Blood and sweat poured down his face as he gripped the cool metal in between his steady hands. His fingers twisted and twitched in anticipation as he let a bellowing snarl rip through the room. “Let’s get this straight,” He hissed, moved the bat underneath a broken chin, and pushed a bloody face up to meet his own. “If you don’t tell us where Blaine is, Shadows here will slowly rip you limb from limb but if you do tell us, we’ll spare you.” His last statement was a bull face lie and everyone is the dank, frosty room knew.
“I refuse to,” His Austrian accent was thick and cracked with small amounts of fear. “You can go to hell.”
A snarky laugh slipped from perfectly plush lips and the echo bounced against the molding walls. “We’re already in hell.” He swung his bat back fiercely and impaled it into the tied up man’s rib cage. He gasped, blood trickling down the corners of his lips. “Where is Blaine?” The hostage struggled against the chains and tried kicking the metal chair out from underneath himself. A smirk spread across the man’s lips and he raised his bat over his head once again. “Don’t make me ask you again,” His voice was motherly, like a parent scolding their disobedient child. The metal cracked against a shoulder and a blood curdling scream pounded against the two men’s ear drums.
“Vengeance,” Matt hissed and grabbed the bat as he went to swing again. “We need him alive, he’s valuable.” Zacky stared at Matt for a moment. His eyes were crazed and blood thirsty, like the murderer he was born to be.
“Chain him to the floor,” Zacky demanded and threw the bat against the wall. He ran a blood hand through his damp hair and watched intently as his friend viciously chained the man. “We’ll be back soon. Maybe then you’ll have an answer.” Zacky seethed and landed a kick right in the dying man’s side.

Zacky followed Matt down the long ravel pathway and into the blacked out SUV. The sun was setting against the city and the trees bordering the path were a cascading shelter from the lingering rays. “Where do you think he is?” Matt asked in a hushed tone as he turned the key into the ignition. “We’ve been searching for over five years now and we don’t even have one lead.”
“He’s close,” Zacky whispered and ran his hands across his blood splattered shirt. “I can feel his fucking evil and when we find him, he’s mine to destroy.” Zacky’s lips curled over his fangs as he glared out into the road ahead. The black road spiraled into miles as the two long time friends’ travels back into the city they ruled over. “Asher’s worried,” Zacky said softly and rested his forehead against the passenger side window. A smear of crimson liquid lingered as Zack pulled away quickly and turned toward Matt.
“She’s in love with you,” Matt shook his head and brushed a trailing drop of blood from his fingers and pressed his warm tongue against it. “Why do you think you guys are half way bonded? Why don’t you just finish it?”
“If I bond with her,” Zack sighed. “I could never let her go. I don’t want her to live in this fucked up place we call home. She isn’t made for darkness and would never expose her to it either. After this is all over with, I am letting her go home. She doesn’t belong here; she doesn’t belong with me.” The car fell silent and for the rest of the ride only heavy breathing was heard. It wasn’t long until they reached their home, an 18th century mansion at the top of a dangerous winding road.
“I’m going to pack this all up in the shed,” Matt pulled open the trunk and grabbed out several machine guns and knives.
“I’ll be in my room if you need me,” Zack mumbled and marched in through the front door.
As he shut the door behind him, he heard the one thing he never wanted to hear. Asher gasped loudly from the living room as she laid eyes on him. His white t-shirt was splattered with blood and his jeans were almost drenched. His beautiful green eyes were almost pitch black and his fangs were fully extended. Zacky his face quickly and moved into the hall, making a run for his bedroom. He didn’t want Asher to be afraid of him and he definitely didn’t want her to see the real him, the monster that he was.

