Chereads / Blood Riding Hood / Chapter 3 - CHapter 3 | Sanguine

Chapter 3 - CHapter 3 | Sanguine

As Eve exited the grand palace of Selevex, the cool night air enveloped her, offering a stark contrast to the opulent warmth she had left behind. The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the path ahead, guiding her steps into the darkness beyond the royal grounds. Yet, as she moved further away from the palace, she was not alone. Two familiar, malevolent voices began to whisper in her mind, their presence as constant as her own shadow.

"The city is beautiful, Eve," came the first voice, smooth and seductive. "Its citizens are ripe for the picking, each one a potential feast of suffering and despair." This was Traikx Khan, a high-ranking demon from the 12 hells. His voice dripped with calculated mischief, always tinged with the allure of malevolence. He relished in the suffering of others, finding delight in the chaos he imagined. "As the great philosopher once said, 'Man is the cruelest animal.'"

Before Eve could respond, a second voice roared within her consciousness, brutal and insatiable. "Blood! Battle! Destruction!" Ebojak, the unholy beast, had once ravaged the lands of Ezka until his defeat and subsequent binding to Eve's mind. His desires were simple and primal, a relentless craving for carnage that never seemed to be sated.

"You two never change, do you?" Eve muttered under her breath, her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation. Her words were meant for the voices alone, a private dialogue between her and the malevolent beings residing within her.

"Why would we?" Traikx Khan replied smoothly, his tone playful yet sinister. "The world is a stage, and we are but players, each with our own role to enact. And what a delightful stage Selevex is, don't you agree, Ebojak?"

"Yes! A stage for blood and ruin!" Ebojak roared, his voice echoing in Eve's mind like the growl of a wild beast. "Let us tear it down, brick by brick, bone by bone!"

Eve sighed, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "You know that's not going to happen," she said, her voice firm. "I have no job to do here, and I'm moving on to find the next one. Surviving and wandering is what I do."

"Ever the pragmatist," Traikx Khan mocked gently, his laughter a soft, chilling sound. "But one can dream, can they not? After all, dreams are but the shadows of reality."

"Dream all you want," Eve retorted, her tone decisive. "But remember, I'm the one in control. And right now, control means getting as far from here as possible and finding the next job."

"Always so serious, Eve," Traikx mused. "You never take time to enjoy the finer things in life. Like a good torment session or a delightful panic in a crowd."

Ebojak growled in agreement. "Yes, feel the rush of fear in the air. It sings, Eve, it sings!"

"Fear isn't something I indulge in, it's something I control," Eve countered, her eyes scanning the darkened streets. "And right now, it's time to control my path out of this city."

The banter between Eve and the voices continued as she walked through the moonlit streets of Selevex, the malevolent dialogue a macabre chorus only she could hear. The citizens of the city, oblivious to the dark conversation within her mind, went about their nightly routines, unaware of the predator in their midst.

"Are you never curious, Eve?" Traikx's voice took on a contemplative tone. "Curious about what would happen if you let loose, even for a moment? The chaos, the power..."

Eve shook her head slightly, a determined expression on her face. "Curiosity killed the cat, Traikx. And I have no intention of being anyone's entertainment. Besides, I have enough power without needing to prove it to anyone."

"And yet, here you are," Ebojak interjected. "Living among them, pretending to be one of them. When will you accept what you truly are?"

"I know exactly what I am," Eve replied sharply. "And that's why I stay in control. Now, if you both don't mind, I have to focus."

Her steps were purposeful, her senses alert to the dangers that lurked in the shadows. The voices might crave chaos and destruction, but Eve was a master of her own fate. She would navigate the treacherous paths of Ezka, her journey guided by her own will, even as the whispers of the damned echoed in her mind.

"Very well, Eve," Traikx relented, his voice fading slightly. "But remember, the stage is always set, and the players are always ready."

"Yes, ready for blood," Ebojak added, his voice a low growl.

Eve ignored them, her focus returning to the road ahead. The moonlight bathed the city in a serene glow, masking the darkness that lingered within its corners. Her journey was far from over, and with Traikx Khan and Ebojak as her constant, albeit malevolent, companions, she knew she would face whatever came her way with unyielding resolve.

