Anna, Phara, and Theodore found themselves settled into their new accommodations - a small apartment above the vampire bar. Anna paced anxiously around the room. Meanwhile, Theodore sat at the table, diligently fixing Anna's cell phone. Phara, on the other hand, sat on the bed, engrossed in her research on a laptop, desperately seeking any information that could help Anastasia’s coven.
“We have to warn Anastasia,” Anna whispered urgently, her voice trembling with fear. “The men with vans, they might be watching her coven. Or, what we lead them to her coven?”
Phara, calm and composed, continued typing on her laptop, seemingly unfazed by Anna's distress. “Anna, let's just take a deep breath and calm down,” she said soothingly. “Jumping to conclusions won't help us.”
But Anna couldn't shake off her unease. She leaned over Theodore, who was diligently repairing her cell phone, without realizing she was blocking his light. Theodore, a patient and kind-hearted man, spoke up with a hint of concern in his voice.
“Anna, my love, if you keep blocking the light, I won't be able to repair your phone,” Theodore gently reminded her.
Anna backed up a little, but her worry got the best of her as she leaned over the same spot again. Theodore, now slightly frustrated, turned to Phara for assistance.
“Phara, please, my darling, can you explain to Anna that I can't work if I can't see?” Theodore pleaded.
Phara closed her laptop and looked directly into Anna's eyes, her voice filled with reassurance. “Anna, I understand your fear, but Theodore needs proper lighting to fix your phone. Let's find a better position for to pace. Theo, I promise I'll take care of you.”
Reluctantly, Anna listened to Phara's words and moved to a spot where she wouldn't obstruct Theodore's work. Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, breaking the tense atmosphere. Anna froze in front of the door, her eyes meeting Phara's. Without a word being spoken, Phara understood the unspoken question in Anna's gaze. “You haven't fed in a while,” she gently remarked. Anna shook her head and walked away from the door, escaping into the bathroom.
Theodore stood up and opened the door, revealing Will standing there. “Come in,” Theodore invited him, welcoming the distraction. As Will entered, Theodore closed the door behind him. In the bathroom, Anna slammed the door.
Phara sensed Anna's distress, she entered the bathroom, finding Anna sitting against the wall, a picture of sadness and confusion. Anna looked up at Phara, “Why?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Phara knelt down in front of Anna, her touch gentle and comforting. With a tender caress on Anna's face, Phara spoke softly, “You don't have to be ashamed of who or what you are, Anna. Me and Theodore love all of you, even the parts you yourself disdain.” She helped Anna to her feet, and they walked out of the bathroom together.
Meanwhile, Theodore was engaged in a battle of his own - trying to prevent Will from tampering with their equipment. “Don't touch that,” Theodore warned, his voice firm and resolute. Will, undeterred, held the usual device in his hand, oblivious to Theodore's warnings. In a moment of misfortune, the device slipped from Theodore's grip and crashed onto the floor, shattering into pieces.
Anna, standing behind Theodore, couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. “At least it wasn't me this time,” she teased, a hint of relief in her voice. Will, sensing the tension in the room, quickly stepped closer to Anna, offering his wrist to her. Anna's fangs emerged, and she drank from him, his eyes closing in pure ecstasy. Theodore and Phara watched in awe as Will surrendered himself to the experience, his bliss apparent.
As Anna released her hold on Will, stepping away and wiping her mouth, he nodded and hurriedly left the room. Anna turned to Theodore and Phara, her voice laced with frustration. “There, are you both happy now?” she questioned, a mix of defiance and vulnerability in her words.
Theodore couldn't help but find himself curious about Anna's abilities. He began to ask, “Can you drink from any human?”
Anna shamefully looks down confessed, “Sort of, for some reason my cravings desire male blood. Also, female blood sometimes makes me nauseous.”
But Phara, sensing his intent, intervened. “No more questions,” she said firmly, her eyes conveying her protective nature. She redirected the conversation, asking Theodore about the progress on Anna's phone.
“I need a few more minutes,” Theodore replied, refocusing his attention on his task. Anna and Phara returned to the bed, sitting side by side and watching Theodore intently as he skillfully repaired Anna's phone.
