Chapter Eight:

Envy and Spite

Len threw his coat and hat on the dusty old coat rack of his mansion home. The dust seemed to have almost doubled since he was last here. When was that anyway? Years seemed to go by in a blink of an eye to Len, so it could have been anywhere from ten to even a hundred years.

He tried settling down on his soft bed, but city life had gotten to him and he began to get restless. The only thing he could think to do was open the vintage glass doors to his balcony and take in the fresh scent of his forest territory. And while he was there, he could check in that little village of his, maybe even pick out his next meal...

He stopped dead in his tracks. It couldn't be... He lifted himself up off the railing with his arms. What he was staring at was a girl. A girl with the same hair as his girl, but it had grown out to rest just below her shoulders. She had creamy skin, shimmering amber eyes, and wore a modest white dress with a black ribbon tied around her waist along with a black neck-tie (like on her normal outfit when she sings).

Len wasn't very aware of the passing of time, but he was shocked in her change of appearance. How could she become so beautiful in such a short amount of time? More than just her beauty, everything about her stood out to him. Everything she was, was just like his sister had once been. He watched her banter with the brunette next to her and found himself smiling at Rin's comeback.

He was so focused on Rin, he hadn't even glanced at the people around her. And when he caught her gazing at his rose he felt a surge of pride and a feeling he couldn't quite name. He must not have felt it in such a long time to be unable to recognize it. He finally gave up on it and settled for admiration. When had been the last time he had admired someone and looked upon them in such a way?

The feeling faded at the sight of the young man before her. Something about his sapphire locks was familiar to Len and as he watched the exchange between them, he realized that he must be that young boy from the garden. A feeling of contempt came over him for this Kaito and as the scene played out the feeling grew and grew. Just seeing him pin her like that and the way he looked at her with such desire and greed.

The railing cracked under the strength of Len's grip. The anger left his face and his grip loosened a little as he watch Rin slip away from his grasp causing Len to laugh. He felt a sense of victory over this Kaito. He hadn't been man enough to make his move while he could and now Rin was his. Wait, his? Watching the girl was just a hobby of his, nothing more, she was an interesting distraction. As he looked back at Kaito and imagined what he must be thinking, Len's fury returned.

He stormed out of the door, not bothering to grab the coat or hat that still rested on the hanger. He didn't really need such things and he was in a bit of a rush. He needed to feed, NOW. He'd rather rip out the throat of that Kaito boy, but he'd have to settle for sinking his fangs on the first villager that came his way, although he could hope it was that fool.

Len tried to calm himself down. Why was it that just thinking of that boy touching Rin make him go mad? She didn't truly belong to Len and it was natural for humans to do such things. So why was it he was burning with rage right now? Even if he had wanted to keep Rin, he couldn't have. He was a vampire and she would fear him. She'd live for what, another seventy years maybe? He'd continue living forever, even after she died. He should just give up, but the thought tore him up inside.

Fine, he wouldn't focus on that now. It was nearly nightfall already, the moon sat full in the sky and the night air swept past, exciting Len's blood. All reason was gone from him now, only the need to feed rushed through him along with the savage anger he hadn't managed fully squash.

It was just another girl in his eyes, another victim to feed his hunger and she tasted delicious, he could practically taste the innocence she gave off with every cautious step she had made toward him. Pale skin, flowing aquamarine hair, dressed in a nightgown of pure white she was a true sight to behold, a great loss for the men of this village. He drank every last drop of her blood, satisfying his thirst and his anger. He usually wasn't so rough with women, but he was furious at the time and wasn't in any mood for her struggles.

Len could see a light come on from within the village and started to hear voices. It seems this girl was more than just a beauty, she was popular too. This was a problem. Len didn't have the time he usually did to carefully dispose of the body, he settled for abandoning her on the outskirts of the village and covering her in forest debris. It was a sloppy job, worse than any third-rate vampire he had seen, but it would have to do. Right now, he had to make his escape. Len didn't usually use a lot of his vampire powers, he found no need, but tonight he used his vampire like speed to retreat deep into he forest and to the safety of his fortified mansion.

Now that he was thinking clearly, Len couldn't believe he had lost control like that. Was he trying to get himself caught? Len took a tight grip on his hair and thrashed his other arm out, breaking some china on the floor and cracking a nearby window. He let out a sigh and straightened out his hair. He might as well go and see the damage for himself. He climbed the long staircase up to his room warily, not looking forward to what he would see.