Sororate Chapter 8 *Updated*

16th August 2236

“Ladies, it’s 7.25 PM! This ‘shindig’ starts at 7.30 PM! We were supposed to leave 25 minutes ago!” Declan bellowed from downstairs.

I rolled my eyes to Nairn, “he hates being late. He’s such a stickler for punctuality, you can tell he was in the Military in a former life, huh?”

“I heard that!” He called back.

We erupted into giggles, as she finished off my hair in an upstairs bathroom of her house.

Declan and I had been invited to Nairn’s for afternoon tea, when it was decided that we'd stay for a light dinner as well, so the girls could get ready for the dance together. For our meal, she served cold ham, potato salad and coleslaw. Whereas the women ate a small amount that could have fitted on a bread and butter plate; my husband ate a load the size of two dinner plates.

“A supper will also be served at the dance, Declan.” She smirked at his large appetite.

“I know.” He shrugged, before scooping the last of the potato salad out of the bowl.

Nairn was styling my straight, black hair with her hot-irons. She made it wavy whilst pulling back the front in old Edwardian style, with two tendrils on either side of my face. I was also borrowing her clothes for the evening; in the shape of a long, layered, black satin skirt, a white blouse and a purple velvet, lace-up corset over it.

She too styled her hair so it was wavy, whilst she wore a long green skirt, a black blouse and a red velvet, lace-up corset.

When I stood up, to view myself in the mirror, I remarked; “I love these corsets! Where did you get them?”

“I made them,” she said simply.

“You made them?” My eyes widened, impressed.

“The purple compliments your dark blue eyes.” Nairn smiled, as she came to stand beside. “You can keep it if you like.”

“Really? Thanks!” I gushed appreciatively.

“B, can I ask you a question?” She stopped us, before leaving the bathroom.

“Yeah, sure.”

She shut the door to prevent my mate from overhearing, indicating that this was a private discussion.

“I’ve noticed Declan’s appetite, and I’m curious.” She spoke quietly. “Is he like that in the bedroom, as he is at the dinner table?”

I cracked up laughing at her question, before I replied with a, “yep.”

Her eyes widened, “I’m just asking out of professional curiosity, from the fertility test. I’d never seen a flower bloom so full, as Declan’s did. Being a Werewolf, it certainly confirms his virility. But is his appetite, the reason why a human woman wouldn’t survive a romantic encounter with his breed?”

“Um, it’s one of the reasons I guess.” I said awkwardly, wondering how much I should divulge? “If a human woman were to mate with a European Werewolf, she may not survive for several reasons. The first is because of their physical strength, besides their stamina. Or, if his breed gets too excited, they also bite and scratch. Not only do they like the taste of blood, but sharing it can be an intimate gesture.”

Her mouth fell open in surprise, “sharing blood?”

“Werewolves are flesh eaters, but we share blood to heal each other. Or, a male Lokoti Werewolf tastes the blood of his mate once, so he will always be able to track her. But with European Werewolves, they continue to crave it
because during an intimate encounter, it excites them.”

She turned quiet for a moment, as the information sunk in. Then she said lastly; “no wonder he’s so possessive over you. Declan craves everything about your body, as you are one of the few females on this planet who can provide what he desires.”

That comment made me feel awkward, so I tried to explain; “another reason is because we love each other. When I was married to Grant, he could have left in search for a female of his kind. But he didn’t, he waited for me.”

“Of course he loves you, B.” She smirked. “Any stranger let alone a ‘seer’, can see THAT.”

With that, she opened the door again and I followed her out. Together we walked downstairs, to find Declan pacing impatiently whilst constantly looking at his watch. However as soon as he saw us, he stopped and a huge grin broke out, on his face.

“I get to walk into the room with the two of you on my arms? Sweet.” He gloated.

“I think that’s European Werewolf for, ‘you look nice tonight’.” I snickered to her.

“Why thank you, Declan.” She smiled.

But when she started to walk over to the coat rack, he reached it first. He helped Nairn with her coat, and then mine. Next, he opened the front door for us.

“Ladies,” he said gallantly, whilst holding it…

…

… before he did the same for Stonehaven’s Town Hall.

We walked in with the proud male in the middle, as our escort.

My eyes lit up, as I looked about excitedly. People were dancing to the Celtic music, which was being played by a band up on the stage. My heart leapt in time to the tunes, as I love Celtic music!

The hall was decorated with long garlands of flowers and green leaves, which hung across the ceiling. There were several old portraits on the walls, of local historical figures as well as the old monarchs of the past. There was even an old shield, with a noble family’s crest along with a set of swords, just above the stage.

Nairn waved at several people in the room, which they returned with a smile or a nod. I noticed Angus, who sold the records was here, along with his wife. He waved enthusiastically our way, and we three waved back.

The band started a new song and I watched the people who were dancing, recognize the music.

They assembled in two lines, one for men and the other for women. They stood facing each other before they began to dance. The men skipped into the middle, bowed and then skipped backwards before the women skipped into the middle, curtsied and they skipped back. Then the males danced around them before retreating, and the women copied them.

I watched in fascination, as I could tell the dance was very old. It was almost like watching a courtship ritual in itself; the men approached the women, before the women approached the men. Towards the end of the dance, a man and a woman at the end of the line, held up their hands in an arch and the rest of the couples all streamed under, to form two new lines.

“Look, the dance is like a representation of human mating.” I whispered into Declan’s ear. “The men bow then the women curtsey, the men dance around the women and then the women dance around the men. Lastly, they all stream under the arms of another man and woman, like it’s the arches of a church or something.”

My mate chuckled before he kissed my ear, “it’s pretty accurate, isn’t it? Of a human courtship?”

“What’s your courtship like, then?” Nairn overheard.

“Um…” he laughed uneasily, “…I’ll leave this one to you, B.”

Quickly, he released our arms and practically ran away, over to the drinks table where punch was being served.

“Wuss!” I called after.

He flashed a look over his shoulder as if to say, ‘I heard that’; but continued in his escape.

Nairn came to stand beside and linked her arm with mine, as we watched the dancing.

“Well…” I wondered how to put it, “…Lokoti you-know-what’s, are similar to human courtship. But European you-know-what’s, if we’re to go by Declan’s example? They’re a little more erm, perfunctory, with taking a mate.”

She started to smile, guessing my meaning; “wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am?”

“Yeah, but without the ‘thank you’ at the end.”

She asked unimpressed, “so there’s no wooing?”

