Escher's laugh was a beautiful sound that calmed Nate to his core. Laelette shook off her shock and hissed at Escher, who snapped her neck without hesitation. Nate flinched from the loud cracking sound. He hadn't expected Escher do that so swiftly. Escher then pulled a small blade from his belt and stabbed her in the head. Her body arched up and then burst into a pile ash with one last soft scream. Straightening up to his full height, he turned to face Nate, asking in a calm tone of voice. "Are you alright?" Nate slowly sat up, nodding shakily. Seeing a vampire in action was a lot more terrifying than he had imagined it would be. Escher slowly walked over to him and kneeled before him so gracefully. Touching his cheek with his cold fingers, he uttered under his breath in a slightly deeper tone. "You're bleeding." Nate stared into Escher's bright eyes that seemed to reflect in the moonlight, making his eyes stand out in the most breathtaking way. His skin even seemed to glow when the moonlight touched his exposed skin, giving it a flawless otherworldly look. Escher snapped his long fingers in front of Nate's face to make him flinch to break his intense staring. Smirking, Escher told him coolly. "Careful. Beauty and can deadly." Nate blushed, looking away from him. He hadn't realized how long he'd been staring in a kind of trance.

Escher removed something from his pocket, but Nate's eyes were drawn more to his other hand. Escher was still holding the dagger that he'd killed Laelette with, but it was odd looking. Touching the blade, he questioned Escher in an undertone. "A wooden dagger?" Escher brought a cloth to Nate's wound, replying casually. "Ya. Are you not familiar with the stories?" Nate winced as Escher touched his wound, replying a little strained. "Of course, I am. But why are you using it?" Escher flashed Nate a sarcastic look, before answering. "Why wouldn't we? We fight each other as much as you fight other humans. We just don't use them on our food because there is no need for it." Nate shrugged, mumbling out. "Ya, I guess that makes sense." Escher pulled the bloodstained cloth from his head, looking it over as he folded it. Nate found himself leaning closer to Escher, asking curiously. "Saving it for later? Don't you just want to lick me?" Escher's eyes rose to meet his with a playfully narrowed expression. Smiling, he put the cloth away and told him honestly. "And look creepy? No. I already grabbed a bite before this in preparation for a fight." Nate tensed at the thought of Escher having killed someone. Escher holstered his dagger back on his belt, comforting him lightly. "Relax. It wasn't human. I'm not stupid. I still have a vampire hunter on my ass."

Nate raised an eyebrow, asking curtly. "And if you didn't?" Escher just flashed him a sly grin. From across the graveyard, Thonnir stumbled inside. His face was torn up in a mix of emotions. He dropped the torch he carried into the dirt as he dropped to his knees by the pile of ash that used to be his wife. Hugging himself, he leaned over and began to cry silent tears. Escher's sly smile faded as he watched him. Nate was relieved to see that he did feel something for the people he fed on or killed. Getting to his feet, Nate put a hand on Escher's shoulder to steady himself. His body was stiff and bruised after hitting the headstone. Shaking his head though, Nate blurted out. "I don't get it. I thought Alva was the vampire... What motive would Laelette have?" Thonnir forced himself to sit up a little, straining out in a broken voice. "Someone did this to her... My Laelette was no vampire! Whoever did this..." Escher got to his feet slowly, leaning closer to Nate to whisper over his shoulder discreetly. "I followed your lead. I saw Alva speaking to this woman in her house earlier. The conversation was not a friendly one. A falling out maybe?" Nate turned his head to bring his ear closer to Escher upon asking. "You saw them? Where is Alva now? What did she say?"

