´What's going on?` Gesald called from outside the door and banged on it. Sern pressed the symbol against Ranloo's hand on his throat, hoping it would make him release him so he could breathe.

Ranloo yanked his hand away and Sern sucked in a deep breath and rolled aside. Panting and coughing, he scampered off the bed and backed off. Ranloo got to his feet and fixed Sern with a stare.

The pounding on the door continued. ´What are you doing? Answer me! Or I'll get help,` Gesald shouted.

Ranloo hesitated and glanced towards the door.

Sern raised the medallion in front of him, trying to slow his breathing down. ´It's okay,` he called. ´Don't open the door. He'll attack you.`

´Are you alright, boy?`

´Yeah.` Sern eyed his friend cautiously. Ranloo seemed calmer but still gave him a creepy stare. ´I'm alright.`

´Then why are you yelling?` Gesald's voice held an irritable tone. ´Do you need help?`

Sern shook his head, then realized Gesald couldn't see it. ´No, I'll handle it. Thanks.`

The pounding on the door stopped but Sern was fairly certain Gesald still waited outside. He turned his attention back to the vampire. ´Ranloo,` he said calmly. ´Don't attack me. You'll regret it.`

Ranloo seemed on the verge of charging, his body tense, almost quivering.

´You know me,` Sern said. ´I'll put the medallion away, but you gotta stop starin'.` He slowly lowered the medallion despite the feeling of apprehension as he did so. He knew for a fact that if Ranloo attacked, he wouldn't get away again. Ranloo's eyes followed the sun-symbol as Sern pocketed it. He raised his hands to show he didn't have it anymore. Just like dealing with a wild animal, he thought nervously.

´You shouldn't put that away,` Ranloo said in a taut voice.

He nodded and drew a deep breath in relief, leaning back against the wall.

Ranloo backed up and relaxed his tense pose. ´You are playing with death,` he said in a low voice and finally looked away.

Sern smiled slightly and raised a hand to feel his bruised throat. He was quite certain Ranloo hadn't held him as hard as others. ´Tis okay,` he said more lightheartedly than he felt. ´You stopped.`

Ranloo shook his head and slammed his right fist into the wall. Sern jumped at the sudden movement and stared at his hand.

´You need to leave. Before I do something I can't undo,` Ranloo said through gritted teeth.

´Calm down an' don't hurt yourself,` Sern said with a mixture of fear and concern.

Ranloo gave him a desperate look. ´Don't you get it?` he asked, voice raised.

´I know.` Sern averted his eyes. ´But I wanna help you.`

Ranloo scowled at his hands. One bandaged and the other bleeding from the impact.

´You gotta stop doin' that,` Sern commented and walked closer.

´Stay away from me,` Ranloo almost shouted and backed into the corner.

Stunned, Sern watched his friend. He was afraid, he could tell. ´No, come.` He started for him again.

Ranloo bared his fangs and held up a hand to stop him. ´Don't come near me,` he hissed. ´I can't...` He drew a shuddering breath and looked away.

Sern wasn't sure how to proceed. But he knew he wasn't going to leave Ranloo in this state. ´Just, stay calm. I'll help you,` he said softly and took another step forward, one hand reaching out.

Ranloo stared at his hand and Sern got the feeling he might get bitten. Hushing to calm Ranloo down, he moved another step forward. Ranloo tensed but didn't protest again. Instead, he turned his head towards the wall, letting his hair hide his face. Sern carefully inched closer.

´You're really making this hard,` Ranloo mumbled.

´I know,` Sern replied with a faint smile. Quite sure Ranloo wouldn't attack again, he gently grabbed Ranloo's wrist and pulled him towards the chest where he kept bandages stored. Removing them, Sern placed them on the cupboard. Using a small bowl with water and a towel, he cleaned and wrapped the vampire's hand, not meeting his eyes. Ranloo looked at him again, he could feel it.

´Why are you doing this?` Ranloo asked quietly after a while. ´It'll get you killed one day. It's not safe.`

´Because I...` He'd almost blurted it out. It would ruin everything. How stupid could you get? Sern slowly raised his head, meeting Ranloo's amber gaze. ´I didn't befriend you 'cause I thought it safe,` he said matter of fact and let go of his hand. ´I befriended you 'cause you're strong, terrifyin', an' dangerous,` he said. ´An' later because I kinda liked you,` he added, put his hands on his hips and glared at Ranloo as if daring him to protest.

Ranloo lifted his bandaged hands to inspect them and shook his head.

´Yeah, you gotta stop that,` Sern agreed.

He smiled faintly and sat down on the bed. ´You are so tempting me,` he said and looked intensely at Sern.

´I haven't noticed,` he replied, a flutter of excitement in his stomach. He ran his fingers through his ruffled hair with a sigh. ´Look,` he continued, a sober tone to his voice. ´You can bite me, 's okay. But not like that.`

Ranloo's eyes widened. Sern noticed that he trembled ever so slightly.

´Don't even say things like that. It gives me terrible ideas,` Ranloo said in a strained voice.

