A beautiful young girl sits on a tomb in a ancient cemetary. Her curley fire red sholder length hair blows freely in the brisk December breeze. When she turns her face towards the entrance of the old burial place you notice that it is a heathy radient pink. Her innocent eyes are as green as the sees and her tender lips red as a rose. The girl is wearing a long pink dress with pink shoes and a pretty pink bonnet which is right now hanging from her neck.
Katie has always been fascinated by Vampyres and had come here tonight in hopes of meeting one. She had heard alot about them from some childhood friends and immediatly feel in love with there passion. This she could Identify with since Katie herself was a verry passionate creature and was always trying to please evreybody.
Many who knew of her fasionation told Katie that it would be the death of her. Well, she did not give a damn..She was determined to meet a vampyre and she would stay here all night if thats what it took. PLEASE SHOW YOURSELVES. I JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU.
Living Dangerously
Donovan often wondered why some humans sought out vampires. He humorously compared it to a Happy Meal asking a child if it chose him today because he was hungry or wanted to play with the toy.
Nevertheless, he enjoyed talking to humans, for he is as curious about them. But a cemetary at night is not the safest place to go looking for those who would sooner take your life than strike up a conversation. Bound by some moral duty to protect the curious girl here, he makes his presence known.
"TALK? On such a cold night as this, in such a dark place, what should you desire to talk about?"
She turned back around to see him, her red curls shocked by the quick about face. He stood there, leaning against an old mausoleum. He was clad in black from head to toe. His face and hands were the only exclusion, being an almost luminescent pale. His hair was jet black, not too long, and tied in a ponytail. His black full-length leather trenchcoat took small occasion to dance behind him. His eyes even appeared black in the night, though as he stood straight and started to walk towards her, the moonlight revealed them to be a vibrant jade. She could see the curiosity in his eyes as he waited to see how strong her inquisition's resolve was against her fear.
Living Dangerously
Katie's first reaction to the presence is utter terror. Somehow through shear will and determination she manages to steel herself. As she examines the person before her, the real live honest to goodness Vampyre she finds her fascination and a desire which she can not explain grab a hold of her. A blush begins to warm her face. Upon feeling it she quickly lowers her eyes not wanting this man to get the wrong impression of her.
"So you are real",she stammers, "I knew you were and I knew if I sat here long enough it would be only a matter of time before I ran into one of you. I just needed to speak to one. I am not looking to be embraced or anything like that. Although , if you will not kill me by doing so I would like to experience what it is like to be fed off by one of you. But we can talk more on this later. For now if you wouldn't mind could we go someplace warm and maybe get a coffee or something. I mean you are right it is pretty cold and I am only human. Then we can continue our conversation. Is that okay with you?"
The girl makes a graceful curtsey then sits waiting for his reply
Living Dangerously
Donovan's always been a sucker for red-heads, but she certainly seemed honest in her reasons for finding a vampire. His own desire to become mortal again stays warm within his heart, and so he decides to take her up on her offer for coffee. She will not be safe from others of less character out here.
"I know just the place, around the corner. It's a small jazz bar, but it is cozy and they make a mean cappucino," it also happens to be a sanctuary for humans, vampires, and demons. She will be safe there, and so will he should any of his clan think he is weak for talking to a mortal.
The trenchcoat he wears for many reasons, but it does nothing to keep him warm. Whoever said shivalry was dead was only half-right. He took the leather trench off and offered it to her to keep her warm until they reached the bar.
Their destination... the Blue Moon Tavern.
Living Dangerously
Katie feels herself blush once more as he offers her his coat. She once more gives him a graceful curtsey.
"Thank you kind sir" She whispers shyly.
As they walk to the coffee house she finds herself unable to take her eyes off from him. Something about him.... Well that all can wait.
When they arrive she ask for a corner table then waits for him to take her jacket and pull out her chair before she is seated. She orders a Vanilla Latte then begins to speak.
"Okay, you asked a legidiment question back there so I will try to answer."She says rapidly, "I have been interested in you kind for a long time and all the legends have you written as very passionate creatures. Which I am myself. Anyway I hear that your kind sometimes look for humans to keep as donors..You know kind of an emergency blood supply and well since I always heard your kinds deadly kiss was pure ecstasy I wanted to offer my services."
Suddenly she realizes that as she was speaking the spoon was slowly stirring her Latte on its own accord. Oh no not again how is he going to react to this...and right in a public place even. My sister will kill me.....
