Unexpected Company

As she browsed from section to section, nothing appealed to her. Everything appeared bland as if she had read all types of plots. Yes, she was searching for a good novel. Maybe she should just take up a biography of some genius. It will be a nice change of phase.

With a goal in mind, she went in search to track down a good biography. Maybe she should read about Friedrich Nietzsche. The mad had a tragic life. Surely, she could learn something from the great yet unpopular philosopher. Her playwright friend was quite fond of him and spoke great words about Nietzsche. The year was 1920, surely somebody had written a biography on him or maybe Nietzsche himself did.

She looked into every corner but there was not one book in sight. She went to ask the front desk and got the word that biography has not yet been written on Nietzsche.

*sigh*

So, she settled on a book by Nietzsche. 'Will to Power". But the problem was the book was out of her reach so she just stood looking at it. It was placed high on the shelves as not many people wanted to read it.

She thought it was worth a few tries to make the book fall before she had to seek out the snobby librarian who glared at people for no apparent reason.

You guessed it she wasn't successful. So, she turned around about to get the librarian but a boney hand reached past her head and plucked it out for her. She looked to see that it was that strange man who gave her bad feelings and Kurt told her to stay away from, Marcel.

He had a big smile on his face that stretched his white lips thin. Now that he was near, she could see his eyes don't seem to reflect the same happiness. The once bright smile started to appear creepy. He hold the book out to her and she took it.

"Hello, Anais" The man didn't bother with formal addressing nor did he question her odd dressing, Anais noted. He was quite different from Kurt who treated her with utmost respect despite being a warrior. It had nothing to do with her high status as the daughter of the second family because warriors such as himself don't care about high society rules.

"Sir, how do you do on this fine morning?" She smiled tightly. Well, at least she could keep up the etiquette of the high society. She could play by the rules. And maybe it will teach him something. Her mother will be so proud.

The man did not provide her with a formal reply, rather he frowned down at her with his lanky form towering over her. Marcel was quite tall. Maybe over 6 feet.

"Fine morning? It's almost afternoon" That made her lose her smile.

" Afternoon? I ought to go then. I must hurry" Anais tried to dematerialize outside the library not bothering to commit to secrecy anymore. But she found herself unable to. She looked down to see the boney hand clasping her arm.

"Where are you going?" He asked her curiously.

"Home, why?"

"But I want to talk"

"It will have to wait. I'm supposed to be home at this hours"

"No, you can go later" Anais started to panic

"Let go of me" She said firmly.

"But, I-"

"For heaven's sake, Marcel. You're hurting me" He let go of her but did not apologize.

"Can we meet again?" Anais tried to dematerialize again and as if reading her thoughts he hold onto her again. This time almost bruising her.

" I just want to see you, Anais. No, need to fear me"

"Please, let me go. My family would be worried" She repeatedly tried to get free from his hands but to no avail. She was strong as a vampire and could handle herself most of the time. Yet, his boney hands proved to be much stronger.

"When can we meet again?" He asked again. The dare of this man. She felt like he won't let her go.

"Tarnation, you're ambitious, aren't you?" She bends her head and bites down hard on his wrist drawing blood. But as the flood flowed into her mouth, she realized something. He was not a vampire. Or at least not a true one.

He was naught but a sin-eater, the cursed child of a vampire and a were. A hybrid. She hadn't seen or heard about a hybrid for eons. Hybrids were evil creatures who were killed at birth. They had horrible bloodlust and an enduring case of greed and evil.

The hybrid screamed in agony and immediately dropped her arms. Anais did not wait. She retreated putting as much space as possible. Her heart trudging in her chest.

"By God " she muttered under her breath.

She knew she could not materialise anywhere like that. It required a certain level headedness and the person needed to be calm. Everything Anais was not at the moment.

So, she ran as fast as she could out of the library with her light feet. Suddenly, she was glad for the maid's uniform. She had so much stability in these clothing than she would ever have with her full triple-layered underskirts. She understood why that French woman Rosa wore men's clothing.

She wagered she would have better liberty if she did too. Only if she had as much dare as mademoiselle Rosa. How she envied the woman's freedom. Freedom was pricy, she reminded herself.

Once she was out of the library she ran blindly as if a devil chased her. Avoiding horse buggy and skipping around little kids, she ran as fast as her feet would take her. Her mouth, a burning furnace. Lord, she had tasted a hybrid's blood. It felt like she drank acid.

When she was certain she ran really far, she willed herself to put a brake on her spent feet and drank from an old man's glass of water. Her eyes teared from the water licking her acid burn.

She spat out the water to get rid of the poisonous blood from her mouth. Never before had she felt this much pain. Had she swallowed the blood, she would surely be dead

Lord knew she had never run this much before. The urge to flee was still within herself.

How bad it was that she was a vampire yet she couldn't take full advantage of her power. She was weaker than a strong human woman. She felt helpless. Good times create frail beings no matter what power they were granted.

All her shrewdness stayed hidden within herself. How she hated living in a rich household. Not like she would survive in a poor condition anyway. She chastised herself for being emotional in such a situation. It seemed the hybrid didn't take chase of her. So, when she was sure she was able to materialize, she didn't wait a moment longer.