No Elves in Sovngarde Book Two, NEIS continued Options

[Darkness Eternal]

Kayla continues to walk on her dark and foreboding path with her leecherous friends. She is intelligent though as she learns the ropes. Using thralls to keep her hunger at bay while scouting is wise of her. The "stay thirsty my friends" doesn't apply here.

I caught up and I have to say it was indeed a great change. Kayla with her wolf pets(who have grown, by the way) and her new blood-sucking girlfriends. I must say, you and I share a similar perspective.

I echo Colonel Mustard, here:

I am enjoying a vampire story where it's told from the perspective of both the vampire and the hunters, and both of them are the good guys; it makes for a refreshing twist on the usual formula.

Refreshing, indeed. Not the usual stuff we see everywhere. Dawnguard, fortunately, has given us some minor insight on this. Obviously the Dawnguard sees the vampires as evil, and the vampires sees the Dawnguard as a nuisance. I even remember Serana's mother calling vampire hunter's murderers! Good, stuff, this, *jumps excidedly*

Riften is a perfect place to deal with criminals, deadbeats, the "villains" of society, if you will. We learn she has much less of guilt when feeding on a would-be rapist than an innocent person. What's not to love? If you feel guilty about innocent cattle, why not chow-down on convicts?

[King Coin]

The Volkihar vampires that find themselves in towns during Dawnguard could stand to take a few lessons from Emelia. They would enjoy longer lives. Hey, I wonder if this thief is going to be a familiar person? That would make things difficult for Kayla to keep steady.

The two warring natures within me constantly battled. The disgust of the hunter, and the voracious appetite of the hunter's prey.
This is awesome.

I wonder what will happen between Kayla and the traitor? I have a feeling their interests are mutual this time around. Still would like to see her turn him into a nice campfire at some point in the future.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

I went a little crazy with this one, but I started writing and just rolled with it. And, honestly, I know everyone has time limits and busy lives, but this chapter has been burning in me ever since I thought about it. And I feel like pivotal chapters are allowed more length, lol.

Where we left off: Kayla met Niruin, the vampire who betrayed her in book One to her sister Asta, thus leading to her demise and turning her into a vampire.




-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=





The Bee and Barb was noisy, crowded. I donned a dark cloak to hide my features, but not even my ambiguous robe could hide my height. It didn't matter, I wasn't going to wear a cowl, unlike Niruin. It seemed the Bonsamu loved the attention that came with being intimidating and, frankly, weird. He didn't see it that way, though. He fancied himself the mysterious stranger in the corner, with piercing eyes. The charming rogue. I'd met a charming rogue before, and Niruin was not one.

We seated ourselves in a corner booth, expectedly. Niruin ordered a Cliffracer, and me some red wine. "To give you a look of normalcy," he explained when I protested out of earshot of the tavern wench. "Riften may be where thieves and murderers make their beds, but not vampires. Must be careful, or you expose the both of us."

When our drinks came, Niruin inhaled deeply, closing his eyes.

"What a wonderful smell. I suggest you do the same."

I frowned under my hood. "I don't really want to."

"Try it."

I shrugged slightly and picked up the bronze goblet and took a whiff.

"Oh..."

I smelled it again. I could smell the fermented grapes and the spices used to flavor the wine. Niruin smiled under his cowl and took sip, his lips glistening with the wine as he pulled his cowl down.

"Delicious." He said before putting his cowl back in place. I took another whiff of the wine. It didn't smell...bad...just not like something I'd enjoy. I'd enjoyed wine immensely from time to time as a mortal, and never imagined a day when I'd turn it down. Then again, i couldn't smell the fermented grapes at that point in time.

I put the goblet to my lips under the amused eyes of Niruin. He smiled at my changed expression. The wine was sweeter, more flavorful, than when I was mortal. I could taste each ingredient on its own, yet still savor the wine in its entirety.

"Swallow, my dear. It won't hurt you."

