A Simple Hunt, Part IV
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
The man swayed unsteadily from the blood loss, and she clung to him as he staggered backwards, leaping free just before he dropped to the floor. Creide slowly turned to face the others, licking her fangs with delight at their horror-stricken expressions. She took a step and they shied, backing away from her. Cold laughter filled the room and she shook her head mockingly. "What, too scared to run? Or simply too stupid? Even more primitive animals know to run from a predator."
Taking the cue, half of them bolted for the door, straining madly at the handle. She snickered. "Oh yes, I failed to mention that we are all trapped here together. Bit crowded though, might have to thin the herd a bit." Stepping over the corpse, the vampiress watched as two of the men and one woman pulled out knives. The corners of her mouth twitched upward; a rather interesting development.
The first challenger attacked, brandishing his short blade as if it were a sword. Creide moved quickly, swerving to avoid the knife as she stepped in close and grabbed his arm, using her formidable strength to turn it back on him and drive the blade home in his gut. He shrieked, the sound piercing torture to her sensitive hearing. She hissed nastily, lashing out with a well-aimed thrust that shattered his nose. Shards of splintered bone entered his brain and silencing him forever.
As the ringing in her ears dulled to a roar the vampiress felt a sharp pain in her arm, followed by a second on her back. The other armed humans were attacking in tandem, stabbing and hacking. By the time she was able to break free completely, Creide was bleeding from half a dozen small wounds. Her eyes narrowed as the decision was made. The male would have to go first-- his longer reach had inflicted most of the cuts. She looked around and began edging away, shifting her eyes warily as if searching for an escape.
The foolish man fell for the act, pressing what he thought of as his advantage. The smaller female followed suit, hopping forward now and again to jab at her. The vampiress continued moving until her back was against the bar then snatched up a stool, throwing it at her pursuers. They narrowly dodged it and moved in closer, feeling a burst of confidence at her seeming desperation. Their progress halted suddenly as the vampiress reached behind her with a sudden smile.
Creide slowly lifted her hidden hand, showing a heavy glass bottle clenched tightly in her fist. With a single fluid motion she smashed the bottom on the edge of the bar and hefted her new weapon, already lunging toward them. The woman quickly moved out of range, but the man never had a chance. An upward thrust drove the jagged glass into his throat even as he tried to move away. She quickly sidestepped the falling body, feeling no need to sully her clothes more than necessary.
Looking around, she found herself alone. The woman had dropped her knife and was pounding futilely on the door, screaming at the top of her lungs. The remainder of the humans were huddled together, locked in various stages of terror. Creide sighed irritably and dropped the bottle, bored with their sobs and pathetic whimpers. She drew the knife from her belt and began slitting throats neatly and systematically, muttering irritably all the while. "Cattle, bloody cattle. At least fight, damn you." Yet even the woman who had shown a will to live earlier went without resistance.
Somehow the evening was not shaping up to be as much fun as she had imagined. Picking up a bottle of vodka and taking a couple of swigs, the vampiress lowered her head in frustration. She wondered how shedding so much blood could be so boring then shrugged, yawning as she looked at the swiftly healing cuts on her body then applied her full attention to scrubbing at a speck of blood on her shirt. When she was content with her efforts, Creide decided it was time to go find something better to do, such as hunting out of doors where the sport was better.
She knocked on the door, using a series of sharp raps. There was no response. Frowning, she tried again, harder. Silence from outside. The vampiress took a deep breath, plotting a rather nasty surprise for the doorman and thinking humorously about escape via the glass wall. As she raised her hand to knock yet again the door suddenly flew open, knocking her aside and banging against the wall. A figure stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the bright hall light.
Her brows drew together as she studied the newcomer. He was stocky, perhaps average height... and moving boldy into the room. As the man-- for a man he was and not of her own kind-- stepped into the light Creide read his expression. Determination of a grim sort and eyes that had plainly looked Death in the face at least once. He was clearly a soldier, but not one of the so-called Hunters who plagued the city like mongrel dogs. No, this human had a more intelligent look about him.
