Ryan sat at the laptop in his flat and went through a copy of Brad Sedrik’s data again. He didn’t have Gordon’s talents as an investigator, but at least he was distracting himself, because the last few days had been rather monotonous and that despite the fact that there was a huge smell of trouble. Ryan and Gordon had long since been assisted by three vampires who were supposed to serve as additional protection. However, Gordon had been besieging his detective agency for several days, feverishly searching for clues and calling in favours, which was precisely why there was nothing for Ryan to do. "No use," he sighed, slumping back in his chair. "There’s nothing notable in the chat histories or in his money transactions, apart from all the screwing with the prostitutes ... well, at least he died busy" No, Ryan was thinking about sex again! For reasons unknown to him, he had been unusually voluptuous the last few days and he had no idea why. He had never felt this extreme form as a human, but he hadn’t been keen to ask a vampire about it either. "I’d so like to do it again sometime ..."


    A shallow knock went against the flat door. "There’s Mr. Invisible," greeted neighbour Melissa after the door opened. "Or should I say Mr. Unattainable?"


    "Hello Melissa," Ryan raised his hand and rubbed his cheek in embarrassment. "How do I get all these titles?"


    "Well, because you’re just never found!" said the now open-heartedly dressed woman. At least her top didn’t leave much to the imagination and she stepped in unbidden.


    "Um, yeah, ehm, work’s stressful right now," Ryan bristled, glancing at the woman’s bottom as she passed him. "Do you need any help then, or why the search for me?"


    “Oh, come on,” Melissa replied, innocently folding her arms behind her back. So far she and Ryan had had a few chats but that was all it had been and yet today the woman seemed unusually brash. "Help, help. No, this is a casual visit."


    "Well then I can," Ryan stopped halfway through his sentence. He wanted to offer a coffee, but he didn’t have anything in the fridge except for the blood supplies, which he still hadn’t touched until now. "I mean, I forgot to go shopping and I’m afraid I can’t offer anything."


    "That’s all right," Melissa smiled strangely warmly, an offensive appeal entering her voice. "I have a different ... appetite today anyway."


    "Huh?", Ryan merely managed to get out as his neighbour also snuggled up to him and he took a few steps back only to be stopped by the wall and trapped between that and the woman. "Ehm, why so suddenly? We hardly know each other!"


    Melissa’s body was delicate but not fragile and soft in all the right places. "Don’t tell me that’s a reason to stop now."


    Ryan didn’t understand anything anymore. "Not that, I mean, what’s happening right now?" he wondered, but by God, he had his hands on her waist faster than he realised.


    "Just let yourself be carried away," Melissa breathed up. She was quite a bit smaller than the man, but it was enough to gently push him down with her arms wrapped around his head.


    Just let herself be carried away?! That’s exactly what Ryan was doing now! He wanted her desperately and no longer asked why. Even as a human he had done this, but as a vampire the woman weighed nothing to him as he lifted her and carried her into his bedroom.


    The fact that her shirt was rudely ripped open pleased Melissa. "So you’re that kind," she whooped in anticipation as her welcoming pair of breasts, encased in a black sheer bra, were freed. "I like it. Please, I need it."


    "Melissa," Ryan pressed out from between his lips hotly, ready as his unbridled lust erupted and his mouth sped to hers.


    "Hey, idiot!" a voice interfered in the act.


    Abruptly, Ryan topped and looked around hastily. "What?!" he huffed. Who the hell was here! It certainly wasn’t Melissa anymore, as Ryan’s bed was suddenly empty. "Where is she?!"


    "Wake up!" the voice demanded.


    A good smack on Ryan’s cheek jerked him back to his laptop, where he was still sitting. "Melissa?!" he breathed frantically, with no sign of the woman.


    No, she was not in the flat, but there was a man standing near the desk instead. "I can’t believe I’m the one getting the newbie," Mato sighed and ran his hand over his half bald head. He had it of his own free will, though, as he had shaved his head and only braided the back, pitch-black hair into a plait, in keeping with the custom of his Indian roots. "We need to talk."


