Having stocked up with the shopping, we arrived back my house, heavy laden.  I couldn't explain why, but I felt as though I had lost time.  I was pretty sure we had left at around 10 a.m.,  but when I looked at the kitchen clock it read 3.15.  Surely it hadn't taken us that long to shop, even though our supplies were considerable.

   "What is de matta?" Kula asked.  She looked at me suspiciously.

   "Nothing," I replied bluntly.  I was still seething that she had betrayed me, so I was not prepared to give away any of my thoughts.  At least the not the ones I could control.  I had to also ensure she could not invade my dreams again.  Perhaps I would speak with Vittorio about that. 

I removed myself from the kitchen and Kula's presence and went through to the conservatory. There, my mind quickly returned to the dark angel, who I knew slumbered in my cellar.   He was utterly charming.  Not the monster Kula had warned me about at all.  The insight he had given me to my origins, had initially disturbed me. 

Vampires! Who on earth would have believed in such things nowadays? Yet, I had found myself totally engrossed, hanging on his every word...believing. The human women, tricked, seduced and harvested  by the Elders to bear infants they had hoped would be vampires able to walk both in sunlight and at night.  The failure of that experiment and its diabolic effect for one of the Elders. Then the discovery of the hybrids' unique blood.  It was barbaric, yet oddly understandable.  They had been a dying species, fighting for survival.  But a further complication arose when they had created the Freshlings to serve them as warrior protectors.  Chaos had erupted as the rebellion claimed the lives of many Elders, Heirs and the human mothers of The Desired.  Fleshling numbers had also been depleted, but they had fought with a voracity unforeseen by their makers.  I felt a pang of sympathy for them too. 

Baby Si questioned the validity of it all.  Is there not something amiss in this jigsaw of Vampiric history?  I huffed, dismissing her unwelcome intrusion.

I was a hybrid - half human and half vampire - known as a Desired. Vittorio's Desired.   Stirrings deep in my loins made me blush.  If all the Elders or their Heirs looked like him, I don't see why human women had needed to be compelled. For once, I readily agreed with Baby Si.  I giggled, but then chastised myself quickly. It was my blood, not my body that he wanted.  Another thought....why then, had he not taken it by now?  Was there some sort of ritual required?  I was shocked to discover I didn't care.  If I remained in this charismatic vampire's company for the rest of my life as his favourite tipple on-tap, I would be happy enough.

I heard movement near the door.  I spun round to see Ugly standing,  just watching me.  Although he didn't scare me anymore, I still found his appearance repulsive.  "Go away!" I ordered.  He didn't move.  "Get lost, Ugly!!" I said more forcefully.  He grunted and then slowly turned and disappeared out of my sight.  I wondered what his purpose was in all of this.  Was he just a bodyguard for Vittorio? An executioner?  No doubt I'd find out in due course.

I heard the outer door open and close. "Anyone home?"  Ian Carter!  I met him as he was entering the sitting room.

   "I told you, don't come here unless I ask you to!"

He approached me, with a confident smirk.  "Well now, little Miss Darroway.  It's not up to you anymore, is it?  Vittorio is in charge."

I wasn't intimidated by this rancid, insignificant creep.  In fact, if anything I always felt stronger, more confident in myself where he was concerned.  "And did he request your presence here and now?"

He stopped.  I could tell by his reaction he hadn't expected me to still be so confrontational.  "Erm, no, not exactly, but I am to be here this evening."

Kula came out of the kitchen.  She moved close to my side.  "What is going on here, Sienna?" she asked. I ignored her, keeping my focus on Carter.

Go Sienna! Go Sienna! chanted Baby Si.

I crossed my arms, shifting into a challenging stance.  "Well then, little Boy Carter, get this straight.  While Vittorio is indisposed, I am in charge.  That means, during the day, you will not come within 100 yards of my house, unless I have agreed to it with Vittorio. Now leave, or I will have Ugly separate you from your manhood!"

