by C. M. Sipes
Ashley smiled a moment before replying, “Same as you. I like the atmosphere and the music.”
Vittoria’s stomach rumbled slightly and she internally sighed, she needed to feed. She was going to have to speed this chat along.
“You came to talk to me for a reason. Mind if I ask what for?” Vittoria asked as she leaned in closer to Ashley. She smiled to herself at the sharp intake of breath when she placed her hand on the young woman’s waist.
“I was going to see if you wanted to dance with me,” she replied in a whisper.
Vittoria took the drink from her hand and sat it next to her own before taking Ashley’s hand and leading her out to the throng of people. There was a decent crowd; the majority of them were on the dance floor, moving and gyrating to the beat of the music. Vittoria spun around suddenly, pulling Ashley to her as she began to move. She joined her rhythm, her back to Vittoria’s front, moving together among the other bodies on the floor.
Her blood smelled sweet and Vittoria felt her fangs begin to push against her upper lip. Just as she was about to brush her hair aside, Ashley spun around. Their fronts connected and Ashley grinned, continuing the movement.
“So what do you do?” she asked loudly over the music.
Vittoria’s fangs retracted. “I go to school at Marshall University.”
“Very cool,” she replied, pulling her closer. “Major?”
Vittoria grinned. Prior to the degree she would earn at Marshall, she already held three Bachelor’s Degrees—one in Philosophy, one in English literature, and one in Art.
“History,” she replied as she wrapped her arms around Ashley’s waist and pulled her in. “What about you?” she whispered next to her ear.
“Bartend at the Saloon.”
“I’ve never been. Perhaps I’ll have to go sometime.” Vittoria spun her back around so her back touched her front.
She was hungry. She had ignored the call to feed for as long as she could. Vittoria quickly glanced around, finding everyone thoroughly invested in the music and dancing.
Her eyes flickered down to Ashley’s hair, which she brushed aside. A growl rumbled in her chest as they moved, the vein almost beating in time with the music. She gently kissed her bare shoulder, slowly working her way up to her neck where she paused. Ashley’s breathing quickened and Vittoria grinned against her neck.
Her fangs easily pierced her flesh and she maneuvered her tongue to keep the blood from running past her mouth and down her neck.
Subtlety was everything when feeding within the sight of mortals.
She drank just enough to satisfy herself for another hour or so before she licked the wounds, sealing them. Vittoria pressed a kiss to the tiny puncture marks and felt Ashley wobble in her arms.
“Are you alright?” she asked over the music, holding her tighter.
“Just dizzy all of a sudden. Did you bite me?” asked Ashley, turning in Vittoria’s arms to look at her accusingly.
“It was only a nibble,” she replied smoothly before smiling. “Let’s get off of the dance floor, you’re looking a little pale.”
Vittoria guided her from the dance floor back to the bar, where she ordered her a soda. Her blood sugar would need to be replenished somewhat, as she may have taken a little more from her than originally intended. After all, it had been awhile since she indulged herself in a full-fledged meal.
“Drink,” Vittoria instructed, handing her the beverage.
Ashley accepted it gratefully and drank half of the glass quickly. “Thanks for that. I have no idea why I got so dizzy.”
“I’m just glad you’re alright. My ego may be a little bruised though,” she joked, offering a bright smile.
“No, that was perfectly fine. Really,” Ashley replied with a wink. “I might be catching something for all I know.”
Vittoria glanced at her phone. It was already three a.m. and she still needed to feed properly. She had taken too long sizing this girl up.
“I have an early class. I should really get going,” she began, watching as a small frown adorned Ashley’s face. “Here’s my number. If you ever want to get together, call me.” Vittoria winked as she handed her a napkin.
She turned on her heel and casually walked to the exit, leaving the building and heading out into the slightly chilled air. She hadn’t completely lied. She did have a class tomorrow, even though she made sure nothing in her schedule was before noon.
