Author's Rant: Long story short, my laptop was in the shop for ages. It's finally fixed. We're back on schedule. Enjoy!

Numbed

Five more nights go by. I've stayed at Atem's house, never disturbing and doing my best to ignore the blush coloring my cheeks whenever I see him. He isn't aware or simply chooses to ignore his effect on me. Each night, from early dusk to daybreak we've glided around the neighborhoods and cities. The exercise wasn't to simply strengthen my endurance, but to ensure I remembered my way home.

Landmarks, damaged buildings, street signs, anything that stood out from others, I mentally marked as a path back.

There are more words in this time that Atem patiently teaches me. It's part of the lessons I learn along with having to study the computer files he's set up in a separate room. The spare space is dark, no lights or windows. I didn't need the light to see. It's perfect privacy.

Sometimes, I felt like I was making progress with my lessons. My wings ached and spasmed at the end of each flight, but it only encouraged me to work harder the next night. If there's no pain, there's nothing gained. I wish the same progress with my lessons could be said about the files. No matter how much I read through the millions of words, sentences and carefully analyzed—my most recently learned word—I can't seem to grasp new information.

I sighed and pushed away from my desk, stretching my arms. It's close to daybreak and my body felt rigid. I left the room and peeked out the door into the hall. I don't think I can ever get use the amount of space built into his home. For one person, who needed so much to roam when all you'll do is rest and eat?

I'd still believe I were still outside if it weren't for the ceiling of Catholic Angels spread above in immobile flight. I stare at them, thinking how ironic it must be to be illustrated and displayed inside the home of a creature that the devil took part in creating. My mother read stories to me about the devil's jealous of God's angels and sort out ways to do a better job. He created vampires to darken the earth, preparing the drain souls for hell.

I'm not quite sure where I fit into the mold. I don't often think on it unless the problem is often thrust in my face. Father constantly keeping me locked indoors was sure enough reason to dwell on it.

Atem's not like that. We glide the skies as equals. That alone provides plenty of belief that he probably would have treated me the same way back then . . . maybe.

A stream of light glowed from beneath the bathroom door. I timidly knocked, having remembered what happened the last time I intruded. Remembrance of Atem in the nude stimulated my blush again.

"Yes?" came his deep answer.

"I'm off to bed now. I just wanted to say good night."

Water softly lapped the side of the tub as Atem seemed to move around. "Have you learned anything else?"

"Not really."

"Not really?" He repeated, chuckling and that deep laughter sinking like rocks in my stomach. "You either have or haven't, lad."

I sighed, pressing my brow to the door. "I haven't . . . I'm sorry."

"We have time." More water splashed. "There's sliced turkey and chicken breast in the microwave. It's still warm. Eat before you rest."

"Yes." I left to do as he said. I noticed lately Atem often laughs at my expense. Not that I mind. At least I can spare him a laugh or two since it's not often he smiles for long. The plate of meat was there just as he said, steaming as if freshly cooked. Atem hadn't fully cooked it. Blood, thick and wonderfully crimson, pooled into the middle. My mouth watered. It wasn't blood from the meat, but human.

Genuine human blood sat absorbed inside the meats until the slabs took on the blood's brilliant shade. Hungry forsake my manners, I was so deprived of this life source. I devoured it, tearing into the turkey and sucking. It was either tears or the blood that wet my cheeks as happiness overwhelmed me.

Atem hunted for me. My clan leader went out and brought this back to me—mercy was it hot! It burned all the way down and stayed warm. It was gone in a minute and seconds, down to the last drop being licked from the plate. So satisfied with my meal, I couldn't resist stretching my wings and arms wide, and opening my mouth to let forth a long howl.

My wing claws tapped the ceiling and I quickly withdrew my wings back around my shoulders. I chuckled. Now full, and very pleased, I walked back up the stairs. Atem stepped out of the bathroom, eyes a round glow in the dark hall. He flashed them once and I returned the haunting flicker. The towel around his shoulders was the only stitch of cloth on him. He was in his real form, wings a light cape as he walked toward me.

I averted my eyes to the floor. "Thank you," I whispered.

