Sern took a step back, staring as the woman struggled in vain against the vampire. It was unnerving to watch. But a thrill of excitement rushed through him as he, for the first time, looked as Ranloo killed someone in cold blood. He'd seen him kill before but only in the midst of battle, fighting for his life or in uncontrolled rage. Not like this. The hairs on his neck and arms stood on end, but he refused to look away.

The woman struggled for a while, then her head fell forward and she slumped against Ranloo. He held her up, and it almost looked like he was supporting her, hugging a lover. Sern's heartbeats rushed in his ears and his breathing came quick and shallow. His entire body tingled with excitement. Realizing Ranloo was going to let her fall to the ground, Sern hurried up alongside them, propping her up.

´Don't drop 'er,` he hissed.

Ranloo stared at him with wide glowing eyes. Then his amber gaze returned to the woman's still face and he almost let go.

Sern struggled to keep her up. ´Hold 'er up, you can't just drop 'er. It'll draw attention.`

Ranloo's mouth pressed into a thin line and he did as told.

´This way,` Sern hissed, leading the way. They walked aside with her propped between them like a drunk who needed support. They entered a narrow alley a few houses away.

´Here's fine,` Sern whispered and let her fall.

Ranloo stepped away until he stood backed up against a wall and couldn't move further. He stared at the corpse.

Sern searhed for something to hide her with but found nothing useful in the alley. With a shrug, he turned back to Ranloo and studied him. He looked fine; alive and with more colour in his face. No blood stained his clothes. Perfect. Nobody would suspect anything. Sern walked up to his friend and grabbed his arm. ´Come. Let's leave,` he said quietly.

Ranloo pulled his arm out of his grip. ´Why are you here?` he hissed.

Sern stepped back, alarmed. ´I told you I'd come with you,` he whispered. ´I just stayed at a distance to keep you from attackin' me,` he explained, his brows furrowed with worry.

´Why... ` Ranloo looked back down to the dead woman. ´I didn't mean...`

Sern hushed and reached out to pat his arm. ´I know you didn't. But you gotta,` he said. ´You're better now, aren't you?`

Ranloo glared at him, eyes still glowing. ´That's no excuse! And you let me kill her!` he raised his voice to Sern's dismay. He tried to hush him and grabbed his arm to pull him away, but Ranloo shrugged him off again and stayed against the wall. ´You wanted me to!` He pointed an accusing finger at Sern.

He stepped back, raising his hands. ´No, I didn't,` he protested. ´But you were already goin' for it an' I figured it'd be bad t' try an' stop you.` That wasn't entirely true, but Ranloo didn't need to know that. He had intended to trigger him anyway, but it hadn't been necessary. A stab of guilt pained his heart, but Ranloo had get around it, had to get used to it.

Ranloo stared at him without a word for so long Sern began to wonder if he'd seen through it. But then he sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair, shook his head with a glance at the corpse, and started to leave.

Sern sighed in relief and followed in silence.

´I gotta say I was surprised t' find you there,` Sern tried after walking a while.

´Why?`

´Well, that's where the, umm... hookers are.` His face burned hot.

Ranloo's gaze wavered. ´I didn't know that,` he mumbled and looked uncomfortable.

Sern chuckled and nudged Ranloo in the side. ´Surely you knew when you saw her?`

Ranloo shook his head and muttered something unintelligible.

Sern giggled and got another annoyed glare. ´You know 'bout... that stuff, right?` He hoped he wouldn't have to explain. He'd heard elves could be very chaste.

Ranloo snorted and pushed him sideways. Sern laughed, relieved that Ranloo acted more himself again.

´Yes, I know,` he huffed. ´I wasn't born yesterday.`

Sern studied him, suddenly curious. ´How old're you? I never asked.` Elves lived far longer than humans but he'd never thought about it.

Ranloo smirked. ´312 years.`

´Really!` Sern's mouth fell open. ´You look no more than 25! That's so unfair!` he cried and hit Ranloo on the shoulder.

´Hey, don't hit me,` Ranloo laughed and evaded another swing from Sern. ´It's not my fault you're a short-lived human.`

Sern huffed. ´We're not short-lived, you're just cheatin', livin' forever like that!` Ranloo gave him a strange look, making Sern unsure of what he'd said.

