Even as night fell, the heat still radiated from the tall buildings. There had been no marine layer today, so the summer sun was out in full force. Thankfully, the evening breeze off the Pacific made it comfortable.

Nadia had been reluctant to move their family here at her husband’s insistence, but she had come to love San Ranola. Much like The City, Ranola was a multicultural melting pot best experienced on foot. As she crossed the street, her ears picked up soft opera music. Passing its source, she saw an elderly couple dancing in their living room.

A block later there was a man packing up his stand where he sold papusas. Past him, on a grassy patch, a woman with dreadlocks down to her butt led several others in some sort of martial arts class. Further on, a little girl practiced violin on her building’s steps. Her grin reached her ears when Nadia gave her a thumbs up as she passed.

“Hey, mamma! Looking good!” she heard as she crossed the street.

She always drew attention when dressed to the nines. Most would just look or stare, but someone must be feeling bold. Looking, she saw two boys who couldn’t be more than early twenties.

The nasty glare she gave told them it was unwise to continue. If she didn’t have somewhere to be, she would have bent their ears and given them a lecture about being respectful. As she crossed the next street, her phone vibrated in her purse. Her home number. Malcom calling to wish her luck most likely.

“Hello?”

“Mom!” two squeaky voices yelled. “You’ve got this. We love you! Kick some butt! Get lots of moneys!”

She laughed. “I’ll do my best!”

There was a pause, then her husband said, “We just wanted to wish you luck. Not that you ever need it.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’ll take all the good will I can tonight. I’m almost there. Keep me in your thoughts?”

“You always are.”

“Good bye, my love.”

Nadia closed her phone and dropped it back in her purse. She found a well lit shop window to double check her appearance. Lipstick and make up were fine. She wrangled a few stray hairs and straightened her dress before continuing on. The Lanover Industries building loomed ahead. Her destination was just beyond that.

A man exited a tailor shop ahead of her. Running his thumbs down his lapels, he admired what must be a new purchase. As she got close, his head snapped toward her and his eyes narrowed. His hungry gaze never left her as she passed. Here we go again.

“Mademoiselle,” he called, his voice a bit melodic with a heavy French accent.

Nadia kept her pace but turned her head and said, “Oui Monsieur”

His eyes lit up as he moved to keep up with her. He had a proud nose and chiseled features. A light blue ribbon that matched his very expensive Franco Grenaldi suit pulled his shoulder-length blond hair back. She had tried to persuade Malcolm on a similar, albeit darker suit.

“Quelle délicieuse surprise. Une belle femme qui parle ma belle langue. Puis-je vous accompagner à votre destination?”

Nadia held up her hand, the diamonds on her engagement and wedding rings sparkling in the street lights.

“I’m sorry,” she made it a point to say in English. “I’m happily married and have business tonight.” She had found when being accosted, it was best to be polite but set the bar beyond their reach.

“Ah, such is my loss! My consolation is hearing my native tongue spoken so well.”

Nadia laughed and shook her head. He was laying it on thick. He held out his hand.

“It was a pleasure. I am Phelipe Levasseur, the Second.”

Nadia shook his hand and found it unreasonably cold in this weather. When she looked in his eyes, her skin prickled all over and she felt... disconnected. She could feel and hear, but had no control. His smile turned from friendly to predatory.

“Don’t speak. Be still. I’m an old friend you haven’t seen in some time.”

She couldn’t speak. Or move. His icy hand held hers. But she couldn’t pull away.

He released her hand and held out his hooked arm. “Take my arm. Let us take a walk."

Despite every centimeter of her not wanting to go, she slipped her hand in his elbow and walked with him. She willed herself to pull away and hit him. She willed herself to run or scream, but her body just smiled and walked quietly next to him.

He turned back the way she had come. Her panic reached a fever pitch when he turned them down an alley. This man was going to rape her, or worse, and no amount of effort made her body obey. He pushed open a door and lead her, twisting and turning through the pitch black halls of what seemed to be an empty building.

Without light to see him, whatever he had used to hypnotize her began to fade. Nadia willed her self to pull away. To hit him. To scream. The longer they were in the dark, the more she felt like herself again. Just as she had the strength to pull away, his grip became steel, and the lights flared on.

She closed her eyes against the bright light and felt a cold hand grab her jaw. Opening her eyes, she found herself face to face with him. Her skin prickled all over again as she stared into his ocean blue eyes.

“No, no. You’re mine now.” he said. His canine teeth were long and sharp, extending beyond his molars. They hadn’t been like that out on the street. What the fuck was this man? He pulled her purse off her shoulder and flung it behind him. He sniffed up her bosom to her collarbone and neck before exhaling.

“Some... eastern European, but mostly Spaniard, yes?” There was an evil glint in his eye. “You Gitans always have a particular scent.” He licked his lips. “And flavor.”

Nadia tried to force herself away. Tried to make herself tear his eyes out, but she just stood there as he tilted her head to the side. Opening his mouth wide, she felt pain shoot up her neck as those sharp teeth sunk into her neck.

She screamed when his full bite tore a chunk of her neck away, but no sound escaped lips. She tried to push him away, but only stood there with him clamped to her neck. He held her almost tenderly as he sucked hard on her neck.

The clean white room was humid, but she felt cold creep over her. Nadia’s fingers and feet went numb, and she felt sleepy. She hardly registered her whole body shake when he released her neck, only to bite down hard again.

Malcolm and Cassie and Alan flashed in her mind. Their words echoed in her head. ‘We love you! Kick some butt! You’re always in my thoughts.’ She wanted to be there with them now. Her babies and Malcolm, who she had loved since they first met.

The last thing she saw was her family piled on the couch, like nesting dolls. Alan in Cassie’s lap, Cassie in hers, and her in Malcolm’s, the children fast asleep. Malcolm’s arms wrapping around her was the last thing she felt before everything faded away.