Watching the shapes in the darkness, you feel a pang of hunger. Of course, being a vampire, you always hunger. Always. You lick your fangs in anticipation as the group moves closer.

Unfortunately, these are not dinner. These are the only hope for your future. You lean back against the brick wall and cross your arms, wondering why you must stoop to alliances. You are powerful, untouchable, rare.

You run your fingers through your thick black hair that hangs just past your shoulders. You wish you had taken advantage of the lonely woman who begged for death. At least then you wouldn't be tempted to damn the mission and feast upon the willingly innocent before you.

They step into the dim street lamp's circle of light and you shut your eyes briefly. You can hear their blood circulating, smell their fear, hear their hearts pound beneath tender flesh, smell their sweat.

"Ernoth?" Comes a sweet tendril of purity, a young woman standing closest, smelling sweetest.

"Yes, my dear, but do not call me that. The name is Bloome." You say as you open your eyes and drink in her beauty.

"I am Lily." She says, her human form young and shapely, her dark green gown clinging to her maiden form. You swallow.

"I am Snarl." Comes a deep growl. You roll your gaze over to the troll whose stench is overpoweringly strong.

"I am Shyntar." The dark skinned man moves forward and tosses his thick cloak over his shoulders, showing you his sharp sword. You fight down a laugh.

"Warrior?" You ask.

"Worse than that." He says and you know not what he speaks of.

"I am Eternelle." Comes the lilting female voice. You start, realizing for the first time that an elf stands in your presence. A vampire and an elf...now there's a pair.

"I am Ryan Shard." The oldest member of the group says and you incline your head slightly. "Yes, vampire, I am a wizard." He says.

"Ah." You reply. You know you must choose one of them to accompany you but you feel the hunger of blood pressing so near you. "I will decide tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Ryan asks.

"We can rest here." You say as you indicate the hotel against which you are leaning. "They are very discreet." You say.

"Very well." Eternelle replies and you allow yourself to bask in her purity. Even the purest mortal pales beside an elf. Even you, a hardened vampire, would never drink the blood of an elf. The consequences are too great, the death too painful.

You straighten up from the wall and lead the group inside. As you all seperate, you head for your room, your mind racing.

"Why must I choose only one?" You ask the shadowy figure that occupies the chair in the corner of the small room.

"I never said one." It hisses as you lay upon the bed. "You complained so much I assumed you only wanted one. Take all of them for all I care!"

"No, no. Two will be enough." You say as you stare at the open curtains. "Don't you need to close these?" You ask coldly. You are the only vampire able to live through sunlight. A blessing...and a curse.

"No. I will be gone before the sun rises." It hisses and you shut your eyes. "When will you choose?"

"Tomorrow...I wasted today." You say as you fall into comfortable slumber.