´We don't live forever,` Ranloo said soberly. ´But vampires do.`

Sern nodded and wedged a hand in around Ranloo's arm, gluing himself to his side. Ranloo gave him a curious look, lifting an eyebrow. ´You know, it's still unfair,` Sern said.

Ranloo looked away for a moment, then turned his amber eyes back to Sern, a sad expression on his fair features. ´Are we going to continue pretending I didn't just murder an innocent?`

Sern wasn't sure how to proceed. He had to tread carefully. ´She wasn't exactly innocent,` he began and got a stern look back. ´She was a... you know, workin' girl,` he finished carefully. ´Not your average woman.`

´Didn't deserve to die,` Ranloo replied sourly.

´Maybe not,` Sern said. `But did you deserve t' be turned into a vamp?`

Ranloo shook his head.

´Sometimes things happen,` he continued. ´Not 'cause we deserve it but 'cause they happen. But we still gotta move on. You can't keep blamin' yourself 'cause of it.` He gave Ranloo a serious look.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

´So you think I should just give in and start killing people on a daily basis?` he snorted.

´No, but you gotta stop blamin' yourself when it happens. And I think I can help you make it happen less often.`

Ranloo looked down at him sharply, his forehead wrinkled.

´We can test it when we're back home.` He wore a cryptic smile on his lips.

Ranloo raised a doubtful eyebrow, but Sern just laughed it away.

They spent the night talking, and against his wishes, Ranloo soon found himself in a better mood. He felt terrible about the deed but was getting better at forcing feelings and memories aside, focusing on other things. He couldn't change what had happened anyway.

´So, how 'bout you help me like you promised,` Sern said.

´Huh?`

´You promised t' help me become a great thief, remember?` Sern poked him in the side.

Ranloo laughed. ´So I did, though I don't know why.` His eyes glittered mischievously.

Sern nudged him with a grin. ´You know why. It's 'cause you're my best friend!`

Ranloo hadn't been prepared for that and blinked. Sern met his inquiring look with a genuine smile. ´Alright.` Ranloo shrugged. ´How?`

´Let's start by findin' someone lookin' like they've got coin or valuables,` Sern said with excitement.

´Don't look so happy about it,` Ranloo chided.

Sern laughed. ´I'm a thief, remember? That's how we met. I'm way more unpleasant than you gimme credit for.`

Ranloo narrowed his eyes. ´Perhaps I should've let that guard bring you to jail then? Is that what you want?`

´No, no!` Sern laughed loudly. ´Don't ever let 'em do that! They'll kill me!` His smile faded. ´Tis true, you know.`

Ranloo nodded and ruffled Sern's hair to disgruntled protests. He pulled up his hood to hide his face in case someone were to recognize him before they could get anything done.

* * * * *

On his way home from a long day's work, Liam shuddered in the chill foggy air. It was risky to be out this late, but sometimes his work required him to stay up most of the night. The fair pay made it well worth the odd hours, though. He secured his money bag on his belt, checked that his sword and dagger were loose in their sheaths, and pulled up his hood. He tugged his cloak tight around him, keeping the humid air at bay.

Due to his size, Liam rarely encountered trouble and felt fairly safe. He also knew the streets well and avoided the narrow dark alleys that presented the highest risks. But some time later he noticed a pair walking behind him. He glanced back, seeing two figures in the fog. One tall with a cloak, and one smaller and thinner figure, probably a young man in his teens, he thought and frowned. What were they doing out this late? Probably on their way home, just like himself. But to be safe, he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword and sped up, not wanting to take unnecessary risks with the strangers. They probably just walked in the same direction, but he didn't trust people in Jaris.

A few minutes later he glanced back again. The figures had gone. He sighed in relief and continued on his way, relaxing a bit when someone came towards him from ahead.

Startled, he looked up and was dismayed to see the cloaked figure of a man dressed in black. Possibly the same man that had followed him earlier. Tensing, he grasped the sword hilt, prepared for anything. As the stranger approached, Liam could make out more details, like his long black hair falling out of the hood in dark waves. But his face lay hidden in shadow.

To avoid a confrontation, Liam stepped aside to allow the man to pass. But as he moved, the stranger followed him sideways, forcing him to stop.

´What do you want?` he asked, his voice harsh as he tried to sound intimidating. The man stopped just out of reach.