I swallowed the wine, then took another drink. Still as lovely as the first. Niruin smiled at my excited smile as I drank the wine and waited. Nothing happened. No surge of warmth or feeling of looseness in my limbs. I frowned slightly under the hood, and Niruin's eyes smiled.

"We do not get drunk off but one red liquid. Mortal food does not affect us. it doesn't sustain us, and it doesn't give us energy. Only one thing does that."

Blood.

"But that doesn't mean we cannot enjoy mortal food all the same. Pastries become sweeter, meats more succulent, herbs and spices stronger."

I briefly remembered the nests that i'd raided with herbs and spices next to piles of bones, cooked flesh of men and mer and beast, and suddenly the pieces fell together.

"It's not for sustanence, it's for enjoyment."

"Precisely."

"And some vampires like to spice up their...meat."

"Yes."

"So, when I go into caves and find a nest of vampires," I said slowly, "and find the cooked flesh on the fire and piles of bones..."

He nodded. I felt a surge of nausea and hunger, the wine in my stomach souring.

"Oh gods." I held my stomach, leaning forward slightly. I expected my stomach to heave, but instead the sour feeling disappated as suddenly as it sprang up.

"You'll find it difficult to relieve yourself of the contents of your stomach. Our organs no longer function as they used to." Niruin said. My anger broiled at his calm demeanor.

"Don't work like they used to?" I hissed angrily. "What does that mean?"

"Surely you've noticed you haven't relieved yourself in quite a long time."

I had noticed. Emelia just shrugged when I mentioned it, saying she never noticed much. Other things began to slide into place. Emelia wouldn't notice, because a child's body, which was was forever trapped in now, worked differently than an adult body, especially given her age.

"Have you been aroused, since you've been turned?" Niruin asked, breaking into my thoughts.

Had I fed, surely blood would've rushed into my cheeks, heating them. "I've been stuck in a cave with a child for almost two years. Were I to become aroused, I would throw myself off a cliff."

"You're in the presence of two men, both of which are decidedly handsome. Have you not enjoyed their bodies as well as their blood?"

"No! Why would I do that?!"

"Because, my dear, you're now a creature of lust and want. But what you desire is much different than what mere mortals crave." He set his drink down and leaned forward, placing his hands on the table, folding them.

"You will likely learn this the hard way, dove. Your desires, though similar in fashion to a mortal's, have grave consequence for those you're using to fulfill those desires. Were you to bed any man in this tavern, he would die."

The words struck me in an odd way. Part of me felt cold indifference, but at the same time I felt afraid, then curious. "Why would they die?" I asked, barely successful in keeping my voice level.

The tavern noise had died down some as the patrons winded down and either went to their respective homes or found a bed at the inn alone or with someone. I could hear the sounds of passion, both mutual in enjoyment or enjoyed by only one party. By the looks of everyone else, they either didn't hear the sound of sex or ignored it completely.

"They can't hear it," Niruin answered my inner question, tilting his drink back as he took a sip. He savored the liquid on his tongue for a breath, then swallowed it and set his mug down. "The rambunctious sounds of mortals pleasuring each other up there is lost on them. The wood is too thick on the floors. Were they to travel up a story, then that would be different. But for now, we are allowed the pleasure of listening in."

He was silent for a moment, and my discomfort grew. I reached over and grabbed his mug, my throat suddenly more parched than before. The hearts of the patrons in the room thudded in my ears, the sound, no, the feeling of blood surging through their veins becoming unbearable. I drank the contents greedily, then bowed my head, the ivory weapons in my mouth potruding. The liquid was too thin, not sweet enough, sour, bitter, like rancid air traveling down my throat. I wanted blood. I needed blood.

"Niruin," I gasped quietly, thankful for the hood hiding my elongated fangs. "Pleathe, I need blood. I have to get out of here."

He chucked. "Sometimes, my dear, you can't be in a position to feed. Your thralls are gone, and if you left right now, in a hurry, covering your face, you'd arouse suspicion."

My hands gripped the arms of the chair in white-knuckled desparation as I tried to keep myself from tearing open the throats of the ones nearby.

I can't...I can't...

