| Lethal Night |
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| CHAPTER 1 "Do you ever wonder if they're different ones out there, Dom?" "What are you talkin' about now, Maggie?" "You know...Different vampires...Like, ones that wished they weren't how they are. Ones that wanted to be something else." "Yeah, the ones that meet us." She looked at him, hand on her hip from where she stood by the stove, cooking for him again. "I'm serious, Dom!" "You're always serious, Maggie, and you always say stuff like that. You know as well as I do: they're all cold-blooded killers. They don't have a heart. They don't have a soul. They sink they're teeth into the life force of you and draw out every ounce of blood. They're killers, Maggie. Killers." With a heavy sigh, she turned away from him, nodding, defeated. "Alright, Dom..." He looked up from his book and watched her. As he did, he felt a wave of guilt flow over him. "I'm sorry..." he started to say, but she stopped him. "Forget it, Dom. You're right." She set two plates down on the table and forced a small smile in his direction. "Let's just forget it and eat. Okay, Dommie?" He could never resist when she called him that. So innocent, she seemed. Just like when they were kids and she'd sneak into his room, late at night, and crawl under the covers with him. He'd always smile to himself and wrap his arm around her, telling her it was just a dream. It was all just a dream. "Dom?" she said cautiously, in a slightly measured tone. She watched him, standing off to the side of the table, her head tilted to the side. He looked up at her and immediately, he rose and walked to her, hating the way her voice sounded, as if she almost feared him or another outburst. He never, never wanted her to sound that way, but he had caused her to so many time. When he reached her, he stood in front of her for a moment, looking at her before pulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Maggie..." he said quietly, closing his eyes and kissing the top of her head. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Mags...I love you." He held her close to him, wanting to take back the things he had said. He couldn't help being harsh sometimes, but he never meant to direct it at her. She laid her head on his shoulder and rubbed his back, such a gentle creature. "It's alright. You were right and I was being ridiculous. I forgive you, Dommie," she replied with a small smile, looking up at him then. "You know why, Dommie?" she asked softly. "Why, Maggie?" "Because you're my brother and I love you. I'll always forgive you, Dom, no matter what...because I love you. You take care of me, of us. We take care of each other," she says, reminding him again why she would always be by his side. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, pulling away from him and sitting down at the table. He joined her shortly, sitting across from her and smiling at the meal she had prepared. His little sister, the amazing chef. "This looks amazing," he told her earnestly, scooping up a spoon of food and slipping it into his mouth. "Thanks, Dom," she said and poked at her own food, the thoughts still haunting her. She always wondered if somewhere out there in the hollow of the night if there were some that weren't killers. There had to be some. Ones that didn't want this life and had tried to live some other way. There had to be. Could the world and all in it really be so evil? Looking across at her brother, she knew that answer. Not everyone was evil. Maybe vampires had a chance too. It's amazing and silencing, the way a city changes over time. Where trees once fanned out over great patches of grass, a mini mall takes their place. Where children used to run freeway, a sidewalk guides them, chaining them to one path. The city is governed by lights and signs, no thoughts. The eaves dripped with the remnants of the nighttime showers as they walked through the deserted streets. A rustle behind them or a skittering of feet did not send them running. No, not these. They were afraid of nothing that lurked in the night. They only wished for revenge. Their leather suits shined in the moonlight as they walked, in sequence with each stride. "Anything?" "Not yet, but patience is key." "I can't be patient on a night like this. It's too perfect, so macabre. Someone must die." She smiled at him, then pressed her finger to her lips. "Silence. They come," she whispered as they both receded into the shadows, watching, waiting. He glanced to his side and was torn in his emotions. A part of him missed her and the way she used to be, but then, as he looked at her now, he couldn't help but marvel at the person, the woman she had become. When he turned his head away, she made the attempt to return his gaze, glancing at his face and the lines creasing his brow. As she watched him, she wondered if he knew what she had done for him, how she had changed. She had to be the best, simply because he deserved the best partner. She had to be his equal in everything. She struggled, each day to try