I was in the garden when I overheard the conversation between Jonah and one of the security guards. They were on the other side of the wall; Jonah had obviously been returning to the residence when he was stopped by one of the guards.

"Your highness, I must speak with you urgently."

"Of course, what is the problem?"

"The guards on night duty, they are telling me things, things I would not think true."

"Oh?"

"Of a cloaked figure, roaming the land outside the compound."

I tried to stifle my gasp, they had seen a figure.

"Rogue?"

"No your highness, they have seen this figure disappear."

"Vampire then."

"Yes your highness."

"Could it be a staff member?"

"Who could scale such a height?"

"It is possible, with the right breeding, the right vampiric lineage, such heights are not impossible. Anything noteworthy about the figure?"

I gripped the tree, hoping and praying that their information would be of no use.

"The figure, they said is of thin frame, the cloak billowed as it jumped from the top of the wall. Pants, top, boots. Nothing of any distinction."

"And the cloak, standard vampire cloak?"

"No your highness. The men said it looked like it glistened in the moonlight."

"Glistened? You mean like crushed velvet?"

"I have not seen the figure."

A few seconds had passed before he called a man over.

"Tell his highness of what you saw."

"Yes sir. Your highness... I saw the figure last night, long black hooded cloak, the clothes underneath was tight to the body, almost like leather. When they hit the ground, the person started taking down rogues."

"Rogues?"

"Yes, they have started hanging around near the entrance."

"Why was I not informed?"

"I was of the understanding that you were told, my apologies but I know not of the reasons why the security chief would not tell you."

"Never mind, carry on."

"Bow and arrows, stakes, anything that doesn't make a sound, this person has it. Every night for the past week it has been the same, the person goes out, takes down every single rogue and returns to the compound. In the morning the bodies litter the ground, well those that haven't been eaten by the animals."

"How many?"

"We estimate thirty to forty a night, the numbers have been dwindling in recent nights, almost like they have left or are no more."

My eyes flick to the top of our residence, the secret that it holds.

"And what of the security cameras?"

"We can show you, your highness, but it would be of no benefit, it is as we have explained."

"Where does the figure jump the wall?"

"Not far from here."

"I see. And the cloak? You said it glistened in the moonlight."

"Yes."

"Black on the outside, purple on the inside."

"Of course, leave it with me."

"Yes your highness."

Oh shit, time to hide.

I hear the gate open and shut as I slink behind the tree, waiting for him to pass through to the house.

"Purple on the inside."

I spin around and see Jonah behind me. His eyes darken slightly; he isn't pissed but he isn't amused either.

"Something you want to tell me Ivy?"

Well, you might as well come clean.

"Fine." I sigh. "Yes, I have been jumping the wall and taking out the rogues."

"Why?"

"Because I can't rest, I'm bored and if I don't they will keep trying to get in or bomb the place."

"Bomb?"

"Yes, the first night I found them with a lot of bombs."

"Why didn't you tell me? We have guards to deal with them."

"Why? Because I'm a woman?"

"No! Because you are taking on vicious rogues on your own. You didn't tell me, your sneaking out of the safety of the compound, you could have risked the lives of the guards."

"Jeez Jonah, you acting as if I can't look after myself."

"Please, no more."

"Why? I'm stopping them from advancing on the compound, you heard the guard, their numbers are dropping, that was me, I did that."

His eyes darken as he presses me to the tree, his hand either side of my head.

"Ivy, don't go out there again."

"Fine." I snap at him, moving out from under his arm, I stalk across the grass to the house.

I'll be damned if I am going to let a man tell me what to do.

*************************

He was quiet all through dinner, brooding in his thoughts, probably still pissed at me. He knows I am capable of taking down rogues, slayers, humans. He has seen me do it, that's why I have the medals to prove it. I am, after all, the daughter of the war vampire. Capable in war, a leader of her own, she will be victorious in battle. I, like my mother, was made to be in wars. Strategic by nature, strong and fearless. And stubborn, let's not forget that one.