I'm so thirsty...

"What will you do?" Niruin asked in a soft voice, only discernable by my heightened hearing. "There are thirty blood-filled bodies in this tavern, Kayla. Were you to drink them, your thirst would be satisfied for a week, perhaps two. All you would need to do is bar the door, and feast."

I shook my head. No...

Drink.

No, I can't!

I'm so thirsty, I NEED it!

"The town is full of criminals that no one would miss." Niruin murmured.

A soft groan escaped my lips as it took every ounce of my will to stay seated. White hot thirst burned my throat, even as I held my breath. My saving grace in that moment was that I no longer needed to breathe, my tongue seemingly able to pick up and taste the scents of the different blood around me.

The activity upstairs slowed after what seemed like hours, though when I looked up, the candles had barely burned away. The red, pulsating surge in the air slowed as the tavern emptied and the lovers drifted off to sleep. I was shaking at this point.

"You bastard!" I gasped when I trusted myself to move. "You filthy, soulless-"

"Calm down."

"-sucking bastard!" I whispered furiously. "I could've killed everyone in this bar!"

I still could, but the moment of bloodlust has nearly passed its point of imense danger. My fangs had retracted, but my eyes were most likely still red, at the edges of my vision were still tinted with crimson.

"But you didn't." Niruin said. "This was a lesson, dear."

"What could you possibly be teaching me by tormenting me like that?"

"Restraint, for one."

"You were goading me into killing!"

"You resisted, as I'd thought you would. You're beginning to become tethered to the want of your own survival."

"I'm tethered by decency!"

Niruin gave my a wry smile. "Decency. Let us speak of decency. Would a 'decent' vampire hunter, Meridia's Champion, no less, stand to exist as a member of the undead? You're not a zombie, nor a draugr. Obviously you have some choice in the matter, to exist as you are.

"Would a 'decent' being go against her own feelings of morality and make not one, but two thralls of innocent men?"

"They're not innocent!" I blurted. "One tried to rape me!"

"One. One tried to rape you. What about the other? Was he not innocent?"

"He tried to kill Emelia." A knot of guilt twisted in my stomach. I could see where this was going, and it infuriated me that Niruin was questioning me like this. Him. Of all people.

"Was he simply not reacting to a situation he was in? You told me on the way here that you attacked them, wanting their blood. How many times had you attacked with provocation, and you emerged the victor? And yet," He leaned forward, his voice dangerously low and soft. "You were seen as a hero. Given gold and praises for taking care of the filth, the leeches, the vermin. Tell me," A cruel smile twisted his handsome features as he locked his cold gaze with mine.

"How does it feel to have fallen so low? To have lost the love of your daedra? To have lost everything you've ever cared for, everyone you've ever known?"

I felt like there were tears in my eyes, but my vision didn't blur. "Shutup."

"You have nothing now, Kayla. You are nothing. Your sister's mindless minions ravage the land, stealing children from their beds and homes, and what are you doing? Hiding in caves, worrying about morality, about black and white. Well, my dear. There is no black and white for vampires. Only crimson."

I clenched my jaw. "Niruin, I'm warning you."

"What are you going to do, break my nose again?"

Thinking about it.

"One act of violence will put you in a frenzy, endangering all in this inn. You'd be exposed. Then you'll be be gutted and torn apart, like your lover and mentor."

I sprang from my seat and wrapped my hands around his thoat and propelled him from his chair onto his back. He flailed and I tightened my grip around him, making choking sounds. Someone screamed, but it was far off. Wild fury and satisfaction lit my red eyes up as my fangs portruded again. I grinned as he began to stop moving.

Suddenly, he grinned back at me and a blow hit my left cheek.

"I don't breathe, you idiot!" He laughed. He had me on the ground, but I was much stronger, despite both our thin bodies. His was meant for hiding and stealth, while mine was toned and primed for strength and flexibility. A dagger appeared in his hand and in a split second it was at my throat. I knocked it aside and punched his nose. A pained wail burst from his mouth as he covered his nose, black blood leaing leazily through his fingers after he pulled his cowl away.