    "That sounds like my last girlfriend ... and after that she wasn’t."


    "Chicks, huh?"


    "Any way you look at it. I broke up with her."


    "Yeah, that’s not how it’s going to be with us, I’m afraid," Mato clarified, crossing his steel arms. He had explained to Ryan that his name meant something like bear and that was what he was! A bear of a man or rather a vampire! He stood a proud six feet tall and everything about him was muscle. "Still haven’t had any blood?"


    Ryan rolled his eyes. "I told you, I dont need-"


    "Bullshit!" interrupted Mato. Despite his sternness, he wasn’t being rude. "Even a blind man could tell by looking at you, not to mention the smell."


    "And what do I smell of?"


    "Stress, very penetrating stress," Mato said, reaching for Ryan’s arm. The latter tried everything to resist, but Mato’s physical strength made him look like a flyweight that the Indian vampire thundered against the kitchen table. "And sadly, I was looking at your pants."


    "My pants?"; Ryan asked, trying to break free, but not having the slightest chance before looking down and noticing his own arousal. "So what!!! What about it!!! Do you fancy me or what?!"


    It was curious that although Mato’s strength was completely superior, the wooden desk beneath them neither shook nor broke, when Ryan had used his own strength to give Gordon’s desk a good dent. "Shut up and listen to me," Mato demanded, staring into his counterpart’s eyes. He jerked again before he stopped struggling and the big vampire let go. "I’ve seen this often enough. Especially vampires who have been turned unintentionally loathe blood or think they don’t need it because they don’t feel hunger at first or the side effects of lack. An experienced vampire can get away with this for a while, but you? The longer you’re abstinent, the more of a time bomb you become, and I’m not playing into that."


    Incredulous, Ryan pursed his lips into a smirk as he guessed the side effect. "Are you telling me my lust is a bad thing?"


    "In that case, yes, although it seems positive, but quite the opposite," Mato grumbled, yanking open the fridge door. He retrieved one of the blood bags from the cooler there and tossed it on the table to add to this involuntary bee lesson. "It’s just a useless substitute. Your body is looking for the next best thing to get into ecstasy." Still, the Indian vampire could not avoid a wickedly amused tone and still kept dust dry. "Sex is still a good thing for vampires too. A few times a year I refresh the memory of the feeling myself, but by night - tear open the bag and bon appetit."


    Ryan fixed the bag in front of him and glanced briefly at the imposing vampire. He would probably shove the blood down his throat if need be if he refused. On the one hand, Ryan was still disgusted by the thought of drinking blood. On the other hand, there had been a growing curiosity for a few days that he couldn’t deny, or was it actually hunger? Was his head gradually overriding any moral and subjective objection? At least he bit his lower lip gingerly and reached for the cool plastic.


    "Warm blood fresh from a throat is worlds better, but trust me, you’ll never forget your first time and it will never be as good again."


    Blood bags were actually solid, but Ryan was able to open it like a juice box and immediately the familiar scent of blood rushed towards him, but it was completely different to what he was used to from his human days. The typical note still showed itself present, but as Ryan drew the invisible streams of scent into his nose and red, misty threads filled his mind, he suddenly saw himself mentally completely elsewhere and knew immediately where he was.


    It was a spring break in Spain, near Valencia, and from the top of a hill Ryan looked down on a seemingly endless plantation of lush green orange trees. The warming sun shone down on everything from a cloudless, sea-blue sky and he felt the caressing wind on his skin, equally rustling the leaves of the orange trees as farmers brought in the harvest. Oh how Ryan had missed the feeling of the sun and the sweet smell of oranges in the most beautiful weather, relaxed and away from all responsibilities and worries. Happy did not even begin to describe the feeling that gripped him and even a word like ecstasy hardly did it justice. Instead, it burned itself into his mind: Valencia.


