Melody followed her back outside and down the street to Mary’s home, a small, isolated building at the edge of the harbor.
“You don’t need to do this,” she said. “I can just stay in the kitchen for the night.”
Mary shook her head. “We have more than enough room for you here.” Her face hardened. “We’ve had one of the girls staying here with us for the last few days.”
“What happened?” asked Melody, narrowing her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
The woman sighed and went around the room, lighting candles. “One of the night watchmen tried to attack her last week. She got away, but he’s been bothering her ever since. Mark took her home this afternoon so her bed’s empty tonight.”
“She was attacked by a watchman?” Melody asked, feeling the dragon stir with sudden anger. “Hasn’t anyone done anything?”
“No one else believes the girl,” was the reply. “It’s her word against Gavin’s. But I’ve seen the bruises Melody… I’m afraid of what could happen if he gets her alone again.”
“Gavin?” Melody growled. Her fangs began to lengthen. “The blacksmith’s son? How’d an animal like him ever make the watch?”
“His father’s well respected,” Mary answered. “And Gavin’s the one of the most skilled fighters in town. When he’s around the sailors don’t cause as much trouble.” Her jaw tightened. “As long as his aid outweighs his sins, the officials look the other way.”
She stopped by the door, taking a deep breath. “But don’t listen to me. I have to go check on my husband. Why don’t you make yourself at home? Get some rest.”
Melody nodded and she left, closing the door gently behind her as she went. The vampire dropped to extra cot, not bothering to crawl under the covers. She remembered Gavin well, a brutish, leering boy whose bullying had terrified many of the other children in the colony town. His reputation for cruelty had been well known and she had always taken great pains to avoid him. The thirst prickled in her throat and she suddenly found herself wondering what it would feel like to sink her teeth into his neck.
“We’re still a newborn,” said the voice. “The wolves were not enough, we will need more. He would do well as a meal.”
Melody’s insides churned and she closed her eyes. The hunters were waiting beyond the town limits and she instinctively knew that she would have no choice but to feed. She heard Mary returning with her husband and stilled, feigning sleep. the door opened and their voices softened. She listened halfheartedly, too distracted by the thirst to pay much attention. After what felt to her like hours, the couple went to bed. When they were finally asleep, Melody got up, leaving as quietly as a ghost.
She caught the first watchman she found by surprise, dragging him backwards into the darkness. He cried out in shock as she slammed him into a wall.
“Where is Gavin?” she asked, her violet eyes shining as they bored into the helpless man.
“By the stables,” the man mumbled, his eyes going blank and his jaw slack. “His watch ends in an hour.”
“The eyes are the doorway to the human’s soul,” hissed the voice. “His mind is ours… erase yourself and leave him to his work.”
“Forget me,” she growled, dropping the man to the ground. “Go back to your post.”
Within the Endless Skies 