the case probably forever, she suspected, he arose earlier, was forced into sleep later. Two could hear the shower running in the attached bathroom, a mundane sound that made her feel comfortable. At home.

Two sat up, shivering a bit. The warmth of the blood was long gone, and she longed for it. She understood now what Theroen and Melissa had said. Some of the concepts behind the vampirism were perhaps distasteful, but the actual experience was quite the opposite. The blood was all that mattered, and it was beautiful.

Two got out of bed, opened the heavy maple doors of the wardrobe on the far side of the room, found a nightgown and slippers. She heard a door close outside the room. Curious, Two opened her own door and looked out. The bedrooms opened on the grand chamber, overlooking the main foyer of the mansion. A crystal chandelier, easily twenty feet in diameter, illuminated the area. Below it stood Melissa, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

“Hi Melissa!” Two called, waving. The dark haired vampire looked up and bared her teeth.

“Call me by that bitch’s name again, and I’ll find you some time when your superhero’s not around to protect you. I’ll cut your fucking tits off.”

Missy, then. Two fought the anger that wanted to rise inside of her. She tried to think of the other woman who occupied the body, the one whose company she had enjoyed the previous night. “Sorry. Missy.”

Missy stared up at her, an expression of frank disgust on her face. It took Two a moment to realize that it was her nightgown that Melissa was studying. Pink, with lace trim, it was hardly the type of outfit Missy probably preferred.

“I’m going out to eat and to find something for Tori. Tell Theroen that Abraham wants him. He’ll probably know, but tell him anyway, or I’ll get into deep shit.”

“Wouldn’t that be a shame,” Two commented under her breath.

“Keep it up with the attitude, whore. See how far it gets you.”

Missy was gone before Two could respond. The shower was no longer running, and she felt Theroen’s presence behind her before he spoke.

“It’s best not to approach Melissa, unless you’re positive it’s her.” He pulled on a pair of black cargo pants and a white t-shirt.

“No kidding. Did you hear? About Abraham?”

“Yes.”

“What does he want with you?”

“I couldn’t even attempt to guess. It could be something as simple as moving a piece of artwork he has decided is no longer to his tastes.”

Two thought of the elder vampire, whom she had met only briefly, and shuddered. During the time she had been near him, his strength had been rolling off of him in waves, undeniable. Even had this not been the case, she had seen those broad shoulders and strong arms. Certainly he didn’t need Theroen to take care of such things for him.

“Abraham needs no one. He has me do these tasks because it amuses him. It proves I am still loyal to him. It proves I still serve him.”

“What will he do when you leave him?”

Theroen looked at her for a moment, as if the question had never occurred to him. “Survive. Perhaps he’ll attempt to make Melissa do his bidding. I doubt he’ll have much success.”

“Would she stand up to him? If she can, why don’t you?”

Theroen smiled, shook his head. “No. Melissa is no more capable of standing up to Abraham than I am. But she is afraid of him, and has less of a stomach for certain tasks he might ask of her. Dealing with her would be more frustration for him than it’s worth. Half of her, anyway. The other half is almost wholly Abraham’s child.”

“Why doesn’t he use Missy, then?”

“She is his child, but not his favored child. Their relationship is strained at best, and made all the worse by the fact that she does not own that body. No, Abraham does not favor her.” Theroen grimaced. “That particular honor goes to me.”

“Is that why you stay with him? Do you owe him? Or is it fear? Can he hurt you?” Two’s questions were not barbed. Theroen heard only honest curiosity in her voice.

“It’s integral that you understand something: Abraham is more than capable of slaughtering every creature that walks these grounds without even exerting himself. I am powerful. Abraham... is something closer to a god.”

“But you’re not afraid of him.” This was not a question.

“No. Not afraid of him and not afraid of what he might do to me.