    Ryan swallowed once more and sucked on the open bag before he realised that all the blood had coagulated down his throat and was smeared all over his mouth and shirt collar. His lust dwindled, his muscles burned and he felt an eerie strength as he clenched his fist. "And this ... is always like this?"


    "As I said, you will never feel the first time again," Mato repeated, clearing the table. At the sink he picked up a cloth and tossed it to his protégé. "But still, for vampires, there is nothing in this world that comes close to that experience."


    "How long will it last?"


    "Depends on the quality, but from your expression, that was prime blood. I’m thinking at least a week or a little more, as long as you don’t have to wear yourself out on anything, which could well be tonight."


    The mouth Ryan was able to clean with the cloth, but the shirt he had to change in the bedroom, and he continued talking from there. "Why is that? Does Gordon have a lead?"


    "He’s on to something, but that’s not what I mean," Mato said, slight displeasure in his voice. "We got an assignment from the Tenebrae."


    "Don’t we already have that? We’re tracking a murderer."


    "Did you think vampires were so much different from humans?" joked Mato mordantly. "You know how it goes: If you work well you get rewarded how? That’s right - with more work."


    Wearing a fresh, dark blue shirt, Ran came back into the kitchen. "I haven’t been around long, but I think it’s even a different calibre with vampires."


    "You’re a quick learner. Maybe you’re not such an idiot after all."


    "Possibly, but you don’t seem happy with this assignment either?"


    Mato tucked the plate away neatly and washed his hands. "We’re supposed to go negotiate with the Nox Neutrum." The burly vampire got no reply and saw the proverbial -yes doont know this- in Ryan’s body language. "The Nox could be called the Switzerland of the night. They abide by the rules of the Tenebrae and recognise them as the rulers of society, but Nox are neutral. They usually don’t take sides and want to be left alone. Nor is it a single group. Nox exist all over the world. There’s a clan and a circle of them in Great Kingston and we’re supposed to get them to help the Tenebrae in the event of a possible war."


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "So, if these Nox are the Switzerland of vampires," Ryan tried to follow up and, he thought, had a solid point. "You know that Switzerland NEVER takes sides?"


    "Switzerland is also safely situated, surrounded by the great Europe, guarding the wealth of all the major assholes in the world. Even of vampires," Mato raised a finger and pulled on his denim jacket. "Groups like the Apostles, though, don’t give a shit about the neutrality of the Nox, and I told you, mostly they don’t take sides. There have been exceptions though. Still, I don’t think we can convince the Nox of the city and really, that’s more of a task for the leaders of the Tenebrae."


    "So why are they sending us?" asked Ryan. If it was an important matter like war, why send forward a new vampire like him and an intimidating thug like Mato? Were these two stark opposites supposed to cancel each other out?


    "I think because I was once a Nox," Mato replied. He picked up the jacket hanging on the hook next to the front door and tossed it to Ryan. "And because you might not be perceived as a threat. Although I think the Nox might see it as an insult or a bad omen that you’re sending a blood moon child. It’s definitely going to be an interesting situation."


    "Interesting you say. Sure you see it that way when you scare everyone off with your mere stature."


    "Pure discipline, rookie," Mato retorted, angling his right arm in presentation. "If you lift trucks for a few years, you can swell like that too, and I mean that literally."


    "Trucks? No shit?"


    "Better start with Smarts," Mato laughed, tapping Ryan against the arm. "Come on, the night awaits."


    The meeting place with the Nox groups was actually at a stinkin′ normal supermarket that was open all the time, after all. The car park was virtually empty and only two lone cars parked far apart as the night wind sent rubbish sliding across the concrete. A lantern flickered now and then, but still there was enough light, just because of the big advertising sign above the entrance of the one-storey building.


    "As I said, let me talk," Mato said. He walked towards the supplier ramp with his hands in his jacket pocket. "Even though I know you must be bursting right now after your first drink."


