Khira Chronicles - The reveal of the fallen (part 1)

If there was something that Khira had learned well during her years among vampires was not to trust them and to reveal the full extent of her abilities.
Their ignorance proved to be a powerful weapon if needed, it sure helped her escape to meet the Bojangles pack years ago.
She was just sitting at the local pub when the courier delivered Zephyr's invitation to break fast with him, he assured her of a very amiable vintage meal that she would surely enjoy, but more than offering a quality meal, he offered information on her mother's whereabouts.


"If he knew something, why didn't her say so when introduced to me? Maybe he didn't want the queen or Frederick to hear..."
"Did you say anything love?" Asked the scruffy old hag that tended the bar, she seemed to incorporate every concept of old wicked witch into one human, or not, vessel.
"Just talking to myself Ma'am."


She grumbled something Khira did not understand and resumed to what to seemed an "Morticia Addams" method of cleaning. The rag she used to scrub the counter must have been as old as her and it the true antithesis of clean.
Khira tried to ignore the fact that her bare arms were laying on the counter that must had been cleaned by that rag and returned to her rationalizations.


If her instinct was correct, Zephyr had something up his sleeve and the fact that he was an Elder so far away from the official Lamia court did not help her suspicions. He was up to something and by agreeing to meet him, she might be placing herself deliberately in danger.


"What's life without a little danger?" She said loudly before running her tongue over her fangs. "Might as well enjoy the meal and who knows? I may be wrong..."
"What?" The old witch yelled back to her.
"Nothing Ma'am, here is my expense." She got up and headed to find Zephyr's place of residence.


The old witch cursed and muttered to herself while watching Khira leave. "Damned young people, no manners..."


Khira didn't take long to find the location described in the message, she pondered for a few seconds if she should maybe warn Frederick of where she was but then she started remembering all his clingy attitude and quickly decided that it was better to depend only on her own as she had been taught.


Before she could knock on the door, it squeaked and opened for her revealing a very pleased vampire on the other side. He had a traditional japanese robe, the lantern Hakama, and his silvery hair was neatly pulled back in a high ponytail.


"Welcome, young one. Please do come in." The pointed with his arms the direction she should follow and she entered calmly, trying to take in as much information as possible about the place she had just entered. 


For a lion's lair, it looks quite fashionable. Let's just hope I don't become the lamb...


Zephyr lead her through the hallway until he reached a small living room, with a very cosy feel. The three sofas that populated the space looked extremely comfortable and the matching pillows added a welcoming feel to the room. It was anything but what she expected to find in the house of an Elder, stone walls and hard wood benches would me so much more in time with the owner, but she also guessed that for him to survive for so many centuries, at least she guessed that it would be his age, would have adapted to more current trends but still she was expecting the cliché. 


If she couldn't follow the preconceptions and common notions about the old ones, then she really was about to enter total unknown territory with Zephyr. The monarchs of the Lamia were old and powerful but the Elders were in a totally different category of power and might.


"Please do sit down Khira." 


She picked a long sofa across from where he was standing and sat down crossing her legs, she would play cool and relaxed until need of other stance. 


"So, this information you claimed to have, sir, will you be willing to share it now that I am in your presence?"
"Ah... the haste of youth... All in good time, dear Khira. Shall we not feed first?" He pushed a small button that had remained unnoticed by her until then and shortly after a maid entered with a child no older than 5 years in front of her and carrying an elegant decanter that resembled an hourglass filled with a rich dark colour in her hands.


"Do you like yours straight from the source? Or perhaps a bit more fresh?"

Longings and Loathings - Chapter 7

The last words

I am tired...

The days go by and I barely notice them...
The hours seem long but in a heartbeat it is a whole new week, a whole new month, a whole new year...

The silence of my solitude drove me insane and ultimately numb...
I could kick a stone as hard as I could and I wouldn't feel a thing...

I could trace the path of my veins with the edge of a dagger and only see the red that would escape.
The source of life only as a reminder of color...

I move to my balcony and look outside at the people walking in the streets...
Little ants, always running in search of something. Family, work, money, sex, success...