Escher touched Nate's side, cautiously whispering back. "As far as I know Alva is still at her house with her husband. I was unable to linger. The Hunter was heading there, and I needed to eat. I didn't get a lot of their conversation... but it had something to do with this little girl." Nate's gaze drifted toward the unburied child's coffin. Pulling from Escher, he carefully walked over to the coffin. Licking his dry lips, Nate kneeled and very lightly knocked on the coffin lid. The ghost of Helgi sat up through the lid, chuckling out excitedly. "You found me! I was hoping you'd find me before Laelette did." Nate gave her a small warm smile. He couldn't help it. Even after her tragic fate, she was still such an innocent kid. Inhaling deeply, he asked her as gently as he could. "I did. Now can you tell me about who set the fire?" Helgi's smile faded, but she nodded. Sitting up straighter in the coffin, she regaled to him nicely. "Laelette did it. But she told me that she was told to burn mommy. She didn't know I'd be in the house though. She'd been promised that I'd be hers after mommy was gone. She wanted to play with me forever and ever." Helgi reached up to touch a spot on her neck that her hair was covering, adding a bit distantly. "When I got stuck under the bed, Laelette came for me. Promised she'd make everything alright. She kissed me on the neck... I got so cold that the fire didn't hurt anymore."

Nate bowed his head for a minute, then looked up at Escher who was slowly making his way over. It was clear he'd heard the conversation from where he'd been by the sullen look on his face. Helgi looked down at her coffin, her eyes distant now as she told him grimly. "Something went wrong though. Laelette said she thought that she could take me and keep me... but she couldn't figure out how to do it. I'm all burned up... but she said that she wouldn't stop trying. That she'd find a way for us to be together. Then neither of us would be lonely." Nate swallowed the lump in his throat. Helgi yawned, then said softly. "Thank you for playing with me. It was a lot of fun. I'm tired now. I'm going to go to sleep for a while. Is that ok?" Nate nodded to her, watching Helgi smile before laying back down in her coffin. Nate put a hand on her coffin, whispering to her. "Rest in peace." Standing up onto his feet, Nate let out heavy sigh. Escher crossed his arms, stating out seriously. "Laelette was trying to turn her into a vampire and failed. She must have thought that if she could restore the body with necromancy that she could try again?" Behind them, Thonnir stormed over, interjecting in anger. "Laelette was no filthy necromancer! You should have asked that ghost for more information! Like whom it was that killed my wife! Who made her do such things!"

Escher looked at Thonnir to say something, until his eyes moved to the approaching torches coming up the road. Nate moved closer to Escher, thinking quickly on his feet. Pointing toward the approaching crowd, Nate told Thonnir in a firm confident voice. "You're right. Go inform them what has happened, and we'll look around for more information. We'll find who did this." Thonnir nodded with a stern expression, rushing to snatch up his torch before racing off to meet the crowd. Escher raised an eyebrow at Nate, who told him in a flat voice. "Don't look at me like that. We don't have time to fuck around with them. If word gets out, Alva will run. Come on." Nate patted Escher's chest, coaxing him to follow him to the other side of the graveyard. Swinging his legs over the low stone wall, Nate stared down at the steep hill that went down behind Helgi's house. It was a steep jump for a human. Nate thought he might be able to slide down to save himself from broken legs. Beside him, Escher jumped up onto the wall with a fearlessness and crouched like a gargoyle. Giving him a smirk, Escher teased out. "Are we in a hurry?" Nate glared at Escher, muttering out. "I'm sorry. Am I slowing you down? I'd like to have legs after this."

Escher snorted, hopping down onto the thin edge by Nate. Nate cringed, thinking the ledge would break off under too much weight. Taking his arm, Escher pulled him closer and told him seriously. "Hold onto me." Nate wrapped his arms around Escher's neck, whimpering as Escher hefted him up into his arms. Escher got a good grip on him, telling him swiftly. "Lock your jaw and brace for impact." Nate locked his jaw, then inhaled as Escher hopped off the edge. Escher hit the ground hard, sinking to a crouch briefly before straightening up. Nate felt the hard impact of Escher's landing and exhaled like he might throw up. Thanking Escher as he released his legs. Escher nodded, leading the way as he told him curtly. "You're welcome. Her house is this way." Nate rolled his shoulders, walking at a brisk pace to keep up with Escher. The town gave off a cozy feeling with only the warm lanterns shining above the doors of the homes. Passing the Jarl's keep, Escher hopped onto the wooden dock and led him passed the blacksmiths house. Approaching the first house, Escher quietly crept up the steps to stand close to the door as he listened.

