*...* denotes thought or psychic speech
~~~ indicates scene breaks or flashbacks
[1, 2, 3,...] indicates author's notes at end
Notes: terribly OOC, but then again, I believe I have already established that..... ^_~
Embrace The Night Part 10c
Earth, Sank Kingdom, AC 86
Hilde savored the last mouthful of coppery fluid as it flowed sluggishly down her throat to pool in her belly. Her dark eyes flew open as she reluctantly disengaged from her current victim, the faint beat of his dying heart in her ears. With a snort of disdain, she dropped the limp body to the dirty ground, giving it a contemptuous sneer.
She fastidiously licked her mouth, erasing all traces of the boy's blood from her full lips. Her supernatural eyesight watched as the light of life ebbed from the boy's unseeing eyes, his weakened heart finally giving up the struggle. Purring her satisfaction, Hilde murmured, "Thank you so much for the midnight snack, darling."
Hilde calmly sorted out her ruffled clothing, smoothing the wrinkles and perfecting her appearance. She calmly turned around and walked away from the crumpled corpse, sparing neither it nor the life she had stolen a further thought. As she cleared the hidden alleyway she had seduced her prey into, she took a deep breath of the clean night air.
As she continued to walk down the rather empty street, she mused on her current position. She hadn't known what had drawn her to the Sank Kingdom, but she had felt an unmistakable tug on her mind. Some sense of Power, one that had been eerily familiar to the ancient vampiress, had pulled her to this place.
The Sank Kingdom was a place that the huntress typically avoided. Clean and prosperous, the people of the kingdom were too goody-good for her tastes. The jaded killer preferred to feast on the dark blood of those tainted with human evils such as greed, hatred, or death. The darker aspects of humanity flavored the blood with an extra tang, giving her a thrill as she took what she wanted and needed to survive. However, something had drawn her to this kingdom of virtue and after a minute investigation she had discovered what.
Or rather, whom.
Hilde felt an unfamiliar surge of desire run through her veins as she allowed her inner mind to conjure up an image long forgotten. She felt her body tighten as she imagined her fledgling's dark violet eyes, that headful of chestnut silk. Even when he had been a despised mortal, she had still lusted after him and it was that same desire that had prompted her to share the Dark Gift with him.
Unable to cope or fully understand his feeling of revulsion, despair, and self-hatred at what she had made him into, she had abandoned him to the fates. It had been centuries since she had left him to his fate after turning him, fully expecting him to surrender himself to the dawn. She never thought he would have survived for so long, especially without a mentor to help him discover the joys and dangers of immortality.
But surprisingly he had, and in fascinating good condition. He was as handsome as he had been, so long ago, and desire had struck Hilde hard. She had watched as he had exited from the human food mart, his arms full of groceries for some reason she could not comprehend. After all, what need did one such as they have for human food?
Keeping herself cloaked from his mind, she had followed him until he had entered a rather mundane looking house. The abode was pleasant enough, by mortal standards, but Hilde had felt disdain for the sheer simplicity of it. She herself preferred flares of extravagance, and went to great lengths to ensure her life was full of luxuries.
She had left then, her hunger getting the best of her mind despite the questions raised by her fledgling's peculiar behavior. However, she had departed with every intention of returning the next evening. But the demands of her nature had necessitated the hunt and she had gone to seek her prey.
But now, now she was determined to seek her fledgling out and renew their rather tenuous relationship if only for a night.
~~~
Duo felt a presence of another hunter long before he saw her. As his mind stretched itself out, he recognized the psychic trail as a familiar one. He felt his hackles rise as a name rushed through his mind.
Hilde.
An unconscious snarl spread across his lips as he walked out the front door of the house he had purchased. The evening sun had set awhile ago, and he was expecting a visitor soon. He needed to dispose of this unwanted visitor quickly and efficiently. That wouldn't be a problem since he loathed the being standing in his yard.
