night it can be a bit spooky. Even if there aren’t gargoyles all over the place. It’s like a twenty-first-century version of a dark dungeon castle.” Amber laughed and slid the blood concoction to Alan. “Okay, so we don’t have to wait on the television to reveal what you know, show me these other places where you’ve seen the eyes.”

“Right.” Alan laughed and reached for Amber’s phone. “If you don’t mind.” Pleased when Amber offered her mobile to him, Alan then punched up one of the other videos. “Alright, the college student that died from playing a video game too long.” He started playing the footage and handed Amber the phone. “Obviously the body had been removed, and the reporter was interviewing others onsite…but…” Alan hesitated as the camera panned back to show the entire room. “What do you see, Amber?”

Shock and disbelief crossed over Amber's features as she spotted the anomalies immediately. “Holy Hannah! Is this real? There are like ten students being interviewed with half having those eyes.” Amber shivered as an icy chill went down her spine. “This is disturbing, Master.” Grabbing a red-colored beer from the cooler, Amber began to down the bitter liquid in the effort to calm her nerves. “Is the last one the same thing? The strange eyes?”

Alan nodded, “The others are even more bothersome and disturbing, I think I have even heard a voice that some of these people claim to have.” He chuckled, “Perhaps I should admit myself to a mental hospital.”

“Distracting yourself again, Master Alan.” Amber smiled widely and handed him her phone again. “What else do we have going on?”

“On it.” Alan winked and felt his mood improving. “Anyone told you that being near you lifts the spirits?” He tapped on her phone a little longer. “I bet you didn’t know that you are my first ward in a long while. Something about you makes discussing this easier. I admit having you present is making the tasks ahead a little less daunting. I find myself hoping that you don’t ask to be released.” He handed Amber the phone. “That one is with a grandmother of three.”

Flicking the button to start the video, Amber witnessed an elderly woman in her sixties carrying her three dead grandchildren outside where the police had surrounded her home. ‘They are all safe now! I did them a favor! You’ll see, you’ll all see! I saved their souls from the diamond demons!’ The old lady placed the three bodies on the porch. ‘Yes, I did it. This isn’t a confession, it is a revelation!’

Amber watched as the lady then drew a pistol and began firing it into the crowd of officers, laughing while she did so. “She’s trying to die as well. Oh man.” Amber half-muttered.

Patting Amber’s hand lightly, Alan did his best to console the new ward. “Yes, the police killed her. If you want to advance it a few seconds, you will see the important part, Amber.”

“No need for me to advance it, Alan. I have seen lots of things as a vampire blood bunny.” She tilted the phone to watch the rest of the video. “How the?...” Amber wondered as the police and elder woman exchanged gunfire, riddling her with bullets from head to toe. Her aim took down four officers before her pistol ran dry of ammunition. “She’s just standing…..” Then Amber heard a hollow and dead voice, barely audible from the video.

‘Fragile creatures, the lot of you. Your physical form is weak beyond measure. Blood flows too easily from your bodies, no wonder they feed so well. Pathetic, the bunch of you. Myself and the rest of us will show you the meaning of fear and madness, all while you watch.’

It was then Amber who saw the twin diamonds light up from inside the old lady’s eye sockets. “If I am seeing this correctly, that thing is inside the woman?” As if the creature heard Amber’s question, she watched a few foggy clouds lift from the woman and the children. “There were four of them?” Amber asked as the video showed the grandmother falling over dead.

Without saying a word, Alan simply nodded. “It would appear that is the case, but if you look..not one officer registered that something was wrong. They just go up and tape off the scene like a normal crime.” He picked up his refreshed drink and took a healthy swig from the straw. “What got another level of my attention was the speech. It literally almost gave up vampires to the general public.”

“How many more cases are there, Alan?” Amber tilted her head as she inquired. “I mean you are just going to repeat the whole thing again..what… tomorrow night at the meeting?”

Rubbing his temples as though he had a headache, Alan nodded to his new ward. “Yeah, that was the plan. I had also hoped to have some things ‘fixed’...” He held up his hands and used air quotes, “...by your mistress. I couldn’t have foreseen that she would make a vampire after two hundred and seventy years or so.” He shrugged. “If you look at it from my point of view, I took the lead on finding the veil breaks and tasked a local vampire to assist. That looks like a good leader to me.” He shrugged and pulled up another newsreel and handed the phone back to Amber.

