We walked outside and something stopped me.
Night, in all its glory.
The intense summer heat in the South has cooled down a bit. All forms of life came out to enjoy this brief respite. I smelled the sea and marsh water, the life in the trees and the scent of humanity.
Firewood smoke and cooked meat, alcohol and sweat, behind it all, all the energy. I heard someone hunting. insect. Some distant music. Men and women danced, drank, and sang away their worries.
Tomorrow, there may be news of capricious floods destroying farmland and villages, as they do every summer, but for now, they forget.
I looked at the many roofs and burning lamps, and above them, the sky.
There were so many colors, so many patterns that I had never noticed. The Milky Way cuts across the sky like the brush of an angry painter.
At the center of this incredible vista loomed the strange eye I had first seen. As I looked at it, it stared back at me, and again I felt the alien presence.
It neither threatens nor promises, nor even judges. It just watched quietly.
Maybe I have accepted my new nature to some extent because I find it soothing. Even the ever-present thirst has a place in the background.
Someone kept pulling on my sleeves, waking me up from my reverie. I expected Baudouin to be angry, but he just showed patient fun.
"I've been wondering what you guys think. You all look like there's a Faberge egg in it, or a tarantula."
"Do you know what we saw?"
"Eye? Yes, Mrs. Moore mentioned it. She called it the devil's gaze."
"It's not a demon, it's a silent watcher."
Baudouin would dodge.
"What?"
Lord Nirari used exactly the same terminology. I guess his lineage is real, huh?" He sighed, "They say every vampire looks up and sees that eye staring back at them. Terrible stuff, yes. "
I have nothing to say about this. We walked towards the quay, passing Vieux ca
Surrounded by brand new Spanish buildings. The bells of St. Louis Cathedral made my ears ring. It's midnight.
"What happened to Ariana?"
"I walked past here less than a month ago. It's on the same street."
"Ah, I forgot. I'm not used to working with someone so young. We have to adapt so you don't get recognized."
"You talk like you're an old man."
As it turns out, he is. Baudouin is Madame Moore's human servant. They were tied together, and as long as she lived, he lived. Only a master can restrain others in this way.
I learned more useful information from him in thirty minutes than from that sleazy whore.
The Lancastrian clan ruled much of the English-speaking part of New Orleans, while the Aeken clan slowly blended into the Creole population. The Cadiz clan exists in name only. The Rowlands are all in Baton Rouge. Anyway, that's the rest.
The Lancastrians were known for their keen business acumen and large numbers of "recruiting" members from the mage families, with whom they were often at war.
The Lancastrians made a lot of money from the slave and grain trade. Most of the profits were paid to the British Crown as tithes.
I'm sure this pissed off Moore a lot.
Mages are another part of the magical population. Baudouin told me that if I proved myself a trustworthy companion, he would give me a more detailed explanation of the global magic world.
He knew vampires well.
Nestlings apparently require more blood to function. Physical exertion consumes a lot of energy and is discouraged during the first two years. In fact, it appears that the chicks need to be raised for quite some time before they are able to re-enter society. The youngest among us are either wild or aloof. There is no middle ground.
I seem to be an exception, although I don't know why. Masters are not known for producing offspring of exceptional intelligence.
Beaudoin found out about my confrontation in Jimena's training room. I was pretty fast for a newborn, but also very fragile and weak. That's good to know. The master is very old and I had hoped it would make me stronger, but it seems life doesn't work that way.
Vampires dislike firearms, bows, and crossbows because these are peasant weapons. Many powerful vampires existed before the use of gunpowder. This seemed to me another sign of utter arrogance and stupidity, until I remembered that the Master and Gaspard were moving faster than I thought.
Perhaps this makes the use of ranged weapons pointless to us. I still see no reason not to use it on humans.
Speaking of humans, the War Priest is a member of the Order of Gabriel. They are dedicated to destroying all magical creatures. They also despised the Irish, Mexicans, Jews, the poor, and women. What a fascinating bunch of people.
Soon, we arrived at the warehouse and I stopped Bodoin before we could see him. Those streets were silent, but the laughter came from our destination.
I dragged him through a nearby alley, approaching the target from the side. It looks more like a barn. It was made of a dark wood that smelled of rot, and was large enough to hide a sloop.
I led my bewildered companion towards the door, but stopped before turning the corner and losing sight of it. This is where the laughter is loudest. I traced a beam of light to a small hole in the board.
"It's too small to see through, Ariana," said Beaudoin mockingly.
I stared into his eyes, put my paw at the hole, and pushed.
