Hunting at the Dusk

The fanged creature made Gianna unable to move because she did recognize the figure behind the black shadow.

"Stop following me when I'm still in seclusion," Gianna warned.

That black figure slowly approached Gianna. The sound of rustling footsteps on the leaves slowly revealed the form of a woman with striking black eyes. Her irises were so black as if they swallowed all the darkness of the night. That woman then hides her fangs because she thinks she plans to attack humans.

“Please forgive me, Gianna. From a distance I thought you were a human," that woman explained. "Living in close proximity to humans is really bad for me."

Gianna chuckled. "You seem hungry too, don't you, Fleur?"

The woman who looked all black just smiled faintly saying she was actually hunting.

“We are not allowed to take over human authority. And I have a feeling you'd have a hard time being stranded in a country that doesn't even accept vampire clans," said Fleur feeling sorry for her.

“Your clan got me exiled to this country, didn't it? Soon, I might die here," Gianna fretted.

"I won't let my best friend die here. You are a leader, and I have the right to save you from the humans. Especially from that attack of your own clan who defected.”

Gianna shook her head slowly with a sigh. “It wouldn't be funny at all if I died cause of starvation. I have no honor at all as the leader of the vampire clan," she said. Fleur watched her best friend conscientiously.

A rabbit that had been going to be hunted by Gianna finally could escape from the noise Fleur made. In the end, Gianna just gave up because she couldn't get her prey back, and actually, she also had a hard time hunting in this protected forest. She decided not to hunt in this urban forest considering that Tohpati also forbade it.

"We shouldn't be caught by the locals if they find a rabbit dying abruptly in this urban forest,” Gianna suggested.

"I'm worried about you, Gianna. Should I just go back and get you some bags of animal blood?”

Gianna thought for a moment, should she ask Fleur for help in order to survive?

"No need. I'll ask Tohpati to bring some food that contains animal blood."

Fleur tilted her head in wonder. “Wouldn't that make the people he ordered even more suspicious? I know a lot of people don't like animal blood because it's not fit for consumption," explained Fleur.

"Then I'll drink his blood once more in case of urgency."

For a moment Fleur watched Gianna who had avoided eye contact all this time. "I heard you two got married instead?"

Gianna's eyes widened instantly. She had deliberately hidden her life recently during exile. Gianna lied by confessing to Fleur that during her exile she had obtained a slave to drink their blood. However, on the contrary Gianna, herself becomes a servant to a human.

"How did you know?" Gianna replied unsettled.

"Why are you asking back? Answer my question first."

“Is that how you ask the highest clan leader?”

Fleur bowed her head obediently for a moment as a sign of apology. But, then she lifted her head, refuting her as a friend.

“Vormelker has the right to know everything that happens in any Rathenau Clan situation. Have you forgotten that our clan is a trusted clan of your predecessors? All secrets must be known because that is the rule of our clan predecessors," Fleur sulked as she crossed her arms.

In front of one of the members of the Vormelker Clan, was a leader of the Rathenau Clan who was now held by the figure of a cowardly woman. One of Gianna's weaknesses is when she becomes giddy to face Fleur. Stupendous, living a long time with Gianna who was actually very weak could be the leader of the successor to the Rathenau Clan.

"For a matter like this, I don't think you need to know. Tohpati married me solely to protect me. He is a good human being, we also don't have feelings of love for each other," she explained.

“Married vampires don't have feelings of love for each other either. They're doing it for the sake of procreation,” Fleur blurted out.

Vampires actually don't have feelings of love. They are monsters that are dead but can come back to life by eating the essence of life. Most of them can live eternally so they actually have their own world.

The vampire clans emerged as a result of World War 1. Vampire ancestors revealed that they came due to a feud between humans who spilled blood on each other. It resulted in prolonged trauma to the families of the victims. One of the top vampires tried to blend in with humans by helping the residents who had tasted the bitterness of the large-scale battle. Surprisingly, Rathenau's ancestor, as one of the higher-ups, ordered that it was forbidden to attack humans because they had accepted these blood-sucking creatures well. The vampire clans then inhabit various countries. And yet, some are not accepted by society because their mere presence is dangerous.

“Although, since you've already married a human, you can't have any descendants from them. It would be dangerous for both sides.”

Gianna was pensive. "That won't happen. We didn't even do anything after we got married,” she argued. Fleur watched her motion to see if she was harboring a lie.

“Well, even if you're forced to do what a couple should do, it's up to you. As long as you don't give birth to a human."

“I won't,” Gianna retorted.

They both stare at each other. The difference between the two of them was so stark. Gianna who had pale skin showed she was like an undead seen from the corner of the human eye. Particularly, the color of her hair was as white as a snowstorm. Therefore, Gianna becomes restless when she meets humans. If the humans find out who she is, she is prepared to have her life on the edge.

As for Fleur, she can still be considered a human. Her tan skin does not arouse suspicion towards other humans. Solely, Fleur will change her entire form in order to protect Gianna from any attack.

"I'm going back to Germany to monitor the situation there and your family," said Fleur. Gianna nodded, allowing her to return to one of the countries that were home to the highest clan, the Rathenau Clan. Before Fleur leaves, Gianna asks Fleur not to talk about her marriage to other clans. She will sort things out in a timely manner.

Fleur didn't say anything back. She believed everything would go well as long as Gianna was safe in this country even without creatures like them.

“I'll be back again to report the situation. Take care, Gianna," said Fleur once again.

Moments after Fleur's gone the atmosphere became quiet. The sound of rustling trees due to the wind in the evening signaled that it would soon rain in this city. Gianna, who got nothing from the hunt finally decided to go home. She hoped to get home first before Tohpati caught sight of her. For a moment, Gianna was still wondering how Fleur knew she was marrying Tohpati. Of course, it was very strange to Fleur why Gianna was willing to marry her own prey.

***

A black SUV sped into the parking lot toward the garage door which opened automatically. The modern two-story house features an impressive glimmer of light. Looks luxurious but minimalist has indeed become a separate concept from the owner. Tohpati entered through a door from inside his garage. He walked into the kitchen looking for his dinner.

However, his house is not usually deserted with no one around. He looked for his maid who used to greet him on the couch as she sat cross-legged and closed her eyes—Gianna never sleeps, and she's not human either. For some reason, Tohpati who was usually cold to that vampire lady, this time he became frantic while looking for Gianna. Tohpati rushed to Gianna's private room, but nothing. Then he went to his room, but no one was there. The time was nearly nine o'clock. What happened to Gianna who suddenly disappeared?