Savannah held the falcon egg in her hand, kneeling on the grass of the grove. Her ranger mentor stood over her, talking softly as the egg hatched in her hand. He helped her to feed the small falcon by hand, and she spoke softly to it, marveling at the tiny perfection of it and the feelings she felt from it.
"It's called 'empathy' Savannah." Joffrey spoke softly in response to the look on her features. "In your case, animal empathy. It is the gift that makes you what you are, a beast lord. In the future you might develop the gift of animal mindspeech, and if you do, you will be an excellent spy for the crown."
"Joffrey," Savannah spoke softly, stroking the tiny falcon with one finger, "Do rangers have a similiar ability? My Father was a ranger."
"Some do. No doubt it's where your own gift came from, child." Joffrey stroked Savannah's hair back, and recoiled when he saw the visible vampire mark on her neck, "Savannah." He spoke sternly.
"I know. I.. Joffrey, it's a long story. I left New Tunaria because a vampire had seduced and turned my sister. I ran from there rather than be his target. He found me the other night in Antonica. He.. he pulled me into his body and told me that if he was a monster he would just take me. Instead he did this. He made me -enjoy- it. I struggled, Joffrey, I plunged my best dagger into his heart."
"Did he, did he force himself..." Savannah shook her head a bit, "Nay, child, did he give you his blood?" Savannah's purple eyes met Joffrey's, "No. He didn't. He wanted me to ask him for it. I ran. He wants me to want him, and I don't. He took my Sister from me, Joff."
Joffrey watched Savannah silently as she spoke, hugging the falcon to her. "And what if this vampire doesn't get what he wants, Savannah? What happens then?"
Savannah looked into the distance for a moment, "I'll kill him before I let him turn me, Joff." Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"Nay, Lass. If he doesn't get you, would he go after your younger sisters?" Savannah blanched. "I... I'd rather give him me than let him take the girls. Emilie and Amalie... And Henson..."
Joff stroked Savannah's hair again, "I'll aid you in the death of that bloodsucker rather than see you get hurt, but child.... you need to decide what you want. You know he's messing with you, because that's what vampires do. It's all they have left. And you, Lass. You are his obsession."