"Vampires!" A man screamed in the distance. Both Niruin and I had our fangs bared, our eyes bright red.

"I will tear you apart with my teeth!" I shrieked as I slammed him to the ground. I used my new strength to grab the much weaker vampire and throw him into the wall. He landed with a crash, and pictures fell with the impact. Several snaps were heard as ribs were broken, and he slumped to the ground, seemingly unconcious.

By this time, I had no trust in the Bonsamu. All weapons were hidden under the robe and hood, and, since my cover was blown anyways, I shed the robes and pulled out a silver dagger. I held it to his throat and pressed against his cold skin.

Finally. You will die for what you did!

Something felt off as I gripped the hair of the knocked out vamp. I felt something inching its way towards me at a frightening speed. I rolled, exhaling, my body responding faster than I'd anticipated at a blade meant for my chest embedded itself into Niruin's neck. His eyes widened as a gush of blackened blood spurted from the wound where the greatsword pierced his neck, severing his spine. He twitched once, and went limp.

I turned my body, still kneeling as my eyes narrowed. Fire engulfed my hands as I stood up, my fangs bared. A familiar face, more rugged and mature than the last time I had seen him locked gazes with me, green as the jungles of Elswyr, harder than the frozen rocks of the Jerrals.

I inhaled, and recognition crossed his face.

"Kayla." he breathed.

"Oh, thit."

I fled.

[King Of Beasts]

Something felt off as I gripped the hair of the knocked out vamp. I felt something inching its way towards me at a frightening speed. I rolled, exhaling, my body responding faster than I'd anticipated at a blade meant for my chest embedded itself into Niruin's neck. His eyes widened as a gush of blackened blood spurted from the wound where the greatsword pierced his neck, severing his spine. He twitched once, and went limp.

Yes yes yes yes yes yes!!! Stupid Niruin, pay for your treason



He's not dead, is he? Lol

[mALX]

I love the world building you did here with the change in the scent and taste of foods and drinks! That was Awesome!

It's Erik the Slayer !!!! WOO HOO !!!

"Oh, thit."

BWAAHAA!

This chapter was spectacular !!!! Awesome Write!

[Grits]

I didn’t find this update to be long at all. You covered a lot of ground, the pace was good, and dialog tends to make for a faster read anyway (for me at least). I think you put in just the right amount of detail to bring Kayla’s experience to vivid life without slowing down the scene. Fantastic chapter!

And it has to be said…. ERIK!!!!!


Also, yikes.

[jack cloudy]

Welp, when I realized everyone had assembled in Riften, I just knew they had to meet at the most inoportune moment.


I don't know what Niruin was trying to accomplish. Rub in Kayla's failures, make her a better vampire, show her the bright side of unlife? In any case, it seems that he overestimated her self-restraint. Or maybe he thought he could charm her into submission like he seemed to do outside.


So what will happen next? Will Erik chase Kayla, will Emelia get taken to the orphanage cause she is without a caretaker? Will Marcurio use the distraction to fill himself a glass of fine wine?


And speaking of Marcurio, he's excellent! Incredibly smug and somewhat gaudy with all those rings, but at the same time he is professional enough that you know the smugness is well-deserved and he doesn't let it get to his head. (and the rings are of course pure pragmatism in a shiny package.)



PS: Niruin didn't ashify as far as I can tell. So he may get up once everyone has gone on a merry chase (with appropriate comedy-music) after Kayla.

This post has been edited by jack cloudy: Sep 10 2013, 05:45 PM

[McBadgere]

Fair dues...A surprisingly interesting hint of what it's like to be a vampire with all of its attendant funkiness...

And no, not surprised that it's well done, just that I found it interesting... ... ...

Loved the tension in this episode...Her desperation to not tear the throats out of everyone in the inn was excellently done...

I did like Niruin when I did the TG quest thing... ...

But pleased that this incarnation of him was dispatched...I know vamps can come back from some stuff, but broadsword to the spine?...Hmmmm...