Living Dangerously
The spinning spoon is not lost on him, but he is shocked more by her proposition. Anne Rice claims another victim.
He looks deep into those soft eyes and blush of her skin. What a beautiful girl she is, but a girl just the same. He tries to calm himself as he begins, "You want to be food? You speak of passion, which is granted by the Embrace, but what you are asking for is to be bound. I presume to me. But you know nothing of me or my kind, only what the erotic tales of lonely authors would have you believe. You don't even know my name, nor I yours. How old do I look to you? I was killed when I was 25. That was fifty lifetimes ago. I understand that you do not want to be Embraced to become like me. At least you have no grand illusions of immortality. But to simply be my food? My transfusion? I'm not sure that is much better. And for what, to find the passion no mortal man can give you? You are so young, how can you be so jaded so soon? Me, I've had much time to ponder my existence."
The spoon stopped spinning in her latte, and she is no doubt disappointed by what she has heard. Did she expect Louis or Lestat to sweep her off her feet and sup from her ample supply? Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas. That is not what a vampire is. This is not France or New Orleans. But this doesn't mean there is no passion. She wants passion? I shall show her passion!
"To be a vampire is to be lonely. It is to be cold." He places his cold hands on top of her warm pink hands. She does not shrink back, but is intently listening to him. He continues, "I am death. Walking death, talking death. I take life to continue my own. But I can love. I have loved. Many times across many centuries. I have not seen a beauty such as you in a long time. You speak of passion, and I can give you that without tasting your blood. For if I taste your blood, I will only be taking sustenance for you, not love. That is what I want. Love, not food. Passion, not pain."
He takes her hand and places it to his chest and says, "Cold hands, warm heart. But it is only warm tonight because I am here with you. My name is Donovan. What is your name?"
He has not forgotten about the spoon's magickal stirring, but his first inquisition will be her name and her current intentions. Whether she be Mage or Witch, the question of her magickal origins is secondary now.
Living Dangerously
Katie stares at her companion reading his thoughts, it is so easy when there gaurd is down. A look of outrage spreads across her face. Donavan suddenly feels like he got hit by a truck and goes sprawling to the ground.
"How dare you call me a victum of Anne Rice. Her and that Drunken Baffon Bram knew so little of the Vampyre and to boot Rice Rights a series about my cousin the Mayfairs which is totaly off the wall."She Screams, "I get what I know from fact. From years of observation. From having friends hack into secret files kept by both your kind and by the Arcanum. How dare you insult me like that. I bet you with all of your age know less about your kind than I do."
With that she storms out the door and turns toward the hotel to see if she can get a room.As an after thought she broadcast a final messege not bothering to hide it from any others who might be in the area.
"YOU CAN COME FIND ME WHEN YOU LEARN HOW TO BE A TRUE GENTELMEN"
Living Dangerously
That went well, I thought. Hell-bent on getting herself killed or worse. Not as innocent as she appeared to be, either. Well, she obviously got the information she wanted.
"Jake, a Bloody Mary! No celery," he shouts to the bartender. Jake's a good man, the only human working tonight. He waves Donovan over to get his drink. Reaching for his wallet he asks, "How much do I owe you?"
"On the house," Jake starts as he places the finished drink on the bar, then adds, "but only if you chase that girl down when your're done."
"What? Crap, Jake, I didn't even get her name," Donovan protests as he takes a drink.
"Katie O'Riley," he offers.
"You know that chick?"
Jake smiles, "I think you're the only one here that doesn't."
Frustrated, Donovan takes a large gulp that finishes the glass, then says, "Just great. So what's her angle? Obviously she's a witch, but I couldn't tell from her aura how powerful. Certainly strong enough to read my mind."
Jake adds, "Yeah, and bad move bringing up Anne Rice, dude. Very sore spot with her."
Sarcastically, Donovan remarks, "Obviously, but I didn't mean to offend her. I kinda liked her. Very passionate, even that I could tell without an aura. Did you catch what she said about the Arcanum?"
"Yeah," Jake nods, "same organization of scholars and hunters that became the Talamasca in Rice's books. Again, very sore spot with Katie."
Confused, Donovan begs the question, "So, if she knows so much about us, what did she want with me?"
Sometimes Jake enjoys being the bartender. He leans in finish, "Why don't you ask her and find out?"
"She was cute, but very emotional," Donovan admits.