The tips of Atem's talons appeared in my view. A heavy hand dropped on my head and gently combed through my hair. "Learn not to thank me for performing my responsibility. A clan leader provides for his kin." I shyly gazed up.

Atem smirked before lightly shoving me to the side. "Get plenty of rest tonight. Tomorrow's lesson will be your toughest yet."

"I will." I bowed my head and lifted my head fully to watch him leave. The sway of his long brown tail lazily trailed the furry floor. His wings took on the same swaying lightness. The middle of his back where his wings jutted forth, was very finely lined, the muscles thick and bulging and glistening with rivulets of water. Compared to my own muscles, they seemed to come to life.

My word. . .

Atem turned around. I quickly spun on my heel and scurried off to my room. I heard him chuckling.

Atem hadn't been joking.

The next night, I really got a true example of the phrase 'hard work'.

I saw him ahead, sharply turning around the edge of a tall building and I sucked in, prepared for my own try. These buildings were so tightly parallel from others that I anticipated a problem happening. My eyes widened to see that I didn't have room to spread my wings as I made the turn. The tips of my wings painfully scrapped into the brick fortress on both sides before I could fold them in. "Damn it!" I snarled and then I focused on just gliding out of the narrow passage safely. The wind pushed me around and it was a struggle to not slam the brick walls on either side.

Atem maintained a central flight, wings pulled in firmly to him and I tried to mimic his form, but my wings couldn't keep the bent curve and suddenly they began to hurt in a different way. Not in my shoulders this time, but throughout my entire wingspan, shooting pain violently through the veins. It lasted longer than I wanted.

Atem shot upward and then down, left and right and then I saw why. There were thin, plastic threads lined between the buildings with pieces of clothing clipped to the line. This was a new obstacle. I narrowed my eyes from the winds slapping my face and pulled up quickly to avoid a line. I passed two more windows and dipped downward.

My heart leapt into my throat when my tail snapped a line, and at this speed, that could've easily been my head. I wanted out of this and attempted to rise higher, but another line was there and I had to roll on my side to avoid it slicing my neck. My talons caught onto it and the clothing fluttered down to the alleyway.

Up ahead, Atem still managed to maneuver around the lines like they weren't there. I envied it so much that I couldn't dare leave without finishing. I pushed forward, diving back into the midst and propelled forward with my arms forward. If I happened to hit a line, my hands could catch the cut before my face. Dodging another five lines, I finally broke free of the gap between the buildings and looked around for Atem.

He was already soaring higher where the clouds roamed across the sky. I breached the cloud surface and flapped to glide beneath him.

"How many lines did you hit?"

I didn't answer right away anyway, too ashamed to admit how poorly I did.

"Yugi." His voice startled me below. Atem moved to glide underneath me and I stared down at his face. "How many?" he repeated.

"Two, maybe three," I muttered, realizing that knowing look meant he already knew the answer.

Atem nodded and frowned. "Until you say none, we'll keep this practice up daily." He barrel rolled to flank my right side. "This is the way you master maneuvering the skies. Not only your wings, but your mind. A sharp mind makes for quick thinking. Combined, you'll have the advantage over your enemies."

"We're the last of our kind and probably the last of human legend. What do we have to fear?"

"So long as we breathe, we will always have those who hate us. We were the apex predators back in our time. The hierarchy has changed. Humans rule, we cower and hunt in secret. It's their rule now."

I snorted, glaring down at the specks of helpless mortals. "They have no claws, no fangs, wings, nothing to hurt us besides their weapons. Otherwise, they're not worthy to be our notable enemies."

Atem looked at me hard. "If you truly believe them not worthy then reveal yourself to them." He swept his hand out to the wandering humans below.

I hesitated and sighed. He was right.

"Wise decision, lad. They lack our natural weaponry, but even our claws can't withstand a bullet. You'd be shot down like a dog."

Bitter regard towards that truth silenced me. In the beginning, I wanted the lessons from a master of the skies to help me build confidence, to be as artistic and skilled as him. Now, to realize his mission is to teach me how to merely survive scares me. Mother cast the spell on me in hopes that I'd wake up in a time where evil didn't exist, where there weren't any more enemies. Still, I know he'll continue to work with me and improve my skills. I'll improve every night to prove his efforts aren't for naught.

