I recognize the upcoming whispers and stares when I get so close to Henriette and even lean down to her. I make sure that I don't hold her too tight, so she can breathe well and get enough air. Still I want to give her the feeling that I got her back and that she's not alone.

Unfortunately, I catch Tristan's look from where he stands, looking at me; staring at me. Those who don't know him as well as I do will not realize what I see. I have to concentrate now and will deal with that later.

They will not dare to laugh at me and I hope Henriette knows

what I'm doing here for her. Giving Cassy a cold stare before I clear my throat I can see her smile disappearing and her mouth half open in surprise.

I start an old song, called Mrs. McGrath, which is about a mother of a young soldier who gets into the war. I have chosen it because not only it can be divided into the parts of the son and the ones of the mother but also because it's an honest text about how war is. It's brutal and those who are at the front can't always control their faith. The son comes back crippled.

(If you want to hear the song Ethan sings with Henriette - this is it! Thanks to Andrew & Casey Calhoun for creating such a nice interpretation. All credits go to them, please have a look at their channel. I just stumbled across this when researching for the song "Mrs. McGrath".)

https://youtu.be/JsH6hy7ZfZc

Henriette knows exactly when she has to start to sing and I can feel her leaning a bit on me first but then straightening out to get a bit louder and more air to do so. Good girl. The song is not too long but when we finish I lean once more down to whisper, "Well done, little lady."

I take her hand in mine to step next to her and bow down.

It's pretty silent and I guess the guests are just irritated. Our voices are nothing special but in the end, the only thing I wanted to achieve is to not let Henry lose face. Now the only gossip that may spread is that we have any kind of relationship or that I have a pretty weird taste in music; or both.

I never told anybody that I'm Irish, even though I'm sure some suspected it, but that I will ever step up to sing an Irish song about war for anybody is something that not even
I would have guessed.

Finally, Tristan ends the silence by starting to clap and smile at us. The others also start applauding while I hurry to get away from the middle of the room with Henry. The only one who still just looks at us without another reaction is

Celeste.

"Thank you so much, Sir. I'm so sorry," Henriette whispers while she blushes. I squeeze her hand.

"All fine now. Please excuse me; I have to talk to Celeste for a moment." When Cassy sees me coming over to her she puts on another acted smile and greets me happily.

"Oh Ethan, that was wonderful, I didn't know you enjoy singing too. I love to find out new sides of yours," she congratulates me. I also put on a smile.

A cold one. One that obviously doesn't reach my eyes.

"Thank you, Cassy. Now, listen closely because I won't repeat myself. If you ever try something like that again, I will replace you within the time it takes to blink." Her smile changes into a surprised and suddenly hurt expression.

"Don't overrate your uniqueness. I like your work, but everybody can get replaced; even such pretty faces like yours." I'm not sure what she thinks at the moment but I've never seen that expression on her face.

"Excuse me, I don't feel well," she says shortly before raising her hand in front of her mouth and leaving not only me but the entire room. I look after her and can't help but wonder. She was the one starting this, what has she thought will come out of it?

I gulp down a glass of blood and light myself a cigarette before my eyes search for Henry again. Tristan has approached her and she is talking to him. I'm not sure I like that but I guess I can't change it. I need to trust her that she says the right things.

I should bring Henry to her new room, but instead, I use the time to get away from this party on my own. The people in here don't need me to keep talking about me.

When I'm just finished to change from my official uniform to some clothes that won't draw attention in the slums of London, someone knocks on my door. It's easier to hunt in the slums when you don't look like a fine nobleman.

"Come in, it's open," I answer the door and bow down to bind my shoes. I expect to see Henry when I turn around but it's Tristan.

"You left early," he says.

"I had enough attention this night." I straighten out in my shabby clothes. "Do you need something?"

A heavy silence comes over us, as he lets me wait for his answer. I know already that the 'no' I hoped for will not be it.

"Yes. I need attention, Ethan," he simply says, coming closer to me. I let him hug me and take a deep breath of his scent, without trying to return it.

"Tristan...?" I whisper.

"You are such an idiot, Ethan." I frown and push him away from me.

"Well, thank you. If that's all, I would like to go on a hunt now."

He also straightens out and his soft features harden a bit. "I know what you did to our guest. You know the rules, Ethan. Why didn't you come to me with that letter?" he wants to know.

I can't give him a satisfying answer to that. "Would you've been able to read it?" I ask instead and Tristan's face gets darker.

"No, but why the hell have you been able to read it?"

Oh. That's what bothers him?

"It's one of my mother tongues. Better said, it is very close to one. There are hundreds of different slangs," I tell him truthfully.

"I already figured that you are not originally British, but the last days were rather eye-opening on that. Why did you never tell me?"

