Late Nighter's Tavern & Inn, few weeks later
It has been a few weeks since Astrid started working at the bar and she is happy. During her time, she has learned about the trio who run the place. She still does not like Snotlout as he is an arrogant prick. She gets along well with Heather and has talked to her a few times a week. Astrid is not sure what to make of Hiccup and has accepted that he is a flirt.
Astrid has seen Hiccup flirt with both men and women when they come to the bar for drinks or to ask for a room. He does however continue to be protective of her which she brushes off and goes about her work. Hiccup on the other hand has been slowly wooing Astrid trying to start a relationship with her by giving her small gifts most commonly flowers. Astrid refuses his advances but on the grounds of him being her boss. She keeps a professional relationship with Hiccup and keeps him at arm's length not wanting to get close to him.
Astrid is currently in her room after a shift counting her tips of the evening. She will soon have enough to leave and get herself a small house and a place for Stormfly to be. Astrid no longer wants to live in the Inn but is happy to at least have a roof over her head and three meals a day for free. This evening, she plans on going to see her faithful dragon tonight and go for a flight. Astrid tries to leave a few times a week to see Stormfly and to go flying together.
After counting her money and taking some with her and leaving the rest in her room she heads downstairs. But stops at the top as she hears Snotlout, Heather, and Hiccup talking, "Hiccup you need to go out and feed tonight. You are starting to lose control." Heather scolded gently. "I know but I don't want to leave her alone. Many will be out tonight. I need to be here to keep them away." Hiccup answers back.
"Look man you have not fed in over two weeks. You are starving and you don't want to make your mate a meal now do we." Snotlout replies while Hiccup growls at Snotlout for even saying that he would make his mate his meal. Astrid is confused as to what they were talking about and kneels closer to the stair and lean closer to hear better. Hiccup growls louder again but he knows he has to leave to hunt or risk hurting the one he cares for the most.
Heather then says, "She will be here when you come back Hic. Besides, it is too dangerous for any human to be out anyways. Astrid is already in her room with no plans to leave tonight. So that means she will be safe while you hunt." Hiccup is not convinced by this so Snotlout says, "We both will stay so that your mate is not alone here. That way she has guards while you go and hunt." Astrid is confused by what she is hearing but continues to listen to them, "Fine!" Hiccup responds loudly, "I will be gone for an hour."
Heather shakes her head then says, "No. You will hunt until your hunger is fully satisfied. If you come back before then, I will just send you right back out." Hiccup growls but caves in to Heather's threat, "Fine Heather."
The pair watch him leave as does Astrid and when he gets to the door Hiccup stops turning his head round to face his friends. Astrid puts her hand to her mouth to keep herself from screaming out loud. His eyes are slits and glowing bright and she can see fangs from his mouth as he talks. Hiccup says, "Keep my mate safe." Heather nods and shoos him out. Astrid quietly goes back to her room and can't understand what is happening or by what she saw.
Meanwhile, Heather and Snotlout are waiting for Hiccup to be out of earshot. Snotlout speaks with concern, "I hope Hiccup gets a hold of himself soon. He needs to take his time, but I can see the fight in his eyes." Heather agrees then replies, "He does not want to take her by force. That will only cause her to hate and fear him. He cares for her but I also fear that he will give into instincts. We need to make sure that nothing happens." Snotlout nods and heads to his room while Heather returns to hers.
Astrid on the other hand is scared by what she has seen and decides that she will leave with Stormfly tonight. She packs her bag quickly and collects her money then slips out the window. She makes it to the forest where Stormfly is hiding, and she dragon calls her out. Stormfly comes out and Astrid pets her snout. "We are leaving, girl. We are going to find a new home." Stormfly purrs then she raises her tail ready to strike and growls.
Astrid turns around and sees nothing at first but when she makes another pass with her eyes she sees a man with blood red eyes, a dark cloak around him and several tattoos on his arms. He gives her a lustful look and says, "What is a beauty like you doing outside by yourself?" Astrid glares and replays, "None of your business. I am not alone. I have my dragon with me."
Stormfly growls louder to prove her point and even spreads out her wings and the spikes on her tail. The man just laughs madly then says, "Well then, I am lucky. I got two meals tonight." Before Astrid could react Stormfly is pinned down by others who are covered in a dark cloak and then Astrid is grabbed by the man and held down. He covers her mouth so she can't scream but she tries to escape from his grasp but he has her pinned down. The man forces Astrid to her knees and uses his legs to pin her down even more. Now Astrid is truly pinned no matter how much she tries to break free. The man chuckled darkly but whispered in her ear, "Don't worry sweetheart. I will make it quick."
