legend of the vampire (chapter 3: hunger)

8/6/2019 Legend Of The Vampire (Chapter 3: Hunger)

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CHAPTER 3: Hunger

Behind curtains of thick, white mist stood a sky-high castle on an island in the middle of thevast, black sea. The top of the towering fortress displayed a gold-rimmed, black,rectangular flag dancing along with the wind. The heavy haze blocked the sunlight most of the time, making it a safe sanctuary for vampires for two millenniums. Far from theborders, it was beyond human's reach and almost further away from reality. Nobody knewof its existence, or that those who had set foot on the island never returned to tell the tale.

A soft wind brushed against Reito's face like a whispering lullaby. He looked up from hiswriting desk and gazed out the opened window in front of him. He had been penning a dailyentry on his thick, yellowing journal for hours on end, but it didn't get anywhere past thethird sentence. His mind was elsewhere, far from his private quarter and driven deep intohis conscience.

Letting out a sigh, Reito sat back in his chair. His room was lit by a torch affixed next to thewooden door, and two other torches on the rock-strewn wall to his right. A brass bell on thedesk to call upon room service, ordering a glass of blood from the cellar downstairs wasmade available for senior vampires like him. A cleanly polished, ebony coffin was laidelegantly on the stony altar ten feet from the desk. However, all of these comforts did very

little to console him tonight.

Washing down the glass of cold blood, Reito let the cool breeze soothe his mind. Tonightwas awfully quiet. Too quiet. Beyond his dimly lit room, the stony corridors were empty.The grand hall was dark and without the usual galas and wonderful music. The wide terracewas left with only beautiful flowers but no one to admire them. Ever since the capture of Mai Anderson, the castle had lost its vigor and inviting celebrations.

The vampires were simply terrified.

No one was willing to talk about it, fearing they'd be linked as Mai's accomplice. The queenwas furious. Mai's treachery, and the fact that she was of royal blood, had hugelyembarrassed the queen. When the verdict was made, Reito only realized now how

powerless he really was.

At his last thought, Reito stood up, so fast he almost toppled the empty glass. He shifted hisstiff shoulders a little, adjusting the high collar of his black, leather suit. He then bent to zipup his black, knee-high boots. Grabbing his coat that was hung by the door, he left theroom and stalked through the long, maze-like corridors. Though the night was still young,the sound of his footsteps was the only thing audible in the castle. Other vampires musthave locked themselves in their rooms, or some might have gone out to find a more privateplace to converse.

Soon Reito made his way out of the castle. Along the field of yellow grass, he followed thegraveled path that led into the forest behind the fort. A mile into the woods stood a tomb-like chamber, the underground prison for all considered decadents.

Entering the chamber, Reito took off his coat and handed it to a male guard to his right. Thelower-ranked vampire bowed as he received the coat and then gestured for Reito to pass.

With his long, graceful strides, Reito felt at odd with the stale surroundings. The damp airunventilated. The smell of rotten flesh and disgrace. The black, cold, stony wall and soddenground. The rats were the only source of food for the outlaws. Reito was careful not totouch the rusty handrails as he walked down the flight of stairs to the lower level.



Walking pass dozens of cells along the narrow corridor, Reito gave no attention to thevampires that were thrilled by his presence, calling out his name and begging him formercy. And then he reached the end of the passageway. Slowly, he looked up from thebodies of dead rats on the floor, and then gazed at the young woman behind the bars. Shewas pale, and her usually fiery red hair was damped from evening dew.

"Tell me you didn't feed on them," Reito said. His face remained placid, but his heart wasracing so fast in both rage and frustration. It had been a week since Lord Fukuoka reportedto the queen of his own daughter's treason to save himself, but Mai had not uttered a wordin self-defense, or confessing the reasons for it.

Mai only chortled, rubbing her face in exhaustion. For being of royal blood, she was not tobe chained like criminals, the privilege she found now useless. She sat in the dark cornerand said, "Good to see you, Lord Brown."

"Mai, please«" He briefly peered down and kicked away the dead rat beside his left foot,offended that she was trying to ignore his friendly gesture.

"Did the queen send you? Have you come here to interrogate me? To torture me?" Herquestions came easy, but the meaning of it hurt him deeply.

