Alíz didn’t say a word, flying silently above the city. Joseph clung tightly, staring down at the city beneath them. It was dark already, and Alíz kept to the clouds. If, by chance, someone were to see them, most likely they would look like some kind of large bird, or perhaps they would just be a smudge against the dark sky and darker clouds.

Joseph shivered openly. It was cold enough on the ground, and Daniel didn’t let him take any thicker clothes, but up here was far worse than it was at ground level. He didn’t dare speak, Alíz held him tightly against her, one wrong word and he’d be sent falling to the ground. Would there be anything of him if that were to happen? No, he'd probably end up a bloody mess on the street, no corpse to bury. Maybe that’s what I deserve. Joseph thought grimly.

The screams still echoed in his ears, Daniel’s screams. Alíz warned him not to look, but as they took off Joseph couldn’t help himself and saw all four vampires descend on the ill fated hunter. Daniel already looked frail and pale from the first two feeding on him, there was no way four of them wouldn’t have drained him dry in a matter of seconds. Or worse. Joseph suppressed a shiver, trying to block out the thoughts flooding his mind of Daniel’s fate.

That could have easily been me, too Joseph remembered, pulling himself closer to Alíz, Daniel messed up, thinking he could have easily taken on more than one of them. He messed up the second he looked into Winola’s eyes, letting himself get under her control. Perhaps I could have saved him, tried to snap him out of it. he licked his lips, suppressing a shiver, I did nothing. Strange, I would do it again too.

The two of them started to descend, and Joseph realized they were aiming for Alíz’ balcony. He braced himself as they came in hot, but thankful Alíz slowed her descent and they landed softly upon her balcony. The door was already open and, inside, the apartment was a mess. Furniture overturned, dishes shattered, looks like there was a struggle of some kind in here.

“Come,” Alíz ordered, stepping inside her apartment as if there was nothing out of the ordinary, “I won’t ask again.” She growled at Joseph’s hesitation.

Joseph sucked in …