Amber tapped play on the new reel and saw another horrific scene. A woman who looked to be in her early thirties had a set of children tied up in the middle of the street and was steadily running them over with her car. After hearing the bones of the kids crunch and watching their blood splatter all over the wheels, Amber looked up. “Who would just record this? I take it the woman in the car is their mother?”

Alan solemnly nodded. “She recorded this. Laughed the entire time her kids were screaming in the street. The news cleaned up the recording so it could be shown on television.”

“They didn’t clean up too much, it’s still beastly.” Amber took down her shoulder-length platinum hair and began to braid it. “Wait…there we go, the police arrived…finally.”

Alan smiled, “Okay, slow down the frames. You will see her attempt to attack the police with the car, they will open fire and then you should see..”

Cutting off her new master, Amber quickly spoke. “There they are, the diamonds. Just like you said for the last few.” She shivered and pressed stop on the phone. “Do you have any idea what those things are?”

Dejected, Alan shook his head. “Not a clue. Again, I was hoping that Sylvie could tell me or even discover them on her investigations.” He shrugged. “Whatever they are, they are breaking the veil. Which we cannot have.”

“Is this why I keep hearing that there are no more spaces in mental hospitals?” Amber asked while making a patron a rum and coke. “It’s been all over the internet and news for the last few months. Places like Central State are double booked and because police are taking delusional people for help.” Amber sliced a lime and ran it over the rim of the glass. “Here you are, ma’am. One rum and coke. Is there anything else?” Amber smiled when the woman shook her head and resumed talking to her other friends.

Alan waited for Amber to come back over, “Oddly enough I was just about to address the hospital issue. I suspect that these things are the reason for the influx of patents, yes. Though I can’t prove it.” He sipped more of his drink. “It isn’t like the news has anything on the individual people, and doctors can’t discuss it openly.”

Amber smiled at her new master. “You could infiltrate the hospitals just to see their eyes, if it’s that important to you.” She chuckled and watched Alan finish off his last Bloody Madelyn. Feeling that the conversation about the strange events had come to an end, Amber raised one eyebrow and spoke, “I would like to discuss one tiny detail that you mentioned before you told me all about the diamond-eyed things.”

Alan looked at his watch and was amazed by how fast time went by. “You have about fifteen minutes left before you and Jessica shut down for the night, so I guess you have to make this quick.” Alan winked.

Clearing the mug from the bar that held Alan’s drink, Amber began washing the glass in the sink closest to her. “It won’t take long at all.” She cleared her throat. “You mentioned before that you would have to bring me into the fold.” Amber laughed, “Alan. No. I am not asking for a polyamorous relationship.” She watched the look of confusion cross through the man’s brown eyes. “I am certainly monogamous, so I will try to explain.”

“Please do.” Alan quipped.

“Love is an odd thing. You can love multiple people without any prejudice and still not be romantically involved with them. I am like that with all of the Blood Bunnies as well as Sylvie.” Amber started wiping down the bar, “It’s that simple. I don’t mind being close as in kissing or cuddling if a loved one needs it. I have gone so far as to let Jessica sleep beside me when she was having nightmares about Phantasmagoria. It was completely platonic.”

“How do you view your wardship? I mean I have seen some vampires have a romantic involvement with theirs. In fact, in the past, I have.” Alan shrugged, “This is clearly not the case this time around. Perhaps I used the wrong word. Can you stop by the condo after your shift? Give me a couple hours with Veronica to explain what happened and why.”

“No problem, Master. I don’t need an address.” Amber winked one of her chestnut eyes, “I can track you now.” She took off the small apron around her waist and draped it over the sinkwell. “I wanted to shower and get cleaned up anyway. See you in about two hours.”

–

Tension began to rise again in Alan as he drove his silver BMW luxury car down the main road of Colonial Heights called the Boulevard. It was one thing not to get upset with his new ward and finally have the opportunity to show someone other than Amos the happenings, it was another to have the one person that he needed to overcome the challenges ignore him. “If she’d just take ten minutes to listen, instead of running off.” Alan tried to calmly tell himself as he steadily passed the older sections of town to reach the edge of the city limits.

