"Tamara," she remarked gently, though her voice contained an underlying tension, "you know what you've done." Tamara gazed at her, still clutching the girl closely. I saved her, Deborah. That's all I've done. "You defied the pack," Deborah answered, her tone icy. "You've aligned yourself with humans, something we swore never to do." I won't stand by while innocent lives are taken, Tamara countered. "This isn't the path we should be on." Deborah's eyes glittered with sinister delight. And what path is that? The one where we hunger and hide like cowards? Humans are prey. We need their blood to survive, Tamara. I don't believe that Tamara shot back. "There has to be another way." Deborah drew closer, her eyes locking with Tamara's. You think you're different? That you can choose to be above your nature? You're deluding yourself, and it's going to cost you. With a chilly, calculating smile, Deborah raised her hand. "Take her." In an instant, the vampires closed in. Tamara tensed, preparing to fight, but there were too many of them. She glanced down at the girl, then back at the vampires closing in. "I won't let them hurt you," she promised the youngster calmly. And with that, she made her decision. Using her vampire speed, Tamara grabbed the girl and fled away from the pack, her only goal being to keep the youngster safe. The vampires ran after her, but Tamara was faster. She flowed through the streets, evading obstructions, her mind racing as she searched for a way out. She couldn't go back to Deborah's pack. She had crossed the boundary, and now there would be no mercy. But she also couldn't allow the vampires to continue tormenting the city.
Immediately after Tamara's escape, the vampires who had chased her returned to Deborah, their faces black with frustration. "She got away," one of them stated frantically. Deborah, however, remained cool, a frigid smile curling her lips. "Don't worry," she murmured, her voice filled with silent menace. We'll get back on her. Tamara won't go unpunished for betraying us. Suddenly, the distant screech of police sirens rang through the downtown streets. The flashing red and blue lights were growing closer, cutting through the shadows of the night. Deborah's eyes narrowed. "We need to leave now," she urged. "We can't afford to be caught here." With the incredible speed of vampires, they withdrew into the darkness, leaving behind the wreckage of their attack, rapidly disappearing before the police could come. Their shadows disappeared into the darkness, retiring to regroup and prepare their next move against Tamara.
After the escape from the vampire pack, Tamara and the little girl, Mirabel, sat at a public resting joint. Mirabel, still shaken, glanced up at Tamara with wide eyes. Her hunger growled slightly, and Tamara hurriedly purchased her some food. As Mirabel ate, Tamara's mind raced, thinking of what to do next. Keeping Mirabel with her would threaten the girl's life, but abandoning her wasn't an option either. She gazed down at Mirabel, who had begun to whimper gently. hello, hello, what's wrong? Tamara asked quietly. Why are you crying? Mirabel wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. My mom. Those monsters killed her. Tamara's heart sunk at the girl's remarks. "I'm so sorry, Mirabel," she replied, her voice warm and soothing. "You'll be okay, I promise." Mirabel sniffled and nodded slowly. "I don't have a dad either," she continued, her petite voice shaking. Tamara's heart ached. "You're going to be just fine," she promised her, her hand gently stroking Mirabel's hair. The youngster gazed up at Tamara, her tear-filled eyes searching her face. You're like them, aren't you? But you saved me. You killed your kind. Tamara forced a smile. "Not all vampires are bad," she said, knowing the words were only half true. Mirabel hesitated before saying again. Can I ask you for something? "Of course." I. I want to call you 'mom'. Tamara was surprised by the request. She knew what it meant. It wasn't just a name. Accepting it would mean that Mirabel would remain a part of her life, forever enmeshed in the perils she faced. Tamara paused for a while but then nodded, knowing she couldn't refuse the girl's desire for comfort. If it makes you happy, then yes, you can call me Mom, Tamara responded, her voice sweet yet confused. Mirabel's tear-streaked face lighted up with a faint, weak smile. "Thank you, Mom." Tamara hugged her fiercely, her heart burdened with the decision she had just taken. She realized that keeping Mirabel close was perilous. Her existence was far from normal, and being a vampire meant that danger followed her everywhere. But there was something about this little child, her purity, her loss, that aroused something deep inside Tamara. She couldn't abandon her. As they embraced, Tamara's heightened senses picked up something unexpected. Her vision sharpened, and she detected activity a few blocks distant. A beautiful white mansion loomed at the end of the street, and she noticed armed men prowling around the grounds, definitely up to no good. She gently released Mirabel. Stay here; I'll be right back. Don't move. Mirabel nodded, her trust in Tamara unshakeable. Without further comment, Tamara rushed off toward the mansion. As she approached, she could see two assassins placed outside, guarding the building while two others were already inside. Tamara moved with her magical speed, discreetly reducing the distance between herself and the nearest assassin. In one rapid stroke, she snapped his neck, his corpse plummeting lifelessly to the earth. The other assassin saw his comrade fall and fired his gun at Tamara, but she was too fast. The bullets zipped by her harmlessly as she ran towards him, crippling him with a fatal strike. Inside the estate, Mrs Nellie Charlton, an experienced FBI agent, was taken off guard. She had just reached for her revolver when two assassins came from a room, holding her husband and daughter at gunpoint. Nellie's heart fell as she levelled her firearm at the invaders, but concern for her family's safety stopped her. "Please, don't hurt them," she cried, lowering her gun. The lead assassin hissed, Shut up! Do you believe you'll get out of this alive? But before he could finish his threat, Tamara burst into the room like a blur, her vampiric speed catching both men off guard. In one seamless action, she severed their necks, their bodies crumpling to the earth. Nellie watched in shock, her gun still directed at where the assassins had been standing. What. What just happened? Who are you? Tamara stood up, calm and cool. "I'm a vampire." A vampire? Nellie's instincts kicked in, and she raised her rifle again. Stay back! Tamara raised her hands in submission. Wait! Please, I'm not here to harm you. I just saved your family. Nellie hesitated, her hands still grasping the revolver securely as Tamara stood before her, calm but firm. "I just saved your family," Tamara whispered tenderly, her eyes glancing toward the fallen bodies of the assassins. "I'm not here to harm you." Mrs. Charlton's face was a mixture of amazement and horror, but she gently lowered the revolver, her instincts like a mother clashing with her instincts as an FBI agent. You. You're a vampire, she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why should I trust you?" Tamara sighed, knowing how difficult this would be. You don't have to trust me. But there's someone who needs you more than I ever could. With her vampire speed, Tamara rushed away, only to return a few moments later with Mirabel at her side. The small child, her eyes wide and full of fear, clung to Tamara's hand. Nellie stared at the girl and then back at Tamara. "Who is she?" she inquired, her tone quieter now. "Her name is Mirabel," Tamara said, kneeling near the girl. Her family was slaughtered tonight, and she's all alone. I saved her, but I can't protect her forever. Nellie's eyes softened as she glanced down at the infant. "You want me to take care of her?" she questioned, still digesting the situation. "Yes," Tamara answered gently. She's innocent, and she needs a secure haven. I'm asking you as a mother to help her. I'll support her from afar, but she can't stay with me. It would just put her at more risk. Nellie hesitated again, the weight of duty falling over her. Finally, she kneeled down beside the girl and drew her tenderly into her arms. "I promise, I'll take care of her," she said, her eyes finding Tamara's. "But I'll be watching you too." Tamara gave a weak but thankful grin. "That's all I ask." With that, she gave one more look to Mirabel, who smiled at her sheepishly before Tamara turned and disappeared into the night.