by Bell Stoires
Ari turned on the spot and saw Kiara’s manicured hand creeping up Ragon’s shoulder. Instantly her mouth dropped but before Ari could say anything, Sandra had moved over and brushed Kiara’s hand away.
“Didn’t anyone tell you it was a costume party?” Sandra said pityingly, and Ari thought that she had a point.
Kiara was dressed as a witch. She wore a conical hat that matched a tight black dress. For a moment Ari raked the two longs slits that exposed her thighs, until her eyes focused on the broomstick she held.
“Would you mind fetching some wine?” Sandra asked the waiter, her thick honey voice breaking the tension in the room. “Red.”
The waiter nodded once and left to fill the drink order.
“So,” said Kiara, licking her lips, “what’s that doing here?”
As she pointed at Ari Ragon growled, until a voice from behind stopped him dead in his tracks.
“Ah Ragon, so good of you to join us,” said a man.
Ragon didn’t turn but kept his eyes locked on Ari as he said, “William, thank you for inviting us.”
Slowly Ari’s eyes fell on William- the Elder. He looked to be in his forties and wore a medieval knight’s outfit, with a long red cape and sheathed sword. His skin was olive, and his dark hair reached just above his shoulder. Next to him another man stood, wearing a full length white cloak with a large black cross in the middle. Most of his hair was covered by the white hood of the cloak, but Ari could just make out that it was reddish-brown. His eyes were hazel and his skin was ghostly white, blending in almost perfectly with his robes, and contrasting against his thick moustache. Ari guessed that this must have been Nickolas, the other Elder.
“And you bought us a present?” Nikolas asked, staring plainly at Ari, a frown on his face.
“Oh no, she’s just a source,” said Ragon, waving his hand indifferently at Ari. “Besides, I didn’t realise we were bringing gifts, otherwise I would have gotten you something more suited to your tastes.”
At these words Ragon had taken one meaningful look at one of the waiters, and Nikolas laughed loudly.
“A source of yours, really?” asked Kiara, moving closer to look at Ari, “and yet I don’t see a mark on her.”
Both Nikolas and William turned to face Ari. As they stared at her she thought fast, trying not to let her eyes mirror the horrified thoughts that were circling her mind.
“Err,” she muttered, looking around until her eyes fell on her arm, “are you hungry master?” she asked, holding out her wrist for him to take.
As she did this, Ari made sure to show the Elders the scar that had formed from where Ragon had attacked her, all those months ago.
Staring down at her outstretched arm, Ragon’s jaw dropped, but then he recomposed himself and said, “Later,” in a firm voice.
Kiara gawked at the scar but did not say anything, and both Nikolas and William turned to look at the rest of the coven, apparently satisfied.
“Thank-you for inviting us,” said Sandra, moving over to the two Elders and kissing them each on the cheek in greeting.
“Ah Sandra, you look as lovely as ever, as do you Larissa,” said Nikolas.
“And Ragon, Cambridge, Thomas, Clyde and Sameth, you are most welcome,” came William’s voice.
Ragon nodded once while Clyde smiled up at them, the blood from his drink staining his lips red.
“I see you have seen that the lovely Kiara has also decided to grace us with her presence,” said William, indicating the witch behind them.
“Indeed,” said Sameth.
Ignoring Sameth, Kiara smiled up warmly at the Elders.
Just then a tall elderly blonde woman waved at Kiara and she moved robotically away from the group, saying, “Excuse me,” to the Elders and bumping shoulders hard with Ari.
“Well, if you can pry yourself away from your lovely source, we have an excellent range here tonight,” said Nikolas. “Oh Bernard,” he shouted, moving over to the waiter and reaching for his IV, “what would we do without you?”
Starve? Ari though to herself but quickly hid her smile.
Nikolas sucked on the Bernard’s IV, while the waiter looked back at him in awe. It was clear that Bernard loved him, and it was also clear that Nikolas loved the taste of Bernard.