Sern laughed nervously. ´I know. But really, tis okay. I don't mind as long as you don't kill me. Just take a little. An' don't strangle me, please.`

Ranloo shook his head violently, a dark look on his face. ´I probably can't stop if I start. You should know that.`

Sern sighed. ´You worry too much.`

´And you too little,` Ranloo quickly replied. ´I can't...` he groaned in frustration. ´You should probably leave. I really need to eat and you're way more than I can handle right now.`

Sern walked toward the door, hesitated with a hand on the handle and looked back. ´You're huntin' tomorrow,` he said. ´An' I'm comin' with you.`

´You're insane,` Ranloo protested. ´And I'm not going.`

´Yes, you are. I'll help you.` Then he walked out.

Ranloo sighed in relief as Sern left and lay back on the bed, hands trembling. It was tiring to restrain himself constantly. He'd have to leave quickly the next night or risk killing someone in the guild. Or worse, kill one of his friends, especially Sern. He was crazy, Ranloo decided. He had to be, to say such things, especially after what had almost happened.

Frustrated, he planted the pillow over his eyes. He didn't want to face the world, didn't want to know how bad the next night would be. Maybe it'd be his last, he thought. He was bound to make a mistake as hungry as he was.

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* * * * *

Sern woke a few hours before sunset and sauntered to the dining room for breakfast. As he sat watching other guild members walking past, eating and talking, he wondered what to do. He knew for certain he wanted, even had a need, to help Ranloo and stay with him. He liked him and felt they had a special bond. Even if he wasn't certain in what way. Ranloo was confusing, giving him conflicting signals, keeping him from saying anything. And sometimes Sern was at a loss about how to help.

Ranloo was much nicer than himself, a goodhearted and law-abiding person. Not some thief or robber. He smiled at the thought. How lucky he had been to find the vampire when he did, how lucky that Ranloo had agreed to stay around. But his stubborn belief that he had to be nice and couldn't hurt people kept him back. He had to help Ranloo get over that, had to make him see that he could be of greater help to everyone, at least everyone in the guild and his friends, if he just let go and allowed himself to be what he was. He would follow Ranloo out this night, and if need be, trigger him to hunt.

He finished breakfast and left the guild, checking around for news about the vampire hunters and other happenings in the area. There was scarcely anything, though a few people talked about a young couple who had been hunted by a ghost. He smirked, pretty sure the ghost was Ranloo.

Further away from the guild, he saw signs of preparation for the king's birthday. Lanterns hung above crossroads and along the main streets, the gutters were being cleaned, and more guards than usual patrolled the area. Probably doing the yearly sweeping of homeless, driving them off. It always caused problems and fights among the poor and lawless.

As he walked, he took every opportunity to filch for money and small valuables. Once a woman noticed and yelled, spinning around, searching the crowds. Sern casually walked away to not seem suspect while his heart raced with excitement.

Stealing was something he was good at, but it was more profitable to rob people like he and Storca had done. He wanted Ranloo to help with that. With the vampire's powers, they could take on anyone. On his own, he couldn't intimidate anyone, and that was a sour apple to swallow.

By sunset, Sern headed back towards the guild to be there when Ranloo woke up. He wasn't stupid and had no intention of getting too close, but he wanted to be near enough to follow and make sure Ranloo hunted.

* * * * *

Ranloo woke and leapt out of bed, instantly tense and aware of sounds and smells around him. He stalked to the door and flung it open. It hit the wall with a loud bang. Wide-eyed he stared up and down the corridor, sniffing the air. He knew he was in the guild and had to leave as soon as possible. But at the same time, he was drawn to the sounds of people upstairs, lured by the faint scent of their passing through the corridor. He wanted to go to them, wanted to feed. Grinding his teeth, he turned towards the next room, where an animal waited.

Later he couldn't even recall what animal it had been, but he knew it had died instantly. The blood calmed him down a fraction, but left him empty and hollow. Thirsty and weak from going so long without human blood, he had a hard time concentrating. He went straight for the loading doors instead of going up to the guild as usual. He'd end up killing Gesald otherwise, he was certain. The doors were locked but he forced them open with a grunt and entered the foggy streets, leaving them half-open behind him.

Hunting. Sern had said he needed to, and he felt it more acutely now than ever, but he still resisted. He had to get away from the house. If he killed anyone here, it'd draw attention to the guild. Aimlessly walking down the narrow streets, he tensed at the slightest sound, ready to pounce. He was dimly aware of crouching and sneaking and acting strangely but couldn't quite stop himself.

Footsteps reached his ears and he tensed, nostrils flaring as he drew in a deep breath. His fangs pounded. He had to turn away or he'd attack the approaching person. He couldn't allow himself to attack heedlessly, it could get him killed. Hugging the wall of a house, his hands grabbing on to a wide wooden beam that stood out from the rest of the structure, he managed to stop. Staring towards the sound, a figure soon emerged from the fog. A lone man walking towards him. A perfect target. He almost charged. But stubbornly refusing to move, he held on to the wall.

