Disclaimer: I, obviously, do not own the Morganville Vampires series. Rachel Caine, however does, seeing as she wrote it.

Blood is a funny thing

We need it to survive

As do humans

However, they don't need to take it

It is always with them

We need to take it

From humans

No human in particular, really

Blood is all the same

An innocent college student tastes no different than a Morganville native

'New Blood' doesn't exist

They are all the same

They are all food

They are all blood

They are all survival

At least, that is the way it should be

There is one human in particular though

A student of mine

Claire

I could never use her as food

As survival

Not now

Even if they told me to

I couldn't do it

Not so long as I am sane

However short that may be

Even when I am not at my best

Sanity wise

Something speaks to me through my clouded mind

No, someone

You see, I have done a dangerous thing

I as a predator, have fallen for my prey

I try my best not to think about it

To act normally around her

Still

I have only created more madness

Within myself

And the world around me

You are not supposed to grow close to food

Play with it, yes

Love it, no

Not in the literal sense

What's more

I have not realized it up until now

As she kisses that boy through the metal bars

Oh there have been signs

Of course

I wanted him for a snack

More than I had with any other human

She is happy

This is true

But I am a selfish creature

I actually care for Claire

For my food

For what feeds my survival

Okay, so she had never been food per say

Amelie had somewhat emphasized on that point

Still, I could have killed her

At any time

But I didn't

You could say I thought she was

Brilliant

That I didn't want to destroy

A good mind

Yet the others were brilliant as well

Somewhat brilliant at least

I could never pursue anything with her

Never

Could I?

That boy loves her

I can feel it

Right now

And I know

He will not hurt her

No more than I can

At least

So long as I am sane

And healthy

I will tell her nothing

It is less dangerous this way

For the madness understands

Nothing

Of this love

This feeling

Only the thoughts of a predator

Ever enters his mind

I am no different

Than that other side

Of myself

I am the predator

She is the prey

And no matter how different

I treat her

Or consider her

This shall remain the same

So long as I am sane

I cannot say how long that will last though

I've already proved only to often

To myself

How insane I can be

After all

The predator

Does not

Love

The prey

Not even in a town run by vampires

Especially not in a town run by vampires

Where it seems

At this rate

The prey

Can easily become

The predator

Anything for Survival, I suppose

Do I think it will happen? No

Do I think it's possible? Not really

Just thought i'd try something new