Seth spent the next night hunting, seeking his evening meal. As he hunted, his mind roamed to a recent tumult of activity in the vampire world. Most vampires slaughtered humans, but there was a small, swiftly growing faction of radicals who declared it was unethical. These vampires drank animal blood rather than human blood. Seth paid no attention to them; they would quiet down soon. Animal blood could sustain their bodies but it could never satisfy their minds. A vampire’s sixth sense told them that humans were cuisine, food to be taken at their whim. It was a difficult practice to master ignoring your instincts. Seth had never tried, but wasn’t planning on putting himself through that wretchedness anytime soon.

It took him nearly an hour to decide on his desired prey. Dissimilar to others of his species, he didn’t just single out any human at random. He let his instincts take over. Some people smelled more tempting to him, just like some humans favored certain foods to others. Seth’s tastes ran to the younger generation.

His pick for tonight was a young man, probably in his late teens; 18 or so. Black dreadlocks hung to the middle of his back even when pulled back into a haphazard ponytail. He had brilliant cobalt eyes, bright behind thick-rimmed glasses. By the looks of him, Seth could only presume he was the manner of boy who spent more time with his computer than humans and had gone to prom unaccompanied if at all.

Seth trailed after him for a few blocks, carefully gauging the boy’s response. Most humans didn’t catch on that they were being followed until too late, but this boy caught it within a few minutes. Seth could tell by the way his pace quickened and not to mention the fact he changed his direction nearly four times. Apparently the boy was not from Paris, since he ended up getting lost. He came to a faltering stop at a dead end. It was clear he had believed that the escape of the main road lay ahead.

Seth strode around the corner to enter the dead end, wearing a charming smile. Wanting the boy to think he was simply a helpful local, he articulated a greeting in faultless French.

He kept the exchange going long enough to get within a few feet of the adolescent. In a lightning-quick movement he took a hold of the teen’s throat. His grip was tight enough to ensure there would be no screams he would have to worry about, but light enough not to snap the boy’s neck.

Tipping his head in a mock bow, he offered a wicked grin to divulge his delicately arched fangs. At this sight his prey struggled even more. Seth could feel the frantic pounding of blood in the boy’s veins. Licking his lips momentarily, Seth leaned in to sink his fangs into the boy’s flesh.

Some vampires killed as quickly as they could, fearing discovery. Seth adored relishing the kill and the intimacy of feeling his victim’s blood drain from their body. The crimson liquid was hot against his lips and slid down his throat like fire. When he’d drained the teen of all blood, he tossed his hollow body onto the cobblestone street.

Never before had he felt remorse after killing. Usually he was so engulfed by the endorphin rush of feeding; he didn’t care about the human’s remains. But now, instead of that high, he felt a gnawing feeling of despair. The boy couldn’t have been very old, not even twenty, and already his life was ended.  Thinking about it now, Seth realized that there were so many things the boy would not do.  Seth took these things for granted since he would live forever. He’d forgotten what it had been like to be a human.

Suddenly feeling nauseous, Seth turned away to lean against a wall. There was a soft whooshing sound off to his left so his eyes turned there. Bones had come into sight, sporting the same bemused smirk he always wore.

“Hey, just thought I’d tell you, Gibraltr has been sending a bunch of his crew into the club. They’re trying to look inconspicuous but I recognized them. Probably looking for information….” There was a slight pause in Bone’s onslaught of speech as he scrutinized Seth. “You don’t look so good boss…You feeling okay?”

“I feel fine….” Seth retorted half-heartedly. He wasn’t about to show any limitations. If there was one thing in the world he couldn’t stand, it a weak vampire. Only the resilient lived on. Shaking his head, as if trying to shake off the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, he thought a minute before answering Bones: “Keep an eye on them but don’t confront them. Maybe we can figure out what Gibraltr is up to.”

Bones looked at Seth for a long while, as if trying to decipher whether or not he believed Seth’s claim of wellness. After a few more moments of thought his face settled into an expression of misgiving. It was clear he didn’t believe Seth and was planning on keeping an eye on him. Seth loved Bones like a brother, but the demon’s face was like an open book, anyone could read it. You could always tell what he was thinking by his expression.

“Alright. Scarecrow said he was going to stop by your place later on, said he had a bad feeling and he didn’t want you running around by yourself for too long. This whole Gibraltr thing has really put him on edge. The guys as jumpy as a frog….” Bones commented, pushing his hands into his pockets after casting Seth a short wave. He then disappeared in a small cloud of mist-like smoke.

Seth sighed in further frustration and raked a hand through his untidy curls. Scarecrow would certainly realize that something was wrong. That is if Seth didn’t get his act together and stop feeling sorry for his food. What was he, a vampire or some cowering mouse? Shaking his head resolutely, Seth walked quickly out of the alleyway and back towards his high-rise.

Scarecrow beat him there. By the time Seth got home the skeleton of a body guard had already come in and made himself at home by perching on the arm of a loveseat. One foot was tapping impatiently and his fingers were drumming intolerantly on his knee. When Seth walked in Scarecrow instantaneously leapt to his feet, his expression one of respite. Seth held up a hand, indicating that he didn’t want to hear the other’s reprimands at being out all alone while assassins were after him. Meandering over to the kitchen, Seth opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a bottle of water. After he had taken a long swig of the clear liquid he looked at Scarecrow expectantly.

“Now, you can tell me how foolish I was to walk around in the dark by myself after the incident with Charlotte,” he prompted bleakly. Scarecrow’s mouth turned down slightly at the corners, but otherwise there was no visible change in his unyielding expression.

“I was not going to chastise you. You are a far older vampire than I and I realize that you can take car of yourself. I merely came here to assert that it would be far more intelligent to travel with me rather than unaided. After Gibraltr grasps that one assassin will not do, he will send more. Even you cannot take on an entire army.” Scarecrow mumbled quietly. His lips barely moved when he spoke this and his hazel eyes moved from Seth’s face to the floor in a look of humiliation. In many ways Scarecrow was like a puppy. When he was reprimanded by Seth he grew quiet and withdrawn, angry at himself for displeasing Seth. He felt that he needed to repay the older vampire for giving him the gift of vampirism.

Scarecrow’s life had been miserable before Seth had found him and he’d been known by a different name: Luis Desmarais. He had been raised in a poverty struck home here in Paris; the year was 1720. His mother had raised Luis by herself as best she could, but soon succumbed to the strange plague that had taken to picking off the citizens of Paris. One cool night, Luis had tried to rob Seth. After all, he appeared to be wealthy and he needed the money. The boy had failed miserably. At that time he’d been 23, living on his own and trying to stay alive. Seth had planned on killing the pick-pocket for a quick snack, but had been taken by the fearlessness he saw reflected in those hazel eyes. So, Seth had changed the human into one of his own kind, a vampire. Wanting forget the troubles of his mortal shell, Luis had changed his name to Scarecrow. He and Seth had been inseparable ever since and Scarecrow had never once left Seth’s side.

“Scarecrow, I know how deeply you feel about protecting me, how deeply you feel that you must repay me. I can assure you that constant surveillance is not needed. I am more than capable of taking care of myself; I have for the last 2,000 years.” Seth replied slowly, rubbing his temples slowly. He couldn’t help the annoyed tone creeping into his smooth voice.  Scarecrow looked down after a moment with a curt nod.

“As you wish….”

Seth sighed in frustration and turned around to confront and perhaps comfort the obviously dejected fledgling but was cut off by an unearthly screech.