Walking up the steps as quietly as he could, Nate asked him a little worried. "Escher? That old story about Vampires not being able to enter a home without an invitation. Is it true?" Escher rolled his eyes, stating out in a low register. "There are things that can keep us out. But we don't need an invitation to enter. I'm afraid I'm going in with you." Nate blushed lightly, feeling a rush of relief. He didn't want to go in alone. Drawing his sword, Nate nodded to Escher that he was ready. Escher nodded in return, then banged his fist on the sturdy iron lock, causing it to break like it was just made of glass. Shoving the door open, Escher stepped in first as a man yelled out. "Never should have come here!" The man swung an axe at Escher, who caught the man's wrist and squeezed it. The man groaned, sinking to his knees weakly. Escher stared down at the man with merciless eyes, ordering sternly. "Where is Alva?" Nate recognized the man as Hroggar and grabbed Escher's wrist to stop him from squeezing Hroggar's wrist. Hroggar looked up at Escher, snapping out. "Go to Helheim!" Escher growled, but Nate yanked the axe from Hroggar's hand before telling Escher in a stern voice. "Don't kill him. He's human. Leave him for the Jarl to deal with."

Escher shoved Hroggar away from them, informing Nate a bit coldly. "The Jarl won't do shit to him. He's just a human pet under her control." Nate looked to the stunned Hroggar now, mumbling out. "Are you sure about that? He seemed rational to me." Escher huffed, telling him flatly. "Trust me. He's being used to blend in. But he's just mindless cattle. His will his anything except his own. It's common practice among vampires." Escher looked around the house, then pointed to some stairs leading to the cellar by the fireplace. Leading the way down the steps, Escher tried the cellar door. When it didn't open, he kicked the door completely off the hinges. Nate cleared his throat nervously. He wasn't sure whether to be impressed or terrified by how strong Escher was. The cellar was large with tall iron candleholders at the four corners to provide the only light. In the center of the room laid a lightly worn wooden coffin. Escher gestured for Nate to stay in the doorway, moving closer to the coffin. Removing his wooden dagger, he grabbed the lid. Nate held his breath, gripping his sword tighter. Escher positioned himself to make a quick attack, then flipped the coffin lid open.

The lid clattered to the stony ground and Escher cursed loudly as they looked upon the empty coffin. Escher stepped back from the coffin, growling out angrily. "It's too late. She could be anywhere now." Nate moved closer to the coffin, looking over the silky plush interior. Escher exhaled darkly, muttering out. "I'm going to question her pet again. Maybe she said something before leaving..." Nate grabbed his arm to stop him, walking around him to stand by the coffin as something caught his eye. Escher asked what had him distracted and Nate picked up the small pillow inside the coffin. Grinning to himself, Nate removed a red leather bound journal and held it up for Escher to see. Escher blinked, saying curiously. "How did you know that was there?" Nate unbuckled the cover, honestly answering. "I didn't. I saw the corner peeking out from the side." Escher leaned down to rest his hands on the coffin's edge, shrugging out with an amused smirk. "You often look at women's beds?" Nate rolled his eyes, commenting a bit distracted. "I spend a lot of time in them. Sometimes you find things." Escher chuckled, blurting out. "Like what exactly?" Nate opened the cover to see a preserved nightshade flower, before informing him. "Like their diaries. Or smutty books that they don't want their husbands to know about."

Escher made a thoughtful expression that made Nate chuckle, before he started to read it to himself. After a minute, Escher anxiously asked him. "Well? Anything?" Nate raised a finger, turning the page as he finally said aloud. "I might have something. Listen to this. I met a man today when picking night flowers. He is exciting and exotic. We kissed in the moonlight. It was so romantic. I'm going to see him again tonight. For now, I understand the true colors of the night." Escher groaned a little, mumbling out. "Oh, please spare me this lovestruck drivel..." Nate smirked, softly relaying with a heavy heart. "It's not drivel to her. She meant them." Escher slowly lifted his head to meet Nate's eyes, responding in a slightly amused voice. "Oh? You empathize with her? Do your write soppy stuff like that about me?" Nate avoided the question by lowering his eyes back to the book to continue reading. "Movarth has shown me the true beauty that is the black of night and the sweet savory taste of blood that is as fresh as garden cherries in the spring. He has promised me love eternal if I do his bidding here in Morthal." Escher moved closer to him, practically hovering over his shoulder now, when he whispered to him off subject. "You didn't answer me. Do you write things like this about me?"

