Chapter II

Ariel and I listened intently as Mr. Crepsley and Gavner Purl discussed old times.

"Is everything well with the Vampire Generals?" Mr. Crepsley asked.

"Same old." Gavner replied. "They're eager of Ariel's homecoming."

Mr. Crepsley nodded, paused, and then turned to Ariel and I. "Gavner is a Vampire General." He explained. I immediately recalled a member of the Cirque mentioning a Vampire General. Ariel was apparently thinking the same thing I was, because she was the first to ask.

"Vampire General?" She questioned in a small voice. "What do they do?"

"Vampires Generals are somewhat like the law enforcement of the vampire clan. They make sure we don't break rules, like use our powers for evil." Mr. Crepsley answered.

"We keep an eye on crooks like this." He softly nudged Mr. Crepsley in the ribs with a chuckle.

Mr. Crepsley sighed. "Well, I knew you were to come sooner or later. Shall we retire to my van and discuss the manner in private?"

"I'm sorry?" Gavner raised a brow.

"I was very much expecting word to reach vampire clan. I had by no means whatsoever even thinking about hiding the boy-"

"Hiding the boy? What?" Gavner paused, then spun around and softly grabbed me by the wrists. He lifted my hand so that my fingers sprawled out, with his hand around my wrist.

Gavner stared at my fingertips for a moment, then let my hand drop back to my side, and turned away. I was surprised, this being the first time I had seen him without laughter in his eyes.

"He's.. You blooded the boy?!"

Mr. Crepsley scanned me for a moment, and then returned his look to Gavner. "I presumed you knew?"

Gavner sighed, then turned back to me and studied my eyes. He shook his head. "The vampire blood is weak in him.. He's only a half vampire."

"But of course." Mr. Crepsley returned.

"What, may I ask, were you thinking?" Gavner snapped, and I finally saw the authority in his voice. Ariel and I exchanged a quick glance. "Did you decide on running around and just blooding children? And when did this happen?"

"I blooded Darren quite a while ago, over a year, at least. Why I did it is a long-"

"It.. was for good reason.." I assured. My suddenness surprised me, and everyone else grew quite in an instant.

Mr. Crepsley looked at me thoughtfully, yet almost sadly. I knew now that he was regretful for what he had done, and.. He wasn't a monster.

"I.." He looked back at Gavner, breaking the silence. "..Would have taken him to stand before the upcoming council, but I can see that that is unnecessary now that I have ran into a general."

"I'm not going to judge you," Gavner objected. "You can go see the council for that."

"Er, what is all this about being judged? And what is the council?" I spoke out again, extremely curious.

"I'll inform you later," Mr. Crepsley waved me aside without even turning to face me. "Very well. Tell me then, if you're not here to discuss the boy, than what brings you here?"

Gavner chuckled. "I'm not allowed to come visit my old friend Larten, just for old time's sake?"

"No," Mr. Crepsley replied jokingly, smirking. "Please, to the point."

Gavner Purl raised a fist to his mouth and coughed uncomfortably. "Well, I have come to discuss some.. Personal manners."

Mr. Crepsley nodded. "We can discuss this in my van." He turned to give Ariel and me a suspicious look. "I shall return later."

We watched as they walked away. Gavner had stopped walking, turned around, and gave us a blatant wink. "I'll tell you what happens later-"

"Gavner!" Mr. Crepsley snapped. Ariel and I laughed as he jumped up and followed Mr. Crepsley away.

Once they disappeared from sight, we were quiet for a moment.

"Come," Ariel whispered, jumping off of the rock where we had been sitting. I followed her down their path to the van. When we reached the familiar dwelling of Mr. Crepsley, she put her hand on the window and pressed her ear against the class, smirking.

"Ariel," I chuckled.

It was only a moment before the curtains behind the glass were pushed aside. We both fell to the ground at the same time, biting our lips to keep from giggling.

I soon heard Gavner's laughter from the inside of the van, and the sliding of the curtains being pushed back to the other side of the window.