"How are your wings tonight?" Atem questioned, catching a wave of curling winds.

I focused on that part of my body, flexing my wings and rolling my shoulders. That part didn't hurt at least. "I scrapped the brick walls."

Atem smirked. "With a wingspan like that, I'm not surprised. It can have its drawbacks." The way he said it left an air of wickedness. I saw a lopsided smirk to match that wickedness. My cheeks warmed and I glanced away to stare at the dotted people. I didn't want to jump to conclusions . . . but the way he said it, almost seemed sexual. Not that I'd question that of course!

Suddenly, my mouth gained a mind of its own and the urge to return that sensual tense became too much to ignore. I lowered my eyelids and smiled just as darkly. "Jealous that mine's bigger than yours?"

Atem stared, blinked, then threw his head back and let out a howling laugh that echoed loud and robust. He angled to the side, rising his wings in an upward fold, stretching as far as they could go before flattening them to his side. "Ah, but it's not the size that matters, lad, but what you can do with it."

Right then, I knew I'd been right. His mind's deep in the gutter. His voice went back to normal before I could speak.

"We'll land over there. I'll take a look at your wings."

Atem guided us down to the highest building in the area, he landed first, then me, catching the edge with my talons before settling into a crouch.

"Turn around."

I did and immediately pulled one of my wings around to check the injury. His large brown claws appeared, smacking my hand away before my wing came into view. "I said I'd look." Atem pulled until I stood in front of him.

I hugged myself as a rough breeze grazed my legs and tail. It was suddenly colder than usual.

"You've lost some skin here, blood too. It's nothing too serious." Atem pressed his nose hard in the scraps and sniffed. "No infection." He gently squeezed each fragile bone in my wing, up to my pointed claw and shook his head. "No broken bones. I was more concerned that you'd cracked one when I saw you hit the walls." I nodded quietly as he went on to inspect the other, performing the same checkup.

I wasn't entirely sure how I should feel about hearing him say he watched me the whole time. Atem managed to glide and dodge those lines with ease and watch me at the same time. Once I gained as much skill, I'll be sure to show I'm just as capable.

"Other than that, you'll heal. Shedding your skin at dusk will heal the broken flesh."

"Thank you," I said, secretly pleased with his probing touch as he continued looking over my shoulders, my back and wings.

Atem paced around me three times before stopping right in front me, very close and I was embarrassed of my squeaked surprise when he reached up and tugged on my hair. His large claws spread handfuls to the side, gently trailing his knuckle against my scalp.

"I'm wondering if we may need to cut your hair," he grumbled and my eyes widened as he touched my hair again, pushing it further from my face. "Could it be obstructing your view?"

'Obstructing?' Oh, I know that word. "No, no it isn't at all."

"Hmm." Atem didn't sound convinced as he traced the longest pieces of hair down my face and went back to sort of petting my head. It felt so good, I nearly forgot that I was supposed to be explaining why I wanted to keep my hair. I've always loved the way the winds run through it whenever I'm in the skies.

My head lowered a bit as he continued with caress my hair. I was so absorbed with the wonderful way it felt, the strange rumbling noise hadn't come to my full attention. That is, until I paused and realized it was vibrating from my chest. Cooing. I was standing here cooing like a happy pigeon.

"Very well, but the instant I feel it's in the way, we're cutting it." Atem caressed my hair a while longer and I had to lightly pound my chest to stop the noise. Atem stepped back, sniffed the air. A harsh wind came right as he angled his head up and I could swear he saw an enemy appear from how tightly his fangs bit into the skin of his lower lip.

He stayed that way so long I grew concerned and gazed up at the piercing blue-black sky and fading stars. Maybe he saw something I didn't. Maybe he was deep in thought. I huddled inside my wings and folded my arms. I sensed something.

"It's colder," I murmured.

"It is." Atem narrowed his eyes strangely at the sky and slowly let his eyes trail after a wispy breeze. "We won't linger, lad. Can you fly?"

I wasn't sure I could. The air had become so thick with chill my fangs chattered. It was so strange, feeling like this in the dead middle of summer. "I'll try." I started to the edge and jumped on the ledge, stumbling when the cold stone pressed into my talons.