Nice to have the two strands meet...I'd actually not made the connection so it was a shock of delight when I worked it out... ...Takes me a second sometimes...Apologies...Man...Idiocy...Brain still stuck on the "Noises" section...( )...You know how it is... ...

Brilliant stuff...Love it!!...

Well done that woman!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Elisabeth Hollow]

thanks everyone for the comments. it's nice to know that my hiatus from posting didn't deter everyone from reading, lol.

KoB-He's dead. D-E-D dead, lol.

mALX- Thanks! I had to really think about how changing tastebuds might affect a vampire.

Grits- Yes, Erik

jack cloudy- I love Marcurio. I've been DYING to write a character with magickal talents aside from setting things on fire, lol. Bethesda provided me with one! You'll see more of him, for sure, in the upcomingfightscenewhaaaaat?

As for what Niruin was trying to accomplish, you'll see not in THIS chapter, but the next.

Mcbadgere-I LOVED Niruin in the thieves Guild. I thought he was incredibly sexy and interesting. I don't know why my brain turned him into a traitorous sleazebag. I must have some issues that need to be worked out. Hmm.

Where we left off: "Oh thit!"

--------------------=-=-==============-------------===


NOTE mALX don't read while you're eating!!!



Mjoll yanked Grimsever from the neck of the Bosmer vampire right as he began to turn to ash and dust. It was a frightening sight that she hadn't gotten used to quite yet, nor did she ever expect to. It wasn't a poof, then he was ash.

No, she thought grimly. It was more like a body decaying rapidly before the eyes. His skin tightened noticeably and turned ashen, paler than what he had been. His lips turned blue, and his wide-opened eyes sunk into his head as his skin turned purple. He bloated, expanded as if someone had puffed air into his body, almost comical, except for the skin becoming blueish-green, then deflating. A smell of decay permeated the air briefly.

Thankfully, the smell didn't last long as the body caved in on itself and began to turn black and grey, the skin falling off in ashen chunks until nothing was left of the body but a pile of grey ash. Mjoll scooped up some ash, picking out the rings and shaking the dust from the clothes and folding them, setting them on the bar. She intended to use the ashes for a cure disease potion, but she wouldn't sell Thieves Guild armor or trinkets, no matter how much she hated them.

Erik still had his hand outstretched towards the door, his arm shaking slightly as a helpless look of shock lined his face. Mjoll set her sword against the wall gently, resting the hilt on the wall as the tip sat on the wooden floor. She crossed the room and cradled his outstretched hands between her breasts as she looked him in the eyes.

"Erik," she murmured. His mouth was slightly agape, his green eyes watering. The strong hands that had crushed her hips against his in fits of need and ecstasy earlier that night were cold and shaking. She placed one hand on his cheek.

"Erik, please. Talk. Say something."

She's alive, he tried to croak out, but his throat was drier than the sands of the Alik'r. All that came out was a raspy breath as he pulled his hand away from her. He began walking towards the door, but Mjoll grabbed his arm.

"Erik, you're not dressed." She said softly. His muscles rippled beneath his naked flesh, both of them putting on the bare minimum of clothing before running out, their weapons drawn. Erik's weapon had been dropped as soon as he had seen Kayla's face.

"Mjoll...she's alive."

"No, she isn't." She said in a soft, yet insistent voice. "She's undead. That isn't the same as living."

Erik gave her an incredulous look. "She was standing right there in front of us!"

"With fangs, Erik!"

"I have to go find her." he turned around and started towards the door again. She stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Are you crazy? You're in a loincloth! The guards here let some things slide, but being nearly nude in public isn't one of them."

And if you go after her, I could lose you.

"Fine. I'll dress, then." He walked up the stairs, and after a moment, she walked from the empty dining room and followed him. Despite the warmth of the inn, she felt a chill creep up her spine as she numbly watched her lover pull on his clothes.

"Stay here." he ordered in a firm, but distracted voice. "Make sure that when everyone comes back, they know I've gone after the remaining vampire."

