"Hey, Ferraro. It's been a while, hasn't it? And who's your little pet? Haven't seen him around before." One of the men spoke, stepping towards us with a sneer.
"Sorry, man. I think you're looking for someone else." Simon said, stepping between me and the man.
"Nope, I can smell you, my lord." The man took a bow, voice disdainfully mocking.
"Look, I don't know what you're talking about. Fuck off, alright?" Simon snarled, causing me to take a step back.. into a solid chest. An arm wrapped around my throat and I was dragged past Simon and towards the other man. Simon lurched forward and tried to grab me but was blocked by a few other men. The one behind me presents me to the obvious leader and releases my neck, instead holding me by the arm.
"He is such a pretty little pet. He certainly smells delicious. I might just have a taste." The man smirked, running his nails across my throat. Now that I was closer to him, I could see some.. peculiarities in his appearance. He was oddly but not ghostly pale, in fact, the ones that weren't mixed-raced were. His hair was darker than any color I'd seen and his eyes, oh his eyes. They were dead. They were also the brightest yet deepest shade of red one could come up with. When he grinned at me, I saw the edge of a canine. A very sharp canine. Holy shit. I was suddenly very glad for the man holding my arm because I was sure my knees would give out. "Yes, weak one. You know what we are. So bright..." No, no, no. This guy is just a crazy-ass crackhead tripping balls with his buddies and messing with college kids. Vampires don't exist. There's no way.
"Kieran." Simon's sharp tone stole my attention from the leader and I looked at him. His gaze softened as it met mine. "Listen to me. Some things are about to happen that you aren't going to understand and I need you not to freak out on me, okay?" I nodded. What the FUCK is going on here? He nodded back before glaring at the vampire. "Fine. You're right. I'm Ferraro. Let him go."
"You know, my lord, your disguise is ever so deceiving." The vampire responded offhandedly, shrugging as he looked back at me and moved closer.
Simon's eyes darkened. "Nikolai, if you lay another finger on him, you will come to regret it very soon," he threatened. Nikolai only laughed, not even deigning to turn and face him.
"Come now, Ferraro. You create not destroy. You couldn't hurt me even if you want to." He ran his nail down my cheek and I shivered. Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of the look on Simon- Ferraro- that one. His face. I gave Nikolai a look that clearly told him I thought he was off his rocker.
"He's going to kill you." I laughed. The one holding me tightened his grip and I whipped my head to glare at him. "Let me go." I growled. Ferraro, I guess is his name now, took a step forward threateningly and Nikolai raised a hand. The one I was glaring at grabbed the back of my head and jerked it to the other side, moving his fangs to my neck. Ferraro froze.
"Enough!" Ferraro commanded. He started to change? Shift? He got taller. I mean, he was already taller than me but he still must've grown to be at least 7 feet tall. His eyes turned to golden, dazzling stars under the violet sky of his deep purple hair. His teeth, lips pulled in a bared growl, became longer and much more pointed. A large shadow fell across us and I nearly fainted when I realized what they were. Wings. He had wings. Large, feathery wings. Is that a fucking tail?!
"Oh.. my.. god." I let out breathily.
With a deepthroated chuckle that echoed in my core, he responded, "Quite literally, actually."