"We won't chance it." Atem picked me up and cradled me close. His breath was warm in my ear and his wings unfolded widely to catch a huge gust of wind. We rose up into the air with a powerful, yet graceful bound and went in the direction of his home. Every so often we swooped to miss a sudden dash of cold air.

I couldn't pay much mind to the odd weather, being that I was warm and comfortable now. Atem smelled different, like rain and leather. I like that smell. It's him. I closed my eyes and pressed my face into his neck. He squeezed my shoulder and I smiled contently.

I felt as safe as the day I first met him.

Atem said he'd be going on a flight alone the next night. I didn't argue, though inside I protested against the idea. I didn't want to be away from him. Instincts had a way to gnawing at you if strong enough.

I occupied my time by wandering the home on his orders. I was to memorized at least a third of the house's 'blue prints' he called it before his return. It didn't seem difficult from first glance, but as I ventured into each bedroom, bathroom, office room and living room, I realized my task was as tedious as my gliding lessons.

When I finished with that I went downstairs for something to eat. Atem says to snack in between meals to help build my muscles. I'm getting there I think. I hope he doesn't expect me to get as big as he is.

A hunk of roast beef sat on a dinner plate in the fridge, soaked in blood the same as the turkey and chicken had been. I pulled it out and went to dine in the living room. My magazine was there and though he had others, I was most attracted to this one with the handsome human. I think it's because I liked looking at his face.

He reminds me of Atem in a way, hard eyes, a knowing cool smirk and an aura that ensnared you. I was in luck because the handsome human had a large section of the picture book to himself. He had many different portraits of himself in many positions.

As I flipped through the pages with my tail, I suckled on the meat little by little to savor the taste. It was undeniably thick and a bit salty. The sweetness was there, but the coppery flavor was more pronounced. Another picture came up I was most fascinated with. The human's sharps and equally sharp dashing looks captivated me to go over every smooth detail in his face: full lips, deep set dimples, an angular chin and high cheekbones.

Very, very handsome.

I'm still having difficult with learning the new names of this era, but I knew my letters. Y-A-M-I M-E-N-D-O-Z-A.

Yami Mendoza?

"Y-y-ya-mi," I tried and began to chew the meat. I think I'm saying it right. "Y-a-mi. Ya-mi. Yami?" I nodded. That has to be right, if not, I'll ask Atem.

I finished my meal and stood to prepare for bed. I had hopes that Atem would be back before I was forced to slumber, but whatever business he had to take care of must've been important. I climbed up the stairs and went to bed anticipating seeing him tomorrow.

I woke with a stretch and long howl as I clawed my way out of my skin. The air conditioning rumbled behind the walls, the only noise in the house. I jumped from bed and hurried to the window without thinking.

The sunlight scorched my arm a blinding, bright red and I stumbled back to get away from its hurtful shine. I cradled my arm to my chest and licked it, but even the burnt taste left an ache in my mouth. I pressed my back into the wall and saw that the sky every shade of red, purple and gold. The sun would be down soon, thank goodness.

Atem's car wasn't in the drive way. He hadn't come back yet, but maybe he was on his way. I could get to work on reading those files in the meantime. When he comes back I bet he'll expect me to have learned something new.

Atem bought me my own bookshelf with tons of books, furniture and a smaller laptop to carry around. I walked down the hall to the spare office room and settled in for another long session. As I flicked on the computer, the air around me gradually cooled. Really cooled.

I rubbed away the bumps on my arms. I didn't know how to work that machine to warm the house. It's best I didn't in case I set it too hot or colder than it was. The screen flashed on from where I was before. I began reading the part about the disease's first beginning stages. Most had considered it to be nothing but a mild fever.

Earlier doctors were wrong when they diagnosed it to be an easily cured illness. Humans contracted it first. I was wrong before when I stated that my clan were the first, but I was correct when I said that were the first of our kind to get it.

Symptoms mentioned were high fevers, chills, swelled tongues, inability to swallow or speak, greyish skin, in some cases blindness and skin rashes. But above all, all victims suffered a severe spell of vomiting blood. My people hadn't known much about the disease until its earlier stages and they weren't as pronounced until after the human was drained.

