As night fell, Catherine stood at the edge of the ruins, her gaze fixed on the horizon. She could feel the faint traces of demonic energy leading away from the castle, a trail left behind by the one responsible for the fire.
"A fire of this magnitude," she mused, "could not have been created by a mere fledgling. Whoever you are, you are powerful—and bold."
Her lips curved into a sly smile, her golden eyes glinting with malevolence. "But power and boldness will not save you from me."
Catherine adjusted her cloak and set off into the night, her steps light but purposeful. The hunt had begun, and she would not rest until she uncovered the identity of the demon who dared to challenge the balance of power.
______
The bustling streets of New Portland were a stark contrast to Rui's frail, staggering figure as she weaved through the crowd. Her once radiant appearance was now pale and gaunt, her eyes sunken and haunted. The hunger gnawed at her insides, relentless and consuming. Each heartbeat she heard in the thrumming crowd was a torment, each passing human a temptation.
She clutched her cloak tighter around her, trying to mask the trembling of her hands. I can control this, she told herself, though her resolve grew weaker with every step. The scent of life—warm, pulsing, vibrant—was everywhere, and she was on the brink of breaking.
As Rui stumbled into a quieter alleyway, a kind-faced man approached her. He was middle-aged, with gentle eyes and a voice that carried genuine concern. "Miss, are you all right?" he asked, steadying her as she swayed on her feet. "You look like you haven't eaten in days."
Rui tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn't meet his gaze, couldn't let him see the darkness pooling in her irises.
"Here," he said, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a loaf of bread. "Take this. It's not much, but it'll help."
The scent of fresh bread should have been comforting, but all Rui could smell was the man's blood, rich and tantalizing. Her hunger roared to life, and she felt her control slipping.
Before she could stop herself, Rui lunged. Her teeth sank into the man's neck, and the warmth of his blood filled her mouth. For a moment, all she felt was relief, the burning hunger finally soothed.
The man's scream tore through the alley, and reality came crashing down around her. Rui recoiled, horror etched across her face as she realized what she had done. Blood dripped from her lips, and the man crumpled to the ground, clutching his neck as he gasped for air.
The commotion had drawn the attention of passersby. A small crowd gathered at the entrance of the alley, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion.
"It's a blood-drinker!" someone shouted, and the murmur of the crowd grew louder.
Rui's heart pounded as she backed away, her face obscured by the hood of her cloak. She couldn't let them see her, couldn't let them know who she was. Without a second thought, she turned and fled, her boots pounding against the cobblestones.
By the time the sun set, the rumors had already spread across New Portland. The tale of the blood-drinking human was on everyone's lips, whispered in hushed tones over dinner tables and in crowded taverns.
"They say it was a woman," one merchant told his wife. "Barely more than a shadow, but with teeth like a beast."
"Do you think it's true?" another asked, their voice trembling. "A human drinking blood? It's monstrous."
Meanwhile, Rui hid in the shadows of an abandoned building, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Her hands were stained with blood, her mind racing with panic.
I didn't mean to, she thought, her tears mixing with the streaks of red on her face. I couldn't stop myself.
She knew she couldn't stay in New Portland for long. But even as she resolved to leave, a part of her couldn't help but wonder if Fenrir had already sensed her presence.
______
Rui slinked through the alleyways of New Portland, her steps cautious and measured. The city was a labyrinth of narrow streets and bustling markets, but for Rui, it was a minefield. Every corner she turned seemed to bring her closer to being discovered.
The rumors had spread like wildfire. Though her face remained unknown, the descriptions of her ashen skin and the monstrous act in the alley haunted her. She kept her hood pulled low, the folds of her cloak obscuring her pallid complexion. Even so, every glance cast her way felt like a dagger poised to strike.
At midday, Rui found herself near the edge of a marketplace. The aroma of baked goods and roasted meats wafted through the air, making her stomach clench painfully. The hunger for food was an ache, but it paled in comparison to the thirst for blood that gnawed at her soul.
She edged closer to a bread vendor, her hood shielding her face as she reached out to snag a loaf. The vendor turned abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of her hand.
"Oi! You gonna pay for that?" he barked.
Rui froze, pulling her hand back as her heart raced. "I—I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely audible.
The vendor grumbled but waved her off. "Get lost, then. I don't need trouble."
Rui retreated, clutching her cloak tightly around her. She couldn't risk another encounter like that.
As night fell, Rui sought refuge in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The wooden beams groaned in the wind, and the scent of mildew filled the air. She sat in a dark corner, her knees pulled to her chest as she listened to the distant murmur of the city.
Her thoughts were a chaotic storm. She had no money, no allies, and no idea how to control the monstrous hunger within her. The memory of the man in the alley haunted her, his lifeless eyes staring up at her as his blood spilled onto the cobblestones.
I didn't want to hurt him, she thought, her hands trembling. I never wanted any of this.
But the thirst was an undeniable force, one she couldn't escape.
The next day, Rui ventured out again, this time staying to the shadows. She overheard snippets of conversation from passersby:
"Did you hear? That blood-drinker was spotted near the market yesterday."
"They say she's got skin pale as a ghost. Keep an eye out."
Rui's heart pounded as she ducked into a narrow alley, her breath hitching. She pressed herself against the wall, her body tense as a pair of guards passed by. Their boots clacked against the cobblestones, their voices low but audible.
"If we find her, the temple wants her alive," one of them said.
"Alive? After what she did? She's a monster," the other muttered.
Rui held her breath until their footsteps faded into the distance. She sank to the ground, her body trembling as the weight of her situation bore down on her.
She couldn't stay in New Portland much longer. The city was becoming a cage, its inhabitants unwitting jailers. But where could she go? She had no means of leaving, and the hunger made it harder to think clearly.
As she sat in the shadows, an idea began to form. Perhaps she could use the cover of night to slip away, to disappear into the wilderness beyond the city. There, she might find some semblance of safety—or at least a reprieve from the ever-watchful eyes of the townsfolk.
But even as she considered escape, a small, persistent thought gnawed at her: Fenrir. He was here, somewhere in this city, and a part of her couldn't let go of the connection between them.
The crowded streets of New Portland were alive with chatter, the latest rumors weaving through the city like a dark thread. Rui, hidden beneath the shadow of her hood, pushed through the throng, her resolve hardened. She had to escape, to find sanctuary before her secret was laid bare.
But as she passed by a bustling tavern, the excited voices of the patrons caught her attention.
"Did you hear?" one man said, leaning over his tankard. "Lady Fourie's estranged sister has arrived at her mansion, along with her mysterious servant."
"Estranged? More like exiled," another chimed in. "But they've wormed their way into her good graces now."
Rui froze, her pulse quickening. Fenrir. He was here, and he had brought Mary Ann with him.
Rui ducked into a nearby alley, her mind racing. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she tried to steady her breathing.
Lady Fourie is a noble. She can help me. She can bury what I've done, and the temple will listen to her. If I warn her about Fenrir, she'll have no choice but to help.
The idea grew in her mind, a fragile lifeline in her sea of despair. Rui knew it was risky, but what other option did she have? She had no money, no allies, and no means of escape. Lady Fourie was her only hope.