"Has your father come to see you?" he asked, his brows furrowed. It ached in his chest.

Mai shook her head, her smile so jaded and small. "You're the only one« Only you, Reito."

When she gave in and called his first name, Reito closed his eyes, his jaw clamped shut. Itsounded so familiar. It was the way it used to be. She'd laugh in his ear as they danced inthe grand hall, their hands intertwined. He used to dream many things and believed theywere meant to be.

Reito felt as though winded that he had to lean back against the greasy wall and took adeep breath. "We went through so much together. How could you do this to me?"

He didn't have to turn to see the agony in her eyes. He could sense it even if the world hadstopped turning. She was watching him and feeling the same regret in their hearts. Shecould just look at him now and comprehended how much he had tried to change over thecenturies, and then recalled all the promises he had failed to fulfill.

"You left me no choice," Mai whispered.

"That's not true. That's not true!" The dark-haired vampire fiercely turned, glowering at thewoman on the floor. "How did you expect me to live on in dishonor? You knew that I'dnever break my sworn oath to the queen."

It took him by surprise when she showed him no anger but a pained smile. "I learned to

accept it. I learned to love you for who you are and respect your principles. That's why I'mhere behind these bars, and you're not. You've chosen your master, and I've chosen myown destiny."

Reito took a shaky step back. He could only look at her, unable to counter or demean herconfession. There were times when he misled Mai to gain her affection, believing their lovecould overcome all reasons. For long years, his attempts to do the right thing were cloudedby his own sense of loyalty. Mai's quest for justice was but a small sacrifice to his ambition.When he got where he wanted today, she was driven to the abyss of shame.



"Lord Brown«! Lord²oh« Oh, God« no«"

Reito turned to see the same guard from the entrance running and skidding to a halt just afew feet from him. The young vampire staggered at the sight of the prisoner on the floor.

Carefully, Reito took his gloves off. He pulled a white handkerchief out of his pocket and

wiped the blood from his face. His heart was still beating at an alarmingly fast rate, but hegave off the look of the calmest night sky.

"Is« Is she dead, Lord Brown? S²should I get rid of h²her body?" the guard stuttered.

"She's not dead yet." Reito strode out of the cell and slammed the bars shut. "Fix the lock. Ihave other plans for her."

"Y²yes, sir!"

It didn't take long for Reito to trek back to his private quarter in the castle. Truth be told,he ran as fast as he could to get away from the chamber²from the forest of the dead. Hisheart was screaming for him to repent, but his mind was praising him for the vengeance

against her infidelity.

"No« No, it's not over yet," Reito said, looking up to the starry sky.

In the pool of spotlight, the handsome, dark-haired vampire was standing by the edge of the pier. The calm, black sea glittered in the dark. The nearby shops were closed, and veryfew couples were seen walking around in this chilly night. The beautiful view of the citybefore him failed to clear his mind of what had happened earlier tonight. Mai's voice keptechoing in his head that he couldn't stand to stay at the castle. He had to flee, far awayfrom her lingering presence. But it didn't matter how far he had come, she would always bein his mind.

"What's not over?"

Reito was already in a new suit, his body cleansed off blood. He appeared as groomed asone could ever be. He turned to his companion, who was sitting on the edge and leisurelyhanging her legs into the cold water, a pair of leather sandals placed next to her.

Spencer sported a white, hooded jacket and a pair of denim shorts. She always had an air of ease, and with her eternal, young look, she could pass as an average teenager. She hadbeen a good listener tonight, asking him few questions and only the ones he wanted toanswer.

"I'll make them pay for betraying her, for leaving her to shame« And that man, thatwerewolf« He'd shamed her," Reito said, his voice a little shaken. Though he already hadthe answer in mind, he wanted a witness to his resolution. He sought a reassurance that he

had done the right thing. What more could he ask for tonight than a friend to hear him out.

Spencer brushed her bangs to the side and then looked down, apparently studying her ownreflection in the dark water.

"Did you really love her?"

There was a moment of silence. Reito kept staring out at the night scenery but not reallyseeing it. He wasn't quite prepared for the sudden question. Not that he did not have a



"I'm fine the way it is. I have no interest in your political circus," she said. She lifted herlegs from the water and wore the sandals, ready to make leave.