“Well…” I repeated as I frowned, “…before we were officially called mates and we saw each other in secret; there was a little bit of ‘wooing’. I had orchids left on my doorstep, which was nice. He repaired things around my house, as his excuse to come and see me.”

“So if a European you-know-what, ever sought to woo me; I shouldn’t expect poetry readings or moonlit walks on a beach?” She sighed, disheartened.

“Definitely NO moonlit walks on a beach.” I laughed ruefully. “Trust me, if you were with a European you-know-what, on a full moon that wasn’t Declan? You’d be running for your life, along the said beach.”

Nairn tittered, as she got my meaning whilst gazing on Declan’s tall, strong build; “so your man’s a one in a million then?”

I smilingly answered, “absolutely.”

We watched him engage in polite conversation, with the thirty-something woman, behind the drinks table. We saw how the lady’s eyes widen, as she looked him up and down. We observed her body language, as she began to play with her hair in a flirty way.

Finally, Declan picked up on her attraction and laughed uneasily, before he shot off a ‘help me’ look, from across the room.

“Come on, one of the pack is sending the, ‘need back up’ signal.” I snickered.

We walked around the dance floor to rejoin my wayward mate.

Nairn greeted the lady who was in charge of drinks, “good evening, Brigitte.”

“Hallo there, Nairn.” The thirty-something woman, said back.

Then Brigitte watched Declan, pour some punch which he handed the cup to Nairn, before he poured me one too.

But because he poured her a cup first, she thought Declan was Nairn’s date for the evening. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded his attention to her, almost as if she was sizing up her competition. For some reason, she didn’t pick up that I was his wife, even if we were the ones wearing wedding rings.

“I hear your friend comes from the States, Nairn?” Brigitte asked.

“Declan and Bianca are from Alaska, Brigitte.” Nairn said perfunctory.

“Who’s Bianca?” She gave her a peculiar look.

This was copied by my mate, as Declan gave Brigitte a funny look whilst he put his arm about my shoulders.

“Oh.” She noticed me standing there, before glancing over my appearance in open scrutiny. “Are you a Native American?”

“Yes.”

The expression on her face read, ‘they look like a mismatched pair’; as she stared at Declan’s thirty-something, blonde appearance then at my twenty-something, darker façade.

Nairn must have seen this too, so she added on, “Bianca is a distant relation of mine. She’s related to the Dunmore family, as well as a descendant of the Worthall’s.”

“The Worthall family?” Brigitte looked like the name rang a bell.

“Lord and Lady Worthall, of Blythe Castle.” Our friend announced, dropping the names like anvils.

“Oh,” her surprise was obvious, as was her disbelief.

“My great, great grandparents were Lord and Lady Worthall.” I quipped.

“Oh,” she said again, “and how is it that you live in Alaska?”

“My grandmother married a Lokoti and came to live with him on tribal lands.” I said coolly.

“Well then,” she sung mockingly, “so your English grandmother went from living in a castle, to living in a tee pee?”

A growl started to make its way up my throat, which Declan heard so he quickly joked;

“Yeah but they’re 23rd century tee pee’s, so they’re state of the art, now. Our tee pee back home, comes complete with an indoor bathroom and a kitchen.”

Brigitte let out a high-pitched laugh, thinking he was joking along with her and not at her. She even playfully slapped him on the chest! He was starting to look seriously fed up with this woman, but by now he’d have to get in line.

He said quietly in my ear, “can I eat her? Since the pack’s not here, I wouldn’t be found out.”

“Maybe after I clawed her face off,” I hissed back.

Nairn saw the Werewolves’ bloodlust boil, so she took affirmative action. “Excuse us, Brigitte.”

Next, she took hold of my arm to lead me away with Declan in tow…when Brigitte grabbed his arm.

“Don’t forget what we talked about, Declan.” She purred. “I would be happy to take you sightseeing. I work at the Hair Salon, but on Wednesdays and Fridays I finish at midday. I could show you and then you can show Bianca.”

The European Werewolf’s face turned to stone, as his whole demeanor went cold.

“Thanks but no thanks.” He said icily. “My sights are on my wife.”

Her face fell, as she watched him rest his arm on my waist, to escort his mate to the other side of the room.

When we reached it, I looked demandingly in his direction; “what was all THAT about?”

“You don’t wanna know.” He rolled his eyes. Then he noticed my eyes were burning in anger, so he explained; “I was making polite conversation with her. She asked about my accent so I told her we were from the States. She offered to show me a couple of old castles nearby, which was when I looked at you.”

Nairn looked embarrassed by what occurred, as she threw the ‘town hussy’, a glare.

“Brigitte Stirling is a nasty piece of work.” She did an impressive growl for a human. “She married at the age of twenty, to a boy she had chased for years. The boy was in a long term relationship with another girl, when Brigitte hit on him at a party when he was drunk. Afterwards she played the ‘pregnancy card’, which made the boy marry her. She had a miscarriage from crashing her car after a fight with her husband, which made him stay out of guilt. Finally, he couldn’t stand anymore and they divorced so he could go back to his true love. This angered Brigitte, who spread the rumor that the two were having an affair so the injured party, looked like the villains. Then two years ago, she broke up a couple from another town who came to me, because they were having difficulty in conceiving. While the wife was seeing me, Brigitte was seeing the husband. The wife found out about it, the same day she found out she was pregnant.”

My mouth fell open in shock, as I looked over at the woman behind the drinks table, who was still staring at my husband.

Nairn seemed surprise by my reaction, “don’t things like this happen, where the two of you live?”

“Nup!” Declan said firmly. “In our tribe where everyone knows everyone; nobody wants to cause such a scandal and live with the embarrassment.”

She sighed wearily, “our town seems to live on gossip. People still invite Brigitte to dinner, hoping to get a good yarn from her. Mind you, this is while the wives are watching their husbands closely, whenever she’s around.”

I exchanged a long gaze with my husband, “once upon a time, Declan and I caused a bit of a scandal. It’s because I was the first and only Lokoti you-know-what, to ever mate a second time.”

Our new friend asked out of interest, “how long was the first husband dead, before the two of you rekindled the flame?”

“For ten months,” he answered, “then for the two months we were together, we had to meet in secret. It was to protect not only B’s, but our families’ names.”

“But surely ten months, is an appropriate time to mourn?” Nairn frowned in confusion.

“It is if you’re not a Lokoti you-know-what.” Declan said gruffly. “B was expected to turn into a nun at the age of 23, according to public opinion.”

