Chapter 02: Home Sweet Home

[Surprised_by_Witches]

The problem was that Fiona liked being a vampire a little too much. She took to it like the proverbial duck to water, and Declan's once sensible wife had become a cunning, driven hunter with a taste for the kill. She lived entirely in the moment, without remorse, without forethought. Stopping her before their meal died was becoming more and more difficult.

She was just like he had been, once upon a time. He should have remembered. He had been weak, and he had not wanted to be alone, and here was the result. He had become the guardian of a dangerous creature that he loved with all his heart, one that could end up causing both their deaths, or worse, if he wasn't careful. Somewhere deep inside her was the woman he had married, and all he could hope for was that she would emerge before it was too late.

Fiona always slept in after a feast, so he tonight he gave her a little time before going to rouse her from their earthen home. They were living in the woods, in a makeshift shelter fashioned out of a hole in the ground and boards from a discarded farmer's wagon. They both hated it, but as all they owned were the clothes on their backs it would have to do.

"Rise and shine, Fee," he called, and then went absolutely still. He could not sense her at all.

She was gone.

He ran, fast as only a vampire can run, scenting for her in the air, panic flooding his senses. She had anticipated him and now she was out on her own, hunting no doubt with intent to kill, with no regard for safety or stealth. What did a cougar care if a rabbit saw it?

Hoping his instincts were right he headed toward town, listening for her, trying to catch her scent on the air. Fiona, my love, where are you? He turned into a bat and flew high above the rooftops, hoping to catch a glimpse, and that's when he saw her. She was crouched on the roof of her parents' house, looking down into the yard. Declan saw lights on inside. He alighted softly so as not to startle her.

"Fee, my love, what are you doing?" he asked quietly.

"I never lived here, did I?" The eyes she turned to him were haunted.

He shook his head. "They moved here after you were grown."

"I don't remember things clearly," she said, then shook her head. "Doesn't matter. That life is gone."

"Not gone," he said.

"Gone." She looked wild again and he thought it best not to contradict her.

"Hungry?" he asked.

She looked at him and licked her lips. "Not for food."

He smiled slowly, his own thoughts becoming a little less scattered. Being married to a creature of pure passion had its advantages. Except for one little detail. "Fee, we're on a roof. Let's go home."

"No. I hate that place," she said. "I found us a new one."

"Wh--"

She turned into a bat and flew off, and cursing softly, he changed as well and followed her. They flew for several miles, out of town and deeper and deeper into the forest until at last she circled downwards and landed in the yard of a large house, set all alone in the woods. With a poof of smoke she turned back into a woman and turned to smile at him.

"See? Perfect."

"Except someone probably owns it."

"So, we kill them," she said with a shrug, heading for the house. He reached to stop her and then realized that no one was home. The house was too quiet.

"I have a better idea," he said. "We make my brother buy it for us."

"That's a boring plan," she said, licking her fangs. "Mine's better."

"Mine's safer."

She rolled her eyes. "You are really killing my mood." Going to the front door, she made her hand into a fist and broke a pane of glass with it, licking the blood off and grinning before reaching in and turning the knob. "Voila. Home sweet home." She skipped inside, and he reluctantly followed. His first impression was that this was a very nice house.

"Fiona, I really don't think--" he stopped. She had taken off her clothes and was waving her panties in front of him.

"Catch me if you can," she said.

He groaned. "What if s--"

She kissed him, rubbing up against him, and then skipped away, laughing.

He had only so much willpower. The chase was on.

Several hours later they climbed into the root cellar under the house and pulled the door shut overhead.

"So, you like?" she said.

"I'll call my brother first thing tomorrow and ask him to arrange to buy it," he said. "It's officially ours anyway--I think we broke every piece of furniture in the house."

"C'mere. I think I see one or two more things we can break before dawn."

In spite of himself, he laughed.

Next Chapter

[Sacharissa]

Oh my! What's a vamp to do? Well, it does look like the old Fiona is still in there somewhere...Hopefully, Declan can unearth her before it's too late!

[Lynet]

I hope so, too, but if it took him a long time when first turned, it might be a while yet before she comes around.

[muffin-tacos]

Fiona's quite the frisky little minx, isn't she. I'd be worried, but she has Declan. I think something desasterous is going to happen in the future, but I'm not worried yet.

[Mirelly]

Yep, she's gonna be trouble, all right!