As she wandered through the quiet streets, Eve's mind turned to the future. The world of Selevex was behind her now, but the promise of new adventures and potential jobs lay ahead. She would find her next opportunity, whether it be in the next city, a distant village, or some hidden enclave. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with endless possibilities and unseen dangers.

As Eve exited the grand palace of Selevex, the cool night air enveloped her, offering a stark contrast to the opulent warmth she had left behind. The moon was bright and high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the cobblestone streets and shadowed alleyways. The city slept, unaware of the predator prowling its dark corners. Traikx Khan's voice whispered seductively in her mind, "A perfect time for a hunt, don't you think, Eve? The moonlight makes everything so... dramatic."

Eve's senses were heightened, her predatory instincts sharp. She moved with the grace of a shadow, her footsteps silent as she glided through the streets. The cravings gnawed at her insides, an insatiable hunger that could not be quelled by mere bodily pleasure. It was a hunger that demanded the rich, life-giving essence of blood. Mortal blood.

"This is the time, Eve," Traikx continued, his voice a honeyed caress. "The city is full of sleeping souls, each one ripe for the picking. Imagine the fear, the chaos, when they discover their numbers diminished by morning."

Eve's eyes glinted with a mixture of hunger and determination. Her thirst was a constant, unyielding force that drove her forward. She knew she could resort to lesser means—hunting animals to sate her thirst—but that was beneath her. She considered herself a gourmet, and the blood of lesser beings would not satisfy her. It would only weaken her, diminish her capabilities, and that was something even Traikx respected.

"You know my standards, Traikx," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't settle for anything less than the best."

"Indeed," Traikx replied, his tone one of amused approval. "Why should you? You are a pure-blooded vampire, a predator of the highest order. Let the mortals tremble in their sleep, blissfully unaware of the fate that might befall them."

Ebojak's growl rumbled through her mind, a beastly sound filled with unquenched bloodlust. "Find them, Eve. Hunt them. Tear them apart!"

Eve's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Patience, Ebojak. A true huntress chooses her prey carefully."

Her gaze swept over the deserted streets, searching for the perfect victim. Someone who would not be missed immediately, yet whose blood would be rich and satisfying. She didn't prey on the innocent; that was her code. Her targets were those who brought harm and suffering to others, those whose blood was tainted with evil.

"There," Traikx whispered, his voice dripping with excitement. "A perfect target. Alone, unaware, vulnerable."

Eve's steps quickened, her movements fluid and silent. She turned into a dark alley, her eyes locking onto a group of men huddled together, their voices low and conspiratorial. They were discussing their next criminal endeavor, oblivious to the danger stalking them.

"The city's filth," Traikx purred. "Thieves, murderers, men who prey on the weak. Perfect for you, Eve."

Ebojak's roar of approval echoed, the beast within her exulting in the impending violence. "Yes, Eve. Make them pay. Let their blood flow."

Eve approached them slowly, her eyes glowing with a predatory light. The men looked up as she neared, their faces twisting from confusion to recognition to fear. They had heard of the stories, the whispers of a predator in the night who took only those who deserved it.

"What do you want?" one of them demanded, trying to sound brave but failing miserably.

Eve smiled, a slow, seductive curve of her lips. "Just a little... refreshment," she replied softly, stepping closer. "But don't worry. This won't take long."

Before they could react, Eve moved with lightning speed. She struck the first man, her fangs sinking into his neck. The taste of his blood flooded her senses, rich and potent, satisfying her craving with a depth that only mortal blood could provide. The man gasped, his struggles weak and futile against her strength.

As she fed, Traikx's voice purred in her mind. "Yes, Eve. Savor it. This is your true nature."

Ebojak's roar of approval echoed, the beast within her exulting in the kill. "More, Eve! More blood!"

Eve drank deeply, feeling the power of the man's life force coursing through her. This was what she lived for, what sustained her. The blood of mortals was her lifeline, her sustenance, and she would not settle for anything less.

