“And what can you do for me?” My voice was cold enough to chill my scorching drink.
She laughed. “I can give you back everything you lost and show you an eternity where you don’t have to be afraid of the darkness inside your soul.”
“Really? And how can you do that?”
Brenna smiled again, showing me a pair of designer fangs that could have passed for the real thing. Then her eyes ignited with green fire that brightened her entire face, making her even more eerily beautiful. She seemed to grow taller, expanding in the seat, commanding my attention, like a dragon might do when it opens its wings preparing to fly. My eyes widened.
Was this woman for real?
I didn’t know what to say. Maybe I truly had found someone who could understand my nature.
“You’re afraid of me?” A look of worry crossed her face and the hunger I’d seen in her eyes died as fast as it had appeared. She shrunk back in her chair, returning to normal. “Please, I didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s just… I wanted you to know who I am. I thought it was only fair to be open if you were going to let me help you.”
At that moment it didn’t matter what I’d seen or if she was real. She was sincere, no matter what she was. She truly wanted to help me, so when I stared into her eyes again, I still found myself falling into their depths. It was by no power of hers I’d been hypnotized. It was by my own will. I’d forgotten what it was like to be drawn to another so strongly.
“No, I’m just surprised. I never thought…well, it doesn’t matter. You’re right, I am scared. I’m frightened of myself. I haven’t been able to see inside myself for so long I don’t know if there’s anything left to call human.”
“That’s okay. We can discover that together.”
I laughed. For the first time in a long time, pure laughter rang out of me. The sound of it surprised me and silenced the room. I’d no longer run. I’d face the dark beast I’d locked away so I could be whole again, and this strange woman would help me do it.
My name is Brenna.
We talked together for most of the night, discussing ordinary things. Once I stated my intentions to Veronica, she relaxed. We became two people meeting for the first time, welcoming each other’s company. We whispered nothing of our pasts, knowing the time would come later for sharing secrets. Instead, we spoke of our politics and other interests of the day. The hour grew late, and the noise of the crowded café dwindled to a mere din, until we were the only ones left. When the staff started putting up the chairs, we realized it was time to leave. I threw my cloak over my shoulders and escorted Veronica out of the café.
The night was quiet, and the temperature was as cool as a temperate pool. Birds twittered in the trees as we walked side by side on the outskirts of the Quarter, avoiding the garish lights and sounds of Bourbon Street. Considering her fragile state of mind, the people would be overwhelming, and I craved the quietness only the fringes of the Quarter provided; however, she stopped me after a few minutes of silence.
“What is it about this place that forces me to face what I am?”
I turned, staring into her eyes, knowing it was inevitable her mask would break. I couldn’t tell her this, though. I sighed, gazing up at the sky, trying to find some guidance in the cloudless expanse. There was none, just the wisdom that came with age.
“This city is one of the oldest in the country. It has a history. It brings things to the surface for some, while allowing others to hide behind made-up faces. The one thing you have to figure out is: which one are you?” Pausing, I felt the moon graze across the sky and fill me with its cold light. “I know someone did terrible things to you, but can’t you let that go and learn to love again?”
My voice dropped to a whisper as it drew her in. She was more under the spell of her own mind than of any thoughts of mine. Still, she didn’t know what to make of me. Just by spending these past few hours with her, I desired her more. She was everything I wasn’t, and she was so close to the breaking point. This one night of close company made her walls transparent and flimsy. The darkness in her was close, but she still held it at bay. It seemed that part of her personality was observing me to see what I would do next. My interaction with her overwhelmed her with feelings. They came off her in ripples. Each one confusing her, yet bringing her joy all at the same time. It was too much for her mind to digest. As her emotions moved from her, I let them sink into me and settle into my chilled heart. I found myself almost as intoxicated as she was.
She leaned into me, her eyes half closed. I noticed the slight rocking motion of her body. Resting my fingers on the underside of her chin, I steadied her, drawing her closer. I kept my eyes locked on hers. Her breath came in sweet pants as the last of the cinnamon from the tea clung to it. It made me want to devour all of her. Inches from pressing my lips to hers, something alien invaded my space.
Someone, something, was watching us from the shadows. I had never sensed it before. It was not an apparition pointed out on the frequent ghost tours, nor was it any type of human being. It was an alien energy. I heard a low growl. Ready to pounce, I turned to face whatever it was. I hissed. I saw movement in the shadows. It was quicker than me. My first and last thought was of trying to protect Veronica. Whatever attacked me hit me hard on the side of the head. Pain exploded and my vision darkened. I made out an outline in the dark, and I thought it was Cain. My would-be hero. Before I could call out to him, blackness overtook me.