"Why did you never ask?" I sigh. "It never mattered. Does it now?" I turn around to get another cigarette out and light it while leaning on the window bench. This sounds like a longer conversation, so I better be busy with my hands. Tristan watches me and waits until I'm done wandering around before he answers.

"No, it doesn't, but we will see what comes out of it. Do you think he has something to do with Warlow?"

"No," I shrug, "He and his society maybe have some plans for whatever but not for that kind of murder. It wouldn't make sense with his reactions and why should he write a letter about such a sensitive topic, when there are more of his men around. He definitely didn't kill Warlow on his own, we would have noticed right in the beginning," I tell him my conclusions. He nods.

"I already found someone who will be able to read and translate that letter to the fullest. I hope you understand that I can't officially let your opinion count after you smashed the face of our guest for no apparent reason."

I shrug again. "Do what's best for the case. I can deal with the consequences of my behavior." He grins and comes closer to me again.

"Ah, is that so?" he slips his hand into my neck and I have to look away. "What does that human lady mean to you?" he wants to know and switches the topic totally casually.

If I really want to push him away from me emotionally, I could use her as an excuse right now, but I can't get myself to say it loud.

"She is an attempt to get rid of the butcher," I say before taking another draw. As he doesn't say anything else I raise my head a bit to see him from the corner of my eyes. His face is full of warmth and I feel guilty because that's only half the truth - again.

"Ethan,... Don't avoid my look anymore." I feel caught but can't find the strength to raise my head once again to fully look at him.

"Tristan...", I start and have to close my eyes. "... you are my Lord, Tristan. You will have to make decisions that may hurt both of us..." I murmur. I can clearly feel his eyes resting on me and I think he frowns.

He comes closer and uses the empty space next to me on the window bench to also lean against and caress my hand with which I support myself. "What do you fear?" he quietly murmurs back in his deep voice.

"... That you start to treat me different, maybe? I'm not sure, maybe most of all that you are vulnerable," I confess before taking his caressing hand in mine.

"If you didn't want me to be attackable over you, Ethan, you shouldn't have become my friend at all," he answers softly squeezing my hand. I let go of it again and stump out my cigarette.

"Right..." I say sadly. He's right. I'm such an idiot.

"One can't be alone for the rest of the time, Ethan. Not even you." I don't know what to say to that so I nod instead and feel lost. Tristan takes my cheek to make me face him and he clearly searches for my eyes but I refuse.

"You are so unconfident since we shared blood..." he starts quietly but I interrupt him. Why do I feel so guilty?

"I... have never been in such a situation, Tristan..." I murmur but still look away. I can see him smiling from the corner of my eyes.

"I don't mind that, Ethan. What I mind is, not knowing if you mind something like that happening again..." he makes a short pause stroking my cheek. "Or if I should continue trying to make you feel more comfortable with me. Both would be okay for me, but I need to know," he finishes with some desperation in his voice.

I close my eyes for another moment. This is the first time I don't know if I want to run to or from Tristan. "I don't think that I earn your efforts. I most probably cannot give you what you need," I say pretty clear, but add silently, "...but I like your taste."

"Why don't you let it be up to me, who deserves my efforts and who doesn't then?" His voice is still silent but getting more determined. "And about what my needs are anyway?" He lifts my chin with a tight grip, forcing me to look at him. "Don't avoid me like this. It makes me angry..."

Exactly that moment the door gets opened without a knock and Henry stands there. She seems to need a moment to realize that I'm not alone.

"Mister Vinge!" She bows down. "I'm so sorry! I... didn't mean to... I'll come back later," she blushes and is about to close

the door again when Tristan steps away from me and interrupts her.

"No need to leave. I was about to get back to the party anyway," he turns once more before leaving. "Think about it and give me your answers after you've talked to Lyall."

"Yes, my Lord," I can hear myself answering and as he finally is gone I sink down on the window bench; lightning myself another cigarette.

"Mister Vinge?" Henry approaches me silently and I only give her a tired look. All of a sudden I really don't feel like going on a hunt anymore. I also don't feel like having company. She bows her head once more. "I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation, Mister Vinge. I just realized that you've been gone and wanted to see if everything's alright."

"Why wouldn't it?" I raise an eyebrow and she comes close to lean against my chest.

"He is the one you were talking about that night, right?" she nearly whispers and I growl out in anger.

"Why don't you just go back to the party and enjoy yourself as long as you can? I gave instructions that you will also have your own room from now on. Don't think about the costs, it's on me. The third door on the left from here," I explain in a rather monotone voice and softly push her away.

She looks at me as if I need to tell her the story of my life now. I guess she thinks we are friends or something. What is it with this puppy eyes and the naive stare of hers that I can't resist getting angry and protective at the same time?

