The November nights always brought winter to a new height of beauty

The November nights always brought winter to a new height of beauty. Icicles hung from balconies making the city look like a palace formed of ice. Wind played with the tawny tendrils of hair around Regan's face as he inhaled the cold air. He always loved the cold. Always will. Like he loved Paris a place with so much history and beauty and some of his own histories embedded into the cities flesh. But like most things beauty is only skin deep for all of its aesthetics Paris had ugly secrets to hide, and so did Regan. He briefly looked over his shoulder to see Dimitri laid in his bed. He looked fragile and drawn out. He was vulnerable and broken. Regan had to be the one to heal him. He swiftly took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with his lighter. Regan preferred the human way of most things as specially where he was on the run he needed to be inconspicuous. Guilt was trying to force its way through his body, he had inadvertently sentenced Dimitri to death by saving his life. He bit his lip and stared back out over the city. Regret and guilt building stronger. "I didn't mean to do this to you." the words barely left his lips when he sensed Dimitri behind him

"didn't mean to do what?" Regan spun round with his back against the iron railings he came face to face with Dimitri. He couldn't look into his eyes. "didn't mean to do what Regan?" he paused

"Nothing, I'm just going out for a bit don't come after me" Regan pushed past Dimitri and flew down the stairs and out the door. Dimitri watched from the rickety balcony as Regan ran down the street dragging his sweater onto his arms.

Regan rounded the corner quickly and swept into the nearby bar, the music reverberated through the building the beat pulsing through his body and the heat of the small club was invading his cold skin. Sweat broke out on his brow as he pushed his way through the tight packed dance floor. The scents and sounds nearly drove him mad as he shoved his way girls were grinding up against him and grabbing him as he went past, he ignored them all. He knew what he wanted and he knew where he would get it. The corner of the room was dark, only lit when the strobe light flickered in its direction. Regan walked purposefully over to the man shaded in the corner,

"so you're back again Regan. Problems at home? Or is it just that you can't keep the beast leashed?" the man sniggered. Regan's hand clasped tightly around the greasy throat as he rifled through the dealers pockets. He took several small packets of white powder. Regan dropped the man and walked back out into the dance floor without a hint of remorse. The dealer snarled several remarks as he drew his gun and shot several rounds into Regan's back. No body fell to the floor much to the dealers dismay.

Regan materialised out in an ally way. Swaying with the effort to keep himself standing he fished around in the pockets for the small packages, blood poured from his back as he found a lighter

"back to the remedy" he whispered as he watched the powder bubble and fizz. Footsteps caught his attention with his keen sense of smell he caught the scent of a woman. Alone. His fangs lengthened to lethal points as she wandered aimlessly down the ally straight towards him seemingly unaware of him. He caught glimpses of her figure, small and slender. She was wearing a white flowing dress or so he thought. Her eyes enormous in her face looked straight ahead unafraid of what might be lurking in the dark. Then she focused on him. Regan's heart slammed in his chest as the woman stared at him. Her hair swirled around her face giving her an almost preternatural glow.

"hello Regan" her voice was so pure it almost hurt his ears

"…Sia?"

"go back to him Regan"

"wh-what do you mean?"

"go back to him Regan"

"I'm so scared I don't understand anymore!"

"I know you're scared but remember I am always with you" he went to touch her but she moved from his reach

"Sia please come back come back to me I can't live without you" She smiled slightly at him watching him with her grey eyes

"you know it can't be so Regan. You know that." Regan fought back his over riding urge to grab her and take her back to his home.

"please just come back." She closed her eyes and looked away from him

"Regan don't do this to me."

"Don't do what I don't understand"

"Don't make me break the rules"

"Who gives a fuck about the rules!" he was growing hysterical and they both knew it wasn't going to help the situation

"Regan please keep quiet they'll find you"

"no no I wont keep quiet I'll take you away from here you'll be safe"

"I cant do that." a look of pain crossed her face and she regarded him carefully

"I'll save you."

"you cant."

Regan screamed as the woman faded he grabbed the space where she once was, heaving sobs erupted from his throat as he cried out

"Sia…" Tears rolled down his face as he looked back and forth to find where Sia had gone. The powder was spilt across the floor he stared down at his hands. The precious drug which kept his wild side chained was gone, wasted.

Dimitri walked through the old house stopping at several paintings which adorned the walls on the second story. One was of a woman, pale skinned with almost white blonde hair. Her eyes were large and looked old and wise, a contrast to how her appearance was young. Her lips where lush and sculpted much like Regan's . Dimitri stared at her for some time until something glittered on a chest of drawers. He was captivated by it, he picked the glittering object up it looked similar to Regan's pendent but slightly different, almost more feminine. It had strange symbols that he couldn't read engraved into the silver. It started the burn in his hand Dimitri tried to drop the necklace but it stuck to his skin branding him. He bit down on his lower lip as the necklace slowly dropped from his throbbing hand peeling the flesh off with it. Dimitri stared at his red palm and the intricate patterns burned into his skin.

"what the hell is that?" he whispered to himself. The necklace glowed maliciously at him as he stared at bits of his charred flesh sticking the small rectangle of precious metal. He quickly tore part of his shirt and wrapped it around his angry palm. His reflection in the mirror laughed at him as he sank back down onto the bed.

Regan wandered aimlessly back towards his home kicking a can along to street as he walked. A couple of cats mewed their welcome at him as he crossed the road. He knelt down beside them and relished their soft fur for a few seconds before he started up the pathway to his home. The brand on his wrist throbbed strangely and he opened to door. He winced as the wounds in his back sputtered blood rebelliously. He made his way slowly up the stairs taking his shirt off as he went to check the damage. The mirror in the bathroom showed the full scale of his bullet wounds he swore eloquently as he forced the bullets out of his body. They clinked as they hit the stone floor and rolled to a stop at Dimitri's feet.

The silver of the bullets glared at Dimitri as they glittered with the crimson of Regan's blood. Moments slipped passed without either of them realizing, both waiting with baited breath for the other to react. In the small confines of the room the air grew thick with tension.

"Is this what you needed to do?" Dimitri spat the words, Regan just blinked through his hair

"I never claimed to be a saint." It was barely a whisper but held edge just like a blade to Dimitri's throat. Regan went to push passed him but Dimitri slammed him hard against the wall

"Tell me. Tell me why you're always so secretive and why you never let me in. Why this place? Why this time? Why do I have this freaking brand on my palm!"

Regan was silent carefully plotting his next move.

"What brand?"

Dimitri brought his hand up to Regan's eyes still pinning him tightly up against the wall. Anger was slowly brimming to the surface as cerulean eyes clashed with emerald

"Don't make me kill you" Dimitri hissed, the beast was unsheathing its claws and coiling for the attack. Regan kept calm his whole persona had changed and they had switched roles Dimitri held all the cards now and needed an explanation. Regan closed his eyes briefly and Sia stared back at him, his heart wrenched and twisted at the sight of her. Her pale skin tarnished and burnt like someone held a torch to her face. He was brought back to reality when Dimitri tightened his grip and nearly closed his throat off.

"if you choke me you wont get your answers" Regan sputtered.