That night as I was performing onstage alongside the other dancers my thoughts kept drifting back to the strange man I had met earlier. I realized that while Mr. Crepsley had told me some things about the lives of vampires there was still alot he kept from me about them, and about himself. It pained me deep inside to know there's a huge gap between the two of us. I thought back to when we appeared on stage together for the first time. It still felt as though he put very little trust in me, even after all this time.

I could be selfish and bratty, and even resentful of the fact that there was so much I'd missed out on. But I also cared for him, more than I'd ever be able to say, more than I even could explain.

I wanted to know more. That night as I sat with Evra I decided to see if she knew anything more about Generals or Councils, but she knew nothing.

"I think the council is just a meeting they have every 12 years or so."

"Is it like a Senate or something?" She shrugged and continued to paint her nails with a dark blue polish.

We stayed up very late that night, and as Evra was tending to her beloved python, Pepper, I was able to catch Gavner Purl as he ambled out of Mr. Crepsley's van. He mentioned his preference for old basements to sleep in but since the Old Mill was short on those he had to make due. He invited me to walk with him for a while, which gave me ample opportunity to do my favorite activity: sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.

The rugged vampire looked pensive as he rubbed his facial scars. I swear all vampire must do that instinctively! Crepsley always does that when he's stumped for an answer.

"Tell me, do you enjoy being a vampire?" he finally asked.

I shrugged, "It's….very different. But not altogether bad. I had a hard time adjusting at first, but I've got all the time in the world to make my peace with it." I added with a smile. I didn't want to get Crepsley I'm trouble if I said 'No, actually, I'm miserable. My bestfriend got married and I couldn't even be there. My sister is probably a mess in middle school without my careful guidance, also not to mention my parents have probably aged 20 years overnight because I am a stupid choice!'

"And you've resigned yourself to the limitations it's put in your growth? We don't have many female vampires, much less young ones like you. Have you thought about the future at all?"

A sudden discomfort came over me,"I suppose I always did want to have a husband and kids." I shrugged, "There's no reason why I still can't have those things."

"Yes…" He blanched. " I suppose you're right. Larten did inform me about your...condition. It puzzles me to no end. There's so many...complications and unknown variables at risk here."

A sense of worry overcame me, "Is that why he's really afraid of being tried? Because I'm somehow involved with...that man." I shivered as I thought about the horrible cretin, Des-tiny.

Gavner seemed unhappy at the thought, he grimaced,"The Generals will definitely be concerned. Things tend to get complication when he's involved, Larten should have been more careful. He'll have to account for his error."

I suddenly grabbed the man by the arm, " If anyone should be put on trial it's me. Mr. Crepsley gave me the choice, and I chose this fate. They…" I swallowed hard. " They won't kill him will they?"

Gavner smiled. "I doubt it. Rest easy dear girl, your Larten is widely respected. His wrists will be slapped, but I don't think anybody will look for his head."

"You mean your Larten," I corrected with a disapproving noise. "Why won't you judge him? Isn't it in your jurisdiction?" Gavner was silent and my mind flooded with understanding. "You don't want to taint his case with bias…."

"Smart and pretty, a deadly combination. It warms this old soul to know my dear friend has someone so loyal by his side." Gavner winked. A fierce blush rose on my face. "Larsen's no ordinary vampire. He used to be a General."

"Really?" I stared at Gavner Purl, stunned by the news. "Tell me more."

The vampire let out an amused laugh, "Alright, I'll indulge you. He was an important one, too," Gavner said. "Even the verge of being voted a Vampire Prince when he stepped down."

"A prince?" I asked skeptically. It was hard to imagine Mr. Crepsley with a crown and royal cape.

"That's what we call our leaders," Gavner said. "There are very few of them. Only the noblest and most respected vampires are elected."

"I wonder why he didn't accept the position…" I mused aloud.

"No one knows…" Gavner admitted as we passed a row of house. "Well, a clear run awaits me."

My face immediately fell in disappointment, "You're leaving already?"

"A general leads a busy life. Besides, our friend will probably be on the move soon aswell."

"What do you mean?" I pressed, I grabbed his arm in protest to his leaving. This was my only chance to get the answers I'd been seeking.

The older, more skilled man quickly dislodged his arm from my grasp. With a nervous laugh he explained, "I'm sure he'll tell you if he sees fit. I know he can be a bit tight lipped at times, but trust me when I say he is as dependable as they get. Stick with him, Miss Shan, and you won't go wrong. You don't live as long as him without learning a thing or two."

My eyes narrowed, I folded my arms across my chest,"Just...How old is Mr. Crepsley?"

Gavner scratched his chin, "I'd say… nearly one hundred and eighty."

My jaw dropped in shock, I knew he'd been around for a while, but I couldn't even imagine being 30…."And you?"

"I'm still young yet, barely one hundred."

I gave a small laugh, "You're still a young boy and yet out have the audacity to call me a child?" The vampire gave a hearty chuckled and patted me on the head.

Gavner glared at the horizon with disdain, "I must be off, dawn approaches. I hate flitting, always makes me nauseous." The general broke out into a jog and then disappeared into the distance.

