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Go! You have to go! Can’t get caught. Not here. Not yet!
Angel huffs heavily as they run through the forest. The trees, thick. Branches slicing and scratching against their limbs with each pass. They were finding it hard to navigate through the narrow pathway. Even more so now that they were being hunted.
They had tried to take precautions, gathering intel of whose domain this land belonged to. Considering they were vampires, it was a no-brainer to wait until sunrise before approaching. But they hadn’t considered the other dangers that would have taken up residency in the nearby surroundings. Even as they quietly approached on foot with their small party, they were caught off guard. Ambushed. And their group split and sent scrambling. They could only hope for all of them to have a chance to regroup. But right now, survival had to be their main priority.
A few times the sound of their pursuer fell away, the thought of successfully evading him bringing a sense of relief. It was only temporary though. They felt him. His eyes. Eyes that never left. Eyes that bore into them, watching their every move as they struggle to make their way through the unfamiliar terrain. Like an animal playing with its meal before it came in to strike.
The sweat on their brow threatens to blind their vision. With each footfall, their muscles protest, begging to be given a chance to rest. But they push forward. They had to, there was no other choice.
A howl echoes through the woods, closer than it had been a few moments prior, and another surge of adrenaline rushes through them. Thundering stomps grow louder, the ground shaking beneath. They chance a glance over their shoulder, ducking on instinct as the wolf barrels towards them, striking at the space where they had been and landing a few feet away. They quickly rise to their feet, the animal snarling. His teeth about as sharp as any dagger.
Before they could think about how they were going to defend against such a thing, the wolf rose from four feet to two, shifting back into a man. The same man that had ordered their troupe attacked without a word spoken between the two groups.
He straightens, standing tall. When it came to height, they were definitely outclassed. The man had to have had a whole foot on them. And when it came to strength. Yeah, that was a no. They weren’t a fighter, and the tools they did have were abandoned at camp. The cherry on top of their shit sundae? He had to be a damned empowered. Why them?
His eyes narrow, brows deep set in frustration, housing an unfathomable anger that sent a prickling chill up their spine. And what exactly had they done to piss him off? God only knew.
As he draws closer, Angel scrambles back, preparing to break off running again. An arm snakes out, grabbing onto them tightly. They grimace, trying to shrug off his hold, but soon it becomes crystal clear that unless he gave them an inch, they weren’t going anywhere.
“Let go!” They shout, beating against his chest with their free hand. He was more than unfazed. Like a spider entertaining the fly who had willingly walked into its web.
He growls low, his free hand catching their flyaway one, and he shoves them against the nearby tree. The wind leaves them in a huff, as he pins their hands high above their head, pressing his body into them. For a moment, they freeze in shock, before their fight or flight kicks back into gear, trying and failing to land a kick between his legs, the angle just not lining up.
“Stop fighting.” He warns, the threat in his words palpable.
“Let go!” They scream again.
“Calm down, and I will.”
“I don’t have any reason to trust you.”
“That may be true, but does not trusting me get you anything in the end? At least this way, there’s a chance of you getting what you want. Otherwise, you'll just yell until you’re blue in the face. Only thing you’ll accomplish is having the rest of my pack finding us sooner. And seeing as how you can barely deal with me, I don’t think you’ll do much better with a pack of pissed off shifters.”
Their lungs burn as they inhale huge gulps of air. It was dangerous giving them a chance to regroup. The smart thing would be to get him talking. Regain their strength. And then try to break away and head towards their destination. Maybe they could add credence to their story if one of the vamps' enemies showed up on their doorstep posing as a threat.
As their breathing slows, they take a chance to study their aggressor’s face. His nose, at some point in his life, had been broken. Not quite as straight as a normal nose would be. He had new growth around his lip and chin. His hair hung down to his shoulders, curled softly at the end. Above his right eye was a scar that ran parallel to his brow, a fresh cut that was in the beginning of healing. Overall, he was rough around the edges, but still easy enough on the eyes.
The corner of his mouth lifts into a slow smile. “Like what you see?”
They scoff, looking away quickly. Rotating their wrist, they find they still can't budge. “I did what you asked, now make good on what you promised.”
He chuckles deep, leaning into their ear, whispering. “A promise is worth about as much as copper is to a king. But I don’t have to tell you that considering who your former fuck buddy was, do I?”
They tense, and when he pulls back there's a knowing look in his eye, malice buried underneath, but quickly rising to the surface.
Angel purses their lips, angling their chin high. “So it’s revenge? What, did he screw you over too like he did everyone else? Are you gonna feel better attacking me knowing it’ll hurt him?” They laugh, the sound turning bitter in their ears. “Go ahead. But you’ll just be wasting your time. Or have you not been keeping up with the fact that he no longer sits on the throne? He has no power. But if it gets your rocks off… Ahh!”
They shriek as teeth sink deep into their shoulder. Blood from the puncture streaks down their arm and the smell of iron fills their nose.
He removes his canines, the red staining his lips.
“If I wanted you dead, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I was just curious. And you confirmed those suspicions. I do have some questions for you, however. Like what the hell someone like you is doing so far out here in the first place.”
Angel furrows their brow, glaring, trying hard to ignore the pain blossoming through their arm.
“Oh right.” David’s tone lighthearted. “I did say I’d let go of you didn’t I? Can’t go back on my word.” He releases their uninjured hand, and their palm quickly goes to cover their shoulder. “Hey!”
