The Royal's Black Sheep
D.M. Victoria
Chapter One
"Fuck this shit," I murmered as I look down at the couple making out in the alley. The night was cool, and the rooftop was empty except for my friend Roman.
"Awww, not in the mood tonight? Or been celibate for so long that they're making you jealous?" He asked, his blue eyes dancing at me with amusement. His curly brown hair was ruffled by the wind, and his skin seems to glow against his black suit. He was the business-looking type, the type of vampire that you would assume was a man heading home after a long day in the office. However, his beauty was almost inhuman, the only hint of his species, other than when he feeds. I shook my head, and sigh again.
"Of course not, I'm just tiring of this city, of the same old song and dance that we do." I swung my boots over the edge, my normal hunger for those pests below me disappearing.
"Bored? I thought you enjoy the fear that you strike into the cattle during your hunt. Unless, you're starting to think that they matter," he teased, chuckling when I gave him a sharp look. "Didn't think so. Well, where do you want to go to?" his question made me shrug as I pull my knees up and rested my chin on them, looking out at the night lights.
"I'm not sure where to now…" I said softly.
"You know, I've heard of a congregation in Alaska- "
"No." Roman already knew my opinion about congregations, covens, and other forms of vampires who've decided to live together. At my answer, he sighs and lean back some, looking at the sky as well. He had one leg hanging over the edge and the other pulled up with his arm resting on it.
"You know, we're not meant to live alone. You're meant to create fledglings, and I'm meant to follow you." I growled deep in my throat, glaring at the sky. As a pureblood, a born-vampire, I'm supposed to create my own fledglings to fill a coven of my own. Roman was my first and last fledging, and I refuse to make more after seeing the life that he could've had if I hadn't taken him. As a Greek professor, when the world still thought the planet had four corners and that Gods ruled the earth, he was betrothed to a beautiful woman, and he would've lived out a normal life and have many children. After spending a millennial alone, I was jealous of his life and turned him; because of the transformation, he didn't remember the life he had, and never learned to resent me for stealing it from him.
"Than go." My words received a surprise look from him. Most vampire masters don't let their fledglings leave their side or territory.
"B-but, I can't! I can't leave you alone, my Abethial," he murmured, reaching out to me as he uses my whole name. I move my head as I turn away.
"We can discuss it later, lets feed." I jump down, landing in front of the couple who were having each other's tongue their throats. The woman let out a surprise scream, but it soon became a gurgle as I struck out my hand and slice her throat. She clenches at it as Roman jump down to join, snatching her and started to feed. The man's eyes widen, frozen and unable to move from shock. I approach him, looked deep into his eyes, before snapping his neck. Before he collapses, I pulled him to me and fed, pressing his motionless body against the brick wall. To any passerby, it looks like two couples having harmless fun.
I finish the man quickly before I drag him over to the dumpster and toss him in. Roman took longer with his meals; he actually enjoys the feel of their life leaving their bodies with every ounce that he drinks. The woman's heart beat was a mere whisper now, barely hanging on. Like something from a sci-fi movie, she let out a longing breath, and her heart finally stop, her dead eyes staring at me, her face frozen with the horror she felt during her final breaths. Roman let go of her, letting her body drop to the ground, his mouth covered with blood. I sigh, taking out a hanker shift and gently wipe the blood away.
"Will you ever learn how to feed without getting messy?" I ask in annoyance, tossing away the cloth. Roman gave me one of his most dazzling smiles, something that would stop most women's hearts. This action just furthers my aggravation.
"Still grumpy? Are you perhaps still hungry? I heard that women act grumpy when they either need food, sleep, or- "
"Shut up," I snap. He always swore that my mood was because of my celibacy, even though he knew I didn't entirely have a choice when it came to intercourse. As a vampire, my body was in working condition for the actions; however, purebloods like myself never "sully" their bodies with anyone else but another pureblood. We don't live purely for the earthly pleasures. Roman lifted an eyebrow and gave me a once over, the offering in his eyes were there like always. I knew he saw me as perfect, with my long black hair in a braid that ends right at my ankles, my skin snowy white and my eyes a pale grey. My body was adorned with a simple black cocktail dress with thin straps and a plunging neckline that show off my abundance of cleavage, with knee-high black boots that lace up on the side. However, I knew that his admiration was also related to his bond to me; fledglings feel unlimited compassion for their masters, and always provide for what they are longing for.
"I know, I know, 'Now is not the time'," he said teasingly, throwing up his hands as if in surrender. I roll my eyes and decided I was done for the night.
