The world just isn't as it was. That's how I've come to say it to myself. I can easily remember a time when an actual silver or gold coin was used for currency, before paper money even. And now, I simply tap my phone to the device attached to the register and boom, paid.
A phone that is so much more than a phone. It's a microcomputer capable of connecting me to all of the world's collective knowledge through the internet. A phone more powerful than the computer on the spaceship which took men to the moon just over forty years ago. That itself, was a triumphant time for Mankind. This new technology seems like that of science fiction.
It is technology that makes life easy for me, easy for everyone, in the Digital Age. For me, it is different. For them it is about making their day to day lives easier. For me, it is about deciding if I will eat them or not. When I stalk a human for nourishment I use all of that technology to know them. To decide if they qualify to live or should be dispatched. I take it upon myself to rid the world of scum, one meal at a time.
But here, this is just for me, I am buying a brand new suit and it is just for my vanity. I have no immediate plans that require me to wear a three piece suit but I will most assuredly invent an occasion. It is a fantastic suit. It's blue but not the 'same old, same old' navy blue that everyone wears. It has texture and dignity. And the vest brings it all together. With a white shirt and purple and black tie I shall be the best dressed in any room.
It's not all vanity today, however. I'm on the hunt, as well. Just north of here there is a potential meal. After this errand for my vanity I will be on my way to deliver the decision to him that he is too much of a loser to live.
`
Dirk sat on his crumbling, filthy concrete steps in red and black $150 sneakers and Nike sweat shorts and tank top. Easily $400 worth of clothes that he paid for with drug money after taking a welfare check from the government for his two illegitimate kids from two different mothers.
Just two weeks ago he was in court for robbing his own grandmother's social security money from her purse. Here he sits on the stoop of a government subsidized building selling crack to the kids of the neighborhood. He is most certainly walking garbage but it was what he did the night before last that really put him over the top. After pledging his faithfulness to each of his baby momma's he went out to a club and found a skank to go home with. A single mother, to boot. He had his way with her and on the way out he stole her purse. He is scum in every sense of the word.
Today I spot him on his filthy stoop, peddling his filthy drugs and wearing his ill gotten clothes. He disgusts me as a person, but his blood will sustain me and I will feel that I have done the world a service by relieving it of such a burden.
Lunchtime; He always goes to the corner; Vinny's subs. It's a mostly broken and dilapidated building with two apartments upstairs. At one time Vinny owned the whole building but the years have seen the neighborhood decline. In the early 60's it was a respectable neighborhood and Vinny lived on the second floor with his wife, who helped him run the family business downstairs, as did their two kids. He rented the third floor to his wife's parents for a pittance compared to what he could get for it to strangers, but they helped downstairs sometimes and were always there to watch the grandkids. Though Vinny thought that they spoiled Vinny Jr. he couldn't deny they were of great help.
His parents and grandparents no longer with us, Vinny Jr. leases the building from a venture capital firm that he sold the building to a couple of years ago and barely squeezes a profit out of the business.
Dirk always gets a tuna salad with lettuce, tomato, and onion. He never brings anything back to his girlfriends or his kids. Today he won't make it.
Dirk looked around a little. Didn't see anyone milling about so he figured he could take a lunch break. Is that a cop in that black SUV over there? Not likely but a good time to walk away anyway. The AC at Vinny's will feel good. Damn! It's hot outside.
He stepped off of the stoop and turned left on Clifton Street headed down to Vinny's. An ice cold beer sounded pretty good to chase the heat away.
As he reached the back side of Vinny's he thought that he heard a soft whistle. He looked around. Maybe another customer after all? He glanced back and saw that the SUV he thought might have had a cop in it was gone. Then looked around some more, trying not to look like he was looking around. He ventured into the alley.
"Hey, you need sumthin' man? What you need, yo?" he said softly entering the shadow of the three story building. A shape from above and in the shadows somehow surrounded him.