The damaged wood bent and broke under the sharp nails, my fingers gouging it completely. The loud conversation covered up the little noise I made.
I didn't break eye contact.
Baudouin looked a little pale, though he had certainly seen more impressive displays of power in his years of work. I managed to hide my relief at the surrender of the wood. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing.
I looked inside. Dim oil lamps shone their yellow flames on a dozen drunken men and women. They are all young, full of enthusiasm and energy. The girls were exposed a little more than their parents would allow. The man's smile has a wolfish quality.
Thirst wakes from slumber. Greedy guy, you've already eaten once tonight.
A handsome young man wearing an open leather vest, brown trousers and boots sat at the front, like a little prince sitting on a throne. He has dark hair, an opera pirate beard, and dreamy gray eyes. Currently, sitting on his lap was a beautiful blonde wearing trousers, her large breasts exposed by her generous cleavage. A tall, muscular man with a beard stood at the door, staring at the door warily.
There was no doubt that this dissolute young man was Mr. Velleman, and I had to convince him. His artificial manner and air of self-righteousness got on my nerves, and I immediately disliked him.
I also discovered another interesting fact about myself. While I used to judge group dynamics in terms of power plays and cliques, what I notice now is entirely focused on the hunt.
This is a group of people. It has a dominant male, a dominant female and a powerful beta. I know who will fight and who will run. I know who can easily isolate who is the easiest prey.
The shortest of the group, a mouse girl with heavy glasses, stared intently at dear Andre, whom Dad called "des yeux de c
apaud mo
t d'amou
". Toads in the eyes die for love. Poor thing. I know better than most what infatuation can do when one's chosen heart is as black as tar.
"Baudouin, find someone I can't touch"
With his help I identified three men and two women whose disappearance would cause an uproar. Andre's dick and the blonde were not among them. Very good. A plan began to take shape.
"How much time do I have?"
"It will be three days before the next shipment arrives."
"That should be more than enough," I replied, and headed for the door.
There were no sentries outside, which didn't surprise me. Andre was confident in the protection his name gave him.
I opened the door silently and walked in calmly. At first I thought the princeling chose this place because he wanted to redeem what was inside, but I may have overestimated him. The smell of overexcitement here is pungent.
The dark corners of the warehouse gave the group a long-awaited sense of intimacy. I'm sure some of the women here will regret their decision months later when the consequences become too great to hide from their parents.
The bearded man was the first one to see me, and he took out a stick, but when he noticed my appearance, he stopped. Gradually, the assembly fell into silence as they became aware of the intruder's presence, until Andre was forced to turn his attention from the blonde woman's left nipple to this new development.
The frivolous woman looked at me with shameless annoyance, rearranging her top, furious at my intrusion.
"Okay, okay, okay!" said the imbecile as the men chuckled. "Are you lost, darling?"
"No, you are. This is a warehouse, not a club."
Angry light flashed in the man's eyes.
"Can you please leave?" My employer needs this place. "
The blonde whispered in his ear with a sadistic smile and he nodded. Some boys started teasing and "complimenting" my butt. The temptation to tear them all to pieces and bathe in their entrails grew every moment, but I successfully resisted it.
“Why don’t you stay for a while and play a few games? Then we’ll consider your suggestions…”
"I'll just take it like you said 'no' and come back tomorrow to see if you've changed your mind."
I turned and left.
"Don't worry!"
I walked to the door.
"Hey, you slut! George, get her!"
As soon as George left the house, I was already gone.
Now they know what their sin is and I just have to punish them.
"So, what did you learn today, little sister?"
I took a slow sip of water and tried to ignore the cookie jar on the kitchen counter. The familiar room was bathed in the reddish light of evening. The stew is simmering slowly on the stove.
“We learned about anatomy and the various functions of organs!”
The eldest brother Aqili laughed.
“What do women need to know about this kind of thing?”
“Women make great nurses and doctors!”
"Nonsense."
"Well, I remember when cousin Sylvie lost water in the Montfort carriage, only one of us panicked, didn't we?"
"Okay, okay! I guess! So, tell me about the organs."
"Well, for example, well, the liver! It purifies the blood and produces bile, which is necessary for digestion."
"Really? Where is the liver?"
"Well, well, on the right side of the chest!" Here?” I answered, pointing to the middle of my chest, to the right.
"Ha, no. A little higher. Well, let's go find it together!"
Wait, what?
I'm lying on the table now. My chest was bare. What happened? Akili was walking towards me with a sharp pickaxe.