With the clan leaders died, it was only naturally that the clan members would follow, either from despair and grief or after the contagious sickness spread to them. Either way, death was assured. No cure was ever found and as quickly as the disease came, it vanished. No cure, no signs of return, nothing. Modern doctors were able to trace the sickness's origins back to a fungus growing in the crop fields.

It grew inside the corn, invisible to the naked eye. Some of the humans could have easily avoided being infected if they'd simply washed their vegetables, but they hadn't. This careless error is what would lead to this massive outbreak. I shook my head sadly.

I leaned away to spread my stiff wings. Looking at the clock overhead, I saw it was nearly dusk. I'd been in here that long? And why hadn't Atem fetched me for our next lesson? Or was he home at all? I didn't hear the usual commotions downstairs indicating his arrival.

I pushed back from my desk, tired. I could use some sleep before he came. I wish I could fly to his business myself, but Atem wasn't comfortable with me being on my own just yet. I was getting better with gliding, but according to him, not good enough with avoiding our 'enemies'.

I made my way to the kitchen for a snack. I really was getting really sick of all the studying, but it was starting to make sense now. I'm fascinated with how much humans wrote about my ancestry, but they refused to believe that we exist. Is it human simply to fear what they don't understand? Why not get to know it even if it will come back and bite you?

Then again, my kind weren't as eager to learn about anything different either. I don't know what about me frightened my clan elders so much. Was it because my hair grew differently? Was it my skin color having a warm glow to it? I just didn't know. I bet simply being the product of a human/vampire couple was what disturbed them.

I ate and then I blinked at the fridge, hesitated and then grabbed something else as well. Atem wanted me to gain weight and so I was supposed to eat more than I wanted of things that had protein. It was still novel that I could even eat whatever I wanted when I wanted. With all the exercise we got I wasn't gaining much. I didn't know why he wasn't wasting away. Maybe he ate all day non-stop just to keep up with the energy demands. Or maybe what I considered a harsh workout was nothing at all to him.

After eating, I didn't feel as tired as I had before, so I returned to working on the files a while longer. I only left the office when I thought I heard Atem come, but it turned out to be the postal person or one of the workers who mended Atem's gardens. This was strange for him. He came back to his home late before, but usually had time spared for my lessons. I stared at the small clock on the computer and realized this was the latest yet.

I couldn't concentrate. All my thoughts kept straying to Atem's whereabouts. Frightening images began to haunt my mind, such as one of those 'enemies' Atem spoke of being responsible for him being late. Could the most agile vampire in the world have been harmed? We're not entirely immortal if we can be killed. Was that what happened? Or was he captured, hurting somewhere?

I couldn't stand it anymore. I turned off the computer and pushed away from the desk to stretch. Damn, how I wanted to leave and go look for myself, but Atem's orders were to stay put. I can't fly without him. The entire house is dark and quiet when I leave the spare room. Only creaks and whines of the house settling pierced the otherwise silent home.

The window down the hall offered a wide range view of the property. I ran to it, as the dawn of a new day slowly came to ahead. I backed away as the sun rose, but I saw that no car was there. Still no Atem.

I'm scared now.

I snatched a piece of paper from the kitchen counter and wrote down a message. All the exerted energy drained to nearly falling out on the floor. I found a pen near that telephone device and wrote, "Please wake me when you return. If you desire I get my rest, please write here." I made the words big. I circled in place, wondering where I could put it.

Maybe his bedroom door? I folded it there as I felt the creeping extra flesh pulse and envelop my tail and tips of my wings. I hurried to my bedroom with a hope and a desire so great, not even the sun's rays could burn as much.

It's the first time in a very long while when I went to sleep with a tight throat and hot eyes.

Days. It's been days, nearly a week. I rose with the moon, sleeping through each passing day, hoping when I saw the letter his signature would be there. I run from my room and find the same poor hand written there. My mind exploded as I roared violently enough to startle the birds in trees.

