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The alleyway was dark but it was no issue for Shepard. His eyes had no trouble adjusting to the dark. It was one of the few perks of his recent transformation. He was distracted by someone nearby. He hid behind a dumpster and studied Kaidan. Shepard had to sneak closer to see him better. Kaidan was standing his back to Shepard and didn’t seem to notice him approach. Shepard was now close enough to hear the faint heartbeat in his ears. He couldn’t wait to get close enough to get a taste. He followed quietly hoping for an opportunity to corner his prey.
Kaidan was on his way home from the bar. He was taking his usual route through the back alleys. It was the fastest way to his apartment and he’d never ran into any trouble. There weren’t anyone around. Usually. This time he was feeling like he was being watched. He felt cold and he zipped his coat. It hadn’t been cold only moments ago. It was unusually cold for a summer night. The uneasy feeling didn’t go away and he picked up his pace. He heard someone get closer. He turned around but he couldn’t see anyone. Probably just a raccoon. He hurried through the alley but soon found himself in a dead end.
Shepard had been following the man for a while when he got spooked. He quickly hid in a hole in the wall as Kaidan spun around. He was lucky he found a hiding spot fast enough. He always liked the hunt and he didn’t want it to end too soon. After a short moment the man turned around and ran away. To Shepard’s delight he ran right into a dead end. Now he wouldn’t have to worry about trapping the poor man. He followed quickly before the man could run away again.
It took a moment for Kaidan to get his bearings. He was about to turn back when someone appeared from the shadows. He saw a tall and muscly man. There was a menacing spark in his eyes. As the man closed in he took a step back. He felt the crackle of his biotics as he balled his fists ready to fight.
Shepard had blocked the way out of the alley. He studied the dark haired man. He could see the fear in his eyes. His heart was racing and it was music to Shepard’s ears. He took a step forward and he could see Kaidan flinch. He never got tired of people’s reactions when they realized what they were up against. But this time was different. Shepard could see he was gonna have to try harder. His eyes were drawn to the crackling in the air surrounding the man. “Ah, a biotic? Should be fun.” He moved closer. He circled around Kaidan.
Kaidan shivered as he was enveloped by a pocket of cold air. Just like he had felt before. He was right about being followed. He wish he hadn’t been as the realization sank in. He was face to face with a vampire. He wasn’t sure if he could fight him off even with his biotics. He had never run into a vampire before but he had heard they’re strong and can control minds to trap prey. Well he wasn’t sure about the latter but hoped it was just a myth.
Shepard walked back in front of the man. He was expecting a fight by now. He was disappointed. “Let’s make a deal. We’ll fight. If you win you walk away. If you lose I’ll feed on you.” He took a step back. “If I were you I wouldn’t refuse.” He was getting impatient. Usually he was done by now. He didn’t like to play with food but there was something about the man. Shepard was used to people being scared and not fighting back. He was happy to have a worthy opponent.
Kaidan thought about his options for moment. On one hand he still wasn’t sure the vampire would play fair and didn’t want to fight. On the other he didn’t want to see what would happen if he tried to walk away. If he got lucky he’d win and could walk away in one piece. “Okay, let’s do this.”
“I’m glad you chose wisely. Shall we?” Shepard tried to punch Kaidan but he dodged easily. Kaidan tried to punch back but Shepard blocked his hand. “You’re strong but not strong enough. I’d use my biotics if I were you.” Kaidan dodged another punch. “Don’t try to play mind games.” Shepard chuckled as he tried to kick Kaidan’s foot from under him. “Think you can take me? I’m stronger than you are. You were doomed the moment you accepted my deal.” Shepard tackled Kaidan and pinned him to the ground. “I might spare you if you beg for your life.” He flashed his teeth. “So, what do you say?”
“I won’t beg. I know I don’t need to.” Kaidan pushed Shepard away with his biotics. He jumped up as soon as he was free. He tried to run away but Shepard grabbed his arm. “Leaving so soon? I’m only getting started.” Shepard spun Kaidan and trapped him against a wall. He pressed his face into Kaidan’s neck drinking in his scent. He was intoxicated by the faint scent of blood. Kaidan smelled even better than his usual prey. He was so distracted by it he had no time to react when Kaidan shoved him away again. “Stop fighting. This will be over faster if you don’t.” Shepard pushed Kaidan back against the wall and grabbed his hands so he couldn’t do it again. “You really expect me to just roll over and let you bleed me dry? Not going to happen.” Kaidan fought back but he couldn’t make Shepard budge.