She was standing in the yard, within the fence that outlined the property but no further. She was wearing a black dress, tight and short, openly flaunting her pale flesh. Her dark hair was as black as midnight, her eyes deep pools of shadows and danger. The pleasant breeze tickled the feathered ends of her short hairstyle, playing with her teased bangs.
Even in the dark night he could tell her complexion was flushed and glowing, a sure indication that she had recently fed. Bile rose in her gorge as his mind subconsciously dredged up the first hunt he had gone on with her. The cruel efficiency of her hunt and the resulting bloodbath and death had been one of the first nails in the coffin of their relationship.
A seductive smile curved her full lips, her eyes twinkling with suppressed hunger. Duo shuddered inwardly as he remembered a time when he had once craved her attention. Her stance was one of quiet arrogance and assurance, confident in herself and her welcome.
Well, he'd have to disabuse her of that quickly.
"What are you doing here?" he snarled, his voice just barely civilized and hiding his growing disgust.
"Duo darling, is that any way to greet an old friend?" she purred, taking a few steps closer to him.
He straightened his back and stood his ground, determined not to give her an inch. With a sharp retort, he said, "We are not friends."
"All right," she condescended graciously. "Lovers then. Which is even better."
She eventually came to a stop right before him, her dark eyes glancing up at him from beneath full lashes. A contemplative yet sinister smirk spread across her face as she ran her hands across his shoulders and his arms. A murmur of appreciation escaped her lips as she marveled at the leashed strength that rippled beneath her questing fingertips.
Hilde felt her blood and desire stir at the promise in that hard, unyielding flesh. "The years have been kind to you, Duo. I have missed you so, my love."
Something in Duo snapped and he took hold of her hands, roughly pushing her away from him. A snarl curled his lips as his eyes narrowed and he spat out, "What do you want, Hilde?"
She pouted, an expression that he had once adored on her and now only found repugnant. She whined, "Do I have to want something? It's been centuries since we last saw each other. Maybe I simply want to know how you're doing."
"I'm fine, go away."
A fine eyebrow arched as she murmured, "Don't be rude, Duo."
Her gaze left his to peer at the front of the house. Every detail was taken in and her earlier assessment of his current lair was correct. The house was excellent as far as humans went, but he could do better, much better.
Hilde felt a sneer rising to her lips and she fought it down. Schooling her expression into a come-hither look, she said, "Why are you here, Duo? Why have you chosen to live in this dreary house when you have the power to command legions of servants and live like a king?"
"This is all I want, Hilde."
Her eyes narrowed at his statement even as she said bluntly, "You cannot lie to me, Duo. There is something that you want... something you want so desperately that you are willing to live the illusion of a mortal man. How disgusting."
Duo could feel her dark eyes peer into his mind, forcing him to swiftly slam mental barriers down to thwart her. He could feel her simmering displeasure but he didn't care. He was aware of the latent Powers that were hers to command, her great strength and hidden talents. Hilde had existed for countless centuries. He knew of no older vampire alive except for Quatre and the other Originals he had never met. He knew, thanks to Quatre imparting his knowledge, that Hilde was also an Original and not one to trifle with.
Hilde was unaware of the thoughts racing through his head as she resumed their conversation. "Come out with me," she cajoled, her eyes shining with growing hunger. "Let us hunt together like the old days."
Duo slowly shook his head even as he said wearily, "No, Hilde. Go away. I don't want you."
Hilde drew herself up straight, her posture haughty and disbelieving. "You wanted me once, long ago, Duo. Or have you forgotten that you wished for this existence back when you were dying a mortal's death? You begged me to save your life when you lov-"
"Don't say it!" Duo snarled, his violet eyes beginning to glow with his suppressed rage.
Hilde smirked at how successful she was in drawing the beast in Duo's nature to the surface. She purred, "I know you remember the wild nights we shared, lover, long before you fell ill. I know you remember how well we went together. In all of the centuries since then I have never found a lover who could compare with you."