My mind screamed, clawing like watery nails against my flesh. I needed to be near him. My stomach unsettled and stirred with the urge to vomit. I hurried down the stairs and called for him, on the verge of wanting to attack anything that didn't answer me. I remained calm as best as I could, but each passing minute he didn't respond the tightening reality of him being so far away dug into my skull.

"Atem!" I ran into every room, searching for a sign he'd been here. The bathroom, his bedroom, the guest rooms, closets, anywhere that was could hold a large vampire, I searched. I called his name throughout the house. No one answered.

The pressure in my chest squeezed like a fastened rope around a tube of water. I tried breathing, but was it ever hard. I shuddered and shook. My claws clapped around my eyes. Was this what happened to clan members when their leaders left for long? How could they cope with this change? I felt like tearing my skin off my bones, digging my eyes out and ripping out my hair.

The connection. The connection. The connection. My bond with him. I flailed my arms and claws at an invisible being because it felt as though something were prickling at my flesh, hot and cold.

Suddenly I heard a shrill ringing, snatching me from the brink of madness. The telephone? I spread my wings and bound over to it, listening to it ring. When it finished the red light flashed to indicate a message being left. I pressed it as I saw Atem do before and listened to the message left behind.

"Mr. McCormack, it's Tea. This is the third meeting you've missed this week. I've rescheduled for you, but Mrs. Maxine isn't willing to wait for another meeting. Your appointment with Mr. Seiko is tomorrow," the human female's voice paused a long moment. "If you're ill or facing a crisis, please let us know Mr. McCormack. It isn't like you to miss work without giving a notice. Whenever you're available to return, please let me know. . ."

I knew something was wrong. He hadn't been at work at all. Atem wouldn't miss work. He just wouldn't. I paced back and forth in front of machine, my mind blazing and claws erect. A stinging sensation burned the corner of my eyes.

I ran upstairs to my note and stared and waited. I didn't leave from there the entire time. Two more days, I laid on the floor. Still nothing.

When next I woke, I sat up quickly and gazed around. The note had the same vacant spaces around my words. I rushed downstairs and saw that more messages were left.

"Mr. McCormack, it's Tea. Sir, we're getting worried. You haven't checked in once. You have a week's worth of reports and documentations needing your signature." I felt ill. I haven't eaten in two days. I felt too sick to eat. "I hope everything is alright."

"Please, please, no, no, no," I sobbed brokenly. Where was he? Why hadn't he come back to his home? What could have happened?

I forced myself to find something to eat as Atem's voice echoed in my mind that I needed to keep up my strength. That human's voice was gentle and and the way she seemed to sense the same wrongdoing doing, hurt me. I whimpered as I chewed a bit of fruit and cheese. Trembling and vision blurred from tears, I left the kitchen and went upstairs.

I missed him. I was scared for him, and I didn't know what to do now. I had to do something, but I didn't know what to do. Oh God, Atem please be okay, my mind cried. "Please, Please, Please. Come back to me, please," I prayed in a tearful whisper.

I couldn't bare going to my room. I needed something of him, his scent, his voice, anything to soothe my beast. I looked at the note mournfully and sighed before entering his bedroom. It's dark here as well. The space is five times the size of mine, and richly decorated with fine satins and silks. I didn't pay mind to the rest of the room's décor, but to the overwhelming scent of him cloaking the room. His smell is as potent as his cooked meals. And, goodness it was cold in here. I wrapped my wings tighter around my torso. So cold, I could see the fog of my breathing. Why on earth would Atem set that machine of his to such a frigid temperature?

My skin pebbled as I rubbed my hands up and down my arms. I coughed. Breathing in this chill made it difficult to speak. As I crept deeper into his bedroom, I gazed around. Edges of the tall windows fogged, frost gathering along the metal supports. Bits of ice slithered through, crystallizing into a fragile sheet. Not just there, but the floor and walls as well. Ice suddenly climbed upward inside the house as if searching.

A ranging numbness overtook me as I shivered and swallowed. My lips cracked, blood seeping into my mouth. Wick tremors racked my body. I started to back away and in the nick of time. The tips of talons were nearly trapped by the rush of ice threading into the carpet.