I imagine myself laying in the floor on one of those streets near death and I see all those faces and feelings I am no longer able to express or feel. Disgust, pity, horror, judgement, sadness...

Maybe today I could jump...
Who would miss me anyway?
Yes, maybe one last act of impulsivity to be able to feel...
Feel through the eyes of the little ants, how wonderful that would be...

                                                   *

"Vehicle 49, we have a jumper on 3rd Street"

The radio squeaks and the words came out automatically, not the first I had to communicate it.

The city is brutal and without mercy. 

People give up every day and I am but a spectator to all the gore.

Everything is unchangeable, immutable and hopeless. How I wish I was numb to the violence, numb to the world around me.

What Hides in the Dark - Darkness

Brenda woke up inside the wrecked car, the glass from the broken car window was everywhere along with the stuffing from the car seats.
It took her a moment to recall where she was and what had happened... Bruce.

The creature.... She thought and tried not make a sound as much as possible.
She felt herself shake uncontrollably and her first urge was to scream for help but it was still dark and she had no way of knowing if the creature still wondered close by to the car.

She remembered how the glass shattered, the creature was coming straight at her but it left her there.
Why?
 

 

She took a deep breath and started to raise herself as quietly as possible. The rustling of the broken glass over her making her hold her breath at each inch that she lowered her body. Everything around her was deadly silent, she feared for her brother and she needed to find him. 

"He may be dead... He may be dead." She began muttering. She peeked over the shattered window and saw nothing but the creapy woods and the marks left by Bruce'shands trying not be dragged away. She began shaking incontrollably and panic started to take over her at each passing second. 

A sound came from the woods breaking the silence of the night, an animalistic growl.

She started to struggle with the safety belt and with shaky hands she released it. 

She tried to open the door but it refused to give in, she heard the rustling of something moving and again the horrifying sound. 

She raised herself from the bench and started to slide herself out of the car through the broken window. 

"Shit..." she muttered as she cut herself  on the sharp edges of the window, the smell of blood overwhelmed her and she realized the consequences of her cut as the howl started to approach her. 

She tried to run back the way her and brother had driven from, but everything was pitch black. She struggled not to look back as she ran, her body fighting to keep conscient, her legs moving on pure survival instinct. 

Then she heard it and looked back... She screamed and almost lost her balance as she turned her back on the now pursuing creature. No, no, no.... Please...

"Someone help me, please!" She yelled but no lights but the one of moon were around, she sensed it coming close and strength beginning to faulter. 

On that moment she realized she was going to die.

She tripped and feel hard on the floor, digging the glass pieces deeper into her hands and legs. She cried, staining her clothes with the bloodied tears running down her face.  She turned herself on the floor to face the creature and watched with anhorrified expression as the creature gave the final jump in her direction. 

"Noooooooo!"

A gun shot sounded from behind her and then... Darkness.

Khira Chronicles - Beginnings

"I can see it's not going to be that easy to find her" she scratches her head gently tucking the locks of her hair behind her ears.

When Khira decided to go after her mother, she had no idea whatsoever of what she was going to find. Would her mother even recognize her? Probably so, but would she welcome her? Probably not, not after what she went through after looking for her herself, and probably not after seeing Khira chose the wolves over her at that time.

But what was to be expected from her after being abandoned by her mother...

Khira was a baby when she was delivered to an orphanage, her mother was dead and so the hospital placed her in a state facility. She grew up to meet the same destiny that came to her mother, she died... and then came back.

Apparently, or so Bogart told her, she must have caught some of the blood change during the birth that caused her to be reborn after dieing in an car accident. Her first times were brutal and bloody, just like it is for all members of her Undead family as she came to know later.

When the Elders became aware of the existence of a stray child, she was hunted and that's when she discovered that she did have a certain talent for sculpting flesh,and set about perfecting her craft. She gained a reputation due to her particular craft, the Sculptress, the Elders and the Royal House clans called her.
Eventually, an older vampire got hold of her and left her to die a second time however it was then that her vampire classical story ended... and not in ashes.