"Wait, no, please! "Please no! Achilles!"
"This is for your good sister, so you will remember it clearly! There it is..."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAGH"
"Yes! We found it the first time! Now, if you want to rise above your station and become a doctor, you can."
"No - please, stop! It hurts!"
"Ah yes, but it won't kill you because you're an abomination now! Good news, sis. It's the pancreas now. There!"
"No, please...please!"
I take a deep breath and release. What an unpleasant nightmare.
"My name is Ariana and I am my own person. I want to live and I want to go home."
I took another calming breath, wincing at the phantom pain of the cold blade in my stomach.
I may no longer sweat or peel, but I still have a smell. I guess it wasn't entirely unpleasant, but I had to take a shower when I got back from the warehouse.
Yesterday was strangely enjoyable.
I was already dressed when a new servant knocked on my door. Joan is resting, the man lacks courage. I guess I can’t blame her since I almost killed her ex.
"I know where I'm going. You can go."
I walked to the fence behind the house. The Lancasters' cattle were kept in several isolated cages.
"Good evening, Blanche."
"Miss Ariana!" Please, please let me out! I promise not to..."
I pulled the blond woman close and held her tight. After a night of sex with the prince and a day in the muggy weather, she smelled very mature. Her pants were sticky with sweat. I licked the two white scars on her neck and she shivered with pleasure.
I bite.
I didn't really taste her yesterday, just noticed her. I had a hard time resisting killing her on the spot. It's too easy. I won't even be blamed.
Something stopped me, a sense of belonging. Blanche was my first cow. At least she would be after a few more bites. That just feels like a waste.
I licked the wound clean, thirst receding from my mind like a patient tiger.
"Of course, Bla
Che, you know I am doing this for your own good..."
"Yes, ma'am, um. I'm sorry, we were just playing! I will tell Andre and he will understand. He is a good person! After you explain the situation to him, he will definitely agree to leave!"
"nature". I answered with a smile.
I asked my captives to wash themselves in buckets, as we did not want to be stopped by the militia simply because of the smell. Before leaving, I went to Baudoin's office.
"Come in! Ah, Ariana, how can I help?"
"First of all, you could stop staring at my ass every time I turn around and close the door."
"I'm afraid it's too late to clean up my act, young man."
"You old pervert. Anyway, I should go back to the warehouse tonight and let them go."
"What if they say no?"
"They won't."
Baudoin raised a suspicious brow, but let me go and gave me the knife I asked for.
I walked the streets of New Orleans wearing a simple dress and a conservative-style hat designed by Baudoin. I also carry bracelets and a leather satchel.
The crafty guy mentioned this as we were walking back yesterday and he was right. Clothes and behavior can really help you blend in with society. I would change the way I walked to make myself appear less confident, such as bending slightly, lowering my head, and putting on a depressed expression. Soon, I faded out of people’s sight. Just another maid running errands, nothing to see and no one noticed.
It's a different kind of magic, the art of street artists and con artists. Tricks of the mind. I find them uplifting.
We arrived at the warehouse quickly. There is no joy tonight. The place was dead but not abandoned.
Andre lives in an illusion of his own making. His parents are afraid of him and protective of him, and his friends are rich and admire him. The daughters of prominent families were enchanted by his wealth and beauty, and spread their legs for his personal enjoyment.
He lived that life. Yesterday he established his center of power in some fat businessman's warehouse. In his mind, they would play for a while and then leave after getting paid, preferably before the place got too bad; perhaps this was the first step in building his own criminal empire.
Then I came.
Blanche went out to attend to some natural needs at some point in the evening, while George watched from outside. I only took a small bite and took him away, then kidnapped the girl. A bite will make everyone mellow, if only for a while.
I knocked on the door, but no one answered. I could smell someone inside. They expected me to come back after I sent the letter yesterday.
I need them out. Fighting off an ambush at this stage is tedious.
"lover?"
"I'm sorry, Blanche."
I stepped back from the door, grabbed her, and broke one of her fingers.
Her voice is so nice.
As expected, the door was knocked open and the remaining people were rushed out into the street, with Andre bearing the brunt.
There were only five people left. everyone. This is so sad.
I forced Blanche to her knees and grabbed her hair while she stroked her hands. Her sobs were the only thing that broke the silence.
I'm grateful for this moment. I find it fascinating that real life matches fiction so perfectly. We now stand at the end of Act III. The hero is furious, while his beloved laments his fate.
The trusty deputy's eyes widened as soon as he saw me. The seeds of conspiracy were ready to sprout, and their battered group was ready to implode.