***

Asher slowly made her way out of bed as her tired eyes fluttered open. Her stretched the sleep out of her rusted limbs and picked at the crusted over sleep on her eye lids. She was sick and tired of the forest green walls that were laid out in front of her. She stared at them for hours on end and color was starting to make her nauseated. Even the smell was repulsing her, she needed to get out and breath in something new.
She slowly crept down the hall, keeping far away from the open door of Syn’s bedroom, and made her way into the kitchen. To her surprise, Jimmy sat at the large wooden table, a coffee mug in his hand and a newspaper in the other. “You must he hungry,” He smiled and glanced up from his paper to meet her gaze. Just as he spoke, her stomach roared to life. Asher nodded sheepishly and watched as Jimmy stepped away from his chair and slithered to the refrigerator. “We have,” He paused and slammed the door shut, making his way over to the cabinet and pulled out a box of Pops. “We have cereal,” He smiled. “I’m too lazy to cook, leave that to Zacky,” He smiled and pulled out a bowl and the milk. Asher watched in amusement as he sat the bowl down on the table and lead her to a seat near him. She stared at him coffee mug strangely and wondered if what she thought he was actually drinking was in the mug. Jimmy grinned and lowered it so she could see the scarlet liquid sloshing around. “It is blood,” He smirked and took a quick sip.
“I-“ Asher blushed and dug into her cereal. “I just,”
“I get it,” Jimmy laughed and placed his paper on the table. “So how are you today Ash?” Asher smiled at the new nickname he had given her. Sure it was so simple, but it made her feel a little bit more at home and brought back memories of a young Zachary Baker.
“I’m okay, I guess.” She sighed and stared out the open window. The ocean was beautiful and dark and the setting sun reflected brilliantly off of it like a mirror. “Yourself?”
“I’m really great,” Jimmy beamed and downed the last of his drink. “I’ve got a hot date right now. Val is in the living room if you need anything.” He quickly hugged her and left for his room. Alone once again in a square dark room, Asher decided she would get closer to Val. She was the only mortal girl, besides Lacey that lived at the house, and thankfully, they weren’t whores. As Asher rounded the corner in the living room, she saw the petite blond sprawled out on the couch, reruns of Intervention playing loudly on the television screen.
“Hi Val,” Asher smiled at the girl and took a seat next to her.
“Asher!” She grinned. “Hey! What’s up?”
“Uh, nothing much. I’m just,” Asher paused with a smirk and propped her head up with her elbow. “I’m just so bored,”
Val let out a soft giggle and shook her head, “That’s because you have been sulking in your room from several weeks now. If you were hanging with me, I could make things fun for you.” She laughed and sat up straight. “You want to do something tomorrow?” Val asked sharply and clasped her hands together in anticipation of Asher’s response. “I mean, if Zack says it’s okay.”
This really set Asher off, she was pissed now. When did she lose all her rights? When did she have to ask someone for permission to live her own life. “Zacky said it’s okay for me to go out, as long as it’s with you.” Asher smirked slyly.
“Awesome,” Val beamed, “Tomorrow were gonna go at noon to shop, be ready.” Just then the door flung open and there stood a bloodied Zachary. He was drenched from head to toe in red and his eyes were crazed with something Asher just couldn’t put her finger on. She gasped out, her eyes widening at the site of her old friend. He looked just like a nightmare.
Zack quickly hid his face from Asher and ducked into the hall. “Oh my god,” Asher whispered to Val and stared at her in disbelief. “What happened?” She asked, her voice shaking from fear. Val didn’t say a word, she stood to her feet and left out the front door. Asher balanced on her shaking knees and ventured out into the hall, journeying down until she met the red black doors that opened into the one place she had never been. She thought about knocking but he could easily refuse her. She pushed the heavy doors in and there stood Zack. His breathing was ragged and his bloody clothes were replaced with a fresh outfit.
Asher didn’t say a word; she only focused in on his emotions. Clearing her mind, she could almost feel them perfectly. It was anger and passion, sadness and guilt as he stared directly into her eyes. It broke her heart as she felt a wave of sadness wash over her. “Zack,” She sighed and moved so she was standing directly in front of him, her body pressed to his. She let her fingers trace his jaw line softly and her warm gaze never left his black stone eyes.
“You need to leave,” He whispered and licked his lips over his pearl fangs.
“Why?” Asher questioned and tangled her fingers with his.
“Leave!” He boomed, startling Asher. She ripped his grip from his and stumbled backward. “Leave before I do something I’ll regret.” His urge to drink was growing strong as he pressed his hands against her back to shove her out of the room. He could easily have her but his heart over powered his thirst.