Part Two
The Tower
My name is Veronica.
While we were out enjoying the night, I slowly sank under her spell. We only talked about unimportant things, but even as we discussed them I knew she was the one who could rescue me. When I turned to look at her in the night, I saw how unchangeable she was, how her beauty would be picturesque forever. Brenna showed no fear of the night or the unknown, and was ready to help me, no matter the consequences.
For that, I was grateful.
Suddenly, she turned to investigate a noise, but when I heard the sound, I knew what it was. Who it was. I tried to warn her, but a large, meaty hand clubbed the side of her head, and she crumpled to the ground. The moment the wound opened, I knew what she wasn’t.
It had all been an illusion.
The warm, sweet scent of her blood filled my nostrils, and I knew how human she was, how vulnerable, how easily hurt and killed.
At first, it shattered my image of her; my savior was nothing more than a mere mortal. It made me realize she was like the rest of my kind, tricksters whose every word was a lie. I should have recognized the signs, but I was blinded by my own stupidity. I only saw one of my own who actually cared about me and wasn’t enthralled with tormenting prey. She had a life, and I desperately wanted her to show me how to be warm and somewhat sane. When I caught the perfume of her blood, all of my aspirations shattered.
Turning my attention from her, I gazed into the darkness, knowing immediately who the hand belonged to. My beloved. The one who gave me this cold, undying life.
“Devon, I can smell your putrid breath from here.”
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Ronnie,” he cooed, his smirk branded into his features.
“Let go of me,” I whispered.
He moved forward, stepping over the crumpled form of my companion.
“Not this time,” he purred.
“What do you want?” I hissed. My gums tingled as my teeth ached to descend. I held myself in check, not knowing what to say or do—I only knew I didn’t want to be around him.
Looking deep into my eyes, his mind snaked past my defenses, trying to find where I had been. His power called to my other half, the beast he had birthed, but I was not about to release her from the cage she occupied in my mind. His will demanded I come back and fall under his power once again. I was stronger than before, and he was not going to keep me. I clamped the shields around my mind when he tried moving deeper to get to her. He snarled at this and pushed me away.
I landed hard on the ground, the sidewalk scraping my ass. I was more dazed than hurt as I sat, staring up as he looked down at me with contempt in his eyes. He lowered himself to the ground, cradling Brenna to him as if she were a child.
If no one knew what had transpired between us, some would have thought he was her lover, or her husband, picking her up because she had fainted or had too much to drink—either of which were possible in this strange place. I crawled a few inches forward, reaching out so he would not harm her. He grinned, his teeth growing as he did. He pushed the hair from her neck, positioning it to the side so he would have an easy pathway to where he would bite. His triumphant sneer radiated on his face because he knew it was that easy for him to have her, using her to get to me.
“No—”
He looked up from her throat, just before biting. The hunger in his eyes begged me to follow suit and join him in the ravaging of the mortal at his feet. I bit down on my lip, holding my passions in check as the beast roared from its slumber in my mind. It sensed its master was close.
“You’ve grown soft these past few years. I never would have thought you would want to spare one of them. They’re nothing but meat. You used to tear them apart, drinking them up from the inside out. What happened to you?”
“You made me do that. I never wanted to kill. It’s only when she gets out that happens.”
“Oh, yes. Your other half. The beast you keep locked away. You stalk hospitals drinking from those Death is about to take so you don’t feel so guilty about killing them. You’re a meat-lover, but your hunger is never sated unless you feel the thrill of the hunt rushing through you. Your beast is not something to shun. Embrace it.”
“Why? So I can be like you?”
“Ronnie, we’ve had this conversation before.” Devon sighed.
“Stop calling me that. My name’s Veronica. That’s her name.”
“Yes, my true child is locked behind the walls of your mind. I know she wants to come out. She would do anything for me. The hunger is growing, Ronnie. Soon your control will slip and she’ll come out, the vampire you hate so much. What will you do then? If that happens, you won’t be able to save this one. You know how much we like to play with our food. The fear makes them taste so much better. Just like this one.”
He brought Brenna to his lips again, and then flicked his tongue over the line of her neck, familiarizing himself with the terrain of her skin. A low growl, something akin to a cat’s, echoed in the night. It was lower, more feral than the angriest panther scream. It took me a moment to realize it had erupted from my throat. Every muscle was taut; I wanted to spring at him. The sidewalk was hard beneath my hands, its coolness seeping into my skin, trying to chill my rising temper. My nails scraped the cement and my teeth rested on my bottom lip, long and sharp, ready to tear into flesh. Saliva dripped down the corners of my mouth like strings of torn meat. Absently, I wiped them away.