“What happened after the two months, you two started seeing each other?” She asked interestedly. “How was your relationship revealed?”

“B was shot in the head, with a silver bullet that was meant for me. She died but her mother and grandmother, were able to bring her back.” Declan said stiffly.

“Hmm, sacrificing oneself does give away one’s feelings.” She smirked.

I interjected, “afterwards Declan moved in, and a particular member of Grant’s family, didn’t appreciate this. She made her opinion public, by screaming at us in the general store. But after our unofficial housewarming, nobody cared anymore, because we were backed by our families.”

“You had a housewarming, but what about a wedding ceremony?” She queried. “You call each other husband and wife.”

“A Housewarming is like a wedding ceremony.” He shrugged. “Sometimes there’s a Joining Ceremony as well as a Housewarming, but most couples prefer just the Housewarming. In our tribe, when a couple moves in together, they’re considered husband and wife.”

When we noticed Nairn looking at our wedding rings, he added on; “I bought the rings 135 years later. Lokoti don’t wear wedding rings, but because B and I travel, I thought it would be easier if we wear them. Otherwise, we have to keep showing our passports or drivers licenses, so strangers see that we share the same surname.”

“In most cases, couples decide to live together as de facto, instead of marrying. I think it’s because the divorce rate is so high and if they do split up, there’s less paperwork. But I guess that’s not an option among the Lokoti?” Nairn asked knowingly.

“Nope.” He gave a shake of his head. “The rest of the tribe follows the example made by the pack. When a Lokoti you-know-what takes a mate, they’re biologically and empathically joined. There are no separations, it’s all or nothing.”

Nairn frowned, “but that can’t be right. What if the man and woman fall out of love? What if one of them cheats? What if the man hits the woman, can’t she leave him?”

“It might happen with human couples, but definitely not with you-know-what’s and their mates.” He said decisively. “You-know-what’s feel when their mate is cold or hungry or sick; which makes them overprotective. Also by the biological joining, the enjoyment in the bedroom is constant, which keeps the chemistry alive.”

“And the human couples,” she questioned, “what about them?”

Declan frowned, “there have been cases of human marriages dissolving, but in the tribe it’s considerably lower than the outside world. Even some human couples call each other ‘mates’. Human males follow the pack and the ritual of taking a mate, has been the same for thousands of years.”

“And if a human male did beat his wife or children…?” Nairn pressed.

“Then the pack would have a ‘conversation’ with him,” he said stiffly. “Plus, the Tribal Elders would end the union and send the bastard away, with just the clothes on his back.”

She looked visibly relieved by this, before grinning his way; “and because you and B have been ‘married’ for the longest, is why you have other men coming to you for advice?”

He chuckled, “I’m no ‘Yoda’ on marriage, but some of the things I’m asked? My four year old great x5 grand nephew, Caesar could answer. You ask a stupid question, the four year old will give you a stupid answer. That, as well as whack you over the head with his toy hammer.”

Then Nairn and I cracked up laughing, as Declan mimed hitting these men over the head with the said hammer!

“This Caesar sounds like a wise little man,” she giggled.

“He’s our great x4 grand niece, Maia’s kid.” He smiled proudly. “His father is a Lokoti you-know-what, so there’s a good chance he’ll become one too. He already has the gumption of one. When his Mom takes him grocery shopping, he insists on pushing the hover-trolley. One day, he saw another man try to hit on his Mom and he deliberately ran the trolley full speed, into the guy.”

Nairn was laughing so hard, she had to lean on me to stand up! It was at that moment, we were joined by Pete Miller, the guy we bought the record player off. I guess he came over to see what was so funny.

“Good evening to you Nairn, you look fair this night.” He smiled in approval. “You three seem to be having a good gab and giggle, I thought I might come and get a laugh as well.”

Declan recanted the story, which also gave Pete a chuckle. Then he and my husband talked about what other antiques he’s done up to sell, aside from the old gramophone. Pete was a man in his forties, who obviously had a thing for Nairn, as he passed her many a sideways glance. He wasn’t handsome, but he did have a kindly face. I thought he seemed like a nice guy, as he behaved like the ‘shy but polite type’.

At last, Pete worked up the courage to ask Nairn to dance, just as the band started to play a new song and the dancers took their places.

“Shall we risk it, Nairn?” He nodded towards the dance floor.

“I suppose we could, Pete.” She smiled back.

I stood back as he took her hand and lead her out onto the floor to join the other couples.

A wistful sigh escaped, as I watched all the people dance in sync to the music.

“If that guy had waited any longer to ask Nairn to dance, I would have asked for him.” Declan chuckled, as he watched too. “It’s obvious that it was the reason why he came to talk to us, in the first place.”

I sighed even louder this time, as I looked disappointedly from my husband, to the festivities.

It’s funny how the men in the tribe go to Declan for relationship advice, when he could behave clueless sometimes. Why doesn’t he ask his own wife, if she would like to? He knows I’ve been looking forward to this, as we hardly ever get the opportunity to dance, back home.

Lastly, I tapped my feet along to the music and I even started to sway… but nope! He still didn’t ask, he simply watched the dancing instead. I rolled my eyes as I gave up.

“Pardon my intrusion,” a twenty-something man with red hair and blue eyes appeared on my other side. “But I was wondering if I could ask your husband’s permission to dance with his pretty wife? It looks like she sorely wants to and I thought somebody should ask, before she taps a hole in the floor.”

“Gladly!” I grabbed hold of the stranger’s hand before Declan could respond.

I think I surprised the stranger with my strength, when I pulled him out onto the dance floor before my mate could object.

Soon we joined Nairn and Pete in two lines, in some kind of Celtic jig. I poked my tongue out at a surprised Declan, before I spun around with the stranger. My husband smilingly shook his head, as he stood to the side and watched.

“The name’s Don…Donald Rafferty,” the red-haired man introduced.

“I’m Bianca Sabre,” I smiled back, “but everybody calls me B.”

“And where’s your accent from, B?” He enquired.

“Alaska!” I answered, as next I dosey-doed around him.

“And what’s an Alaskan doing in Scotland?”

“Traveling… on holidays… meeting distant relatives.” I smiled to Nairn, who returned it. “Have you always lived in Stonehaven?”

“Aye,” Don answered, “I run a plumbing business, which I took over from my Dad. My family’s lived in Stonehaven for several generations.”

