"No! Let me go! Please!"

"Quit your screamin'," Gajeel growled, lifting the man up by his collar. He sank his fangs into his throat, immediately feeling a rush as the blood ran past his lips. He could feel the life draining from the mortal, his flesh turning cold as stone. Finally, the struggling ceased and also the heartbeat. With a feral growl, he threw the lifeless body to the ground. He wiped the remaining blood from his lips, making drops run to the tips of his fingers.

"You're becoming a glutton," Pantherlily sniffed, standing in the doorway, "You could at least clean up after yourself."

The hulking panther had long become used to his friend's bloodthirsty habits. Gajeel didn't even look at him, choosing instead to stare at the droplets on his fingers. They glistened in the dull light, dripping to the ground in perfect ruby orbs before splashing onto the cold floor.

He heard a dull thud as Pantherlily dropped the body unceremoniously down a chute that led to the depository behind the castle. He'd burn the bodies later. Humans thought of incineration as a respectful way to be preserved after death… right?

"Do you know who those three men where that you killed the other day?" Gajeel didn't answer. He was too busy licking the blood from his hands to really care, "They were some of Jose's men. I don't know what's worse, knowing that he's sending lackeys into our front yard or knowing that you slaughtered them to save some light dweller,"

Gajeel's eyes flashed towards him. Pantherlily didn't move. He wasn't fazed by his bloodthirsty stare. He knew Gajeel could be way worse.

"I don't give a fuck about Jose," he growled.

"Then why the bloodbath?" he crossed his arms, staring the vampire down, "Is it the girl?"

"Tch," he turned to face the stained glass window. Her scent was still fresh in his mind. Unlike the people who dwelled in the mists, she was so full of light. She smelled sweeter than a precious rose. He could still catch the faint aroma of old paper and stale ink that had clung to her.

Just the thought of her made him thirsty again.

He had desperately wanted to taste her. Being so close to her by the castle had almost been enough to make him do it. She was just some girl, after all. Nothing more than one of the weak little sunlight lovers that couldn't last a day in the darkness that he thrived in. He wondered if she tasted as good as she smelled…

"So it is her," Pantherlily broke his thoughts. Just like always, he had to swoop in and ruin all his fun. He'd quite enjoyed terrorizing the little fairy until he had to interfere. But it was probably for the better. She probably had friends on the other side… maybe even suitors. Surely one of them knew where she'd been spending her days. Killing her would have merited more trouble that he didn't need. The last thing he needed was more enemies, not that the spineless light-dwellers would really pose a threat against him.

"It's been a few days. I think she got your message to stay away,"

"If she knows what's good for her," he grunted before turning and heading for the door.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Hunting," was all he replied before disappearing through the dark corridor and out into the chill.

Levy had no idea why she was back. She thought she must be a masochist or secretly have a death wish. But there she was, crossing the border and headed for the black castle. Her curiosity still pulled her and like a blind servant she followed. This time she at least came armed with a knife tied to her hip, though she doubted it would do much good against the threats in the mist.

She hadn't gotten too far before she felt she was being watched. She stopped, apprehension making the hair on her neck stand up straight. She turned in a circle, easily making out a familiar shadow among the trees. Red eyes glinted back at her.

"You don't know how to listen, do you?" he hissed.

"You still don't know how to be friendly," she smiled as she walked towards him. As she drew nearer to him, she could make out his facial features. She noticed a trail of blood coming from his lips and disappearing down his neck. She shuddered at the sight.

Gajeel smiled a toothy grin at her, "What's the matter? Blood make you squeamish?"

"N-No," her brow furrowed.

"Go home, fairy. This place is too dark for you,"

"You never answered my question,"

"Tch," he wrinkled his nose at her. She couldn't really be serious. And yet, there she stood, determination on her face. She was irritating.

"Well?" she cocked an eyebrow at him. She placed her hands on her hips and stepping close enough to him that she had to crane her head back in order to look at him. And then, like a wave her scent tumbled over him, overpowering his senses and making his predatory instincts suddenly flash into overdrive. Everything about the tiny girl screamed weakness, and yet she stared him down as if he were no more but another mortal.

He snuffed, looking down his nose at her. Suddenly, he turned on his heel and walked away.

"Where are you going?" she bristled. He could just imagine her face flushing angrily. It almost made him chuckle.

He waved a hand dismissively, "Do whatever the hell you want, shorty. It'll be your funeral,"

"I have a name, you know!" she yelled after him. He could hear her feet crunching on the coarse ground beneath them as she tried to catch up, "I'm Levy McGarden,"

McGarden? Why did that name sound familiar?

"Go home," he growled over his shoulder.

"Not until you answer my question!"

"Annoying pipsqueak," he felt the comforting shadow of his fortress fall over his shoulders. He placed his hands onto the huge doors and pushed them open. For a human, the task would have been impossible without at least two or three strong men, but for him it was a simple task. The opening of the doors sucked in a gust of wind, as if the citadel itself was yawning.

He heard Levy gasp behind him. A smile played on his lips at the amazed look on her face.

"What is this place?" she whispered, following him inside the giant hall.

"I thought you said you were going hunting," Pantherlily's disapproving look came from up on an overhang.

"Geehee," Gajeel looked up at him, flashing him a large smile, "Why don't you give her a tour while I clean up a few things. Think you can manage that?"

"A tour?!" the girl gasped. She flew up the steps next to Pantherlily who gave her a strained smile. He looked after Gajeel as he departed out the same way he came, an intensity falling across the set of his shoulders. A dark presence tugged at the back of his mind.

'Jose…'