Music of Souls

"Sure, another round." When she returned with the drinks, Jackson made eye contact. "You are to go out back and wait for me and my friend; you will not be frightened."

Connor began to rub his temples as she turned away. "I can't believe this."

Jackson slapped his hand on the bar. "Better drink up, it's show time."

They made their way to the back of the bar where the bartender stood as if waiting for a bus. Jackson held her arms and locked his gaze. "My friend is going to drink your blood. It will not hurt. In fact it will be quite pleasant for you. When he is done, you will go back to work and forget all about us." He stepped away and held his hand out. "She's all yours."

Connor approached; Jackson could see he was swallowing venom and his fangs were emerging. He stood motionless for a while and when Jackson was about to say, "What are you waiting for?" Connor turned away, disgusted.

"Get her out of here. I can't do this."

Jackson stood dumbstruck; amazed the newborn possessed such control. He regained his composure, leveled his eyes on the girl and said, "You can go now." He turned back to Connor. "That was pretty freaking amazing. How did you do it?"

"I thought of Sarah… I couldn't do that to her. It's just not right. I'll be fine with bottled blood."

"Well, I give you a lot of credit. You are a better man than I."

"What do you mean? You can't even feed on Elisabeth and you're still not hunting."

"Yes, but I have had a hundred and fifty-eight years to sow my wild oats."

"And if you had met her all those years ago, do you think you would have?"

Jackson stared straight ahead for a moment. "Hmm, that's a damn good question."

When they returned home, the women were enjoying glasses of wine. Connor rushed straight to the blood fridge. Sarah ran to him. "Are you okay?"

"Fine."

She turned to Jackson. "How'd it go?"

"It didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I hand delivered a lovely lass to him, and he turned her down flat."

"What? Why?"

Jackson pinched her cheek and hummed, "Apparently your happiness is more important to him than his own."

Sarah fell into Connor's arms. "Oh, I love you so!"

Jackson walked Elisabeth to her car after his birthday dinner. He held her around her waist. "I hate to admit it, but I'm kind of bummed that you're leaving me on my birthday."

She touched his face with the back of her hand. "I know, me too. I'll make it up to you later."