“That’s like my father’s family.” I told him, as we skipped up and down the line of people, before retaking our positions. “The Lokoti have lived in the Lokoti National Park for eons.”

“So you’re a Lokoti then?” He looked on my long, dark hair.

“Yep!” I called back over the music. “So is my husband, Declan.”

Don glanced over at my mate with his blonde hair, before he gave me a look of amusement. “What’s his surname?”

“Sabre.”

“That’s a funny sort of Indian name.” He chuckled.

“It’s Italian.”

“I see,” he let out a laugh then spun me around again.

After a couple more minutes, the dance ended and the band started to play a new song.

Don looked over at Declan still standing there, before he smilingly asked; “do you think your husband would mind if we had one more?”

“I’ll tell him I kidnapped you.” I giggled, as I retook hold of his hands and we moved into the new formation. Then I held up my forefinger to Declan, as I mouthed out, “one more dance?”

He held up his, as he mouthed back, “one more”.

As we started the new jig, Don asked; “what do you and your husband do?”

“I’m an Ancient History and Mythology Professor and Declan is a mechanic.”

His eyebrows went up in surprise, “that’s as different as chalk and cheese! How did the two of you get together?”

“We grew up together.” I summed up. “One day he repaired my roof and ate my dinner then that was that.”

Don chuckled again, as we skipped along to the music. “With his build, I suppose he doesn’t have to worry much about competition?”

“There is no competition.” I shrugged back.

I looked over to Declan to wink at him, but I saw he was no longer watching. He was distracted by Brigitte approaching him. I used my sensitive ears, to eavesdrop as I danced.

“You’re kind, to let a younger man steal your younger wife from you. How about I help you steal her back, when she gets jealous by seeing you dance with me?” She teased.

“I don’t dance.” He said simply.

“That’s a shame,” she sighed, “with your big, strong arms, I can tell you would be good at sweeping a girl off her feet.”

“I rarely dance and when I do, it’s a slow one with my wife.”

“I suppose older men like pretty young things, don’t they?” She taunted.

“B’s just three years younger than me.” Declan declared.

Brigitte flashed a surprised look my way, before she said jealously, “who IS her doctor? I simply must get the number.”

“She HASN’T had plastic surgery.” He said impatiently.

“Come off it!” She rolled her eyes in disbelief. “Then what’s her beauty regimen? What’s her eating or exercise plan?”

“She eats whatever I cook and we hunt for exercise.” He answered crossly, whilst folding his arms in front.

Brigitte saw how Declan was on guard, so she tried a different tact. “So what do you and B do, for a living?”

“B has a PhD in Ancient History and Mythology.” He said proudly. “She writes papers and is invited to Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, Oxford and all the other Universities around the world, to give guest lectures.”

She thought she saw an opening, “with all of the traveling she does, you must get lonely.”

However he was quick to put a stop to that, “she’s never away for more than a day.”

But Brigitte wouldn’t give up, “and what do you do, Declan?”

“I own a Garage.” He said. “I’m a mechanic.”

“And you cook as well?” She turned extra flirtatious. “You sound like you’re very good with your hands.”

His eyes narrowed, as he regarded her. “Yeah well, my wife whom I love body, heart and soul, seems to appreciate it.”

By now I was dancing distractedly, which Don noticed.

“Are you alright, B?” He queried. “Or would you like to go and sit down?”

I snapped out of it, to say guiltily my dance partner, “sorry Don. No, let’s keep dancing. I was watching Brigitte, trying to hit on my husband.”

He let out a loud laugh at my bluntness, before he turned his head to watch what I was.

“Do you know what we call Brigitte Stirling around these parts?” He jested. “The marriage tester.”

Now it was my turn to laugh aloud!

He continued, “if there’s a handsome, married man in a twenty kilometer radius, she’ll set her sights and go for the kill.”

I almost stopped dancing in surprise, “if she’s so obvious with her behavior, then why do people stand it?”

Don spun me around when the dance called for it, “because it’s funny to watch when she crashes and burns, which is what’s about to happen right now…”

By this stage, Declan looked well and truly fed up.

I overheard him say dismissively, “excuse me, but there’s some other people that I’d prefer to be talking to right now.”

Scowling, the supernatural predator walked away from the human one, towards Angus and his wife, who too had been watching.

“Ah, you’ve met the ‘marriage tester’ then.” Angus laughed good naturedly, when his wife whacked him on the arm.

Don and I looked back at each other and laughed! Then the dance ended and he was polite enough to escort me back. I thought he was an agreeable, young man.

“Thank you for allowing me the honor of dancing with your wife.” He smiled to Declan.

“Thank you for saving me from making an ass out of myself, by dancing.” He chuckled as he replaced his arm about my waist.

“Declan, this is Don Rafferty.” I introduced.

“Pleased to meet you.” He shook his hand.

I noticed his strong grip surprised Don, as he had to flex his hand repeatedly when he got it back.

“I hear you’re on holidays from Alaska?” Don asked.

“Alaska, eh?” Angus listened in. “That’s a remote part of the world.”

“Where we live is remoter still, on the tribal lands inside the Lokoti National Park which is 4.5 hours north of Anchorage and 1.5 hours south of Fairbanks.” Declan educated.

“I’m Eileen, pleased to meet you.” Angus’ middle-aged wife, shook my hand. “Is it true that in winter, sometimes the sun doesn’t rise?”

Next, we fell into a Q&A session as we answered their questions about the weather where we live and the wildlife.

Whilst we talked to our new acquaintances, I noticed my mate pass more than a few glances towards Nairn, who was still dancing with Pete.

I realized what it was he was doing, he was keeping an eye on her. Because I called Nairn family, so did he. Not only did he act zealous over my safety, but this extended to all of the females in his family. When any woman under Declan’s radar, happened to skirt danger or attract any unwanted attention, he was quick to quash the unsafe element.

Maia once complained about her Uncle’s overprotective behaviour, however the rest of the Lokoti Werewolves were quick to defend his actions. The mostly male pack, could certainly be called a ‘boys club’, as they stuck together. Sometimes, I wondered if they secretly decided on who they deemed were worthy, to date a female Lokoti? Unsurprisingly, most males who were deemed ‘unworthy’ came from outside of the tribe. Right now, he approved of Pete Miller, so he was allowed to dance with Nairn. But as soon as Pete did anything wrong, he’d come down on the human male like a ton of bricks.

Angus noticed what my husband was doing, “are you right there, Declan?”

“Hmm?” He looked back.