    "Bursting is good," Ryan took a breath. His body burned hot and his veins pulsed noticeably where he had become relatively desensitised since his transformation. "I feel, mh, powerful? I want to do something!"


    "Better that than you be bloodless," Mato weighed the situation. "Think of it as an exercise in mastery. It will do you good and it wouldn’t be as if you knew ANYTHING of interest."


    Slightly proud, Ryan gloated. "After all, it was Gordon and I who discovered the Apostles in Great Kingston."


    "They discovered you, rather, and then you finished them off."


    "You said it, survived to tell about it."


    Mato smirked flatly. "Little smart-ass, but that’s true. Still, pay attention now."


    "I will," Ryan murmured tersely. On the drive over, Mato had filled him in on the two groups they were about to meet.


    One of them was what was called a circle. This was the term used for vampire groups that were small in number but had a leader. The group could be independent or part of a clan. This circle, however, was independent.


    The second was a clan, led by a Juda’Aerith named Lithia. Since Ryan had never seen this kind of vampire, also called Maledictus, Mato had warned him about their mostly hideous appearance. Moreover, Lithia was a rarity because she came from the line of the Nosferatu. Whether it still existed was unknown and Ryan had wondered how one could then know that Nosferatu was an ancestor of Lithia - the eyes could at least give a clue about the origin of a vampire, whereby they could even be a symbol for power and among the Maledictus there were only two known colours: Poison Green and Burgundy Violet.


    Ryan wanted to know more specifically what that was all about. "But just to understand one thing again: What did you mean when you said the eyes could reflect power?"


    "You know that every vampire inherits the eyes of its maker?" inquired Mato. Even though he had stressed several times that this babysitting job didn’t suit him, he wasn’t a closed book and was affable in his own way.


    "I haven’t forgotten that."


    Mato particularly emphasised the following. "Then remember likewise: when a vampire no longer has the eyes of his sire, you should usually be on your guard. Vampires who surpass the power of their parents virtually break down a barrier and recreate themselves. That’s why the eyes change colour."


    "I just don’t quite get it," Ryan admitted thoughtfully. So it meant that a vampire was stronger than its maker, but that didn’t sound much to him. Children often surpassed their parents, even among humans. "So Lithia is descended from Nosferatu, or at least one of his children, right? And so Nosferatu has his own eyes: so he’s strong and wider? Fill in the blank for me."


    Mato stopped abruptly and looked at his companion in disbelief, even horror, before he must have remembered who he was talking to and rubbed his face. "Judas of Iskaroth was an apostle and all apostles of Jesus Christ are considered extremely powerful. To say it was extraordinary that Nosferatu surpassed him would be a vast understatement."


    "Mhh, yes. Vivienne sent me some basic knowledge texts," Ryan mentioned. Honestly, he hadn’t read very much, but he knew that. "Jesus is supposed to have been a blood mage who turned himself and his followers. Vampires existed before that, though, only there was a huge boom because of him and his disciples."


    "At least you know something, but that’s what history says, yes," Mato nodded with satisfaction. Now, however, it was over for him with the tutoring. "They’re waiting up ahead."


    The wind was not whistling so hard at the ramp, as it was at the well-protected back of the market. The roller shutter was tight and a generous light shone from above almost all over the area where four vampires, two men and two women, waited. Disfigured or ghastly none of them looked.


    "The great Mato himself," greeted one of the men as he leaned against the wall smoking a cigarette. "I suppose the Tenebrae are banking on a home advantage?"


    "Probably," Mato said. It made no secret that his Nox past had certainly played a part in his choice. "But even if I were indeed still a Nox, I would come here in the spirit of the Tenebrae Hackett."


    "Is that so?" doubted Hackett monotonously, taking another deep drag from his cigarette. The rest around him were silent, but always fixed on him or the messengers. "I mean, it’s already making the rounds. There’s a war brewing. Tenebrae against Apostles, Apostles against the Church, the Church against the Tenebrae - the old song. Who cares?"


