Chapter 3
Acacia
“I’m leaving, I’m not going to come back either. If he wants me he will have to find me.” I said softly as I watched Viktor walk away from me.
I was angry, angry that he was walking away without explaining to me what was wrong, what had happened. He wouldn’t tell me anything, now he would pay for it. Back to the ends of the earth. I would travel; see the places that I haven’t been, if there are any more.
“That bastard.” I whispered as I turned and began to walk the other way. As I walked I could hear a set of footsteps following me. Stopping I folded my arms across my chest, “I suggest that you cease following me.” I spat.
Laughter, quite, controlled. I shook my head before turning to see who was there. There, behind me, was a man. Young but rather comely, soft green eyes glittered from soft, pale skin. A mop of black hair fell over one of his eyes. His hands were clasped behind his back. The high collar of his black shirt brushed up against the top of his neck. I raised my eyebrow as I looked at him. He most certainly was not human, the look on his face and his attitude told me that, but he was young, weak, not even a hundred yet.
“What is it that you want, young one?” I asked softly.
He smiled, “Blood.”
I laughed, “That is what we all want. I suggest that you find a different vessel than one of your own kind. We do not make good victims.” I said softly, “You are still young, your power is weak. I out match you by two hundred years. Do not fool with me.” I kept my voice calm, under control.
“Vahn, keep away from her.” A soft voice said from a nearby rooftop.
I looked up to see a man standing atop, looking down. He had power, was far older than I, older than Viktor. I could feel his power like a ripple as it passed over me. Shaking my head I turned back to the boy, Vahn.
“Your maker?” I asked softly.
He shook his head, “No. My teacher.” He replied as I looked back up at the man.
He smiled down at me. A whimsical expression upon his face, “You are quite pretty child.” He said, looking at me with strange golden eyes.
“Thank you, I think.” I said with a scowl, “Might I ask who you are?” I said respectfully.
“Yes.” He said softly, “I am Altan.”
I nodded, “It is a pleasure to meet you but I am afraid that I must be going. There are things that I need to do, places I need to go.”
He smiled, “No, you do not have to go anywhere.” He said as if I didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“Excuse me?” I asked, my words clipped.
He chuckled, “I want you to take me to your maker.” He said softly.
“I cannot do that.”
Altan scowled, “Why is that?”
I smiled, “Because I don’t know where he is. We have just gone our separate ways once again and this time I’m not going back. So, if you’ll excuse me, I am leaving.” I turned and began to walk away, not looking back. I knew they were following me, trying to get to Viktor I suppose, but it didn’t matter, I wasn’t returning, “Who are you looking for, exactly?” I asked as I walked. Since they were following me I might as well let them know I knew they were.
“Cian.” Altan said from the rooftop that I had just passed under.
“Cian.” I said with a laugh, “I’ve only met him once, that was enough. I gleaned enough knowledge from him and Viktor then I left. I don’t know where he is so why are you following me?”
“You know where Viktor is, therefore you know where Cian is. Where there’s one there’s the other.” Altan replied.
I scowled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t even know where Viktor is. I told you that I wasn’t going to be seeing him. So, you must have another reason for following me.”
“We wish to make sure that you aren’t lying.” Vahn said quickly, he was walking on the street.
“Certainly Altan can tell if I am or not. It would be simple for someone as old as him.” I said, trying to call their bluff.
I could feel Altan looking at me, he had stopped. I suppose he was trying to think of a response. I smiled to myself as I continued to make my way down the street. I glanced back at Vahn. He looked dumb founded, which made me laugh. His homely face had a look of confusion, stupidity.
“And what if I do have that power, what if I can tell if you’re lying, what does it matter?” Altan asked, he sounded angry.
