Thick, crimson rivulets ran down the milky white flesh. I smiled and trailed my fingers down my victim's chest. Soft groans emitted from his lips. The burning fire of the blood ran down my throat, I shivered in warmth and pleasure. I retracted my fangs and ran my tongue over the two puncture wounds on his neck.
His head lolled to the side, his eyes open wide in rapture, his skin almost translucent pale. He leaned against the concrete bricks of the buildings next to us for support. His smile a slow and lazy grin as he leaned up against the wall of the dingy alley where we were situated.
"Eh doll, why'd you stop?" He slurred out. His voice was thick with intoxication. I wiped my sleeve across my mouth, staining the Scottish cashmere with ruby smears. Folding up the corner of my sleeve to hide it, I sensed quick movement behind me. I straightened. Noticing the man had closed his eyes, and his heart rate had slowed, I gently slapped at his cheeks. He opened his forest green eyes. Gripping his chin in my hand, my ruby fingernails sharp like claws, I made him stare into my blood-red eyes. I focused on his pupils, releasing the full strength of my hypnotic gaze.
"You won't remember me. You had too much to drink, you will go straight home." I said in a clear, sultry voice. The suggestion layered deep within my voice. He blinked and straightened. He ran his hand down his face and groaned.
"Man, I feel like shit. I'd better get home." His eyes looked past me, unseeing. He leaned against the wall for support and started shambling toward the mouth of the alley. As he rounded the corner, I swept my gaze to the shadows. Crossing my arms over my chest, I tapped my foot.
"You can come out now, Alec." My clear voice rang out in the alley. A figure stepped from the shadows into the ambient light of the moon. His black hair fell in waves around his face, his eyes shone a bright silver — of one who had consumed vampire blood and killed our own kind. He towered over me. His stature equally muscular and intimidating. Glistening white fangs protruded over his bottom lip. In his grip he held twin silver daggers, elaborately forged with intricately woven handle grips. The Malachi daggers of our warriors.
"Well, I assume you needed something?" I quipped. He simply raised a brow, his gaze flickering down to the folded corner of my sleeve. Narrowing my gaze, I clasped my hands behind my back. When he spoke, his voice was deep and honeyed, laced with disapproval.
"He requests your presence." His voice dripped with venom. Nodding in acknowledgement, I slid one of my daggers from my sleeve and held it in my grip.
"Well then, you coming?" I turned away from him and called over my shoulder. With my acute hearing, I heard him let out a heavy sigh.
"Do try to be more… discreet in your endeavors, Elysia." He pointed to the spattering of blood on the cobblestones. I sighed and looked away from him, ignoring his comment as I started exited onto the streets of the city. Cars bustled by on the roads, pedestrians milled by down the streets in the moonlight. Music flowed out from restaurant doorways. The sign protruding from the building for the bar I had been in was right around the corner.
The gentle breeze blew my deep red locks out of my face. They fell in gentle cascades down my back. I turned to face Alec, who trailed silently behind me as a shadow.
"So, are you going to trust my driving, or are we running?" The corners of my lips lifted in a smirk. Alec's gaze flicked to the end of the block, where my sleek black Harley motorcycle was parked. Then he gazed into my eyes.
"I'd rather not die tonight. We'll run." He gritted out. I snorted and nodded my head. I turned away from him and took off. Streets and cars seemed frozen in place as I sped by. The wind whipped my hair. I heard Alec's light footsteps running beside me. I turned my head, and he was keeping pace with me easily. We wove through the city until we came to the massive wrought-iron gates that lead to the Areklides manor. Nodding to the guards at the gates, who saluted us and opened them.
We proceeded toward the mansion. It was expansive, taking up the size of almost a university campus building.
The stone architecture was covered in Greek friezes, Corinthian pillars, and the grounds were decorated with elaborate statuary. I could see the god Ares at every corner, smiting his enemies, holding his arms of power. As we entered the monumental doorway, it opened into an entryway with a vaulted ceiling. Attendants waited inside the doorway. They bowed as I walked past. I made my way through the halls to the gathering hall, where Ares' throne awaited.
The hall was filled with a few clan members milling about, discussing official businesses and accounts for the family. Servants lined the walls of the room, awaiting being called upon. Ares sat on his elaborate metal throne upon a raised dais in the northern part of the room. Servants surrounded him, refilling his goblet of wine, delivering food on a tray.
Ares looked deceptively young, appearing as a man in his early 30s. He shined with youth and strength. He towered over most at well over six feet in height; his muscles bulged with strength and vigor. He maintained the traditional garb of the Greeks, a white chiton clasped at his shoulder. His strawberry blonde curls shimmered in the hall's light, his eyes shone a bright gold, laced with fire and power.
He sampled all the goods and smiled at the subjects speaking before him. When he saw me enter the room, he straightened. Beckoning forth with his hand, he greeted me.
"Elysia! I have been waiting. Come here, my child." With a flick of his hands, he dismissed the servants surrounding him. They skittered off. He nodded in greeting to Alec, who followed behind me.
"You called for me, Father." I bowed my head to him. He is our god, although trapped in mortal form, and protects all of us with his power. Nodding, his mouth fell in a grim line.
"Any update on the stronghold?" He asked. I nodded.
"I found someone tonight who associated with the hunters, indirectly supplied them with arms. His memories lead us toward the Eastern District of the city. A warehouse where they keep their supplies. I'm sure if we follow them there, we can find the stronghold." I flicked my gaze to Alec, who was pale with the realization that's what I had been doing tonight, not gallivanting on a lecherous adventure.
"I assume you used your gift. There is no need to question the validity of the information." Ares' lips quirked in a proud smirk. "I thank your mother for your talents."
"Let us not forget the gifts I got from you, Father." I smiled. He laughed good-naturedly. As the daughter of Ares and Mnemosyne, I had a rare ability amongst our kind — memory manipulation. By consuming the blood of another I can see their memories, manipulate them, erase them. Most of us had abilities granted to us by our lineage. They differed with each person.
"I must bring up the real reason I called you here today." He sighed and dragged his hand down his face, as if frustrated already.
"What is it?" I asked. He looked rather sheepish.
"The awakening will be upon us soon. It's time to discuss your participation."