Mycroft let out a growl as the bullet tore into his chest.
"It's not self defence if I'm sitting down." he hissed at the man with the gun.
"Silver bullets have no real effect on you then?" Sir Edwin asked, firing another shot.
"Stop firing!" Mycroft growled, getting up from the chair.
"Why?" Sir Edwin replied calmly.
"Because you're wasting your bullets." Mycroft said, "Look at me. I'm not bleeding out or struggling to stand."
"Mr Holmes, I heard shots." Anthea said, pushing the office door open and pointing her gun at Sir Edwin.
"Be careful, Anthea." Mycroft warned, "Sir Edwin is clearly having some sort of breakdown."
"I've known about vampires my whole life." Sir Edwin said, "My uncle believed in them and told me how to defend myself."
"Don't tell me, garlic, crosses and silver bullets?" Mycroft asked with a smirk, "That's clearly not working out for you, is it?"
"I won't let you take innocent lives!" Sir Edwin hissed, firing again as Mycroft dived for the gun.
Mycroft pulled the gun out of his grasp and bent the barrel, preventing it from firing any more bullets.
"I have no intention of taking innocent lives." Mycroft replied, "I rely on donated blood from the hospitals."
"I know what you did to that woman." Sir Edwin hissed.
"That was an accident." Mycroft sighed, "I had no idea what I was and I didn't know what I was doing. Now I'm aware of the thirst, I can control it."
"You'll never be fully in control." Sir Edwin replied as Anthea cuffed him, "Your thirst will destroy you."
"Perhaps." Mycroft agreed, "But I intend to fight it for as long as possible. Take him to Lady Smallwood, Anthea."
"Yes, Sir." Anthea replied, leading Sir Edwin away.
Mycroft shut the door of the office and looked down at his chest. He had no idea what to do about the bullet wounds. He didn't seem to be bleeding or having any adverse reaction to the silver but he knew that the bullets would need to be removed. With a frustrated sigh, he pulled out his mobile and called Dr John Watson.
"Silver, eh?" John murmured as he carefully removed one of the bullets, "Was your attacker a wannabe vampire hunter?"
"Something like that." Mycroft replied, lying still on the desk to allow John to work.
"How are you coping with it all?" John asked, "It must be quite a change."
"John, do we have to do this?" Mycroft sighed.
"I'm just trying to make conversation, Mycroft." John replied with a huff, "You don't have to be so defensive."
"Very well." Mycroft said with a frown, "The change has been unexpected. I have gained many abilities, such as better eyesight and hearing, improved strength and speed, but drinking blood is definitely a drawback."
"How is Greg handling it?" John asked, removing the second bullet and placing it on the side of the desk.
"Gregory continues to amaze me." Mycroft admitted quietly, "Despite this sudden change, he offers me love and affection without any hesitation."
"You know that you haven't become a monster overnight, right?" John said gently, "I mean, you're still you. You don't scare any of us."
"You looked afraid when you discovered that I had no heartbeat." Mycroft replied.
John chuckled, "Okay, you got me. That whole evening was scary." he said, "We thought you'd gone mad and we're all very glad that's not the case."
"I am unsure whether I'm mad or not." Mycroft admitted, considering for a moment, "The thirst is more irritating than maddening."
"Okay, all done." John said, removing the last bullet, "Do you know what happens now?"
Mycroft sat up a little and looked down at the bullet holes in his chest, "I presume that they will heal once I've had some blood, but I'm unsure. Every day is educational at the moment."
John put his medical kit away in his bag, "You can call us, you know. Me and Sherlock. Anytime you need anything." he said awkwardly.
"Thank you for your kind offer, John." Mycroft replied as he buttoned his shirt and waistcoat.
"Try not to get shot again. I'm pretty sure Greg won't be too happy if you do." John said as he pulled on his coat and moved towards the door.
"How is my brother, John?" Mycroft asked as he moved his ornaments and paperwork back onto the desk, "How does he feel about my change?"
John paused, "I never really know what Sherlock is thinking, but I don't think he's afraid of you." he admitted, "He's fascinated, jealous almost."
"Jealous?" Mycroft replied with a raised eyebrow.
"You now have all the time in the world to think and to discover life's wonders." John explained, "Sherlock envies your immortality."