I headed back into camp with a heavy heart and my head was swimming. Just who was Mr. Crepsley? I felt like I didn't even know him that well at all. Every time I tried to get close there seemed to be more layers to peel back, like an onion. Trying to understand the vampire was more successful than trying to pet a fish.

Would I ever know him as well as Gavner? Or did I ruin my chances forever by being too bold and making him uncomfortable?

I later found my mentor sitting in his van. He seemed to be waiting for me. I leaned against the doorway and folded my arms across my chest, "You're leaving." I stated. His suitcase was already on the coffin. His clothes, which I carefully packed and put away every day were strewn across the room haphazardly. I tried not to let it bother me.

"Yes, there is a matter that draws me away from the Cirque for the time being." He was sitting by the window, which was blocked off by thick black tape.

"I suppose your vague answers are supposed to be...comforting?" I raised an eyebrow at his perturbed expression. "Where are you going?"

He paused, considering his response..."To a city "

I couldn't hold back a scoff at his vague answer, "And? Am I simply to follow behind you like a loyal dog with no preparation as to what we're getting into? Or did you simply plan to abandon me here? I suppose I would only hold you back." I couldn't hide the sarcasm in my voice no matter how hard I tried. I was tired of being kept in the dark.

Crepsley scratched his scar thoughtfully, "I understand why you are angry with me. I thought I might leave you here, but I do not think it would be wise. I may have need of you."

I let out a growl of anger,"What about what I want? I finally feel like I've settled in and now you want to uproot us again. Not that you bothered to ask but I don't want to leave," I added sadly.

Mr. Crepsley stood up and silently crossed the room, he placed a hand on my shoulder, "We are not circus performers. We are vampires. I do not wish to leave anymore than you do but we must."

I shook off his hand, not nearly pacified. Perhaps it was immature of me to act out, but the only way to seem to have any kind of progress was to match his stubbornness with my own.

"If you're to be busy all the time what will you have me do? Twiddle my thumbs and press your capes like a good little assistant?" I scoffed. "I think not. If there's anything worse than me being pissed off it's me being bored I can assure you."

"I too worry about the mischief you would get up to on your own, which is why...Evra will be coming with us, if she so chooses." Mr. Crepsley smirked, already believing he had won this battle with me. A coy smile slide its way onto my face.

"Really? You mean it?" He nodded vigorously, believing he has thwarted my attempts to guilt him, and I continued smirking. "What about her snake? And with both of us gone which will take care of the laundry?"

"Those are miniscule details that we can attend to later. I will speak with Hibernius and get his permission, you just go and speak with the snake-girl." He gently began to usher me out of his room.

I was halfway out the door before I launched my final move,"Whatever business you don't want me poking my nose into must be pretty important for you to agree to take on two young girls in a big, bustling city," I noticed Mr. Crepsley's face blanch with sudden realization. "Either way, I appreciate the effort."

"Perhaps I was too hasty-"

"No take backs!" I laughed and closed the door quickly on the panicking vampire.

Fatality!

Evra let out a scream of delight at our proposed 'vacation'. "I've never been on my own in a city. This could be a ton of fun, or absolutely terrible. Either way it'll be good to get out for awhile!"

We made short work at packing and eagerly made the first step of our journey. There was no way could flit with the two of us, so we elected to take buses and stayed hidden under his cloak most of the trip, avoiding the sun but also shielding himself from my barrage of questions. Evra took in everything with wonder, and I was just happy to be part of modern human society again. When we arrived in the city I was immediately overwhelmed by the sights and smells, who knew vampire senses could intensify the stink of pollution? Insert sarcastic laugh here. Evra offered me her scarf to put around my nose and I gratefully took it.

The hotel we stayed at was located on a corner of a quiet market square, a mile or two from down town. There were a couple of neighborhood kids that played soccer in the streets that I avoided like the plague. I didn't want a repeat of three summers ago.

Every morning Evra and I would wake up and have breakfast, then head downtown and explore. Evra had to cover up most of her body, and while her face wasn't that heavily scaled it took all of my makeup skills to make her look as nondescript as possible. We hit a lot of the boutiques and shops lining the streets, Evra checked out the local boys while I bought some organic soaps and oils.

"We make quite the pair don't we? You look like Elvira, and me in this full body wrap," Evra giggled. As she mentioned my freshly dyed hair: brunette was fine, but on my eighteenth birthday I decided to try something a little different. Dark purple actually kind of suited me, but paired with my black clothing I did kind of look like a modern goth.

I couldn't help but giggle at the image that the two of us made, "Did you hear the staff talking? They think we're a bunch of crazies." I admonished, "Doesn't really matter though. Crepsley tips well, and money can get you anything in this world."

"Yeah, just look at that guys that roams around the halls naked? Money buys privacy alright." The two of us were sent into a heavy fit of laughter at that.

Christmas time slowly rolled around and the air was filled with excitement as people hoisted their trees and glimmering lights all around town. Usually I spent the whole holiday missing my family. No one at the Cirque celebrated Christmas and it was kind of bizarre for me to see it pass with no fanfare. This year I was determined to make it special.