Jake laughs, "Don, you always were a sucker for red-heads. Go find her and apologize. She might just surprise you."
"Thanks," Donovan agrees as he drops a fiver for Jake on the bar for the drink. He doesn't even wait long enough for Jake to protest the tip.
Grabbing the jacket, Donovan rushed outside. He could still smell her perfume and followed it and her message to the hotel she picked for the night. Checking the register, sure enough, Katie O'Riley was a guest tonight.
He rushed around the corner then and found an all-night florist and bought the largest bouquet of long-stemmed red rosebuds he could carry and even tipped the florist.
He returned to the hotel, made it to her room, and then knocked on her door. He made sure he stood in the hallway far enough back to ensure that she could see him and the flowers, should she decide to accept his apology.
Living Dangerously
The door opens and out walks two men dressed up in pink gorilla suits, two clowns, one man dressed as tarzan holding a club over his shoulder, one symease twins, a buggy car purple with blue dots beeping a funny horn with a monkey riding it out into the hallway. Big white balloons float into the hallway and a jazz band in the room blaring "Hey diddle diddle."
"Hey man," a man walks out wearing a pink too too as his body is totally covered in detailed tattoos, holding a beer he says "What's wrong?" "Ahh, is the Katies room?" "No man, this is room 212, you want 121 down the hall." Here ya go, he hands Don a beer can. The door shuts. While balloons still bounce down the hallway Donovan goes to apologize to Katie.
"Excuse me, had to do it." Sorry
Living Dangerously
walking slowly down the hallway still trying to get over the scene and mumbling to self After all these centuries, you'd think I would have gotten passt my dyslexia...
trying again, knocking on door
Living Dangerously
Katie looks through the peep whole and sees Donavan standing there with Roses. Hmmm... If He thanks that will be enough. As usual though her resolve breaks. It had to be roses she could never resist roses. Irratated she opens the door.
"Okay come in", She says anger crackling in her eyes., "Ill give you ten minutes to say your piece so make it good."
Living Dangerously
Cautiously, Donovan steps inside. Before he hands the roses to her, he decides to show her an old trick he learned many years ago. He leaned forward and said, "These are for you." Then, he tightened his grip around the stems, allowing the sharp green thorns to puncture the flesh of his hand. In doing so, the vitae flowed into the rosebuds, causing them to open wide with full bloom.
"They will bloom whenever I am near, or whenever you think of me. They are Blood Red Roses, truly a special gift. I hope you will accept these." As he hands them to Katie, she notices his hand heal almost instantly.
"It may be cliche', but that only means it is true. A woman is truly like a rose. Beautiful to behold in sight. Intoxicating fragrance that is unforgettable. Delicate and soft to the touch. But dangerous and painful if mishandled foolishly. I was a complete fool at the bar. I totally assumed that you were but a child looking for what only fiction can give. I realize now, as you painfully made it clear, you are more than I mistook you for. I'm truly sorry and I hope you can forgive me. I would love to learn more about you, if you still want to learn about me."
His intentions are sincere, and if she truly can tell, she should now have no doubt.
Living Dangerously
"Okay Donovan", she says softly, "You are forgiven for now and Yes I am still interested in knowing about you. As for me as you may have already guessed I am a Sorceress and I am a creature of passion. I will not Lie I am not an Innocent."
She Places the roses in a vase and chants a few words. A small cloud forms over the vase and lets out just enough rain to give the water the roses need to live before dissipating. Then she continues.
"I have had both men and women in my bed before. I have also tried many drugs in my quest to relieve my hunger, so far to no avail. This is why I wish to experience one of your kinds deadly kiss. This is why I want to give some of my blood to a vampyre, In hopes it will make this hunger go away."
She looks into his face expectantly hoping he will understand....
Living Dangerously
Glad to be back in her good graces again (Donovan is not keen on being magickally tossed around like a rag doll) he tends to relax a little. Curiosity of he world and the creatures within have always been his undoing, otherwise he would not be the immortal creature standing before her. But a Sorceress with a Hunger... this is unique, and he understands the delicate danger he is in again.
"First, tell me about yourself, your family, and the source of this Hunger. As a Beast of Bloodthirst, I know something of the torture it can be to bear, and the pleasure of release and succumbing to it. But, I need to know what this Hunger is so I can know if I can help you. I would like to try. I won't lie to you either, I've never tasted the blood of the Magi before. This could be very interesting, for both of us."