"What is it, little lady?" I sigh.

She looks at the ground before starting to stammer. "I... I mean... just because he is our Lord you are not owned by him," she whispers.

"I've seen some maids and also men getting under that kind of pressure with the higher ups..." She blushes and I think I finally understand what she thinks is happening here. Is she worried about me? Me?

I take her by her shoulders and can see her flinching in pain, because of the wound.

"I think I need to clarify something here, little lady." I can feel my eyes glowing.

"We are not friends. You know nothing about me and just to make sure you know what I am: I am a predator. If we would have met on the streets or at any other night, I most probably would have killed you without you even realizing what is going on. I don't care about humans."

I can see the fear on her face rising and feel her body slightly shaking. "I am one of those vampires who bring those corpses to Doctor Johnson - regularly. Don't pretend to know anything about me!" I got fairly loud with my little speech before releasing her shoulders again.

I can see the horror and fear; I can't bear it though. Why am I like that? She doesn't run away or move at all. I sigh deeply before I hug her gently and she starts to cry in my arms.

I feel her. I don't know how to handle my own feelings either. So I let her cry. "I will not harm you anymore, little lady. Sorry for scaring you," I apologize silently.

I would like to know what she was talking with Tristan. Maybe it is better I don't when she was afraid that Tristan

is putting me under that kind of pressure; just because he had my chin in his grip.

For one last night, I allow her to sleep in my room after she asked for it. I don't know why I do that and I don't know why she grew so attached to me, but I feel responsible for her well-being at the moment.

The rest of the day went by eventless and I had enough time to sink into my dark thoughts. Fortunately I have a jam packed work schedule. So it comes I am sitting in a carriage with Henry now, riding toward the woods where the beasts live.

I told her that she will have to wait in the carriage most of the night but she still wanted to accompany me. Seeing her enjoying the air that blows in the window, I'm sure she has never been inside a carriage to anywhere before.

We left early but the ride still takes over three hours. Warlow used to have guards with him that took care nobody will harm him while on the road and beyond, but I insisted to do this my way or not at all. Therefore the only people I have with me are the coachman, another maid, and Henry.

The carriage stumbles over the stony roads and stops just at a turn where there is a good spot for them to wait for me. We also need to hide the carriage enough to not be seen by anybody from the main street. In case the meeting takes longer than planned we are equipped to wait for at least one
more day here before heading back.

I am wearing my old leather vest as light body armor. I don't want to come across too official. This would have been not fitting for meeting vampires who have chosen to live in the woods like savages, right? With fast-paced steps I walk

the known beaten track to the camp of them, leaving Henry behind with the other two humans. I'm not sure if I can hide the worries on my face when I arrive at a wooden barrier.

I wait to get noticed. The trees and bushes around me give them enough ambush even though the moon is shining brightly this night. It's totally silent first, but then I can hear bowstrings. Most probably all of them are pointing at me right now. We sent a message to announce my appearance; otherwise, I would have been pierced with those arrows already for sure. It's very interesting that I can't see even one of them anywhere when the wooden barrier in front of me gets opened from the inside.

No one seems to be behind it when I walk into the camp. Everything looks abandoned. I cross my arms in front of me after checking the one-sided ax that is loosely hanging on my hip.

A silent roar and then the sound of shaking leaves and cracking branches can be heard. They announce the huge, monstrous being, which jumps down from one of the big trees to the right; yet it is landing almost soundless right in front of me. I don't dare to blink and keep my face an emotionless mask.

This must be Lyall, the leader of the tribe. He straightens out and towers at least two heads over me. His built is strong and broad-shouldered, muscles flexing with every
movement.

Even if he is still able to walk on two legs, it doesn't seem that this is his natural bearing. He does not wear a lot of clothes but his body is covered with black, tight fur-like hair that reminds me of the one of a wolf. Lyall's

eyes reflect the light of the moon like the eyes of a cat when they observe me. He bows down to me and starts to sniff, taking up my smell.

It results in a deep, deep growl, as from a big dog, who tries to make clear he's the leader of the pack. I get it; a clear warning to be peaceful. He nods to someone behind me and the wooden gate closes again. There are two beasts who execute the order but they are so dark that they merely merge with the night.

Lyall looks at me skeptically. "Mister Vinge, as I was told," he more of growls than speaks. His deep, rough voice comes from deep inside his chest and not from the throat. I'm able to understand him very well though.

"What a lovely welcome. I guess this means you are Lyall." He offers me his claw but I can't decide if I really want to take it and then it's too late.

"Iam." He growls and the hand sinks down slowly forming a fist instead. "What isit you want, Vinge?"