24. Epilogue

Epilogue

Micah

I love the thrill of the chase. I have spent six hundred years doing it, and it never gets old. I enjoy watching them, learning their habits, watching their minds work, and guessing what they will do next. I have dedicated my life to eliminating the assholes of the world. It fills the emptiness in my soul. It gives me a purpose and a way to fill the hours of the day. Sure, there is the side benefit of protecting innocents and keeping my world secret.

But I also like to see them bleed.

I love blood.

The smell of it.

The taste of it.

The energy and power it gives.

I watch the coyote from the shadows. He is talking to a woman who has no idea the sick things he does to his conquests. I tilt my head. Why is he so successful with ladies? I don't understand the attraction. He is of average height and build, and his eyes are constantly moving around the room, never giving them his full attention. I switch my gaze to the human woman. She can see his roaming eyes. She's talking fast, touching his arm, and smiling blindingly. She wants him to choose her.

Whether human, shifter, or vampire, don't we all want to be chosen ?

All the years I have lived, watched, and hunted that is the common factor. So many of them do all they can to be funny, beautiful, skinny, smart, and worthy of everyone's approval and love.

I still don't understand humans.

But I enjoy their blood, whether I am spilling it or drinking it.

I look around the bar. I could kill everyone in here with little effort. In an average kill, I barely use any of the power I possess. I could melt them from the inside out without lifting a finger. They wouldn't see me coming—shit, they can't see me standing with my back against the wall. I have absorbed the lives of thousands and thousands of people. When I drink their blood, I also take any power they have.

In the old days, I wasn't picky about who I drank from or who I killed. I drank from shifters and humans. I have evolved somewhat. I like to get permission from donors now, or I drink from blood bags. A live donor is preferable, but it's not always possible. I could use my influence to talk anyone into baring their neck to me. Unfortunately, the years on this earth and the things I have seen and done have caused me to grow a conscience.

Pity.

I lick my lips. So many delicious flavors of blood floating in the air.

Tempting.

The goal for any vampire or shifter is to find their mate. The one person, or people, the universe has picked to match you perfectly. If I found her, she would be the only one I would drink from.

I'm afraid it will never happen. My friends will have to kill me then. At some point, I will go crazy without her.

I look back at the couple, and the coyote is finally putting in some effort. He reeled her in, first ignoring her and now looking at her as if she is the only woman in the world.

I hate him .

I block all the other noise out, focusing on their conversation.

"You are the most beautiful woman in the room." I try not to gag. "I've just been distracted; I have a sick friend." I roll my eyes. "I'm sorry, that must be hard." Her voice drips her sympathy.

" It is. I think I just need to forget about it for one night. Will you help me forget?" He leans forward and brushes her hair behind her ears.

Fuck. I hate him more.

I shut them out, not able to stand listening anymore. He's wrapping it up. If he sticks to his normal schedule, he'll drive into the woods, claiming he wants to watch the sunrise in the morning. The unlucky human won't make it until then.

He will get her out of the car, have sex with her, and kill her brutally after he tortures her.

He won't make it out of the parking lot with her tonight. I have a thirst to show him what real fear is.

I straighten as they leave their seats and walk to the door.

I slide out behind them as I pull out my phone. My steps are silent as I follow them to his car. He opens the door for her, and before she can take a seat, I'm at his back.

Too fast to track, my hand shoots out, covering the coyote's mouth, using my handhold to force his back to my chest. I hold him easily despite his struggles and put my phone away.

I catch the human's startled eyes. "You will leave. You will forget this night and everything that happened." Her face blanks. "You will no longer meet strange men at bars. A driver will be pulling up in three minutes. Get in the car. He will take you home. All you will remember tomorrow is the great night of sleep you had. Yes?"

"Yes," she repeats.

"Good. Don't date assholes," I can't help but say. She nods robotically .

I break the connection, and she walks to the curb in front of the bar. I turn my attention back to my prey.

I used my mind power slightly to make him still.

"Are you ready to have some fun?" I ask.

He says nothing.

"Run," I whisper and push him away.

He stumbles away and then slowly gains speed.

I smirk. Don't worry; I always catch them.