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“It’s best you not see this,” he said to Aerin as she nodded. We got into the car as she found an old track jacket in the backseat and placed it over the wound,

“You’ll need to feed.” I nodded slowly as she offered her wrist, I shook my head.

“Octavius has packets in the mini bar,” I nodded to the small bar set up in the back of the car. She opened a compartment and pulled out an empty plastic bag and offered to me. I took it from her as I looked back and watched as Octavius with one swift movement removed her father’s head. I watched as it hit the ground and his body collapsed into the dirt. She followed my gaze as she sat silently. I reached out to touch her and felt she was frozen.

“Aerin?”

“Give me a minute…” I nodded slowly as I looked back to Octavius drop the dagger he held to the ground and head toward the car. I looked down at the empty bag as I tossed it away. I sank back into my seat as I looked to her, I could see the tears in the corner of her eyes as she looked away from me.

“There’s a number in my phone, dial it.” I was well aware that the times had changed and we had an emergency service for blood delivery. Her fingers cold with death could not generate movement on the screen as I managed to show her how to use her t-shirt to get it to work. She nodded as she scrolled through the phone list and dialed the number.

“Stay with me.” She looked back as she whispered,

“He’s not there anymore.” I managed to pull myself up as I looked at the empty lot.

“I told you it was different for everyone.”

“I need a car at Second and Camp,” she said into the phone as she said, “O positive will work.” She hung up as she ran her cold fingers over my hair, “Thank you.”

She nodded as Octavius climbed into the drivers seat,

“Shall we go home, Rent?” He looked to see her sitting beside me then said, “I’m sorry, Aerin.” He looked to the empty packets and realizing his mistake turned on the car and sped away from the lot.

“No, he deserved it. I know what a huge secret it is and the damage it could cause everyone. My father was willing to risk it all. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened.”

“They were grabbing me, it was like they couldn’t comprehend what they were seeing.” I looked to Octavius as he watched us in the rearview,

“Get some rest, we’ll be back in the city soon. The blood mobile will be awaiting us.” I nodded as I shut my eyes. I could feel her lean her head on my shoulder. The pain in my chest was incomparable to the pain she must be feeling over her father. I felt badly that I had scratched that surface for my own curiosity. I wondered what life would have been had I left her to gather her memory on her own. The sleep took over and the movement of the car didn’t bother me as I slept.

We arrived at the house as he turned into the driveway, already a dark sedan was parked at the curb. I could see the uniformed driver standing at the front door,

“Is this some kind of joke? I got about five more visits that I’m late for.” I watched as Octavius threw him a glance and handed him a roll of bills as he snatched the cooler from the driver,

“Get the fuck out of here before I drain you, human.” He looked back at Aerin as I staggered alongside her,

“Take him inside.” She nodded as we stepped into the house.

“I’m gonna file a complaint against you, asshole!” While the emergency blood units were in place the most professional people in the world did not run them.

“Put him in the parlor and I’ll get this heated up.” Aerin was already setting me down on the cool leather sofa as she held onto the jacket over the wound. I looked down as I returned to her worried look,

“Trust me, I’ve been through the worse. Live fast, die young.” Octavius raced into the parlor with a mug of O positive already steaming,

“I had to microwave it, I know how much it bothers you.” I managed a smile as I began downing the contents,

“This helps.” Aerin got to her feet and left the room.

“I could chase down that jerk of a delivery guy. I’m sure the price is low on scum like that.” Already feeling the blood race through my body and my wound was starting to heal slowly.

“I’ll be fine as long as he brought enough to get me through the night.”

“He did,” said Aerin as she returned from the kitchen with another heated mug to replace the one I had finished. I sat a moment after she handed me the second mug,

“I could stay like this forever.” She reached down to take my hand in her own as she said, “So could I.”

I’m standing atop the tombs once more. I look to my side and see my friend sitting on the edge of the marble.

“It’s good to have you back.”

“I wasn’t gone for long.” He laughed as he nodded,

“Well for the short time you were gone – you were missed.” The cemetery was still save for the creatures that lurked in the shadows.

“You don’t think we’re saturating the market here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I can’t walk two feet without bumping into some kid that was sired by one of us or someone we know.”

“Do you want me to start executing the weak?” I groaned as I shook my head,

“No but I was giving some thought to what Chris had mentioned awhile ago.”

“Don’t suggest we move to Alaska.”

“Ha, I don’t plan on being mounted in anyone’s office. But I do think we need a change of scenery.” He frowned as he noticed something move in the distance,

“You hold onto that thought, I’m getting dinner.” I rolled my eyes as I crouched low and saw the lone girl leaning against a headstone. I whistled to catch her ear as she turned and smiled at me.

“I was thinking that it wasn’t that long ago that we met here.” I looked around and nodded,

“Yeah, strange isn’t it?” I dropped down from where I stood onto the ground below. She wore a sleeveless dark blue dress as I noticed the chill in the air,

“It’s winter, Aerin.”

“And?”

“People will wonder why you aren’t wearing a coat.” She smiled, her fangs peeking just enough as she replied,

“I figured if anyone asked I would tell them I’m from a colder climate and that this is like spring to me.” I laughed as I heard someone curse in the distance. She covered her mouth to hold back her laughter.

“I think I am more than right in my need to leave this city.”

“Oh you are not alone,” she replied, “I was stopped in the street by a couple of tourists looking for a vampire club.”

“Did you bare your fangs and threaten to drain them?” She shook her head as she said,

“No but I did offer to introduce them to Octavius.”

