Chapter 2

Flying was defiantly the best thing about being a vampire. My white wings stretched out and beat lazy strokes in the air. The wind blowing through my hair and fingers helped to sooth me, and my nervous thoughts began to calm. I looked to my right and saw Richard looming close, his black torn wings drifting in the breeze. He gave me a small smile, the air between us still hesitant and awkward. I smiled back shyly, and turned my sights to the city we were swiftly approaching.

We will just have to talk later I decided, finding it hard to believe that after everything I'd been through with Richard, my human mind still couldn't accept this life. Sadly it also couldn't handle my strong feelings for him either.

I looked below me, down towards the others running at a quick pace, Wally having no trouble keeping up. Gar joined us in the air after transforming into a bird, and as I gazed around at my coven, I couldn't help but feel happy. These weren't just members of my coven, they were my friends, and what I had come to think of as family.

I stretched out my wings and then began to glide down to the ground into the forest. Okay enough, I cant think about my problems or feelings at this moment. You can do this Kori, how hard can it be leading a group of vampires?

My white wings fluttered and I somewhat gracefully landed on the ground, my legs shaking.

Luckily no one saw as everyone joined me as I stood amongst the cluster of trees, not far from the forests edge. I turned to them, and managed to remain in control even though I was a bundle of nerves. "So, this is our first hunt as a group with me as leader. Now, I don't know allot about this, but if you have any special requirements, just tell me and I'll find them. I want to be a good leader for you guys."

They looked at me for a moment, some looks of confusion. Raven stepped forward "uh Kori you-"

But she was cut off but Victor "that's great of you little lady!" He said enthusiastically, cutting off Raven in mid sentence. One thing my sharp eyes noticed was a look shared between Gar and Raven.

Garfield smiled a toothy grin "I might as well begin then, I only suck the blood of vegetarians."

I stuttered out a shocked response, my eyes wide in disbelief "w-what!"

Vic spoke up, a broad smile on his face "and I only have a meat eaters blood. Stupid grass stain here thinks that its healthier sucking weak veggie eaters blood."

"Excuse me but a meat eaters blood is clotted and tastes too thick."

"Your just angry because you know I'm right! The veggies kidney's must not function properly because of all that rabbit food and no rabbit!"

I looked over at Wally and asked in confusion "are they always like this?"

Wally ran a hand through his ginger hair and smiled "you'd never guess that they were mature vampires. Been alive for over a hundred years and they still act like 12 year olds."

Over a hundred years? I thought to myself, finding it hard to believe, looking at the juvenile vampires argue over blood types. I realised right then that everyone was looking at me expectantly. I was supposed to intervene, and smiling sheepishly, I stepped forward.

"Look, I'll find you your unbelievably picky blood choices. There's no need to squabble over such petty things." I rolled my eyes at them to prove my point, and for a moment I saw a glimpse of myself in Gars eyes. I was like a mother scoring her children, not a vampire leader. Was this the only way to gain their respect? To find them their weird blood choices? I found that hard to believe.

I took a deep breath, and I winced as I felt my collapsed lungs heave in protest, I still wasn't accustomed to not breathing yet.

I turned my heel and walked towards the forests edge, passing Richard along the way. He seemed more amused than anything else and he, along with everyone else followed my lead.

Looking out across the city, I felt a wave of fear wash over me. I tried to cram it down inside me and I turned to face my comrades, I hoped that the look on my face was a serious one. "If no one else has any other...requests, then I'd like to start the hunt."

Jade smirked and yawned mockingly "we do know how to hunt Kori, you don't need to baby sit us."

I frowned and turned to Jericho, sending a plea in my mind to him. What do I do now?

The silent couple always seemed engrossed in their own conversation that none of us could hear. It was like being around some mushy couple who spoke a foreign language. It was both annoying, and uncomfortable. Terra smiled and nodded to Jericho.

The green eyed vampire eyed me curiously before answering in my mind, making sure that know one else could hear us.

"I believe you can lead us just fine your own way Kori. However usually during a hunt such as this one the leader takes their coven to a place proven to be very popular among people. Bars, concerts, somewhere where we can blend in, where there is so many people that you couldn't possibly pin point who killed someone."

But there are so many of us, that's bound to attract trouble.

"Well...couples sometimes share a human, or they can linger close to the location but feed away from the group. Most vampire groups move around all the time, or have a large expanse of territory to not arose suspicion. Didn't anyone tell you this when they were teaching you?"

Urr....

"Well where do you want our location to be oh fearless leader?" Jade remarked sarcastically, her green eyes narrowed. I frowned and looked out across the city, my eyes scanning until I spotted a warehouse. Its windows flashed with brightly lit colours and even from where I was standing I knew that there were humans who were drunk and partying.

Surprising me, Richard spoke up "show some respect Jade."

His words may have been plain, but his tone implied a hint of menace. But Jade obeyed him, and that further made me believe that he should have been the leader, not I.

"Alright, I think that ware house would be a good place."

"You sure? I don't really like parties, the music and drunk humans get me nervous." Karen said, her eyes full of fear. I rose an eyebrow and thought your a vampire, how on earth could any human scare you? But I turned away from her and smirked at Victor "well you have your man here to protect you. You'll be fine Karen."

Karen gave a nervous glance Victors way and he winked at her.

Without another word I ran down the hill separating us from the city and headed towards the warehouse.

OOO

Having sensitive hearing, sharp senses and keen eyesight was not so great at that moment. The pounding music screeched through my ears and I placed my hands over them in pain. The strong scent of alcohol and humans hit me like a punch in the stomach, and the lights blinded my eyes so bad that I squeezed them shut. This was different from being at the bar, this was a full scale party.