Duo stared at the shorter vampire, hating her because what she said was true. They had been good together. She had been insatiable, desiring his touch with a level of passion only a vampire could possess. He had delighted in his sexual encounters with her, the exuberance of his foolish youth inflating his ego. He had believed they were in love, until he had learned the truth behind her nature and intents.
A sudden picture of Heero flashed through his mind. All remembered desire for Hilde faded from his mind as he settled upon the young man. Those deep Prussian blue eyes and honest expressions were far more enticing that Hilde's calculated looks.
Eager to place distance between his maker and himself, and determined to impart his lack of desire for her, Duo crossed his arms defensively and glared at her. "You still haven't told me why you're here, Hilde," he practically snarled.
Hilde gave the tall man a smoldering smile as she revealed, "I'm lonely. Lonely and bored with the legions of tedious mortals this world seems to be filled with. I would like some excitement. Won't you entertain me for a little while, Duo? For old times sake?"
Duo calmly observed the playful pout she drew her face into, her dark ruby red lips slightly parted. He wasn't moved an inch, either emotionally or physically by her performance. His eyes narrowed further as he said, "No."
Hilde's voice turned brittle as she caustically reminded him, "You once wanted what only I could give to you. Now it's your turn to return the favor."
Duo felt his hackles rise in alarm and anger, the beast he carefully kept leashed within threatening to burst forth. *Why won't she take the hint?* he howled to himself. Deliberately nonchalant he said, "There are plenty of other vampires for you to take your pleasure with, Hilde. Leave me alone, I don't want you. I am content with my life and you're not a part of it."
Hilde hissed under her breath, "Cruel, cruel Duo. But then again, it was the streak of buried cruelty in you that first drew me to you. It made you stand out from amongst the other, pitiful mortals you once were. The possibilities within challenged me, but you sadly did not meet my expectations. If you had but sought out your full potential we could have rule the world together, you and I. Instead you hang onto your mortality like a leech and I left you before your tiresome human guilt could contaminate me."
"I cannot pretend to be what I am not, Hilde. I can't give you what you need."
"I'm not asking for forever this time, Duo. Just a moment of your time is all I currently want."
"There is nothing you have that I desire, Hilde. You cannot tempt me a second time," Duo said with a weary sigh. "Go away."
"So," Hilde snarled, all pretenses and masks dropped for the time being. Her eyes narrowed in thin slits of darkness, her lips thinned and her fingers curling into claws. "You would deny me but a single night in your bed?"
Duo's answer was swift and final. "I would deny you a single minute."
"Then has another replaced me? Think your decision over carefully, Duo, before I find her and rip her throat out."
Duo swiftly moved until he was towering over the petite brunette. His lips were pulled back in an animal snarl, his amethyst eyes glowing with an inner fire. "If I find you have threatened anyone I care for, I will find you and stake you myself!"
"Think you could stop me?"
"I would die trying," Duo declared quietly.
The fury on Hilde's face was slowly replaced with a calculating look as she said, "Perhaps that would not be necessary. But I will not be intimidated by the likes of you, fledgling. I made you and I can unmake you. I have thousands of those who will do my bidding, bend to my will."
"I meant what I said, Hilde. Don't push me," Duo warned.
The two vampires stood there quietly, neither willing to back down. They stood staring at each other for countless minutes, the world moving around them. It was only a sudden noise at the gate that broke their showdown.
"Duo?" questioned a low, youthful voice.
Hilde caught the fleeting look of welcome, anticipation, and a deeper emotion in Duo's eyes as he broke contact to glance up at the intruder. Her eyes narrowed as she turned around to see who had replaced her in her fledgling's heart, her gaze falling upon a young boy of no more than 21 or so years.
He was pleasant enough to look at, for a human, his dark brown hair falling endearingly in his eyes. She could tell that his body held hidden strength, hidden behind an innocent facade of vulnerability. His eyes were wide and filled with the innocence of youth and joy in the world. It took no more than a second glance at Duo's face and hearing the tone of voice as he called the young man's name to know that this was her rival.