A face appeared in front of his and he reached for the chrome .380 he kept on him but it was swiftly knocked from his unsteady hand. A hand gripped his neck with more force than he knew a man could manage and he felt himself being lifted from the Earth.
"You are a despicable human being, Dirk. Give me one good reason that you should live on this planet one minute longer." Said the shadow; Dirk struggled to find his voice. Somehow he muttered "I - I have two kids, man. They can't get along without me."
The shadow laughed softly and grinned. Two fangs shown through the lips and green flashes for eyes draped in shadow. "Your children would be better off without you. Try again."
"But ... but ... c'mon yo, I don't wanna die! What did I do to you?"
In a grim but firm voice the shadow replied. "Nothing" and then the fangs went to work and in a few seconds Dirk's body was void of even a drop of blood. He died lamenting that he didn't get high before lunch today.
`
Diana was fresh out of a shower. She herself had had a meal today and was sloppy. She had been famished. She had waited too long to drink, she had been doing that quite a bit lately.
Lanius returned to find her drying her hair and wearing naught but a towel.
"Hello, my dear. I'm all for hygiene but didn't you take a shower this morning?"
"I spilled a little when I drank today."
Lanius chuckled, "With millennia of experience you can still be as clumsy as a newly turned vampire."
"Very funny" She replied throwing her towel at him. "I was almost caught."
He stood admiring her naked body and momentarily forgot the conversation. She was beautiful in every sense of the word. Long blonde hair wrapped around milky white shoulders and framing the face of an angel. High cheek bones, full lips and eyes the color of the sky just before it becomes the black of space. A dark blue that seems impossibly deep. Her milky white shoulders gave way to an ample, full and perky bust. Her abs didn't quite show through but her stomach was flat and when she laughed you could see the muscles contract. Her legs were long and lithe meeting her torso in an ass he
was certain was the model for the Valentine heart shape in which the chocolates come.
"Did you hear me Lanius?"
"Yes, my dear, I'm sure it will be fine" he replied trying to cover. He knew that she gets self conscious when he gushes over her beauty.
"I hope so. I was nearly seen with that blood on me when I was disposing of the body. If anyone had seen I'm certain they would have been able to dredge up the body and my face would be plastered all over the local media."
"No, we would have heard something by now. I think you'll be fine" he replied trying to sound comforting. And then hatched his idea.
"Let's get dressed up tonight and go out somewhere fantastic."
"Oh no, you've bought another suit." She knows this ruse immediately. I have used it too often.
"No no no," he chided "I just want to take my love out for a glamorous evening. As beautiful as you usually are to me, I become in awe of you when you dress up for a night out."
She blushed at the compliment sitting at the vanity with her silk white robe now cinched tight around her waist. Her hair still wet.
"I don't know. It's a lot of work to do my hair and make-up. And what shall I wear?"
He knew he had her. And his smile betrayed his confidence. "We will go shopping to get you something fantastic."
"I knew it! You did buy another suit! You always offer to buy me something after you buy a suit. How much was this one? $1,000? $2,000?"
He had pushed it too far and she had him. He turned away looking out the window and muttered under his breath
"It was $3600."
"What? I didn't quite get that. You were mumbling."
Finally he turned to face her. He decided that it was no big deal and he shouldn't be ashamed.
"It was $3600 and it is spectacular. I'll wear it tonight and we will get you a gown that is yet superior to it."
"Fine" she replied with a smirk "but you're paying"
He walked over and stood behind her, smiling at her in the mirror he bent and gently kissed her neck.
She closed her eyes and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. A truer love was never known to man or vampire.
When they lay together they each felt absolute love and comfort with each other. A true sense of being complete and perfectly content. If they were both to die in each others arms they would be happy to go, only regretting not spending more time together.