Gulping anxiously, Nate ignored him to read a little louder. "Movarth said I should find a protector. Someone to watch over my coffin during the daytime. Hroggar is perfect. He was easy to seduce away from his wife. It is hard to reign in my thirst. Though Hroggar helps take the edge off, I'm afraid of killing him. So, I plan to slowly weed out the women in this town. I'm starting with Laelette. I've asked her to be my handmaid. Laelette came to visit me tonight just like I wanted. She slaked my thirst completely. I've hidden her away for now and have come up with a genius plan. I shall use her to keep the heat off myself. She told her husband she was coming to see me. Now he suspects me. But my rumors that she's left to join the war effort have worked. Fools." Nate shivered feeling Escher's icy breath over his neck. As goosebumps rippled down his arms, Escher whispered into his ear more playfully. "You have, haven't you? Don't leave me in suspense. What did you write about me? Something smutty, I hope?" Nate's cheeks burned as he tried to ignore him, clearing his throat awkwardly to shakily rush as he read more aloud. "Movarth has finally confided his grand plan to me. I am to seduce the guardsmen one at a time and make them my slaves."

Escher licked up the vein along Nate's throat, causing Nate's breath to hitch. Leaning away a bit, Nate tried to steady himself as he turned the journal to capture more light to finish reading. "Then he and the others from the coven can descend upon Morthal to take the town. We are not to kill them. They are to become cattle for our thirst. An endless supply of blood. While living in a town run completely by vampires. As drifters come to town. Our empire will grow." Escher curled his fingers around Nate's arms, purring into his ear. "You're adorable when you are trying to ignore me. But I can smell the lust growing in your blood. Are you trying to hide because your blushing?" Nate cleared his throat louder, almost shouting as he read out to block him out. "Hroggar's family is becoming inconvenient. I told Laelette to make the death of Hroggar's family look like an accident. Hroggar must be seen as innocent if he is going to be my protector. That little fool! She burned his family alive! I asked for an accident and she gave me a scandal! To make matters worse, she tried to turn Helgi. Stupid Laelette couldn't even do THAT right. She drained the child and left the body to burn."

Escher kissed Nate's neck lovingly, stealing Nate's voice to become barely a whisper as he breathlessly read on. "Something is wrong with Laelette. She won't stop pestering me for a way to turn Helgi. Her obsession to be a mother is infuriating. I think her mind has completely snapped. She seems to think that Helgi can still be brought back and blames me for not taking her to Movarth for him to show her how. Things just keep getting worse. Hroggar tells me there is a stranger in town asking questions about the fire and I've caught the scent of another vampire here. A Volkihar! The damn fucker was even tailed by a vampire hunter! I must go to Movarth's Lair. A cave north of Morthal and warn him. But I must be careful... They are closing in and I need his help to fix this..." Slamming the journal closed, Nate turned his head to face Escher, blurting out a bit gruffly. "Did you get even a word of that?" Escher smiled wickedly, showing off his pearl white fangs as he whispered over his lips teasingly. "I was listening. I enjoy the sound of your voice. Especially, when you start talking faster the more nervous you get." Nate stared into Escher's eyes for a moment, before closing his eyes to kiss him. The kiss was tender and passionate. When Escher pulled away, Nate breathlessly admitted without meaning too. "I wrote a song about you."

Escher's expression turned into the most gorgeous smile that Nate had ever seen. The way his eyes seemed to light up made Nate blush harder. His cheeks were starting to hurt from blushing so much. Escher brushed Nate's bangs away from his eyes, telling him in a warm genuine voice. "I'd love to hear it sometime. No one has ever written anything about me..." Nate opened his mouth to say something, when the thundering of footsteps came from upstairs. The guards had arrived and were arresting Hroggar. To Be Continued...