Windows down on his car, Alan took note of the water that was passing beneath him. “Swift Creek. Nothing like being home.” Alan took a right turn after a small bridge and went down a newly paved street named ‘Creek Landing’. It took nearly a minute to get through the grove of trees that the street weaved its way through, and opened into the oldest section of town.

Alan had purchased the entire old subdivision on the promise to the Colonial Heights City Council that he would restore the history surrounding the small area. It had everything the vampire needed to stay carefully hidden if necessary, but could join the town in a few minutes if need be. Historically, the area had been designed during the 1800s Victorian era and was mixed with relics of the American Civil War. Long abandoned, the grand houses and small local farms had become overgrown and were falling down.

Taking nearly four years to complete, Alan turned the whole section back into a thriving little community of gorgeous three-story homes that reflected the Victorian style that had been there, but were in fact condominiums on the inside with the latest technology. Huge plate windows and wrap-around porches were everywhere to be seen, dotted with little rocking chairs where the new tenants now spent their evenings.

All of the homes centered around the Swift Creek Mill. When the mill was built, it was built with a water wheel that silently powered the four millstones within the building itself. At the time it crushed rock for building purposes and crushed wheat to make flour. By the early 1900’s the mill had become outdated and converted into a live-action theater that routinely put on Shakespeare plays throughout the year along with whatever had become popular at the time. When the late 1980s brought the city a massive mall structure and more industry, the city council invested in a large auditorium that held triple the amount of people the playhouse did, killing its need.

Falling into disarray, the area was abandoned for a little over forty years and Alan got the entire estate for almost nothing. His own condo had been refurbished and converted by none other than Twilight Tonight and lots of salesmanship from Martin Shores.

Alan pulled his car into his parking space and shut off the nearly silent engine. “Why did I have to get you back in my mind after about twenty years? Martin. He’s why. So good at everything he does and brags about his Mistress..Yes, you Miss Miakoda..the one with the visions.” He reflected aloud, thinking of Sylvie. Resisting the angry urge to slam his hand on the dashboard, Alan got out and locked the vehicle before entering his home.

“Veronica?” He politely questioned. Alan heard the television on and turned to a late-night local talk show where the host was talking about the strange Halloween season the localities were having. He walked to his living room and saw Veronica stretched out on the loveseat with a loose-fitting robe lightly covering her frame. “Comfy?” Alan asked and pulled off his jacket and tie.

Sitting up slow enough that her baby blue silk robe opened at the breast, Veronica smiled at Alan. “Mmhmm, I am very comfy.” She smiled and flicked her tongue over her four new fangs. “I am just happier now.” She winked and patted the place beside her on the loveseat. “You look tired, for a vampire.” She focused her red-rimmed eyes on her partner. “I have been keeping myself on edge so I can feed with you, if you are going hunting.”

Walking over to sit beside his partner and creation, Alan took Veronica’s hand and kissed it gently. “We went hunting just before…” He laughed, “You seem older than you honestly are. I forget that you are hours old, my lovely vampiress.” He crawled behind Veronica and clutched her to his chest, gently fondling her twin globes. “Go ahead and drink your fill of bottled blood and we will hunt extensively tomorrow just after dusk, and before the meeting.”

Veronica closed her eyes and sighed when Alan cupped her breasts under the robe. “Soft yet strong hands, love.” She twisted a bit so the two could kiss. “Show me that you missed being here…” She softly chuckled and pressed her lips onto Alan’s. Instantly the early evenings worries disappeared as the simple kiss continued. Veronica let out a heavenly sigh as she felt Alan’s velvety yet masculine lips press into hers once more. Minutes ticked away slowly and eventually Veronica felt Alan reluctantly break their liplock. “Mmhmm…” Veronica squirmed and turned to face her man. “...That was very…much..” She traced the outline of his strong cheek with her fingers, “...Necessary after having been away from me most of the night.”

Smiling wide, Alan opened his mouth to speak when he felt Veronica’s fingers popping the buttons off of his shirt. “Well.” He exclaimed. “Someone is very excited to see me.” He winked and slipped his upper body free of the garment. Likewise, Alan opened Veronica’s robe and pulled it from his lady’s gentle and sloped shoulders. “Perfect, my dear.” He muttered and leaned up to kiss one of Veronica’s exposed shoulders. “I would have had a better time if I hadn’t left this evening.” Alan whispered between little pecks on Veronica’s shoulder and neck.

