Bad blood
Damon
The little girl was cute. She had that fire in her eyes that many abandoned when they saw me in such a state. Of course the blood was rude and she saw that, which is why she was cute. Her defiant little face nearly crumbled as I growled. Decisive was so common , it brought a smile to my face, interrupting the growl and forcing me to break out in laughter.
“Cute girl,” I bellowed, but I nudged my head towards the table. “Come sit with me.”
I walked over to the table; my steps were slow and very cautious. Eventually she sat down in one of the empty chairs beside me, just as did my nephew. I took the handkerchief from my chest and wiped my face with it. The scent was like flowers and an overabundance of feminine perfume. It nearly made me gag; the alcohol mixed with the oils was so pungent that I sneezed , once, and then twice.
I heard a soft feminine chuckle. “It’s nice to see that you find my displeasure to be funny, girl. Stop laughing.”
“I didn’t think you were allergic to perfume,” she said.
“No, it’s not the perfume,” I interrupted. “It’s another scent , something with you.” I said, “I swear it’s very subtle, with a hint of magic inside.” I smiled. “Not many have that nose; you do. It’s a gift my mother told me about, long before my father split her skull himself.”
I burst out laughing, remembering it rather fondly. “She said that meant I had grown a second head,” I waved her off. “So you want me to describe him?” I asked. “That will cost you a little, girl.”
“What’s the cost?” she smiled, putting on her other adorable expression.
“I don’t know yet,” I shrugged. “I have my eyes on a few things, you see.” I laid my fingers together on the table and began to link my thumbs, counting the seconds. “I want to do an expedition , explore the lands to the west of my park and the north: unconquered lands, filled with savages that glorify themselves.”
“Alchemists or not, savages?” she asked. “They literally hold the cradle of civilization, what do you think would happen if they were locked into a war? Do you not fear retribution?”
“I smiled then.” “Exactly , what do you think?” I leaned forward, staring deep into her green eyes. “What would happen if I conquered the lands from the alchemists?”
She bit her lush bottom lip and said nothing.
“Nothing,” I said.
“They are nothing but glorified humans who have conquered the formula to the philosopher’s stone. The same way you hate humans, I hate them. They’re human through and through; the only difference is the power in their knowledge. They don’t even have true magic, they only have magical tools, after all, they are ones that create those abominable things.” Her face was distressed, a bad look on her. I wondered in truth how much it would take to push her until she broke.
I laughed lightly. “Oh, don’t you worry, girl,” I said just as she was about to open her mouth. Of course she had things to say. How would fighting the alchemists draw his attention? She didn’t need to ask that , what she needed to know was whether, within the hands of the alchemists, lay a weapon that would kill that fucking twat of an Alpha.
On the way to the north I will take some liberties. What about some smaller packs like this one? Will you start with this one? she breathed, gently, voice like a flower. I felt something stir deep within me. I thought to myself, quiet little thing, very good. I found my nephew’s eyes. They were wide and pleading. She’s mine, he might as well have said.
I shrugged. Not for me, I thought to myself. A little too young in my opinion, but still pretty. I looked back away from the silent messages between myself and my nephew. Starting with this one would cause him to look too quickly; it’ll drop too much. I know you know the art of being subtle, I said, watching, to a small smile.
“Subtle,” she said. “Subtle is good enough. I would also be subtle. Everyone doesn’t need to know that I am interested in pulling her down right off the first bat.”
“All in due time?” she said with a small smile, tugging at her lips. “And you? When can I be certain that you would deliver?”
I stood to my feet. “That is mine to decide. A local will learn soon enough not to play the game of men, especially when you barely have my age.” I turned and walked away, leaving her question unanswered. Behind me I heard the sound of my nephew’s footsteps until we finally fell into step by my side as we left the house, quiet, and until it was merely a whisper on my nose, barely registering on my senses.
She was leaving the small pack.
“Why did you tell her about the alchemists?” he asked first. “Why did you lie about the alchemists?”
I smiled. “I like it when you ask good questions, my ward.” I said nothing for a minute until we reached my car. “Because she doesn’t need to know that I will kill that little Alpha. Till there’s nothing left for her to bury, it’s not even a head, no.” I shook my head as I felt the bloodlust begin to arise. “Oh, but there are so many little fish to kill here , but not now. Not these ones. It’s too close for him to make an impact just yet. It’s just yet too close for him to know. He will make a move. I need to surround him first. I will kill him even if he begs for mercy. Valhalla will not accept his kind. They will not accept a coward , even the moon goddess will spit him out and the Valkyries will welcome him instead.” I smiled.
“No, she doesn’t need to know all that. She can continue living in her own pretty little world, thinking that all is pretty under her hands and her feet. And by the time I’m done with him, by the time I’ve watched him die, maybe I’ll let you have her