Living Dangerously
Katie looks at Donovan still wounded and wondering if she can trust him. She is not sure if she can or not and needs time to think.
"I am sorry Donovan",she says," but I need some time alone. Do you mind leaving for a little while."
With that she starts leading him toward the door....
Living Dangerously
Donovan's head begins to spin as he can't put his finger on this one's intentions. One moment she tells what she wants, then the next he's kicked to the curb. He realizes that she still does not trust him. Without trust, what she proposes will not happen. He does not want to hurt her, and would sincerely only take her blood under her conditions. She's an interesting one, I must tread very tenderly with this one, and earn her trust, he mentally agrees.
"By all means, we will continue this conversation later. If you want to seek me out, you know where you can find me. Should you wish me to come to you, I'm sure you know who how to call me to you. Remember the roses, they shall be my link to you."
As he reaches the door, he bows and hopes she will extend her hand, but she does not. Tread with care, indeed. "Good evening, Katie."
With that he makes his way back to the Blue Moon Tavern. "God, I could use a drink right about now," he mutters to himself.
Living Dangerously
Katie sits down troubled over evreything. She has no idea what she will do. Hmm.. I think better when I walk. With that she grabs her coat and heads off for the graveyard that this all started in...
Living Dangerously
Walking down the cold dark sidewalk towards the cemetary, a young brash
rogue sits at the blue moon tavern having a drink alone by the window. He
looks out and sees a sweetness that grabs him and sees a toy that he could
play with from sunset to sunrise. "Oh, man." Prrrr, drool.
Getting up from his seat with some haste, grabbing his leather jacket, he
sees his old aquaintance Donovan. "Hey man. What's up?" Greeting and leaving
just as quickly. Hold on, Donovan thinks to himself. He just saw Katie in his
head for a second. That's not right.
Starting up his Harley, he heads off to the cemetary. Yeah, he's known
to be the bad boy. Don't get the boy wrong, he may be brash and ya slit
a few humans throats on occasion just for fun, there's no need to call him
a bad guy. He hates men and find women to be great play toys. Fear is
a great companion to feeding. He loves hearing the high pitch screams of
terror and pleas of mercy before he kills. This is how he lives. Now he has a b
beauty in his sights.
Roaring and rumbling right into the cemetary, he pulls right up to Katie.
"Hey, sup? I'm Marcus. Can I help the lady find her way home? Are you lost
miss?" Oh god he could've done better than that, but he's already had
too much to drink. Charming and good looking none the less, he seems sincere
enough, and he knows the girls love it.
Living Dangerously
"Oh, well I hope you don't mind me asking you. Just that
I know that there are less than gentle creatures that hang around here, and I don't like the idea of a pretty creature getting entangled into something dangerous."
Lighting a cigarette and leaning back on the seat of his bike. Damn, he can feel Donovan starting to prick his head. Time to go. "Well then, are you sure you're okay? I've heard of a night creature named Donovan. He acts swav and all, but he's killed pretty girls like yourself, and I've cleaned up his mess. Only trying to help. If you feel
like you're in trouble or if he's harrassing you, call me." He hands her a business card. Black with gold metallic writing. "I sometimes come here to think, so if you see me again, it won't be as if I'm bothering you. Though I wouldn't mind seeing your pretty face again." Wink. Then off he goes on his noisy bike.
Living Dangerously
Katie suddenly freezes in place. Her hair stands on end and electricity crackles in the air around her. Suddenly all the lights in the city go out and black clouds fill the dark sky. A powerfull wind kicks up and the skies let lose turrents of rain so strong you would think you were under a waterfall.
Thunderbooms like shotgun blast and Lightning lights the skylike the dawn came early as it hits the buildings and trees around her again.
Before she blacks out there is not an area for five blocks that is not on fire and she has no way out of thr flames.....
Living Dangerously
As a storm comes out of nowhere, he realizes his "old buddy" Marcus is off stirring up trouble. Such an intense storm would be the work of Magic. With her temper, he's probably been electrocuted. Images of charbroiled leather and melted motorbike cheer Donovan up, but still he decides he'd better fight the storm and find it's source.
Everything within five blocks of the graveyard he met Katie at is burning... must be the place. I hope she's OK!
When he gets there, Marcus is nowhere in sight, but Katie is lying on the ground, unconscious within a ring of fire. Quickly, Donovan leaps over the flames and lands deftly beside her.
