John walked into the night club, observing the press of bodies together. The music pounded out its dance beat, bare

skin was beaded with sweat as the bodies pressed together on the dance floor. The heat was oppressive and yet energizing as

the dancing, swaging, writhing bodies overrode the air conditioning. The sheep were advertising to the wolves, for John knew

that within club were vampires looking for their next meals.

John had been hunting vampires since he was thirteen when his parents started to train him to take over for them

when he was old enough. Mortals who hunted the monsters were rare and had very short life expediencies, at twenty-three

John was almost to the end of his. The monsters have all the advantages as they were faster, stronger and much harder to kill.

He’s been on his own since he turned sixteen, his parents killed on a hunt. John had gotten his revenge against the vampire

that did it, but that wasn’t enough and he continued to hunt forgoing any chance at a normal life. He had no plans of settling

down or training a new hunter to replace him as he wanted nothing to do with ruining some poor kid’s life. People were better

off not believing in the monsters. Ignorance is bliss as they say.

*******

Erica spotted John as soon as he walked into the dance club. He stood head and shoulders above the crowd placing

his height around six foot three or six foot six. He had a lean, athletic build like a swimmer with short raven’s wing black hair

and piercing sapphire blue eyes. He was dressed nicely in black linen slacks a black silk shirt; the belt and shoes were black

leather with silver buckle and accents. He wore a full length black leather duster that was accented in silver as well. If his

height and the clothing hadn’t made him stand out the look in his eyes would have.

Erica watched as he scanned the room, a predator on the hunt staring out of those dark eyes. When his gaze locked with her's

a jolt passed through her entire body causing her heart to beat and a flush to creep across her skin. What the hell was that she

thought, my heart doesn’t beat on its own? What is it about him that forced that reaction? She watched him as he traveled

through the room.

*******

As he swept the room quickly he locked eyes with the only woman he had ever thought of as beautiful and realized

that he was hard just from looking into her eyes. She wasn’t tall; he’d guess around 4’11 to 5’3 depending on her shoes that he

couldn’t see. She wore a body hugging dress in classic black, strapless and barely extending down to her mid-thigh. Her skin

was pale and practically glowed under the lights of the dance floor; her hair was a pale golden brown and her eyes were like

melted dark chocolate. He wanted nothing more than to cross the dance floor and speak with her. He stopped himself

immediately; he’d promised that he would not ruin anyone’s life by involving himself with them. Tearing his gaze away, John

proceeded to stalk though the room as he searched for the wolves among the sheep. His mind kept turning back to the

stunning young woman he spotted, the unearthly beauty she displayed was a common trait among the monsters, a way of

drawing the prey to them.

*******

Erica followed him around the room with her eyes even as she continued to dance, intent on picking up some “take

out” for the night. She needed to feed and to do so privately. She didn’t kill those she fed from, but it still couldn’t be properly

done in such a public setting. She wanted to walk up to the handsome predator but was wary of the intense reaction she had

to just looking into his eyes.

*******

As John continued around the room, moving closer to the angel he’d spotted on entry, he paid attention to all of those

around him. He had learned well how to spot the monsters among the crowd. Most of the monsters could hide their natures

but not what would show through their eyes. He had covered most of the room when he got close to the petite woman who

captivated his mind so easily and hadn’t spotted any vampires within the club.

*******

Erica walked over toward this handsome stranger as he drew closer, whatever it was he was different than most men. She

could hear his heart beating strong and steady and his even breathing. He smelled of soap and leather with a hint of something

else she wasn’t able to identify. His movements were smooth and confident. As she crossed the short distance between them

he turned to face her and once again their eyes met. She felt like a deer staring into an oncoming truck’s headlights with all she

saw in his eyes. His eyes showed the weight of his past in them, while she had no idea what had happened, his past had been

difficult.

*******

John was just turning to head for the doors and move on when he locked eyes with her again. The deep brown in

them had golden highlights that he could see now that they were close. She continued to approach him and while she was

petite he felt as though a freight train was barreling down the tracks towards him. She had the grace of a professional dancer,

ballet not exotic, as she took the last few steps towards him. She grabbed his hand in hers and started to drag him towards the

dance floor, “Hi, I’m Erica. And you are?”

*******

John let her pull him towards the dance floor as he looked her over from head to toe from behind. Erica as she said

her name was looked just as beautiful from any angle. Once she had him on the dance floor she turned back to face him and

began dancing, giving him an expectant look. That’s when he realized two important things; he immediately remembered to

start dancing with her and when the opportunity presented itself, her leaned in towards her ear and said, “Sorry, I’m John and

it’s a pleasure to meet you Erica.” The feel of her body pressed to his as they danced was exquisite. The heat radiating from

her was overwhelming his resistance and determination to not allow anyone to get close to him.