Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I think at this point it owns me.

Thank you so very much for the support you gave me for the last chapter. I really am glad that you liked it.

Chapter 21

"We refer to it as undead my love," Tyson answered in relief. She looked all right; it appeared she had made the transition successfully. "Forgive me."

Savannah straightened, amazed at how fluid and strong she felt. In the fading daylight she was surprised at how sharp and clear everything looked.

"I really am a vampire," she said in wonder. She inhaled and was assaulted by the scent of her own blood that had been spilled by Cassandra. A wave of pain and fear rolled over her and she whimpered as she pressed her hands to her head, eyes closed tight.

"Savannah what's wrong?" Tyson asked in concern as he drew her close. Kissing her cheek, he stroked her hair as she burrowed into his shoulder. "I'm sorry, so sorry. Please Savannah forgive me."

Savannah calmed down and then drew back, looking up at him.

"There's nothing to forgive," she said quietly. "I was praying you would come in time. I was ready."

"I didn't want it to happen like this. It shouldn't have happened like this," Tyson insisted shaking his head. "I just couldn't let you go."

Savannah took his face in her hands and held his gaze with hers.

"I seem to remember saying yes, didn't I?" she said softly.

"You did," he confirmed. "I wasn't sure you knew what you were saying."

"I knew. Tyson, I chose," she said seriously and drew him close to kiss him. She pulled back, running her tongue over her fangs. "This is going to take some getting used to," she laughed.

Pounding on the door made her pause and then suddenly it crashed open. Mick burst in, followed by Josef and they both relaxed when they saw the couple sitting on the floor. One look at Savannah's silvered eyes and fangs and it was clear what had occurred. The smell of Cassandra's attack hung on the air around them.

"You are going to need a new door," Tyson said lightly to the fledgling in his lap.

"I think it's all right," Savannah said with a weak grin.

"Where's Cassandra?" Mick demanded, looking around the apartment. He headed towards the kitchen and the balcony beyond.

"She's gone. It was stop her or save Savannah. I let her go," Tyson told them. He started to get to his feet with Savannah. "She is long gone I'm sure."

As they were rising, Savannah clutched at her stomach, fell to her knees and cried out in pain. She trembled as Tyson knelt beside her, his arms around her shoulders.

"I'm so thirsty," she groaned. "Help me…..should this hurt so?"

Tyson glanced helplessly at Mick and Josef and then he stuck his arm out in front of her face.

"Drink from me," he urged, not knowing what else to do. He knew that human blood was what she craved but he didn't have any. "It should help for now."

Savannah bite awkwardly into his arm causing him to wince, but he stayed steady.

"We can help with this," Rayna announced as she and Beth entered the apartment. Beth had a cooler and she hurried to the couple.

"Savannah, I have fresh blood," Beth said gently. She set the cooler down and got out a bottle, opening the cap and holding it out.

Savannah quickly released her bite on Tyson's arm and lifted her head, inhaling deeply. She greedily grabbed the bottle from Beth and started to chug it down. Draining the bottle quickly, she dropped it and looked to Beth for more.

"Come sit down," Tyson insisted pulling her to her feet and leading her to the couch. Savannah sat but her gaze remained locked on Beth as she reached out for the second bottle that Beth produced. Growling low in her throat, she snatched it from her and took off the cap. As with the first bottle, she drained it quickly, then tossed it aside and looked around frantically.

"Why am I so thirsty? Is this normal? Beth….I am so sorry for growling. This isn't like me," she said, struggling to control her hunger. She remained vamped.

"You are always thirsty at the start," Tyson tried to soothe her as Beth brought out a third bottle from the cooler. With great restraint Savannah took a slow swallow and then paused.

Josef had watched the proceedings critically saying nothing but Rayna knew what he was thinking. Her stomach did a flip in concern, remembering Granny's words.

"Yes, the hunger is often very strong. Let your body adjust to the change, drink slower," she urged. "Every turn is different," she said looking directly at Josef.

Mick immediately caught the exchange and knew there was something wrong. He glanced between Rayna, Josef and then concentrated on Savannah as she tried to slowly consume the third bottle.