Theodore carefully finished fixing Anna's phone. He held it out to her, a look of pride on his face. Anna rose from her spot on the bed, where Phara and their loyal dog, Phara, sat patiently waiting. With a quick and eager motion, Anna snatched the phone from Theodore's hands.
“Be careful, I just fixed it,” Theodore cautioned.
“Okay, I got it,” Anna replied, a hint of excitement in her voice. She had been cut off from the outside world for far too long, and having her phone back meant so much more than just a device.
Standing behind Anna, Phara gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don't forget to tell her about the vans near her coven,” Phara reminded her. “And if anyone asks, we left the city.”
Anna nodded, appreciating Phara's reminder. “Do you want to make the call?” Anna asked, offering the phone to Phara.
Phara accepted the device with a confident smile. “Anastasia, as we were leaving your coven, Anna was attacked by two men with a van,” Phara began, her voice steady and determined. “We were forced to take action and ended up killing them to save her life. I'm sure you've heard about the bodies, but strangely, no one has reported it. Yes, you did? That's great. Can you email your notes to us? We'll see if we can gather more information to help us.”
While Phara continued her conversation with Anastasia, Anna turned her attention to Theodore. They exchanged an understanding glance, and Theodore's words broke the silence. “That’s why is boss,” he said, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Phara ended the call and handed the phone back to Theodore. Anna reached out to take it, a flicker of possessiveness crossing her face. “That is my phone,” she reminded Phara.
Phara chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes. “You broke it three times in less than a week,” she teased. “This is the only way we can contact Anastasia. Let's rest for a few hours, then get back to it.”
***
Dr. Specker peered into the microscope, his eyes fixed on the samples of blood from the blonde vampire. He had been tirelessly working in his lab, determined to unravel the mysteries hidden within her ancient veins. As he focused on the intricate patterns of the blood cells, the woman walked in, her presence casting a shadow over his concentration.
“You wanted to speak with me,” she said, her voice carrying an air of confidence.
Dr. Specker looked up, his gaze meeting hers. “Are you sure this is the blood from the blonde vampire?” he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
The woman nodded firmly. “Yes, according to your device, she has walked this earth for over 300 years.”
Dr. Specker sighed, his frustration evident. “I have conducted countless tests, attempting to create a synthetic version of her blood, trying to find a match with my various solutions.”
The woman raised an eyebrow, a touch of impatience in her voice. “She is a vampire, Doctor. I fail to see the problem. Just figure it out.”
Dr. Specker shook his head, a mix of despair and determination in his eyes. “It's not that simple,” he explained. “The molecules in her blood cells keep changing. They defy the laws of biology vampire, constantly shifting and evolving.”
With a flick of his hand, Dr. Specker displayed a series of images showcasing the vampire's blood. The woman's eyes widened in both astonishment and curiosity. The images revealed a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, unlike anything seen in other vampires’ blood.
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“There is an inherent complexity in her blood,” Dr. Specker continued, his voice filled with awe. “The molecules are in a constant state of flux, adapting, and altering their structure. It's as if her very essence is intertwined with the ever-changing nature of life itself.”
The woman leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. "What does this mean, Doctor?"
The woman gazes at Dr. Specker, directing his attention to two distinct images of vampire blood samples under a microscope. One image displays the blood of a blonde vampire, while the other reveals the blood of a vampire they recently apprehended. Dr. Specker focuses on the image of the normal vampire blood.
Dr. Specker held up a vial of deep red liquid, labeled “Normal Vampire Blood,” and explained, “This is the blood of a typical vampire. It is incredibly resilient, able to withstand numerous tests. However, when exposed to UV light or sunlight, it disintegrates into nothingness.” He demonstrated this by shining a UV light on the blood, causing it to dissolve before their eyes.
The Woman nodded, processing the information. The fragility of vampire blood in the face of sunlight was well-known, but it still fascinated her to witness it firsthand.
“Now,” Dr. Specker continued, his voice filled with intrigue, “this blood sample is from the blonde vampire.” He repeated the same test, but to their surprise, the blonde vampire's blood remained intact, albeit weakened by the UV light.
Puzzled, the Woman questioned, “What do you think she is?”
