“Your youth,” he sighed, “your beauty. They betrayed me
into believing that I could convince you to embrace what I
found to be elegant within this world.”
“Elegance be damned,” hissed Elliot. “Give us the
passion! The throbbing pulse of fear you feel against your
lips the moment before you sink your teeth into a tender
neck. The harsh glare of terror you see in their eyes as they
realize they have arrived at their final moment. The warm
gush of that first bite!”
“Ah,” he said sadly, “until you can see those around you as
more than simple sustenance, you can never move beyond
what you are.” He stood quietly; shoulders slumped in
defeat. “There are several small caves past the edge of
town which can shelter us until our departure at dusk. I
will go there now. Come along when you will.” And with
that he left.
“All is ready?” asked Julian.
“Yes,” answered Nathan, “all his assets have been securely
transferred.”
It was very late when the three arrived at the caves. Their
master had built a small fire and sat reading from one of
the texts he had brought with them on their journey.
“And whose life are you reading about old man?” Elliot
teased. “Who could you find more intriguing than the
three of us?”
7