Chapter 17
Mavra
I am a Sanguine, a blood, a servant to the Ostilis. I have been so for less than a year of my life. I was forced into this, it was a mistake but I found myself here. A world hopper at my brother’s request sent me here. It is because of him that I was sent here. This world is filled with Ostilis; it is not Earth, it is not what is being created. I am being sent to pave the way, being sent to restore the world to its rightful owners. The Sanguine are immortal humans. We feed, we drink, blood is an integral part of our existence. We are vessels for our master’s hunger. We can never run out of blood no matter how much our master drinks. We are forever bonded to our masters and that bond can never be undone. Every Sanguine is branded with their master’s personal seal as well as the brand of the clans. I belong to the oldest clan and my master is a very old and extremely powerful member of the clan. I can still remember the day I came to this world…
The forced travel to this world had caused me to fall unconscious. I awoke, only to find myself locked in a cell. Slowly getting to my feet I stumbled forward. Grasping the bars I looked between them. A figure stood with its back to the bars. A hood prevented me from seeing who it was. In my world there are only humans so I had no idea that there was another race.
As I was about to speak the figure interrupted me, “Do not speak mave, you have not been given permission to.” He said, his voice rolling around me like the waves of the ocean.
“You can’t tell me what to do.” I spat angrily.
He turned on me, cloak swirling around his body like black mist. Swiftly he took my chin in a black-gloved hand and tilted my head up to look at him, “Silence mave. I may do with you as I please. Your brother made quite the bargain with me, I just couldn’t refuse. He’s upheld his side of it and when he arrives I shall uphold mine. Once I have given him his payment I shall deal with you.” He said, bringing his face close enough to mine that we almost touched.
As he released my face there was a flash of light. With it came my brother. I looked at him in shock, he looked deathly ill. Slowly he sat down in a chair, as if any movement hurt him.
“Lucas, how are you?” The man asked.
“How do you think I am? I ache all over and feel like crap.” He said.
“Very well. You have upheld your side of the bargain, now it is time for me to do the same. Come here and I shall deliver you.”
“Lucas, what are you doing? What do you hope to accomplish? Tell me!” I demanded as he got to his feet.
Right after I spoke I felt a sharp sting across my face, “Silence mave. Do not speak until I give you permission.” I was shocked that he was telling me what to do. Turning his attention back to my brother he spoke, “Tell me what it is that you want.”
“I want to die, die and never walk again. I do not want to be like you, I just want to die.” Lucas said softly.
“No, Lucas, you can’t leave me.” I said, only to feel the sting of another slap.
“Very well world hopper, I shall end your life.” He said, drawing back his hood, “Any last words?”
“No, just end it and thank you.”
The visage of the man was ghastly pale. Long jet-black hair was tied back and I could see a black and red tattoo on the back of his neck. He was handsome, fine boned, but very strong. Gently he cradled my brother’s head in his left hand, baring his neck, before wrapping his left arm across Lucas’ torso. The man smiled at me before driving his elongated canines deep into the skin of his throat. Lucas let out a low moan as the man began to drink. I was stupefied by the sight that greeted my eyes. Apparently this man was feeding off my brother. A few minutes after he had begun he released my brother’s body. It slumped to the ground, devoid of life. Turning to face me he licked his lips and ran his tongue over the two fangs that hung in his mouth like daggers. I backed away from the bars, trying to get as far away from him as I could.
“Mavra, come here.” He ordered.
“No.” I growled, “You killed my brother.”
He raised an eyebrow, “It is what he desired. Now come. You belong to me.”
“Who and what are you?” I asked softly.
“My name is Hayden and I am an Ostilis belonging to clan Rennal.” He said calmly.
I scowled, “What are you going to do with me?”
“I don’t have time for this. Come here now or I will be forced to come and get you.”
“Answer me and I’ll consider coming.”
“You are to become my Sanguine.” He said with a shrug, “Now come here. You do not want to upset me.”
Slowly I approached. When I was before the bars they slid open. Taking me gently by the arm he led me out of the dungeon.
“What is a Sanguine?”
He chuckled, “Blood.” He said simply, “Now be silent, I do not have the desire to listen to your voice at this time.”
It wasn’t long before we reached our destination. He took me into a small room. Locking the door he released me and went to a small closet. Pulling out a white dress shirt and a pair of white pants he tossed them on the bed.