Mjoll let out a sigh of relief. He didn't intend to let her live, then, she hoped. Who knows how many lives she's taken since turning?

"See if you can rouse Marcurio." Erik said, buckling his greaves. "Fill him in on what's going on. If Kayla is nearby, Asta shouldn't be far." He walked down the stairs, his boots clunking agianst the wood. Mjoll knew Erik was more than capable of taking care of himself, but still, she was worried. She opened Marcurio's door without knocking and shook him.

She gulped when she felt a warmth spreading through her body, spreading from the hand on her arm. It traveled fast into her head, and she felt nauseated, even as she yanked her hand away. She stumbled backwards as her limbs lost their function, stiffening up. Her back hit the dresser, knocking over an unlit , half melted candle and a silver goblet. She slid onto the floor, her eyes wide, limbs useless, blonde hair mussed.

Marcurio rose to see his attacker. He looked somewhat concerned, but perplaxed as well.

"My , my." He said, tossing the covers back smoothly and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Your magickal resistance is stronger than I suspected, but much weaker than I'd like. I can fix that."

Mjoll hadn't seen many men without clothes on, and Marurio wasn't the type of man she'd ever seen naked before. His robes gave him a look of being bigger than he actually was. Under the robes, his frame was wiry, but stronger than a usual mage . He had curly, dark hairs on his chest, and she kept her eyes above his waist. His rings glittered in the candlelight as he lit a light spell in the middle of the room before slipping his dark-blue robes on. She made a grunt of indignation. What are you waiting for?! Free me!

"Just a moment, dear." He searched through a few scrolls and nodded slightly to himself. He rolled it back up and turned around, the light following him as he knelt on one knee next to Mjoll. He whispered something odd and swiped his thumb across her forehead. Her limbs loosened, and she blinked and stretched, then punched Marcurio square in the jaw. He reeled slightly, but kept his balance.

"I trust you're feeling back to normal, then?" he said, rubbing his jaw. There was hardly any swelling, and there was an irritating spark of amusement in his eyes.

"What was that?!" She demanded. She lifted him up by the collar with both hands. Marurio marveled at her strength.

"Paralysis. You barged in and startled me."

"You didn't have to paralyze me!"

"The last person-please, put me down." She obliged, and he straightened his robes. "The last person to startle me ended up in ashes. No, I did not HAVE to paralyze you, but it is much better than the alternative, no?"

She scowled at him.

"What was your reason for interrupting my sleep?"

"You slept through a vampire attack, mage."

"Did I? Interesting."

"Interesting?"

"I've been taking a potion I've concocted to decrease the amount of time it between awake and slumber."

"Cocknocted?"

"Yes, concocted. It means bewed, or made. In this case, from scratch. It seems the potion puts me in a deeper slumber than I'd anticipated. I'll have to note that later. For now, where is Sir Slayer?"

"He went after the vampire that escaped."

"Ah. Brave."

"They used to be lovers."

"Ah. Foolish."

Mjoll nodded. "I know. He ordered me to stay here, but..."

"You two are involved, and you fear for his safety."

Mjoll looked startled. "How did you know?"

"The way you look at him when he isn't looking. Your touch lingers longer than needed. Your smile is genuine with him, and tight and practiced with others. It's a little brighter."

"You saw all of that tonight?"

"Yes." He said nothing about the hickeys on her neck. "How many vampires were there?"

"Two."

"And the one who didn't get away is dead, I presume."

She nodded. "I picked up his clothes and trinkets and left them on the bar."

"And the ashes?"

She handed them to him. "Ah, excellent. I can do wonders with this. They're better fresh." He set them in his bag across the room. "What else?"

"What else?"

"Did you find anything in his pockets? Weapons, potions, letters?"

"I didn't look."

"Dear. If this is Sir Slayer's lover, the one who was presumed dead nearly two years ago, and is the sister of the vampire we're hunting, then surely the other vampire would have a reason for contacting her."

Mjoll pursed her lips together. "I suppose." They're not lovers anymore.

"Come. We'll search the garments together."