"I bid you good evening, Lady." The voice was clear and deep, the words polite and meaningless. Even as he spoke he drew a short sword, readying himself. The human took up a defensive stance then looked at her, seeming surprised that she had not moved. "Will you not engage me? I have come for that purpose."
Creide gazed at him expressionlessly. "I... bid you nothing but farewell. Arrogant humans who seek death are no fun to kill." She drew herself up and took a step toward him. He did not move and she continued, moving past him on her way out. As she reached the door his gleaming steel blade swung down into her path, missing her by a hair. She snarled a warning. "Put your toy sword away; I will not allow you to keep me here."
Her statement was met with a deep chuckle of amusement, but his next words were said with a malicious intent even Creide could not ignore. "Yet neither can I allow you to leave."
A Simple Hunt, Part III
Monday, June 26, 2006
The group of humans found themselves blacklisted from every club on the street, even those less discriminating. Just as they were frustrated to the point of leaving the area, Creide moved in. Her childlike face with its wide brown eyes radiated kindness and warmth as she murmured comforting words and offered her assistance. Yes, she had seen their plight and knew firsthand how hard it was to break into the club scene get in the first time. She would be more than happy to help them, introduce them around the way some kindly soul once did her-- in exchange for a little company. They would be her special guests.
They fell for it as humans always did, even in the city of pure evil where they no doubt imagining themselves taking full advantage of her kindness and apparent naivete. Still beaming beneficently, the petite vampiress led her newfound "friends" back to her favorite club, where she made a great show of whispering conspiratorily with the bouncer. He frowned dismally but waved the young humans by.
Creide grinned victoriously and led the way, moving between the two foremost in the group and slipping her arms through theirs. Once inside they walked down a hallway before turning a corner and being blasted with wildly swinging lasers. They stood a moment, allowing their eyes to adjust to the dark, smokey room full of gyrating dancers, then moved toward the bar.
"Hey, hold up!" Creide shouted above the driving thud of the music, shaking her head and nodding toward a spiral staircase. "Self-service upstairs." She released her companions' arms and quickly led the way to the top, where another bouncer met them. At the top of the stairs, another bouncer greeted them. His expression never changed but there was a flicker of recognition followed by a pointed nod in the direction of one of the many private rooms.
Feeling a newfound confidence in getting so far, the young humans eagerly moved into the room, impressed by the large plate glass window overlooking the first floor. They peered down at the writhing crowd then some headed for the small private bar, while others beginning to move to the music. Only the sharp ears of the vampiress caught the sound of the bolt being slid into place outside.
She removed her cloak and hung it up before walking over to the window. The sea of humans below her resembled nothing so much as a herd of cattle and Creide smirked, feeling vastly superior. A moment later her expression changed as she sensed something amiss. There was a strange, unfriendly presence below and her eyes swept the crowd, seeking out the source. Nothing, no one stood out. Shaking off the feeling, the vampiress pulled the curtains, hiding the room from prying eyes before turning to study her prey.
The tallest of the males looked up from the tiny dance floor, waving invitingly. Creide flashed him a practiced smile, dazzling enough to enrapture yet small enough to hide her fangs. She stalked slowly across the room, wholly aware that the measured sway of her hips was drawing the attention of every human in the room. Three, both male and female, drew close, eager to dance as well. There would be time enough for them later; her only concern right now was the first man.
He grinned his excitement, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her toward him. Creide went along willingly, gazing up at him and licking her lips in silent anticipation. Mistaking hunger for lust, he leaned down to kiss her. She laughed demurely and dodged his attempt, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing his neck softly. His pulse quickened and he tilted his head, allowing her easier access.