Reito shrugged and sighed. "We all know it's a crazy world we live in. But it's just sad towaste your talent."

"Socializing is not one of my talents. Thank you."

"Why don't I believe that?" Reito mused himself aloud. His tone was friendly, but hissubsequent punch directed at her was as a serious blow as he would target an enemy.Faster than his eyes could catch, she had shot herself from her position, somersaulted inmidair, and landed just behind him.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, Reito spun around to deliver another strong punch,only to find a gust of air at his knuckle's end. "The queen has pressured me on the huntagain. I need your help, Spencer," he said. The failure to even touch her only put adetermined smile on his face.

"What does it have to do with me?" Spencer's calm gaze never left her opponent,

concentrating on dodging his relentless strikes.

"She wants« Ian Kruger« dead or alive," Reito breathed as he lowered himself to his kneeand outstretched his left leg to topple her.

Yet another surprise to him, Spencer only leapt into air, gracefully, while completelyhumbled his attack. "You should be able to handle him just fine. He's only a werewolf."

"A natural« natural born«" Reito began to wheeze for air. His face turned even whiter andthe air around him suddenly felt too warm for his leather suit. Ever persistent as he was, headjusted his collar and continued to strike at her. "What's more important« is that« thathe's trying« to find« the origin« Yes« Must« stop him«"

When Reito was about to lose the strength of his knees, he lunged at her in frustration. Buthe dipped to stop just before he'd fall off the pier. Panting heavily, he turned, looking leftand right. Spencer was nowhere in sight. The pier was as empty as the air in his grasp. If he wasn't mistaken, she might have dove into the water before his eyes could catch the act.His senses were generally spot-on, and he didn't always have to trust what he saw.

"Very well« I« Impressive«" Staring into the water, Reito laughed heartily as he brushedhis sweaty forehead with a new handkerchief. This was one time his friend made animpression on anyone, and he surely wouldn't forget it for a long time to come.

Reito took in a few deep intakes of breath and grinned, looking up and around. "It's been apleasure, Spencer," he mumbled to himself, and then chortled before he added, "To answeryour question« Yes, I've always hungered for her love, but it wasn't enough« It wasn't«"Clutching the handkerchief, he turned and walked away.

Unbeknownst to him, the crimson-eyed vampire was standing atop the three-story building just behind him. Spencer only breathed again when Reito was finally out of her sight. Shelet out a sigh in relief before letting her shoulders drop. Her muscles hurt pretty badly fromthe exertion her friend had put her through.

Ian Kruger« He's really Ann's son, isn't he«? Why²



"Ah«" The throbbing in her head became overwhelming, upsetting her train of thoughts.Spencer rubbed her temples with her thumb and middle finger. Her sight started to blur andher whole body ached at the sudden strike of extreme hunger. Her condition would haveher crawl before Reito, but it was too dangerous to even think of letting her guard down.Between two vampires, she realized just how hazardous the consequences of a simplecontact could be, especially dealing with one like Lord Brown.

And now she had to suffer the consequence of being paranoid. It took Spencer enormousstrength to evade each of Reito's adept moves. It was even harder to veil her presence fromhis senses at such frightening proximity. She surprised herself to have managed to escapethis far. Certainly, the abstention of blood had taken its toll on her, not expecting to comeout here tonight for a test of strength.

Spencer closed her eyes as the pain in her chest intensified. She turned a little and took ashaky step to her right, planning to climb off the roof. Any more flying or jumping wouldhave knocked her out cold. But her foot seemed to have caught an air instead of a solidplane, and before she could get a hold of herself to change her direction, her body fell into agust of cold air and landed hard on the cement floor below.

Ouch«

Lying flat on her back, Spencer failed even to whimper out loud. The only positive thing shecould think of was the fleeting few seconds of numbness she felt at the impact of the fall.The chestnut tresses spread out messily, her whole body limped, her skin turnedgruesomely pale, and the air just wouldn't get into her lungs fast enough. Her chest heavedat a fast rate and she began to choke.

