The hallway warmed, becoming brighter, friendlier, and gradually filling with the sounds of conversations. There was talking, laughter, shushing and laughter again. The staff was nearby, working, going room from room, wing from guest wing, enjoying their day.
Kuroko walked, knowing her destination without a care in the world, when...
A young girl in a maid's outfit passes down the hall. The sudden realization of what might happen. Happened. She shivered, just a little, thank gooo oooo... about to thank a god she didn't believe in... Crap! Like a punch in the chest, her shoulders slouched. The same young girl peeked around the corner and grinned. Kuroko knew... She just knew. She closed her eyes, clenched her jaw tight. Maybe if I just teleport before...
Hello... a soft voice in a friendly tone spoke, May I help you? ... the young woman asked pleadingly. May I.... She baited the hook.
Kuroko exhaled breath, knowing just knowing, thinking to herself. I'm broke... She wanted to say... I have nothing to... no, I can't say...
He told her in the past. Never accept a vampire's request to help you. It is one thing to ask but another to be asked... if you ask, you set the price... if she asked... well... just don't let them ask.
how about a favor that's what she will ask me. Kuroko not letting her emotions show.
Hello... Kuroko said quietly as she opened her eyes and spoke.
Do you need any help? The young woman asked again with a tilt of her head, a slight softening of her shiny green eyes and a slight pout of her mouth.
Cute attack! Kuroko screamed inside her head. And it's a good one... she took a breath. Gotta be... older than she looks.
She answered, no... A sense of relief spilled over her, been here before, she answered confidently. Really! The young girl spoke with a hitch in her voice rising on the tips of her toes. Been here before? Her eyes thinned, her cute little nose quivering, really? Looking seductively.
Oh wow, she is good... Kuroko cleared her throat, yes... Nodding her head, gotta run, she hinted to herself, stepped to her left. The young woman slid to her right.
I just need to go straight. Keeping her eyes on the young woman, raised her hand and pointed to the door down the hall.
Need to be? The young woman grinned. Should I escort you? tilted her head to the other side and nodded. It's quite dangerous... She said knowingly.
Dangerous?
Can be? The young woman, still on the tips of her toes, whispered, there are vampires around here, you know. She glanced around. As if she was really looking around for them with a nod.
aaaa aaahhhhh yes... Kuroko answered, I know there are vampires around. I'm speaking to one now... Aren't I?
The young girl coughed, covered her mouth blushed, who? Me? ... She said with an open smile, putting her hand against her chest. Playing the innocent maiden.
Yes, yes. kuroko answered.
That obvious? The young woman slipped her head to the side, looking demure.
Yes... The fangs are a dead giveaway and...
And?
.
..
You keep sniffing me!
The young girl's eyes went wide as saucers, her mouth dropped a little more. And her cute nose quivered. What? Really? Me!
Yes, so if you don't mind... She wanted to leave. The conversation was going in a direction she didn't want to go... but... she was interrupted.
Oh... she said as if in warning. The young woman closed her eyes, shook her head, but I mind... an edge slipped across her words. Her cheeks bloomed as her smile turned cold. A chill rose around them. You see... I consider my time is precious. And so, something of value needs to be, shall we say... She held out her hand, with her palm up and her fingers curling in a give me motion. Her tiny fingers curled in an inviting seduction. But along the gleaming sharp edges of her nails hinted it was more like a trap.
She wanted something, wanted something valuable for her time.
The end of the conversation was coming to an end. She knew it. It had gone down that road, which she didn't want it to go. And it wouldn't be too pretty. Ronan had told her about it.
He would often say. It was worth repeating. Here on the island, it is a simple rule. Don't look for trouble, don't find it, and if you do... kill them. Because while vampires are controlled by their Masters. It doesn't mean it will stop them from trying to manipulate their prey to say yes.
Kuroko slowly shook her head, I really don't... She inhaled, her expression turning dark, don't need this right now... Her hand slipped to her thigh... The edge of her finger picked at the top of the long metal spike, one of a few wrapped around her thighs... Both of them.
The young vampire with nearly perfect vision peeked at Kuroko's hand as it dangled over the edge. The young vampire tensed. An opportunity was about to make itself available. How wonderful, she thought. Anticipating a wonderful something.
Are you really that quick? She asked. With a straight-line smile that curved with confidence. Kuroko answered, Oh... I'm quicker than you think...
The young woman, this young vampire, only in appearance but was probably hundreds of years old, her predatory eyes thinned, her feet slowly slipped to the floor, her muscles coiled and readied. Not as quick as... She whispered.
Not as quick as I am... A rough, animalistic growl answered from behind the young vampire. A steady raspy growl came from behind the door down the hallway.
Kuroko, not liking what she was hearing. Did not want to be here if it was, what she that it was behind the door. Not wanting to be here for this little situation spoke, well... Gotta go.
The young vampire stiffened, her predatory instincts spiked. She turned a slight shade of pale. Inhaled and exhaled, slowly squeezing her eyes shut, disappointed in the possibility of losing prey.
Seems... Her voice weakened. Someone is calling for me... Oh. well gotta get back to work. The young vampire adjusted her collar. So... She arched her brow, looking cute again. And your name is? She waited, anticipating. A vampire never forgets the prey that slips away. Kuroko didn't have a chance to answer. And if she had, she wouldn't have.
Don't bother... The voice, this raspy and cruel voice, spoke in warning. The door slowly opened.
An icy chill and a fiery breath filled the hallway. She could smell what was coming from behind the door. A smell of open fields, dark woods and death all rolled into one intimidation breath.
An elder Wolf stepped out silently, gracefully and glared.
The young vampire bit down on her lower lip, scared, and shivered. The massive size of the elder wolf's aura rolled like a dark thundercloud, filling the hallway with a heavy sense of death.
Gotta go... she choked on her words, nice to meet you. She slipped to her left and slipped away.
Kuroko took a breath watching the vampire running down the hallway, nice one... she said, shaking her head, I could handle that one... Elaina.
Kuroko turned her head.
The elder wolf rolled her eyes, slapped her heavy tail against the wall. Phtttp...