“What’s the code?” I whispered to Loral.
“Macaroni,” he sniggered.
His cheeks were flush with booze already. I placed my hand on the door and sent a thread of power into the wards.
Macaroni
They parted and let us through before snapping close behind us. As soon as we were through, the music blasted me. I could feel the bass pulsing through my body. The room was dimly lit. I could barely make out the small dance floor that was surrounded by plush red cushions. In a corner I spotted Rammic. He was sitting in a ridiculous pile of blood red cushions, his feeders surrounding him.
Rammic did not look like anyone I had ever met before. I couldn’t imagine being forever trapped in the body of a twenty-five year old. His nose was too long and his lips too plump for his drawn face. In the flashing lights of the clubs, his skin had a waxy translucent hue. His chestnut hair was slicked back artfully and his suit seemed too tight to allow him to lounge as comfortably as he was. The feeders, a mix of men and women, were dressed just as expensively. Their bodies were adorned with precious jewellery. If I looked closer, I knew I would have been able to see the twin puncture marks that marred their skin. I made my way to the bar.
Loral smoozed and smiled at almost everyone he passed, it was good for business.
“I’ll have two of… whatever that is please.” I pointed at a tray of smoking glasses on the counter and passed my coins over.
It went without saying they did not take dat band here. The bartender handed over the drinks. They smelt like cherries and smoke. I handed one over to Loral.
He eyed it sceptically. “You're not dosing me with anything unsavoury are you?”
“Oh no,” I say in mock horror. “You’ve foiled my plan to get you drunk and take you home.”
He laughed and dragged me toward the packed dance floor. My dancing was still awkward, despite living with Loral and in Ka for two years. It wasn’t that I was bad, I just hated the feeling of the other bodies so close to mine. I could tolerate it only because the air-conditioning was laced. It was easy to get hooked. Eventually the crowd grew too dense and I left Loral to dance. There was a free booth that I shuffled into. A handsome blond-haired man made his way over to me with a drink in his hand. He had a goofy smile and I could see fangs peeking out from his full lips.
He slid into the booth beside me. “I’m Jonathan.”
His shaggy hair brushed his eyebrows, framing his telltale black eyes. I felt an easy smile cross my face. It was nice to be captured in the full attention of a vampire.
“Arina,” I shouted over the music.
It seemed a second drink had appeared in his hand the next time I blinked. I had barely seen him move. I plucked the drink from his icy fingers.
“Pixie?” he asked.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to ask?”
He smiled and tapped his nose. “I can usually tell but…you smell so strange.”
I took a big gulp from my drink. “Just a Fire Mage.”
It was the easiest for me to mimic. Fire was the only type of Magic I could conjure without needing to draw a rune. I still needed blood, but I could easily scratch my palm in an emergency and make it look like an accident. It was one of the reasons I kept my nails so long. I flashed the tattoos on the back of my hands. The black ink spiralled down around my fingers in artful flicks and curls.
“Vampire.” He flashed me his fangs as if I hadn’t noticed them.
Jonathan took a long draw from his opaque cup. I tried not to think what was in it.
“Where are you from, Arina?” He seemed to savour my name. I liked it.
“Here,” I bluffed. “What about you?”
“Ka born and bred, a true traitor then. I’m from Nexus.” He shuffled closer to me and brushed against my fingers.
“What coven?”
“Lasombra.” The ruling coven in Nexus, the most powerful one in the country.
“You’ve snuck out for the night?” I teased.
“Promise you won’t tell on me?”
The rest of the conversation was light and easy, and I found myself smiling more than I had in some time. After a number of drinks he dragged me back onto the dance floor. When you had a vampire’s attention, you felt like the only person in the world. I had enough experience around them that I didn’t usually allow myself to get drawn in. Tonight I couldn’t find the will power to pull away. I was doing that a lot lately. He had a kind smile and flirted so much it made my cheeks burn. His hands traced down my dress and wound around my lower back. We weren’t so dissimilar. His every feature was a trap to take a victims life force. The same could be said about me. The alcohol had made me giddy and stupid. I stretched up on my toes and brushed my lips to his. I felt his sharp fangs nip at my bottom lip. Warmth rose within me. From the corner of my eye I could see Loral giving me a thumbs up. I shooed him away with my free hand.