“You’ve been watching Pete Miller’s movements for the past half hour, like he was dating your daughter or some such!” Angus laughed. “Nairn’s never mentioned that she has relatives from the States.”

“That’s because we’d never met until that day, in the market place.” He told them.

Just then Declan’s arm which remained around my waist, tightened. When I looked questioningly his way, I saw him turn his head this way and that, as he sniffed the air. He’d picked up a suspicious scent, but of what?

“Oh, so you’re distant cousins then?” Eileen enquired.

“Er, yeah… or B is anyways.” Declan answered distractedly, as he was still looking about the hall.

I noticed his behavior attracted many a peculiar look, so I volunteered; “we’re very distantly related. It’s from ancestry relationships in the 18th Century and funnily enough, Declan and I are similarly related.”

Their eyes widened at this piece of news, before they looked at Declan for his input. However he was sniffing loudly, whilst searching the room with narrow eyes. To draw attention away from his suspicious actions, I carried on;

“In the 18th Century, Lady Elisha who is my foremother and part of the Durrant family; was temporarily engaged to a Navy Captain, Sir Guy Robertson, who is Declan’s forefather.”

Angus only half heard what I said, as his attention was on my husband.

“Declan, what is it man? The look on your face right now isn’t a pleasant one. Is there something troubling you?” He asked concerned.

The European Werewolf’s eyes became focused on the front doors of the town hall. But what came out of his mouth surprised Angus, Eileen and Don. A low, dangerous growl, escaped through his clenched teeth.

At that moment, the doors opened and in walked a pale man and a very pale woman. They were both dressed in expensive suits, coats and shoes. But this man and woman smelled wrong. I breathed in through my nose and I sensed why…

…they were European Vampires.

They smelled like a dank room in an old, decrepit building. They tried to cover their gaunt features with make-up, but they couldn’t hide their pallor. Their movements were calculated and controlled, like two snakes coiling about the floor, getting ready to strike.

The band finished their latest song and began to put down their instruments. Nairn stopped with Pete Miller and the two stood together, talking and laughing. She was completely oblivious to this new supernatural presence, I guess because Pete was a nice distraction.

“I beg your pardon,” the male Vamp spoke loudly to the room, in an English accent.

Everyone quieted, to hear what the strangers had to say.

He continued, “our car has run out of power and we are parked just outside. We are sitting next to a black four-wheel drive, with the license plate UMI7834A.”

“Oh that’s my car,” Nairn realized out loud.

“I do apologize, but could I possibly trouble you for some power until my wife and I make it to the next service station?” He asked her.

Oh oh, my feelings of foreboding hit me, just as my stomach shrank.

Nairn said cheerfully, “of course, that shouldn’t be a problem. I just charged the car this afternoon, I can spare a few hundred watts.”

“I have some power cables in my boot.” Pete said helpfully. “I could attach them to Nairn’s battery and yours.”

“That’s very good of you,” the female Vampire commended.

Just as they started to make a move to go outside with the two strangers, Declan surprised them.

In a lightening fast move, he suddenly appeared in between the humans and the vampires.

“Well, what a stroke of luck.” He forced out brightly. “I just happen to be a mechanic. Nairn and Pete, how about you give me your keys and I’ll grab the power cables. I’ll assist the couple in getting underway.”

The European Vampires eyes widened as their nostrils flared, when they smelled the European Werewolf in him.

Declan knew that they’d read out Nairn’s number plate on purpose. It was because she was a psychic, which were a favoured food source for the ‘fang heads’. As well as feeding on humans, European Vampires fed off others in the supernatural world, to take on their abilities.

Being a European Werewolf, he was stronger even if the two European Vampires were faster. But he was willing to go outside and risk his life, to protect Nairn. However since I was a Circulator as well as a Lokoti Werewolf, I was faster as well as stronger, than them.

“Thank you for your offer, but we already have the help of the lady and the gentleman,” the male Vampire spoke crisply.

When Nairn and Pete started to make a move to go outside again, I stopped them by appearing beside my mate.

“Please, Declan and I insist.” I spoke directly to them. “You won’t meet a better mechanic than my husband. He wouldn’t hear of Nairn going outside into the cold, dark night with strangers, when he can do it for her.”

Instead of looking intimidated by two Werewolves protecting their prey, their eyes looked on hungrily. They stared at me like I was the pot of gold at the bottom of a rainbow. Declan growled quietly so only the Vampires would hear, as he moved to stand protectively in front of me too.

“Then if you insist, how can we say no?” The male Vamp smiled with his whiter-than-white, teeth.

“Nairn,” I turned to her, “give me your keys. You too, Pete.”

“We don’t mind, really.” She gave a funny look at how we were behaving.

I flashed a warning look as I spoke in a low voice, “we’ll talk about this later but now, give me your frickin’ keys.”

Her eyes widened as she finally sensed that something was afoot.

Without another word, she pulled her keys out of her pocket and handed them over, before nudging Pete to do the same. I made a move to go outside with Declan and the two Euro Vamps, but my overprotective mate stopped me.

“No,” he pulled the keys out of my hands, “stay here. I doubt there’s only two of them and this could be a diversion.”

Although my stomach knotted to let my mate go into battle without me, I nodded and reluctantly stayed put. As strong as my Lokoti Werewolf instincts were to fight alongside my mate; I also had to protect Nairn. She had less chances of fending for herself, if more Vampires should appear.

Declan planted a kiss on my lips before he followed them outside.

“What was all that about?” Angus asked as he, Eileen and Don joined us.

“I think he’s going overboard in the ‘help’ department, just because he’s a mechanic.” Pete said, annoyed.

“They aren’t safe.” I said shortly. “We’ve seen their kind before.”

“Do you know those people?” Eileen wondered.

“In a manner of speaking.” I said unhappily. “We’ve come across their relations in Russia.”

Now Nairn’s eyes bulged, as she understood the danger. She asked worriedly, “will Declan be alright?”

“He’s stronger than them, but they are faster.” I said warily. “I hope so.”

“If you want to go after him, I’ll be alright.” She offered.

I thought on this, before I answered; “no, I have to stay with you incase the ‘strangers’ aren’t alone.”

Don laughed, I guess because he thought I was being funny; “you make it sound like you’re holding down the fort, while he’s away.”

Nairn and I looked back with unhappy expressions, which wiped his smile off.

“Oh…” his laughter died down, “… I see.”

“Who are they?” Angus demanded. “What’s wrong? Should we call the police?”

