Urges

Anton Shudder rapped gently on the wooden door of Room 17 as he always did at 7 o'clock each morning.

"Caelan," he called hesitantly. He unbolted the door's three bolts and unlocked it with his key. He waited for the vampire to open the door himself, and after a moment Caelan pulled the door open slowly.

"Hi," he greeted awkwardly. "Was I, um, abnormally loud last night?"

Anton hesitated a little, but then nodded. "Yes Caelan. You were, actually."

"How loud?"

"Well, you know the way all sounds from inside the rom are, you know, supposed to remain inside the room?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I was watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show in my private quarters and I was still able to hear your screaming over it."

If Caelan could have blushed he would have. His gaze fell to the floor.

"Were you, um..." Anton began to ask, quite awkwardly. "Hungry?"

Caelan sighed. "In a matter of speaking."

"Because really, I can alter your menu if you like..."

"No, Mr Shudder," Caelan cut in, eyes squeezed shut. "It's not...FOOD that I'm hungry for, it's..."

He didn't go on but Anton understood. "Oh," he said.

"Yeah."

"I see."

"Yes."

"So...who is she?"

"Just a woman," Caelan said with a shrug. Anton frowned.

"It's not...it's not Valkyrie Cain, is it?"

Caelan was silent then looked at Anton. "You're, um, friends with Skulduggery, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then no," Caelan replied, shaking his head vigourously. "No, it's not."

"Right," Anton said slowly. There was a moment of silence.

"Do you," he began, "What to talk about...her?"

"Yes!" Caelan sobbed suddenly, yanking Anton inside the bedroom and shutting the door.

"She's amazing!" Caelan sobbed in agony, hugging a pillow to his chest.

Anton shifted uncomfortably on the broken bed. "Right."

"She's adorable," the vampire continued, "But strong. And intelligent. And funny. But she doesn't want me! I can't stand being this upset about this, but I just can't help it. I've never felt this way before!"

He flung the pillow at a wall and scowled. "I'm as bad as Edward fucking Cullen with all this angst!"

Anton blinked. "Well Caelan, I feel for you. I really do. You...really seem to want this girl."

Caelan glared at him.

"Woman," Anton corrected quickly. Caelan sighed.

"Yes," he said simpy and softly. He moved closer to Anton, making the hotel owner back up to the headboard slightly. "You see...I'm split in two. See, PART of me, is totally, irrevocably in love with her, so much that I can hardly stand it..."

Anton decided not to mention that he was quoting slightly from Twilight.

"And another part of me, a...a weaker but scarier part want's to... drink from her!"

Anton stared in horror as the vampire perched on the bed, lost in his own thoughts, licking his lips.

"Okay," Anton squeaked, rising slowly. "I'm, um, going to get you some breakfast..."

And Anton Shudder bolted to the door, yanked it open and ran down the hall.

A/N: Ah, scary thoughts, scary thoughts. Next chapter: are you wondering what ever happened to Solomon after Mortal Coil? Prepare to find out!