harder, to work better, to be more efficient. She spent her nights, alone, dreaming up another plan, another tactic so they would come out on top again. Her thoughts were pushed back once again as she heard the rustling of feet. They were on the move. Tugging at his sleeve, they rose, following behind them and staying in the shadows. "Dominic," she whispered, motioning toward the group as they disappeared from sight. "Look...They just passed through that wall. Did you see?" He winced inwardly at the name she called him. Certainly, it was his, but never what she used to call him. Dominic. No, that was not his name, not when it came to her. Dom, Dommie, Nick, Nicky: those were the names she called him, the ones she had graced him with. He felt the word, sharp on her tongue, rough in her mouth. Dominic. "Yes, Maguerite, I saw them," he said in a matching whisper, peering through the darkness. She nodded, but stopped, squinting her eyes to see farther ahead. "What?" he asked, urgently, but afraid to raise his voice for what she may have seen. "What is it?" "A loner," she told him, a slight grin coming to her face. "So, just like always, then. You follow the loner and I'll take care of the goons in the hoard inside." With that, he zipped his leather jacket, concealing all his weapons within- the silver stakes, the christened water, silver bullets, and of course, the cross. He was a walking apothecary, intent on curing one disease: Vampires. "Be careful, Dominic. I'll join you as soon as I catch our boy, there," she nodded and patted his shoulder, slinking off through the night at a silent run. He watched her go and shook his head. What had he done? "Oh, Maggie..." he whispered to the darkness. With another deep breath, he began his trek inside, slipping around doors and avoiding casting a shadow. He used his pain to feed his energy, channeling it and giving him strength. It was these vile things, after all, that had changed everything. They had started with one thing and changed the world. He vowed, as he always did before a hunt, that someday this world would belong to his kind again. CHAPTER 2 Once she was away from him, her pace slowed and though still cautious, she dropped a part of her act. She let herself be free, her original intentions back once again. She wanted to find out, once and for all, the answer to the question that burned in her mind: Did they all love being killers? She stayed a safe distance behind this lone vampire, watching his movements, so graceful as he dodged puddles and shifted his weight, effortlessly. It was as if he knew everything that was around him while his eyes remained fixed straight ahead. She continued creeping behind, careful to stay in places where the shadows fell, her clothing specialized to control her human scent from his acute senses. She was cloaked in black leather, in the shadows, and in magic. She was invisible. Or so she thought. "I do not take kindly to being followed, Madam, but should you care to walk by my side, you may. I will not harm you," said a voice, sounding far away. At the sound of the voice, no doubt coming from this being before her, she stopped. He stopped as well and turned slowly, catching the glimmer of light in her eyes as he turned and stared her down. He held out his hand, beckoning her from the shadows. "Come." His command was simple and stern. Slowly, she walked to him, her shoulders back and chin tilted upward. To any bystander, she would have seemed the portrait of pride. Her hair flowing in waves down her back and her violet eyes shimmering in the darkness. Her arms were muscular, clearly visible under the tight black shirt she wore. Though her vest added bulk to her lithe frame, anyone could tell she was a slender beauty, her legs and arms well defined and her body curvaceous. One look and it was no wonder the lone vampires never stood a chance. She seduced them with a smile and slayed them with her silver sword, always hidden discretely on her. Granted, none had ever been like this one standing before her now. None had ever caused her to stop simply to admire what was before her. He was regal, half hidden in the dark of night. She saw as he turned and the light fell softly across his face the most beautiful creature she had yet encountered. The chiseled cheekbones and strong jaw. His lips curved into a small smile as she looked on him. His eyes glowed, a soft brown, eccentric and eerie, like no others before. It was as if they had faded with the years, honeyed by the light. The thick lashes lowered, a seductive grace crossing his face. His dark hair hung in curls, fighting to shine in the lamplight as he watched her watching him. Her eyes moved down, sweeping over broad shoulders and down to a narrow waist. Completed by long legs, she looked up at him again, noticing the chain around his neck, neither gold nor silver. Letting her eyes dance over his, she saw hs clothes, ancient they seemed, but glorious in their antiquity. The coat that fell around him brushed against his legs, just at the knee. The dark