Blood Lust

She knew this was a mistake, but she had to do it. There was no one else close enough to recover the dagger in time. Still, it didn't make her feel any better knowing her mission was already doomed. Sometimes she knew what was going to happen and when it did she would just continue on good or bad.

She sighed and walked through The Brae Frae Botanical Gardens barely noticing the flora life surrounding her. She wasn't sure what to expect when she found her target. Whenever she had missions like this she loved to be prepared for the unexpected. So, she started by dressing for the occasion.

Tonight she was wearing her favorite black combat jacket with hidden pockets inside that allowed her to hide extra knives and ammunition for those times she needed it. Her black leggings and black combat boots which made it easier for quick movements finished the look.

She pulled her long black braids into a bun and felt ready for anything. Still, that nagging feeling that failure was imminent, had her gritting her teeth. This was not the time for bad vibes. She had to recover the dagger for her clan.

As she walked to her location she tried her best not to rush and stand out from all the couples walking in the park. She noticed a man and woman cuddling while strolling together. The woman appeared to be draped within the embrace of the man, a small hand with red manicured nails rubbing his elegantly clothed chest. She could hear the woman teasing the man who was apparently named 'Neculai'.

The man looked up briefly and she caught his green stare before his attention turned back to the woman at his side. Fascinated, she stared for a moment transfixed. She had only looked at him for a second but felt she was unable to pull her eyes away. Shaking off the odd sensation she focused her attention again on why she was there.

This mission was of utmost importance to her family. She couldn’t stand the thought of a rival clan getting their hands on the dagger. It was her family's mission to retrieve the dagger and keep it safe until the time the prophecy should be fulfilled. She crossed a small man-made wooden bridge with a lake flowing under it.

On the other side of the bridge, she found a secluded location to wait and watch for her target's arrival…

Her target strolled into view no more than five minutes later. He was a short man with brown hair. However, he appeared to be in great shape with a muscular frame. He wore a blue baseball cap, t-shirt, and jeans. She got into position to take down the thief who held the sacred dagger…

"Relax and you will see?” he whispered into her ear. She giggled while leaning into his shoulder. He was several inches taller than her and she easily fit into the crook of his arm. The solar-powered LED lights lit up the walkway at the Brae Frae Botanical Gardens. As they continued to stroll along the winding walkway not giving much attention to the Camellias, Boxwood, and other shrubberies, and plant life that surrounded them. They came upon a divergent path along their stroll in the park.

One led to a small wooden bridge, with large overgrown vines that weaved their way around the railings of the bridge, casting a mystical look along its path. A man-made moss-covered lake flowed beneath the bridge. The other path led to a playground and basketball court that served the inner city youth in the local community at Brae Frae Park. Neculai stopped before the bridge.

There was a spot to Neculai's right, a crevice, towards the path that led to the bridge. A place where large trees and bushes hid the secluded area. A Victorian-style bench was placed in the small space that offered privacy and a view of the wild plant life that grew in its surroundings for anyone who knew it was there. He spun his companion into his arms and directly into the secluded space, hiding her from anyone walking past. Even though he was well aware that no one would see them anyway.

She gasped at the swift movement that catapulted her into Neculai's arms and into the small secluded spot catching her off guard. She laughed at his audacity before commenting.

"You’re a sly one, Neculai." She said with a naughty tone.

"What? Don't you like it?" He asked her as he settled her back against the Willow Oak tree. She giggled and shrugged.

"Call me a sucker for the naughty boys because that is definitely what you are.” She whispered, eyeing him seductively from under long lashes, as her slender, neat, red manicured fingers drew circles above his heart.

He grinned just before leaning his head down for a taste of her inviting pouty red lips. Their lips connected, drawing a moan from her as their tongues intertwined. She was lost in his embrace. After several moments he lifted his head and smiled down brightly at her, causing her eyes to focus on his mouth before startlement and fear crept into her eyes.

She attempted to pull away, but he held her in an iron grip, though his hold wasn't hurting her. Emerald eyes held Arabella's as she searched his gaze for assurance. Again her eyes drifted down and became transfixed.

She was seized by fear. His index finger rubbed the side of her jaw for comfort. His stare was unnerving as he watched her before shifting his stare to the vein at the side of her throat.

"What are you Neculai?" She asked even though she knew he wasn't human.

She trembled as she stood within the enclosed space where he held her. He smiled as his finger moved from rubbing the side of her jaw to her throat. He traced his finger over the pumping vein as he stared transfixed at the location. Then his eyes shifted to hers once again.

"I am a person, like you." He answered. Her tone was low as she slowly responded.

"You're not like me Neculai." She said firmly while watching his lips curve up into a smile.

"You shouldn't ask questions if you don't really want the answers." He replied with a helpful tone. She frowned at that and was about to speak but he placed a finger to her lips.

"You see, what I am is a person like you, but I happen to exist on a different substance than what you exist on." He responded. She knew what he would say, but she still needed him to say it.

"A different substance?" She asked. He approved of her bravado.

"Yes, other substances, such as blood, human blood, mainly." He explained while watching her expression. She tried to pull away from him again, but it was futile. He was strong as steel, and she could not possibly break free of his hold on her.

"Vampire." She whispered. He smiled.

"I am called by many names, but yes that is one of them."

"You just said you were a person like me, but you're not even human." She exclaimed. His teeth flashed white under the shadow of the lampost.