"Is there something we should know Josef?" Mick asked pointedly.

Josef hesitated but knew he couldn't deflect Mick once his friend became suspicious. He was going to have to explain this.

"Tyson may have turned Savannah but Cassandra is the one who drained her. This was a traumatic turning," Josef said finally. "We need to keep a close watch on her for now."

"She'll be fine Josef," Rayna said stubbornly. "I know it."

Looking between Josef and Rayna, Tyson' could feel Savannah tremble and he knew she was frightened by that revelation. Beth sat on Savannah's other side, looking at the others in confusion.

"Just what are you implying?" Tyson growled at Josef angrily. He kept an arm protectively around his fledgling's shoulders. "You are fine Savannah," he comforted her.

"I think you had better explain yourself Josef," Mick ordered as he positioned himself partially between Josef and Tyson.

Scanning the faces focused on him, Josef finally met Rayna's sympathetic eyes. She nodded slightly in encouragement.

"All right children, this is what concerns me. There is a risk that with a traumatic turning the fledgling is never able to control its urges. They never adapt to being among humans. I am only saying we need to watch and wait," he told them. "We have to be careful."

"I'm sure she will be fine," Rayna added quickly. "After all Tyson did take her through the change. He did it right."

"Of course," Beth agreed giving Savannah a quick, reassuring hug.

"I'm only suggesting that we observe and be aware," Josef said sharply. "We'll take her back to our house for now."

"I will be taking Savannah home with me," Tyson contradicted him angrily. "She is my fledgling and I will help her to adapt to our world where she is more comfortable."

"Moriah and I felt that if this occurred that my house would be the best location to take her through this, "Josef insisted, exercising the power of his age.

Tyson growled and began to rise. His feelings of protection for his fledgling over rode any friendship towards Josef. Mick tensed, ready to intervene if this got physical.

"Stop it!" Savannah ordered angrily. She grabbed Tyson by the arm and yanked him back down beside her. Everyone stared at her warily but saw she had regained her human visage. Her dark brown eyes sparked in annoyance as she looked around her. "Do not fight about this as if I'm not here. Josef makes sense Tyson and you know it."

A rumble of laughter erupted from Josef as he gazed at their newest member of the tribe.

"Good for you girl," he approved. "I like that attitude."

"Are you all right sugar?" Tyson asked softly holding her hand.

"I think I will be. I refuse to let that bitch win. She intended to make something like this happen."

"What did she say to you?" Mick asked with interest, drawing a chair over and sitting down. Rayna sat in a nearby easy chair as Josef paced the room, after he had secured Savannah's door as best he could.

"She wanted to force Tyson to turn me. She believed that he would never understand the loss of a fledgling unless he had sired one. It is her intention to return later and kill me. She is not finished," Savannah related.

"She will be when I get my hands on her," Tyson swore. "Cass is not getting away with this."

"We will track her down. Don't worry Savannah, we will not let her finish. She won't win again," Rayna promised, her eyes flashing.

"Cassandra will have left town by now won't she? It would not be smart for her to stay in town, knowing we will be looking for her," Beth stated.

"I would think that would be the smart thing to do," Mick agreed smiling at Beth. "She has planned this out well. She won't hang around."

"Oh my god…Chaz!" Savannah exclaimed suddenly. "She had Chaz, that's why I went without telling you. She said she didn't hurt him but I don't know if I can believe her," she said in agitation.

"He's fine," Josef answered, stopping his pacing behind Rayna's chair. He observed her reaction with approval. "Mick and I left him at the warehouse to oversee the investigation of the dancer's body that was there."

"She didn't bite him? Did he know what Cassandra was?" Savannah asked, her mind whirling. "Does he know our secret?" Fear gripped her at what would happen to her partner if he knew about their true natures.

Josef smiled slightly at how easily Savannah used the word "our" in referring to their secret.

"Our secret is safe for now. However he wanted to send a unit here to rescue you. We still have some damage control to do," he reminded the others.

End chapter.

I have written ahead so I may post faster with some chapters. Love the reviews. Thanks.