Sistienn
By Wendy Brumback
Smashwords Edition, January 2010
Copyright 2009 by Wendy Brumback
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Cover design by Wendy Brumback
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Sistienn
I see him slip into a narrow dark alleyway. I could sense his desperation, his need, his desire. Through the shadows I follow him. Halfway down the alley he plunges into a corner carved in a pile of junk. I see his thoughts. His addiction feeds his soul. His need, so strong, could bring him no farther than this point. He slips his hand into his pocket. I step out of my shadows and look down at him. He stops, hand midair holding the bundle from his pocket.
“You can’t have any, it’s mine. I don’t have enough for you too!” He growls.
I kneel down next to him. “I am not interested in that. I want you.”
Running my long slender fingers across his cheek and lips, I hear him whimper. I look into his mind and see just how little control he has over himself. He wants the drugs; he wants me. He fears I am a thief.
“Look,” I say rolling up my sleeve, “I do not want any. I need not what you have.” I begin to stroke the insides of his thighs.
“I can help you get more. And at no cost to you.” I peer into his mind and see that I have won. I press my full red lips to his. He hasn’t shaved in several days. I can feel his hands groping for the fullness of my breasts. I slide my tongue down to his throat. Opening wide I sink my teeth into his flesh and begin to suck. I can feel some of the blood slip from the corners of my mouth. He struggles, but I am by far stronger than him. I let go of him. His hands reach for the wound. His eyes fill with fear. I can hear the voice of my mother, long dead. “Don’t play with your food!” She was a bore really, wasn’t she? But my thirst is intense and I must finish him. I swoop over him and within minutes it is over. The syringe has slipped from his hand. I stroll over and pick it up. Wiping my mouth I press myself into the night sky. Tomorrow’s masquerade ball holds many promises, but for now dawn would be soon approaching and I must rest.
As darkness approaches, I wake to prepare myself for tonight’s event. So many others like myself look to their feedings as a chore, something they must do when they wake, something to do until they must sleep again. But I am a chef in my world. I do not just eat whatever is slopped on my plate. I find the beauty in the hunt. I want fine dinning; I want it to be an art form. So tonight I am going to one of the best restaurants in town. The wealthy have their blue blood. It is a taste often filled with lies and success. Their blood is thick and so very rich.
I slip out of my darkened chamber and grab the blood red costume lying next to me. The theme for tonight’s event is Mother Earth, and I am the fire that wipes out the weak so the strong may continue to grow. Yet, I can destroy the strong as well. Many fear me, yet they are intrigued by me as well. As I walk, I look down at the many layers of fabric surrounding me. Faint hints of oranges and yellows swim throughout the red strips of fabric. I release my arms from my sides as a gust of wind hits me. The fabric floats around me, my midnight black hair whipping around my face. To others it suggests that I am surrounded by fire. I am powerful. It is why I chose the costume.
I enter a grand hall and am promptly escorted to the ballroom. Tables fill the corners of the room. Each is covered with layers of sheer fabrics dyed in tones of blues and purples. Vines cover the six chairs surrounding each table. The walls are covered in vines each producing beautifully colored flowers. Trees stand guard over the VIP areas. They are tall with leaves of autumn. Dancing is held in the center on a crystal blue floor. The twenty foot high ceiling dangles several large crystal chandeliers above the dancers’ heads.
I enter a sea of browns, yellows, oranges, muted reds, greens and even some blues. The dancers waltz around me, every eye glances my way, every head turns. Pulling back the curtain I enter and sit at a small round table, just big enough for two. I keep the curtains drawn back so that I may watch those around me. I have my choice.
It is from across the room that I see him. My mind enters his. He is wondering what I am doing here alone. Surely I must have a date; perhaps he is getting us a drink. Or maybe he is off with business associates. Who would leave someone like me sitting all alone? I am the most seductively beautiful woman he has ever seen. He is debating coming this way. I give him a mental nudge. He slowly turns and heads towards me.
A shower of blue and white fabrics rains down along my arm and shoulder. I look up to find a beautiful blond smiling down at me. Her eyes match the translucent fabrics flowing around her, so tiny, so young, and so innocent. I can almost taste the sweetness of her blood. A delectable dessert. I enter her mind and find that her thoughts are on him – Alex Tearenny. How delightful. Tonight will be a feast! My hand finds hers and I extend an invitation for her to join me. She speaks softly as if her words float in on the raindrops of her costume.
She looks up as he enters. I smile as a waiter pulls up another chair for my newest guest. He extends his hand and introduces himself to me, then reaches his hand out to her.
“April,” he says. “As always a pleasure to see you again.” His finger tips caressing hers as he pulled away a few moments later. How precious, it’s like they love each other or something. Lucky for me a man's lust is stronger than love; while a woman will do anything for a man she loves. However, I don’t quite understand what he sees in her. She is to simple. His mere presence suggests strength. He has a blood lust brought about in his work: Ruthless, no hold-back, stomp out anyone who gets in his path, merciless business deals. He is my twin soul. My Alex. What could he want with a child that could do nothing other than to tell him to “play nice?” I could give him all he ever wanted. I could give him the blood he has so long desired.
“Well,” April says some time later “I am afraid I must leave. The party I am with is out and about. Mother must be wondering where I’ve run off to.”
My Alex rises to escort her out, “Yes, we understand completely.”
I slip my arm through hers. “Tonight’s after-party will be an event, you are coming are you not? Of course you are.” I lean over and whisper, loud enough for him to hear, “We will have to slip off, just the three of us and see what comes up.”
She giggles and exits, waving to us. A light scent of morning dew fills my nose. The main party is coming to an end. Alex and I slip back behind the curtains and take seats across from one another. We talk. I watch him. Thick black lashes surround his piercing blue eyes. I can see the power behind them. We would be great as immortals together. He would live far beyond that of many others. His desire for that power would lead him there. But, how far would he go? Would he exert that power over me, or would he follow me? I cannot risk it right now. I will not feed on him tonight. But her, she will be a fine meal.