He wiggles his index finger back and forth at them. “I never said both. Next time, make sure you’re specific in your negotiations. Think of this as a lesson...”
“Asshole. What do you want?”
“…And as compensation for said lesson, you’re going to give me some information. How’s that sound.”
“Like extortion.”
“It’s a good thing we live in a society where no one gives a fuck. So, first off, why are you here?”
“Why do you care?”
The grip around their wrist grew tighter, and they gasp aloud.
“Not what I asked. Believe it or not, I’m being very patient with you. Anyone else, I would have taken out from jump for posing a threat to me and mine.”
“Threat? We never… Mmph! Ahh… Ahh… Ahh…”
Their whine quickly transforms into babbles as he squeezes harder, the pressure so great Angel fears the bone breaking in two.
“Ok Ok!” They shout, and he eases his grip. Their head falls forward and their breathing devolves into heavy pants.
“Why are you here?” He repeats evenly.
They take a second to compose themselves, staring up at him in defiance. Straightening, they bite their lip. Just how much could they get away with telling him? The mission was a failure, their comrades M.I.A.
Stop it, Angel. There’s still a chance. If you can just get there, there’s always a chance.
“There’s a Mass Maker within these woods that I need to get in contact with.”
The look of confusion on the wolf’s face was easy to understand. People didn’t go out willingly searching for vampires. Especially not vampires that had turned dozens and dozens of individuals to not only gain their own freedom, but to amass an army under their control.
“Why?”
“Because we need to fight.”
At first, he only stared blankly at them. Then, that toothy grin returned, and he almost doubled over laughing. Mockingly. Stabbing sharp.
He regains his senses and levels a hard look on them. “Are you an idiot?”
“I don’t care what you think. I need to find him.”
“Let me get this straight… You, an unempowered, is going to march into vamp territory, and demand to see this esteemed Mass Maker. Which, considering your former track record, is all in the hopes of leading a revolution against the newest dictator on the throne. What, think this act will have your old boy toy running back? Because, I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed.”
“I’m fighting. It’s the only thing I can do. Better than sitting out here and letting things continue as they are. But I guess you're just satisfied with the chaos of it all. No skin off your nose. You empowered can just use your powers and do whatever you want. Who cares if other people get hurt. Who cares if the world is going to shit if you all can live in blissful ignorance without having to suffer any injustice.”
They know they’ve pushed his buttons. Hate lines his features, and if looks could kill, Angel was sure they'd be dead where they stood.
“You’re walking your way to the slaughter.”
They blinked, not expecting those words.
“An unempowered like you is just a new toy for them to play with. They won’t care about your plan, just how they can use you as their next pawn, and cast you aside when they’re done.”
For a second, sadness and pain crosses his features.
“You could just send a correspondent. Or ask for an exchange on equal ground. You could be walking right into a trap.”
“I don’t care.” They stated plainly. “It has to be me. And it has to be in person. Any job worth doing, is worth doing right. And I'm not going to half-ass it.”
His hold slackens, his stare locks on them, but they were sure it wasn’t them he was focused on.
They take the opportunity, ducking under his arm and breaking past him, preparing to run. But he was too quick. Growling, his hand tangles in their hair, wrenching their head back and forcing a gasp from their lips.
“Dumbass. What the hell do you hope to accomplish that we haven’t? Do you think we haven’t tried? Aren’t trying? That we just accept this miserable fucking existence?” His fingers tighten their grip. “You’re signing your own death warrant if you go.”
“I don’t care! I can’t… I can’t sit still and do nothing while others are suffering. While people are torn from their homes and others are left to pick up the pieces. I’d sooner die!”
“Bold words. Words I don’t think you know the full weight of.”
They laugh, the sound devoid of mirth. Hollow. “There’s nothing left for me.”
He pauses. Then bends low, grazing his teeth against their neck.
They tense, shoving against his shoulders. His grip only exposes them further.
“Why are you shivering? I thought you’d made peace with the end.”
“Not here.” Their voice a near whisper.
“Here or there, doesn't matter. Would you rather be tortured without mercy? If you want an ending so bad, why not let me be your executioner. That way, you can leave this world shrouded in some semblance of pleasure.”
His hand untangles from their hair, finding purchase against their throat. Round eyes stare up at him, yet no protest escapes them. His thumb is rough as it strokes their column, pressing down on their pulse, it hammering against the pad of his finger as their heart races. His fingers close tight, angling them back against the tree. So small, yet so defiant. Their fear rekindles and he wants nothing more than to show the stubborn human what it means to go up against powerful forces outside their comprehension. This human. Someone so foolish. So self-confident. Someone that wanted a change no matter the sacrifice.
Their eyes widen, before concern replaces the fear. Their features soften, and the tell-tale sign of loss reflects in their expression. He’d made a vow. Never again. Never again would he shed tears on this side of existence. His heart long since moving on without him. But he’d proved his point again. A promise like that had no substance, and breaking it came just as easy as the shattering of glass housed on a slanted surface. Its outcome inevitable.
Before questions came tumbling out of the human’s mouth, David’s lips crash against theirs, swallowing their exclamation. They were sweet, a bright and vibrant taste that David thought he had long since been lost to. No. He still was lost to.
The scent of arousal thickened the air. Hands climbed high upon his shoulders, urging him closer as he began to strip away their clothing, body growing warm under his touch. He needed this. They wanted this. And if hell awaited them, why not add one more sin to the pyre.