Hilde felt a flash of rage fly through her veins and mind at the insult. She had been replaced by a human!! And not just any human, but a human boy! Fury bounded freely in her ancient mind, dark thoughts of death and blood rising to the front. Bile rose in her gorge, even as she suppressed her outrage and kept an outward calm. Her eyes glittered with danger and promised retribution as she turned back to whisper to Duo.
"I see now who you've replaced me with, Duo. Know that I will not let this insult lie quietly. You will regret this night, mark my words," she promised the other vampire, even as she walked away.
She passed quietly by the mortal boy, sparing him but a snarl of her lips before she moved on to melt into the shadows of the night. She would hunt and take her fury out on her prey, but she would remember. Oh yes, she would remember.
Heero watched with a puzzled expression as the woman disappeared around the corner block. He didn't know what he had done to earn her ire, but the snarl she had given him had been unmistakable. With troubled eyes he turned back to his guardian.
Duo had quietly come up behind him until the two were nearly touching. The heat rising between the two did not go unnoticed by Heero, who promptly felt blood rushing to his cheeks. To dispel the growing intimacy he babbled, "Um, I didn't mean to interrupt anything but you said come by after work and you didn't specify a time or anything..." Heero lamely trailed off his string of words as he watched Duo give one more glance down the street after the mysterious woman.
Duo merely shook his head after an instant and looked at his companion, his lips curling into a genuine, if a bit wry, smile. "No, you didn't interrupt anything, Heero. She was just leaving."
"Oh, well good then," the pilot smiled reassured. "Who was she?"
Duo was quiet for a long moment, long enough for Heero to wonder if he was going to answer the simple question. After the nearly uncomfortable pause, Duo said shortly, "An old acquaintance, nothing more. Shall we go inside?"
Heero allowed Duo to herd him into his house, Duo's hand at the small of his back. The gesture felt natural and Heero relished the contact with the older man, even if it was only an innocent gesture. However, something was nagging him in the back of his mind, demanding his attention even as he answered Duo's trivial question about how his day had gone.
He couldn't help but feeling that there was something unnatural about the woman he had just met. Something unnatural and dangerous.
~~~
Hilde felt Duo's mental search for her, his probe that pierced the night searching for her vicinity. With an ease born of talent, she hid herself from his mind, cloaked her presence. Once out of sight of the two males, she had transformed her body into her dark mist, mingling with the natural foggy haze of the air.
She was no fool. The boy she had seen had such innocence and trust in the world in his eyes. She knew that Duo had not revealed his true nature and desperately wanted to keep it that way for now. If the boy was ignorant of the powerful creatures that stalked humanity in the night, Hilde would make sure his introduction later was bloody and painful. But she would content herself now with merely watching.
She felt centuries old anger burn through her dark soul as she watched the object of her desire escort the human into his abode. She witnessed the little protective gesture her fledgling made, the gesture born of desire and defense. Hilde chuckled darkly to herself.
*Does he seriously think he can protect that silly little mortal? I will strike during the day, when he is sleeping and unable to help the boy.*
Hilde felt her small bubble of humor pop as she remembered how Duo had refused to share the night with her. Never before had a man refused her and it galled her pride that the one man she wanted now did so. Throughout the centuries Hilde had desired many men, had sex with countless men. However, she had loved none of them, she had been too selfish to give that part of herself to any of them.
Except for this one. Duo had been the only man she had ever felt the emotion of love for, the only one she had dared to start caring for. Even when she had abandoned him shortly after making him, she had loved him. And now, now when she decided he was worthy enough to be a part of her life, he had rejected her.
For a mortal man.
Jealousy and rage welled up in the Original vampire, even as a dark plan began to form in her mind. It was ironic that the one man she had decided was worthy to share her existence with no longer wanted her. And for that, the one he had chosen over her would pay. She would torture the little human and toy with him, savoring his torment and pain. And then she would drain him dry, perhaps even in front of Duo. Duo's pain would serve as the balm for her wounded pride.