“They can’t be trusted.” Nairn told him.

“Then he shouldn’t be out there alone.” Pete decided.

Then he, Angus and Don started to make a move to be Declan’s back up. But they didn’t get very far, when I stood in front and blocked their path. I held up my hands in a ‘stop’ gesture.

“No offence boys, but you would do more harm than good.” I said firmly. “The less people go outside, the less problematic the situation will be. Besides, Declan knows how to fight, trust me on this.”

Eileen spoke up, “if you don’t want Angus, Pete and Don to go after Declan, I suppose you wouldn’t want Brigitte to either?”

“Huh?” I looked from her to the doors, where I saw her trying to sneak out. She got quite the fright, as did everyone when I roared out; “BRIGITTE!! Don’t even think about it!”

Suddenly the hall turned quiet, as everybody looked from me to the town’s source of gossip. Everyone but Eileen, Angus, Don, Pete and Nairn; thought I was yelling at Brigitte for being ‘the other woman’. They all watched me march over to her position, as if a screaming and hair-pulling match, would occur.

“I beg your pardon!” Brigitte blushed. “I can come and go as I please!”

She started to open the door, when I loudly slammed it shut! This made her take a step back, at my show of strength. But I stepped up closely, so only she would see my eyes glow turquoise, and hear the low growl which came out;

“When I say no, you should listen.”

Brigitte’s face turned white as she hastily backed away. She spoke to nobody in particular, “oh my God! Did you see that? Did you hear that?”

Next, she cowered behind a group of people, to use them as protection.

My eyes were back to their dark blue colour when I returned to Nairn’s side.

“Remind me not to make you angry.” Angus chuckled.

“I say you should have let her go.” Don joked. “If those people are as dangerous as you let on, then you wouldn’t have to worry about her anymore.”

Speak of the devil, the front doors opened and a cranky looking Declan walked inside.

I crossed over to find out what happened, when he pulled me aside to talk quietly.

“They gave me the slip,” he growled unhappily.

“What?”

“They gave me the slip!” He snapped. “As soon as we were outside, they bolted.”

“Which direction did they head in?” I asked.

“I tried to follow after, but I lost their scent after two blocks.” The European Werewolf said in annoyance. “They headed in a northerly direction, but I know they’re gonna double back. Not only do they want to snack on a psychic, but she’s just gonna be the entrée, when they try to feast on a ‘Light Person’ and a female Lokoti you-know-what.”

Wearily, I let out a long sigh. I wasn’t afraid for my life, but I was annoyed at having another vacation ruined by European Vampires. Frickin’ hell! Did I have a ‘fang head’ magnet around my neck or something?

“OK,” I tried to think, “did you see any others?”

“No, but they always exist in groups.” He frowned. “These two tonight, were probably meant to bring Nairn back to the nest, where ever that is. Now they’re probably telling the rest of them as we speak, that there’s two females with auras and the nest will come to town, instead.”

“I don’t think Nairn should go home tonight,” I decided.

“Agreed.” He said decisively. “Her house is in the middle of nowhere and even if you and I stayed with her, we three would be sitting ducks. Unless…”

I waited to hear what he had to say, when I saw a devious grin appear.

“…unless when you phase to Alaska to get your sword, you also bring back the pack as our backup.”

Instantly, I disagreed; “I don’t want to give the ‘fang heads’ anymore supernatural things to snack on!”

“No, this is perfect.” He brightened by the idea. “Me and the other Lokoti you-know-what’s will wait for them in Nairn’s house, while you and her phase to Alaska. When the ‘fang heads’ come for you two, they’ll find the male you-know-what’s, instead.”

“No way!” I shouted in a whisper. “That plan sucks!”

“What? Why?” He looked offended.

“For one, the fangs will smell if Nairn and I aren’t there, and they’ll know it’s a trap. Two, there’s no way I’d let you fight the nest without me!” I spoke quickly.

“Fine!” He snapped. “When you go back for your sword, you bring back the pack. Then all of us, will be ready and waiting, at Nairn’s place. But you will be on guard duty, in a locked room with the psychic whilst the rest of us, battle it out.”

I opened my mouth to argue again, but Declan interrupted; “this isn’t open for debate, this is an order.”

I looked on indignantly, “you can’t order me!”

“Oh yes I can!” He straightened so he could loom over. “I am Second in the pack. This may be the 23rd Century, but feminism doesn’t mean jack when the Lokoti you-know-what’s, still operate on the natural order. You hunt what your First tells you and you have to obey your Second, as well.”

My eyes narrowed as I clenched my sharpening teeth. A snarl escaped, as I felt my nails grow a centimeter longer. I wanted to jump up and down on the chauvinistic male, but he’d probably enjoy it.

“You can scratch and bite me later, but right now I’m in charge.” He said coolly, as he pulled out his mobile phone. “Chiron? Yeah, we’re in Stonehaven, Scotland. Ah ha. Yep, European ‘fang heads’. You heard my thoughts and the pack are mobilizing? Right, in a couple of minutes, B will come and get you from our place.”

Casually, he put his phone back into his pocket and took my arm, to walk over to Nairn’s position.

“Declan?” She looked on, quizzically.

“It’s home time,” he declared.

“Oh,” she now looked to Pete, “thank you for a lovely evening, but I have to be going now.”

“I can come too, if another man would be helpful?” Pete offered to Declan.

“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.” He immediately dismissed the idea.

“Thank you for the dance, Don.” I forced out a smile. “It’s a good congregation you have here, Angus and Eileen. But we have to head off.”

“Are you sure everything’s alright?” Angus asked concerned. “The police station is just down the road.”

“Thanks but we’ll be OK.” Declan said gruffly, as he began to lead Nairn away.

“Nairn?” Eileen looked on worriedly.

“It will be alright, Eileen.” She smiled reassuringly. “Declan and B know what they’re doing.”

Then we escorted her out of the hall, whilst walking protectively on either side.

We walked down the street, which was crowded with parked cars. Declan and I kept our eyes, ears and noses peeled; as Nairn hit her remote to undo the central locking. We three climbed into the vehicle, with me sitting in the back.

“Did you want me to drop you two off at your hotel?” She offered, as she pressed in the ignition code to start her plasma-powered engine.

“We’re not going to the hotel.” He said. “You’re driving me to your place whilst B goes back to Alaska, to pick up something.”