"I'm heading back. Are you staying out?" I ask as we walk down the alley back out to the busy roads of New York. It was already midnight, but cars still zoom past and a few people still walk along the streets. I ignore them and their curious glances, already use and completely bored with the attention my looks brought.
"Of course. I found another of Gregory's fledglings in a warehouse near District 489, thought I'd go check on her." I scowl at the man's name. Gregory was a mutt, aka half pureblood and half fledging. His mother, some pureblood that no one figure the name of, got one of her fledglings to get her pregnant, proclaiming love, and after Gregory was born and hidden away, she was later slain as being "impure", making an example for all other purebloods if we dare to try the same thing. Because of this, though, the mutt felt he was entitle to everything available only to purebloods, and often gets his ass knocked out for attempting to claim those so-call rights.
However, the Elders gave him District 489 to shut him up, told him that he was allow to do whatever he wanted as long as he stayed in that area and keep his existence silent. All lands are broken up into districts for each pureblood to rule over and live in, as to not cause any fighting within our ranks and so we can all live out a peaceful life, enjoying the cattle and entertainment the area can provide. I've given up my land a long time ago, and have gone into hiding many years ago, making the Elders and many others think I've been dead this entire time.
Roman and I parted ways, me heading back to the old abandon apartment building that we made a home in and he to the fledging. I knew it was probably a woman, and I most likely won't see him until sometime tomorrow night. The walk back home was actually very peaceful. No one bother me, most likely because of the permanent scowl that have accustomed my face, so I had time to think more about what Roman said earlier. I know he must be lonely, having to deal with me every day. He was always out with one woman or another after our feeding, and I knew he gains comfort from them, even if the moments are just fleeting.
I reach the apartment in little time, entering and locking the flimsy door behind me. I can take care of myself if a human broke in, but the feeling of a little security a lock offers always relax me slightly. Deep in my thoughts, I head upstairs to the top floor that I've laid claim on. Stepping onto that floor, at first glance it looks as though the building was under construction with all the tarps Roman hung up for me, but once you step through, it was like stepping into a different world.
The walls were painted a royal purple, and all the walls separating each living space have been removed, leaving the entire level open. I had decorated it with black furnishing; a black suede couch in front of the huge flat screen TV against the far left wall with a few luxurious black suede chairs to match. A huge kitchen was to the right of that, with a long dining table made of oak in the center of the room, set with elegant tableware and with black velvet-lined chairs. To the far right, there was a sheer black curtain blocking half of the floor.
Walking through the curtain, I look around my room. I had a huge California king bed with purple silk sheets and a huge fluffy purple comforter. It was covered with comfortable pillows, with an oak header and footer painted black and decorated with wooden roses painted purple. On either side were simple nightstands; to the right of the bed was my vanity, a very vintage table and arm chair with a huge mirror on the wall that the table was pressed against. I didn't wear makeup, or even own any. But I enjoy sitting there; brushing my hair, and choosing what jewelry I wanted to wear. My clothing was stash into a wardrobe closet and matching dresser, with a shoe rack lining the wall. To the left of my bed was a simple sitting area with a table and more of the vintage arm chairs, a few bookcases lining the wall. In the whole building there were no lights of any kind; having sensitive eyes render them useless, and the lack of them help make the building seem abandoned and unapproachable. All the windows have been completely boarded as well.
I carefully remove the black dress I was wearing and hang it up in the closet before slipping on a purple shift nightie and unzipping my boots. I enjoy the plush carpet underneath my feet. I started to think about what Roman requested as I sat at my vanity and unbraided my hair, brushing it as I work through my thoughts. The idea to join another coven, to have to do another pureblood's bidding, was very unappealing. As one of the very few female purebloods, many of the others were after one thing. Sure, they had their fun with the fledglings, but if I was to join with one, we'd be mates for life, and I'd be expected to pump out babies for the rest of my life. I shudder at the thought of being a breeder.
However, Roman wouldn't be alone anymore. He'd have lots of other fledglings to be around, to learn from. I know I've kept him from a lot by keeping him with me and not creating more for him to be surrounded by. As his master, the bond lets me feel the pain and loneliness he feels every night he wakes. I was basically unintentionally torturing him, and my heart tightens in my chest. The best way to be there for him was to let him go, to encourage him to find a coven to join and be surrounded by his kind since I refuse to do such for him.
"How intriguing." At the deep voice, I jump up to find a man have entered my room. I heard the door from downstairs unlocked and a few people enter, soon joining us.