I jumped back into the door and quickly turned to fondle the knob and ice engulfed it in crackling hunks. I stepped back, huffing and spinning in place. Flurries danced from the ceiling, a harsh wind swept by my face like picks of needle. I smelt my own blood and reached up to touch my blood already freezing from the sheer cold.

"Lovely isn't it, the ice. It often reminds me of living crystal."

I shuddered partially from the sheer force of the cold pressing down into my back until my knees fell into the cold floor. The other part shuddered from the deepness of a voice that rumbling from the corner of Atem's room shrouded in a cascading wall of ice that shimmered in polished blues, turquoise and white. A roaming shadow lurked within a darkness blinded by some sort of magic. That's what I knew it had to be if I couldn't see who this adversary was.

I was crouching in a half bent position. I coughed and could only manage a whispered protest, "Leave here. This is my leader's home."

The entity snorted, voice unharmed by the cold. He spoke with a vibrating echo that whipped around me as the unseen winds. "Yes, I'd almost be impressed he stayed here as long as he had undetected." Some movement, I froze as footsteps pressed into the icy surface. "Alas, my admiration of him is short lived. I'm surprised myself to find he's found another companion like him."

The wind blew by my ears, encasing my wings.

"No, not quite like him. You reek of human."

I hunched my shoulders to shatter the gathering ice there. "You know where Atem is?"

"The beast has a name? Ah, I suppose he would. A demon can only go so long before stealing one. Figures he'd be so brazen as to take the name of a dead Pharaoh."

Creeping footsteps came nearer, weighing down purposely as if to loudly proclaim his power. I kept my head bowed, ashamed of my fear and afraid if I saw him, he'd be the only memory I remembered before he killed me. If that's what he was here for.

"Why are you here?" I voiced. "Where is Atem?"

"Inquisitive beast, aren't you? I suppose I owe you that much. You'll die here," the entity sighed, bored. "I needn't bother with the deed myself. Your Atem is in my care. I have orders to wipe out the rest of the devil's minions. I can't return home until he's dealt with."

"Atem isn't the last," I argued and shivered. "I-I'm a vamp-p-pire too. Will you-u t-t-take me to him? Deal wit-t-th us as you please. As long as I'm with him." The closer the entity came the colder and harder it was to speak. Ice could've wormed inside my body, thickening and I believe that is what's happening. I couldn't move, so rooted to the ground with the cold and heavily frosted air.

The entity sighed again, as if dealing with me was the last thing he wanted to do. "You're mistaken, child of day and night. You aren't like your Atem. Your human blood is the only reason I don't slay you, for law forbids anyone of human descent to be harmed by Oberon's magic. My lord and master states it, as it's always been written and so it shall be carried out. Your Atem, however, is an unnatural being. No good can come from him."

"I-I-I need him!" I forced through chattering fangs. "I need him to live. H-h-he's my c-c-clan leader. I need him!"

"Aye that you do, beast, that you do. Had it not been for my heart of ice, I'd almost pity you. Though how can I sympathize a beast who hasn't a heart? You don't feel anything or know what you need."

"I need him."

A hard weight landed on top of my head.

"Take heed little beast, your Atem will be taken to Oberon by the next Full Moon and given a merciful death like all the rest. You'll die here," he told me again, "but spend your youth enjoying the life you have left. Or, you could try to save him, make a spectacle of yourself and be killed before he is. Human interference does beget me some enjoyment. A bit of sport will do me some good."

I wanted so much to claw the skin from his bones. "I'll kill you."

"Of course you will." He didn't sound the least bit intimidated; he was amused. "You can try, child of day and night. Do well to impress me. Make it a good effort, hmm?" One last slap to my head forced my face into the carpet. "Figure this out and you'll find us. An old riddle from this old city: Although I am originally from France, I am now the quintessential New Yorker and even though I am over 100 years old, I have only had work done to my face once. Who am I?"

The air in the room lifted. He was gone and with him, the deathly cold. I was still rooted on the floor, unsure if I could move or if I wanted too.

I was no longer numb from the cold . . . but from the dark laughter he left behind.

Although I am originally from France, I am now the quintessential New Yorker and even though I am over 100 years old, I have only had work done to my face once. Who am I?

Only twelve days until the next full moon. I have no idea where to start.