Ranloo hunted. He ran through the streets, focused and strangely elated as he thought about sinking his teeth into someone. Free. He needed the strength to have any chance of surviving the encounter with the hunters. Starving yourself with animals, his master had said. It makes you weak. He needed to be strong now. Stronger than he had ever been.

The overcast sky threatened with rain. He didn't care. The cool humid air enhanced all the smells. It was nice to run, to speed through the streets looking for people. Suitable people, he reminded himself. Not just anyone. He didn't want to hurt normal people, didn't want to be a mindless killer. He needed someone people wouldn't miss or think twice about being killed. A thief, a murderer, a city guard. It didn't matter, as long as it wasn't a commoner.

He caught the whiff of a scent on the air and slowed. Taking a deep breath, he tested the air, noting the direction it came from. He followed it at a swift walk, his cloak rippling behind him. Soon, he spotted a person walking down the street away from him. A man, looking like a merchant. For a moment, Ranloo didn't care. He was too focused on hunting and swiftly followed. Then he remembered what he was about to do and hesitated, he didn't want to kill innocent people. Struggling with himself, he managed to steer away and turned down a side street, frustrated and irritated. To avoid temptation he started running again. He had to find someone else. In the back of his mind, he was aware of having almost attacked Felisei earlier. She had been terrified but he hadn't cared. His friendship was dangerous indeed. He was glad she'd gotten away.

He came by a house with an open window facing a shadowy courtyard. He stopped and studied it. It wasn't hot enough to warrant keeping it open all night, not to mention the risk of getting unwanted visitors. Listening carefully, he caught faint bumps from inside. Intrigued, he stalked closer to the window. Maybe they were burglars? He smiled faintly. Just like himself and Sern. He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts. He didn't need sympathy for the ones he planned to kill.

Stealing to the window, he peeked in. He didn't see anyone but whispered conversation, shuffling, and rummaging came from the next room. People looking for something of value to steal? Moving to the side of the window, he leaned against the wall and waited, tapping his fingers against his crossed arms impatiently.

As he waited, his conscience reminded him about the awful thing he was about to do and how wrong it was. Even if they were thieves, they were living people with thoughts and feelings and dreams. Frowning deeply, he tried to dismiss it. He needed the strength if he was to have any chance of freeing his wife, and she was worth a hundred times more than some random, human thief. The thought of the hunters keeping her in this human city distressed him. She was too gentle and kind, too sensitive to be captured and held against her will. Was it against her will though? Doubt crashed over him, weighing him down. What if she had come of her own free will? Misery wrapped around his shoulders like a heavy blanket. What if she had come to see him die? To make sure he wouldn't continue on as a monster. He shook his head, suddenly struggling to breathe. He turned his head towards the window and concentrated.

Soft footfalls approached. Ranloo tensed and unfolded his arms, readying for an attack. The thought of biting them instantly dismissed any other thoughts. A tingle of excitement coursed through him in anticipation. His canines extended, long and sharp. Ranloo had to use all his determination and self-control not to launch himself at the first of the thieves as he climbed out of the window. His friend followed right behind with the loot.

Somehow they didn't see him, though he stood only a few feet away. But the courtyard was pretty dark, he reflected. As they left, Ranloo quietly followed. They walked at a brisk pace but he had no trouble keeping up. He closed in on the young man farthest back. Reaching out, he wrapped his left arm around his throat and placed his right hand over his mouth. The man gave a muffled shout of surprise and yanked at Ranloo's arms. Ranloo held him close, never giving him a chance to defend himself before biting deep into his neck. The young man stiffened for a second, then thrashed to free himself, kicking and struggling. Alerted, his friend stopped and turned around, eyes widening as he saw them. His mouth opened in a silent scream as he stumbled backwards, turned, and bolted down the street, leaving his friend behind.

As soon as the young man sagged against him, Ranloo let him go. He fell with a thud to the cobbles, still alive but barely breathing, his heartbeats weak and fluttering. Fixing his glowing eyes on the receding figure, Ranloo rushed forward. The fleeing thief glanced over his shoulder and yelped in terror, speeding up. He stumbled around a sharp corner ahead. Ranloo enjoyed the hunt fully, exhilarated by it. The scent of fear and racing heartbeats egging him on. The thief was too slow and Ranloo soon caught up with him.

He reached out to grab the thief but he managed to dodge and Ranloo only got a hold on his tunic. The fabric ripped as the man pressed onwards. With an impatient snarl, Ranloo sped up and swiped at him with an open hand, like a cat after a mouse. The blow connected with his head and he careened into a wall on his left, dropping the sack with the stolen goods. Ranloo was on him in seconds, forcing him back. The man hollered and tried to push Ranloo away from him.