"See, I knew he wasn't lying!" Exclaim a smaller man, and I clench my fist as I notice he had Roman by the collar, his body bruised and bloody from being beaten up. The smaller man I recognize as Gregory and the other men around him were his fledglings. But the man in front of me reeks of pureblood. He was gorgeous, with pale blond hair, piercing blue eyes, snowy skin and dress in an all black suit. He was tall, and smirked as he looks down at me.
"I'm sorry, Abethial," Roman said, his voice barely a whisper. He grunted as one of Gregory's men punch him in the gut, making him collapse onto the ground. I stood still, fighting the urge to rush to him and whisk him away. Having a fledging was like having a child, or so I've heard, but I never expected to feel this level of protectiveness over him. As the others were laughing with Gregory at Roman, the pureblood's eyes widen in surprise.
"Abethial? As in, Princess Abethial, of the royal family?" He asks which silence the rest of the men. I cracked my knuckles, ready for a fight as I glare at the man.
"Possibly. I may be, and you all may be dead if you lay another finger on my friend there." I kept my voice calm but deadly, letting them know exactly how piss off I was. I guess you could say I've left a bad taste in everyone's mouth when I disappeared.
"Nonsense! That's against the law, to kill another pureblood," Gregory said, letting out a nervous laugh. I turn my gaze onto him, and he looks like he just about swallows his tongue.
"I've been off the grid way longer than your friend has been alive," I said as I slowly start to approach them. "Do you really think I fear killing another pureblood? If my family found out I was alive and you threatened to kill my fledging, you'd be torture beyond your imagination," I said, sweetening my voice. The air started to move, lifting and pulling at my hair, and I knew my eyes looked like a raging storm as I felt my dormant powers awaken inside. Gregory took a step back in fear, but I grab onto him, making sure he didn't escape, even as some of his man ran out of the building. The pureblood stood still, silent as he watches me.
"I-I-I didn't know who you were!" he stammered. As he stares into my eyes, I let some of my power seep into him. He screamed in excruciating pain as I stole his memories, making his brain burn and feel as though he was dying. I saw how him and his men cornered Roman, how they torture him to find me, making my anger increase. I pull myself away from him, just getting more and more piss off. He drops to the floor, squirming in pain and clutching at his skull. When I turn to the pureblood, he immediately drops to his knees, head bow in respect. I could sense his fear as the air continues to swirl around me, lifting me off my feet slightly.
"Roman, get up and get yourself cleaned up," I said softly, helping him up. His face was beaten badly; it was healing but not fast enough. I bit into my wrist and had him drink from me, knowing that it will help heal him faster. Once he pulls away, I put my hand to his cheek and kissed his forehead, a very rare action of purebloods, showing how important he was to me. He bowed before leaving the room, heading to the second floor to his space.
"I apologize, Princess," the pureblood said, staying on his knees and his head low.
"I would like to go into your memories and see what had started all this," I requested. I knew that he was unaware of who I was exactly, and had a feeling it was a misunderstanding because of Gregory. He nodded, and I use my powers to go into his mind. Unlike stealing memories, looking at them was harmless, and the pureblood, Jacob, didn't feel any pain. Quickly, I realize that Gregory have found that someone was feeding in this territory, a territory he was intending to claim since it has no owner. He had contacted the Elders, and had sent out his female fledging as a trap to get Roman, who was beaten until he gave information. Jacob have come on the orders of the Elders to discover what was really going on, and was to return to London two nights from now to inform them of his discovery and see if they need to pursue further actions. I sigh as I pull out, knowing that I had a new problem to figure out.
"If we had known it was you in this area, this would've been settled more humanely," Jacob said, still low on the floor.
"I understand. I will like to request that you return Gregory to his district and inform his clan of what had happen. Once that is settle, will you return to me? We have much to discuss." My words were calm, and I lean down to reach out to Gregory, who was still cringing on the floor in pain. I touch him gently, quickly taking away his pain and reinstating his memories. He gasps and scurried back away from me. "Please be more courteous next time you encounter a pureblood or problem in your area," I told him, and he nod hard before disappearing out of the room.
"I will return to you in an hour, Princess," Jacob said as he straightens to follow Gregory. I scowl at him, making him glance back down.
"Here I am no princess. Please, Jacob, call me Abethial." He nods at my request before quickly disappearing. Sighing, I collapse on my bed, closing my eyes to rest for a little bit before taking the next steps that I knew I will have to take. Roman will not be a happy one.