´I want your money,` he said in a strong, clear voice.

There was a slight accent in his voice Liam couldn't place. He drew the sword and gave the stranger a stern glare. ´I don't think so. Why would I give you anything?`

´Because if you don't give it freely,` the man smiled, his white teeth flashing in the shadows of his hood, ´we'll take it by force.`

´We?` he wondered aloud as he remembered the other figure. He twisted his head around to look over his shoulder. The small teenager stood there, a throwing knife in his hand and a smirk on his lips. Liam cursed under his breath. Alone, the stranger wouldn't have been able to rob him. But two against one was much worse. However, he wore armour and the small throwing knives wouldn't be much of a problem as long as he didn't hit him in the face. Also, the cloaked man hadn't even drawn his own weapon.

´You might get killed for some money,` Liam threatened, raising his long blade. ´Is it really worth it?`

´I'm not scared of death,` the man said and stepped closer.

Liam thrust at him with the sword to keep him at bay but he danced aside, evading it. He seemed to have experience and skill, Liam thought nervously. But he clearly didn't want to get hit.

´You're better off givin' us what you've got,` the young man behind him said. ´You'll regret it otherwise. He's way stronger than you.`

Liam almost laughed at the comment. The man was skilled, he could tell. But stronger? No, he didn't think so. If anything, the man seemed elfin in his movements and slender build. That jogged a memory and his eyes narrowed as he tried to see what the man looked like. There had been talk about a darkelf, of murders and horrible deeds. But he hadn't listened much, such rumours circulated all the time.

The man stepped forward, reaching out for him. Liam swiped at his arm. And missed. The stranger grabbed his sword and wrenched it out of his grasp. With a surprised gasp, Liam stepped back, reaching for his dagger. The man shifted forward, wrapped a hand around his throat and pushed him back. As Liam's back slammed against a wall, he pulled the dagger out. His breath was knocked out of him with a grunt.

How was this man so strong, he wondered a second before he was almost lifted off the ground. Barely able to breathe, he gasped but kept his grip on the knife.

´Ranloo, watch out,` the teenager called just as Liam thrust the blade forward. It slid easily through the man's clothes and punched through, into his guts. The man gasped and let go. Liam sucked in a deep breath and was about to run when the man, impossibly, pulled the dagger out of his belly, turned it around and pointed it at him. Liam's eyes widened as the blade pressed against his throat, dark with the stranger's blood.

´That hurt,` the man hissed, his eyes glowing like orange flames in the shadows of the hood.

Liam panicked and backed up against the wall, raising his arms high, grimacing in fear. The man followed with the dagger.

´You'll give us all your money now,` he said and pressed the point of the blade against his skin.

Liam's leather armour was hard, but it wouldn't help against a thrust to his unprotected neck. He nodded hastily and indicated with his head that he had the money on his belt. ´Yes, yes, of course,` he breathed and slowly lowered a hand to get the money.

The man groaned and held his stomach with his left hand, lowering the dagger a fraction.

Liam noticed the man's bandaged hands, and for a moment, he was horror-stricken. What if he had the plague or something? But the bandages were drenched in blood from the wound in his belly and he'd die a slow death for his crime, Liam thought with some satisfaction as he untied the money pouch. The teenager came up beside them and held out a hand. Liam handed it over.

´Thank you, kind sir,` the young thief said in a mocking tone, then he glanced towards his friend.

´I hope it's worth losing your strong friend for,` Liam said bitterly. He had worked hard for that money.

´Losing him?` the thief laughed.

The tall stranger grunted and straightened. He seized Liam's arm and stretched it out in front of him, lifting the dagger with his right hand. Liam yelled in fright and struggled against the iron grasp.

´That. Really. Hurt,` the man said through clenched teeth and drove the dagger into his forearm.

Liam screamed as the blade punched right through his arm. The man let him go and left, leaving the dagger in his arm. The teenager hurried along, supporting him as they disappeared into the fog.

Liam groaned and sank to his knees, cradling his arm and shaking in pain and shock. The way home seemed very long and dark and he dreaded the results of this night. His arm would be useless for weeks, maybe the rest of his life. If he didn't get some infection or disease and died from it. Fearfully he stared at the blade through his arm, dripping with blood. His own, and the stranger's.