Nairn looked back in surprise, before she drove off down the road. The Werewolves kept their supernatural senses in use, as we constantly looked about. Declan even put his window down, so we could smell the night air.

As soon as we left the outskirts of Stonehaven, I disappeared in a bright flash of light from the back seat of Nairn’s four-wheel-drive; to reappear in another, inside of my bedroom.

Quickly, I rushed over to the wardrobe where I flung open the doors. Next, I pulled out my sheathed sword, from its hiding place behind my long, black, woolen coat. Then I paused, because I heard the voices of men talking, as well as some growling in between.

I crossed over to my window and looked out, to see the fourteen male Lokoti Werewolves assembled, just in their jeans, out on my driveway. From their glowing eyes and bulked up bodies, I could tell they were reporting in for battle. I spotted in the middle of the throng Chiron, who was also changed.

In another flash of light, I instantaneously phased out of my bedroom to reappear outside. As soon as they saw me, I heard my kin growl in greeting. I growled back in acknowledgement, as I walked over to our First.

“European Vampires.” I spoke to both Chiron and the pack. “So far we’ve seen just two, a male and a female. But Vampires live in covens, so there’s a nest somewhere. The two tried to kidnap my distant relation named Nairn, for her psychic ability. Declan is now escorting her home, to a large house in the country. It’s there that we’ll be luring in the Vampires, so they’ll come for Nairn and for me.”

Chiron spoke in his thunderous, changed voice; “you will take us to Scotland and then you will phase yourself and your relation here, while we fight.”

“No.”

My male kin all growled loudly at me to obey, but angrily I growled back.

“As I pointed out to Declan, the ‘fang heads’ may approach the house but they’ll smell we’re not there. They’d also smell you instead, and know it’s a trap. But if Nairn and I are present, then they might risk a battle.” I reasoned.

“Very well.” He considered my words. “You and Nairn stay in Scotland, but you will not fight.”

“No.”

There was further growling, whilst I snarled back at the sexist males.

“I am a Circulator! I was one of the three ‘Light People’ who were responsible for annihilating the St. Petersburg coven! European Vampires usually fight with swords and they’re faster than you.” I shouted over them.

OBEY OUR COMMAND – I felt their will press upon my heart and mind.

“No!” I growled back before I glared at Chiron. “I’VE killed more Vampires than Declan! I’M the one who knows how they fight, which is with swords! I’M the one who’s faster than they are!”

THEY HUNT YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE A LIGHT PERSON AS WELL AS A FEMALE WEREWOLF – they thought my way.

“I know this!” I barked back. “And I’m the only one in this pack, which can fight them in the speed of light!”

YOU ARE THE WORLD’S LAST CIRCULATOR AND THE TRIBE’S FIRST AND ONLY FEMALE LOKOTI WEREWOLF – their will was iron – YOU WILL NOT FIGHT.

“Tough.” I said stubbornly. “This is more my fight than it is yours.”

I heard their dangerously low growls, but I held my head high as I stood my ground.

OBEY YOUR PACK – they demanded.

LISTEN TO ME – I thought back desperately.

Their growling died down just long enough for me to speak.

“I am Circulator and Werewolf. I am fast and I am strong. When you have Vampires waving around silver swords, in the speed of sound? You need a Circulator who can swing her silver sword in the speed of light!”

There was a moment of silence, as I felt my words had affected them. They all exchanged glances with their different coloured glowing eyes, before they looked to Chiron. Since he was First, he was the one to decide.

“You can guard Nairn,” he decided in his thunderous voice, “but should the situation turn dangerous, or you see us fall; you will phase yourselves back here.”

I didn’t like this one little bit. Over half of the pack had mates who were still alive. There was no way in hell that I could ever face their wives to tell them that their husbands were dead, because I didn’t fight.

Chiron was the first to come forward and put his hand on my shoulder, before they all stepped up. I held out my arms, which was soon covered in hands, or else on my back. Like this, the fifteen of us disappeared in an even brighter flash of light, from the front of my house in Alaska; to reappear in another inside of Nairn’s house, in Scotland.

I instantaneously phased us into her living room and just in time too, Nairn and Declan had arrived.

She pulled up, out the front in her four-wheel-drive. The male Lokoti Werewolves temporarily reverted back to their human appearances, so not to scare the stranger. They stood quietly, as we listened to Nairn unlock her front door before she and Declan came inside.

“Oh good, they’re here.” My mate said chirpily, instantly smelling our arrival.

“Who’s here?” She asked before she froze.

She stopped in the doorway of her living room, to gape at the fourteen topless Native Alaskan men, who were standing around in just their jeans, inside her living room.

“Nairn, this is my grand nephew Chiron Riverclaw, who is First in the Lokoti Werewolf pack.” I introduced.

“Your grand nephew?” She echoed in surprise, as she looked from my twenty-something façade, to the man who appeared to be in his fifties.

“Chiron,” my mate nodded respectfully.

“Uncle Declan,” the older man nodded back to his second-in-charge and elder.

“If B is 170 years old and Declan is 173 years old, how old are you?” She asked Chiron.

Nairn’s living room was filled with chuckling, before he answered; “I’m 109 years old.”

“Then I must be the youngest one here, being 35 years old?” Nairn looked around.

“I’m 29 years old and currently I’m the youngest in the pack.” Forrest put up his hand.

“And you are?” She looked his way for an introduction.

“That’s Forrest Riverclaw, my great x4 grand nephew.” I told her. “Remember the story about Caesar and the shopping trolley? He’s Forrest’s son.”

“That’s my grandson.” Stone said proudly, as he patted Forrest on the back.

“And that’s my great grandson.” Chiron added on.

Nairn looked on the family of Lokoti Werewolves in wonder, at their twenty-something, thirty-something and then fifty-something appearances.

“I see,” she tried to carry on as normal.

“So we hear, which is why the Vampires want you.” Meadow frowned.

Her face fell, “the Vampires want me because I’m a ‘seer’? Yes, Declan has explained that they can see my aura.”

Which made my mate add; “Vampires drink psychics’ blood, to get their ability like they hunt Werewolves for their strength and regenerative capabilities. They’ve tried hunting Circulators, thinking that they might be able to get the ability to Circulate as well? However Circulators are the only beings in the supernatural world, which they can’t take on their abilities.”

“Why not?” She looked my way.

“We can circulate through time because of our higher bio-electromagnetic frequencies. We turn our bodies into light and pass through time and space that way. It’s not biological so it can’t be passed by blood.” I told her.

