Why Colin?” I ask Aaron. I can’t not ask it. Maybe it’s my nerves or maybe it’s the silence. I am sorry that he starts awake.

“I like him.” He grins. “You have to admit he has a very cute arse.”

I sigh. “Why not me? Or Max?”

Aaron turns his head and looks at me. “I don’t know much about what is going on, but I have read enough paranormal horror to know that there is always a connection between the vampire and victim.”

“We are not…”

He holds a hand out to stop me. “Maybe not, but it’s all I had for a reference.” He then gives a smug grin. “I was right too.”

I sigh. “Why not connect with me or Max then?”

“Because you are already connected and I find you attractive. It could get… complicated.”

I guess I can understand that. But I wish he…

Aaron grins at Conor. He’s not big for a five year old, but he is smart. In fact he is acting far more grown up than I thought he would. And there is no sign of trauma. I open my mouth to say something, but Max takes my arm and gives it a squeeze. He holds me back as the others leave the hangar.

When we are alone he turns me toward him. “Leave it.”

“What?” I say. I have an idea that he has been thinking the same as me.

“Conor…” Yep, he has.

“He should be acting… differently.”

“But he isn’t, and at the moment that is working in our favour. If we are still here…”

“I know,” I interrupt. “I’m just not sure if it healthy.”

“He is changing.”

I wince. Would Mel forgive me for turning her son into a monster? She wanted him alive but…

Max quickly gets to his feet and starts to move to the back of the hangar. I’m not sure why but I don’t follow. Instead, I fall to my knees next to Aaron. His eyes have become a little dull and I can hear that his heartbeat has sped up. I think he is actually dying. Max is suddenly back and in his hand is a syringe. He positions it above his own arm.

“Let me,” I say. I’m shocked I spoke. I look at him with wide eyes. I want to give my blood? I don’t understand where that came from.

“No,” Max says and he gives me a hard look. Aaron reaches out a hand and grasps my wrist.

“Not you,” he wheezes. His colour has gone very grey. He looks at Max. “Or you.” He shifts his eyes to Colin who is standing with Conor. “Him.”

I…

Conor looks at me. “Is that a gun?”

I nod. “But it is empty.”

I start to scan the horizon but I can see nothing except the hanger. I look at Max and he gives a quick nod.

“I’ll go first,” Colin says.

Max hands Conor to me and whispers in my ear to say back. My face wrinkles at that. I have no wish to be the one at the back, but then someone must look after Conor. The kid waits until Max and Colin are a distance away before he starts to wriggle.

“What?” I ask.

“I want to walk,” he says.

“Are you feeling okay?”

He nods. I must admit he isn’t hot and his eyes are clear. Slowly I put him on the ground and he gives a smile. We start to walk toward the hangar. Conor picks up his pace and is jogging.

“Bitsy,” he…