Shepard stared into the deep brown eyes looking at him. “Don’t worry you’ll walk away. I don’t usually let people walk but I like you.” He thought for a moment. “Would be a shame if I couldn’t keep you around. I don’t usually have so much fun while hunting.”
“Well, get it over with. I have places to be.” Kaidan took a breath and pushed with all his strength. It was now or never. He managed to break free but stumbled. Shepard closed in again. “It’s useless trying to run.” He pushed Kaidan against the wall. Shepard was about to bite into Kaidan’s neck when he slumped on the ground. Shepard leaned down to take a closer look. Kaidan was sitting on the with his eyes closed. Shepard could read the pain in Kaidan’s face. “Are you okay? Can you move?”
Kaidan didn’t have time to answer before Shepard lifted him gently off the ground. He placed Kaidan on his shoulder and left the alleyway. Kaidan tried to push Shepard’s hands away but they didn’t budge. “Where are you taking me?”
“Home.” That’s all Shepard said. He wasn’t in a talking mood. He wasn’t happy about his changed plans. As much as he wanted to find someone to feed on he couldn’t just leave Kaidan alone in the alleyway. He couldn’t bare the thought of something happening to Kaidan. He wasn’t quite sure why. He usually didn’t care what happened to the people he fed on. Kaidan didn’t protest and Shepard figured he had passed out.
—
Shepard walked to the door and placed Kaidan next to it. He fiddled with the lock and gave the door a push. The door was stuck as always. It took him a moment to wrestle it open. The door finally gave up and Shepard lifted Kaidan up and carried him to the bed. He took off Kaidan’s shoes and tucked him in. After pacing the room not knowing what to do he sat on the edge of the bed. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“It’s just a headache.”
“I’ll bring you some painkillers.” He was out of the bedroom before Kaidan got a word out. He returned with a glass of water and some painkillers. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Kaidan took the painkillers and drank the water. “Why’d you bring me here?”
“I couldn’t just let you there drunk and not feeling well. It’s a dangerous city after dark.”
“Why would you care? You’re the very danger you speak of.”
Shepard thought about it for a moment. “I might be a vampire but I’m not totally heartless. Would you rather be passed out in the alleyway while who knows what happens? You’d rather be dead and discarded in a dumpster?”
“No, of course not. I’d rather be at home.”
“I understand. I’m sorry I took you here instead.”
“Well, as long as you let me go there’s not going to be any issues.”
“Of course. If I wouldn’t we wouldn’t be having this talk.”
“You better keep your word.”
“Get some sleep. I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
“Good night.”
Shepard walked out of the bedroom. He sat down on the couch where he could keep watch on Kaidan. He sat on the couch all night while Kaidan slept. He wanted to be sure Kaidan was safe. The bedroom door opened and Shepard’s attention was drawn to Kaidan. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah, it was okay.”
“You hungry?”
“Do you even have any food?”
“Yeah, I still eat food. Besides I have visitors some times.”
“Why would you eat? Isn’t blood enough?”
“It’s true I don’t necessarily need food now but I like food. Only drinking blood gets boring. Plus I don’t need as much blood if I eat something else too.”
“I thought all vampires only drank blood.”
“Nah, there are surprisingly many of us who don’t drink that much blood. Only what’s absolutely necessary to stay alive. Well as alive as you can call a vampire. Most of us source our blood from consenting people too. So it’s not like we’re hunting and killing everyone we see. Well some of us do. That’s why I didn’t want to leave you behind.”
“Huh, interesting.”
After breakfast Kaidan left Shepard’s place. Before he got out of the door Shepard slid a piece of paper into his head. “In case you wanna stay in touch.” Kaidan nodded and took the paper. He walked out without a word. Shepard hoped he would hear from Kaidan again.