“I'm about ready to leave,” he purred in my ear and a shiver ran down my spine.
Loral danced past me and I plucked the drink from his hand and downed it. I needed it more than him. He laughed at my back as I let Jonathan lead me from the crowd. I seemed to be floating on cloud nine as I left the club. The alcohol, mixed with the dosed air, left me feeling lighter than I had in years. Loral was right, I needed to get out more.
Easy conversation rose between Jonathan and me. The back of his hand brushed mine and he intertwined our fingers. We walked hand in hand down the street, swinging our hands like teenagers. Even though his skin was cold, it was comforting. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had touched me in a non-violent way. I was being reckless. The invisibility potion had long since worn off and we were out past curfew. If we were caught, we would be arrested. I couldn’t remember why it was a bad thing. Fuck the Elect.
“I’ll show you my Magic, if you show me yours.” I tried to give him my best seductive eyes. I knew by now Loral's hard work had been ruined. I could feel my hair getting crazier by the second and I was certain my mascara was giving me raccoon eyes.
He flashed his fangs at me and, in a moment, he was gone. Vampire speed was always so impressive. Before I had taken more than a step he returned with a crudely picked bunch of flowers and shrubs. With a low bow he presented them to me, roots and all. Pearls of laughter echoed off the tall buildings surrounding us. It was strange that it came from my mouth.
A scream ripped through the peaceful night. We tensed, the mood suddenly cold.
“Help! Help me!” screamed a female voice.
I raced toward the frightened woman. I could hear Jonathan on my heels. He grabbed my elbow and yanked me down an alley. “Here.”
Against a building a man held a trembling woman by the neck. I could see his fangs glitter in the moonlight. The vampire closed them around the woman’s neck.
“Stop!” I screamed.
The vampire flicked his feral gaze toward me briefly, paying no attention. He continued gnawing at the woman’s flesh. Her screams grew louder.
“What you’re doing is against the law. The Elect will come,” Jonathon shouted across the alley.
The evil man laughed, a horrible vacant noise. He looked powerful and deranged. It was a dangerous combo.
Rage quickly boiled to the surface. The anger drudged up my Magic along with it, not a tar but a wildfire. The woman would be dead before I could reach her.
Without a second thought I used my ring and slashed my thigh just below my skirt. My eyes flicked black and my power ran into the ends of my hair. The fresh blood the vampire had just ingested called to me. It had Magic in it, Magic I wanted. My smokey power blew from me and drilled into his unsuspecting body.
I forced my power deeper into him and his face twisted in agony. He released his grip and let out a pained scream.
Burn, Burn!
The vampire smoked and withered, collapsing to the ground.
Someone was shouting at me, but I couldn't make the words out over the roar of power. The terrified lady w
ho had slid to the ground was now facing me with wide eyes. She raised an outstretched finger, mouthing inconsolably. Finally her words sounded over the roaring in my ears.
“Sorceress,” she hissed. “Sorceress!” The lady scrambled up wall and sprinted away from me, trailing blood.
I felt my hair fall back into place and I spun to face Jonathan. What have I done? A swirling sense of dread lodged itself in my gut.
“I’m…I’m a fire Mage,” I sputtered. “See?” I showed him the runes on my hands in a feeble attempt to explain.
He brought his hands up in a placating gesture.
“I have no quarrels with an un-collared Blood Mage,” he said slowly as if being careful not to spook me.