"Arabella, I never said I was human." He pointed out. Frightened, she put a hand to her throat as if to protect herself. He grinned, brushing her hand aside. Bright green eyes flashed into her moss-green stare.

"Please, Neculai." She whispered hoping to stop, what? She didn't know.

"Don't worry Arabella, you will love it." He mumbled as his head dropped to her shoulder trailing feather light kisses up to the side of her throat, just before she felt a sharp pain explode where his lips had just pressed. It was immediately replaced by euphoria. She struggled in his loose embrace pushing at him but soon gave up. He actually wasn't hurting her. Her head dropped back of its own accord, allowing him more access to her vein.

When he came up for air, he was breathing hard and she was pulling him closer. Her hands fastened into his raven hair. He was in pure pleasure. Then, slowly he became aware of a struggle somewhere nearby, a voice was arguing with someone and demanding to have something returned.

Great! He was out trying to enjoy himself and now what? He frowned in frustration as he lifted his head and stared out into the distance. He looked toward the direction the noise was coming from but didn’t move. Arabella once again pulled on him, gaining his attention. He went on ignoring the struggles and curses made by what sounded like a young woman nearby. It was not his problem. He would not get involved.

He went back to savoring the taste of his partner, all the while the struggle nearby continued. At one point he could hear the attacker hit his victim. He could hear the slap and the woman cursed even louder if that was possible before he heard another hit.

This time a male voice hollered out in pain. Neculai chuckled. Good for her, maybe the idiot will now leave her in peace and thus him in peace. His partner was still clinging to him. He still had a whole night to enjoy sweet Arabella.

Just as he dipped his head down again to drink to oblivion, the sound of a struggle and curse words continued to color his ears. Finally, it seem the young woman ran out of curse words and started calling down curses on her attacker's family. However, the attacker was enthralled with her struggle and seem to enjoy what he was doing. Neculai could hear the excitement in the man’s voice as he berated her.

The woman's fight continued with more hits from the male, but it seem like the woman was giving as good as she got. Neculai wasn’t paying attention to that but instead to the thrill and excitement in the man's weak-sounding voice. Neculai's head lifted as he inhaled the sweet smell of excitement in the air coursing from somewhere nearby.

His mouth began to water. He had known people like this man and they thrived on hurting others, such as this female. It caused excitement and a rush in them. Again he blocked out the commotion, enjoying the taste of Arabella again, but his ears were attuned to the excitement in the man’s voice. The scent in the air was like a drug. It was like offering a starving person the choice between a chicken sandwich or a steak dinner.

Once again he was transfixed on the man and could sense the thrill in him and the fight that was happening between the two. The excitement must have sent the man into a frenzy. Neculai smelled the rush in the man's blood, a lust similar to what vampires go through.

The blood lust was like a drug calling to them. He moved his lips back and forth across Arabella's soft skin at her throat. He savored the feel of the vein pumping beneath his lips before pulling away with a soft sigh.

“Arabella, the night was lovely, but I must send you on your way.” He spoke softly, wistfully.

“Alone.” He finished before the plea could leave her mouth, leaving her with nothing more to say. She pouted.

“Neculai, please.” She pleaded, placing a small hand on his chest. He stared down at her and again, his eyes did the trick. She was gone without a backward look. Neculai's head whipped around, and his canines lengthened. He moved towards his target as if floating. He moved out of the empty space surrounded by lush vegetation and across the mystical wooden bridge.

The woman being attacked didn't see him at first where she was sprawled with a hand on her cheek and the man leaning over her. The woman's eyes were steady. She focused on him but frowned as he got closer. She didn't look frightened even though she clearly could see his feet didn’t touch the ground as he moved towards them. He ripped the man away from her, lifting the man by the throat.

The crazed man fought frantically to get loose. He lifted the man in such a way his feet dangled above the ground barely scraping the plush carpet of low-cut grass beneath them. Neculai turned him around and stared into the man's eye. Moss-green eyes met dark brown eyes. The man stopped fighting as fright took over. He seemed to realize what he saw.

"Who are you?" He croaked out. The only words he could mutter since Neculai squeezed his throat to quiet him. The man fought to get loose from the death grip Neculai had on his throat.

Neculai could feel the adrenaline pumping through the man's veins beneath his fingers.

He roughly pushed the man’s head to the side just before he sunk his canines deep into the man’s throat. He drank deeply of the rich vibrant liquid. It was the blood lust upon him as the rush of endorphins coursing through the blood he consumed took over him. After draining the man to the point of death, Neculai threw back his head in satisfaction.

His head was back, his eyes closed as crimson liquid slid down from between his lips to run past his chin. Neculai looked down at the man as he slumped in his arms. Just then, a movement from his left caught his attention. He growled, after being interrupted, swinging his head towards the intruder. It's her. He had forgotten about her.

He then saw what looked like curiosity directed toward him. He stared into the doe-ish brown eyes of the young woman. She appeared to be about twenty years old. She watched him, not in horror from the look on her face. She cleared her throat about to speak.

However, Neculai really didn’t want to hear anything from her. The man had interrupted his fun, so Neculai showed him what happens to those who interrupt him. Nothing more. Still, the girl was attempting to say something as she watched him, holding her attacker.

He frowned, this was madness, why was he uncomfortable? No one held that kind of power over him. However, before she managed to form words and actually speak to him, he lifted his burden and flew off from that location…