1-2:mission

Augustine took Emmanuelle's hand and pulled her to him. Then he placed his hand on her arm, and they began to walk through the catacombs.

"We have received a message."

"Very good. And, what does this have to do with me?" she interrupted at once.

"The Council is asking us to guard a human," he announced casually.

Emmanuelle immediately stopped walking and looked up at her clan leader. "A human?"

"An unborn human," sighed Augustine as he, in turn, turned his head toward her.

Emmanuelle looked around, then laughed.

"I heard your request. I've heard your request, but before I do, can you confirm that you haven't drunk the blood of a drug addict?"

Augustine laughed and nodded.

"The order came from the Council, my sweet. So, against all odds, you are the best choice to serve as the child's guardian when her soul enters the cycle of reincarnations. Your lack of appetite has always worried me deeply, and it now seems you were born to serve this cause."

Emmanuelle blinked rapidly before swallowing her saliva loudly.

"Are you telling me that I have your permission to maintain a friendship with a human? That I have the right to live among them?"

Augustine simply replied with a smile.

Emmanuelle jumped on his neck and let herself be carried by him. Then she grabbed his face and began to place many kisses on his cheeks.

"I promise you that I will do a good job. I will make you proud! Ohlala!"

Augustine continued to walk, keeping her on his arm as she listed the things she would need.

"Do we know where the child will be born?"

"Absolutely, my sweet. However, we don't know when yet, and it may be today or a century from now. Time is so unimportant," murmured Augustine.

"Why do I have the foul sensation that you are sulking at my joy?" she complained.

Augustine stopped moving, like a marble statue, and sighed.

"For here I am again, alone for a few more decades at best and a hundred years at worst. You are the last child born of my blood, and I made it my duty to raise you jealously when your parents chose to sink into the stone sleep. Your quest bodes nothing but loneliness for me."

"You can come and visit us. Why do you have to be so tragic every time?" scoffed Emmanuelle, rolling her eyes.

"You are still young, sweet Emmanuelle. When you've lived through the ages as I have, you'll soon realize how essential a family is. And, I will not risk mixing with men. I have, alas, little of your mastery nor your control. I must go away so that you can learn to live among the cattle without the risk of influencing you," he observed.

Emmanuelle placed a hand against Augustine's cheek and caressed the red-rimmed eye of the vampire leader with the pad of her thumb.

"You're trying to change," she remarked with a big smile.

"I'm trying, my sweet. I'm trying, but it's not easy when I've always quenched my thirst whenever it was felt. Unlike you, I can't stand the hunger that burns my insides."

At last, he laid her down on the floor, then opened a door leading into a large hall with many trunks.

"I have taken the liberty of having your things packed. Leave this evening before the desire to keep you close to me again overcomes me."

Emmanuelle had to stand on tiptoe to kiss the vampire's cheek.

"I will write to you," she promised him.

"And I will wait for your news to reach me every night," he replied, bowing.