Pushing herself up from her relaxed position, Veronica reached for a small remote control and with a wink, pressed the button. A second later, the tones of slow and sexy R&B filled the room. Veronica slinked her way into Alan’s lap. “I thought the same thing, Mister Brown.”

Feeling a thin set of hands reach down and unbuckle his belt, Alan felt himself unexpectedly swaying and moving with the beat of the music playing. Unwilling to sit still while Veronica removed his pants, Alan slid his fingers through the long dirty blonde locks that had drifted down over his lover's radiant brown eyes. Tucking the strands of hair behind Veronica’s ears, Alan was struck by his emotional attachment in the span of two days. “Is love this easy?” Alan once more pressed his lips to Veronica’s and felt the rush of heat and excitement pulse through his dead veins, and send chills all through his body.

-A pleasant accident. A happy rendezvous. Heart pounding excitement. Just go with it.-

While he was letting the emotional thoughts run wildly, Alan felt his pants and underwear slip off and heard the metal of his belt buckle hit the floor. He pulled slowly from their embrace and leaned back into the soft cushions, just looking at the woman before him. “I am excited to see you as well, sweetness.” he winked at Veronica as he felt the heated blood rush through his body making his arousal readily apparent. When Veronica raked her nails down the front of Alan’s chest, he tossed his head back and let out a happy grunt and grasped his lover by her hips. “Your touch…is…god yes…” He lightly keened and let his body come to life under her careful caresses, and her touch going lower with every move.

Veronica felt Alan relax most of his body and sluggishly fold into the couch. “My poor Alan..” She teased and slipped her hands down to his lean thighs, raking her nails across the soft flesh. “..So much more to come, my dearest…” She sexually giggled and slid to the floor, leaning on her knees.

Although relishing the sensations of fiery energy going all through his body, Alan still reflectively arched his back and let out a gentle and needy moan when Veronica wrapped her hands around his hot and swollen hardness. “Yes…just like…t-t-that..” He spittled as his lover's hands gently worked his sex. Only after he felt Veronica’s lips encompass his entire length, did Alan open his eyes wide and suck in a desperate gasp for air that he needed for a semblance of relief. “So god damned good…” Alan couldn’t think of anything else except the wet heat surrounding his now pulsing erection. Squirming on the loveseat with every licked length of his rod, Alan found the strength to run his fingers through his wonderful lover’s thick dark-blonde hair. “Mo-More than-than…I de-deserve…Christ…” Alan expressed and flopped his head back once more and lived in the moment.

Veronica swirled her tongue a few more times before lifting herself from Alan’s rigidity. “My pleasure, my love. I have been thinking about this for a few hours now.” She winked and licked Alan’s tip. “Recall you taught me that blood is everything, darling.” She laughed and let her fangs lock into place with a soft click. “I can’t drain this..” She pumped his length softly, “..but I can do this.” She kissed one of his inner thighs and scraped her fangs in little circles for a few seconds before biting down and releasing Alan’s nearly sexually boiling blood into her mouth.

“V-V…oh shit…aughdd…baby, oh god…yes…yes.” Alan sputtered as he felt his blood release and give him a little break from the impending orgasm that was steadily trying to escape. “Just…You can’t take too much..ahem…nours-shis-ments…” He stammered in a haze, but managed to form the command. “You have to stop after a total of f-five seconds…you cannot…sweet god….cannot drain me.”

“As you wish, master.” Veronica slowly teased as she felt the command embrace her as though a leather collar fastened itself around her neck and wrists, with a tether that ran to Alan’s steely hands. “Blood is love, master.” She licked her fangs clean of her lover's blood and kissed the top of Alan’s stiffness before once more taking him completely into her mouth.

Jumping and arching his back so he could push his hips and manhood deeper into Veronica’s mouth, Alan shook for a few minutes before he calmed down enough to fully enjoy the fact his lover hadn’t so much as moved in that time. Wondering why Veronica had completely frozen up while holding him firmly between her lips, Alan got his answer in a heavenly rush. Without warning, her fangs pressed into his aching shaft and she carefully moved herself the total length of his manhood so that her new vampire fangs could scrape lightly against his sensitive skin. Howling with heated desire, Alan curled his hands in Veronica’s hair and pulled as the heat rushed through his body and exploded in his lover’s mouth. Alan felt his awareness slip away into heavenly bliss as the streams of his fiery seed flowed out of him. “Ahhhhh!!! Oh god, oh god, oh god…ugh….what…where…” he stammered as another ripple rocked his body and sent another wave into Veronica's mouth.