Once the old vampire left her, the scent of blood caught the attention of a wolf and in this state of near death she was welcomed by a pack. In their care, she learned about herself and about principles no one had ever bothered to teach her. She learned about unity and family with them and at the same time gained much of the hatred they had for her own kind.

So, you see when Eleannor, her mother, came looking for her it wasn't a warm welcome that was expecting her. The wars between the wolves and vampires have existed for centuries and although Khira was an exception, a bastard daughter of a Royal Vampire house like her mother was not as happily welcomed. She was treated as a spy, tortured and bled. Eventually she got away, Khira never fully understood how but she did.

Ironically, the time came for the reverse to happen - Khira in search of her mother. The differences between the wolves and her grew more and more as years gone by and her needs as a vampire separated them.
Bogart, the wolf that rescued her that night, told her she must claim her heritage and learn the extent of her power. He send her off with a hug and she felt alone again...

After a few months she made it to a city run by an Elder woman of no Royal blood, she heard of her poise and ruling and became curious. It happened that her instinct guided her correctly, her mother had been there not long before she arrived. She met a strange vampire there.

He claimed to have loved her mother and that she never returned her feelings for him although she shared her bed with him, but he didn't seem very reasonable...
Soon after discussing her mother, he started to sweet-talk her and it became obvious to Khira that this Frederick clearly had some unfinished business with her mother and was trying to project it on to her.
Fool...

-image: Young Vampire - Vieux River - Uberwald by Fayte Devious - Glimpses of Discworld - An Assassin's Perspective

Khira Chronicles - Lost and found

Khira comes up around the corner and notices the familiar face. She hesitates by seeing he is not alone and the feels their auras. After many considerations she approaches silently and waits in silence to be seen and recognized not disturbing the others. His eyes glow brighter as he looks at his dear friend.

 “My Khira, please approach and hug me.”

Queen Eunice glances back to Zephyr and recalls memories of numerous times when the elders have stood as one, the back bone of the Tapes strength, then looking to Frederick she replies absently not noticing the approaching girl.

“They are indeed,”  she looks out the corner of her eye to the stranger and watches her carefully closing in, looking her up and down sensing her nature and intentions. Khira stares with disdain at Frederick ignoring the Queen’s evaluation of her.

“I belong to no one but myself”

She frowns to him and turns to nod politely to the others present and speaking softly almost as a song. Frederick leans towards his Queen and speaks gallantly.

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace. May I introduce to you my friend Khira?”

“Pardon for my manners” Khira elegantly curtsies never losing eye contact or awareness of her surroundings as she does.

 Queen Eunice Tapes’ crystal eyes begin to change from their cold crystal form to that of a baby blue as she senses the stranger’s dark gift.

“Well good day to you Khira” She offers her hand to her, which she without hesitation takes to kiss the vassal ring.

Zephyr smiles at Frederick’s words and overdone movements but also in belief of his own abilities turn to observe the newcomer. His eyes flicker as he takes in Khira.

“Hmmm… A new face... It’s always good to see newcomers in the city”

He speaks slowly while extending his hand toward his face to flicker away a raven strand. Khira amused by the slight touch of madness that emanates from him smiles pleased.

“Sir you must confess what gave me away, if you please. It is, in fact, true, that I have only arrived two days ago.”

He nods grinning at her letting his fangs show slightly.

“These eyes of mine are ever watching the happening of this city. Your very presence is what gave you away. I hope you are finding things to your liking.”

Frederick feeling utterly ignored looks at Khira wondering if he has upset her in some way and starts to feel uncomfortable as her probes and feels the auras around, prospecting for more knowledge of those before her , she senses great power and refrains herself from her bitter humor. She nods in agreement to the Zephyr’s statement only adding a few words.

“I have found a long lost friend” she points to Frederick and gives him a tiny smile.

The Queen listens to Khira and Zephyr’s little interlude and feeling ignored decides to interrupt the happy gathering.