"I don't get it," Evra was laying on our bed, flipping through a magazine. "It seems like a lot of unnecessary stress just for one day."

"A silly human custom," Mr. Crepsley scoffed when I told him my plans. It hurt to have him wave it off, but it only fueled my resolve to have a nice Christmas. Festivals did bring people together after all. came and went at night never telling me where he was going. I was used to him playing things close to the chest but this was a whole new level for him. It bothered me to no end that he refused to confide in me. I just wanted him to trust me.

As the snow began to fall Evra wanted to go out less and less. I could only take being indoors with the TV for so long before I got stir crazy.

"I'm going out," I told her as I threw on my heavy green military jacket. "Be back in an hour or two."

"Can you bring me the new Teen Digest? Also, make sure you get back on time before grumpy bat notices," She teased. I nodded then headed out into the cold.

The walk downtown was quiet. I saw moms and their kids walking hand in hand, lovers stealing kisses, and even a few businessmen on their lunch break. Not to mention the local teens cutting class to smoke cigarettes by the convenience store. I gazed into department store windows and seemed to by mystified at all the different things on sale. I only had a vague idea what to get Evra and Mr. Crepsley for this christmas.

"You gonna look or are you gonna go in?" A sweet voice said to my right. I turned only to see a dark skinned girl grinning at me. She was gorgeous with a capital 'G', and quiet obviously still in highschool from the look of her academy uniform. She extended her hand to me, "My name is Debbie."

"Hi, my name is Sam." I smiled. "I'm looking for a gift for my sister."

"Why don't you come in with me? I'm off the clock now but I work here part time, maybe I can help you find something?" Pretty and nice. I could tell she a heart just as beautiful as her face.

With a shy laugh I took her offer, "I'd like that alot thank you."

Debbie Hemlock had apparently lived in the square surrounding the hotel and had seen me come and go had just moved to the area with her computer genius father and her mother. When I asked her what I should get for my 'sister' she showed me a couple of cosmetic sets and perfumes. I decided on getting her an expensive makeup kit for her to practice with. It came with a green foundation which was for color correction but I knew would be perfect for her greenish skin.

"So, are the two of you staying here alone?" Debbie snapped her gum as we walked down the road. A couple of cars passed by and honked their horns. Their male passengers yelling the same regurgitated, misogynistic garbage as the next. I made a nasty hand gesture in their wake but otherwise ignored them.

"No, we're staying with another friend too. He's an extremely early riser," I laughed internally at my lie. Or should I call it an alternative fact? "So I doubt you would have seen him."

"Ohhh," she grinned knowingly. "Your boyfriend?"

I flushed scarlet, and it wasn't from the cold. "N-No!"

"Sure, sure," she continued smiling. "What would you like to get him?"

I thought about it for a moment before an idea struck me. "Hey, Debbie...I think I got it…"

It was dark by the time I finally got back to the hotel, I had two bags in my hand that I asked the front desk to lock them in the safe until Christmas, I didn't trust either of them not to go snooping! I was still smiling as I unlocked the door to our room. Evra sat looking uncomfortable on the couch, while Mr. Crepsley sat impatiently in a chair facing the door.

Uh-Oh.

He fixed me with a dark look,"You are late. Where have you been?" He demanded.

"Out." I replied vaguely with a shrug. Evra looked second hand terrified for me but wisely kept her mouth closed.

The vampire titled his head, clearly not in the mood to be sassed. "Do not play games with me young lady."

"Since when are you my keeper?" I snapped as I shoved my coat into the closet. "You're not my husband or my dad, why should you care what I do or who I do it with?"

That last comment seemed to send him over the edge, he practically flew out of the chair and came to stand very close to me, I could sense his anger radiating off him. He was seething. "I will not ask again. Where were you?"

I met his glare with one of my own, "You tell me where you keep sneaking off to first!"

His jaw set in a firm line, "I was worried." He admitted. "Evra told me there were many boys milling about the square the other day. I was concerned since you were alone." Now I felt guilty, even though I knew I shouldn't. He never told me anything, so why should I tell him?

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous." Boom. Got him. The vampire turned slightly red with embarrassment before crossing the room to leave out the window.

He seemed as though he wasn't going to rise to the bait when he suddenly said over his shoulder, "Do what you will. I am not jealous."

The window shut firmly and Evra looked at me with a grin. "Oh he's totally jealous."

Hi there everyone! Thank you all so much for your continued support for this story. I can't express how much it means to me to hear from you guys! I hope you'll all forgive any typos or errors in these chapters; I'm trying to update as much as I can as quickly as I can.

On an unrelated note, I'd really like to reach out to my readers and ask you guys for any kind of song recommendations for this fan fic? I'm thinking of making a playlist for this story and really want your input. Also, like I mentioned in a previous chapter, let me know if you have any headcannons, or scenes you want to see in this story. I have a lot I want to do, but I think its important to give your readers what they want too.

That's all from me! Until next time!

R&R

-PMD