Astrid panics even more when she sees fangs in his mouth. Then she feels his hand tilt her head to the side exposing her neck to him. The man takes a moment to smell her scent then leans over to bite her neck. In this moment Astrid closes her eyes hearing Stormfly struggle even more trying to get to her rider.
Before the man could sink his fangs into her neck, he is punched by someone and lets Astrid go. Astrid takes the chance to get to her feet. But her legs give out when she stands up. She is then pulled up and is about to scream again. But when she is pushed behind the person who grabbed her. She quickly realizes that it was Hiccup who grabbed her.
Astrid is breathing hard but can see Hiccup is protecting her, but she is afraid that Hiccup will now get hurt. The man gets up, turning to face the one who interrupted his meal only to smile, spreading his arms out, then says joyfully, "My, my, my, Hiccup! It has been a long time." Hiccup answers coldly, "You are in my territory. You need to leave now." The man ignoring what Hiccup just says, "Is that any way to treat your brother?" Hiccup just growled menacingly and crouches lower to the ground.
Hiccup then says, "You and I are not brothers. You betrayed the clan all those years ago. You betrayed me." The man just laughs once more then says, "What clan? You are on your own."
Heather's voice is heard loudly, "He is not alone!" Then the creatures holding Stormfly down were thrown off and Snotlout comes over to force the rest away. Heather and Snotlout stand behind the man next to Stormfly. Stormfly shakes for a moment then raises her tail ready to throw her poisonous spines. The man smiles even more when he sees Heather, "Still with the clan Heather? I am surprised you are still with them. Even though you helped me." Heather answers with a loud hiss while Snotlout and Hiccup watch his every move ready to lunge.
The man looks to the sky to see that the early rays of the sun are starting to show so he says, "Well this was fun, but I must go." He bows to Hiccup mocking, "The sun will rise soon. I do hope we meet again brother." The man looks at Astrid one last time, licking his lips causing Hiccup to take a step forward blocking the man's view. The man vanishes from sight and the group relaxes a bit. Hiccup relaxes and turns back to Astrid who has a shocked expression on her face. Heather comes over then suggests, "Let's get back to the Inn. We can talk there."
Back at the Tavern
Astrid follows with Stormfly behind her, and they get back to the inn Stormfly is taken to the indoor stables with other dragons. The stables are out of view and hidden so no one can find them by accident. Astrid sits down and demands, "I want answers now. What the hell just happened and who or what the hell are you?" Hiccup sighs and sits down on a stool then explains, "It's a long story but I will give you the short version. Heather, Snotlout and I are what you humans call vampires." Astrid stares at him and then says, "Vampires are not real. They are a myth. You are just lying."
Hiccup stands and shows her his fangs, and his eyes turn into slits. Astrid takes a few steps back from fear. Heather speaks up, "We won't hurt you. Hiccup won't hurt you. All he wants is to protect you."
Astrid shakes her head and demands, "Who was that back there and what clan?!" Hiccup answers, "He used to be my best friend and brother. He betrayed my clan by selling out our home we built in secret. He also tried to kill me and my parents." Astrid gave him a look and asked, "I thought vampires could only be created by another biting them."
Heather answers, "That is very much true. However, a newly turned female can carry and deliver a newborn. Males can only impregnate female vampires or human females." Astrid sits in the chair in silence while the others watch her reaction.
She then asked without looking at any of the vampires, "What happens now?" Hiccup answers, "I want you to stay here. I have grown to care for you." Hearing this Astrid glares at Hiccup demanding, "Why? So, you can make me your slave?" Hiccup growls in anger which causes Astrid to back up even more from Hiccup.
Heather moves over to Astrid who flinches when she gets close, "No. Hiccup would never do that to you." She then looks at Hiccup who is taking deep breaths to calm down. Heather then looks back at Astrid and explains, "Vampires have one mate. Whether it be a human or another vampire." Astrid looks to Heather as she talks, "If their mate is a human, they will do everything to convince their mate to become a vampire. However, many will do this by force and spend many years breaking their mates down. Turning them into a shell of what they once were."
Astrid looks to Hiccup who has calmed down and is now sitting back on the stool he was sitting on a moment ago. Heather continues, "Those who don't, and their mates refuse them and stay human. The vampire will eventually give into their instincts and turn them. Or the vampire who has the willpower to fight their own instincts will destroy themselves once they lose them to death."
Astrid just stands in place trying to figure out what is happening and still takes a few steps back. When she looks at Hiccup who looks heart broken. When he sees that she is still scared he moves forward to try to comfort her. But Astrid backs up even more, causing Heather and Snotlout to hold him back.