Dr. Specker hesitated before responding, “I don't know for certain, but she certainly has traces of vampire blood. It's possible she's a hybrid or a unique subspecies we've yet to encounter. Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of time to conduct further research at the moment. Our focus should be on the other vampire's blood.”
The Woman stood beside Dr. Specker, her eyes fixed on the blood test results of the blond vampire. She couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as she praised Dr. Specker for his good work. “Good job, Dr. Specker,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of admiration and authority. “The men have provided a nice selection for you. I will have blood samples brought up to you.”
Dr. Specker nodded, his expression focused and determined. “Remember,” he replied, his voice low but filled with conviction.
As The Woman walked towards the exit of the lab, “You just focus on the research, and I will take care of everything,” she assured Dr. Specker, her voice oozing with confidence.
Taking the UV flashlight in her hand, The Woman made her way down the long hallway, a sense of anticipation tingling through her veins. She entered the elevator, the doors closing behind her, and descended into the basement of the building. Rows upon rows of vampires were piles up in cells, the air thick with a mixture of fear and despair.
Amongst the chaos, The Woman's eyes caught sight of the blond vampire, offering comfort to a few scared vampires in her cell. Determination fueled her actions as she noticed two men busy loading more vampires into nearby cells. Stepping forward with authority, she declared, “I want this cell only for her.”
One of the men looked at her with concern. “We are running out of room,” he informed her, a hint of hesitance in his voice.
The Woman's eyes narrowed in determination. “Build more cells, but do as I said, now,” she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.
The men quickly sprang into action, removing the other vampires from the designated cell, leaving the blond vampire alone. The blond vampire looked up at The Woman, her eyes filled with defiance and curiosity. “What do you want now?” she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of resentment and curiosity.
“I want to see if the doctor’s test results are accurate,” The Woman replied, her voice tinged with a touch of intrigue. Raising the UV flashlight, she directed its powerful beam into the adjacent cell for a brief moment. The vampires inside screamed as their flesh began to burn, writhing in agony.
Turning off the light, The Woman then directed it towards the blond vampire. The blond vampire instinctively shielded her face with her hands, but to the surprise of both The Woman and the men, she remained unharmed by the UV light.
Intrigued and perplexed, The Woman turned off the light and took a step closer to the cell. Her eyes locked with the blond vampire's, “What are you?” The Woman asked, her voice laced with a mix of fascination and urgency.
The blond vampire leaned back against the cell wall, her expression unreadable. For a moment, silence hung in the air, as if the weight of the question lingered between them. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, the blond vampire replied, “I am Yōsei Kyūketsuki.”
The Woman's hand clenched into a fist, frustration and anger coursing through her veins. “What does that mean?” she demanded, her voice edged with impatience.
But the blond vampire remained silent, her lips sealed shut. The Woman's frustration mounted, her patience wearing thin. With a frustrated growl, she struck the cell with her hand, the sharp sound echoing through the basement. The woman retorted, “Fine, I hope you enjoy your permanent home.”
***
Anastasia woke up to the soft glow of the moon filtering into the bedroom. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed her wife, Delilah, hanging up her cell phone. There was something in the way Delilah hurriedly ended the call that caught Anastasia's attention. Sensing her wife's gaze upon her, Delilah quickly placed her phone on the nightstand and climbed onto the bed, leaning in to give Anastasia a kiss.
But Anastasia drawing away from Delilah asked, “Who were you talking to?”
Delilah paused for a moment before responding, her voice tinged with hesitation, “I was speaking with the feeder recruiter. I'm growing tired of Kim, I want some new blood. I also called to have Nicole replaced for you.”
Anastasia's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and concern. “Why would you do that? I never asked you to make those calls. Besides, I am the one in charge of the coven's orders. You shouldn't be interfering.”
Delilah's voice wavered as she tried to explain herself, “I was only trying to help, Anastasia. I thought it would make things easier for you.”
Anastasia couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal. She noticed that Delilah had used her phone to contact the feeder recruiter. Picking up her phone from the nightstand, she held it tightly in her hand, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and hurt, “Please don't do that again. My responsibilities as the leader of the coven should not be undermined.”
