Chapter three

The Beehouse was a small, hippie coffee shop on the SouthSide of Pittsburgh. Since I was meeting my human friend, I opted for a green tea instead of my usual espressO pos.

"Cassidy!" I heard the familiar, high-pitched squeal, and smiled when my friend wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Hey, Maddilyn," I smiled weakly.

"You're cold," she frowned, small wrinkles forming on her smooth, pale forehead.

"It's been a long, rough day. That's all," I reassured her.

"You didn't have enough blood today, did you?"

"Not today I didn't."

"I can tell. You have purple bags under your eyes, and you get cold."

"Well I am half vampire," I laughed.

She stuck her tongue out.

"I don't get you. You're a doctor, you treat werewolves and vampires all day, but it freaks you out about me?"

"You're not a stranger. You're my best friend."

"Okay, so you should be fine with it."

"It's weird with you," she said sipping at her mocha coffee.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"Ugh, swamped. The hospital has been super busy lately."

"Oh? How so?" I asked.

"A serious increase in newborns. Why are you guys issuing so many licenses all of a sudden?"

"We're not," I said flatly.

"Oh!" she exclaimed.

"Have you been reporting them?"

"Yes, of course. Hospital policy to report all new paranormals," she said quietly.

"I'm going to have to talk to the damn day shift," I sighed running my hand through my messy hair.

"They're not telling the PPDA?"

"Apparently not," I said exasperated, "If I had known that I could have started investigating earlier."

"Why? What's going on?"

"We had a dead vamp today. A tied up, starved, was a supposed-to-be-human vamp."

"Oh," her eyes dropped to the coffee and chocolate concoction.

"Yeah," I said taking a long sip of my tea.

The jar of honey I dumped into the pot helped to mask the bitterness a little. I picked up my swizzle stick and spun the greenish liquid around. I looked up at my friend. Her green eyes were fixated on the drink. Her red hair hung in ringlets down her back, and she must have been thinking about something because her nose kept scrunching up.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I asked between sips.

"It's nothing really. Just that poor person."

"Don't think about it. that's my job," I smiled meekly.

"I suppose."

"Alright, what's really bothering you, Maddi?" I asked.

"What if this is some rogue turning anyone they can? Are we normal people in trouble?"

I winced when she said normal. I knew she didn't mean anything by it, but it was a bitter reminder that there would always be something off with us. Our friendship would always differ from her other ones. It was also a reminder that some people were still discriminatory towards paranormals.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just don't be careless."

"Okay," she forced a weak smile, but I knew she was still worried. I couldn't blame her, if I was fully human I'd be worried.

"If it will make you feel better I can see what I can do about getting an extra officer patrolling Oakland."

"You can do that?" her eyes seemed to brighten at the prospect of more security.

"Sure. That's where the new vamps usually end up. I think I can swing that," I reassured her.

"That would be so awesome."

I sipped at the cold, bitter tea only half-listening to Maddilyn prattle on. She was in a significantly better mood with the thought of extra police for the hospital.

As we finished our beverages I muttered my goodbyes. I was desperate for blood.

"Are you okay?" she asked as we hugged.

"Fine, why?"

"Your eyes are turning red," she whispered.

I rubbed them a bit. Red eyes were the first sign of starvation. A very early sign. It meant our bodies were running out of fresh blood and were attempting to use the venom that ran through our veins. Even though, with me, I'm not sure how it broke down. I figured it would take longer considering my veins ran with blood and venom.

"I need blood," I could feel my legs beginning to shake.

I wondered if that was how our starved, baby vamp felt. How long did he endure the feeling of emptiness and weakness? Did he even get to taste the deliciousness of blood? What would have been his preferred type? No paranormal should ever feel that way.

"Ew," she wrinkled her nose and stuck out her tongue.

"That's why I'm saying bye," I laughed.

"Well, have fun with that."

"Always," I waved heading for the closest blood bar.

Bloody Joe's was packed like usual. Most of the people huddled around the long bar and pool tables were vampires. Of course, the occasional human turned up. It wasn't unusual for a random human to frequent a blood bar. Some of them wanted to be turned. They'd solicit themselves and be tied to a specific vampire, hoping that one day they'd apply for a license and turn them. I never understood it. I was only half, and it drove me crazy. I enjoyed the human side more.

"Detective Perry, what can I do for you tonight?" the tall, statuesque woman behind the bar asked.

"I'm off duty right now, Stacy."
"Ah, Cassidy then," she smiled revealing a set of fangs.

"I need a drink," I said weakly.

"I'll say. Your eyes are turning red," she motioned toward my face.

"So I've been told."

" Have a seat, hun," she shooed a younger-looking guy off his bar stool.

I sat down and sighed deeply.

"Rough night?"

"You have no idea."

"Well, sunrise isn't for another two hours. You have time for a few drinks," she smiled.

"O pos and whiskey."

"Going for the strong?"

"After today, yeah," I said putting a twenty down.

"Want to talk about it?" she offered while sliding the potent liquid in front of me.

I wanted to, but I couldn't. I shouldn't have even told Maddilyn.

"Oh, I wish I could, Stac. This case is something else. It's straight out of a fucking movie," I said shaking my head.

"Can't talk about it?"

"Not yet. Don't worry though, you'll be reading about it in the paper soon."

"Is it something someone like me should worry about?"

"Nah, you should be fine," I said after taking a long swig of my drink.

I could feel the liquid rushing through my veins. I could feel my body soaking up the blood.

"Anyway to persuade you to spill it?" she pushed.

"No, this one has to stay quiet for now."

My body began to feel less shaky, and I could feel myself re-energizing. I didn't understand how anyone could be cruel enough to put a person through starvation.