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IV

Classes and rehearsals went well, as usual, the next day. Rachel was somewhat drunk, having stayed out all the previous night at a bar, and sadly, it made for an amusing spectacle. Not only was the princess prideful and stubborn, but also she was giddy and giggly, and it was hard to keep a straight face when watching her. Mr. Gregory went to Angel after rehearsals were over and pleaded with her to talk to Rachel, asking her why she kept getting intoxicated. Rachel and Angel had spent some time together during the beginning of classes, when they first met, and Angel was generally on good terms with everyone, so it would be far simpler for her to talk to Rachel than anyone else.

So, after rehearsals were over, Angel found Rachel in the dressing room, pulling on a leather jacket over her low-cut shirt.

"Hey Rachel," Angel smiled, sitting down on a chair. "It's been awhile since she last spoke."

"Yeah, well, that's because you're so naïve and never want to spend time with me," Rachel said, brushing her hair quickly.

"I've been worried about you, though."

"You would," Rachel snorted. "You're always concerned about everyone."

"Your late night habits are ruining your performance in rehearsals," Angel said softly. "Why do you keep staying out so late at the clubs? I'm sure you know what it's doing to you."

"I met a guy, okay? You wouldn't know a thing about that, since the only guy you ever hang around with is that nerd of a prince," Rachel said, rolling her eyes.

"What kind of guy?" Angel asked, immediately pretending to be fully interested.

"Dark, handsome, charming, and fully absorbed with me," Rachel sighed. "Again, you wouldn't understand."

"What's his name?"

"Oh, what's in a name, as Juliet so wonderfully asked?" Rachel grinned, zipping up her jacket.

"A lot is in a name," Angel frowned. "Do you see him every night?"

"Every night," Rachel nodded. "I guess I do stay out too late, though. You're right. I just like spending time with him, that's all. I'll work on it."

"So has he asked you out or anything?" Angel asked, curious.

"Nope. I went to him first," Rachel smiled dreamily. "I saw those gorgeous green eyes of his and just fell in love. One of those love at first sight things, you know?"

"Um, sure," Angel nodded. "Just try and come to school when you aren't woozy, okay? We worry about you. You're our friend, and we don't want to see you hurt or a mess."

"You're so sweet, Angel," Rachel smiled. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Angel followed Rachel out of the room and then met Jaden at the entranceway.

"Well? How'd that go?" Jaden asked, beginning to walk back to their apartments with her.

"She's been seeing some guy at a club," Angel frowned.

"Is that a surprise? She is Rachel, after all," Jaden smiled.

"She doesn't know his name and she was drawn to him He never had to go to her," Angel frowned.

"Again, this is Rachel we're talking about," Jaden laughed.

"I know, but there was something Ghost said, about women being drawn to the vampires without them having to do anything. I don't like it. If I weren't feeding the vampires tonight, I'd go check on Rachel. I know which club she goes to," Angel said.

"Is it really your responsibility to follow her around? She's an adult. She knows what she's doing," Jaden interposed.

"She's my friend, and I don't want her to get hurt," Angel sighed. "Let's stop at the butcher's. I need to get some meat."

Night found Angel, Forrest, Cpt. George, and Jaden in Angel's studio, preparing a meal for the vampires. Angel hurried about, opening the oven, pulling out a tray of steaks, and then putting another tray in.

"I hope thirty steaks will satisfy them," she sighed, wiping her hands on her apron before she went to work again, mashing a large bowl of potatoes. "And they probably don't like mashed potatoes, but if they eat all the steak, then we'll at least have something to eat."

"I think you went overboard with this," Jaden said, seasoning the steaks. "Thirty steaks? How many are coming?"

"I have no idea, but I'm guessing they eat a lot," Angel said.

There was a knock on the door, and Forrest went to it and opened it.

"Come in, come in," he ushered.

One by one, Angel's guests filed in. She was amazed when each man, strong, powerful, and dark as night, stopped before her, bowed low, and actually told her their names.

The first to introduce himself was Whisper. He looked to be the youngest of the group, with piercing blue eyes, icy and chilling, and jet black hair, glistening slightly in the lighting. Then there was Baron, Drake, Bartholomew, Christopher, Adrian, and Dorian. Each greeted Angel with a bow and his name, and then they all sat down on her couches, watching her with dark, scrutinizing eyes. They seemed to wonder what exactly it was they were up against, and so they watched her silently.

"I have thirty steaks here, and a whole batter of mashed potatoes," Angel said, smiling weakly. "Go ahead and eat."

"Mashed potatoes. What is in them?" Baron asked coolly.

"Um, butter, milk, potatoes, and…" Angel paused and flushed. "Garlic."

"I think we'll pass on the potatoes," Dorian said, getting up and walking over to the table.
Angel noted, as he got his food, that he looked a good deal like what she imagined Dorian Gray to look like. He had the dark hair, the trim beard and moustache, and glittering, beautiful brown eyes. He also had rather a tempting smirk, and he winked at her as he got his food, as though sensing her curiosity.

"Yes, I have read 'Dorian Gray' before," he grinned, his teeth shining.

"No similar traits, I hope?" Angel asked, feeling, suddenly, that she was warming up to these dangerous men. They had a politeness, calm, and humor about them that she found comfortable.

"Oh, I find myself to be devastatingly handsome, in more ways than one," Dorian winked.