Ranloo forced his head back and bit him. The thief struggled but Ranloo didn't care, mesmerized by the sounds and the heat of life flowing into him. When he was done and let go, the man sank to his knees, grasping his neck and gasping for breath as he toppled forward.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Ranloo grabbed the sack and left the scene, not looking back. In control and feeling better than he had for a long time, he smiled grimly to himself, dismissing the thoughts of what he had done. He headed back to the guild at a run. He had to talk to Jackal and he wanted a word with Diquarl as well.

As he reached a street nearby the guild, his sharpened senses picked up a familiar scent in the air. He hesitated, then with a slight smile he followed it. Swiftly and silently he moved through the streets, unable to contain his excitement. All thoughts of the thieves fled his mind. Sneaking around a corner, he spotted a figure ahead, moving away from him. His lips pulled back into a wide grin. Setting the bag down, he made sure to move extra careful to not make a sound as he approached the unaware figure.

Ranloo reached out and grabbed the young man, one hand over his mouth and the other around his chest. He gave a muffled shriek and Ranloo enjoyed the struggle, the racing heartbeats and the scent of fear. Pulling him closer, Ranloo sniffed his neck, making him shudder. Since Ranloo had already eaten he managed to stay in control despite the triggering closeness and smells. Smiling, he allowed himself this moment and pressed his lips against the boy's neck, tempting himself. The boy relaxed against him, his racing heart calming down a fraction. He pulled at Ranloo's hand covering his mouth and Ranloo allowed him to remove it.

Sern panted, still fearful but getting calmer with each passing second. ´What're you doin'?` he asked breathlessly and tried to look behind him. ´You scared the livin' soul outta me!`

Ranloo laughed and gave Sern a playful half-bite on the neck before letting go.

Startled, Sern yelped and twisted around, staring at Ranloo with wide eyes. ´Are you insane?` he asked, a mixture of wonder and fear in his voice, his cheeks flushing bright red.

Ranloo shook his head, still smiling, enjoying that special scent he connected with Sern. ´I'm in control. Don't worry,` he assured his friend, then laughed as Sern kept staring at him.

´Don't scare me like that. I've told you!` Sern raised his voice as the shock passed. He shook a fist at Ranloo, laughing in disbelief. ´You're mad!`

´Why are you sneaking around out here?` Ranloo asked, his tone serious again.

Sern made a face and crossed his arms. ´Lookin' for you, but now I wonder why I bothered.` He tossed his head.

Ranloo laughed. ´You found me. What did you want?`

´I wanted t' talk with you 'bout... the thing... t'morrow,` he finished lamely.

Ranloo's smile died as he was reminded of his dire situation, of his wife's situation. He didn't know how to respond and nodded silently.

´You goin' back t' the guild?` Sern gave him a searching look, worry etched on his young face.

Ranloo nodded and started back in the direction of the big building, hoisting the bag on to his shoulder again. Sern ran up to him and walked by his side.

´I have to talk to Jackal,` Ranloo mumbled.

Sern looked up at him and nodded, a slight frown pulling his brows together. ´I think he's sleepin' at this hour. Tis a bit late.`

Ranloo shrugged, not really concerned about the guild leader's sleep. ´I need to talk with him anyway. I'll just wake him up,` he stated.

Sern snorted. ´The guards won't let you, y'know.`

´I'll make them let me.`

´Don't hurt them.`

Ranloo regarded his young friend before replying. Sern wasn't exactly the most good-hearted person in the world, but he did care about his friends. And he worried Ranloo would kill people out of lack of control. He smiled reassuringly. ´I won't kill them. I told you, I'm in control.`

Sern gave him a doubtful glance. ´How come?`

´I hunted,` he replied quietly and looked down the empty street. Briefly, he wondered if the thieves would survive. He'd left both of them alive. Close to dying, but still drawing breath. He dismissed it, it didn't matter. They were just criminals and nobody would miss them. His fist clenched hard around the sack. Just like nobody would miss him or Sern if they died. He became aware of Sern's eyes following him, regarding him silently.

´What?` he asked after a while.

Sern smiled slightly and shrugged. ´You don't usually hunt,` he pointed out carefully.

Ranloo shook his head.

´Why're you doin' it now?` Sern watched him intently. ´Is it 'cause of them?`

Ranloo snorted and averted his eyes. He felt bad about killing, about hunting. But the need to save his wife and the wish to survive had driven him to do what he knew a vampire must to stay strong. It angered him. His master had been right that he liked it, that it made him feel so much better and put him into a good mood afterwards. He glowered furiously at the cobbles, imagining each of them being his master's face as he stepped on them.

´Don't let it drag you down.` Sern patted him on the arm. ´Tis good you do it.`

Ranloo's angry frown softened. He knew Sern was right but he didn't like it. Taking a deep breath to calm his raging emotions, he hurried his steps.