Vittoria rounded a corner and headed toward one of the sketchier parts of town. A lot of crime existed in that area as well as homeless people, and both were her source of food. She felt like she did her part for the community, though. She helped keep the homeless population in check, as well as the crime rate, even if her methods would not be agreeable to most.
Vittoria heard a rustle coming from up ahead, and her eyes narrowed on two figures. Two males, both white, and they were speaking about a meeting they had soon—a drug pickup.
“Oh, it is my lucky night,” she muttered to herself before sauntering toward the men. “Hello boys. Lovely evening, isn’t it?”
“Oh shit,” the one said, smacking his friend’s chest. “How are you doing, pretty thing? Why don’t you come on over here so I can see you better.”
Vittoria laughed. “I think you should come to me though. Maybe escort me home?”
The two men looked at each other before grinning and walking toward her. Vittoria glanced down at the ground before looking back up at the two men, who had stopped dead in their tracks when they saw her eyes.
“What’s the matter? Are you afraid of little old me?” she asked, walking toward them, hips swaying. Her movements were primal, and she grinned as a growl moved past her lips.
“Fuck! Run dude, run!” the one shouted. He only made it a few steps before she threw him into the nearest wall, his bones shattering. She ran after the other, easily catching him and holding him in her grasp.
“Dinner time,” Vittoria whispered before sinking her fangs into his neck.
It was the first day of the semester and, fortunately for her, the weather was rainy and dreary. She was certainly sluggish. But she had gotten enough sleep the night before, even though she spent a good thirty minutes trying to find somewhere to hide her kills.
She entered the classroom and took a seat in the middle of the room, not even bothering to dig out her notebook. It was a class on the Renaissance, beginning in 1300 AD up to 1600 AD. Vittoria wasn’t very concerned about the information, considering the fact that she lived through it. Not to mention she lived through thousands of years prior, through the memories of the Queens before her.
At the thought of the memories, her mind wandered to Marcella. Anger swelled in her chest and she clenched her teeth. The hurt and betrayal she felt the day it happened hadn’t dissipated yet, and she doubted it ever would. After all, she hadn’t seen Marcella since 1563 in England.
Vittoria glanced up, tearing herself from her pained memories, and examined the incoming students. Although she was just beginning her third year at Marshall University, she had decided to take a first-year level course. She hadn’t taken the class yet, putting it off since she lived it, and the fact that they also would be covering the plague. The thought made her scoff aloud, muttering under her breath about stupid fleas and rodents.
“Is this seat taken?”
Vittoria looked up at the voice. A girl stood in front of her, nervously fidgeting with her hands as she nodded to the seat next to Vittoria.
“It’s all yours, dear,” Vittoria replied easily, offering the girl a small smile as she rounded the table and sat next to her.
“My name’s Emma, by the way.”
“Vittoria,” she replied, offering another smile.
“Vittoria? Wow, I’ve never met anyone with that name. It’s Italian, right?” Emma asked, smiling at her as she pulled out a notebook and a pen.
“Yeah, it is actually,” she responded, slightly surprised. Most people didn’t bother to question her name, as
they usually believed she had said ‘Victoria.’
Vittoria eyed her curiously. She scanned her features, her eyes focusing on Emma’s.
“You don’t look Italian though. You look German actually, considering the blonde hair and green eyes, or possibly Swedish,” Emma rambled, “not that you need to look Italian for your name to fit, it suits you. It’s a very pretty name…which makes sense—a pretty name for a pretty girl—”
Vittoria cut her off with a laugh. “Easy dear, I understood what you meant. You don’t need to give yourself a headache over it.”
Emma blushed and smiled, tucking a strand of light brown hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, I have a tendency to ramble whenever I get nervous.”
“No need to be nervous. I don’t bite,” she paused, “hard anyways.”
Emma smiled, her blue eyes flickering to the front of the room where the professor stood fiddling with the computer.