Kula sniggered. Baby Si was rolling about in fits of laughter.  I was finding it hard not to do so myself, but I had to maintain the upper hand here. Carter looked at Kula. Then back at me.  His eyes slowly widened.  No guesses for who else had just appeared behind me.  Ugly emitted his characteristic grunt.  Without further hesitation, Ian Carter promptly left my home.

I chuckled victoriuosly.  Kula patted my back.  "You is bad, little sista!" she praised, laughing too. Confidence now at a peak, feeling empowered, I instantly changed mood.

   "Yes, Kula.  Perhaps you would be best advised to remember that."  Her face drained.  " I am The Desired.  I am the one Vittorio wants.  I am the one he will do anything for."  I had no idea if that was in fact the case, but by the expression on her face, I guessed it was pretty damned near the truth. 

As 7pm approached, my heartbeat quickened.  He would soon be awake.  I would be in his company once more.  I was hungry for more information about my kind, but it did not compare to my appetite for Vittorio himself.  Dear God! said Baby Si, who dared to make yet another attempt at pulling me back in line, What has become of you?  I suppose it was the vampire blood in my veins, which made me bolder, more daring, more... carnal.  I liked it!

I showered and put on a pretty red summer dress which enhanced my pert breasts and slender waist.  Slut! Spat Baby Si.  She was becoming a very irritating intruder now.  Butt out! I hissed in reply. You've been dolling yourself up too, don't try being all prim and proper with me! She fell silent.

The aroma of roast beef, yorkshire puddings, homemade bread and generously seasoned vegetables wafted through the house.  Kula had been busy apparantly.  I desended the stairs to the dining room and glanced in.  The table was set for four. Four? Baby Si squeaked.  I was thinking about it too, when I felt a warm breath at the back of my neck.  "Good evening."

Oh! Baby Si had fainted...again.   I blushed.  "Vittorio! H-hello."  He was without doubt the most edible thing on the menu.   His fingers softly brushed down my arm until he clasped my hand and led me through to the sitting room.  Carter was already there, fussing over the curtains and blinds, ensuring none of the faltering daylight entered the room.

   "Out!" Vittorio ordered.

I could not conceal my mirth as he scampered from the room.  "And close the door!" Vittorio called after him.  We waited until the soft click of the lock confirmed we were alone.  Vittorio headed to the built-in bar and poured two drinks.  He handed one to me and I watched as he drank from the other.  He smiled as he saw the look of surprise on my face.  "Yes, I can drink things other than blood, Sienna."

I lowered my eyes, like an embarrassed child who had given the wrong answer in class.  Stupid!  Baby was back.  

He lifted my chin so our eyes met.  "Don't be embarrassed," he said softly.  "There is much you will learn about us yet."

   "So it would seem," I replied.  He raised a quizzical eyebrow.  "The four settings in the dining room?" I explained.

   "Ahh.  Yes, I can eat normal food too.  We are not as the creatures depicted in books, films and TV, Sienna.  Although, I admit, it would be nice to harness some of their abilities."

   "Such as?"  I took a swallow of my drink.

   "Oh... turning into a bat, or a wolf perhaps."  He laughed, though it sounded more sorrowful than happy.  "Come," he offered his hand.  A jolt ran through me as I took his hand.  It was potent, completely unexpected and somewhere, in the back of my mind, even deeper than where Baby Si resided, it meant something.  But what?  He hadn't seemed to notice, and led me to the couch opposite the fireplace. He blew a breath towards the fire.  Instantly, it roared into life.  I stared, mesmerised by what I had just witnessed.  "Magic!" he said in response to my unspoken question.

Nice! uttered Baby Si.

He sat next to me. "What kind of day have you had?" he asked.

   "Oh, nothing special..." I paused.

   "What?"

   "Except... I think I've lost a few hours....."

The door opened.  Kula stood, a stern look in her eyes.  "Dinner is ready."