`
On her way to work, Kat stopped for a coffee. I really should bring coffee, I can't afford to keep buying it she thought entering the Starbucks. As she was next in line a well dressed man came in and stood behind her. Seeing his nice suit, with a downcast glance she felt embarrassed about her "nice" clothes that she wore to work. She had bought the skirt and top second hand but they were in very good condition.
The skirt was black with a lacy helical wrap with pink edges to a small, distinguished ruffle. The top was mostly black with white tiger stripes. When she was hired she was told that she had to wear all black.
Having not worked for a few months she checked her wardrobe and didn't find much sufficient. Then she checked her credit card balances and realized shopping was out of the question. The thought of the second hand store was actually from her roommate after a request to borrow something. She had never been into one before. She entered the store not knowing what to expect. She first imagined long bins with clothes heaped in piles and having to pick through but was pleasantly surprised to see it was set up like any other shop.
There were sections for men and women and the women's section was subdivided further to make browsing easy. She was embarrassed just being in this place and moved sheepishly from rack to rack looking more at the people than at the clothes for sale.
In each of the other shoppers faces she saw hard living. More hard living than she could endure. Again she thought about finishing her graphic arts degree and getting a real job and getting paid. I'll never have to come into this place again after that she thought now actually glancing at the clothes.
She found a rack of tops and began searching for her size. No sense in looking at items that won't fit, she pushed them aside without but a glance. Once she found her size she looked for black. There wasn't much. An all black short sleeve top with white piping that had yellowed substantially with age. It also had a large hole in the shoulder.
A black and bright pink stripe she was certain would be unacceptable and then, this, a mostly black long sleeve with white tiger striping on the body. The striping was minimal, she thought it would be acceptable. Then, what she dreaded most. How much? As she turned the price tag right side up she was blown away. Only $3! I can get a bunch ... but there isn't a bunch worth buying followed swiftly extinguishing her excitement.
Clutching the top she went looking for slacks or a skirt now thinking that she may get both in order to mix it up for consecutive workdays.
She approached the racks and looked for her size once again. Casting wrong sized items aside recklessly, she wanted to get done and get out of this place. Did that guy just take a drink out of a brown paper bag? Seeing in her peripheral vision a filthy man of advanced age who could be either a bum or an art professor at her school. She laughed to herself at that thought noticing his stained sport coat with the leather elbow patches. Matched with torn, stained sweatpants.
Narrowing in on her size she saw there were a few options in skirts. There was a tight looking all black mini which she was unsure would be appropriate, a longer hippie style black and earthen brown weave with silver piping along with a nice looking mid thigh length skirt with a pink tipped, small ruffle. The mini and the pink ruffle are both $5 and the hippie skirt is $4. Hmmm ... I'll get the mini and the pink ruffle and I'll find a jacket to wear over the mini with a different top.
She turned to head for the jackets and spun directly into an older lady in a terrible peach pants suit. The woman began to say something but began coughing and wheezing terribly. Kat recoiled in disgust. Ugh don't give me whatever you have! she thought covering her mouth and nose with the skirt only to be blind sided by the stink of the garment. Suddenly more disgusted by the garment than the woman she tore the skirt away from her face, smells like farts and turpentine she thought dodging the old lady leaving her coughing in the aisle.
Finding a plethora of black jackets she targeted one in decent shape that was her size. Tentatively she smelled it. OK, just smells like detergent she was relieved and then now I just have to pay and I can get out of this awful place ... where is the register?
She looked around for clues as to where she would find a register and saw only a woman seated at a folding table with a small cash box in front of her. Can that be it? She was astounded but figured the woman must work there so if it wasn't her, she would at least know where to pay.
She approached the table and the woman looked up.
"Did you find anything good?" she asked with a friendly candor.
"Well, I got what I needed, yes, thank you. Is this where I pay?" Kat replied meekly.
"Yes, dear, let's see what you have." The woman confirmed as she reached for the garments Kat clutched tightly still wary of the coughing lady hacking loudly nearby.
"You did good!" the cashier exclaimed. "This skirt will look so cute on you. Will you wear it with the top?"
