Gabriel was about to leave when a vampire placed a dagger on the counter! He met with his eyes and all he could see was hatred.
"What brings you here, bastard?" The man asked. Two more men came behind him all wearing grim faces.
One had a scar that run across his face, a face that was close to the definition of ugly. The other, a purebred vampire from the pale color of his skin, had his hands clutching the hilt of his scythe.
"These two here don't know how it feels to sleep in those cozy beds up there," the man spat in disgust.
"I can offer you a place in my kingsguard," Gabriel offered.
The man looked him in the eye, long enough for Gabriel to guess his answer.
"The bastard is offering me a place in his kingsguard!" He said out loud for everyone in the tavern to here, which earned laughter from them.
He turned to look at Gabriel. "No one wants to serve a bastard!"
"Maybe you'll do that when I'm your king," Gabriel said and saw the man's demeanor change.
"God's be damned if you ever sat on the throne! I'll see to it you're not there!"
Gabriel spotted the dagger on the counter, his eyes shifting between the man and his hand. He could tell his intentions.
Vampires were quick, but Gabriel was quicker, unlike many half breeds. In one swift move, he took the dagger and pinned the vampire's hand on the counter, sealing his flesh with his own dagger.
His minions leapt at him simultaneously but they could not match his speed. He spun around effortlessly and sliced the throat of the screaming man on the counter.
The two other attackers stood in horror at his quick reflexes. It was unlike a bastard's! They exchanged glances and lurched at Gabriel but he offered them the same treatment as the man sprawled over the counter.
Gabriel held the dagger in his hand as two bodies fell behind him. His white clothes were now painted scarlet with blood dripping from the edge of his claws. He let his eyes wander around the tavern but everyone was silent looking at him in horror!
"Anyone else who likes lying on the floor unmoving?!" He asked but no one dared answer.
The tavern keeper came running in, horror filled on his face. "Your Highness. I'm afraid the king won't be happy when he hears word of this."
Gabriel placed the dagger on the tavern keeper's chest who was quick to catch it before it fell. "Let him hear how his bastard kills purebreeds," he said and walked out of the tavern.
*****
Elena lay on the bed, her hair sprawled as she stared on the ceiling. And his image never left her mind for once. She remembered it like her own name: his glowing eyes and the scary red in them, the fangs...
The door flew open cutting her line of thought. She whipped her head to the direction of the door and found a maid standing there, surprised!
"I'm sorry My Lady. I should have knocked," she apologized keeping her head low for the inappropriate behavior.
Elena watched her closely. She was lean but well fed unlike the rumors said about humans serving the vampires. Her eyes landed on her neck and not a scratch was on it.
"My Lady?" She called and Elena was caught off guard staring.
"Uh... Yes. What can I help you with?" She asked instead.
"I'm here to help you My Lady. I should be the one asking you that." She held her hands together like a little girl.
Elena nodded and the maid walked in. She immediately busied herself and started working on the unfolded clothes on the dresser.
"Who sent you?" Elena asked, his eyes still on the maid.
"His Highness, My Lady. I've been in his service since I was a child."
Elena was startled. This human was under a vampire yet no harm had happened to her all those years!
"His Highness is a kind person," she paused and looked at the ceiling dreamily, something that didn't go unnoticed by Elena. "You're lucky to be his wife." She continued working on the clothes.
"What's your name?"
"Jophiel, if it pleases My Lady."
"You have a sweet name," Elena admitted. She had never heard of such a name before.
"I was born in the vampire lands so I was given a vampire name. You wouldn't believe it if I say I don't like it." She giggled.
Elena just smiled sheepishly and busied herself with her hair when a question crossed her mind.
"How did you come into Gabriel's service?"
"The vampires attacked our human settlement South of Eldoria when I was young. My mother died at the mercy of a vampire but Gabriel saved me in time. He said he'd have me raised in the maid's quarters in the palace and feed on me when I was grown enough to survive a bite."
"And did he..."
"He has never laid a finger on me!" She packed the clothes. "I have to wash the sheets."
The maid walked towards the bed but frowned when she didn't notice the spot she was looking for. Elena noticed it too and looked down in embarrassment.
Fortunately, Jophiel didn't ask anything about it which she was glad. The maid walked out leaving her alone in the room but Gabriel walked in a few minutes later.
"What happened to you?" Elena asked, petrified by all the blood on his clothes. She has never seen so much blood on someone.
"I had gone to paint a tavern downtown," Gabriel replied. He studied her face, the shock on it making her look cute. "Do you realize you look like a bunny when surprised!"
Elena snapped. "Bunny? No!"
"Bunny, yes," he stressed and leaned on the wall. "I should do painting often to see your face. My cute little bunny!" He winked at her, the simple action turning her red in an instant.
In one swift move, he took off his shirt revealing his well toned body and abs to an already flushed Elena.
"As much as I'd love to paint, My Bunny seems to dislike the color I use," he said a smirk playing on his lips. "Do you prefer red or blue?"