It has been a little over a month since I first came to live
with Cara, the little 17 year old I was told to protect, and so far, there has
been no sign of Seth, or any vampire either for that matter, and I was growing
bored and annoyed. I could’ve been out there killing more threats, not stuck in
a pretty mundane human life that even includes attending school.

Each day I am reminded of the simpler era I grew up in. A
time when everyone knew their place in the world. Things made sense back then.

“Come on sleepyhead, I refuse to let you miss yet another
day of school!” I shook the blonde girl awake.

“Just five more minutes, please?” she begged.

“No way, my dear. You were the one who decided to stay up
most of the night, texting that crush of yours, so you are the one who has to
suffer the consequences.” I might be mistaken, but I am pretty sure that she
was flipping me off under the covers.

“Fine then, I’ll be down in ten minutes.” She said as she
sat up, yawning.

“I’ll be timing you...” I promised.

Life with Cara wasn’t too bad. She got over the initial
shock of her guardian being a vampire a lot faster than the average person, and
she doesn’t ask too many questions. Her brother, Matthew, was perfectly
acceptable too. He was hardly around, and even when he was, I hardly got to see
or truly talk to him. I sometimes wonder how he felt about living with a
vampire.

People find it hard to believe that I have given up blood.
Of course, I can’t give up blood completely, I still feed on animals, but I
refuse to drink human blood. Yes, a part of me does miss it; the hunt, the
sudden rush of power after feeding... I am not nearly as strong as I used to
be, animal blood is enough to sustain me, but not enough to restore me to full
power.

Almost exactly ten minutes later, Cara strolled down the
stairs.

“I seriously don’t know why you feel the need to rush me.
After all, it is like, a five minute walk from here to the school.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

“Exactly. Check your watch; school starts in eight minutes.”

“Then we better get moving!”

I grabbed my bag and flung it over my shoulder with ease,
and followed Cara out the door.

On our walk, I tried to steer my thoughts away from Seth.
Thinking of him will bring back unwanted memories, and those memories will
bring emotions. ‘Emotions make you weak,’ that is what he always said, and to
be quite honest, I believed him. He showed me that the one who cares less has
the upper hand in battle.

“Try to fit in, and look more enthusiastic!” Cara growled
into my ear as we walked up the stairs. Apparently, my emotionless mask will
attract attention. Humans are more used to expressing their each and every
emotion. The problem with that is that it makes them so much more vulnerable,
more prone to getting hurt. When you wear your heart on your sleeve, you are
begging people to rip it off and crush it.

“Yay, school,” I said in a monotonous voice, trying to make
her laugh. I succeeded.

“Yeah well, most of us aren’t actually excited about being
here, but faking it is a good start!” she said, brushing a lock of my dark hair
out of my face.

“You know, you have some definite potential buried under all
this hostility. I wish you’d let me do your makeup for once. Who knows, you
might even attract some male attention once I’m done with you.” She said,
giving me a genuine smile.

“Cara, I’m here to prevent you from being turned into a
monster like me, not to get a boyfriend.” I reminded her. Besides, I doubt that
dating a human will be even remotely possible. He is bound to notice that he
ages while I stay frozen in time.

She playfully threw her hands up in the air and gave an over
exaggerated sigh.

“What am I going to do with you, woman? You need to learn to
have some fun. Being serious all the time isn’t good for you! You need to
smile- it’ll help you live longer!” I raised my eyebrow at the ironic comment
she just made. We both just laughed.

“Now come, we will be late for class if we stand here!”

I would’ve preferred to be on my own, staying in the shadows,
keeping an eye on Cara from a distance, but since Seth is my opponent, I can’t
do that. He can be anywhere. The dark magic he possesses makes him capable of
great things, and that includes changing his form.  Cara will be much safer if I am constantly by
her side. I know what to look out for.

The Moloch that has marked her doesn’t bother me. Though,
their bloodline is the most violent of the three, he will be much easier to
spot and to destroy. He doesn’t exactly pose much of a threat. For now, I need
to keep an eye on the girl, and try to figure out what makes her so special to
begin with.

The bell rang, signalling the start of class, and I
dutifully strolled behind Cara. This time, I’m much more prepared to face Seth.
I won’t lose to him. Not again.