green velvet shimmering as the evening dew began to collect. He curled one finger, watching her and said again, his voice low, "Come." She began to walk, then paused, eyeing him critically. "I could kill you now, Vampire," she said, her voice soft, but still threatening and sincere. It seemed to have no effect on him as he held his hands behind his back, watching her with a hint of amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "If you had that in mind, you would have done it by now." She began to protest, but he held up a hand, the movement silencing her. "I've seen you. I know you. Now, come." Left with no other option that she wished to take, she followed him, stopping when he did. "I told you, Madam...I do not wish to be followed. Now, walk by my side." He pointed to the spot beside him and she walked up slowly, and stood by his side, waiting for him to go on. Inclining his head to her, he gave her a gracious smile. "Well done." At his words, she watched his lips move, shining teeth protruding, nearly touching his bottom lip. He smiled again for her, leaning closer and looking into her eyes, then pulled away. He smiled to himself as he walked, hands held nonchalantly behind him, as if he had no reason to free them, no need to defend himself against her. For a moment, it annoyed her. He should fear her. She was a hunter, afterall. Surely, he had heard of her. He said he knew her. If so, then why was he so calm. "I do not fear your weapons that could bring my end." He spoke so softly that she wondered if he had said anything at all. "What?" "You think I should fear you, what with the stories circling about you, but my dear, I fear nothing. I welcome the dangers of the night and the sins of the city. Your toys do not frighten me." "They should." "Perhaps, but I do not fear my end...for it is long overdue. I welcome it, I beg for it." She stopped and looked at him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "You wanted me to follow you." "Ah, a smart one. Thank the Heavens I will not die by a dull-witted hand," he replied with the subtlest hint of sarcasm and continued walking, as if knowing she would return to his side. "Yes, I wanted you to follow me. You have questions, my dear...Questions that I would gladly answer." "Questions? You lured me, put yourself into this situation for me to follow you to answer my questions?" she asked, doubtful as she walked to his side again without even realizing. "Yes." "Why?" "One cannot learn if they do not ask questions from the proper source," he stated innocently, as if he had no other intentions. His words were wise and his actions believable. She sighed, hating the riddles she feared would follow. "I meant, why do you want to answer my questions? How do you know them?" "I told you...I know you," he said simply. "How?" she asked quietly, glancing at his tall frame from the corner of her eyes as they walked. Looking around, she realized that they were no longer in the city, but on the edge. She knew this part of town well. The graveyard was just ahead, beautiful in it's gothic splendor. He ignored her question, tilting his head back and closing his eyes, breathing deeply as the moonlight crossed his face. He brought his head back down and looked out in front of them, staring at the graveyard before them. "Isn't it beautiful in the light of the moon? It seems almost as though the dead could walk again, the rustle of the leaves calling them, waking them from their eternal slumber." "The dead do walk," she said coldly. "Just not the ones we wish for." "What do you mean, child?" he asked, clearly intrigued as he turned, blocking out the moon's rays with his towering frame. "I mean you. Vampires. You are dead, and yet still you walk. The Undead." He nodded, his forefinger resting against his chin as he thought. "Yes, right you are. A smart one indeed." "You look at these headstones, but you will never know that. You will never be anchored by the cold marble that rests six feet above your head." "No...not anymore." It was now her turn to look at him, her questioning gaze meeting the wistful look shadowing his face. "Not anymore?" "Unlike many of your vampires, I rose from the grave, my dear. I did know a headstone and a cold hole, deep into the ground. I clawed my way from the Earth and broke free, born again into eternal night." "It doesn't happen that way," she scoffed, now staring straight ahead, thinking his story all lies and folklore. "Oh, my darling, it does," he said, his voice a whisper as he leaned to her ear. "It does." She laughed softly, disbelieving, and shook her head. "No, Vampire. It doesn't. You are bitten, your body dies, and you rise a vampire. There is no strange bite mark left on a decaying corpse, no hallowed ground, no resurrection. That is the way of the old world. Your kind has evolved. I've spent my life chasing your kind. I know." Her words were pointed as she stared ahead, her eyes sweeping over the familiar headstones dotting the hill before her. |
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