I waited as the butler cleared the plates from the table, Jonah left the room rather silently and I went to the top floor. The glow began in the distance, the glow of their torches, the fire burning so bright in the pitch black darkness. Stupid rogues. I dressed quickly, chuckling to myself that the guards could see so much about my outfit but not the person. The buckles of my leather vest tightened, my army boots tied even tighter, cloak on. Just as I was picking up my weapons he burst into the room.

"Ivy!"

I ran to the balcony, jumping up onto it and leaping to the wall. I stood on the wall and looked at him, the cloak over my head covered my sad face, sad that I was going against his wishes, sad that I was so stubborn that I had to defy him. I could see his face matched mine. He knew I would not listen to reason, he knew I would do as I pleased. As the rogues approached, I could see their numbers were indeed small. I began to fire arrows at them, from the wall, hoping I could take them out without leaving the compound, a technicality that might just save me from an almighty fight with Jonah. They were going down quickly and I noticed that there were a few lions out there enjoying the free feed. As I fired the arrows I hoped that none would find any of the animals. The last of the rogues went down, the only sound that came from the darkness was of the lions feeding and roaring. I jumped off the wall to the grass below, walking over to the house, happy that I was able to accomplish my task and not leave the compound. As I climbed the wall, I thought how grateful I was that Jonah made the house from stones.

"Don't you know how to use the door?"

"And wake the staff?"

I dump my weapons into the chest that was hidden behind the outdoor lounge, everything gets packed away and I slip on the dressing gown.

"Has it just been the past week?"

I shake my head.

"How long?" he despairs.

"The first night I was here I could hear them outside the wall, so I raided the armoury and have done it every night since."

He gapes at me, unable to fathom it.

"How could I not know?"

I shrug as I walk past him, moving into the house.

"I am very quiet."

"Is that why it's only the arrows and stakes?"

"No guns, no sound. Element of surprise. I can disappear and they won't hear me until I am right upon them, then it's too late. If I had a gun they would hear it firing."

He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly.

"Thank you for not leaving the compound."

"Yeah, just so you know, I was an easy target up there, I much prefer the cover of darkness."

"How about no more?"

"Oh, you are hilarious." I laugh.

"And you are defiant."

"I answer to no man."

"How about respecting the wishes of the one that loves you?"

I scowl at him and his guilt trip.

"You know, when I heard them that night that I first arrived here, I also heard the guards in the tower. They did nothing, they knew they were there but they chose to ignore them. Maybe you might want to talk to your guards before you try and drop your guilt trips on me. Maybe you should tell them if I have to jump the wall to take the rogues out, they will find themselves fired. I wouldn't go out there if I didn't need to."

Aww, poor Ivy. Maybe she needs a bit of No Doubt to relieve the tension ;) Hope the link works!

Just A Girl

Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed
And it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know
Exactly where I stand
This world is forcing me
To hold your hand
'Cause I'm just a girl, little 'ol me
Don't let me out of your sight
I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights

Oh...I've had it up to here!
The moment that I step outside
So many reasons
For me to run and hide
I can't do the little things I hold so dear
'Cause it's all those little things
That I fear

'Cause I'm just a girl I'd rather not be
'Cause they won't let me drive
Late at night I'm just a girl,
Guess I'm some kind of freak
'Cause they all sit and stare
With their eyes

I'm just a girl,
Take a good look at me
Just your typical prototype

Oh...I've had it up to here!
Oh...am I making myself clear?
I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl in the world...
That's all that you'll let me be!
I'm just a girl, living in captivity
Your rule of thumb
Makes me worry some

I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?
What I've succumbed to Is making me numb
I'm just a girl, my apologies
What I've become is so burdensome
I'm just a girl, lucky me
Twiddle-dum there's no comparison

Oh...I've had it up to!
Oh...I've had it up to!!
Oh...I've had it up to here!

Writer(s): Gwen Stefani, Thomas Dumont

Copyright: Knock Yourself Out Music