“Yes, Zephyr is right, there is little that goes on in this city of which we are not aware and our scouts and scholars notify us of any new presences within the city. So my dear, considering you have already met one of my Elders council and one of the fledglings, I must introduce myself, I am the Queen of the Tapes coven.”  With that Frederick moves to stand next to the Queen, adding proudly while looking deep into Khira’s eyes.

 “And I have sworn allegiance to the Queen.” His eyes start to dim as a wave of sadness overwhelms him at her indifference as she takes another deep bow to the Queen.

“A true honour to be standing in front of your eyes and to be worthy of your words” She raises herself once again. “I have come in search of my lost mother but I was already advised that she has departed in a mission. So now I stand here as a… tourist with no other purpose but sight seeing and being attacked by zombies.” She adds smiling.

 Eunice nods in understanding as Khira's words fall on her, images of her own past searching flashing before her eyes, only to be put to rest with the images of her own present strong family bond with her children of the night.

“Well we can't have you becoming zombie fodder now, can we? If you wish I can get Frederick to show you our humble home, there you will be very safe indeed.”

As the Queen finishes her invitation Frederick shivers and tenses waiting for Khira’s answer, watching her bowing again and nodding politely to her words. A stern look crosses her face but she accepts her offer.

“I’d be honored Milady. I intended to have a private word with Frederick, if you'll be so kind to allow.”

The Queen nods and then turns her attention back to Zephyr trying to recall their last words to one another. She calls him to her and whispers something to him before turning away. Khira can almost touch all the emanating power from them that all her skin tingles. In the corner of her eyes she sees Frederick stumble and reach out to the metal railings beside him trying to regain composure.

“Shall we?” She pronounces as she takes his side, her eyes inquiring about his fragility. He looks at her and asks softly.

“Have I upset you?”

Khira just shakes her head

“Then, why such a cold heart?”

Khira gets closer to him rubbing her forehead in his chest as an animal seeking petting.

“I do not enjoy any words that may claim possession.”

“My heart is still broken from missing your mother. I am not sure I can cope with it being hurt a second time. I much rather close my heart and freeze it in time and lock it away, then to be hurt again.” He looks at Khira not wanting to show any emotions.

“My words were not of possession but of love... Perhaps it is best that we…”

His voice trails off stopping him of proceeding as a wave of sorrow engulfs him. She looks deep into his eyes trying to read his thoughts and then holds his chin speaking solemnly.

“I will not ask for you to endure such pain, I will not claim or elude your heart as my mother did…” - She sighs and acquires a serious tone “And you must understand I am not her. I was raised by wolves; I see feelings as a sign of weakness until proven differently.”

“Very well Khira, so be it...Now if you’ll excuse me I have matters to attend.”

“Wait.” She calls as he starts to walk of, he then turns back to face her scorned look darkening his face. “I thought your priestess had given you a request to show me your quarters.” She looks at him cruelly with a dark smile starting to flourish.

“Indeed she did...It was a request not a command”

“Didn't you claim your liege to her? I believe that this is called disobedience. I will leave you but first listen to me just one more time.”

She sighs and proceeds slowly with her soul in her eyes.

“You barely know me and yet you claim love for me?” She smirks sadly. “If I stay with you with promises of love I will never know if it is because of my resemblance to her or true feelings for myself.”

She turns her back on him and adds before walking away.

“You do not know me enough to love me; you haven't tasted my blood yet…”

Frederick turns to walk off but collapses startling her. "And that would be only a drop...” she turns and sees him on the ground. She whispers to him, kneeling beside him.

"Are you OK?” slapping him gently to see if he regains his senses. His breathing is shallow and his skin is clammy but he tries to open his eyes.

"Khira… I am so…" he loses consciousness again

She throws her hands to the skies.

"Why the hell...” she lowers herself and places him on her back, walking slowly, carrying him on her back to the blood pool.

He crashes over the side and his lips suck on to the liquid as soon as she drops him slowly. She starts walking away as soon as he starts feeding.

"I am only half wolf, if I was a complete one, I’d have killed you myself"

Her words startle him and he looks up at her but remaining silent.

