A week after arriving back at the apartment, Zenia came to visit. Some time before the raid she and Brendan danced between the sheets and a couple of days post battle she found out she was pregnant. We spent most of the time while Carmen was taking a nap talking about raising our own.

"I totally didn't see that coming," Zenia said after placing her glass of water on the table.

"I did. I mean, I was about to pass it off to some other, random human. With her gone for a couple of hours and not returning before the wedding started, it was a clear sign that she would be dead. Or Remi picked up on our conversation and put two and two together that we're close."

Zenia stroked my arm. "It's good both of you are alive. How many have you turned now? Second one?"

"Third, actually. Technically, it's two but I'm counting that failed attempt as my second."

"Still more than me. To be honest, I wish I could turn someone instead." She rubbed her belly. "Who knows how long until this one comes out. I could ask a witch to get me some herbs or mix me an elixir of some sort, but I don't know how that would affect the baby. There's a good chance he or she will be dhampir."

"What makes you suspect that? Brendan's basically human with magical tattoos and a piece of wolf fur."

"That's exactly it. He won't pass down any wolf shape-changing abilities, but his first change made him different so he'll pass on something. It'll definitely affect the little one's awakening when the time comes." She shifted a bit then winced.

"Your shoulder?"

She shook her head yes. "It took a beating in the fight. Say, you're not looking well yourself. Perhaps you should hire someone to feed Carmen."

"I can handle it. Draven is on the lookout for blood sources. I gorge on whatever he brings me. A whole human should last me at least four days, but with losing a lot of my own just nursing her it's almost half that. A couple more weeks and no more nursing."

"You're not considering having a partner in this relationship? There's Donnie—"

"I've raised my first one without any help from a partner. I'm aware it's less tiring but I'm still here, aren't I?"

Zenia chuckled. "You're strong. Definitely got to be that when you're raising one on your own. There is one thing that has been bothering me: how were you able to cross the River?"

I smiled. "How do you cross an ocean?"

"That's easy! I either fly over it or ride on a giant boat."

And then a light bulb lit up over her head. Literally. Draven appeared in a poof and announced, "You have some visitors, Mistress. You instructed me not to have anyone disturb you while Lady Zenia is here."

"Let them in. James and Max want to check on Carmen. They sent a text earlier saying they would come around now."

Draven vanished and went to admit the guys into the building. With him away, Zenia asked, "So basically, you rode in the same boat as the ferryman? What other boat was there?"

"Driftwood. I couldn't make a raft to save my life, so I asked if I can ride in the boat. After a trip across and back, I got immunity from crossing running water though he told me I would receive more than just that. Haven't figured out what that is yet, but I assume they're kickass. Doubt flying's one of them"

"You'll learn to fly one day. I'll miss changing into a flock of bats in my current state, but hopefully I'll take your advice for my little one."

"Yeah, I don't see me changing into anything that separates in my future."

We sat in silence until Draven let in not only James and Max but Donnie as well. I wasn't expecting him since he was still on tour with the Boys, but he had some time off and had to pick up more ink from Talia.

"Oh hey there! Forgive me if I don't stand up," I greeted as I attempted to lift myself from the couch.

"You don't need to," James said as he took his shoes off. "We stopped by the butcher and got something for you."

Max approached us with a cooler pack and inside it were containers of blood and raw meat. Immediately I took one of the blood containers and chugged it down.

"I think you should save some of that for C—" Max suggested as he was about to close the pack but I hissed at him. I didn't care if it was shitty butcher shop blood as I needed the energy boost.

"Or I can leave the stuff here."

James sat on the couch across with Max next to him. And then I remembered Donnie was still in the hallway. "You can come in, you know."

As Donnie entered James asked, "She's resting, isn't she?"

"Yep. She came out of her coma quick and the changes she's going through are a drain. We could've stayed longer at the castle and use their resources, but I really wanted to get out of there."

James looked inside the cooler and noticed a container gone. "Hmm ... should've stopped by the other shop to pick up more."

"If we did, we wouldn't arrive here on time," Max pointed out.

"I'm sure I'll get more somehow. Draven's been useful, and you were right about familiars, Jimi. And Max, you'll probably have to run errands for Carmen anyway, if Dr. Black needs anything or if she needs any books from the library."

"That's right! We both have to make presentations soon."

Donnie sat between Zenia and me and we both inched away. "What? I took a shower."

"I just like my space and so does Zenia. Anyway, were you serious about making me queen of some non-existent place?"

He sighed as he took a cigarette pack out of his pocket and placed one cigarette in his mouth. He was about to light it up but I waved my hand no. Instead, he held the cigarette between his fingers and answered, "At first it was just to reason with King Zemlich, him being one for the 'old ways'. I could've said that you were with me and I was someone important from the Mesopotamian clans but he'd take belligerent action. To be quite honest, I'm jealous that I didn't get to Carmen first. If I did, you'd be forced into the marriage and with your friends and allies you would've lost. You should keep the title though."

"Yeah, I don't want to get involved with vampire politics, thank you very much." I reached into the cooler to take out another jug of blood. "Though on the plus side, if I create my own kingdom there's no need to fight over the throne. Then again, if another clan wants to annex, I don't have an army to defend."

"All the great kingdoms out there started small. Yours can be this neighbourhood block and you can build from there." Donnie pretended to take a puff and continued, "I can't force you to take on this role, and neither should anyone else. You of all reminded me of that."

