Chapter 2: It

It took only the barest minimum of persuasion to convince Astrid to come with us.

I loved showing off our cave to newcomers. She seemed suitably impressed as I gave a run-down of the history. Astrid was a strange character, she was sitting, imagining all horrors, about, well... us.

Not that she knew it yet.

She was trying to cover her thoughts and I briefly considered the possibility that she knew. I dismissed it quickly; another look proved she was only afraid of offending us. As if some human like her could ever even begin to comprehend our power.

To play up to it, I allowed my knuckles to tighten, as though agitated – if she began to believe now, it would make the revealing process so much easier later on.

After a little talk, I gestured to Marko to fetch the special bottle. They all knew the significance of this and the atmosphere began tense and the anticipation was mounting.

Astrid knew something was up. She would have been an idiot not to.

When Marko returned, I handled the bottle and swallowed some of the delicious liquid it contained. I prolonged it, savouring the taste.

When I offered the bottle, she hesitated but took it, after little consideration, I noted. Maybe she wasn't so smart. Not that I'm complaining.

Star tried to talk her out of it. I glared at her, now certainly wasn't the time to interfere! She would get punished for this later.

Dwayne, who is my most faithful pack member, and my second, leaned in from behind me. He spoke softly, much too quiet for even vampire ears to pick up,

"Why are we turning her?" His lips brushed against my ear, as he tried to speak as quietly as possible. Without looking at him, I responded.

"We need to." I offered no further explanation and he did not ask.

I watched Astrid intently, how interesting...she hadn't even questioned what was in the bottle.

She gulped it easily, and confidently. I watched in satisfaction, and then gently plucked the bottle from her grasp.

Astrid now seemed to be mulling over her actions, I took this opportunity to signal we were to leave for the tracks, time to give Astrid a taste of what she had unknowingly signed up for.

This was the best bit, baiting the unsuspecting mortal into following us. They always did, well nearly always. This was a test of their courage, and hopefully she'd swallow her fear and get it done, I wouldn't usually bother, however it is ritual and Max prefers us to scope someone out before letting them in on the truth.

Once we had goaded her into following, I taunted her. Hey, ridiculing unsuspecting humans is the best part.

"Fun, huh?"

She looked on mutely. Her expression was one of fear. Ah, how I loved this task.

I looked down at the deep abyss; of course, I would have nothing to fear from this. I pretended to consider the other options available. I kept my eyes on her face, allowing a dark smile to play across my lips, before freeing my grip from the bar. The air whipped around me, and I freefell, before finally levelling myself off. The others smiled, they too enjoyed this activity. They looked up at the figure of Astrid, "think she'll do it?"

I smiled, "she'd better."

I gestured at them, pointing at her, they caught on quickly.

"Astriiiiiiiiid...Astriiiiiiiiiid."

She looked down at us fearfully. Good.

Her fingers were beginning to slip. Ah, how long must it take?

Finally. With a tremendous shudder, she released her hold. She fell, her body twisting and turning in the air. Ever so briefly, her body stopped, stuck in the balance between human and vampire.

The human side won out in the end, and her body once again fell prey to gravity.

Her eyes were shut tightly. She had fallen unconscious. Typical. What a joy this was going to be.

We hovered near the ground, and when she finally came close enough, I caught her. Her weight was nothing to me.

I looked down in disgust at this person who was going to be the newest pack member. We were usually very selective with who joins, but with this one, I'd had no choice.

I threw her at Marko, who is burdened with all the meagre tasks.

"Take it home," I told him, without looking at him.

He looked surprised, "I don't know where she lives?"

I sighed heavily, "no Marko, take it to our home. It won't adjust well to this. Just do it, you're trying my already broken patience."

Marko nodded, slowly, looking down at it. No doubt he too was confused about this addition to the pack.

I waved them away. They knew better than to ask. Paul and Marko headed off, still shaking their heads in confusion. Marko was handling it with more caution than I liked.

Dwayne lingered, he usually only spoke to me, and me alone.

"Why did you bother David? Evidently you don't want her here."

I raised an eyebrow, "are you questioning me?" I only allow Dwayne to ever show uncertainty in my decisions, he knows this, and did not back down. This is why he has an elevated position above the others.

He shook his head, keeping his eyes on my face, "I don't see what the point of this is."

I shrugged, "I was asked awhile back. Not to worry, it'll be no problem." I smiled at him, narrowing my eyes. Dwayne knows not to push me too far.

He clearly still wasn't satisfied, but proceeded to walk away, following the direction that Marko and Paul had taken.

I leant against the wall, wishing that right now I could just snap its neck and get it over with.

I clenched my fist; no, I had more control than that. I didn't know why I had taken such a strong distaste to her, but I'd master my desire to kill her on the spot.

The phrase if looks could kill ran through my mind.

I frowned, she's certainly lucky that they can't.

She'd be ten feet under, if that were the case.

A/N Hope you liked it! And yes, David has taken to calling Astrid "it." Thanks for reading! (: