It had been two months since I'd taken my first bite, embraced my new life as a vampire, and I had to admit—life was surprisingly good. Returning to my old job as a web designer had been a smart move. In this era, having skills in web design was practically a golden ticket. Few people could do what I did, and with a supernatural boost to my creativity and focus, I was turning out projects faster than ever. The money was rolling in, and I'd been able to upgrade my whole setup: new apartment, better equipment, even a few luxuries I never bothered with before.
Lily and I had moved into a bigger, better place across town. I'd joked that she wanted a vampire bodyguard on call, but she'd just rolled her eyes and muttered something about "not passing up a free security system." Though I was almost certain she just enjoyed the free rent and the peace of mind knowing she wouldn't wake up to find me hovering over her for a snack. Ever since I'd figured out how to conjure real blood with my ring, I'd cut human food out almost entirely. It was a strange relief not to have to rely on her for blood—and she was all too thrilled about not having to play "walking blood bank."
My days had fallen into a bit of a routine. I'd spend the mornings working on projects, immersing myself in the world of pixels and code, losing hours to the rhythm of designing, fixing, and fine-tuning. My vampire senses made the job almost meditative; every click, every line of code felt crisp and precise, like I was bending the digital world to my will.
Afternoons were dedicated to training. I'd usually hit the abandoned track on the outskirts of town, running drills to sharpen my speed, my reactions, and my control over compulsion. The power was exhilarating, but I was careful to keep it in check. There was a thin line between control and recklessness, and I'd seen what happened to vampires who crossed it. Sometimes, Lily would come with me, her skeptical glances turning into genuine awe as she watched me blur around the track. I think she enjoyed seeing my progress as much as I did—though she'd never admit it.
Evenings were for unwinding. After the day's work and training, I'd settle in for a quiet night with Lily, watching whatever show she'd picked out, exchanging banter about the ridiculous plotlines, and generally just relaxing. It was… strangely domestic, in a way I never would've pictured for myself a month ago. But I couldn't deny it—I liked it.
However, life always has a way of removing you from your comfort zone, especially this world filled with supernatural beings. My comfort zone ended when Lily brought me some news. She came home from work while I was finishing up a project so I had free time on my hands.
As we settled into our usual evening routine, Lily shifted on the couch, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. I'd come to recognize that as a sign she was about to bring up something serious. She gave me a sideways glance before finally blurting it out.
"So… I have this friend, a guy from work," she started, her tone carefully casual. "He's been having a rough time lately."
I raised an eyebrow, leaning back as I waited for her to continue. "Rough time, like job stress?" I guessed. Look at me already recognizing social cues, I was proud of myself.
"Not exactly," she said, twisting a bit to face me. "More like… someone's stalking him."
My expression sobered immediately. I could see the concern etched in her face, the worry in her eyes. "Stalking?" I asked, my voice taking on a serious edge.
She nodded, biting her lip. "He's been getting these weird calls, late at night. Messages, too, but mostly just silent ones. At first, he thought it was a prank, you know? But he's seen someone hanging around outside his building, too. Some guy—doesn't seem like a coworker or anyone he knows. Now he's jumpy all the time, always looking over his shoulder. I tried to tell him to go to the police, but… well, he's the type to think he can handle things himself."
"That's understandable, but maybe not the smartest move," I said, thinking it over. Stalking was already unsettling on its own, but with the kind of world I'd recently found myself in, it raised even more questions.
She looked at me, almost as if reading my mind. "I was hoping… maybe you could help?"
I considered it. Normally, this wouldn't be my business, but Lily's friendship meant a lot to me. And frankly, the idea of someone threatening her friends—especially in ways that might veer into supernatural territory—didn't sit right with me.
"Alright," I said, nodding. "I'll see what I can do. When's the last time he saw this guy?"
"Yesterday, actually," she replied, her relief evident. "He's planning to go out tomorrow night with a few friends from work to try and distract himself. Maybe we can check the area while he's out?"
"Good idea," I agreed. "If this stalker's serious, he might be watching the place even when your friend isn't around." I drummed my fingers on the arm of the couch, mind already jumping to ways to scope out the place. Compulsion could come in handy for witnesses, and if the stalker showed up, I'd be able to catch his scent or track him with a bit of… persuasion. But this is me being hopeful the stalker was not anything supernatural.
She smiled, letting out a breath she'd been holding. "Thanks. I didn't want to drag you into this, but… I don't know who else would be able to do something."
"No problem," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. "If there's a threat here, we'll find it. And if it's something supernatural, well, then it's right up my alley."
She smiled and reached over to pat my shoulder. "I knew you'd say that."
..............
I left the apartment later that evening, moving in the shadows as I trailed Lily's friend, Eric, from a safe distance. He was walking downtown, where the glow of streetlights bounced off rows of club fronts and bustling restaurants, his nervous glances over his shoulder betraying the fact that he sensed someone was following him. He didn't know it was me, but his anxiety was clearly well-founded. Besides that, I felt quite like Batman stalking his next victim on rooftop.
After nearly half an hour of trailing him through winding side streets and alleyways, I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. A shadow peeled away from the side of a building, slipping closer to him, lingering in the darkness. The figure was slight, feminine—a woman with long, dark hair, dressed inconspicuously in black. I paused, watching her slink closer, her movements calculated and deliberate, her eyes fixed on Eric like he was the only person on the street.
The more I observed her, the more her unnatural stillness and fluidity struck me. She did not move like a vampire, vampires consider themselves on top of the food chain. They walk with a confident gait to them, she was more humanly, though well trained. She blended in the crowd nicely, always out of Eric's sight but he was always on hers. She was skilled and Eric was a lamb to slaughter.
I sped up, moving in closer without a sound, my footsteps silent on the damp pavement as I followed her movements. She didn't look in my direction once, all of her attention centered on Eric, whose posture had grown tense as he reached a dead end in a narrow alley. My instincts were kicking into high gear, the warning buzz in my mind demanding that I intervene before she made to move inside the alley. This wasn't the typical stalker scenario—she was here for a purpose, something much darker than the usual mortal fixations.
Before she could take another step in, I stepped forward, closing the distance in an instant and blocking her line of sight. She stopped short, eyes widening slightly as she took me in, no doubt recognizing I wasn't human. A flash of irritation crossed her face before it melted into something more dangerous—a subtle, challenging smile that surprised me due to how threatening it really was.
"Well, this is an unexpected surprise," she said, her voice smooth and cold. "I don't remember inviting any company."
"Can't say I needed an invitation," I replied, holding her gaze steadily. "Eric there would appreciate it if you leave him alone. Whatever you're up to with him, it ends now."
She tilted her head, an amused spark lighting her eyes. "Interesting. You're not a local. I would've heard about someone like you by now."
"You'd be surprised what I can keep to myself," I replied. I could feel the tension building as she sized me up, and I prepared myself to counter any sudden moves. "Now tell me—what's your business with him?"
She smirked, taking a slow step back, clearly trying to create a bit of distance between us. "That's not for you to know," she murmured, her voice dripping with condescension. "But… let's just say I have my reasons. He has something I want, and I don't intend to leave without it."
As she spoke, I noticed her fingers twitching, a subtle signal that she might be preparing a spell or gearing up for a fight. Witch, then, I thought, keeping my guard up.
I mirrored her movements, shifting slightly to block her from Eric. "Look, I don't know what you're after, but if you try anything tonight, I promise it'll be the last spell you cast. Now, back off."
The moment she realized I was not backing off, her lips curved into a smirk, and her fingers twitched, her voice humming in an ominous chant. Instantly, the air around me felt thicker, buzzing with the unmistakable hum of magic. Then, with a flick of her wrist, a gust of wind exploded between us, slamming into me like a freight train. I staggered, barely managing to keep my footing as I was pushed dangerously close to a group of pedestrians.
With a quick glance, I caught a couple of onlookers gawking, phones half-raised. Damn it. I didn't need this turning into a spectacle.
She was counting on that.
"Come on," she taunted, her voice sharp and teasing. "What's wrong? Afraid to make a scene?"
I gritted my teeth, steadying myself before slipping further into the shadows, hoping to draw her away from the crowd. She followed, her steps silent, eyes gleaming with predatory intent. She raised her hands again, whispering words under her breath. I felt the rush of magic a second before an arc of flames shot toward me, forcing me to duck behind a parked car. The flames burst overhead, singeing the side of the vehicle and setting off its alarm.
"Is that really necessary?" I muttered under my breath, darting around the other side of the car.
But she wasn't slowing down. As I moved, she thrust her hand forward again, sending a wave of energy that cracked the asphalt around us. I jumped back, instinctively wanting to retaliate with full force, but I clenched my fists, holding back. One wrong move, and half this block would be collateral damage.
I steadied myself, moving in close to distract her from the pedestrians now ducking into nearby buildings. She threw another bolt of energy at me, this one twisting mid-air like a serpent. I dodged it, barely, feeling the heat graze my arm. Ignoring the sting, I lunged, aiming to pin her wrists and immobilize her.
But she was prepared. With a hiss, she muttered another incantation, and my grip slipped as my hand encountered an invisible barrier, her shield thrumming under my fingers. She grinned, her eyes glinting with victory as she pushed back, forcing me to stumble and draw back slightly.
"See? You're predictable," she sneered, her voice laced with confidence. "And you're clearly not willing to go all out. Guess that makes this easier for me."
Keeping my movements controlled, I darted around her, searching for an opening. "If I went all out," I said under my breath, "we wouldn't be having this conversation."
I saw her smirk falter just a little, the hint of uncertainty creeping into her expression. She opened her mouth to respond, but I moved, closing the distance in a blur and grabbing her by the shoulder. This time, I kept my grip just tight enough to restrain her, forcing her arm down so she couldn't cast another spell.
"Enough," I said, my voice low and warning. "Walk away before this gets worse."
She twisted in my grasp, her other hand free, chanting another spell. A ripple of power surged around us, pushing me back as she aimed one last strike. But I shifted my weight, deflecting the blast just enough to avoid the bystanders nearby, and finally pinned her against the wall, making sure she couldn't bring her arms up to cast another spell.
Her defiance faded into anger, and then resignation, as I kept her locked in place. "You're making a mistake," she spat, glaring up at me.
"Maybe," I replied, loosening my grip just slightly. "But I'd rather not prove you right here in the middle of LA."
Her defiant gaze shifted to one of wary calculation as I tightened my grip, my fingers digging into her shoulder. She twisted, trying to break free, and whispered another incantation. The air around us thickened, dark tendrils of magic coiling outward from her fingertips, wrapping around my wrists and shoulders, trying to pry me off.
"You're persistent," I muttered, brushing off the magic as I leaned closer, ignoring the prickling sensation as the tendrils tried and failed to weaken me.
She bit her lip, a flicker of fear creeping into her eyes as I stepped forward, forcing her back until her shoulders pressed against the wall. Her hand shot out in one last, desperate gesture, summoning a blast of force that slammed into my chest, but this time I barely staggered, brushing it off as if she'd thrown a punch.
Her breathing quickened, and I could sense the shift. She knew she was outmatched, her magic wasn't enough, and I was only growing bolder, more dangerous.
She tried to chant another spell, her hands moving in rapid gestures, desperate now. But I was faster. I caught her wrists mid-air, twisting her arms down to her sides with barely restrained strength. Her spell fizzled out, and she let out a sharp gasp, her confidence now completely evaporated.
"You're losing," I said softly, leaning in closer, letting her feel the edge in my voice. "Give it up."
Her eyes darted to the side, searching for an escape, and I could almost hear the frantic beating of her heart, the rapid pulse of someone on the edge of panic. She pushed back against me, but the struggle only seemed to tire her out further.
In a final act of desperation, she closed her eyes and whispered something low and frantic, her lips barely moving. I felt a shift, a ripple in the energy around us as if she'd opened up some new layer of magic. But this one was different. A blinding flash of light exploded between us, forcing me to let go and shield my eyes.
By the time the light faded, she was already several feet away, her form shifting as she cast one last spell, enveloping herself in a dark mist. She shot me a look, half defiance, half terror, before turning and breaking into a run, stumbling in her haste to put as much distance as possible between us.
I took a step forward, watching her disappear into the darkness, but I held myself back. I'd made my point.
As I watched her retreat, a small smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. She'd be looking over her shoulder for a while. And next time? I wouldn't be holding back.
..................
Eric was pacing nervously on the sidewalk, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds, clearly shaken. I approached slowly, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture, making sure he saw me coming. His eyes narrowed in confusion as he noticed me, and he took a step back.
"Eric, right?" I asked, keeping my voice calm.
He hesitated, then nodded, his hand hovering protectively near his pocket. "Yeah… and you are?"
"Just a friend," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "I heard you might have been dealing with… someone you didn't want around."
His eyes widened slightly, a mix of relief and suspicion playing across his face. "You… how do you know about that?"
"Let's just say I've got my sources," I said, giving him a reassuring smile. "And you're safe now. She's gone. She won't be bothering you again."
Eric's shoulders relaxed slightly, though he still looked uncertain. "Are you some kind of… detective? Or…" He trailed off, not really sure what to make of me.
I chuckled. "Not exactly. Just someone with a knack for dealing with unusual situations."
He nodded, trying to absorb this, still visibly nervous. "So… she's really gone?"
"She is," I confirmed. "If she comes back, though, let me know. I'll handle it." I reached into my pocket and handed him a scrap of paper with my number. "Just in case."
Eric took the paper, glancing between it and me, his face showing a mix of gratitude and disbelief. "Thanks… um…"
"Don't worry about it," I interrupted, nodding. "Just stay safe."
He managed a small, relieved smile and mumbled another thank-you as I turned to leave. As I walked back to the apartment, I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time I'd have to step in. People like her always had a way of resurfacing.
When I got home, I found Lily sitting cross-legged on the couch, pretending to be engrossed in her phone but clearly waiting for me. She looked up immediately as I entered, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"So?" she said, unable to hold back her grin. "How'd it go?"
I tossed my keys on the table, smirking as I sank into the chair across from her. "It was… eventful," I admitted. "Turns out it was a witch stalking him."
Lily's eyebrows shot up, her mouth dropping open. "A witch? You're kidding."
I shook my head. "She wasn't thrilled about being stopped, either. But I made it clear she wasn't welcome."
Lily whistled, looking impressed. "Wow. So, what happened after?"
"She ran off," I said, shrugging. "With any luck, she won't be back. But if she does, I'll handle it."
She grinned, leaning forward. "Guess having you around is more useful than I thought. You're like my own supernatural security system."
"Just remember that the next time you complain about my cooking," I replied with a wink, earning a laugh from her.