"Yes, I need it for work." Kat spat out trying to make an excuse for being there. The woman seemed not to acknowledge that these were used clothes, instead acting like Kat had found some treasured clothes. She was both befuddled and disgusted with this woman and just wanted to run away. In a moment she swore she might, with or without the clothes she picked out. I could just borrow something from mom until I get a couple of paychecks she thought eyeing the exit doors just a few feet away now.
"Ok let's see ... seven for the jacket, five each for the skirts plus three is twenty dollars, dear." the woman asked of Kat.
She pulled her wallet from her bag and removed the twenty. Handing it to the cashier she thought again of bolting and finally released the bill. The woman took the bill feeling the girl's grasp and, slightly puzzled, placed it into the tin box. Kat was already grabbing the clothes and stepping away.
"Do you want a bag?" the woman asked after her.
"No, thank you, I'm fine" Kat called over her shoulder after snatching the clothes and rushing toward the exit.
Outside and sitting in her car she was relieved. She let her head fall back against the headrest and sighed. OK well, that's done. Now just get out of here before someone you know sees your car in the parking lot she thought starting her little yellow Rabbit and sliding it into gear. Now home to wash these at least twice before I wear them.
"Next, please? .... Next?" Kat heard faintly as she awoke from her daydream and the man was already stepping in front of her. "Yes, I'll have a tall french vanilla." to the barista and then "Oh, were you ahead of me?" to Kat.
Kat was embarrassed to be caught daydreaming
"No, no, you're fine" she blushed and waited for the other barista to gesture towards her.
"A tall regular" she said.
"Your name?" the barista questioned.
"Kat, with a K" she replied. The barista looked at her as if to say OK Kat with a K aren't you just so special.
Kat retrieved her coffee when her name was called and went to the cream and sugar station finding her path blocked once again by the well dressed gentleman. She stood patiently as he meandered about the task of adding sugar and milk to his coffee and taking his time stirring, sipping, and then adding more sugar.
Finally he stepped out of the way and she reached for the cream. She tipped it over her coffee and but a few drops dribbled from the pitcher.
Ooooof course she thought and reached for the milk. She wasn't one to go ask for more cream. She didn't want to bother anyone. After adding the milk and a couple sugars she was finally back on her way to work. The very upscale New Trend Fashion store where she sold gowns and outfits she would never be able to afford.
Arriving three minutes late she hurried to the register to punch in.
"Kat, you're late again" came bellowing from the back "didn't we talk about this?"
William emerged from the office smoothing his long gray hair back into a ponytail. He was wearing a two piece tan suit with white shirt and solid maroon tie and matching pocket square. Kat was certain that he was really Bill or Billy to most but he made people call him William here.
"Didn't you say that it wouldn't happen again?" he said lowering a condescending gaze upon her.
"Yes, sir but it's only three minutes. I stopped for a coffee and there was this guy ..."
"Excuses, excuses" he cut her off. "When I schedule you for eleven I expect you no later than ten fifty to prepare for the day. Let's not start with written warnings, which will happen next time." He paused to let that sink in and then "Now, turn on the sign, it's time to open."
"Yes, sir" she responded, despondent, and walked slowly to the wall where the switch for the sign outside was and flipped it on.
"It's going to be a big day. I can feel it."
He said walking away and disappearing into the office where he spent most of the day.
"Now go and size the ladies jackets and skirts."
~ ~ ~
Sitting in a comfortable and ornate chair in the shop Lanius awaited Diana to emerge from the dressing room. She had tried on several already but he could see in her face when she selected this one that she really wanted it.