“Now Ragon, this coven you have formed, I do hope that you are not responsible for the mortal deaths that have been reported in the news of late. You know we are charged with keeping our existence a secret; I would hate to have to punish you,” said William, his eyes raking Ragon from head to toe, as if in admiration.
Up until now, Ari had not entirely been sure if William and Nikolas were partners, or lovers. Now as she watched William undress Ragon with his eyes, it was painfully obvious that they were both. She shuddered to think what William might constitute as an adequate punishment, if he knew that Ragon had killed five mortals.
Ragon looked up and smiled, “No not me,” he said playfully. “Though I have heard some reports on the humans news; ten deaths isn’t it?”
“Ten that they know about; we must have had to arrange cleaners to hide…” said William, looking at Nikolas for the answer.
Nikolas scoffed and said, “Thirteen,” under his breath, before rolling his eyes.
Ari wasn’t too sure if Nikolas was angry about the number of murders, or the fact that William had spent so long drooling over Ragon.
“Indeed, thirteen… unheard of,” said William, while Ragon and Clyde exchanged a worried look.
Instantly Ari felt uneasy. Ragon had killed five people but who had killed the other eight? Her mind flashed to Lisa Kidd, the girl from her university who had also been killed.
“Still, vampires will be vampires; perhaps we just have an over jealous fledgling on our hands,” said William. “I trust that if your coven hears of any unusual activity, that you will permit us to investigate.”
Ragon nodded in affirmation.
“Well, please enjoy the festivities,” said Nikolas. “There are some blood dipped apples that are simply to die for.”
The Elders walked off after that; Bernard followed a little behind, as Nikolas continued to suck on the IV at his leisure.
Ari watched the Elders go over to another of the many gatherings of vampires and welcome them also. There were many congregations of immortals, some standing around small tables, others draped at various points along the grand staircase or sitting outside and smoking. A tall blonde boy suddenly moved over to their group, and Ari realised that the waiters had started bringing out plates of canapés, if you could call them that. Peering more closely at a plate offered to Larissa, Ari went pale.
“We have a mouth-watering assortment of Halloween goodies. There are warm Blood shots with shaved blood ice, spicy blood sausage, blood moose topped with a bloody crumple, candied blood-dipped apples, and for the vegetarians, one-hundred percent grain feed bovine blood pies,” the waiter said to Larissa.
“What is moose made from?” asked Larissa, genuinely interested as she eyed the small morsels.
“The blood has been frothed and is apple scented,” the waiter replied. “The mortal was feed apples exclusively for weeks prior to its donation.”
“Hmm,” said Larissa, reaching for the small, dark, red canapé.
Each of the coven members followed suit, all except for Ragon, who stood staring at the look of horror on Ari’s face instead.
“I thought you said you didn’t like to eat food?” Ari asked conversationally, as soon as the waiter left. Larissa made to answer but before she could, Ari had cut across and added, “How my people have you killed?”
Clyde smiled wickedly and said, “Today… or in general?”
“Since you got here,” Ari replied coolly.
Perhaps sensing her concern, each replied quickly in turn saying, “None,” all except Ragon, who looked around nervously and whispered, “You know how many.”
If that were true then there were eight people out there who had been killed by vamp
ires not in this coven. Realising this Ari shivered.
“It’s a big city; there are bound to be some causalities,” Sameth replied indifferently.
“Perhaps it is because of the party?” suggested Cambridge.
“No,” Ragon said quickly. “I think Ari’s right; William and Nicholas would not invite so many guests if it alerted the human authorities.”
“Then why are so many people being killed?” she asked.
Just then a large group of vampires walked past; Ari watched them tentatively, before Sandra nudged her in the ribs and whispered, “Not here.”
After that half the group moved outside, while Cambridge, Larissa, Sandra and Thomas moved to the dance floor, dancing to what the orchestra had announced was ‘George Winston’s, New Orleans Slow Dance.’ Unable to stop herself, Ari looked over at Ragon. She had just made up her mind to go over and talk to him, when Clyde appeared in front of her.
“May I?” he asked, bowing low and holding out his hand for her.