“Feelings make you weak... learn that “she walks away recalling the blood tears shed when her mother left and the teasing from other Lamia kids. With trembling voice she adds "I can't be weak when I have only me"

Frederick raises himself to his full height and calls out.

"Khira"

She turns slowly.

\“Don’t you understand? You are alone no longer. You have a family wanting to take you in and you have found me...A friend lost to me has been returned. I am not sure if I can remain in this city if I don't find peace here. You are a part of my life and I am not sure I can be whole again"

"I’ve been here for two days... how can I be the one to make you whole?!!" she yells "I am not my mother" and she runs fading into the darkness.

What Hides in the Dark - No simple life...

I always thought there must be a simple life somewhere but I was wrong…
Or at least not for everyone.
There's no easy way out for me, I think it's karmic… Kill some vamps and endure the karmic punishment of killing.
No one told me the "what goes around comes around" also applies when you kill evil beings.
Here we go again…
- Hey sucker, what a piece of me? I'm fresh and juicy.
Usually that's all it takes to lure them in, it's growing kind of boring of how easy it has become since my first killing.
I was so young... I still believe it was basic survival instinct and a lot of movies about vamps and luck… a lot of luck, my big guardian angel looking over me.
- Well… you want it or not? I can't wait all night… I'm sure there's more of you to slay tonight, I'm aiming for 5 tonight. What do you think?
Here we go, it was about time too. First step, dodge the charging body heading in your direction. Second step, use his momentum and physical traits against him. Third step, don't get hit in the stomach or face, somehow I always fail to remember that one. But hey, bonus points for bleeding and causing his frenzy.
This one is a big boy, I love when they try to put up a fight… Yes, I know. I
I've been beat up pretty badly a couple of times, but still my neck has no scars to compensate for the ones on my body. My own personal battle trophies.
- Angie, are you finishing him or what? Maybe you need my manly assistance, huh?
Yeah, right… Brad finishing him for me, that would be a first.
Brad is my… well… partner. His parents got killed by stepping accidentally into a nest. Lucky for him, I was around but it was way to late for his parents.
We keep each other company, train together, hunt together and well… sometimes we get lonely and take care of that together also.
- Brad, baby… Don't call me Angie.
Dodge that and stake. Done.
- Come on, you can buy me a beer before we head to the park. I've heard that there are some passionate vamp lovers attacking joggers together.
- Sure Angela. You know I can't let an opportunity to take a walk in the park with you pass.

What Hides in the Dark - The prowl

The music was making every glass in the room vibrating, the bodies swaying to the sound rentlessly, sweat dripping, heat emanating from every pore.
He stood there measuring his chances, watching all the women like an animal on the prowl.
The brunette... so hot... he thought before his gaze moved again resting on a busty red-haired specimen, his mouth watering instantly as he turned is back on the dancefloor, signaling the waitress for a refill.
 - So John, the usual?- she asked trying to disguise the repulsion on her voice as she felt his eyes lingering on her clevage.
 - Jessie, you always know what I want from you...- he swallows hard as he takes in her silloutte, doing nothing to hide his stare. Jessie prepares the Black Russian as swiftly as possible, takes hold of his expense card and takes note, moving on to the next customer trying to shake away the disgust of John's stare fixated on her ass.
 He holds the glass and takes a sip before returning to his voyeurism.
He puts on his gruesome smile and moves on to the dancefloor, salivating on the thought of all the "acidental" feels and gropes that will land on him. Just as he starts moving to the beat convinced of his skill a stunning blond moves in his direction. Ice cold blue eyes, slender figure in a tiny almost see-through red dress and spike heels, her gaze so intense he almost feels the to slap himself as she stops right in front of him and leans to nibble on his ear.
 - Hi John, I've been watching you... Why don't we get out of here? - She smiles wickedly and he's convinced instantly to follow the foxy female out the back door to the alley nearby. So confident in himself, assured by his ego that it's going to be a hard fuck, that she'll scream his name crying for more. His arousal taking over just by watching her lead the way when she suddenly disappears.
 - What the hell?!
He looks around and then slaps his own face twice thinking that maybe he had to much to drink, or maybe he was allucinating as result of his lack of sex and just then he hears it, a mocking laughter.
 - Who´s there? Is it you babe? C'mon, you didn't bring me here to play games, did you?
 - That's exactly why you came here... - the female pronounces before bursting in laughter again as she walks out of the shadows. - Come here sweet, I've got a treat for you. - She peels of her dress in front of him, like a sheddding skin, calling him to her. His cocky grin returns as he moves in her direction taking hold of her hair, motioning her to her knees.
 She starts bobbing her head making him lose focus, making think more of himself for getting such a hot woman to go down on him.
 - That's it bitch, take it all, you know you want it... - he starts gasping for air as she works her tricks and then without warning she bites him, making him jerk away from her. - What the f... - but she just grins and launches herself at him, with a low roar down her throat.
 - Who's the piece of meat now? - she laughs as he screams like an old lady begging for his life, her nails digging through his flesh gutting him, chewing on his insides.