*You will not, Hilde Schbeiker.*
Hilde gasped, floating to a dark alley where she resumed her humanoid shape. The mental voice that pierced her shields had not been Duo's but another vampire's. She did not recognize the psychic trail of the bold intruder, did not know who had the power to infiltrate her mind. She opened her mind and followed the psychic trail, trying to establish a link and location.
*Stop that. YOU won't be able to find ME.*
*Who are you? And what do you want with me?* she asked, her curiosity pricked despite her alarm.
A dry chuckle echoed through her mind even as the voice answered. *He is very handsome, your fledgling. I can help you regain his affections.*
Hilde snorted to herself even as she answered, *And why should I trust you? I can do what I want on my own, thank you. I don't need your help.*
Hilde's eyes flew open in shock as she felt pain shoot through her mind. She clutched her head between her two hands as the voice in her mind punished her. *Don't be a fool, Schbeiker. If you kill the boy, Duo will never return to you. And if you kill the boy, I will kill you. This is but a sample of the Powers at my disposal. Don't annoy me,* said the voice quite cheerfully.
The pain in her head ebbed a little, but not much. Hilde gritted her teeth as she asked, *So if I don't cooperate with you, you'll kill me too?*
*You're a fast learner. I like that,* answered the voice.
*Fine. What do you want in return?*
*You will bring the boy to me, unharmed. And in return, I will ensure that your fledgling desires you and only you until you decide to dispose of him.*
*Why do you want that human?*
*That is none of your concern. I will be in contact later, Schbeiker. Don't fail me or this will be your reward.*
Hilde almost screamed as white-hot pain lanced through her mind, driving her to her knees. Almost as abruptly as the pain came, it disappeared. She knelt on the hard concrete, attempting to recapture her lost breath and analyze her present situation.
She was stunned and surprised at her surprise intruder. She had assumed as an Original that she was one of the most powerful vampires in the world and that none surpassed her in Power. Unfortunately, now it seemed like there was another, more powerful immortal out there, one capable of threatening her position and existence.
Hilde mused on her situation, her thoughts running forth in a dozen different directions. So now she had a tenable ally, someone who was willing at the moment to help her, but she had to forego her previous plans of retribution on her fledgling's new partner.
As she picked herself off the ground and dusted her clothing and skin, Hilde felt a bubble of laughter well up in her. Well, she would keep the tenuous allegiance for now, while it was advantageous and in her best interest to do so. But all bets were off once she learned who this mysterious vampire was.
~~~
Heero smiled at his guardian as Duo entered the room with two glasses of red wine. Accepting one, he moved to sit on the comfortable sofa, watching with a pang of disappointment as Duo chose to sit in the facing chair.
He watched as the braid-toting man took a long sip of his wine before he said, "I'm glad to see you again, Duo."
Duo raised dark, amaryllis eyes that took Heero's breath away as he returned the smile and said, "And I'm glad to see you again, Heero. Tell me, have you been enjoying yourself these past five years?"
Heero nodded vigorously as he launched into a heartfelt speech about the events that had filled the past, of the people he had met and befriended, and his current job on the squad. Duo listened with half an ear, his eyes and attention mostly focused on observing the young man sitting across from him.
He was so imbedded in his observations of Heero that he almost missed Heero's ending comment.
"And now you've come back."
His gaze snapped to Heero's face to find the young man looking down at his glass of wine, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. Duo bit at his lip for a second before asking, "Heero, exactly what do you remember about the night we met again?"
Duo was sure that Heero had no memories about what had almost happened in that alley with those thugs, but he needed to make sure. He watched carefully as Heero fidgeted in his seat, stalling uncomfortably.
He was about to subtly push Heero's mind, to bend his will to answer him when Heero looked up and gave his a sheepish grin. "Um, I'm afraid I don't remember much about that night. I think I got drunk. I remember waking up last night in this house, but that's all. Why? Did I say anything?" he asked in a bit of a panic.
Duo gave a sigh of relief as he shook his head. "No, nothing happened, Heero. I met you outside of that bar and escorted you here where you slept off your indulgence. That's all."
