Forty-Four Part 2

Short chapter. Enjoy!

The days of a single bite were gone.

As technology and research flourished through the community they studied the strain and figures out ways to lace it more seamlessly into human DNA. Human DNA. Attempts at creating hybrids had occurred several times resulting in blood thirsty creatures that were almost instantly disposed of. Tanner pulled a few favors, purchasing a DNA-PAC from a puzzled old friend. "That's live Tanner. Be careful."

Illegal turns happened all the time but the Empire tried to cut down on the distribution of PACS as a way to reduce the chances. Returning home with the case securely beside him left feeling nervous for the very first time. He hadn't turned anyone for centuries but he could still remember the pain.

What a way to begin a new existence, feeling every part of you torn to shreds and reassembled. The idea of putting someone be loved through that kind of pain was off turning but losing them forever was unbearable. He didn't make a habit of breaking laws punishable by death so he hastened inside where an equally distraught Sven was caught between wanting to flee the entire situation or make Tanner see reason. "If you want to walk away, I won't blame you." Tanner let him know grimly as he laid the case on the table.

"I can't just walk away from you doing something so..." stupid wasn't the right word because it was a logical response. "Reckless."

"Recklessness aside, I cannot live knowing the boy lost his life too early."

"Weres die Tanner--Hybrids are illegal for a reason." Sven's voice shook. They were doing the unthinkable and Tanner couldn't be swayed. "No will be able to control him."

"I will." Tanner replied hollowly. "He'll listen to me."

But he had no way of knowing what little Luca would be without a soul, a thirst for blood and flesh, and incredible strength. "He won't be yours anymore Tanner." breathed Sven. "If he lives, he will change. Just like we changed."

"That's a risk I'm prepared to take. I'll give one more chance at freedom from all of this. Leave and I will swear to the Empire you knew nothing of this."

Moisture gathered his Sven's eyes as the last few months swept past him. He loved little Luca and of course he loved Tanner but he couldn't commit to a life of secrecy, waiting for a stake. That wasn't fair. "Be safe Tanner. I will keep you both in my heart always."

His departure had always loomed in the horizon but Tanner was still grossly unprepared. He was losing the one constant in his life and for once he was truly speechless. Once Sven realized Tanner wouldn't respond he gathered his bag and showed the keys to a black car he had favored. Tanner nodded ever so slightly in permission and just like that, Sven was gone.

•••

Tanner sat unmoving for two days in the same chair.

He listened to a change he couldn't bear to see while he mourned the loss of a lover and a friend. Griffin texted him twice, unaware, and took him ignoring personally. Screams, crying, snarling noises of a rabid animal, seeped under the door as Luca changed.

The sound of furniture over turning disturbed the silent house. Staff members avoided the area, no one daring to inquire what it was or where Sven had gone. It was mid afternoon when the sounds stopped. Tanner felt weighed with dread as he slowly gathered to his feet.

His chest ached for blood as the days of starvation hit him. His body had gone dormant in his anguish and now as he took a deep breath, pushed open the door.

Toys were broken and scattered among pieces of stuffed animals and filling. The mattress sloped up against the wall the frame broken to pieces with chunks torn from the woods. The most disturbing of all were the claw marks, far larger than little Luca's paws had been. Tanner swallowed dryly as the strange smell of something not quite a vampire or a werewolf filled his senses. "Luca?"

A scraping sound from the closet set his one end. His body grew defensive, naturally, against the perceived threat. His canine's grew down as every cell in his body told him to turn around. But he slowly prowled toward the closet door regardless. He didn't know what to expect to find in the closet but he knew that it wouldn't be Luca.