Gently trying to revive her, "Crap! Katie? KATIE?" She won't wake up. Carefully, he picks her up, and jumps again over the flames, a good distance away from the fire, but still at the graveyard.
Finally, she comes to, but she doesn't look happy to see him. **SLAP!**
Her hand slapped his face so hard he literally flew over three graves and landed atop a crypt.
But, when she slapped him, she knew he was truly concerned for her, and she learned of some of the history between Donovan and Marcus (recently on his mind) and realized only too late that it was MARCUS that causes the trouble, and it has been 100 years since DONOVAN saved HIS ASS LAST! Finally, she also realized that Donovan risked his own life to go through the fire and save her from the flames.
Living Dangerously
Katie is two exhausted, scared and confused to care about anything right now. She had no idea where the power came from that did all that. It was as is some force, some enity other than herself took over and just started lashing out. She had no idea what ot do.
She liked dan okay, he was a nice swave gentalmen, the type her mother always told her to go for. The only problem was she was already fascinated with Marcus. He looked so wild and daashing on that Harley of his.
"Can you bring me back to my room and let me sleep Donavan", She ask, "I am so tired. Give me a call tommorow on the phone okay.
When they get back to her room she turns around and kisses him on the cheek.
"I will see you tommorow okay",she says,"Remimber call me".
After she closes the door she takes out the card Marcus gave her and dials the Number.
"Is Marcus there?" she ask the person who answers the phone.
Living Dangerously
Sitting in a slum room above a bar, he has his feet up on what used to be a coffee table. The furniture came with the room, donated proudly from the local Motels that redecorated from the 1940's. Cigarette butts all over the floor, ashes covering the couch. The place smells like a bad poker game come alive and manifested itself into one room. "Ya." Answering his phone with a cig in his lips watching tv. "Is Marcus there?" He sits straight upright, Katie? No way! "Hi! I didn't think you'd ever call me. Wow! Ummm, what's going on?"
"Can I see you tonight?" "AAhhh," Looking around at his place, he wanted to have her in a more appropriate location. Since he got the call, now he has to find one. "I've gotta work tonight,(Lier) Can I see you first thing tomarrow night sweetie? Is that Donovan character bothering you at all? Hope not." "No, not really. He just warned me about you." Typical Don. Smile coming to his face. So this is the old game we'll play again ha? Alright, he can play with my toys. "And what do you think?" "I'd like to see you again, and make my own decisions." "Fine then, I'll meet you at the cemetary, tomarrow night at sunset." "Good, bye"
So we're gonna have some fun. hhmmmm. I'll grab one of my buddies, head over to the bar, have a few beers and wait to catch up with my man, Don.
Grabbing his leather jacket and his keys, he heads out to cause trouble.
Living Dangerously
A kiss on the cheek is better than being used as a tether ball any day, so Don is glad to be on the receiving end of a nice gesture (for once tonight). His jaw is still sore from the slap, but the kiss made up for it quite nicely.
Not expecting anything more, a true gentleman to the end (unlike his old friend Marcus), he agrees to call her tomorrow night and wishes her a good night.
Wonder why Marcus is in town... must be something going down. Better check it out, especially if he plans to mix Katie into it.
Donovan casually walks the streets, finding all the Lurkers, asking the Grapevine what they know. They don't know much, as apparently some old church got torched on the other side of town, and everyone is busy dealing with that. The bartenders may know something, but they all know Marcus, too, and they may not be forthcoming, even to Don, especially about Marcus.
Time to get the "cleanup crew" ready... we are living in interesting times.
Living Dangerously
Sitting in the overcrowded bar, far against the corner with his long legs stretched out. Marcus sits with one of his buddies. He's done a few jobs for him in the past, and tells him all about how Katie is, and the ideas he has for her. Making her into the ultimate bad girl, is definately an idea. Laughing and drinking, just like old times. One good thing that you could always depend on, old Donovan, too much of a stuck up fuckin' gentleman to walk into a surly bar, having a beer and a broad on his lap. A big laugh for that one.
Later he holds a great poker game. Guns on the table, alcohol flowin' nicely, surly women hangin on his sides. Life is good. Especially since he almost always wins. One weakness of his, he always likes putting people up in the antie. Hell, he's owned four people in the last year. Not bad at all, that's how he got his bike.