    "Would you rather want Great Kington be ruled by the apostles? Or the Church hunting down all the vampires? That is, if it is the Church that has occurred."


    "There are still many cities and hiding places in this wide, wide world," Hackett said dismissively, stomping out his cigarette as he strolled outside the ramp. "And I’m sure your next argument will be as follows: At some point there won’t be any places left for you to hide."


    "It’s not an argument, it’s the truth."


    "As if there will ever be an undisputed ruler in this world," Hackett dismissed the thought carelessly. "Not even the mighty Tenebrae has full control and the Church will never succeed in destroying all vampires."


    Mato was supposed to be negotiating, but he did not stoop to it. "So you’re saying that as long as you and you people arent affected, you don’t care?"


    "You’ve got it covered," Hackett admitted, but he didn’t do it out of ignorance. He must have cared about his circle. "For centuries we’ve stayed out of everything, really everything, and we’re fine. I have no intention of risking the lives of my people for one of the countless wars that will always come."


    "That means it’s all the same what I say?"


    "That’s what I was trying to say."


    "Then why did you agree to this meeting in the first place?", Mato raised his shoulders questioningly, and this basic refusal seemed to go against his grain. "I could have invested this time better against the apostles!"


    "Refuse this meeting?" retorted Hackett suspiciously, approaching Mato unflinchingly. "And give the Tenebrae a reason to get rid of pesky Nox? No, I’m not that stupid. We continue to recognise the Tenebrae as the undisputed rulers of the night, but they should not expect us to fight their wars. Tell that to Lady Gardner."


    "Whether she will like that, I doubt," Mato sighed resignedly, but on the other hand he sounded relieved. "But I think it will at least satisfy her."


    Ryan fell silent, shaking his head inwardly. This was more than a mere waste of time, he thought, though something struck him. Where is the second group, anyway? Or is this Lithia among the other four?


    Deterringly, none of the rest of the vampires looked to be there. So was Lithia there at all? Was her absence already the answer of her group?


    Even that little bit of diplomacy bothered Ryan and he was only ornamental. It was hard for him to imagine how frustrated Mato must be.


    "Leaching, isn’t it?" whispered a beguiling voice so low it was hard to tell if it was even there. "That political talk."


    Normally Ryan would have cringed, but his body didn’t react, even though his mind did! Perched next to his head was a completely shadowy face with no contours, like a nose, mouth or anything, but with clear, burgundy violet eyes


    Mato became aware of the situation. "Lithia," he sighed calmly. "Don’t scare the newbie away from me like that. He had his first drink tonight and you know how extremely impulsive a child can be then."


    "His first time," Lithia gloated ecstatically. As shadowy as her face, were her elongated, distinctly clawed fingers as those brushed over the man’s face. "You’re not afraid of me, are you?"


    The initial fright was gone and Ryan was far from afraid, but he still couldn’t budge a bit. At first he thought it had been like Lady Gardner’s blood magic, but he was wrong. Only now did he notice that his feet had sunk like quicksand into the dark ground and Lithia’s sinister lower body was that of a snake. She had wrapped herself around him and Ryan was as if he felt nothing but bare skin pressed against his body.... "I feel rather smothered, though flattered, by so much interest."


    "Lovely," Lithia replied, loosening her grip. Her whole body dived back into the only corner not illuminated by the light. She then came out on two legs, but her whole form was still a single shadow, possessing nothing loathsome and not penetrated even by the light. "So Mato, I understand Hackett has already given you his answer."


    "He has," Mato replied blankly, turning his full attention to the Maledictus, who, despite her cloaked form, called a conspicuous feature her own. Three pointed horns of varying lengths protruded from her head, on the centre of which sprouted half a disc, as was known from dinosaurs. "And you? Are you likewise merely extending us the courtesy of conversation so as not to anger the tenebrae?"


    "Unlike Hackett, I do not fear the Tenebrae," Lithia replied dryly, striding confidently through the flood of light. The distinct beginnings of her femininity could be seen, but without any detail. "But courtesy is still one of the reasons I agreed to this meeting."