I was shaking with joy. I am the playwright, and I already know how it all ends: my victory.
"Let her go immediately!" Otherwise!"
If it were yesterday, they would be rushing towards me with murderous eyes. Tonight, they were cautious and fragmented.
I killed their princess. She sat dejectedly on the ground in front of me. After a day of searching, they were unable to find her or save her. Hours of angry and passionate questioning, then a feeling of powerlessness. Reality sets in and they don’t like it.
They had suffered casualties from those who came for their guilty pleasures and jokes, but found street fights and kidnappings too mundane.
It has ended.
Before Andre took a step forward, I took out the knife from my backpack and pressed the blade against Blanche's tender neck, hard enough to draw blood.
"No, ma'am, please. I beg you..."
This was too much for the one remaining nobleman. He dropped his saber and ran away. Andre, George and two of his men were left.
Ridiculous.
"You're going to pay for this, you! You have no idea who you're messing with!"
"André Villeman, son of Gauthier Velleman and Alice Weintraub"
"Wh...what?"
"We know who you are, we know who your parents are, we know what you're up to. You come in here arrogant and arrogant, thinking you're untouchable. You're wrong. But before we go on, this is Private conversation. You two? Leave us alone."
The two confidants looked at each other and decided it wasn't worth it. Now, only George and Andre are left.
"If you knew my parents, you would know you messed with the wrong person!"
"Your parents disavow your actions, Andre. They are not willing to help at all. Not even you deserve to go to war with us."
"you are lying!"
"As long as you're breathing, Andre, they won't retaliate. That means everything you own and everyone you know is fair game, starting with Blanche."
I moved the knife just enough to elicit a cry of pain.
"No, please wait!" Wait. I get it, okay? Let's all calm down. I will do it. I gotta go. I'll even compensate you for your losses. Please, let her go..."
Oh? He cares more than I thought.
"A reasonable offer. Unfortunately, it's not enough. George?"
"Yeah?"
I did something. It's like pulling on a rope made of beads. The harder I pulled, the less control I had. Still, there is a connection. I bit them yesterday and planted something in their souls, and now I have limited control over them.
"For Andre's sake, bring him to me."
"What! ?"
"Very well, ma'am."
George punched Andre, who fell to the ground like a doll with its strings broken. He gently grabbed the man and pulled him close. I could feel him resisting me, but so far my demands were reasonable and George was a natural follower.
The cold heart in me was enjoying the fact that I finally understood those Lancastrian cousins. It's interesting!
"You have to understand, little Andre, this night is more complicated than you think. We can tolerate joyrides and reckless remarks, but this time you have gone too far. I want to leave you with a warning."
I placed the tip of the blade on the edge of his eye socket and cut downward. This will leave a nice scar, and because I'm being generous, he can even leave the eye.
"Wait...what are you doing...no!" Aaaaaaa!"
When I was done, I calmly pocketed the blade and stood up.
"With this, we're done," I said, as he sobbed and scratched his sculpted cheeks.
My hold on George had just broken, and Blanche's loyalty was fragile despite being bitten twice. If I went any further, I would have to bleed more.
"I expect the place will be cleared tonight. Farewell."
I walked away. I could feel the ropes binding these two men to me evaporate like morning dew with this symbolic gesture. I don't want to keep them with me for the simple reason that they will be Melusi
e and others take advantage. Any possessions I collected had to be hidden, or intangible, like status. I won't let her use this against me.
As soon as I was out of their sight, I hurried to the spot where Baudouin and I had first reconnoitred the warehouse.
"You'd better come out."
Smiling to himself, he emerged from a recess and raised his arms in mock surrender. I don't think a person could pass by him a thousand times without noticing him.
"I hope you don't take this as a sign of distrust."
I sneered.
“If I turned the streets red, Baudouin, what would you do? Shout…”
A sudden sharp pain interrupted my breathing. It shook my bones, rattled my teeth, and left me shaking for a moment.
"What...what's going on?"
"Sorry, Ariana," he said, showing off a gold band around his wrist, "the tracking bracelet can also be used to inflict pain and paralyze the victim, before you use your vampiric agility. , you know, if you touch me, the bracelet will punish you.
I hissed softly. What else could I expect, a family full of liars and scoundrels to let me out of their house with no way to control me?
"Don't be so angry, little one. I'll make it up to you."
"how?"
"Before we begin, I have to ask. Why did you wait another day? Why did you kidnap?"
"Do you want to know the reasoning behind my plan?"