“But I thought your ability was passed down genetically?” She frowned in confusion.

“Yes and no.” I sighed. “Before my great, great grandmother Elisha Worthall, no Circulator had given birth to another Circulator. Plus, my bio-electromagnetic frequency is in temporal flux and there’s no way that’s genetic. Somehow the ability was passed down from Elisha, and the Circulate have never been able to figure out how.”

“That would explain it then,” she said mysteriously.

“Explain what?” Declan asked.

“Why time inside her, is apart from us,” she thought aloud, “and how it’s related to why she can’t conceive. It’s because the time of the Circulator has come to an end.”

Meadow looked on her diagnosis impressed, whereas I shifted uncomfortably at her public declaration.

“Are you a Calculator?” Meadow asked, impressed.

“Am I a what?” She gave him a funny look.

“No, she’s just a damn good seer, which is why the Vampires have come for her.” Declan grumbled, as he walked over to her living room window. “Speaking of which.”

“They’re here,” Stone came to stand beside him.

Then they moved away from the glass, so they wouldn’t be seen. As he stepped back, Stone’s brown eyes began to glow a purple colour, as his upper body bulked up. Nairn watched the nails on his hands and feet grow longer and sharper, as did his teeth. When the other male Lokoti Werewolves followed suit, she gasped from being in a room full of flesh-eating monsters.

“Hide her in a room which is in the centre of the house!” Chiron ordered in his thunderous voice.

Declan grabbed Nairn’s arm again as he led her from the room, whilst I followed closely behind.

“B, over here.” He caught sight of a corridor, leading away from the entrance hallway.

“No, let’s take her upstairs.” I disagreed and took hold of her other arm.

I pulled her up the staircase as Declan fell behind to undress, taking off his coat and then his shirt. She looked over her shoulder to see what he was doing, as I hurried her along. I think this made her nervous enough to ask;

“Er, why is Declan taking off his clothes?”

“Because when he changes, he can’t wear anything or they’re torn apart.” I answered. “Speaking of which, can I borrow some gym clothes? I can’t wear these when I change, or I’ll ruin them.”

“Um, I suppose so… in here.” She pulled me into a bedroom, which made my husband follow after.

We found ourselves in Nairn’s bedroom, by her bed whilst the male continued to undress. He sat on the side to quickly pull off his shoes and socks and left them on the floor. But he held out on taking off his jeans, until she was safely sequestered away.

“Here are my gym pants and here is my elasticized singlet top.” She handed me the garments from her wardrobe.

Without wasting time, I threw modesty to the wind as I hurriedly changed clothes.

“Your wardrobe is a good size.” Declan commented. She gave him a peculiar look for commenting on furniture at a time like this; but she got the gist when he next said, “I think you should hide inside it.”

“What?” She almost laughed. “You want me to hide in the closet?”

Just then the sound of breaking glass came from downstairs…

“Inside NOW!” Declan barked as he pushed her inside, so she was sitting on top of her shoes. Next, he started to pull all the clothes off their hangers to dump them on top of her! When she looked like she was about to object, he offered; “to cover your scent.”

By the time he had shut her inside the wardrobe, I had finished changing clothes. Declan looked me over in approval, wearing her tight workout clothes with my hair done up. Lastly, he watched me pick up my sword in its sheath, and tie the belt on my back.

“Are you ready?” I looked on expectantly.

Declan dropped his pants, to expand into his huge, hulking, hairless shape of a European Werewolf. On his hind legs, the beast towered over me, as his glowing green eyes looked down. He licked his lips, which were part of his short, stubby snout.

“That’s the man I married,” I said warmly.

Then I too shifted shape, into my Lokoti Werewolf form as we sensed our kin downstairs had engaged the Vampires in battle.

EIGHT VAMPIRES SO FAR BUT I SMELL MORE ARE SOMEHWERE NEAR – we heard Chiron warn.

“Let’s go!” I spoke in my thunderous voice.

But when I turned to run out of the room, he quickly caught me with his two front claws.

He shook his large canine head before he pointed one of his claws at the floor, in a ‘stay here’ gesture.

“Declan, now is NOT the time to turn domineering!” I growled in annoyance.

My mate rolled his glowing green eyes before he gestured again with his claw, to stay put.

WHO KNOWS WHERE THE OTHER VAMPIRES ARE? WE NEED YOU TO GUARD NAIRN – he thought.

Then my mate delivered a slobbery kiss to my face, in the form of a lick to the lips. Next, he bounded out of the room on all-fours, to run to the male Lokoti Werewolves aid. Bad temperedly, I kicked Nairn’s tallboy which shook violently from my supernatural strength.

STAY WITH NAIRN AND GUARD HER – Chiron willed my way.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I thought back – I ALREADY AM.

Whilst pacing up and down, I listened to the sounds of more glass breaking downstairs, as well as lots of growling, banging, hissing, crashing and more growling. The ruckus must have been the furniture or ornaments, being knocked over. Helplessly, I listened in to the pack’s short bursts of messages, to each other.

MEADOW, BEHIND YOU!

BEWARE OF THEIR SILVER SWORDS AS THEY’RE ALSO COATED WITH VAMPIRE POISON!

WADE, LOOK TO YOUR LEFT!

STONE, LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT!

THESE VAMPIRES ARE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED… THEIR SWINGS ARE TOO WIDE… GET UNDER THEIR DEFENSES THEN GO FOR THEIR THROATS.

DECLAN, BEHIND YOU!

When I heard this last thought, I almost ran to the aid of my mate! I recalled how badly he was injured, the last time he battled European Vampires. But then I didn’t have to…

I TASTE VAMPIRE FLESH – I felt Declan gloat.

Empathically, I sensed he indulged his bloodlust tonight, by ripping his teeth into his half-dead victim.

Just as I started to relax and trust in my mate’s fighting ability, I was interrupted by two male European Vampires; smashing through Nairn’s bedroom windows!

I’VE FOUND YOUR MISSING TWO – I mentally announced.

The Vampires landed on their hands and knees, before looking up to hiss threateningly. Their eyes were completely white, whilst two poisonous fangs jutted out from their mouths. As the enemy advanced upon my position, their decrepit stench told my sense of smell, they were two centuries old.

They’re not young and inexperienced, like the ones downstairs! Then that means they set their whelps on the male Werewolves, to distract them so they could make a move on me. It was moments like these, that I could have gone without the ‘personal touch’, especially if it came from a cold hand holding a silver blade.

*****