Vittoria looked at her closely; she was definitely pretty and adorable with her soft features. She smelled the air next to her. Emma’s nervousness was the most prominent scent, but she also picked up on excitement and determination. There was an underlying aroma that she found herself smirking at—curiosity with a healthy mix of pheromones. However, something about her blood smelled…different.
“I heard she’s insanely difficult,” Emma whispered, interrupting Vittoria’s thoughts.
The young girl bit her lip as she watched Dr. Ellis begin to open her notes for the lecture.
“She is a hardass. But, as long as you do your work and do what you’re supposed to, you’ll be fine,” Vittoria replied, offering the girl a light pat on the back in reassurance.
“How many classes have you had her for?”
“This will be my seventh one. I took two of her classes the same semester, worst mistake of my life,” she paused, “Well, not the worst, but it certainly wasn’t a good idea.”
Emma giggled before relaxing and sitting back in her seat.
“Alright everyone, I’m passing around a sheet for you all to sign. This is for the group presentations. There are five subjects, and there will be five of you in each group. So please sign your name under the topic you want to discuss. These presentations will be due at the end of the semester. I expect them to wow me. Understood?” Her eyes scanned the room as everyone nodded. “Good.”
“Would you want to be in the same group as me?” Emma asked tentatively.
“Sure,” Vittoria replied with a shrug as the paper was passed back to them.
“Okay so we have…farming, witchcraft, the plague, religion, and military to choose from. Anything you like in particular?” Emma asked, tapping her pencil against the desk.
“Definitely not farming. It’s incredibly dull to learn about.”
“What about the plague?” Emma asked with a smile.
Vittoria chuckled. “Sure, why not. The Fates have a cruel sense of humor anyways.”
Emma eyed her curiously, but wrote the names down regardless before passing the paper to the students who sat behind them.
“So what’s your major?” Vittoria asked, leaning back in her chair.
“History,” she replied easily. “Which I am kind of regretting because this woman terrifies me. What about you?”
Vittoria chuckled. “She terrifies everyone, dear. I’m in the same boat as you, History.”
Dr. Ellis cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the room. “Alright, so we have the list complete. I’m going to read off the names in each group, and I want you all to sit next to each other throughout the semester. Collaborate, takes notes on everything I say. Especially if it pertains to your topic, okay?” Dr. Ellis scanned the room before rattling off the names. “Everyone move to your groups. I want farming at the first table here, witchcraft at the table to my left, plague is going to be where Vittoria and Emma are sitting, religion at the table next to them, and then crusades. Alright, move people.”
“Well at least we don’t have to move,” Vittoria muttered to Emma as the other three members approached the table and took a seat.
“Hi guys, I’m Emma. This is Vittoria,” Emma introduced.
Vittoria waved a hand to the others.
The boy in the group sat next to Emma. He had short red hair, which was messily scattered across his head, and bright green eyes.
“I’m Jason, nice to meet you,” he said to Emma before looking to Vittoria. “Vi, nice to see you again.”
She nodded in return, offering him a small smile.
“I’m Sarah,” the dark haired, hazel-eyed girl said with a smile as she adjusted herself in her seat next to Jason.
“I’m Maria,” the girl next to Vittoria said happily. Her hair was dyed dark red with light orange tips. Her hair fell around her tanned face in loose curls, almost resembling Vittoria’s.
Vittoria stared at her a moment. She was always fascinated by the way mortals colored their hair so often, constantly changing the appearance to suit their mood.
“Welcome to The Black Death guys,” Vittoria said with a smirk, drawing a chuckle from Emma.
“We should name our group that,” Jason replied, grinning ear to ear before flipping his notebook open.
Emma glanced down in front of Vittoria, her eyebrows creasing together in confusion before meeting her eyes. “Don’t you have a notebook?”
Vittoria shook her head and smiled. “I don’t need one.”