“Change.” He ordered as he walked to a large window, “Welcome to the world of the Ostilis, the world of night.” He said as I began to change, “Things will be very different for you now. You will do whatever I say because you want to. You shall carry out my commands to the letter because if you do not you will suffer dearly.
“What do you mean by that? What makes you think that I will do as you say because I want to?” I asked as I finished getting dressed.
He chuckled, “I mean exactly what I said. Once I am finished with you, you will do exactly as I say. You will understand.” He said as the door opened. A young woman walked in with three vials of ink and a needle for each, “Hello Natalie.” He said with a smile, “You may begin.” He said with a wave of his hand.
A hard knock on the back of the head and I found myself unconscious. When I awakened I felt something very different. The back of my neck and my lower left arm ached. Rolling up the sleeve on my arm I looked at it. Etched upon it was a tattoo done in black and gold. The skin around it was red from irritation. Looking around I noticed that I was lying in a lavish bed, surrounded by pillows. Carefully I sat up and ran my hand gently over the back of my neck. My hand came away covered in blood. The pillows that I had been laying on were drenched in the sticky substance.
“Good evening Mavra.” Hayden said from a window nearby, “It took nearly a week to complete but I can see that you are doing quite well.”
I nodded, “Yes master.” I gasped. Had I really called him master?
“Yes Sanguine, you called me master, just as you should. We are bonded by blood. No matter how much I or anyone else drinks from you your blood will never run out. You are to be my eyes and ears when there are places that I cannot go. The humans upon one of the other worlds are preparing to make Earth a world for Ostilis. They are starting a war but it shall end up being between the nations there. In four months time you shall go there for me and speak with an Ostilis named Asher. He is the last true born of our clan there. I’m sure that he will not understand but you are to explain it to him. Don’t worry, these next four months you shall be briefed and trained.”
I must now return to the moment, to the task at hand. I have just been sent to Earth and must now find Asher. I feel out of place here, especially because of the way I’m dressed, all in black. Wearing clothing that most people on this world will not, at least not in public, cloak, knee high boots, long sleeved shirt, leather vest, and leggings complete my ensemble. Earth people have no sense of style, ok, so I used to dress the way they do but I’ve been changed. Walking the desolate streets I mentally searched for Ostilis, I still wasn’t very good at it but could detect strong presences. I found one in a matter of minutes. Upon approach I saw a young man with long black hair and violet eyes.
“May I help you?” He asked softly.
I half smiled, “What clan do you belong to?” I asked softly as his companion approached. This one was far older than the one I was speaking with.
“We are not from Asher, if that’s what you mean.” The other one said, “I am Lucius.”
“Do you know where I can find him?”
Lucius shook his head, “No, I’m sorry, I don’t know where he is.”
I sighed, “Thank you for your time.”
Lucius nodded, “If there is anything I can do for you just ask.”
“Thank you for the offer but I must find Asher. Thank you again for your time.” I said as I turned and walked away, feeling for another Ostilis.
By the time I found one I felt morning coming. Ever since Hayden had made me his Sanguine I had become more attuned to the world around me. Quickly I made my way towards the presence. The closer I got the more I realized that it was more than one presence. There were many. Reaching the doors of a large house I knocked. After a moment of silence I knocked again. Finally they opened. A young man stood there, he was an Ostilis, a very old Ostilis.
He smiled at me, “Greetings.”
I nodded, “Please, sir, might I ask you a question?”
“Please, come inside.” He said, motioning for me to enter.
“I cannot sir unless you are the one I am seeking.” I said respectfully.
“Who are you seeking?” He asked softly, “Perhaps I can give you an answer as to where the one you seek is.”
“I am looking for an Ostilis from the clan Rennal.” I said quickly, “I am looking for the one named Asher.”
He smiled, “I am he. Why is it that you have sought me?”
I smiled, “I was sent to find you and speak with you about what is to come.”
He sighed, “Very well. Please, come inside.”
I followed him into a sitting room. We each took a seat across from each other. Slowly I began, “I am a Sanguine and have been sent by my master, Hayden. He has informed me what has happened here, which I’m sure you already know.” He held up a hand, asking me to stop.
“All I know is that Richmond has nearly been destroyed. That is all I know. If you know anything beyond that I would like to know.” He said softly.