They walked downstairs, Marcurio graciously offering her one of his sleeping robes. "To secure your decency." He explained. Mjoll wasn't modest, but she was cold. She slid the robe on, and it came mid-thigh to her. Marcurio said it must've shrunk when last washed, as it usually came just below his knees.

She let him sift through the garments alone, her decided aversion against the Thieves Guild disgusting her more than the fact that the former own of the clothing was a vampire. Marcurio pulled a sheet of parchment from one of the pockets after setting aside the rings and the septims. he read, his dark brows furrowing.

"Oh, my," he murmured. "This is most troubling."

"What?"

"Dress yourself. In armor. The enemy is closer than we think."

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Sep 17 2013, 04:26 AM

[King Of Beasts]

Aaaand, so Erik's obsession has started again


Kayla better run. I have a feeling the rest of the group won't be so merciful to her...

"Cocknocted?"

-lets out a boyish giggle-

[McBadgere]

Oh dear...Poor Mjoll... ...

Methinks there's going to be much heartbreak ahead...

(Freddie) Marcurio is excellent!...

Loved this bit...

"For now, where is Sir Slayer?"

"He went after the vampire that escaped."

"Ah. Brave."

"They used to be lovers."

"Ah. Foolish."

Fair dues, I was in stitches with that... ...

Brilliant writing...

Loved it muchly!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[mALX]

Very cool idea to have the vampire bodies rapidly decaying and then disintegrate into ash - loved that touch!

The strong hands that had crushed her hips against his in fits of need and ecstasy earlier that night were cold and shaking.

Hey, when did this happen? All I read was that she melded to him for warmth! GAAAAH!

I am really liking your depiction of Marcurio in this, what a great personality!

You saw all of that tonight?"

"Yes." He said nothing about the hickeys on her neck.

ROFL!!! I am really liking his personality so far, even if it was a head-hop! He HAS to remain in this story, you have already made him a necessary character, lol.

This chapter needed an edit badly, but LOVED it anyway!

[Grits]

Loved your treatment of Marcurio!

[Colonel Mustard]

I think Marcurio is the best thing in this story at the moment. Don't get me wrong, everything else about it is awesome, but that guy is just amazing.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

What's head hopping? Did I do something wrong??

[King Of Beasts]

No, it's not bad

[Grits]

Here are a few paragraphs that explain what head-hopping is: Link.

And here’s a quick little read about head-hopping vs. third person omniscient point of view: Link.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Redacted for an overreaction.

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Sep 17 2013, 09:00 PM

[Acadian]

So vampires can eat all the pastries they want, chased by triple lattes from Moon&Starbucks and not gain a pound! Woot! I still enjoy that Kayla has not fully learned to enunciate around the ivory weapons in her mouth.

Oh thit! Vampire hunters meet vampires and, in this case, old passions and jealousies are rekindled.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Good gods! I'm so glad everyone likes Marcurio XD


Where we left off: Oh my, Erik and Kayla are reunited!

--------------------------------



I need to feed. I thought desperately as I ran through the streets. It was getting to the point where I didn't care who I fed on, just that I needed to feed. The air was ripe with the scent of blood, water, sweat, and filth. I held my nose and hid in an alleyway, closing my eyes. I listened to the sounds of the night as I calmed myself.

The lullaby of the crickets resonated through the air as the water lapped at the sides of the canal. It was soothing. I heard the flutter of wings as a bird flew above my head, and a soft breeze caressed my face. I leaned my head back, my eyes still closed. Off in the distance, I heard feet rushing to the inn, the armor of guards clanking frantically to see some action.

Where is Emelia? I wondered. it wasn't like her to stay so far away from me. Usually she was watching me like a hawk, attached to my hip like it was life or death to be near me. I heard footsteps draw near, and readied myself in the shadows, hiding behind a crate. I had a command spell in my hand and leapt out only to stop.

He turned and gave me an incredulous look. "I thought you'd be long gone by now."