She swept the curtain aside and came twirling out of the vast fitting room. "It fits beautifully!" she cooed. Finishing her twirl in front of the triple mirror. She turned this way and that, checking the fit from several angles. "Don't you think, my Lord"
Lanius smiled broadly and agreed. "It is a gown worthy of your beauty." Indeed it was. With thin spaghetti straps of black over her shoulders suspending a high quality silk gown of black with a purple orchid twirling up its length from the mid thigh hemline, strewn with lace. It came with a black, translucent wrap for her shoulders. Lanius knew that this was the one when she picked it up. He saw it in her eyes, but had to let her discover its beauty more thoroughly before she made the final decision. Had it fit improperly she may have still gotten it but would want it altered before wearing it. This she would wear tonight. And he, wearing his new suit, would look worthy of her. Most of the time he felt her too beautiful for him. And he thought everyone saw it.
Diana twirled and twirled in front of the mirror, her smile filled with glee. She twirled with the wrap, she twirled without it. She glanced at herself in the several angles the
mirrors provided and was smitten with the gown. She wanted it, and she wanted to wear it tonight.
Lanius approached Diana and the shop girl, a mousy little brunette who clearly didn't shop where she worked, as she was currently telling Diana how gorgeous both she and the garment were.
"We shall take it, and she shall also need shoes to match." With this, Diana's smile grew even broader and she threw herself around Lanius' neck in a smothering hug and kiss.
"It's perfect," she whispered in his ear "just like you."
`
Daryl was depressed this morning, sitting in his tiny apartment eating oatmeal at the small kitchen table. Mark had said he wanted to see other people. Wait, no, that's incorrect, he had said he wants to see other types of people. Does that mean he's bi? he thought setting the empty bowl down for his dog, Barney, a miniature dachshund, to lick it clean before putting it in the sink piled with dishes. He turned, looking at his kitchen and sighed. Today was going to be a tough day. He knew that he loved Mark but also knew he couldn't push him. Maybe I'll get him some flowers he thought closing the filthy door badly in need of refinishing.
He slowly trod down the steps and began a long walk to work, thinking. He turned the corner at the 7-11 and thought about an energy drink to get him going. No, it won't help. I'm not physically tired, it's emotional.
He arrived at the restaurant with but a minute to spare before he was late. He said hi to Bev as he tied on his apron and punched himself in.
"What's the matter, hon?" Bev asked filling a glass with ice and then running the fountain drink dispenser to fill it with ginger ale while pouring a mug of coffee.
"We're too busy for you to be down on yourself today. Chop chop".
"Mark wants to see other people" he mumbled with visible disdain.
"Oh No! I'm so sorry, hon. That's terrible." She set down the glass of ginger ale and hugged him. Cooing gently in a compassionate manner while squeezing him a little. "But we're too busy for anything personal right now." She had lost the compassionate voice and was all business. "Can you work or no?"
"I'll be fine. What's my station?" he asked after a deep sigh.
"You have station 4, you're taking over for Dina, she's leaving now." He scanned the restaurant and saw Dina dropping off the check for an older trio at a table. He saw that the other tables in his station were empty. So much for being busy he thought heading over to Dina.
"Hey, I'm taking over station 4 for you. Is that all that's going on?"
Dina was an unbelievably beautiful Arabic girl who was entirely materialistic, hated Daryl, and made no efforts to hide or apologize for either.
"Yes, gay boy, you're clear for the moment but I think Deanne is seating you next."
"Thanks, bitch." he said and just kept walking. I'm so not in the mood for her today. Thank God she's leaving. He walked right past her and to the hostess station just as an absolutely gorgeous man in a fantastic suit opened the door, ushering his equally beautiful girlfriend in an equally fabulous gown in with a hand on the small of her back.
"Please tell me they're mine." He whispered to Deanne, a pretty but too skinny blonde with a simple black strapless dress which she barely filled out.
"Ooh someone thinks someone is gorgeous." She said in a sing songy manner just low enough that the customers couldn't hear as they approached the podium at which they stood. Daryl blushed a little at that and stood smiling at the gorgeous man and his date, trying not to stare at the man but simultaneously noting his incredible blue eyes.