I stumbled back and feel into the secure arms of Richard who walked into the warehouse right behind me.

"Kori? Kori! Whats wrong?"

"So much noise! How can you stand it!" I shouted up at him, my eyes forming tears and blurring my vision.

My friends looked at me with concern, and Jades voice rang out above everyone else's worried words. "Oh please! You have got to be kidding me! She doesn't even know how to block out human technology, shes just a novice!"

"Jade!" Jenny frowned at her.

I grit my teeth and staggered forward before turning to face the raven haired girl, her arms crossed disapprovingly across her chest.

"I'm doing my best here! Its not my fault that you all insist that I lead this-" I noticed a group of humans watching us curiously "group! I don't like it any better than you, but if you have a problem with me than go ahead. Make my day."

I then noticed that my intense sight, hearing and senses had settled down and I felt perfectly fine. The shock must have shown on my face as Jade brushed past me, her face gloating "your welcome." She muttered before stalking off.

Frowning, I walked towards the exit of the club and spoke to Raven as I passed her "look after everyone for a second, I just need a moment."

She nodded in understanding and everyone followed her into the crowed of unsuspecting humans.

I walked outside and placed my hands on my temples.

"She can be a little...harsh sometimes. Don't let it bother you."

I opened my eyes and looked over at Richard who lent coolly on the wall behind me. I smiled "I'm fine really, I just need a breather."

Richard frowned, and leaned away from the wall and walked over to me "your finding it hard to deal with aren't you?"

"what do you mean?"

"Being a vampire. Its very difficult to gain a firm understanding of this life, but the best way to learn is to live it I'm afraid. Do not worry though my star, everyone will help you along the way, you just need to time to get used to it all."

I looked down sheepishly but felt my whole body go still as Richard tilted my chin up to look at him. I didn't know how I had blocked out the terrible noise and lights, but there was certainly one thing I could never block out and that was my reaction to Richards touch.

I didn't know if humans could feel these kind of emotions, if they felt fire dance over their skin and lightning surge hotly through their veins. Could they see the way Richards eyes glowed, a hint of desire in their depths. Could they love so deeply and so purely as he did?

I felt myself shudder and I stepped away from him, smiling "thanks for the concern Richard but I just a few minutes to take a breather. I cant do that if your here, you'll distract me."

The shadow wing smirked "would that be so terrible?"

I gave him a little push towards the door "be off with you pretty boy, I'll catch up in a minute."

Richard rose an eyebrow and smiled to himself before walking into the warehouse again, I gave a little sigh of relief.

The nights wind was cool against my skin, and apart from a teen who had passed out in a near by bin, I was alone. At least, that was what I had thought...

My eye then caught something. A flicker of movement, that was all. It was barely there. But I had seen it.

In the vampire world, you had to trust your instincts, and sometimes rely on pure animal emotions alone. I let go of my feelings and took a moment to calm myself. My eyes then adjusted and focused on a human girl walking towards an alley. My eyes traveled up and caught a slight shadow on top of the building above her. No human would have seen it, and I was surprised that I hadn't detected the other vampire before hand.

The shadow jumped down and stalked after their prey like a jungle cat.

I followed and ran quickly under cover of darkness, keeping to the side of the buildings.

From around the corner I heard a scream, a snarl and then a sharp crack. I moved around the corner and stared at the scene before me, keeping silent.

He didn't look much older than me, but it was hard to fully see his face since he was drinking from his victim. A red trail of blood trickled down her neck and I frowned. Usually vampires were careful not to spill blood, but this one drank wit a thirst that was almost desperate. He drank his fill hungrily, the pale moonlight highlighting his features.

The small frame of the girl was limp in his arms, and his hands which were gripping her forearms suddenly let go. She fell with a thud at his feet and I watched in fascination as he pulled out one hand and red flames began to burn across his fingers.

He directed a fire blast to her body which began to burn quickly. Unfortunately the sudden light made my image more noticeable and as the stranger turned away from his kill, red eyes connected with mine and I felt fear grip my throat.

The vampire had long black hair, and wore a long black cloak with red lining. He was quite thin, and could have looked quite handsome if it weren't for the blood dripping from his fangs. In one swift movement he wiped the blood from the his face on the sleeve of his shirt and strode forward, smiling politely at me.

I couldn't help but stare as he approached. This vampire was not a kind stranger with a genuine smile. No, his smile was more dark and sinister, his handsome features were twisted into a grim mask. And yet in a voice as smooth as honey he said formally

"do forgive me my lady. I don't usually prey on defenceless girls at night, but I was very, very hungry as you might understand. Ive traveled a long way just to be here." He smiled and I felt the danger he emitted in that one motion. This was no ordinary vampire.

Death clung to him like a second skin, and again that sickly sweet smile spread across his face.

"You must think me perfectly...wicked now don't you?"

ooo

Dun Dun DUUUUUN!

O my! Will Kori get away! And what does this new vampire want with her, find out next time! - And just to let you know if you didn't get it from the last sentence, the vamp is Kyd Wykkyd ^^

I thought he would play a good vampy.

I'm sorry I took so long updateing but my sister was in town for a few weeks and now shes gone back to Malta. O well, least I had all that time with her, and I'll get to see her in the summer 2 ^^ Anyway now that shes gone I can concentrate on my story's!

Please review! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To Mickey156 - hahaha yeah that would be a good idea, but I have more drama than that kind of thing to come my friend. Love triangles have been done before, but I'm not saying there might not be one, after all I'm not finished with Xaviour quite yet am I? ;)