“And did they agree?” She shook her head,

“They refused when they saw him wearing a bathrobe reading the paper with his glasses.” I shook my head as I put my arm around her,

“Well, I can’t say that I disagree with them. Let’s get out of here.” She nodded as I heard a voice nearby say,

“I thought you’d never leave!” I turned back to see Matthieu wave to us from a tomb nearby. He was wearing a dark velvet suit,

“I thought I’d class it up a bit tonight.” I laughed as I looked to Aerin,

“Well we’re taking off now…it’s all yours.” He nodded as he shushed us,

“It looks like we have a late night tour group coming through. Catch you guys later.” He vanished into the night before us. We headed for the exit of the cemetery.

Octavius sat in his chair as I sat across from him. We were in his parlor and it was near dawn.

“It won’t be easy setting up house in a whole new city.”

“I’m aware of that.” He sat silently as I read his thoughts, he worried that we would not be safe. I could tell he was torn in continuing his reign and passing it on to another.

“You were meant to lead them.”

“I’m no more qualified than the guy sleeping in the tombs. You’re my family – Aerin is my family now. I’m willing to go wherever you go.”

“Octavius…”

“I’m dead serious. When you took the stake for me that night, I was sure that you would implode right there.”

“It was just a scratch,” I said with a grin. He shook his head,

“It was a wake up call. If the Carter’s of the world come knocking on your door – what makes you think you can fend them off? Surely your secret will one day get out and then what?”

“I’m willing to take my chances. Everyone has to die sometime.” He inhaled out of habit,

“If I knew you would treat your life so casually I would have let you bleed to death the night Samara slashed your throat!” I pounded my fist on the arm of the chair and got to my feet,

“Dammit, you have to let me go! We will be fine. I just have to get out of this goddamn tomb of a city before I go insane!” I felt like a fool for exploding on him as I sat back down. He was still sitting in his seat staring at me,

“Then go, Rent. If that is what is in your heart, go.”

“I just can’t stay here any longer. I turn corners and I’m faced with ghosts. I need to see new people, travel to places I’ve only read about; try new food.” This caused him to groan as he waved me off,

“I won’t stop you. But please enough with this insane fascination with their food.” I nodded slowly as we sat in silence for a long moment. I looked out the window to see Marc talking to Aerin, they were holding hands and laughing like old friends.

“So where are we headed, brother?” I cracked a smile as I said,

“You know I spent a night reading a travel magazine cover to cover and learned more than what I wanted to know about Los Angeles.”

“Oh that’s clever. But I have to agree that we were always meant for a west coast life.” I laughed as I got to my feet and headed for the door.

“You think Marc will protest?”

“Are you kidding? He’s begged me to let him visit the West Hollywood haunts for ages – he will be more than thrilled.” I smiled as I headed outdoors to break the news. I knew in my heart that New Orleans would always be my home. Nothing could take that place but it was time to move on with our lives.

“How do you feel about Los Angeles?” She stared into my eyes as she grinned,

“I’d say you were crazy but I’d go anywhere with you.” I laughed as I leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. We were standing by the moonwalk now, I looked back to the closed French Market as the crowds had started to thin. It was late in the night as we stood by the water.

“You know it means starting from nothing. Octavius has his followers but there are others out there that could be dangerous to us. Especially those that followed Klaus.”

“Rent, you’re not alone this time,” she said as she squeezed my hand. She pulled me to her as she placed a kiss on my lips. For a moment I wished we had met a lifetime before.

“I couldn’t agree more,” she said having lifted on my thoughts.

10.

I stood against the doors of the Red Line. I glanced to my watch and looked to the lone girl sitting reading a romance novel. She was older than I liked, her dark hair was shielding her face from my view. I could make out the glasses she wore as they caught the light from above. I could tell she was not reading the words but instead lost in thought. The train car was empty save for the two of us. She looked up as she realised she was being watched. And there I saw the crease in her forehead, her eyes had somewhat widened. I knew she feared me now. I nodded to her as I said,

“It’s a lovely night.” She managed a grin as she nodded,

“I guess.” Her reply was curt as she eyed the exits and knew there wasn’t another stop for another six minutes. I also knew that because we were several staircases below ground and it was the dead of night – she wondered which was safer. I watched her pull her phone and attempt to send a text from beneath her book.

“You don’t need to do that,” I said as I stood beside her. She let out a shriek as she dropped her book and flew out of her seat. Her purse and phone fell as well as she scrambled over the seat. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into place now. Now that I stood before her I could see she was very young. She wore a sort of uniform I had seen in restaurants before; dark pants and white top. Her hair falling back from her face. I pulled off her glasses and tossed them aside.

“You won’t need them anymore.” I could feel her breathing hard against me as she managed to whisper,

“Don’t kill me.”

“Ha…if only death was so final.” My mouth was on her throat in seconds. I bit down hard as she let out a scream. I felt her fists against my chest as I drank from her. I counted her heartbeat until it slowed and let her go. Her blood was warm as it slid down my throat. I backed away from her as I wiped the last drop from my mouth. I stared down at the bite marks healing fast on her skin. I looked around as I took in the next stop: Vine Street.

I got off the train as I headed for the stairs. I didn’t look back to see if she awoke, I hadn’t drank enough to stop her heart of that I was sure. I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket as I took in the other stray passengers from the train climbing the stairs. I could hear their conversations low as they reverberated off the walls. The train was now an echo down the tunnels below and soon I was on the street above.