Okay, Chapter Nineteen! Sorry it's so late, but I've been REALLY busy having a life! Haha...So here's your 'Only In Morganville' fix, me hope you likey xxxxxxx XD

Thanks as usual for all the great support I've been getting, your reviews are all that keeps this writer going!

Myrnin's POV

'The Beast'

"So I guess I should leave then. Unless there was something you wanted me for?"

Oh, if only you knew, Claire. There are many things I want you for.

But I shook my head before she could take back her words as she clearly wanted to. She headed for the portal, giving me a brief hug on her way past. I stiffened in shock for a moment, before gently squeezing her back, careful not to break bones. I couldn't help but breathe in her heady scent, and let go of her quickly before I couldn't.

I watched her go. Trying and failing to keep my eyes off her behind. Claire woke up long-forgotten feelings inside me, feelings of lust that I didn't quite know what to do with. Around her I felt like a teenage boy again. I didn't know whether to be disturbed or overjoyed at having rediscovered some small part of my humanity.

For once I didn't stop my mind from wandering, and let myself drift away on fantasies as I watched Claire disappear.

I kept to my word and phoned Amelie five-and-twenty minutes later, once I had calmed myself down.

"Myrnin." Came her cool voice out of the speaker. "Where are you?"

I unclenched my jaw slowly, fighting to keep my tone normal.

"No need to fret, Amelie. I am safely back in my dungeon."

There was a pause, and I heard Amelie say something to someone in a low voice. No doubt she was sending one of her creatures here to see if I was telling the truth.

"I am sorry, Myrnin." Amelie said in a soft voice. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second. I was torn between wanting to rip her throat out and accepting her apology - coming from Amelie that was a serious thing. I settled for accepting her apology and ripping the throat out of whichever unfortunate minion she had sent to check up on me. The monster inside of me growled in approval.

"Yes, well, it's over now, I suppose." I said slowly, making sure she understood that it was not because she had chosen to let out. I felt anger boil inside me again, and I saved it, coiling it inside me. That minion was in for an increasingly painful death the longer I spent thinking about what Amelie had done to me. I refused to accept that it may have been for my own good. She knows well enough the trauma I have previously been through, and has betrayed my trust and respect. It will take a long time for her to earn those back.

"What have you done with Oliver?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light. I grinned to myself as I remembered how I'd left him.

Amelie sighed, probably out of relief that I was not shouting at her. "He has vowed never to help you in any way again, even for my sake."

I raised my eyebrows, then remembered she couldn't see me.

"Really?" I said, dragging the word out suggestively. Not that it was any of my business, but I couldn't help but notice Oliver's odd attachment to Amelie.

"Yes, Myrnin. Really." Amelie said. She sounded irritated. "Is Claire still coming tomorrow?"

My dead heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly found my throat inexplicably dry, though I fed just hours ago. Since I drank from Claire, the hunger has become more and more dominating, to the point where I find it hard not to kill her every time I look at her. I'll admit that it scares me. I don't know what I'd do if...No, I can't think about that.

In less than ten seconds I found a blood bag and drank the contents, quenching my insatiable thirst temporarily.

"Yes. She should be." Replied to Amelie finally, quite proud of how normal my voice sounded.

"Good." Amelie paused, and I knew what was coming before she said it. "Don't do anything rash, Myrnin. Just teach her what she needs to learn. That does not involve any...biology lessons. Do you understand?" I didn't mistake the command in her voice, and I'm sure she heard me grinding my teeth.

I nodded slowly, then said, "Yes."

"Goodbye, Myrnin."

"Goodbye, Amelie."

The phone line went dead, and I put my cellular phone back in my tiny vest pocket. Apparently in England they call them 'mobile phones'. I think I prefer that name. After all, that's what they are. Phones which are mobile.

The door opened and in walked a young vamp with fairly long, dirty blond hair that fell to his shoulders.

I kept a relaxed stance as he entered, smiling to show I posed no threat. (Although I imagine it may have come across as predatory and a little insane) He returned it tentatively as he approached.

"Hello, sir." He said in a lilting voice. "Amelie-" He cut off with a gurgling sound as I punched through his rib cage.

Bones and cartilage cracked as I mercilessly pushed my hand in deeper. Finally my fist closed around his heart, and I ripped it from his body in one swift motion. Torn arteries dangled from it limply, dripping thick, viscous blood onto my floor. The vampire's eyes widened in shock and in his last few moments of life he was able to watch as I slowly squeezed it to a pulp in my hand and ate it. Then I grabbed his head and twisted. A loud crack reverberated from the walls as his neck snapped and he snagged. I tore through his neck savagely, sinking my sharpened fangs into his flesh with reverence for the thick blood that filled my mouth. Not quite as pleasing as a warm human's blood, but it is still blood.

Licking my lips slowly, I sat back on my haunches, feeling pleasantly full. I sucked the blood off my fingers one at a time, relishing the taste. Then I systematically disposed of the remains and scrubbed my floor clean before taking a shower.

The beast inside me was satisfied for the moment, temporarily sated by my savage feeding. I felt slightly nauseous now as the hot water hit my back, soothing my tense, tightly coiled muscles.

Maybe that vampire had had family. Unlikely though. Maybe a girlfriend? Images of Claire's body lying drained on the floor tortured me for a moment, too vivid in my mind. I cringed and felt a twinge of regret for my actions, before reminding myself harshly that this is what I am. This animal. This predator.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself, padding across the lab to my room.

The small bed by the wall was freshly made, with deep red silken covers and a fat duvet. I surveyed it critically. It was hardly big enough for two people...What was I thinking? As if Claire would ever...ever want that. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those inappropriate thoughts before they threatened to consume me. I hadn't had any such thoughts for a very long time. Usually, my only cause to seduce a woman would be to lure her away with me before I killed her.

But no, the only time I was trying to seduce a woman, and I failed time and time again, allowing my desires to turn me into an inexperience fool. Of course, it didn't help that Claire was well informed of my nature and...abilities to cloud her mind. The one time she realised her feelings for me, she put it down to my influencing her thoughts to make her feel that way. And whilst that is not beyond my abilities, I would not do that to her. I want this to be real. I need this to be real.

I dried myself and dressed quickly, a pair of my favourite flip-flops at the bottom of loose trousers made of a thin black cotton. They were tight at the ankles and hips, but billowed out around my legs. I pulled on a big, white button-down shirt, and put on a red vest over the top, both of which I left undone for mere convenience. I studied myself in the mirror for a moment, and smiled as I realised I looked a little like a character out of Arabian Nights. All I needed was a turban. I had nothing better to do so I dug around fora while, eventually finding a fez, which I decided to wear. After all, why not? Life's too short for...most people. I sighed, wondering what I was going to do with the rest of my immortal life. And...O God, what will happen when Claire dies? After all, humans have an average life span of but a handful of decades.

I moved aimlessly around the room, searching for a distraction from that morbid thought.

Eventually my eyes fell on my discarded copy of Dracula.

I picked it up and settled into my favourite armchair, opening it to the page I was last on.

Sorry, I know the whole Myrnin-eating-that-dude's-heart thing was a little gross, but her, feel free to tell me you did/didn't like it when you review! :P Love you xxxx