Comfortable silence spread between the vampire and the mortal, broken by the sudden growling of Heero's stomach. His face flushed as he gave Duo an embarrassed grin. Duo just returned that grin and stood up, placing his wineglass on the table next to his chair. He held out his hand to Heero and said, "Shall we take care of your empty stomach, Heero?"
Heero stared up at Duo for a brief second before nodding his head and placing his free hand in Duo's. With that, the vampire led the young mortal into the kitchen with its recently acquired stock of food, past problems forgotten for the moment.
~~~
Earth, Sank Kingdom, AC 199
Relena's eyes snapped open as she felt the return of her mysterious friend. With a giggle, she welcomed the woman who called herself Dorothy. Luckily, she was alone in her massive suite of rooms, having dismissed the servants earlier.
"Is it time to play?" she asked the empty air.
*Oh yes, Miss Relena. It's definitely time to play. The King's memories have almost returned and we must be prepared to make our countermove.*
Relena clapped her hands together and bounced to her feet. With another, seemingly empty giggle of cluelessness, she gaily asked, "So what are we going to do?"
The voice in her head grew sinister and malignant as it firmly wrapped its owner's will around the slightly lost monarch. Easily overpowered due to her lack of control on her own mind, her new 'friend' easily guided her toward the doors. *My servants will find you shortly to aid you in our move, but before they get there, here is what I need you to do for me, Miss Relena.*
~~~
Earth, Romefeller/OZ Headquarters AC 199
The small redhead child easily slipped amongst the shadows of her home, escaping the notice of those favored subjects allowed in the Lady's chambers. Her large, pale eyes took everything in, retaining every detail of what she saw and heard. Although she had the appearance of a child, if anyone had looked into her eyes they would have seen quite a different story.
Decades of pain and knowledge lurked in her eyes, hinting at secrets kept from mere mortals. Power lurked beneath their surfaces, indicating the superiority of this child to the rest of the human race, but only seen when the child wanted them to be seen. The child easily hid behind extravagant pieces of furniture, a quiet observer of the proceedings.
The blonde lady stood in the middle of the room, her long hair flowing down her back and nearly touched the floor. Her cool eyes, capable of gazes both cruel and disturbing, were currently focused on the ginger-haired man standing before her. The child gasped inaudibly and bit her lip hard as she recognized her father. Thrusting aside her fragments of fear, she concentrated on what the Lady was saying to her minion. Unfortunately, from her current position, she could only catch small phrases every now and then.
"... to the palace and retrieve..."
Her father's deep rumble was more audible to the child as he replied, "And how do I know who?"
"Miss... have already... will be with..."
Her father bowed and said in his subservient tone, "As you wish, Mistress."
"Do not fail... you know what will happen to..."
Her father bowed once more and then straightened to depart his Mistress' chambers. The girl pulled herself into the shadows even further, desperately hiding from her father's eyesight, both physical and psychic. As soon as his great frame had passed by her spot, she cautiously looked out to see where the other lady was.
Seeing her attention focused elsewhere, the child took the opportunity to leave and shadow her father. From the rumors she heard in her dreams and from careless minions, she had an inkling of where her father was heading. There were whispers amongst those that served the Lady that her enemies were gathering together.
If they were the Lady's enemies, perhaps they could be her allies and help her father and her escape from their servitude. It was worth a try.
Unbeknownst to the child, her passage had not gone unnoticed. As soon as she had departed from the inner chambers, the Vampire Master turned to a concealed door and gave one nod of her head. A dark, inhuman shape slithered from the shadows, intent on its given mission. Dismissing further speculation on what she had just nonchalantly commanded, Dorothy proceeded out to her adjoining balcony and the night beyond.
She mulled over how well her plans were coming together, how all the pieces were fitting together nicely. She let a dark laugh escape her lips into the night as she glanced up at the stars. Her enemies were all gathered in one place, neatly awaiting elimination, and soon the destruction of the wretched mortals would be complete. And soon she would take her rightful place as ruler of the world.
TBC...
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