When she had taken her fill, she released the man, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground. She wiped her lips, feeling the rush of strength and satisfaction that came with the fresh kill. The other men tried to flee, but Eve was too fast, too powerful. She took them down one by one, their blood feeding her, making her stronger.

"Well done, Eve," Traikx murmured, his tone one of dark satisfaction. "But the night is not over. There

Blood ran down Eve's lips as she wiped it with a cloth, the rich, crimson fluid staining the white fabric. She glanced down at the bodies of her victims, now lying lifeless and shriveled on the ground. The sight of them, drained of their essence, filled her with a grim satisfaction. Their once robust forms were now withered husks, silent testament to the power of her thirst. She tucked the cloth away, her mind already distancing itself from the violence she had just enacted.

"Enough," she murmured, more to herself than to the voices that haunted her. "These will suffice to sate my hunger for now."

"Are you sure, Eve?" Traikx Khan's voice was a seductive purr in her mind. "There are plenty more out there, ripe for the taking. Why stop now when you could indulge just a little further?"

Eve shook her head, her resolve firm. "I don't need to gorge myself, Traikx. A true predator knows when to stop. Overindulgence makes one sloppy."

Ebojak's growl of disappointment echoed through her consciousness. "You could take more. Feel the rush of more blood, the surge of power!"

"Control, Ebojak," Eve replied sharply. "It's all about control. I've had enough for tonight. Now I need to rest and prepare for what's next."

Ignoring the lingering voices, Eve turned and made her way through the deserted streets of Selevex. The city was silent, unaware of the carnage that had just taken place in its dark alleys. Her steps were measured, purposeful, as she headed towards a nearby inn. She needed a place to meditate, to gather her thoughts and regain her focus.

The inn was a modest establishment, its wooden sign creaking slightly in the night breeze. A warm glow emanated from the windows, offering a beacon of respite. Eve pushed open the door and stepped inside, the warmth and light a stark contrast to the cold darkness outside. The common room was quiet, a few patrons dozing at their tables, a tired-looking innkeeper standing behind the counter.

Eve approached the innkeeper, her presence commanding immediate attention. The man looked up, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of her. Despite her unassuming demeanor, there was an aura about her that spoke of power and danger.

"I need a room for the night," Eve said, her voice soft but firm.

The innkeeper nodded quickly, his apprehension evident. "Of course, miss. Will you be needing anything else?"

Eve shook her head. "Just a quiet place. I won't be disturbed."

The innkeeper handed her a key, his hands trembling slightly. "Room at the end of the hall, miss. It's the quietest we've got."

Eve took the key and offered a curt nod. "Thank you."

She made her way to the indicated room, her senses alert despite the calm facade. The door creaked open, revealing a small but clean space. A simple bed, a chair, and a table were the only furnishings. Eve closed the door behind her, locking it with a practiced motion.

Eve didn't sleep—vampires like her had little need for such mortal necessities. Instead, she settled into a meditative pose on the floor, her mind beginning to clear. She focused on her breathing, slow and steady, as she delved deep into her thoughts. Meditation was her way of recharging, a method of finding balance and clarity amidst the chaos of her existence.

As she meditated, the voices of Traikx and Ebojak faded into the background, their constant chatter becoming a distant hum. Eve's mind wandered through the events of the night, analyzing her actions and planning her next moves. The streets of Selevex had been fruitful, but she knew she couldn't stay long. She was a wanderer, always moving, always searching for the next opportunity.

"Rest well, Eve," Traikx's voice was a soft whisper, almost gentle. "There is always another night, another hunt."

Ebojak's growl was a low rumble. "Yes, and more blood to spill. We are never done, Eve."

Eve's lips curled into a slight smile, her eyes closed as she found her center. "Indeed, we are never done. But for now, we rest. Tomorrow is another day, and with it, new possibilities."

The inn was quiet, the world outside moving on oblivious to the presence of a vampire in its midst. Eve's thoughts drifted, a silent predator at rest, ready to rise again when the time was right. Her meditation was deep, her mind a calm sea, preparing for the inevitable storm of her endless journey.