She growled faintly and tightened her grasp, exercising enormous restraint. The human showed less, lifting her from the floor and pressing her tightly against his body. Her legs locked around his waist, taking advantage of his eagerness to grasp him tightly. Focusing soley on the intoxicating scent of his blood, Creide distanced herself from his roaming hands, delicately flicking the tip of her tongue along his jugular, taking care to select the sweetest spot.
Drawing back slightly, the vampiress closed her eyes and plunged her fangs deep into his neck, releasing a delicious flood of liquid pleasure that sent her senses reeling and carried her off in a tidal wave of oblivion. From a far distant place she could hear the man gasp in shock and pain, feel him shudder violently with some unnamed sensation. Then reality came back to her, bringing with it screams of horror and fear. Rough hands tried jerk her backwards off her prey, a wildly swung chair splintered against the wall behind her. She smiled widely, blood gleaming on her lips. Now that the edge of her hunger was dulled, Creide was in the mood to play.
A Simple Hunt, Part II
Sunday, June 04, 2006
For once the vampiress had no destination in mind. Instead she allowed instinct to draw her out of the high-end vampire district and into the more populous areas of the city. Here and there she passed by humans alone and in pairs. Some smelled delicious, and her dark eyes followed them hungrily... but she was biding her time. The moment and the kill had to be just right, had to do more than simply satisfy physical hunger.
Creide kept walking, passing through a number of vampire and human neighborhoods, turning onto different streets according to her whims. At last she slowed, finding herself in an area well-known for its human night life. It was a favored hunting ground of hers, though it had been some time since her last visit. Ancient warehouses dotted the street, sandwiched between decrepit apartment buildings and rundown factories.
Yet behind the derelict fascade lay one of the wealthiest human- owned streets in the city. Many of the old industrial buildings contained seas of alcohol, highly advanced sound systems and every illicit pleasure imaginable-- all the things that made otherwise cautious humans come out at night. A virtual playground for a vampire with a love of crowds, humans pumped full of every substance known to man made easy pickings, their blood carrying with it all the exotic sensations of their drinks and drugs.
It was no secret that the wisest owners paid for protection; she knew first-hand that they paid rather well. The vampiress paused on the sidewalk outside a particularly large and shabby brick building. A line of humans was already beginning to form at the door and she smiled, pleased at the numbers. This was her place; she had long ago bound the owner to a deal he could not resist. Quite a fair deal actually, with marked benefits for both parties.
A hulking figure knocked her to one side, rudely interrupting her thoughts as he hurried to work. Their eyes met and the man paled, recognizing her. Before he could prostrate himself, inevitably drawing unwanted attention to her, Creide smiled and put a finger to her lips. "I will see you... later."
She was moving down the street before her words even registered. A tiny smile hovered about the corner of her lips as she imagined his expression. The bouncer had borne witness to her wrath more than once, not to mention a number of her friends on a long ago occasion. The memory always brought a smile, but there would be no drunken dancing this evening. The best prey was sober prey.
With that thought in mind, Creide mingled with the growing crowd, unobtrusively scenting them like a hound. A number had started drinking and imbibing other substances early, but after a little searching, she selected a small group of clean ones. The seven humans were clearly new to the area and she watched with amusement as they wandered around, debating over which place to go. As they got into line across the street, she made her first move.
Few people noticed her as she sidled up to the bouncer who had bumped into her. He listened carefully to her whispered request, obeying her without hesitation. A moment later two runners from the club were making their way through the crowd, spreading the message to other establishments. Having spun her web, she had only to wait.
A Simple Hunt, Part I
Saturday, May 13, 2006
It was still light outside. The automatic blinds had not yet opened to admit the moonlight and she could sense the strength of the setting sun fading, almost hear the hurried footsteps of humans heading home for the night. The dull glow from the last dying embers on the hearth reflected off her fangs as the vampiress yawned lazily. Two full minutes ticked by and still Creide remained in bed, unwilling to leave the blissful cocoon of warmth and comfort. Then her inner drive kicked into gear, fueled by both hunger and excitement.