Vampires had the least amount to fear from Blood Mage’s. Still, he looked terrified of me. He began slowly rolling up his sleeve, keeping a close eye on me. I felt like a skittish animal about to bolt, adrenaline pumped through my body. I watched him, not knowing what else to do. When his sleeve was above his elbow, he twisted his arm to show me something. The only thing different was a dead spot in his aura. I grabbed his arm, ignoring his flinch, and brought it closer to my face. In the pale moonlight, I could see in translucent ink a diamond tattooed within a circle. It was the sign of the rebellion. I had only heard rumours of the group that claimed to stand against the Elect’s draconian rule.
He wouldn't turn me in.
I tore my gaze away from the tattoo to meet his eyes. My pulse pounded in my ears as I gave him a small nod.
“I need to go.”
By now the human woman would be arriving at the nearest station to report a Blood Mage terrorising Ka. I sprinted from the alley toward the open street. It was good luck that I was close to home.
The city seemed to close in around me. The tall, glass buildings that I normally tolerated now seemed like a cage from which I needed to flee. Using my power had chased the alcohol from my system and I ran as fast as I could home. I mulled over the symbol on Jonathan's arm, the rebellion was meant to be a myth. The sigil was often painted on to buildings in silent defiance, but I had never thought much of it. The myth was perpetrated by those who were unhappy with their lot in life, the rebellion was meant to be filled with degenerates and the deranged outcasts of society.
The Elect ruled with an iron fist. They remained in control by force alone. Until recently I didn’t think there had been any other option. No one dared stand up to them, the prisons were full and the death toll was high. Now they would hunt me.
It was my worst nightmare come to life.
My apartment finally came into view. I sprinted up the stairs and scrambled for the keys. I sent a silent prayer that Loral was still in the club. The Gods must have heard me because the apartment was empty and dark. I legged it to my room and yanked the large black backpack from behind my door, filling the bag methodically.
Leaving was always in the back of my mind. It was only a matter of time before my cover was blown. I knew this place wouldn’t be permanent. Still, my chest tightened as I yanked off my heels and jammed my feet into boots. There was a cheap rug on the floor that hid a trap door. I pushed it aside and unlocked the secret compartment. In the small space I had stashed two large bags of cash. I snatched them up and stuffed them into my backpack.
My weapons were next. I snapped sheaths for the daggers on my bare thighs. The rest of my knives went in the backpack. Arina Bluebell was no longer. I cut the dat band from my wrist and smashed it under my boot. The woman’s horrified face played in the back of my mind. It hadn’t mattered that I had saved her life, she hated me more than the monster who had tried to kill her. I fled the apartment and jumped on my bike before the panic consumed me.
I flew from the city, the frigid wind blowing hard against my face. My helmet had been left behind in my haste. I weaved in and out of the small amount of traffic, the sun would be up soon. I needed to circumvent the cities checkpoint. There was only one area you could slip through unnoticed and only before dawn. Without a dat band I would be untraceable once I passed. The border raced toward me and I slipped through without issue.
The city confines disappeared behind me. There was nothing but old, forgotten roads in front of me. The information had cost me dearly, but it was worth it. By the time Dunlap came into view, the sun was high overhead. My grip finally relaxed on the handlebars. Dunlap had been my home before Ka. I didn’t want to return to the city, but it was the only option I had. It was the only place I could hide. On the outskirts of the city there was a run-down motel that looked like it charged per the hour. I pulled up, tucking my bike out of view. It had always amazed me how only a few hours from Ka was a town the Elect had no control of. Dunlap might have been a free city, but it was arguably worse than Ka.
The reception was occupied by a purple-haired werewolf. She chewed loudly on bubble gum. I realised I was still dressed in my slinky dress from the night before. It was a good thing, maybe my appearance would go unremarked upon.
“I need a room for five nights,” I said, if I couldn’t think of a plan within five days it wouldn’t matter anyway.
She gave me the price and I slapped the cash on the counter. No name needed. She threw me a set of keys and mumbled the directions to my room.
