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.