Angel watched the men continuing to eat, quiet for the most part, except for an occasional comment. She could tell they were uncomfortable because of the police, but they remained composed and still.

"So why exactly are you doing this for us?" Whisper asked when he was finished eating five steaks. "There has to be some reason you're willing to feed us in your studio."

"We'd like…" Forrest began, but Christopher cut him off.

"We were asking the girl."

"We were informed this was your idea," Bartholomew added.

"I just…wanted to come to an understanding," Angel struggled, put on the spot. "And I want you to stop feeding off women. Isn't there something else you can eat besides blood? I want you to stop killing and terrorizing innocent people, that's all. If you can live here without murdering anyone, than you can live here in peace."

Adrian chuckled, shaking his head.

"You truly have no understanding of vampires," he said. "Ghost told us that."

"We live off of blood, human blood," Dorian said, standing up and leaning against the couch. "Bats have to eat at least their body weight in food every day, as do vampires. Blood is what sustains us."

"But it's wrong!" Angel exclaimed.

"Just because we have to, doesn't mean we like to," Whisper said calmly. "If you think we like killing people, you're very mistaken."

"As for our victims being innocent," Bartholomew chuckled, "I should say they are anything but. We are warded off by purity and innocence, just as the light from your necklace wards us off. You have that powerful purity with you, hence the reason we can all calmly look at you without wanting to taste you."

"That, and Ghost has already claimed you," Dorian shrugged.

"What?" Jaden gasped.

"Outside of those women that aren't pure, we find one that suits our fancy, a beautiful, pure, innocent one that we truly care for," Christopher explained. "Somehow, Miss Angel struck Ghost as being that one. It must be because you defied him and he now looks upon you as a challenge."

"You don't only attack the impure," Angel countered, beginning to shudder uncontrollably. "Young girls have died at your hands, and don't tell me they went out of their way to be close to any of you."

"That is our concern," Adrian spoke. "And you have no power over it."

"Explain to Ghost that he will never win me over," Angel said, her eyes glowing. "Tell him I think him to be a coward for not coming here tonight and that I will continue to defy him until all of you are forced to look for your prey elsewhere."

"You're the one who's afraid," Whisper said, seeing her trembling. "You're terrorized of us, as are the police, because even if you were to attempt to catch us all now, together in this room, you would fail. We are too powerful for you, and too hungry for you to control."

"Can't you get blood without killing anyone?" Angel pleaded, feeling that this whole conversation was getting out of hand, especially as the vampires began to stand up, towering over her.

"It's not that simple," Christopher sighed. "Once we start drinking, we need more, so our fangs sink in deeper, inserting venom, and our prey dies. And there is certain pleasure in that sensation, unfortunately. The women usually react quite…oh, what's the word?"

"Invitingly," Dorian helped. "They want us to do more, to get deeper. We're quite the romantic creatures, and they know it and love it. Of course, when they die, they never know what hit them. They just spent the last hour completely brainless."

"You're deplorable!" Angel gasped. "How can you do that to people?"

"To each his own ways, dear," Adrian said, beginning to lead the men towards the door. "Thank you for inviting us over. Would you care to feed us again tomorrow night? I think we will last that upcoming twenty-four hours without needing human blood."

"Yes! Yes! If it can stop you from killing people, then by all means come!" Angel exclaimed.

"Very good. Thank you, Miss Angel," Whisper said, and then led the others out into the hallway.

Dorian lagged behind a bit, and he turned to Angel and he neared the door.

"I was instructed to give you a message from Ghost," he said with a smug smile. "He apologizes for not being here and wishes you the best of luck in attempting to keep up from being the parasites we are."

"You can tell him…" Angel stormed, infuriated that Ghost really thought he could just claim her.

"Tut tut," Dorian spoke, abruptly putting his fingers to her lips. "My message isn't finished yet."

He grabbed Angel's right hand, bowed low, and then pressed his cold lips to her soft skin. Her eyes widened, and she froze in place as he stood up, winked again, and then left.

"The…the obnoxious twats!" Jaden stammered as the door closed behind Dorian.

"Well, we certainly learned a good deal," Cpt. George spoke. "Looks like you really will have a stalker, Angel."

"What should I do?" she shouted. "I don't want Ghost to follow me around!"

"I think the vampires were mocking you," Forrest said quietly. "They were trying to intimidate you. They always do. Vampires go after any women, not just the impure, and not just one that is innocent. They also kill men and children. They're nothing but bloodthirsty cannibals. Let us hope that they will continue eating here. Perhaps it really will stop them from eating blood."

"I doubt it," Jaden scowled. "Angel," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I'm worried about you."

"They can't stand my light. I'll just keep using it," Angel sighed.

"And what if they should find a way to crush it? Then what?" Cpt. George frowned.

"I can't live my life in fear," Angel sighed. "You need me to be here. Obviously, the vampires consider me to be some sort of mediator between them and the police. We now have some communication established. Perhaps we will be able to find a true way to destroy them. I can't believe they eat blood and prey off women for food! Ugh!"

"Miserable creatures," Jaden muttered. "I'm going to spend as much time with you as possible now, Angel. I don't want you to be by yourself often, unless you're in your studio."

"I agree. The whole thing with Ghost was probably a threat, but just to be safe, you need to stay with someone at almost all times," Forrest nodded. "Me or Jaden."

"I understand," Angel sighed, beginning to clean up the kitchen. "Potatoes, anyone?"