Pamela, who now went exclusively by Ivy, stood atop the building she'd once called home, now a simple blood farm to feed her evolution. Humans, vampires, they were all merely fuel for her to achieve her true form. Any foolish enough to approach would quickly become part of her design.

With one exception. This one was special. Tempting, yes, but too precious to simply consume like the others. No, this one she would keep, she would cherish, she would have at her side when her evolution was complete. This one would get to share in the new world with her, to partake in the bounties of the reborn green.

She gazed at the city below, the soft red glow in her eyes flickering. "Look at them, sweetling." Ivy's voice was gentle. A vine coiled tenderly around her treasure's neck, caressing the spot just above the jugular. She hummed in satisfaction, feeling the beating of her treasure's heart. "Soon they will all be part of me. Of us."

Ivy smiled at her treasure, her white fangs glinting in the dark of night. "My precious rosebud," she whispered, leaning forward, letting the scent of blood fill her nostrils. This was the only one Ivy ever bit directly; the others she would drain using her vines. She drank only a little at a time, just enough to savor. "When the timing is right, you will bloom beautifully. But for now, only a taste..."