I hid my face. "Don't look." Shame briefly overrode my thirst. He was downwind of me, and I couldn't smell him, but I could hear his pulse. Strong,armored hand grabbed my wrists and I gasped at the shocking warmth.

"You're freezing," he murmured. He studied my face as I stood there, bewildered.

Why isn't he trying to kill me?

I received my answer when he pulled me into a rough, desperate kiss. I made a sound of protest and pulled away.

"Erik, no! I cant!"

He responded with a hug, one that might've crushed me had I been less sturdy. I breathed through my mouth, gulping as my throat tightened with desire.

"Erik," I gasped. "Please, sthop. Ith taking all I have to not drain you."

Erik pulled away and saw my face was drawn with thirst. He looked concerned, but cautious. There was also slight amusement.

"I dream about you every night," He murmured softly. "I dream that you're alive, and-" He cut off and licked his lips nervously.

"Go. I'll tell them I killed you."

"But Emelia is sthill here!"

"Who?"

"She healed me after you left, after..."

His face tightened. "Oh." he was silent for a moment. "Once you find her, leave. Things are much different since you've been gone."

"I will." How different? I wanted to ask, but kept it to myself.

I felt the hairs on my neck stand up as a rock formed in my belly. One inhale of breath through my nose told me that there were vampires around. More than one. When we entered the city, Emelia and I had only noted ourselves, on the surface, at least. We were aware that the sewer systems housed many criminals, namely the faction of the Thieves Guild.

Were there vampires before now, wandering the city on a regular basis, the slight stench of not-quite decomposed bodies would have been evident. There was no such stench. Which means they were fast approaching.

"Erik, leave. Vampireth. Lotsth." I held my dagger out, feeling pitiful with the small blade out in front of me. Erik drew his sword.

"How many?"

My nostrils flared and I cocked my head. Small, padded feet hit the ground running and leapt from rooftop to rooftop.

"Get away! Now!" I yelled at him. He stayed, and suddenly they were on us. They formed a tight circle, dressed in tiny versions of black leather armor, their eyes red, pale faces cowled. fifteen pairs of eyes let off dull and bright glows as they regarded me coldly and Erik hungrily.

"Nisse."

The name slid off of my sister's lips like a serpant's tongue flicking from its mouth, tasting the fear in the air. She was uncowled, her raven hair lying in springy curls , her round face shone with a mask of innocence. Her arms were wide, welcoming, and she stepped forward towards me.

"Nisse," a pout formed on her face, and her high, childish voice was filled with hurt. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you dithgutht me!" I spat. Erik's grip tightened on his sword, his gloves squeaking against the hilt. Asta's gaze was on him instantly.

"Is this your lover?" She sniffed the air, closing her eyes, then opening them again. "He reeks of sex, but you don't. You don't enjoy your meals, do you, Nisse?"

"Shut up, that's disgusting!" I growled through clenched teeth, my fangs retracted. I lit a firebolt in my hand. Asta laughed loudly.

"What are you going to do, Nisse? Burn me alive? Shove a firebolt down my gullet and watch me die in agony?"

"That was the plan."

"I'm changing your plans." A knife sprouted from my chest, just below my left collarbone. The blade had buried itself deep, and a flower of pain blossomed from the wound, exploding into my chest, strangling the scream that came from my lungs. I fell, and Erik caught me.

"She won't die," I heard Asta say. "She'll drink a few villagers and be fine. You, however, won't make it out of the city in one piece."

The feeling of pain was accompanied by a hot liquid running through my veins. My limbs were loose, and my head lolled to the side when he put me down. I watched with a vacant expression, blinking dully at the scene in front of me.

Erik swung at Asta, but she dodged easily, side-stepping him each time in one fluid motion. The scene grew fuzzy as I saw the circle closing in on him.

"Nnnngh!" The poison kept me from speaking. I realized she'd found a way to duplicate my paralysis potion somehow, and I couldn't help him.

A bright red light, like a fireball, made its way to Erik, but was blocked. It burst off the ward, dissipating furiously. The chaos that broke out ebbed out of my hearing as I passed out.