I moved my hand forward, balancing my weight so I could propel myself into the air.
“Move one more inch, and I’ll tear her throat out,” he warned, caressing Brenna’s neck with his elongated claws.
Brenna’s head flopped to the side like a child’s doll. Her innocence hung in the air. If I destroyed it, I was no better than Devon and he had won.
The last vestiges of his control over me slipped away. I wouldn’t let him provoke me until I let her out. It didn’t matter that he was the one who brought me into a world where there was no light. I stared at Brenna’s prostrate form, wanting to help her because she was willing to help me. Devon was right. The beast in me called out for her blood, but I ignored it and the hunger that raged in both of us. I wouldn’t let Devon ravage her body.
I relaxed, letting my talons become blunt and squared off. My teeth retracted somewhat, but remained tiny pinpoints in case he decided to harm Brenna.
“Let her go!”
He smiled. “But she smells so good. Can’t you pick up the coppery scent of her blood mingling with the vanilla of her skin? It makes my mouth water. Her blood still runs like a molten river, ready to warm us. I know you want her. Your hunger scents the air like human fear.”
I closed my eyes, staying in control. He wasn’t going to tempt me into letting my guard down and the beast take over. I would not give in. I would remain as I was while the beast ravaged my insides. I bit down on my lip, drawing blood, but I kept my focus. “No, damn you, Devon. No more games! What the hell do you want?”
He studied me before answering. “Isn’t it obvious? I want you. Did you really think you’d get away from me so easily? You’re mine. Always!” He glanced down at Brenna, running his hands over her face.
I watched the rise and fall of her chest. She rested as peacefully as an innocent babe, unaware of the danger around her. I couldn’t wake and warn her of the impending doom. If I did, Devon would kill her.
“If you let her go, I’ll—” I feared no matter what I said he would hunt her down and take her anyway.
“You’ll what?”
I shook my head. Tears formed in my eyes. “M-m-aster. Please.” I couldn’t bring myself to say anymore. Devon knew how much I hated to call him that.
He chuckled. “Since you’re being so cooperative, you can have your fun now with this human. Remember, I’ll be watching. Night, night, Ronnie!” He laughed, and in a blink was out of my sight, though not out of my life.
I thought when I ran away it would be forever. But no, after two hundred years he still couldn’t let me go. It wasn’t good enough, not even after he had killed everything inside me that was human. He wanted to dominate the whole package. However, I was no longer in his possession. I’d grown strong over the last decade. He’d seen this when I shoved him out of my thoughts. I didn’t know what he had in store for me. I could only imagine what went on in his sadistic mind after the horrible things he had done to me and to his victims, playing with them as if they were paper dolls, shredding and tearing their limbs with his razor-like claws. He admitted he’d followed me, and I knew he probably had ever since I’d run away.
Now I had to worry about Brenna. I could break contact with her, or show her what I really was. I could shatter the image she had of me and take the mask off. Maybe it was time I did, time I stopped denying my true nature. I’d been playing human for so long I’d forgotten what it was to be myself. Denying my nature was something I was used to, but I had let my guard down and Devon had found me. I shivered at the thought of what I had been when I was with him. I fought my hunger and stalked those close to death, but there were times I was lost in my own hunger. My beast, Ronnie, as he called it, was the only thing that pleased him. The things they did together now haunted my dreams. So I kept her caged as much as I could. He found fault in everything I did, beating me until the hunger consumed me and my control slipped. He would never draw me back in, not even with images of when he used to hold me and whisper that he loved me. How I cared for him then, but that was centuries ago, before I understood the true meaning of what my life had become.
I sighed, crossing the pavement between Brenna and me. Her weight was nothing to me as I picked her up gently. I tried so hard to fit in with the humans I let my powers run on reserve until I needed them. Well, now was a time I needed them, and my system was still in high gear from facing Devon. Carrying her back to my hotel on Bourbon Street, I shielded myself so no one could detect us. In my room, I laid her down on the bed, arranging her arms so they lay across her heart as if she were a corpse awaiting a funeral.
I smirked at the thought, and then turned to the window. I pulled the cord for the blinds and looked out into the normally warm and pleasant night. It had turned deadly and cold. This was not a sight for me to lounge in. It was a place for me to survive in. The city had just become an unfamiliar hunting ground, and I was the prey. I didn’t know how long Devon had been here or how well he knew the city. I prayed that he was as new to the surrounding area as I was for my own sake and for Brenna’s, but for now I kept watch on the city that never slept, waiting for my little one to waken.