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes still locked on Ragon, but accepted; Clyde took her right hand in his and placed his left hand on the small of her back, sweeping them to the centre of the dance floor, just as the music began. In his arms, Ari felt as if she were floating. The black feathers of her wings were gliding through the air as Clyde directed her. At each twirl Ari smiled, and soon the pair had traced a route all around the dance floor. Her black angel’s costume and diamond headpiece sparkled majestically, portraying her as the picture of innocence. In concert to the change of rhythm, Clyde began spinning her, holding his hand above her head as she turned on the spot, her black dress flowing out.
The momentum of being twirled so many times almost made Ari loose her balance, until Clyde whispered, “Keep your eyes on something fixed.”
After that she was lost in Clyde’s honey coloured eyes. In that moment she didn’t see the sarcastic, bad ass vampire; she just saw a boy dancing with a girl, and for the first time she wondered why Clyde was so dark and twisty. All she knew for sure, as she allowed him to dip her low before recalling her into his arms, was that she didn’t know exactly how she felt about him.
“She is lovely,” William commented to Ragon, looking over at Ari and Clyde dancing.
Ari had heard the comment and been surprised. She had purposefully strained to hear Ragon’s response, but there had not been one. Looking around the crowd, she couldn’t help but notice how many of the vampires had stopped to watch the couples dance. But no, Ari thought, looking at their wide eyes and open mouths; the vampires were staring at her and Clyde. As Clyde glided her along the dance floor, their hungry eyes followed her every movement. Suddenly her heart raced, but then Clyde squeezed her hand and she allowed herself to breath. Looking closer at the vampires, she realised that they did not look blood thirsty; rather their faces had become peaceful, giving them an almost mortal appearance. They appeared momentarily hopeful, as if watching Ari reminded them of the frailty of being mortal; reminding them of thoughts they had long since forgotten- their first kiss or first love.
For a moment the serenity engulfed her, until a large banging noise at the front of the house made her twitch in Clyde’s hands. The two front doors had been forced open, crashing hard against the stone walls and rebounding bulkily together again. A tall man with a long black trench coat was standing in the entrance. He was large, with a thick neck and even thicker hands. Though he wore no obvious Halloween costume, he looked as though he was dressed as an axe-man. His small grey eyes scanned the crowds, and Ari let a shiver run down her back as she avoided his gaze.
“Shok,” said William, racing over to the man and bowing ever so slightly.
“We had no idea you were in Australia,” Nikolas said hurriedly.
“I have business here,” the vampire called Shok replied, not looking at either of the Elders.
“For the Ancients?” asked William, his voice low and scared.
Though the music continued to play in the background, the moment that William had spoken the entire room fell silent. Next to her, Ari felt Clyde go stiff and though she knew only a little of the Ancients, she couldn’t help but also feel afraid.
“That is not your concern,” replied Shok, moving further into the house and stealing a goblet from one of the waiters.
“Of course not,” said Nikolas, looking at William incredulously. “William only meant… if there is anything we can do to assists, please don’t hesitate.”
Shok did not answer but drunk deeply and greedily from his glass, so that thin trails of red liquid spilt from his mouth, down his chin and fell onto his trench coat.
It took a few more minutes before the mood in the house had returned to its previously bubbly affair.
When finally Ari thought it was safe, she leaned in close to Clyde and whispered, “Who the hell was that?”
Clyde’s eyes widened and he looked around, apparently unsure if he should answer but then leaned in close to Ari, so close that she felt his whispered words on the side of her cheek, “Shok is the Ancient’s assassin.”
“Assassin?”
Glancing up at the large mahogany banister, she looked for Shok. He was hidden behind the shadows of one of the caged dancers and appeared to be speaking intently to someone- Kiara and Kiara was staring straight back at Ari. After a moment Shok moved away, though Kiara’s dark eyes remained fixed on Ari. Slowly her expression changed. Kiara cocked her head to one side and opened her mouth in surprise, as if she had just realised something. At the exact same time, the music ended, and Clyde lowered Ari into a dip; when he had pulled her back up, Kiara was nowhere to be seen.
