Confliction


A/N: I've been meaning to get this out for over a year now, life has seemed to put a block in the creative flow but here's chapter 16. Hope you all read, review, but mostly enjoy. Despite it being short, this opens up a whole new arena of fun for our lovely M.C. A~


"You saw them too?", I couldn't quite keep my composure after the word Hunter left Romero's lips, "You didn't taste the blood though so how did you…?"

He took a moment before responding, in what seemed an attempt to understand what exactly I was referring to, "Did you see something about Hunters?"

"She was the one with those ties, the mortal me had ties to her and indirect knowledge of their beliefs. Which turn out now to be Truth I am now un-living proof", I hung my head, my mind attempting to map out the possible situation, the sense of panic crawling under my skin forcing the words out before Romero could cut in, "She followed me, I didn't think to Ghoul her until she was already dead. I thought it would be just fun… Not this."

He was on his feet and on his cell before all the words left my mouth, the knot in my stomach was either warning of the immediate danger from this current situation, or just the need for sustenance was greater.

"I don't get paid enough to handle this right now, Isaac. Blood included. I didn't think it would be too much trouble managing the cemetery gig. Zombies, I can handle no problem", Romero's pause was from Isaac's Presence alone from the other end of the device. He took a breath to compose himself, "I didn't think it would be too much trouble letting her sleep in the cemetery. But then I also didn't think she would bring her own hunter issues from a mortal life she says she doesn't even remember."

The line went silent for a moment before a low murmur and Romero closed the phone.


"She was a very good friend; from what I could see of how she adored the living me. Cemetery fling, more like she will be a part of me forever", I rubbed my stomach with a mirthful grin, "or at least until I burn through her blood as well."

The Grave Guard sighed heavily planting the shovel in the ground next to him, with the shake of his head at my attempt of a funeral.

The nights in Holly's Woods were now blurred, in a kaleidoscope of fragmented images. Each overlaying the other in different patterns. Seems it was softening me, but now the heat still very strong in my stomach from what remained of Samantha's essence and watching her lifeless corpse rolled into the six-foot-deep hole by my own muddy boot seemed to take something from me, the edges of my perception of my own subconscious seeming to crack wider, as what is now right and wrong are of no use to me anymore.

"The closer I dance to the Beast once more…", I murmured the words out loud to remind myself I was walking a thin line between Masquerading as a mortal, and a Monster in disguise. Now beginning to question my own rationalization of ending her life instead of enslaving her as ghoul. I saw no gain from her until after I had consumed her. So, it had to be her purpose. I just need to find mine in this unlife. Can't break free until we're at least off the leash. I scoffed at her words, "Which one?"

I felt Romero's eyes linger on me momentarily before beginning to cover the hole with one other of the Blood Baron's ghouls. I stepped away from the two with a growl of frustration. I needed to end this scavenger hunt, so I can remember what it was I needed to do after. Snatching the thigh length leather trench off the ground that now was minus one dead best friend, I shrugged into the worn material.

"Don't go anywhere just yet."

I stifled a giggle at his words; the Grave guard's features seeming to become warier at my response. He and Shady Glasses Ghoul stepped inside the shack once more, exchanging information on the situation and what I had assumed was furthering the plan of operations.

Shrugging my shoulders with a sigh, I swore to beg forgiveness at not adhering to Romero's request and proceeded to gather up the rest of Sam's things. Crouching low, and willing to be unseen, I managed to use obfuscate and make my way through the cemetery, and out of the hole in the stone wall.


"You really need to learn to separate your needs, dear. Desperate, lust driven, and sex crazed aren't a pretty look for you. You're better than that, so be a good girl and start acting like it."

His body pressed into mine, pinning my back firmly against the wall. The Beast inside me begging to be let out as hands gripped thighs and ass; lifting me off the ground. Almost weightless, vulnerable, exposed; between a cool stone wall and This Man and his hardened face. Yet the storm in his eyes spoke volumes. Hips to hips, hands on waist; our eyes locked as the scent of his blood spilled past his veins. From the nails imbedded into the firm muscle of his biceps. He flashed that devil may care smile pressing his body closer to mine before cocking a brow.

"That look says the exact opposite, along with the trembling of your spine. I know you always want to play dear, but now is really not the time", he chuckled quietly at his own words, his breath mere inches from my throat. Involuntarily my head rolled back, eyes screwed shut I was between wanting to beg for more or cry out in pure confliction. Unsure of which I clamped down hard on my tongue, the taste of cool crimson pooling in my mouth. His mouth was on mine, parting my lips with ease it seemed. I couldn't break the hold he had over me, from the words he spoke to what he could invoke physically.

Don't forget the dreams. Mirror-Me?

Lips parting, he smirked down upon me, "Don't let me be your distraction. You got unfinished business to attend."


A wave of confusion washed over me as I forced my eyelids open only to realize I was blindfolded. The last thing I remembered was standing up from crawling out of the cemetery to go play hide and seek with Samantha's things. Now I was laying on my stomach, hands and feet bound in heavy chain shackles. And even with enhanced vampiric sight I could not see through the cloth like a superhero.

Inhaling deeply, the scent of the kine made my abdomen ache the Beast stirring with hunger. I could distinguish at least two men by the scent, and pitches of their attempt at hushed conversation.

"We should've waited for the others—"

"No way! Whatever the hell that thing is they replaced Amy with killed Sam!"

"You do know I can hear you, right?", the words slipped past my lips without a thought, my mind seeming to forget I was the one abducted. Hearing the whispers of the sounds of their bodies tensing against the clothes both wore I couldn't stop the smirk. Apparently, my sudden interjection into the conversation had startled them. Same thing happened when I responded to strangers that talked to me walking down the street.

Lost in thought, two pairs of arms hoisted my body rather clumsily into a short backed wooden chair. The sharp burn up my shoulder bringing my mind back to the moment. As the sensation of my shoulder dislocating registered through my brain the aggressive responses of my captors finally came. Almost seems familiar in a way…

"Why did you kill Sam!?"

"Who is your master, bloodsucker?!"

Growling my response to Mirror-Me who purred quite deviously, I tried hard to focus on what the two men were so worked up about besides Sam's utter demise. I still wonder how it was they were able to capture me in the first place.

"Such cruelty to a familiar face, to think Sam wanted to save me before she was consumed by her fate."

My mind thought to taunt and my mouth obliged, causing a fist to slam into my stomach. One of the two pulled his hand back with an audible hiss of pain, I giggled as the Blood Buff was just enough to retaliate. An angry grunt and my chest lit up with a piercing pain, the darkness creeping in as I was forced into Torpor once again.