I threw my head back and laughed, “Perhaps all of your power is just ruse. Perhaps you aren’t as old as you seem, don’t have the power that you make yourself out to have.” I said mockingly. I could feel his anger and I exploited it, “Well, am I right? Do you not have the power you appear to? Are you as weak as Vahn?” He was silent, “I am right!” I said happily, “You are young, perhaps even younger than Vahn. You only pretend to be his teacher, his elder. In all reality you are a fool. You attempt to deceive me into believing that you are strong but you are weak.” I laughed, I couldn’t stop, “Foolish children.” That was all it took, Altan was on me in an instant. He leaped from the roof of the building and landed beside me. His eyes flashed in anger as he looked at me. I laughed in his face, “You are still a child. You cannot win if you fight me.”
Angry eyes as he grabbed my throat, “You are foolish. I gained my power from drinking the blood of the likes of you.” He growled.
I grabbed his throat and lifted him from the ground, “You do not have the power that I do.” I hissed, “You cannot take from me what is rightfully mine. But I can do it to you.” And with that I sank my teeth into his youthful throat.
He let out a cry of pain as I began to drain him. His hand began to tighten on my throat but I didn’t care. I drank and drank. His blood sweet but most definitely not pure. It was tainted, impure, but the flavor. Young, foolish blood. His hand loosened on my throat as his blood flowed into me. When he fell unconscious I released him. He crumpled to the ground. I looked over at Vahn, eyes flashing with the power I had just drained from him.
Slowly I smiled, “I believe that you will be next if you do not leave now.”
Vahn panicked and scrambled away from me. Altan was not, by any stretch of the imagination, dead. He was merely drained of power. It would take him years to get even a portion of his power back, the power that he was supposed to have at his age. I laughed; I had just stolen his power, his life. The last shred of humanity that he might have retained was now in me. I left his corpse on the pavement then headed towards the airport where I would begin my journey around the world, to places I had already been, places that I hadn’t been. My unlife awaited me and I would welcome it with relish, I always had, I always would. I would leave Viktor and the others behind, they could find their own way. What did it matter to me what happened to them, I would now live for me and me alone. The rest of my race no longer mattered, they could die for all I cared, humanity could join them as well.
I walked, quickly, as quickly as I could. I knew I couldn’t make it to the airport before morning. I would have to find a place to bury myself before the sun came so that I could continue my journey the next night. As I walked, something Viktor told me before I left the first time came to mind. He said that I should live my life as I thought I should. To not let anyone dictate my decisions. No one could live for me. He said that no matter what happened I would always be his child and he would always look out for me, if it were within his power to do so. He would keep me safe, if I was near, but if I wanted to travel, to leave, he wouldn’t stop me. I smiled to myself. He always wanted what was best for me, what I wanted. I bit my lip. Did I really want to leave? I shook my head, no, I was going to leave. Leave and never come back.
Morning was coming, I could feel it. I had to hurry if I was to survive the night. Finding the nearest building I snuck inside to search for a safe place to wait out the day. The building was abandoned and had apparently been for a long time. This was perfect, not what I was used to but it would suffice for the day. I found a small room with no windows and only one door. Blocking it off with pieces of wood, a chair, and a large mirror, I curled up in a corner to wait for sleep. It came with the sun, as it always did, long, restful, mercifully silent, sleep. When the sun was gone I awakened, feeling refreshed I went to unblock the door. As I was about the throw the mirror across the room I heard voices from the other side.
“Do you have the money?” One of them said, his voice was so very sure, confident.
“Yeah.” Another said nervously.
I half smiled, I could get the money that they had, it would be much easier to use someone else’s money than my own, more cost effective as well. I threw the mirror nonchalantly across the room, listening to it shatter. Pulling the rest of the blocks away I calmly opened the door. Five men turned to look at me. All of them in complete shock, the one with the money seemed happy to see me. His thoughts betrayed him; he wanted an escape and thought I would give him one, what a fool.
I smiled at them, “Greetings gentlemen.” I said softly, my voice full of false respect. I nodded to each of them in turn.
“Who the hell are you?” The one who had asked for the money snarled.
I looked taken aback, “I am sorry, milord.” I said softly, “I am known as Acacia.”
“What do you want?”
I smiled, “To bring pleasure to you, milord.” This ploy had worked for years, why should it stop now?