"We would like a table near the fireplace." the man said addressing Deanne.
"Certainly, sir. Daryl will be your server and will show you to table 14, it is right next to the fireplace but not so close that you perspire" she laughed, clearly a phony, practiced laugh.
"Thank you" Diana said to Deanne and then turned to Daryl.
Lanius thanked Deanne and then turned to Daryl as well.
"Show us the way, my friend. And let us start with the wine list." Daryl smiled broadly at that, imagining a good tip from this beautiful man to start his shift. Maybe my luck is changing today he thought as he grabbed two menus and the wine list from the podium where Deanne stood.
"I wouldn't be catching you two on a first date, would I?" he asked winking at Lanius.
"Certainly not our first, but yes, a date." Lanius replied sensing something off about their waiter.
They were seated near the fireplace and the smoldering fire within it. Lanius picked up the wine list and then, without looking up inquired
"Perhaps you could put another log on the fire? It appears to be dwindling." Daryl snapped out of the haze as he stared at Lanius realizing he had asked him to stoke the fire. "Y-yes, of course" he said stammering and hoping his leer wasn't detected. Obviously the man was straight but he was just so gorgeous he couldn't help himself.
"Would you care for an appetizer to begin?" he asked laying Diana's napkin in her lap and reaching for Lanius'.
"In a moment" Lanius said snatching his napkin before Daryl could reach it. "For now we would like the 2005 Vieux Château Certan." and then to Diana "You'll love it, darling. A wonderful Bordeaux."
"Yes! Excellent choice, sir" Daryl fawned over Lanius for a moment and then discretely disappeared to ring up the wine. That's already $250 to start the tab and they haven't ordered appetizers yet, I'm getting paid today! he thought racing over to the register to start the table.
`
Leaving the restaurant Lanius and Diana took a right. Walking toward the parking structure and noting how pleasant the night was, Lanius, a gentleman, always walked next to the street keeping Diana safe from traffic. It was just the lucky break the vampires following them were waiting for.
As they passed an alley an arm reached out of the darkness in a flash and took Diana by surprise. Lanius actually took another step having only seen the motion in his peripheral vision. As he entered the alley a slew of vampires jumped upon him from all directions. He could hear Diana calling out to him as he fought off the multiple arms beating about his head and shoulders.
Now one was on his back while three others attacked him from the front while one on each side held his arms. He just saw Diana, struggling, being whisked away by three vampires and out of sight. He could see that she was fighting them but they were too strong in numbers.
He grabbed hold of the two vampires clutching his arms and slammed them together in front of him, their heads making a gruesome and audible bonk, and knocking down one of the frontal attackers. He pounced upon the other two and slew them with his bare hands. As their ashes fell to the ground he reached back and slung the vampire clinging to his back over his shoulder.
Turning to the one frontal attacker left getting up from being knocked down he clutched his throat and lifted him from the ground.
The two that had been clocked together stirred and hazily looked at Lanius holding their compatriot in the air and fled as fast as they could go.
Lanius watched after them for a moment and then turned his attention to the vampire he still held.
"Who sent you?" he commanded. His angry eyes flashing green lenses in the light and his fangs dripping with saliva. After only a moment his scarce patience was gone.
"Who are you working for?!?" he bellowed when the vampire made no sound.
"Whatever you do to me," answered the prisoner "rest assured he would do worse should I reveal him to you. Do as you must."
With that, Lanius squeezed his neck popping his head off like a pez dispenser. The vampire's body fell to the ground and turned to ash, blowing away in the cool summer breeze. Lanius was off in pursuit of those who had taken Diana before the air cleared. Surely he could catch them. Being much faster than them were they not dragging the quite strong Diana with them. Certainly she was putting up a fight.
The vampires that had taken Diana had overpowered her and drugged her so she now lay limp over the shoulder of one of the vampires in a fireman's carry. They sped across the sky as fast as they could, knowing that the many vampires charged with attacking Lanius would not be able to hold him off for long.
