Swan Lodge
Chapter Ten—Dedication
Prompt: August 1, 2011 Prompt: In 500 words or fewer, write a blurb or a short entry on dedication.
Thump, thump, thump. The sound of beating hearts throughout the facility had the hunter's thoughts losing focus on the one thing that mattered.
The hunt.
There had been no worthy opponents for years. The humans he hunted for food had recently become nothing more than a means to an end. He had taunted and tortured many victims, but the fact that they were so easy to kill made that kind of hunt – boring.
He wanted the thrill that came when the prey that he sought could fight back; make it an irresistible game of power, and will.
The last time he'd had such pleasure was with his now lifetime companion, his Victoria. Hadn't she escaped him at every turn? He chased her from city to city, always it seemed, a step ahead of him. She was a treasure to have by his side, merely due to her ability to see every possible escape if trouble arose.
There had been numerous occasions that she had saved them from places that they had overstayed their welcome. Vampires were territorial of their hunting grounds, especially down south.
However, James was ready for the ultimate hunt. It wouldn't take much to have the master of the castle in which he stayed, seek him out. Not after he exploited her weakness for fucking humans, he thought bitterly.
She valued the humans in which she employed, servicing the creatures that usually hunted them. He had heard of her, of what her secret agenda was. Not even the large coven that had checked in earlier knew, though they had conformed to the diet that Ms. Swan pushed upon those that visited.
It was a subtle, her method of turning those that come to her into something else. She showed them the ways of feeding from animals, the sport behind it. She allowed her humans to interact with her guests, show them that there is more to them than substance.
The bitch. If she thought he'd stop hunting those his kind hunted to feed upon, she was greatly mistaken.
The children – those would be her greatest weakness. Less than a month old each, they would undoubtedly force her to become his prey, to conform to his game. To become a willing participant in his greatest hunt yet.
He had his players set on the board; all he needed was a tour. One that he'd hope to find where the woman kept her staff housed. So far, he hadn't been able to pinpoint where they were, just that they were near.
The wolves would be another challenge, and one he would appreciate. He could almost taste the thrill that would course through him as their life extinguished beneath his teeth and hands.
Even more fun, he thought. The more the merrier. He was giddy and high from the coming hunt. He'd savor the blood of his most challenging opponent. It was a shame that he couldn't keep her, but he read her expressions easily. She was good and would never hurt those she was dedicated to keep safe.
James was dedicated, too, on destroying her.