***

“You ready?” Val smiled from the hallway and watched as Asher slipped on her boots. “Matt told me to call him if we get in trouble. He’s going to be at the capitol all day, so he won’t be that far.” She smiled sweetly and urged Asher to move quicker. “You don’t realize how long it’s been since I’ve been out with a human girl besides Lacey. The only girls around here are blood mongering whores.” She let a loud laugh escape her lips and wrapped an arm around Asher’s tanned shoulder.
“Why isn’t Lacey coming?” Asher asked quietly. Fear was starting to set in and the reality of what she was getting herself into was coming into full view as they strapped themselves into their car seats.
“Her and Johnny got a little tied up, if you know what I mean,” She giggled and let the small car roar to life. Soft music oozed through the speakers as street signs passed and pretty soon they were nearing downtown.
“You know,” Val said as they climbed out of the car and made their way up to the first store. “Zack really likes you. I have never seen him be so sweet.” She chuckled and ran a hand through her hair. “It’s like ever since he found you again, he’s turned into a completely new person; a better person.” Asher just shook her head and chewed on her lower lip.
“Zacky’s alright,” Asher paused with a smirk, “I guess.”
“Oh you guess, huh!” Val punched her shoulder and began searching through the racks.
“Can we just talk about something else?” Asher joked and turned to stare at Val. She was frozen with fear, Asher could read it on her face. She moved close enough to whisper under her breath. “You okay?”
“Someone is following us, we need to leave.” Val clasped her hands around Asher’s small wrist and began to pull her out of the store. “Now.” She gasped as the man began to obviously stalk them to their car. Val whipped out her phone and dialed the only number she could remember at that moment. “Brian,” Val whispered into the cell phone. “We’re in trouble.”

Asher felt hand on the small of her back. She spun around quickly, her arm extended as she went to slap the man that had been following them. “No, no, no.” The man sang as he caught her arm and dug his nails deeply into her skin. “It’s my job to inflict the pain,” He smiled. His teeth were yellow and his hangs still shined with a red tint. “Now, now, Blaine has been looking for you beautiful.” A slithery smile crept onto his grey colored skin and his over grown nails dug just a little deeper. Asher could feel the cuts he was creating and blood began to trickle from underneath his fingernails. “You smell,” He inhaled and pressed his nose against her wounds. “You smell tempting.” He hissed.
“Just leave her alone,” Val piped up and shoved him away. The vampire only laughed evil and swung his hand back, smacking Val clear across the cheek.
“Don’t touch her,” Asher cried, “You want me, so take me! Just don’t touch her.” The man snarled at Val and returned his intense gaze to Asher. Her knees were shaking and vomit was inching up her throat. Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong arms rip her from the vampires grasp. She cried out, only to realize the arms belong to Brian Haner. He threw he to the floor and charged at the mysterious vampire, but Zacky had beat him to the punch. In one swift movement, he had his neck snapped. The crack echoed throughout the parking lot and startled Asher to tears. Zacky averted his eyes back to the small girl that lay on the concrete and attempted to calm himself down. His eyes were black as night and his body was almost too weak to walk from lack of blood.
“What did I tell you,” Zacky swooped her up in his arms and whispered in her ear, “About leaving? It’s not safe for you.” He pressed his soft lips against her forehead and laid her down in his black SUV.
The car ride was silent but as they approached the house, they were met with a worried Matthew. He paced in front of the door as they unloaded from the car and he quickly pulled Val into arms. He pressed his lips against the bruise she had on her cheek and pulled her into his room.
“You have to be careful,” Zack said once more and helped her up the stairs and into the hall. “You have to believe me now; I’m here to keep you safe.” Pushed open the door to Asher’s bedroom and lead her inside. “Remember what I promised you?” He smiled as Asher shook her head. “When you were eight I promised you that I would save you.” He kissed her cheek and pulled her into a hug. “I don’t break promises.”
“Stay with me tonight Zack,” Asher whispered, her heart began to race and her palms started to sweat. “I’m scared to be alone.”
Zack sighed and rubbed his arm nervously. “I can’t tonight,” He shook his head and rested his body against the door frame so he was blocking the hall from Asher’s view.