***
He moves like the predator he believes himself to be, selecting his next victim carefully among the drunken girls dancing frenetically on the dancefloor. Prepared to slip the extra edge on the waving glasses displayed around, when he notices her. Full crimson lips smiling at him, luring him in. He goes to her and displays his best seductive smile.
 - Hi babe, want to go eat something?
Her eyes sparkle, he notices something unnatural sending a shiver down his spine as she bites her lower lip.
 - Sure Gabe, I´d love some dessert...

What Hides in the Dark - Dark night

After driving for hours, the gas ran out and now they were stuck in this God forsaken road, miles from civilization.
  "Bruce, this is all your fault!" Brenda screamed "I told you we needed fuel, but no... Why listen to my sister?!"
  "Relax B, it's going to be fine. We'll just wait for dawn and walk to a gas station and you could as well have done it since you're Ms perfection-and-know-it-all"
Bruce has always been dismissive of other people's concerns but when it came to her younger sister, well, he knew he screwed up big time.
  "We're off the interstate Bruce, how the hell are you going to find a station?" shakes her head thinking about how much she wants to kill him right now, but even that wouldn't be a good thought as it would only leave her here in the middle of nowhere all by herself.
The cold cut like glass in the darkest of nights and all they wanted was to reach home safely no matter how they tried to blame it on each other.
 "Stay in the car, I'm going to find some wood to start a fire."
 "Why not use the car heat?" Bruce just shakes his head dismissively and walks away into the woods. "Stupid me... no gas no heat."
She just stays there and tries not to move to waste any body heat she still has inside the car, she locks the doors just in case and lowers her body out of sight as much as she cans until eventually she fells asleep.

The sound of someone pounding the door desperately wakes her up, she straightens herself but sees nothing.
Apparently they ran out of battery as well, I'm going to kill him she thinks before spotting her brother slightly hidden behind a tree, signaling me to get down again but before she even gets the chance to do anything the pounding restarts and she screams for her life. I need to get it away from the car before it breaks the glass Brenda is a sitting duck, Bruce looks for anything that may serve as weapon nearby and finds a branch among the wood he collected, not thick enough but he doesn't care as long as Brenda is able to get away.
 "Hey asshole, over here!" he yells waving his arms to to catch its attention.
The creature slowly turns away from the car and starts walking slowly preparing to hunt him down and then starts chasing Bruce drooling in anticipation.
Bruce soon grows tired, the hours without eating taking its toll in his stamina, so he hides behind another tree and waits holding his branch like a baseball bat. As soon as he hears the creature, he takes a swing and runs back in the car's direction.
Brenda keeps screaming and crying in complete shock screaming for her brother's name. Totally out of control looking out through every window, shaking. Then she spots him, running in her direction, she shakily tries to unlock the door but before she is able to control the shivers and shaking of her hands, her brother is pinned down and dragged back into the woods.
 "Bruuuuuuuuuccccccccccceeeeeee!!!"
She cries and shivers and all that crosses her mind is that she's next, she has nowhere to hide and as she turns to look again to try to get a glimpse of the her brother's body through the window, the glass breaks.