It was only after Veronica climbed back into Alan’s lap and nestled his still-stiff member inside her, did he lose time. Minutes moved into hours as the myriad of sexual visions somehow kept flashing in his mind, warming his heart and soul.

-It’s been no less than a decade since you’ve been this happy.-

Alan expressed to himself happily as his visions became reality with her lying peacefully on his well-defined chest. “How…are…Mmmm, you my dearest?” He glanced at the clock and noticed it was a few minutes to four am, but didn’t want to move.

Weakly pushing herself up so she could view her man, Veronica’s creamy coffee-colored eyes focused on Alan. “Never better.” She purred and nibbled lightly on his shoulders, sharing the blood that she drew out. “Mmm…Alan…you are amazing…gentle and soft when necessary. I have never been cared for better, my loving Man…Mister Brown.” Veronica laid back down on Alan and hugged the master vampire tightly.

“Should I call you Miss Brown? I think with our shared last name, people will already think we are married.” Alan smiled and pulled Veronica to him then kissed her lightly. “I admit, my beautiful vampiress, I am enamored.”

Smiling wide once the kiss was complete, Veronica started to respond when the doorbell rang. She raised one of her well-groomed eyebrows, “Who could that be at four in the morning?” Veronica laughed and climbed off her lover to don her silk robe once more. “Shall I get that so you can get dressed?” Veronica giggled.

“You know I can hear you, Veronica.” Amber quipped from the otherside of the front door. “Amazing place you have here, Master.” Amber added and leaned against the storm door. “If you want, I can go back to Sylvie’s and stay in the bunny room.”

Answering the door slowly, Veronica peeked her head out. “No need to do that, Amber.” Looking to make sure no one else was watching, Veronica opened the door for her friend. “You are taking a risk though. I am sure you can see that there has been..well a change with me.”

Walking through the door and closing it behind her, Amber adjusted her belongings on her back. “Well, Master Alanbean…” she laughed and followed Veronica into the living room. “...it would appear that my fellow ex-blood bunny has kept you so occupied that she doesn’t know.”

Veronica raised her eyebrow inquisitively again, “Alanbean?” She turned to face Alan and half laughed. “Well, what’s the big sec….” Veronica stopped after getting a whiff of Amber’s marked blood. “Oh MY!” Veronica jumped and gave Amber a huge hug. “Are you kidding me? He made you a ward?” It was at that moment Veronica knew what happened. “You kissed another woman?” Veronica tapped her foot.

Alan, while still in the throes of his coupling with Veronica, didn’t initially put together what was going on. It was when he heard Veronica tapping her foot that he came back to the moment. “Now wait..” He stammered trying to find a way to explain the events at the bar. “She…I…No one would..” he started rubbing his temples and shook his head. “She couldn’t see the diamond eyes, dearest. So I gave her the ability.” He shrugged, “Which the easiest way was to just make her a ward. So, yes. I had to kiss her.”

Amber turned Veronica to face her and planted a kiss right on her lips, hugging her tight. “There. Now we are all even-steven.” She winked at Veronica, “It isn’t like we haven’t kissed before…” Amber paused, “...my mistress.”

Concerned about the impact of having a new ward, Alan spoke up. “Veronica, if you want I can release her now and close the issue.” He nibbled on his bottom lip with his fangs, nervously. He watched as Amber brazenly walked to the loveseat and sat down, leaving enough room with her thin body to squeeze Veronica in. “Maybe…um let Veronica have first choice on where to, um sit?” Alan stammered while confused about the situation. “I am not used to giving commands to multiple people at once.”

“Then how do you expect to lead the regional veil council, my love?” Veronica inquired and sat down between the two, and focused on her man. “Alan.” Veronica paused until Alan looked into her eyes. “Of course I don’t mind. Making wards is something we both will do over time.” she winked, “I also didn’t make you promise to never kiss another.” Veronica pulled Amber into her lap. “You little sneaky minx, you are always welcome. You know I love you as well, Amber.”

“Yep, we have been together a very long time, Veronica. The last two years or so under the same roof and room.” Amber laughed and faced Alan. “Please don’t release me, Master. It’s been a long time coming that I devote myself to one..or in this case two lovely vampires. I am your daylight lookout.”