    "And what other reasons are there?"


    "Consideration," Lithia mentioned casually, as if the following were nothing. "The Apostles may be barbarians, but they almost never hesitate and have already sought me out, and you wouldn’t believe the promises I’ve been offered for the services of my clan."


    Mato’s eyes grew wary and he glanced fleetingly at Ryan. It was probably meant as a warning, but that was all the muscleman let on. "Everyone knows Lithia is a woman of reason and intellect. Any answer other than no, would be surprising."


    "Of course I said no, you old flatterer," Lithia reassured her guest. She was nevertheless quite aware of her position. "My clan is much sought after. The Juda’Aerith see much in this city."


    Ryan’s ears perked up and, as he had done with Mato earlier, he questioned this statement matter-of-factly. "That means your clan has known for some time that the Apostles are in Great Kingston?"


    When the child spoke up, and with the exception of Lithia who stood abruptly still, it immediately earned him all the stares. Mato in particular was astonished as well as tense - Did it have to be now?! - his attitude spoke formally.


    Lithia took her time to look back at Ryan, but her eyes narrowed and looked curious. "No - the discovery of the Apostles, was your doing. It was only after that that I was sought out."


    "So your people don’t see that much after all?" asked Ryan. Now it didn’t matter anyway if he followed Mato’s directive, and besides, he was frustrated: Errands, chores, fights and barely a night’s rest since he was turned. On top of that, there was this irrepressible urge for action that his blood demanded.


    "I’m sorry Lithia," Mato interjected mediatively. "Like I said, the fresher drank for the first time today un-"


    With her hand, Lithia gestured for the vampire to be silent! She walked purposefully towards Ryan with an ever-elegant sway of her hips. "I personally am quite a believer in ancient wisdom, my dear."


    Ryan did not back away. "What are you talking about?"


    "You know what you are?"


    "A vampire, a ... blood moon child. I’ve read about it."


    "And it was you who unmasked the apostles of this city," Lithia admitted, as if acknowledging Ryan as the winner in the game of seeing and knowing. "I believe in blood moon children appearing whenever great things happen, whether joy or doom."


    "Well I wasn’t alone in that," Ryan replied honestly. He was not an egotist. "Gordon Mitchell did most of the work and saved my ass."


    "Petty. Your presence alone counts," Lithia dismissed the statement and remained as close to the man as if he were her lover. So she paused in silence for a moment and there was no denying the tension that crackled in the air. "Mato."


    "Yes?" the burly vampire echoed.


    As if it were nothing and yet everything, Lithia murmured wanly. "I want him."


    "You ... want him?" repeated Mato, and from Ryan it followed simultaneously. "You want me?"


    "That’s my price," Lithia clarified, turning away from the object of her desire without further ado. "For a long time I have wanted something done and I believe the child is perfectly suited. Lay him to me and I will consider temporarily allying myself with the Tenebrae against any threat in Great Kingston."


    "Wait a minute, i-," Ryan began.


    "That’s not good enough for me," Mato denied at first, but not on moral grounds. The tall vampire faced the Maledictus and haggled shrewdly. "If I give you the freshet, I want your word that you will temporarily join forces with the Tenebrae in the coming battles."


    Lithia was no less shrewd and chose her words well. "Give alone? No. Only if he completes my task to my complete satisfaction, then so be it."


    "Well, I don’t know what it is about him that you’re so desperate for," Mato pressed his lips together appraisingly. He let a few seconds pass, an unnecessarily delaying gesture, before extending his hand. "Deal. You get Ryan. If he handles your problem, you help us defend Great Kingston."


    This was getting to be too much for Ryan and he was about to open his mouth when Lithia’s finger sealed his lips as well. "I know," she said, highly satisfied and mocking? "You can hardly contain your excitement and want to shout it out, but calm down. For now, you’re mine."