"Oh, Miss, are you all right over there!" A male voice echoed faintly in her ears, and it tookher a few moments to gather what was going on.

A stranger had helped her to sit up, resting her against the wall. For a moment, she couldonly stare at the artery along his thick neck. He was in his early thirties and lookedincredibly healthy. Delicious. The awful hunger in her must have exaggerated the taste of

her potential food by far. He was muscular with streams of warm blood to serve her rawappetite.

"I think we should get her to the hospital, darling. She's so pale« Goodness, her hand is socold!"

Spencer lifted her gaze to the figure next to the man in blue jacket. The auburn-hairedwoman was kneeling beside him, holding Spencer's sagging wrist to find a pulse. Shelooked thinner than the vampire would have liked. Not much blood to satisfy her craving.Spencer then returned her steady gaze to the man again. She tried her best not to jump athim, feeling her heart beat so thrillingly whenever she was about to feed. She loved anddetested the sensation at the same time, but it was the only moment she'd feel alive.

"I'm going to call an ambulance now." The man pulled out his cell phone.

But Spencer quickly gripped his hand, causing him to stop. He and his wife looked mildlyrelieved at her sudden movement. Her shaky hand lingered over his arm. Biting her lips, shefound it hard to pull him closer.

No« No, not them.



Just by slight body contacts, Spencer sensed that the woman was already two months intoher pregnancy, and she would hate to make things overly complicated. It was to bebetween the hunter and its prey. Need and completion. Survival and death. There shouldn'tbe any emotion involved, any history to ponder, or a potential enemy left behind.

Gradually, Spencer tightened her grip on the man's arm and pushed herself up, wheezing asshe did so.

"Do you want me to call the hospital? You don't look so well," he said.

"I'm« I'm all right« Thank« thank you." Spencer gently pushed her way from the couple,but the woman rushed to her side with a worried face.

"Are you sure? You should sit a little longer. We can stay until you feel better."

The moment the stranger touched her arm, Spencer froze in her track. She had only a splitsecond to register the warmth from the woman's skin before turning to tackle the womaninto her harsh grip.

"Hey! What are you²" the husband yelled out. But he was quickly wrestled and pinned tothe ground by her left foot on his chest. Both hands struggling with Spencer's ankle, hiseyes widened when he saw the sharp fangs piercing into his wife's neck, her body shakingin convulsion.

Spencer peered down at him, watching him watching his wife dying ever so slowly at hermercy. He struggled to breathe under her hold, his face reddened as he yelled for his wife'sresponse. But as Spencer was regaining her strength, even a slight movement was madedifficult for the man.

The dread and anger in his eyes did ruin her appetite, but she was vigilant not to let a dropof blood spill onto the ground. She always kept the process of preying fast and simple.Cleaning up after her mess could sometimes be a pain to say the least.

After Spencer took the last drop from the woman, she tore her neck with her bare handdeep enough to get rid of the wound caused by the fangs, and then pushed the body intothe water.

Tears streaming down his twisted face, the man screamed at the top of his lungs at theatrocity before him.

Spencer frowned upon his noise and idly tossed the chunk of flesh into the water to feedthe fish. "Be grateful that I am merciful. You will soon follow her," she said.

With both hands, the chestnut-haired woman lifted a man more than twice her weight andflew with him into the sky. Her four-meter-wide, black, slimy wings spread out in a fierce

blow, and the moonlight lent her the view of absolute terror in his eyes. She warily, butprecisely, buried her fangs along his neck, blinding all lights from his world. Higher andhigher, the wind was frighteningly cold, but she only felt the streams of hot blood coursingthrough her whole. The blissful sensation by drinking from the young and strong wasalmost an orgasm in itself, but the pain every kill left her was far deeper than a lover'sheartbreak. The pain she knew so well, so long ago.

Spencer took a deep breath in and then growled at the full moon above her, her bloodiedfangs challenging the sky. She now felt terrifyingly stronger, and she resented it. Her dull



crimson eyes glowed into blood red color, lit by the deepest hunger in her. The hunger tolive once more.

Flying further and further away, she let go off his body into the dark water, certain that hewas never to find the shores as she was never to find sunlight again.

legend of the vampire (chapter 3: hunger)

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