Red stilettos clicked against the wood flooring and the sound of swishing material flowed through Asher’s ears. As much as Zacky tried to block her from seeing the hooker walk into his room, she could still see her clear as day. Seeing her long red hair and blue eyes was like looking into a mirror at a haggard version of herself. She sucked up the urge to cry and met eye contact with Zacky. “I’ll see you in the morning, Ash.” Zacky breathed and shut the door behind him.
“Hey baby boy,” The prostitute purred. Her position on the bed was tempting but not as tempting at the crimson pumping through her veins. He removed his shirt button by button and watched as she sucked in a plump red lip. Her icy blue eyes roamed his body but this didn’t make him feel the way it did when Asher sized him up. He loved the way her warm blue eyes moved up and down his body in awe, it fed his ego in more ways than one. The hooker sat up on her knees and helped Zacky unbutton his jeans. He immediately pushed her hands away and took the task upon himself. The woman straightened up so she was eye level and pressed her wet lips against his. For a moment they kissed, nothing rough, just kissing but then Zacky threw her onto the bed, hard. Her nails trailed down his back and her hips buckled against his as she took his lower lip in between her teeth. “You like it rough, huh?” She grinned and ground her hips into his clearly evident hard on. “Say my name if you want to fuck me,” She moaned and once again buckled her hips against his.
Zacky didn’t speak; he flipped her over harshly and pressed his lips against her neck. “You asked for this,” He mumbled against her ear and bent his head back as his fangs extended. “You asked to die,” He whispered but before the whore could scream he dug his fangs deep into the veins of her neck and began sucking. Blood poured from the corner of his lips and he could feel the strength penetrating his body once again. He drank till nothing was left; he drank till she was dead and cold.
Zacky pushed the lifeless body to the other side of the bed and laid his tired head on the pillow. His eyes roamed the corpse next to him. She was identical to Asher, just the way he liked them. Her lips were thinner though, and her eyes were smaller. Her hair was thinner and messy and she had no freckles that splashed across her cheeks like Asher did. She was nothing like Asher except for the red hair and blue eyes but he couldn’t stop himself from getting turned on. He kept his eyes glued on the body and slithered his hand into his boxers. His back arched as he gripped tightly onto his dick and pumped his hand slowly up his shaft. He didn’t stop as he stared in the now graying eyes of the dead prostitute. He was on the edge, his heart was racing and he felt it building up deep inside. “Say my name if you want to fuck me,” The voice of his victim echoed in his ears softly. His hand moved faster and faster, gripping tighter and tighter as he began to cum. “oh god, Asher!” He moaned.

***
Asher buried her head in the pillow as she let the tears flow wildly. She didn’t understand why she was crying so much, she never really, until today, thought of Zacky in that nature. That, she knew, was a lie. She loved Zacky. She always has and to see him with a whore who looked exactly like her broke her heart. Suddenly, her door flew open and Syn stood under the door frame with an evil smirk plastered on his cocky face. “You’re going to need this,” He laughed and threw and ipod on the edge of her bed. “Zacky tends to be a little loud.” He grinned and slammed the door shut.