The two women hold their breath, praying that something should save them. A deadly hush falls and with a sudden predatory shriek the creature takes its leave, the sound of leather beating the wind growing gradually fainter. Dawn was coming. The two women let out their breath, their hearts once beating rapidly, beginning to slow.

‘You stupid child!" her mother berated her, “how could you let that happen at this hour? When the sun has not yet risen and made safe our lives?” The young woman whimpered softly. It didn’t matter if it was almost dawn and she had cut herself by accident or if she was fast asleep dreaming and feeling safe, anything could happen with that creature around. “If it weren’t for him, that vampir we would be living comfortably. Not in fear of our pretty daughters being snatched in the night, or of spilling even the tiniest drop of blood by accident,” she tisked softly, “go see that your wound is properly tended to with the apothecary. It’s light now child you’ll be safe.”