Extracting herself from the tangle of red satin sheets proved a bit of a challenge, but she managed to slip away without waking her husband. The stone floor was icy beneath her feet, jolting her into total awareness. Creide shivered as she crossed the room and opened the wardrobe, pausing to remove a bracelet from her right wrist. The emerald in the center glittered even in the semi-darkness, but it no longer held any attraction to her. For three long months it had bound the magic that enabled her to defy vampiric laws and bear a child. Three insanely long and sometimes painful months with no wine, no vodka-- and worst of all-- no hunting for herself.
CBK had spent a small fortune buying her the most exquisite gourmet blood available, but still... Creide felt her mouth water at the thought of bringing down a kill, drinking hot blood as it welled up from living veins... She swallowed hard, putting away the bracelet and slipping into her battle-scarred hunting gear. The black leather fit rather snugly, reminding her that she was not yet back in peak shape. A brief frown creased her usually pleasant face, but disappeared as the vampiress slid open a drawer and removed two of her favorite knives, needlessly checking the edges before buckling them on and closing the wardrobe. Stepping out of the room, she walked down the hall to the nursery.
Cailean lay slumbering in his crib, one tiny hand clenched in a fist by a mouth just like his father's. She smiled, gently lifting the baby and cradling him in her arms. He stirred, gazing up at her with wide brown eyes like her own as his little face began wrinkling up for what she called his warrior scream. Rushing to soothe him, Creide sang the first thing that came to mind-- an old song her own mother used to sing. Childhood memories flooded her mind as she watched his thick fringe of dark lashes fall flush against tan cheeks once more. She sighed, briefly allowing herself to wonder if her mother still lived and what the conservative human would think of this new grandchild.
Creide carried Cailean back down the hall to the master bedroom, humming tunelessly. Once there she walked over to the beautifullycarved cradle at the foot of the bed. It had been the first thing CBK bought for their then childer-to-be, and she smiled as she laid their son down and adjusted the blue canopy, bending to kiss his raven curls. She straightened and approached the bed to stand beside her sleeping husband, reverently brushing a long strand of black hair from his cheek and kissing him softly.
Walking out into the living room, the vampiress grabbed a lightweight cloak and headed downstairs to the main hall, laughing evilly to herself. She could just imagine what would happen when Cailean was fully awake-- and decided his father should be as well. It almost made her regret not being around to watch... but by then she would be halfway across the city.
As she opened the front door of the keep a low growl sounded in her throat, turning to a cold, cruel laugh as she caught sight of the dying sunset casting a dark red pall over the moon. Anticipation and long nights of waiting were finally about to be rewarded. Creide was back to kill... and it would be a blood moon indeed.
Of Massages and Moods...
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
I got my massage last night... Wound up feeling about 150% better. *giggle* Also remembered a couple of things that reminded me of just how wonderful it is to be a vampiress. Particularly one who has the good fortune of being married to CBK and... er right, enough on that.
Moving along... I am not sure just what has gotten into me lately. Probably the whole hormonal thing. It feels really odd after all these years of being... well, a vamp. I guess I am rather used to knowing what to expect from my body, what my requirements and limitations are. Now though, at times I seem to have insane amounts of energy when I should be passing out from exhaustion. Or else I feel worn out simply from sitting at my desk a couple of hours.
Then there is the whole "evening sickness" thing. Yeah. Not going there.
Cannot say my current task is helping my mood either. I am sitting here penning a letter of gratitude to my former guardian, Audric. There is a great deal of history there-- pride, lies and love-- all the things that make unlife fun... So it behooves me to write such a thing, however my upbringing is such that I feel it necessary. The real problem, aside from swallowing my gall, is that I know Audric seeks reconciliation and that... concerns me on several levels.
minor ooc note: this post looked soooo much better with the yahell smileys. trying to figure out an easy way to stick them here too. ha... the joys of dual-blogging.
A Bit Off...
