In the darkness, accented only by the sphere of silver light amidst the scattered shards of cloud, lies fear. Every shadow contains suspicion. Each corner is taken with the utmost anticipation of death. In times such as these, mankind can do nothing but anticipate a gruesome ending. In time such as these, silence, darkness, and stillness are mankind's demise.
The shadowed figure that lies in wait relies on those simple truths. Yellow, malevolent eyes peer through dark, slanted lids. Waiting. Watching. In this day and age the race of men have hunted... and have been hunted. They have faced near extinction only to rise to power once more. The figure, bathed in shadow, sneered at the fortune of such creatures. Yes, he had once been a man, but all such associations have since died. What remained was something much more powerful, more feared, despised... and hungry.
Prowling free from sight, he neared his objective- a young girl who had so foolishly wandered off by herself. Didn't she know the consequences of her actions? She should have known that nightfall was the time when the vampires came out to feed.
Long blonde hair fell over pale, exposed shoulders and stopped just below pert breasts. No one else appeared to be in the vicinity; the fair-skinned beauty was temptingly alone. Slinking closer, the vampire's golden eyes ran slowly, carefully across the scene before him, through the forest of trees and past the hills behind his prey.
He prepared to emerge.
Suddenly, another figure appeared and made its way toward the woman sitting on the ground. The vampire took notice of this new character's features: male, shoulder length blonde hair, soft complexion like powdered snow, and light blue eyes. Both humans. Both the perfect image of porcelain dolls.
The observer watched the male human sit next to his lover. His slender white fingers, he placed on her naked shoulders. The female closed her eyes and eased back her head, losing herself in the soft kisses that her lover placed on her throat and collarbone. Her own hands ran through his wavy hair, the exact color of her own. Fragile porcelain hands traveled up the doll skirt, and lips devoured each other in search of passion. Lust wove itself around the young couple in thick strands, encouraged by a single string, unlacing the front of the female's blouse.
But a vampire's thirst can only be so patient.
As the young couple continued in their lustful actions, the shadowed entity finally stepped into the clearing. He strode toward them, and upon reaching the two, he knelt and placed a single hand upon the woman's shoulder. Her eyes immediately flashed open, aware of an unknown presence. In result, her lover raised his head from her chest and gaped at the newcomer.
His eyes were an eerily magnificent golden hue; his hair, midnight black, strands falling in his eyes, decorating his pale face. But his complexion was not pale as the lovers'. Not rosy and flushed by movement of blood, but blank and pallid. He stared at them both, letting the two observe him. Gently, he stroked the woman's cheek, still locking eyes with her lover. As if the vampire's pupils held the male doll in a trance, the blue eyes turned from the yellow, and the pink lips resumed in their discoveries.
A gleam of hunger now flashed before the vampire. Slowly, he lowered his lips to the naked neck, shrouded in long, golden hair. Opening his mouth, long white fangs were suddenly exposed. In an instant, the sharp tips easily pierced his prey's tender flesh. A soft moan escaped her lips and her eyes squeezed tight; there was no doubt that she was in pain. A terrible feeling overcame her and the chill of the night air enveloped her in its cool embrace.
Suddenly, her whole body relaxed, her heartbeat slowed and her pulse died down. The elation that she was experiencing was forced to a rude halt and soon, all feeling drained through her jugular vein and into the awaiting vampire's mouth. Lapping up the last drops of blood, the mysterious figure paused for a moment and reveled in the ecstasy he experienced every time he fed.
Silently, he watched as the still warm body of the porcelain doll fell limp. Without another sound, he disappeared into the night, smirking with black lips as the male lover's screams echoed through the night as he found his partner dead, her pinks lips curved in a look of absolute agony. Resuming his trek, the vampire made his way to the only place that he was safe.
"Where have you been?" Was the first question posed to him as the raven-haired vampire entered his sanctuary.
"Amidst the joyful world that accepts us without discrimination," he replied dryly.
"Don't be so sarcastic, Raziel. Is anything wrong?"
Raziel sighed. "No, Melchiah, nothing is wrong."