Living Dangerously
"Come on, there's gotta be something that I could win from ya." Marcus' voice a teasing tone. The brute man pulls a young tavern girl into his lap and licks her chin. "Her." "Really?" Raised eyebrow "What will equal my bitch? Your girl!! Katie!! I want you to put her up for bid." A full belly laugh. Not in a million years. Since he already knew who and what the man was, a slave trader for the gorian world. "Not in a million years." Slapping his cards on the table, this is the very first time he EVER turned down a human to human poker hand. Donovan watches this dangerous game from the shadows in the back room. Absolutely ready to jump out at a moments notice to protect the lady who isn't here to see her fate dealt with a game of poker. "Not Katie, Donovan."
Laughter quiets, breath held. "What did you say?" "I put Donovan on the table for this hand. I know where he usually hangs out and his habits." "Agreed." "What do you have for a hand?" Both hands are laid out on the table..................
Silence fills the room.
Living Dangerously
The brute sneers, enjoying the prospect of winning a strong vampire like Donovan, places his hand down for all to see.
Holws of laughter circle the back room as three Aces and two eights are made visible. The trader says with dark glee, "Aces and eights; Deadman's hand."
Marcus laughs at his companion's well-played hand and starts to pretend that his opponent is the victor. How he almost wished he did lose, then Donovan wouldn't be in his way and he played with his new toy. But, not one to lose a hand of poker easily, by chance or cheating, he gladly shows that he was holding four Kings, and a deuce.
Donovan breaths a sigh of relief from outside, though he also knows this means that the innocent inside now belongs to Marcus. He only hopes it will occupy him for one night longer so he can again try to meet with Katie and help her before Marcus can corrupt her Gift.
Living Dangerously
Laughter, smoking, the scent of beer. Seems to move in slow motion. The noise drowns out to quiet. Still watching everyone from a slow motion pic, focus' on Marcus. Smoking a cigarette, leaning back, feet up on his winnings upon the table. He freezes and gets the idea of a lifetime.
Before he's had this happen, when everything slows like this, and it was a momentus moment in his young life, now it is calling inside him again. Moving in this magical way, perhaps it's a gift given to him from his mistress from long ago.
Peering into the shadows and spoting Donovan. Not an easy task. Almost as if a finger were pointing to him. He knods to his "friend." This idea is insurmountable. No doubt of it. Like a childs eyes growing wide from a parent pointing something out for the first time.
Donovan doesn't know what exactly he's thinking of, but feels the spell of time folding into each other. A sick feeling quells into his stomach, for Marcus' thoughts are of he and Katie and the Gorian slave trader. You wouldn't were his thoughts to his old friend.
Living Dangerously
Katie grows board with sitting around waiting for people to show up. Well if these men think she is just a sweet and innocent little thing they have got antoher thing comming. If there was one thing she learnt from her sister it was to know when it was time to dress to kill.
She reaches into the back of her closet and pulls out a box. Inside is a black leather cat suit, a pair of long black leather gloves, black silk bra and panties, black fishnet hose and a pair of long black leather boots. Katie slips into the outfit and admires herself in the mirror. The cat suit hugged her evrey curve and made her look seductive as all hell. She liked it. Quickly adding a black studded belt she heads out the door and off towards the clubs.
Look out boys cause here I come....
Living Dangerously
David is leaning up against the side of the building having a cig and talking to a couple of buddys when he sees Katie walking bye. The teenager drools as he does a double take and lets out a long apreciative whistle as he nudges his buddys and begins to follow her.
As soon as she hits the dark allies they surrond her. David glances her over with a hungry look in his eyes.
"Hey Pretty Lady where ya going?",he ask as he pulls out his trusty straight edge..........
Living Dangerously
As Donovan walks the streets, glad that at least Marcus won't be corrupting Katie anytime soon, he pauses as he realizes there's only so much he can do when the innocent want to be bad. He almost feels sorry for his old friend Marcus. Almost.
And that's when it hits him. The pain. His heart that has not beat in centuries. It sends him crashing to the ground.
heart beat
What was that? he asks himself in disbelief.
He looks down at the silver ankh on his necklace and sees the amethyst jewel mounted in the loop begin to glow. A deep but brilliant purple hue shines from the once lifeless gem.
heart beat
His head grows heavy as he tries to find his footing. As he looks around, he is disoriented. He is overcome with images of a fierce battle played out on the other side of town.
heart beat
Instinct tells him to follow the ankh... the glow seems to intensify as he runs towards the center of town, where he can see dark storm clouds looming.