Friday, January 27, 2006
There really is not a great deal to say. Already commented on CBK's Ten Commandments over on 360. Thought about doing my own version but... it might lead to violence. See, it would include the things I always say to him that embarrass him. So of course I would also have to throw something about his usual reaction... Which could even lead to tickling. *shudder*
Anywho, tonight I feel a bit off. Not sure why really, just in an odd sort of mood I suppose. Have a headache which is strange since I am not in my office spoon-feeding newbie vamps or cracking the whip over the trainees. It is definitely not a hangover since I gave up drinking last week. (Damn, I miss my bloodwine... and vodka... and tequila... *sniff*)
Am also a bit tired, feel like curling up in the bed and doing nothing. Taking a lovely nap. Which I might be able to do for once since CBK is off in the city. Yes, I am thinking a lovely hot bath with tons of bubbles and bath salts might be just the thing. Followed by a big mug of cinnamon cocoa and some blood chip cookies... then off to bed with a nice book. Ooh, and maybe my darling will give me one of his yummy massages when he gets home...
Spells Like Success
Monday, January 16, 2006
Magic is overrated. Horribly so. A lot of vampires seem to be able to pull rabbits from hats. Wave a wand, say a few words, make a wish-- and the world stops turning. Your loved one comes back from the dead. You become a super-vamp and save the city all by yourself. Right. If only it were so simple. Or easy. Or... painless.
Not so long ago I was told we all have a certain power within, an untapped resource waiting to be shaped and used. Some have an easier time drawing it out, others never figure out how. As for yours truly, almost from the time I was turned it seemed as if someone or something lurked just beyond my sight, waiting and listening for me to speak to it. I used to joke about having personal demons; turns out the joke was on me. There really was something there, what I can only describe as a demonic presence lying in wait for what it saw in me.
I am what is known as a Spellbinder. The definition is not precise, but it is a close fit. I cannot simply think something into being or order weapons from thin air. My strength lies in speech, the chanting of incantations. Given any words of power I can use my talent to bind dark forces and request their assistance. These forces can do almost anything, from fanning the tiniest spark of unlife into immortal health to altering the very fabric of time. So in a way it is good that the use of these powers carries a high price.
So it comes down to the issue of value: is what I want worth the price I have to pay to get it? A full 99 times out of 100 the answer is a resounding no. For one thing most of the rituals are horribly complicated. Reading and chanting take more effort than one might imagine and I always end up feeling utterly drained. One small slip of the tongue, one herb or powder added at the wrong time, and the repercussions can be dramatic. Then there is the blood, liquid life, that must so often be shed to satiate the dark forces. Blood alone can mean the difference between life and death. Yet it is just as easily gained as it is lost for a vampire. So shedding a little of my own is rarely a concern for me. However... there is still more to the equation.
You see, it is one thing to bestow magical strength upon a weapon. The spell is cast, the change is made and that is the end of it. If, instead, the spell wraps the weapon in a spell to protect the wielder... it is something entirely different. Continual energy and power are needed to maintain a protective spell and so the cost is much, much higher. Blood alone will not pay for such a spell, yet there is little any mage has that holds value to the dark forces apart from their very unlife.
I myself have only one thing, something far too precious to throw away on frivolous desires. Which makes the spell I did yesterday sort of ironic I guess. The gurantee of my sustained unlife... at the cost of a tiny piece of myself. *sigh* It felt like a selfish request too, though it was not really for my benefit. If left to my own devices I would have skipped the protection but... I gave CBK my word, that I would take as little risk as possible. So in the end it was the best I could do. All I could do really. Besides, it was successful which is all that truly matters.
Now... I must rest. The knife wound is healed already, the lost blood regenerated, but the throbbing in my chest remains. It will be gone long before the next ritual begins, I know. Yet I cannot risk stumbling over my words or failing to see that everything goes flawlessly. We have waited too long and invested too much time preparing for tomorrow night.