"Have a nice dinner, brothers?" Another vampire strode into the hall, an arrogant smirk on his face. This vampire was Turel, second Lieutenant. Second to Raziel.
Raziel gave his brother a smile. "Evil never looked so happy. What did you feed on tonight?"
Turel made a motion to brush fake debris from his uniform. "Oh, it wasn't what I ate," he said silkily. "It was what I observed." A malicious twinkle shone across Turel's eyes. "You're getting sloppy, Raziel. You eat the damsel and not the company? But you find it fitting to leave him to tell the tale of our kind?"
The black-haired vampire snarled, "Our kind has already been discovered, Turel. I take no part in exposing our race. And it was not meant to be sloppy, younger brother. The pain one feels when losing a loved one is the worst agony one could ever face." He paused for a moment and stared his kin down. "You killed him, didn't you? After I left, you fed."
Turel shrugged. "I was hungry."
Raziel could do nothing to contain himself. His methodical voice was now acidic. "I always knew you were meant for lapping up the scum that no one wanted. No act suits you better, Turel."
The second in command clenched his fists and quickly closed the distance between he and his brother. He spoke with contempt. "You're older, yes, Raziel, but you cannot insult me thus."
"As a brother, it is my right," Raziel retorted calmly. "As your superior, it is my duty."
This infuriated Turel. It was bad enough that he was second in command. Now he was being forced to swallow it. "Just because you're First Lieutenant does not mean that you are the best. It simply means that you are…"
"Superior, Turel."
A new, chilling voice invaded the conversation. The three brothers raised their heads and looked toward the staircase that connected the first and second floors. Emerging from the shadows was another vampire, his white hair marking him unique among his kind. Turel and Melchiah took to their knees.
"My Lord," Turel began, "I meant no disrespect toward Lieutenant Raziel."
The white-haired vampire raised his head and peered down at his faithful subjects- two of which had bowed and one who had nodded in respectful recognition, as he never groveled.
"Kain, Turel and I had a misunderstanding," said Raziel, "I trust that this issue will not arise again." He eyed his younger brother and received a hidden look of distaste.
"Brotherly love at its peak. Trust is a foolish act, Raziel. Learn this here and now. But, as it is, Turel, Melchiah, retire. Dawn threatens to approach. Raziel..." Kain gestured with a graceful hand movement, "this way."
Raziel followed Kain through the hallway and into a room that Raziel was quite familiar with- the library. Expecting to be scolded or reprimanded, the Lieutenant waited patiently as his Chief paced about the room. Finally, an utterance.
"You have not been yourself lately, Raziel. Tell me, why spare the boy?"
The younger vampire did not back down, did not waver or lower his eyes. He stayed absolutely still and kept his eyes intent in Kain's. "I was searching for change, Kain. Even you can't deny that we live for nothing. Exist for nothing."
Kain laughed his unmistakable laugh. The very tone of his voice could bring an empire to its knees. "Raziel, Raziel... Life has never been completely charted, and as long as change is one of the great facts of life, it will never be. Change is but one aspect of life. And I do not doubt that you grow weary. But anything can be changed."
"And what do you suggest I do?"
"Leave, Raziel. Fulfill whatever it is you wish to accomplish and then return. I do not have to know your reasons for departing."
Raziel sniffed. "Reasons. And what is to be said of those?"
"Reason is but choosing," Kain lectured. "And if you choose to leave, no one will stand in your way. Turel will not take your place."
The closest thing to a smile that Raziel could manage was a sadistic smirk. He wanted to see the look on his younger brother's face when he couldn't become First Lieutenant. "I will leave tomorrow, then," he concluded. "But merely traveling by dark is not enough." For the first time in almost a century, Kain saw Raziel's head fall ever so slightly. Internally, it pained him to see his child, his creation, like this. Raziel loathed the dark gift, and Kain had given it to him.
With Kain's permission, Raziel left the library and retired until nightfall. The king of vampires was left alone to think. He had seen what was to happen to Raziel; had seen it all. But Raziel was independent, defiant, and strong-willed. He would not easily bend to the powers that opposed him.
Yes, Kain had seen it all, and Raziel was merely at the threshold.