The man spotted him and slowed down, looking this way and that as if expecting an ambush. Then he moved further away, hugging the other side of the narrow street. His hand grasped the hilt of a shortsword by his side.

Ranloo stared, the pulse and smell driving him crazy. He wanted to kill, tear into him and drink his blood. The man hurried his steps, eyes moving back and forth between Ranloo and the street ahead. Ranloo stayed by the wall. This was just an ordinary man, not someone deserving of death, he reminded himself.

When he had gone, Ranloo forced himself to keep moving and soon came to a street lined with bars and taverns. People came and went, some in groups, some alone. It was hard for him to concentrate on moving. He hurried past and turned down a dark alley, his eyes on the ground.

´Hey there, handsome,` someone called out, stopping him in his tracks.

He swiveled around to see who had spoken and froze. A woman leaned against a wall by a corner, smiling at him. His eyes wandered from her pretty face to her high bosom, travelled down to her shapely legs, and back up again. An elf would never dress like that, he thought dimly as he stared, lust stirring inside, battling with his hunger.

The young woman's long hair was set in a partial ponytail, the red locks flowing down over her shoulders. She wore a deeply cut bodice and dress, more revealing than protecting. The long skirt almost touched the ground behind her but hung short in the front, exposing her long legs. She beckoned for him to come closer.

Without meaning to, he stalked towards her, inhaling the sweet smell of cheap perfume, listening to her strong heartbeats. He couldn't keep his eyes on her face and kept glancing down. The dress was too revealing. Shameful, he thought, but couldn't help liking what he saw, couldn't help looking.

´Where d'you come from?` she asked and stood from the wall. Reaching out, she touched his long hair and he resisted the urge to bite her wrist. ´You're not from around here.` She admired the black length of hair as she let it run through her fingers.

Ranloo shook his head, momentarily unable to talk as he struggled with himself. The only things keeping him from attacking was her calm and his own sudden desire. ´I'm from Sel-Faeyth,` he managed after a while.

She gave a light pealing laugh. ´Yes, I can see you're an elf.` Twisting a lock of her hair around her fingers, she smiled coyly. ´But you're no wood-elf.` She studied his dark features and bright eyes.

´Well... half,` he replied, trying to keep track of the conversation, eyes fixed on her neck. ´My father was a desert-elf and my mother a wood-elf.`

´What's your name, handsome?` She ran her fingers lightly down his chest.

He tensed, his warring emotions making him tremble. Her smile widened as she noticed, unaware of the danger. ´Ranloo,` he said hoarsely. ´What's yours?` His eyes wandered down to her bosom by themselves, the neckline of the bodice too far down, revealing too much. He would have blushed if he could, not used to seeing people dressed like this.

´Lily,` she said and lifted his chin with a finger.

He met her eyes for a few seconds, then looked away in a rush of guilt.

She laughed in delight. ´You're new in the city?`

He glanced back up. ´Yes. No. A little.` A chill gust of wind blew the foggy night air into his face. He looked again at her dress. ´Aren't you cold?` He tried to keep his mind focused on anything apart from killing her.

´A little. Would you like to keep me warm?` she asked and hooked her left arm around his right.

He looked at her arm, blinking. What was she doing? Sometimes humans were so confusing, he thought. So bold. He knew what she wanted but refused to admit it, even as his heart pounded and he couldn't stop staring.

´I've a room back there.` She pointed down the alley.

Nodding numbly, he followed as she pulled him along.

´I've never had the pleasure of being in the company of an elf before,` she laughed lightly, leaned in and kissed him on the ear to his surprise. A shiver coursed through him and he stopped, unable to breathe. This was wrong. She was too close, too tempting, and what she wanted he couldn't give. It was betrayal. And he'd kill her.

She eyed him with a slight frown. ´What's wrong?`

He couldn't answer, busy battling his hunger.

´Don't you want to come?` She pulled at his arm.

She smelled so sweet, her warmth alluring, so hard to resist. So hungry. He had to get away. Quiet steps approached behind them but he didn't care.

´You should go with her,` a familiar voice said.

Ranloo twisted his head around to see Sern with a slight smile on his lips. The thief watched them with a light blush on his cheeks. Ranloo trembled and looked away.

´She's pretty,` Sern added.

She smiled at him and looked back to Ranloo. ´A friend of yours?`

Ranloo nodded and took a deep breath. ´Sern, what are you doing here?` he asked without looking at him.

´I said I'd come,` he replied. ´Didn't think you'd go here though.`

´You can come too,` Lily invited with a sweet smile. ´You'll get a discount.` She winked at Sern who blushed and stared at Ranloo.

Ranloo heard Sern's heartbeats increase and glared at him.

´Uh, maybe not,` he said hurriedly. ´I think he'll want you for himself.` He grinned as Ranloo shook his head violently.

She laughed. ´Pity. But I'll take it. He's the most handsome man I've ever seen.` She draped her arms around Ranloo's neck and planted a kiss on his lips.

He tensed, then all coherent thought vanished and he hugged her close, leaned in and smelled her neck. She laughed, then stiffened. With a choked cry, she tried pushing him away, her eyes bulging.