A small-confused pout adorned Emma’s face before she shrugged and turned her attention to Dr. Ellis, who had just commanded everyone’s attention.
Vittoria’s eyes lingered on Emma’s face for a moment. The scent of her blood wafted through the air again, the familiar aroma making Vittoria wonder what smelled so familiar about it. She shook it off and turned her attention back to the class, listening to Dr. Ellis begin.
Something about the semester already began to feel different from all the others.
Vittoria walked down a dark street, once again in the “unsafe” portion of the city. Her eyes skimmed the nearby alleyways for her dinner as she quietly moved through the night. She sighed to herself—once again hearing the rustle of clothing somewhere nearby. She had been walking through the night for close to an hour now, as had her company. She had noticed someone was following her after she had left her apartment, but ignored it. Now, it was just becoming a nuisance. Every so many years, Marcella would send one of her stalkers to track her down, follow her, and report back. After all, even though they had a falling out, she was still heir to the throne. The concern was almost touching. Vittoria knew Marcella loved her in her own way, as she did her. After everything, the fact that she still felt love toward her maker sickened her. It felt as if she was betraying—
Vittoria stopped suddenly, the noise growing louder and higher. Her stalker was on the rooftops. She didn’t bother to glance upward, but continued walking, scanning the alleyways for food.
She sniffed the air.
Three homeless men were up ahead, one of them close to death but still healthy enough to drink. Then, another scent caught her attention, and she suppressed the urge to laugh.
She knew that smell.
Marcella had sent her favorite little stalker after her once more. She thought how strange it was that Marcella continued to send him when he was so incredibly bad at his job. Vittoria paid him no mind, for the moment. She rolled her shoulders as she picked up her pace, following the scent of the near-dead man. She hung a right and stopped in front of an alleyway, her eyes narrowing on the man suffering from a coughing fit.
“It’ll be over soon. Don’t worry,” she said as she entered the alley, drawing his attention.
His heartbeat was steady, but she could smell his sickness permeating through the scent of death that hovered over him as well.
“I don’t wanna die,” he mumbled. “Bloodsuckers. Fiends.”
Vittoria stopped in her tracks.
“I knew they’d come back for me,” he muttered to himself.
/> “What bloodsuckers?” she asked as she approached.
“They killed my friends. Ripped them apart. His eyes were the color of the sun,” he muttered. “Knew they’d be back. Have to finish the job. No one could know I saw.”
“You saw? No one could know that you saw them?” she asked gently, kneeling in front of the man.
“Growls. Roars. The one ripped him apart with his bare hands. He ate him,” the man said terrified, his eyes finally finding hers.
“He ate his flesh?” Vittoria asked. Concern rippled through her body.
“Yes. He ate all of him. His eyes, they were bright yellow and glowed. The other one, his eyes were bright green. There was no white.”
Vittoria grew confused. “What do you mean there was no white? No white in his eyes?” she asked gently.
The man nodded.
“Was the white part extremely bloodshot?” she asked.
He nodded again.
“Merda,” she muttered to herself. There were bloodlusters in Seattle. She wasn’t totally surprised by the information, but she hadn’t detected any herself, which was unusual. She had spent the first two hundred years of her new life hunting the mad vampires who drank past the point of death—the bloodlusters, as they began to call them.
Vittoria sighed. She would have to track them down and find them.
She looked back to the man. “This one with the green eyes, did he eat the flesh of one of your friends?” she asked softly.
The man shook his head no. “He ripped out his throat, and he drank the blood.”
“The one with the yellow eyes. He didn’t attack the other?”
“No. They came together, and they left together,” the man replied. He had begun to shiver.
A cold feeling settled in her stomach.
“Thank you for telling me all of this. Could you tell me where it happened?” she asked, continuing to keep her voice soft.
“Just up a ways. You can’t miss all the blood,” the man replied as his body convulsed from the shivers, despite the warm air.
Vittoria nodded. “Would you like to sleep? I could help you sleep.”