He looked at me in approval. I admired him. He was in a finely tailored suit, his black hair slicked back from his handsome face. I slowly sauntered over to him. He held up a finger, signaling for me to wait.
“The money.” He prompted, holding his hand out for the bag that the other man held.
He nervously handed it over. “Kill him.” He told his lackeys before turning his attention to me.
“What’s your name?” I asked, running my fingers over the lapels of his coat.
He smiled as he brushed a hand through my hair, “Brad.” He said softly.
“Well, Brad.” I paused, “What is it that you do?”
“Perhaps I can use him better by keeping him alive.” I thought as I caressed the side of his face.
“A little bit of everything.” He smiled sweetly at me, “Why don’t you come with me? I can show you the time of your life.”
“There is nothing I would like more.” I said as a shot rang out. The man who had once had the money lay dead in a pool of blood.
“A lady should not have to be subject to such things.” He said, wrapping an arm around my waist and leading me out of the building, into the night.
I smiled as he put me into a waiting limo. He got in beside me; I began to walk my fingers up his arm. Gently I began to lay kisses upon the skin that was exposed on his face and neck. I would make him like me; use his power, his influence to get me what I wanted. He would do it willingly; he wanted power, more than he already had. I could and would give him what he wanted. Slowly I worked my way up to his ear.
“Brad, what do you want most in the world?” I asked softly.
He smiled as he turned his head to look at me, “You.” He said before kissing me.
I returned the kiss then pulled back, “You can have it but there is something else you want.” I made a dramatic pause, “Power.”
He chuckled, “Everyone wants power.”
I nodded in agreement, “I can give it to you. More power than you already have. Physical power, stamina, life.” I said softly.
“Yes.” He said greedily, “Give it to me.”
I smiled, “This may hurt. I suggest you make sure your driver cannot hear. I do not wish to alarm him.”
“He cannot hear us.” He said, his voice reassuring.
“Good.” I said, turning his head to the side and wrapping my arm across his torso.
Slowly I sank my teeth into his throat. I would not take my time with him, I would finish it quickly. He took in a gasp of air before sinking into the bliss my fangs caused. I kept myself out of my own pleasure so that I would not kill him. His life flashed before my eyes. All the things he had done, his kills, his lovers, all the things that he held dear and the things that repulsed him. He was a killer, murdering those that did not please him. He found the exotic alluring. He had been drawn to me when he first laid eyes upon me, although he had been startled as to my sudden appearance. My beauty quickly dashed the thought that I would kill him from his mind, he should have known better. Now I was draining the life away from him. As he reached the brink of death I pulled away.
“More.” He whispered, “Please, don’t stop.” His life was fading fast, I wouldn’t take anymore but I would give him more pleasure.
Slowly, seductively I bit my wrist. Holding the wound to his lips I felt him latch on. Drinking deeply from my wrist, trying to glean as much pleasure from me as he could. After a time I wretched my wrist away from him. Gently I pulled him against me, held him close. I would comfort him as he died. The night was still young and I knew that his death would soon arrive. Holding my hand over his mouth I waited. He closed his eyes then screamed. I could feel him dieing.
“Hush.” I whispered as I began to rock him back and forth, “Everything will be just fine.”
Screaming again he gasped. Drawing in quick breaths through his nose, gasping, then stopping. Finally he relaxed in my arms, collapsing against me. Gently I stroked his hair, comforting him as best I could.
“Voices.” He whispered, “I hear them, everything.”
“Yes.” I nodded, “You can hear and see so much more but the daylight is now lost to you. You must not set foot in it or you will die. That is the only way to kill you. You are now immortal, you are now like me.” I whispered, “You are now stronger, faster, more powerful than you once were. You are immortal. In a few nights you shall die for a second time.” I said honestly, I wanted him to be prepared. He nodded and laid his head in my lap, “Where are we going?” I asked softly.
“One of my homes.” He replied, “I think you’ll like it there.”
“If I’m with you then I’m sure I will.” I said with a soft laugh.
“You’ll never leave me, will you?” He asked softly, almost afraid.
“I won’t leave you but you may leave me,” I paused, “in time.”