“Ari honey, you were wonderful,” said Sandra, “no accounting for taste though,” she added, after looking at Clyde repulsed.
Ari looked at Sandra blankly. Her mind was still very much stuck on Kiara and the victorious expression that had sprawled across her face; anything that made Kiara so obviously happy could not be good.
“Do you know where the bathroom is?” asked Ari, moving awkwardly away from Clyde.
“Just up the stairs and to the right,” replied Larissa.
“You’re not going by yourself, said Ragon, appearing suddenly besides her.
“Come on sweety,” said Larissa, “I’ll show you.”
Ari moved up the stairs, her mind swimming with thoughts of Ragon, Shok and Kiara, but these were punctuated when she heard loud laughter coming from the dance floor. Glancing back down, she saw two men standing in the entrance, pointing excitedly up at one of the cages that were hanging from the ceiling. The pair was dressed as clowns, with large black tears painted below their eyes, making them look as if they had just walked off the set of a horror film. But it wasn’t just their overt costumes; there was something strange about the way they moved, as if they were drunk or deranged.
“Mine!” said the nearest clown, and without warning he jumped into the air and swung the cage off its latch so that it landed hard on the floor below.
The noise from the irons bars hitting the floor boards was deafening, and everyone in the room stopped to watch it spiral around the room before coming to rest in the centre of the dance floor. The girl inside the cage was dazed, pressing her hand against a large bleeding cut on her head.
“Damaged goods,” said the second clown, blurring over to the cage and tearing the bars away.
For a moment the girl looked up hopefully but her face quickly fell when fangs delved into the side of her throat. Bright red blood splashed across the floor and the girl fell down dead.
Ari stood a few feet away, her mouth frozen open in horror. A few of the people in the crowd had begun laughing and the sound of their shrill enjoyment of this horrible scene, made Ari’s head spin. She felt as if she were sinking, and still thinking of the bathroom, moved eagerly towards it, not bothering to wait for Larissa, who like the rest of the coven was surveying the scene still.
“Everyone does it,” Ari heard a woman dressed as the grim rapier say.
“But no one talks about,” another woman agreed.
The moment Ari pushed the bathroom door open she saw that she was not alone; two girls were admiring their reflection in the mirror.
“Kiara got it for-,” said one of the girls, who fell silent when Ari entered the room and hastily pushed a small glass vial into her bag.
At the mention of Kiara’s name, Ari stiffened. She waited until the girls left before staring down at the basin in front of her and splashing cool water on her cheeks, hoping to relieve the burning sensation.
The water felt amazing against her scorching cheeks, but the moment her eyes closed she couldn’t help but flash back to the poor girl in the cage. There was laughter ringing in her ears, cruel and eerie, and she felt sick knowing that there hadn’t been anyone there who cared. If Ragon hadn’t saved her; that could just as easily have been Ari. A long shiver traced down Ari’s back but she shook it away, before inspecting her reflection in the giant gold leaf mirror. Her eyes widened in horror as she stared back, not at her own reflection, but at Kiara, who had appeared behind her.
“Haven’t you just been the bell of the ball?” Kiara said in a cold voice.
Ari did not reply but spun around quickly. Kiara’s black conical hat was held in her hand and she moved over to Ari, reaching for something from a small drawstring bag.
“Great party,” Kiara added, “shame Matthew had to miss out.”
“What do you want?” asked Ari, moving slowly away while eying Kiara’s hand reproachfully.
Kiara smiled and retrieved a lipstick from her bag, applying a thick layer of the bright red gloss to her lips.
“If you want to find out about your parents, meet me outside near the large jacaranda in ten minutes,” said Kiara, smacking her lips before adding, “oh, and come alone, otherwise don’t bother; I will know if one of your protectors is close by.”
Half a second later and Sameth burst through the doors. His eyes were wide, until they fell on Ari. Before he could do or say anything however, Sandra and Larissa appeared behind him. Ari jumped at the sight of them and smiled weakly. Her face was still dripping with water, which nicely hid the beads of sweat that had formed on her forehead from her encounter with Kiara.