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He stands in the deep shadows of her room. It's midnight. Surely, she must be coming home anytime. A car door slams. He doesn't move, but his thoughts run wild.
She's home. Will this be the night that she notices me? Feels my presence in her room? If she does, will she scream? Or greet me like the would-be loving father I was?
The voices in the hall signal her coming closer. A male's voice says something; she laughs as she opens her door. She stands, talking and smiling to the young man. Her fathers dark eyes glower to the young man. He must be her boyfriend. He furiously yells at him, telepathically. Leave! Leave her! Leave me! Get out of this house!
The boy friend nods, kisses her, and leaves. Struck by a sudden vague feeling that perhaps he should leave.
She shuts her door, leans against it quietly with her eyes closed for a moment. She slowly changes into her night clothes.
Fascinated, he watches her. She doesn't know the attraction she is causing him. She cuts out the light, climbs into her bed, and falls asleep.
He makes his move. From the shadows, he approaches her bed. He hears the slow thud of her heart, the gentle flow of her breathing. The sounds were so inviting, so childlike, they made him pause and shudder.
Moving closer, unsure of his thoughts, he froze. His daughter lay there. She was only eighteen, but still his baby. So trusting, so peaceful. He could take her now, make her his in more ways than one. But she was his human flesh! He couldn't change her, any more than he could be come her lover. It was so very wrong!
Reaching her bed, he ran a cold, dead hand across her cheek. He wouldn't take her. He'd not take her life away. Not yet.
Leaning closer, careful not to let his sharp fangs scratch her, he kissed her cheek. His nose caught the scent of her skin: rose petals, body soap and something familial. Something old, timeless.
He rose in horror. Preparing to leave, he crossed over to her window. He looked back sadly. She isn't pure; she's supposed to be undesirable. Why do I still want her? He though softly back at her. Sleep Mai, have no fear. You're safe for another night. But keep in mind: Someday, I will make you mine. I will have you.