First answering Veronica, Alan shrugged. “I suppose I will need to learn how to delegate tasks better, with multiple people.” He offered his hand to Amber, “Deal. I don’t really want to release you anyway. Veronica has to have someone close as she works through her newborn stages. She shouldn’t be tempted to attack you.” He paused, “I could make it a command if you need, my dearest.”

It took a few seconds of looking at Amber before Veronica made her decision. “I am not having an issue right now and she is so close I could bite her right now.” She winked at her friend, “I lost the overwhelming desire to be fed on once Alan turned me into a vampire. Are you the same?”

Amber kissed Veronica on the forehead and stood up. “Not a pressing desire like it used to be. I don’t absolutely need the rush, being a ward presents its own challenge really.” She picked up her pack and slung it over her shoulder again. “That doesn’t mean I don’t like it. I feel different. Neither of you have taken liberty to feed, so I am not totally sure what will happen.” Amber laughed, “I swear I have heard it somewhere that to a vampire, having a ward has blood perks.” Amber spun around slowly to get her bearings. “Where is my room, Master? I wanted to get a little sleep before I do whatever day time list you have for me.”

Leaning over to first kiss Alan, Veronica pointed to her red rimmed eyes. “If you don’t mind darling, I would love to give your new ward a little bite.”

“What is mine is yours, my dear. You know the overall rule, don’t drain her.” Alan leaned back after the kiss and got comfy in the loveseat.

Upon hearing that her blood was necessary for her friend, Amber placed her backpack on the coffee table and pulled her platinum blonde hair to the side, exposing her neck. “Mistress, whenever you are ready.”

Blood hunger was ultimately what made Veronica move from Alan’s side. She contemplated going into the kitchen and drinking from the bottled blood, but her hunger-lust won. “So generous, My dear Amber.”

-Remember what you have seen for the last five years. An eight count or less. You can do this.-

Veronica reassured herself and wrapped Amber into her arms and punctured four holes in her neck and began to drink liberally.

“Not too much darling, remember the normal eight count.” Alan reminded Veronica gently. “Recall that ward blood will nourish you better than normal human blood, so you don’t need as much.”

When she hit the number eight in her head, Veronica stopped pulling blood and thought to herself that time seemed to race by. She pulled away without any hesitation or control from Alan. “YES!” She cheered herself and jumped excitedly. “Alan, I did it…I did it…Oh my god I can do it!” Veronica wiggled her hips as she hopped in place. A few seconds later, She felt Amber slip from her grasp and hit the floor with a loud thud. “What the…” Veronica looked at her friend on the floor, more pale than usual and sporadically breathing.

“Shit!” Alan screamed and ran over to his new ward and using one of his razor sharp fingernails, he sliced open his wrist and pressed it to Amber’s ashen lips. “Veronica…babydoll…close the holes…close the holes before we lose her!”

Horrified at her forgetfulness, Veronica fell to her knees and licked the open wounds closed. “Alan…I am so sorry.” She shook Amber. “Amber, oh god…please forgive me…”

Initially unmoving, Amber didn’t react to the blood flowing into her mouth. When Veronica shook her lethargic body, the dying ward coughed out some of Alan’s blood then due to the sheer volume, ended up swallowing the steady flow down her throat. First his blood burned and left an iron trail in her throat that made her sick to her stomach. Within a few seconds, the queasy feeling subsided and she found herself drawing more from the opening in Alan’s wrist.

“Good enough, Amber. You are drawing in, rather than accepting.” Alan sighed and licked his wrist shut. “Veronica, can you please grab her belongings and the spare cooler from the kitchen?” Alan waited for Veronica to stop shaking and respond to him. “Relax my dearest, she will be fine. Please fill the cooler with ice and blood bottles for her later. If things work out like I think, you will have a blood-sister.” Alan watched Veronica dart off into the kitchen without a word. Looking down at Amber, he cleared the white hair from her face. “Amber. Let my blood work to save you, dear.” He scooped Amber into his arms and watched her instinctively swing her feet in the air. “I see you like being carried.” He chuckled and shook his head as he walked to Amber’s new bedroom and set her down on the plush bed. “Wow…and I thought the news was strange. This evening…very odd indeed.”