But Delilah's anger suddenly erupted, and she began pushing Anastasia while yelling at her. Anastasia, feeling overwhelmed, started to get dressed, her mind already set on putting an end to the escalating argument. “Just stop,” she pleaded, her voice steady even amidst the chaos. “I don't need this added stress.”
In a fit of anger, Delilah mumbled something hurtful, barely audible under her breath, “Well, maybe the coven should've allowed a traitorous bastard in charge.”
Anastasia's eyes widened in shock. She could hardly believe what she had just heard. “What did you just say?” she demanded, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and pain.
Realizing that she had gone too far with her words, Delilah's expression shifted to one of regret. She tried to reach for Anastasia's hand, desperately seeking forgiveness. “I'm sorry, Anastasia. I didn't mean to bring up your past. It was a mistake.”
Anastasia, however, had already stepped away, putting a necessary distance between them. With a heavy sigh, she replied, “Well, it's the only weapon you and any other vampire have against me. I forgive you, but you will never truly understand where I come from.”
Delilah's heart sank as she watched Anastasia exit their apartment, heading upstairs to her coven’s office. She had let anger cloud her judgment, forgetting the fragility of their bond. As the door clicked shut, Delilah was left to reflect on her actions and the wounds she had inflicted upon Anastasia's already burdened soul.
Anastasia reached her office and immediately noticed that Blake, was nowhere to be found. She glanced back towards the lounge area, she saw it filled with members of her coven, vampires. Without wasting a moment, Anastasia swiftly entered her office and accessed the security video feed. As she scanned through the footage, her eyes widened with shock. There was Blake, standing outside her office, engaged in a conversation with a feeder recruiter named Kim, Nicole and several other humans.
But then, on another monitor, she saw a sinister sight. A van was approaching them, its darkened windows hiding the intentions of its occupants. Anastasia's heart raced as panic surged through her veins. She knew she had to act quickly to protect Blake and the others.
With a determined resolve, Anastasia exited her office in a determined stride, her eyes fixed on Blake. “Blake, run back inside!” she yelled, her voice filled with urgency and concern.
Blake and the others frantically rush back inside the safety of the coven's walls. Their hearts pounding, their breaths shallow, they can hardly believe they narrowly escaped the clutches of danger. As they catch their breath, Blake's eyes search the room for Anastasia, the one who had helped them, but she is nowhere to be found.
Panic rises within Blake as he realizes that Anastasia is still out there. Without thinking, he dashes back outside, his feet barely touching the ground. He reaches the place where the van once stood, only to find it empty, a chilling silence replacing the chaos that had engulfed them moments ago. Blake's heart drops, and a heavy weight settles in his chest. He knows he is too late. Anguish fills his every fiber as he watches the van disappear into the distance, Anastasia hidden inside a black cloth bag over her head.
Nicole approached Blake, her eyes filled with tears. “Where is Anastasia?” she pleaded, her voice trembling.
Blake turned towards her, his face etched with concern. He heard the fading screech of tires as the van that had taken Anastasia grew distant. “She has been taken, like the others,” he replied, his voice heavy with sorrow.
The weight of the news crashed down on Nicole, causing her to crumple to the ground in anguish. “No!” she cried out, her voice echoing through the desolate streets. The reality of their situation struck her like a lightning bolt, leaving her feeling helpless and desperate.
Blake knelt beside her, his arms enveloping her in a comforting embrace. “We can't give up, Nicole,” Blake whispered, his voice filled with a newfound resolve. “We need to find a way to bring her back.”
Nicole sniffled, wiping away her tears as she looked into Blake's eyes. She saw the determination reflected in his gaze and knew that she couldn't falter now. They needed to act swiftly and decisively if they were to have any chance of rescuing Anastasia. As they made their way back to the coven, their footsteps echoed in the empty streets. The once vibrant city now lay eerily silent, as if holding its breath, mirroring their own sense of anticipation and unease.
Inside the coven, they gathered with their fellow witches, their faces etched with worry and fear. The room buzzed with hushed conversations, each member grappling with the loss of Anastasia and the threat that loomed over them all.
Blake stepped forward, his voice steady and determined. “We need to find a way to contact Anastasia's sister,” he announced, his words cutting through the tension. “Anna will not give up, until she finds her.”