Jessica finds a routine (2)

Jessica dresses in a silk robe, enjoying the warmth coursing through her veins after her meal. She looks at the angelic sleeping twins on her bed and smiles. Jessica exits her room and walks down the hallway. The door to Jenna's room is open, and she decides to peek in.

A naked woman hangs from Jenna's ceiling, her hands bound above her head and her mouth gagged. She is struggling, tears streaming out of her eyes. Not enthralled, Jessica notes disdainfully.

Jenna is also naked, and is biting into the woman's breast. Jenna will feed for a few moments, withdraw, lick the wound, and then strike again. The woman's breasts are covered in bite marks. Every time Jenna bites down, the captive screams louder. Jenna shudders and keeps walking.

Jessica sits in the study, reading a newspaper. War. Genocide. Epidemics. Ecological collapse. The humans can be so foolish Jessica thinks. As she reads, she sips lazily at the wrist of a thrall standing in front of her.

Jenna strides into the study. She is wearing a silk robe but hasn't bothered to wash the blood off her face. "Can I join you, Jessica?" Jenna asks.

"Of course" Jessica replies. Jenna walks over to Jessica, because over, and kisses Jessica on the mouth, stroking Jessica's throat. Jessica tastes the blood on Jenna's lips. Jessica is surprised at the affection, and drops the newspaper.

"What's this for?" Jessica asks.

Jenna straddles Jessica in the chair, kissing her deeply. Jenna's robe falls open, and Jessica begins kissing her breasts. Jessica runs her hands over Jenna's back and butt. Jenna's head rolls back, eyes closed.

"I miss this, Jessica. We never feed together anymore. I want to hunt with you" Jenna says softly, the emotion clear in her voice.

Jessica sits back in her chair. "Jenna, I think it's for the best that we feed separately" Jessica says wearily.

"Fine" Jenna says, her annoyance evident. She gets off of Jessica and grabs the thrall by the back of the neck, biting into her shoulder violently. The thrall let's out a quick scream but then is silent. Jessica can hear Jenna gulping, and frowns. Slow down, sister. The girl passes out and Jenna drops her, walking to sit in a chair on the other side of the room. Jenna and Jessica look at one another, each trying to understand the other.

Vanessa enters the study and bows her head slightly. "Mistress Jessica, Mistress Jenna. Elizabeth would like to speak with you. The video call is ready" Vanessa says plainly.

What does Elizabeth want? Jessica wonders. She has an idea of what Elizabeth will ask about. She tries to interact with Elizabeth as rarely as possible.

Vanessa opens sliding wooden doors behind the desk to reveal a large video monitor. The sisters stand in front of the desk, as Vanessa connects the video feed. The video goes from black to a view inside Elizabeth's office. She is sitting at her desk. A naked young woman is lying across her desk. Jessica sees blood seeping out of a wound on her inner thigh, and some blood on the corners of Elizabeth's mouth.

"Good evening, ladies. How are you?" Elizabeth asks.

"We are very well, thank you Elizabeth" Jenna says, her robe still open, blood dripping from her chin to her breasts.

"I see you've been having some fun, Jenna" Elizabeth laughs. Jenna blushes.

Elizabeth's friendly demeanor changes in an instant. "Ladies, Vanessa has told me that you have failed to bring any women into our sisterhood, after all these months. Were my instructions unclear somehow?" Elizabeth asks angrily. The sisters are silent. "Well?" Elizabeth says impatiently.

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. We are having trouble finding suitable candidates" Jessica lies. She knows it's weak, and that Elizabeth will know.

"Vanessa has identified excellent candidates. You are to start turning them immediately. Tonight. Am I being clear?" Elizabeth asks.

"Yes" both sisters say.

"Excellent. I look forward to meeting my grandchildren on our next call" Elizabeth says, terminating the call.

Jenna, Jessica and Vanessa sit around a table in the kitchen reviewing folders that Vanessa and her staff have prepared.

Jenna is brimming with excitement, but Jessica is more subdued, wary of creating new vampires. Keeping an eye on Jenna is enough work, let alone more newborns.

• Charlotte Knight, age 37, unmarried. History professor specializing in the occult.
• Penelope Diaz, age 29, married. Biomedical post doc, specializing in blood diseases.
• Sophia Meadows, age 34, unmarried. A madame at a high end brothel.
• Jane Nixon, age 26, unmarried. Police officer, corrupt.
• Claire Rosenberg, age 18, unmarried. Potential serial killer.

The sisters make choice, and set out to hunt together for the first time in months.