"Yes, I'm evaluating you as a potential long-term partner. I need someone to replace Ogedei, even if it's just temporary. Harold and Wilburn are not cut out for jobs that require brains. As Mrs. Moore's humans Servant, if you accept this role, I can protect you from most of Melusine's petty vengeances."
At the mention of other vampires, Baudoin's expression turned to contempt. I'm reminded that beneath his obnoxious exterior lies a sharp intellect. Also annoying.
"I have my mistress's trust when it comes to day-to-day matters. She'll leave you alone as long as I guarantee you'll be better at solving problems than entertaining that arrogant fool."
I considered his words for a moment. Being away meant that Cadiz could more easily contact me when the time came.
"Can you really protect me from Melusine?" She gave me the impression of someone who doesn't give up easily. She can keep abusing you until you change your mind. "
"Did you almost knock me out when you realized I'd hurt you?"
"me……"
Baudouin was right. The predatory side of me, which always pushed me toward violence, was strangely silent.
"Vampires will not attack human servants directly unless they are desperate or insane. This rule will be etched in your mind from the day you wake up. Your instincts will try to stop you."
He is right. I don't want revenge. How dirty is my thought? Is it still my own?
"Melusine won't hurt me, she knows the cost of annoying the mistress too much. Now, Ariana, do we come to an agreement?"
"I will not do anything that will take away what little dignity I have. Baudouin, I hope we can make that clear."
"Of course, Ariana," he said with a smirk, "I'm not going to force you to do tricks. I have other agents."
I shushed again, but my heart didn't enter.
"Um?"
I sighed. It costs nothing to explain my behavior.
"The group was torn apart from the beginning. The ringleader had three accomplices with bad backgrounds. The rest were scions of wealthy families playing gangsters. It was easy for them to face the reality of the night. It can be said that after that, the atmosphere was It’s ruined and I can only clean up the mess.”
"I understand, you think the best way to achieve this goal and destroy their house of cards is to kidnap one of their members?"
"Maybe not the best, but certainly the most beneficial. Few things are as alarming as kidnapping. Not to mention I'm craving a snack."
He laughed heartily and said, "Follow me."
When we arrived in Vieux ca
Baudoin began to speak in a soft voice as bright lights surrounded him.
"You're nothing like I imagined, you know?"
"how could it be this?"
"I've seen many fledglings reborn into this world. Most started out as mindless beasts, little more than robots. It was only after a while that they regained some semblance of humanity. You started out as My old self is now looking more and more like a vampire."
"Of course, my situation is not unique."
"No; however, it is still quite rare. I can't think of anyone else who was as... alive as I was when I first met you."
"I don't want to be reminded of this moment."
he said with a smile.
"Another problem is that you are too weak. In just a few years, Lord Nirari has developed a monster capable of going head-to-head with the Cavaliers."
"give me sometime."
He shook his head.
"No, Ariana, I already know you can't keep up. You're faster than most fledglings and some courtiers, but your strength is almost as strong as a human's."
I want to know how I can become stronger. If I could avoid Melusine's dark power quickly enough and grab her ankle, then...
I spent some time imagining the old red-haired woman crashing into the wall until we reached the outskirts of town. Then I realized something.
"Baudouin."
"Yeah?"
"You said you use a nest to do this kind of work?"
"Indeed. As you can imagine, his betrayal caused quite a few problems."
"Did you expect him to betray you?"
"No. I was stunned when he found the spine. Ogedei is hundreds of years old. He has been abused by the Lancastrians longer than I have."
"Maybe Melusine drove him over the edge."
Baudouin's laughter caused some of the late-arriving revelers to turn around.
"Ah, yes, I believe it. You see, Ogedei was part of an army of Eastern warriors that invaded Hungary. He made the mistake of hunting down a local lord, and guess what, he wanted revenge. Ogedei Something was missing. He never achieved the status of a master, and he never would if he were still alive."
"Can the lords find the best candidate to spawn new monsters?"
"If there are, they keep it secret. Some clans recruit mages in large numbers to retain some of their power, but the rest, I don't know. I don't know what makes one vampire any better than another."
"I see."
When we arrived at the house, a servant hurried in, and a moment later Melusin walked out of the door like a devil out of a box. Come to think of it, I didn't remind her that I wouldn't be attending her circus class. oh?
She and Baudouin looked at each other, which must have conveyed a silent message, for Melusin quickly retreated. As the door closed, I caught a glimpse of her face. It was twisted by the darkest rage.
It's your turn, witch.