Heather said to Hiccup, "You can't Hiccup. I get you want to be there for her, but you can't let your instincts take over now." Hiccup begins to struggle against them, Snotlout says to Astrid, "Get to your room Astrid. Lock the door, he won't go in without your permission."
With that she quickly runs to her room and locks the door. After her door slams shut Hiccup stops struggling. Both Heather and Snotlout let him go, taking a step back, Heather then says, "Astrid is strong. But you need to let her make that choice. Don't force her into anything she will hate you if you take that choice from her."
Hiccup nodes his head knowing what Heather is saying is true, "We know how hard it is for you to hold back but you have too." Hiccup calms himself down even more and sits back down with his head in his hands. He then says. "Every day it is getting harder and harder. Every day I feel the need to be by her side. A need to be hers, a need for her to be mine."
Both Heather and Snotlout watch Hiccup without saying a word, but Snotlout says, "Look I can see what she means to you, but you also need to understand that she is human. She has never heard of our kind before. Plus you have never been a human for an extended period of time Hiccup. You were never born a human, you have always been a vampire."
He looks at Heather then back at Hiccup and continues, "Both Heather and I were human before we were changed. From a human perspective she is scared, and running is a human thing when they are faced with something that is not natural." Hiccup nods his head and looks up at her room then back to his friends. He thinks for only a moment then stands up and says, "I will do what I can to protect her but if she does not want to be turned then when she dies. So do I. I won't live knowing she is not here."
Both Snotlout and Heather are shocked by this declaration and yet at the same time not too surprised by this. Astrid however is the most shocked as she was listening the whole time. Like she did earlier she stopped to listen to them. Now she wishes she had not and quietly made her way to her room. Shutting the door quietly and collapsing onto her bed. Laying on her bed she blows out the candle then settles under the blankets to sleep. Only this time she can't seem to get any sleep at all.
Six Months later
Astrid has been hiding out in her room and only coming out to work or go be with Stormfly. During this time, she only speaks to the trio when she needs something. Hiccup also told Astrid he would stay away from her if that is what she wished.
Astrid did tell him to leave her alone and not to speak to her unless she spoke to him. Even though this is breaking his heart, true to his word he has left Astrid alone. Only checking on her when she comes down from her room to work. Snotlout and Heather grow more worried by the day as Hiccup's instincts grow more aggressive as time passes. Right now, Astrid is with her dragon in the stables even petting the other dragons that inhabit the stables.
She is trying to decide what she wants to do and finally says to Stormfly in the early evening, "We are leaving, girl." Stormfly squawks worryingly, "This whole place is not safe anymore. We are leaving tonight." Stormfly just purrs and Astrid gets up to leave the sables. She heads inside and she finds Heather alone wiping down the bar.
Astrid asks after looking around, "Where is Hiccup and Snotlout?" Heather answers without looking up, "He has some business with his parents right now and Snotlout is with him. They will be back after midnight." Astrid nods then asks, "I thought vampires can't have children." Heather does look up and says, "Only newly turned females can have young. The males can sire a child at any time."
Astrid, giving a blank expression then begins to walk past Heather but Heather says, "Hiccup does care about you Astrid. He will even leave the clan to make sure you are safe." Astrid stops but does not look back but after a moment she heads to her room. At this moment both Hiccup and Snotlout come from the hidden room. Hiccup walks over only to stop to see Astrid's room door close. He lets out a quiet whine of distress but keeps away from her room. He then walks behind the bar taking the rag from Heather and wipes the counter down again.
Snotlout goes over to Heather then whispers, "She's going to run I can see it." Heather nods and says, "Then when she does, we will make sure Hiccup does not know for as long as possible." She looks to Hiccup who now turns his back to the pair, "Giving her a chance to out run him." Snotlout nods his head and says, "Let's hope he still lets her leave if she truly does want to leave." Heather says nothing and goes to grab a new rag and cleans off the tables.
Snotlout goes to the corner of the tavern out of sight, but Heather can see him, and he can see her. When Hiccup goes to the kitchen that is when Astrid comes down silently and makes her way out the front door. Both Heather and Snotlout see her leave but do nothing to stop her. However, Astrid does stop for a moment when she sees the kitchen door. But Astrid grips her bag and silently leaves the Inn hopefully for the last time. Heather and Snotlout nod to each other and go about their business and pray to the gods that Astrid will be safe.
Auther's Notes: New chapter done. Good thing I have a few chapters done already. I hope I won't be scrambling to get the chapters posted on time. I hope this tale is fun for you guys to read. I am still thankful to everyone who reads and follows. Please enjoy chapter 3 and chapter 4 is done and will be posted this coming weekend unless my schedule decides to get out of hand. But we will see how chaotic this week will be. Please have a wonderful day/night everyone.