Then they split direction, hoping to throw Lanius off of their scent by splitting up, taking three different paths to the same place served only to confuse Lanius for a moment. He followed Diana's scent as clearly as a bloodhound.
Lanius stopped outside what was surely their hideout and most certainly a trap set for him. It was a long neglected, dilapidated, condemned warehouse with holes in the walls and roof. The sign had a fish on it but the words were too faint to read. Some old cannery, I suppose, Lanius thought sizing up the building. Not doubting that they would not dare hurt Diana, surely she wouldn't let them, he left to seek assistance.
Arriving at the domicile of one of his oldest friends, Cinnin, Lanius burst through the door.
"Cinnin, to arms, vampires have betrayed me and taken Diana hostage." Cinnin, being caught by surprise as only Lanius could, jumped to his feet.
"Yes, my lord, let us arm ourselves."
"Cinnin, the place where they hold Diana almost certainly holds a trap for those who pursue her. Our only plan is to spring the trap and fight through it. Are you up for battle?"
"As always, my lord!" replied Cinnin in his booming, oaf voice. "Lead the way!"
Lanius and Cinnin were off, clutching a sword and an axe, respectively, they made haste to the hideout where Lanius had tracked the vampires.
Cinnin landed on the roof and Lanius approached from the front. They will be expecting me but not Cinnin. They will think my haste is a weapon against me but they will not be expecting Cinnin from above thought Lanius approaching the door. He shouldered it open and the frontal attack was upon him immediately. A dozen vampires attacked with swords and crossbows and Lanius dispatched several in a few swipes of his broadsword. With a few crossbow darts protruding from his body he saw Cinnin come crashing into the window behind the vampires, already swinging his giant two handed axe.
The two pronged assault left about two dozen vampires in heaps of ashes on the floor. And then there were but two remaining. They stood over Diana's motionless body, laid upon an old table, holding small swords close to her skin.
"If you hurt her you will die slowly and painfully." growled Lanius slowly approaching. Cinnin, across the room, kicked over a pile of ashes and laughed.
"There is no escape for you. Drop your weapons and we will let you live. Do it not, and you will surely die today." he said approaching the table from the opposite side as Lanius.
The two vampires kept their weapons pointed at Diana and each watched one of the vampires approaching them with wide, wild eyes.
"Stay where you are or we will pierce her flesh where you will be unable to save her." One was able to shout in a hurried, nervous voice.
"If you do so there will be nothing left for me to lose and I will kill you slowly and painfully. I will tear you apart piece by piece ensuring you feel as much pain as possible for as long as possible." Lanius grumbled and took another step. "Let her be and I will let you leave here unharmed."
The two vampires looked at Lanius and Cinnin approaching, down at Diana, and then at each other and, realizing they had no options, in one swift motion dropped their weapons and fled as fast as they could go.
True to their word, Lanius and Cinnin did not pursue. Instead they turned their attention to the unconscious Diana.
Lanius caressed her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear, clearing it from her face.
"She's unharmed as best as I can tell, just unconscious." he declared to Cinnin. Who sighed in relief.
"Those two were brighter than they appeared then." he chuckled.
"This cannot continue, Cinnin. Diana is my only Achilles heel. This is not the first, nor will it be the last, time she is in danger because of me. What would I do if they injured or killed her to get to me? I could not live with myself knowing that it was my fault. My only desire is that she be safe and happy, even if it requires my absence."
"We will quell this uprising just like the others before it. Worry not, my lord, no harm will come to her so long as we both live. You know that my loyalty to you extends to her." Cinnin tried to assuage his old friend.
"I cannot allow my position to put her in harm's way any longer. I must take action to save her." Lanius replied matter-of-factly and picked up Diana, cradling her like a child in his arms, he made his way out of the abandoned building. This was a small precursor. The true villain has not yet shown himself. We must be on our guard.