Exhaustion weighted at me. The sun was up but I couldn’t sleep. There was too much to do, and I couldn’t afford to waste time. I quickly dressed and washed the make-up from my face. I took off back toward my bike and drove to the nearest alchemist.
I didn’t like how familiar the roads still were to me. I hadn’t spent nearly enough time away. The city was always covered in a thick fog and that morning was no different. It was a strange consequence of the heavy Magic use that went on in the city. It seemed to taint the atmosphere. Cold seeped into my bones. I needed to keep moving. My black leather jacket offered little protection against the wind. In the fog, the streets blurred like an old painting. Dunlap’s streets were overgrown with weeds and out of control shrub. They covered almost every building and roots buried under the road causing it to crack.
The Elect had no hold here, but they used the black markets and crime as propaganda fuel. If your citizens’ only options were to live in the deadly slums of Dunlap, or the Elect’s pristine city, it seemed like an easy choice to make. The small shop came into view. I had been here on occasion, their potions were well made. I hoped it was still true.
As soon as I opened the door I was hit with a savage wind gust. It seemed the owner had not sold. The shop had always been windy and so cluttered that glass bottles rested precariously on top of each other. Loral would feel right at home amongst the chaos.
I found the hair potions relatively quickly, there were all manners of colours. I grabbed the most boring looking brown colour and a pair of ceremonial scissors. The store clerk looked at me with a crazed twinkle in her eye. No doubt if I requested a face change spell the news would be whispered all over the streets of Dunlap. It wasn’t worth the risk. I smiled sweetly and pulled a few more notes from the roll.
I didn’t have the heart to destroy my bike. Instead, I left it unlocked behind the store and made the long walk back to the motel. I kept to the shadows and hoped that no one paid me any attention. It was a fickle wish. There were always people listening and watching in Dunlap, even as the streets looked empty. Ka was overt in their spying, they watched their citizens openly. Dunlap still watched, but they did so from the shadows. A new face would be recognised. I snuck around the back entrance to the motel and into my room.
In the bathroom’s toothpaste-stained mirror, I attempted to cover my distinctive locks with the potion. I sat on the faded red bedspread and stared at the comms charm resting in my hand. No one had tried to ring me. I had hoped Loral would call me so I could explain to him why I had left. It was stupid of me to keep it for so long. I swiped my palm with the dagger and wet my tattoos with the blood. The device was engulfed in flames. I let the ash fall between my fingers as the remainder of my carefully constructed life fe
ll to the ground.
I returned to the bathroom and rinsed my hair in the sink. I watched as the dark brown dye circled the drain. When it was washed, I hacked at the length of my hair until it sat above my shoulders. I wrapped it in a scratchy towel so I didn’t have to look at it. Finally I allowed myself to crawl into bed. There was more to do, but it could wait until later in the day. It had taken me a whole year of planning to escape Dunlap the first time. After two years, I was just beginning to feel like my unit with Loral could be home. Now I had returned to the dark.
I tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. The woman’s face stared back at me with her terrified eyes and trembling finger. Saving her was the stupidest thing I had ever done. Altruism was not in my nature, it never had been. Many times over the years I had stood by and watched while horrors were committed. There was nothing to gain from saving the woman, only things to lose.
The alcohol was to blame. It had made me lose my mind.
After many hours of staring at the ceiling, sleep finally found me. I welcomed the respite.
Chapter Four
The burn of cheap whisky hadn’t warmed the cool pit that settled in my stomach, no matter how quickly I had drunk it. I sat huddled in a corner of the dimly lit bar. Luckily for me it was early and mostly empty. My hands trembled slightly around the cool glass and a thin sheen of sweat coated my body. My power slid uneasily under my skin. The hunger had returned. I lifted a hand to rub my necklace. It would be better if the charm was stronger, but dampening charms were almost impossible to obtain. The fact my mother had managed to get one at all was a miracle. I downed my drink and left a few coins on the table.
The Sanguine Door Page 4