"I personally would love to join your kingdom, provided that I'm not used as food," Max said. "However, I think your priority should be taking care of Carmen. I read in a book on vampire psychology that sires should spend time with their newbie. It's supposed to prevent them from going on rampages or suicidal emos."

"I'm aware of that but thanks. Carmen's spent her time around one already so she knows what's ahead of her. Also how were you able to get a book on vampire psychology? They're not sold to humans, not even on the internet"

Max blushed a little and twirled his index fingers. "One of the instructors at the university gave it to me in exchange for pints of my blood. I'm not sure if I should feel bad or lucky, but he got staked after my first payment and I kept the book with me."

"Next time you want an academic text, I think Zenia might know vamp or two. Your grand uncle still writes books, does he?"

"He hasn't written anything recent, but he's nearly been killed after some hunters obtained a copy of his book. I don't think he's too trusting of giving any away." She eyed my half-emptied jug and I handed it to her.

"I understand why these things aren't sold to just anyone," Max commented.

"If you do start up your own clan, I'd like to join," James offered. "I met up with, oh what was her name again, Zora?"

"Zora Zdravkovna? I know her. She's been my teacher before my awakening."

"She looks sexy for her age I'll say. I told her what happened to you and she's glad you're safe and passes on her regards. She's served your clan for three generations at least. Upon meeting her I thought to myself, 'If Lena's clan has a witch with one hand, why not one with no legs?' You follow?"

"You mean I can talk to you if I have problems?"

"I'm not a trained shrink. If it's something you can solve yourself, I'll charge you. Also, it can't interfere with my business so consider me a part-time adviser."

"Wow, I don't know what to say. This kingdom stuff is too much for me with the single vampire mom thing."

"Kingdom or not, Lena, you have at least someone or something looking out for you." Zenia stood up and stretched. "I'd love to stay longer but I'm going to head back to my hotel room." She took her phone and called for a taxi just as she left the flat.

The moment Zenia left Carmen sluggishly walked out of her bedroom. She looked at us and yawned, "Oh hey there." She was deathly pale, but that was expected the first few months after waking up from a death-like state. And from not being outside in the sun.

"How have you been, Carmen?" Max asked.

She groaned. "Like I have the fucking flu. I'm freezing one minute and burning the next. The only thing I can pretty much eat is chicken noodle soup."

Donnie nodded. "Yeah I feel you. It's been a long time since I had it, but medical advancements have gone a long way since that. Not so much for vampire medicine though."

"Mmm." She put a hand to her face and rubbed her forehead. "Just a couple more months until I can go about my normal routines. Fuck I'm hungry."

"I could order some pizza," Max suggested.

"She's not that hungry, Max," James said as he was checking his texts. "And you probably don't want to stay for this next bit."

Donnie moved aside as Carmen sat next to me. As she positioned herself on my lap I nicked my wrist and once the blood was flowing, she grabbed my arm and sucked from me like a leech. Just as James had predicted Max was a little uncomfortable watching. Nearly threw up I must say. This was real life and not something from a movie or a book.

"I think I'll head over to Talia's for a drink," Max proposed. "Anyone care to join me?"

"I'm down." James stood up and placed his phone in a pocket. "I'm meeting someone there anyway."

"I might as well stay there for a drink too. The Boys expect me to return with the ink tomorrow so I can't stay long."

"What about you two?" Max asked. "Will you be joining us?"

"Maybe later. Carmen I'm not so sure of." The thing with newborn vampires is that like a newborn baby their initial source of nutrients is breast milk. For vampires it's the blood of the one who turned them. If I had a partner he or she would help out in the feeding. Once she has her own fangs, she's about ready to drink from other sources, which I hope was soon.

"If I don't see you there, I'll hope to visit sometime soon," Donnie said as he stood up.

"Yeah I wouldn't bet on that."

"What? You're not happy to have me around?"

"It's not that. It's her, when she gets to the angry angsty stage. You did leave a bad impression on her."

"Oh, right. I'll hope to visit before then."

The guys left and I got stuck with the leech, I mean Carmen. She's been holding on and isn't too upset that she made the decision, but dislikes that she has to leech off me. She does miss going out to parties and I do think a little socializing might help her get back on her feet. After she finished her dosage, she asked, "I want to go out. Talia's having karaoke and I'd like to sing 'Hungry Like the Wolf.'"

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather do it here?"

"Lena, it's the end of the episode, we always end it at the bar. I also like to show Annalisa a thing or two."

"Well, in that case, let's go for a pint." I place my hand over my wrist and tried to stand up but nearly lost my balance so I sat back down. "I think I'll be needing some help."

Suddenly I was propped up by Draven, who was still in the room. "Mistress, you should rest some more. I can go with Mistress Carmen instead."

Carmen looked at both me and Draven. "I'm not going alone with him."

"Nor would I let you. Just let me get my coat and I'm good."

"As you wish Mistress." He disappeared and the moment he did, I fell back to the couch.

Before I could get up again, Carmen walked over and stood in front of me. "We're staying home." Within seconds of saying that she passed out on top of me. Yep, this was my life now.

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For those that have made it to the end you're awesome! And also this closes up season 1. I'll address things in further detail in a separate not regarding the future of this.

And if you hadn't noticed I've been making some changes to Episode 1, based on suggestions from other people. Hopefully they (the changes) didn't mess things up.

Song featured: "Renegades" by X Ambassadors