I sighed, “This is occurring world wide. There are only a few cities that have been singled out in the United States though. One of the human worlds, perhaps even my original one, is performing these acts. I do not have the details on who is doing this so it would not be beneficial for you to ask. The reasoning behind this is…” I stopped as I sensed a presence at the door.
Asher looked at the door and with his power flung it open. The Ostilis who was watching was a young man with ashen hair and gray eyes. The feel of him told me that he was somewhere around three hundred years but I couldn’t be sure because I could barely use the powers that had been bestowed upon me.
“Loki.” Asher said softly, “Come here.” He ordered.
Slowly Loki approached, head bowed in shame, “I’m sorry Asher but everyone wanted to know who and what this girl is. We know that she’s not human and we know she’s not an Ostilis, it’s just that we’ve never felt anything like her before.” He said softly, afraid of what Asher would do.
“Go to your room Loki. I shall deal with you later.” Once Loki was gone he turned back to me, “Please, go on. I apologize for the interruption.”
I cleared my throat, “As I was saying the reason for the destruction is quite simple. Every world ahs been colonized by one race or another but Earth is the only one that has evolved its own species. Everyone wants this world to be the way it was, how it was meant to be.”
He closed his eyes, “And how was this world supposed to be?”
“A world for scholars, but now, not just scholars but killers.” I said softly.
He nodded, “Very well. What are we to do?”
“Let the humans all but destroy themselves then step in to clean up the mess.”
“There is another clan here, what of them?”
I scowled. Hayden hadn’t told me about another clan, “Do what you like with them.” I said with a shrug.
After I spoke I realized that I had made a mistake. Hayden punished me. I was sure that it was he because there was a sharp pain that burst through my veins; he was the only one who could possibly do it. I shut my eyes tight and waited for it to end. It felt like my blood was popping my veins. When it ended I opened my eyes.
“I don’t know what you should do with the other clan. My master didn’t tell me.” I said softly.
He nodded, “Tell me about what you are. Explain it to me.”
“Can I have some thing to drink?” I asked softly, “I’ll explain everything once my throat is no longer dry.”
He thought for a moment, “The only thing to drink here is water.”
“That would be fine, thank you.” I said as he got up. It wasn’t long before he returned with a glass in hand. I took it from him and drank deeply, “The Sanguine are servants, almost slaves. We do what ever we are commanded to without question but not because we have to but because we want to. We are immortal, at least as long as our masters wish us to be. One strange thing about us is that no matter how much an Ostilis drinks from us we will not die. Our blood is limitless.” I laughed softly, “I am supposed to offer myself to you and I know that if I don’t Hayden will punish me.” I said, shaking my head, “Asher, of the clan Rennal, I offer you my blood, I offer you my life.” I said softly, just as Hayden had told me to.
“How much do you wish for me to take?” Asher asked as he gently brushed my hair away from my neck.
“Drink until you are satisfied.” I said softly as I felt his breath dance across my throat.
Gently he took me against him, pulling me against his body. Quickly his tongue flicked out to taste my skin. I closed my eyes as I felt the press of his teeth. Massaging my neck he carefully sank his teeth into my throat. I let out a soft moan as a slight pleasure began to spread through my body. It didn’t last long though, Hayden saw to that. He did not want me to enjoy the pleasures that Ostilis could give, even when he fed from me he would not allow me to feel it. The pleasure was replaced by a burning that flowed through my veins. I bit my lip as he continued to feed. It never seemed to end; he continued to drink, to swallow my life. Finally he stopped, pulling back he gently licked the two tiny wounds he had inflicted in my throat. Gently he returned me to the chair.
“I thank you Sanguine for the gift of your blood.” He said, licking his lips.
I nodded in reply, “You are very welcome.”
“Tell me about your master and how it is that he can punish you from so far away.” He said, returning to his seat.
I bowed my head, “He is good to me, takes care of me. He told me that I am bonded to him by blood. I don’t know how it is that I was created; I only know that he owns me. When I woke up I discovered that I had tattoos on the back of my neck and here.” I said, rolling up my sleeve and showing him the gold and black brand. Gently he ran his fingertips over the mark.
“I see that your wounds have already healed.” He said softly as he looked at my throat.
I nodded, “I heal quickly.”
He chuckled, “Tell me something, what is your name. You know mine and yet I do not know yours.”
“I am Mavra.”