Rixas De Sangue, Part 1
I caught the scent almost as soon as I walked out of the nightclub. It was an alluring cinnamon and chocolate smell, very feminine- it made my mouth water. Funny, I wasn’t thirsty but it was such an attractive smell- familiar yet, unlike anything I had experienced in my long life. I followed it.
The normally busy street was mostly deserted at the late hour. The scent led me into an alleyway. Strange, most women didn’t trust taking such a course even in the daylight. Oh well, that would just make it easier for me. I strode silently into the alley.
I froze about halfway in because there she sat on the top of a garbage can, expectantly watching me- a smile creeping across her face. I froze. She wasn’t human, I could see that by her too radiant skin and, now, hear it in her much too fast heartbeat. But, she wasn’t entirely other either- the succulent aroma of her blood would not have caught my attention if she was another like myself.
I tensed as she skipped to her feet and sauntered in my direction. I was not about to fight her as I had no idea what I was dealing with, so I stayed motionless. She paused, possibly sensing my vacillation. She smiled eloquently. Then, carefully, continued her approach, unafraid though slightly docile.
When she was barely more than an arms length from me, she stopped.
“Hi, I’m Bendis, Sangue Bruxa extraordinaire…” She bowed her head ever so slightly. “…at your service. You are Amara, right?” Her pleasant grin grew wider to reveal the razor sharp teeth of a vampire. She held out her hand in a gesture that was very human.
What the…? I felt my mouth fall into a frown, but I corrected it as quickly as it started. She eyed me inquisitively, expectantly. I didn’t move to take her hand. She sighed and stole her hand back.
“Okay… um, let’s try this in a different way. I am a Sangue Bruxa, a blood witch…and I heard you needed my assistance.” This broke me out of my stupor.
“With what?” I snarled.
“You plan on killing Malachi, the council leader, right?” My breath caught at that name, her scent swirled on my tongue and down my throat. “Well, there is no way you will be able to take him down on your own. That is where I come in.” She beamed.
“No.” Disgusted, I moved to stalk past her, shaking my head. Her hand clasped my arm. I painfully bit the inside of my cheek in an attempt to keep my composure when the heat from her skin sent currents of energy across mine. I heard a little gasp of surprise leave her lips but she recovered quickly.
“Wait, hear me out…”
I pulled my arm from her grasp forcefully- I needed to break that connection. For a brief second she looked at her hand as if I had cut it. My racing heartbeat sounded thunderous in my ears.
What was wrong with me? I needed to get a grip on myself.
“Who sent you?” I eyed her dubiously. She looked at me as if my accusation hurt her.
“N…n…no one…sent me. I, uh…” She seemed to have lost her confidence, her voice became softer and her eyes fell submissively. “I used to be a seer for the council, before… Malachi came into power. He…is …brutal.” She choked on the word as if she had no other way to explain and her eyes grew tight. I knew all too well how cruel he was, I felt my jaw tense. She took a deep breath and continued.
“I had a vision…of you…so, I ran as fast as I could in the direction that I saw you.”
Damn, now my curiosity was piqued.
“That’s what you meant by you heard I needed assistance?” I kept my tone surly.
Timidly, she looked back up at me.
“Yes.”
I met her brilliant indigo gaze but said nothing, my lips pursed in suspicion. There was something else going on here and I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“What are you?” I asked skeptically.
“I told you, a blood witch.” She answered calmly.
“I don’t know what that means.”
“I am a half breed, progeny of a vampire and a priestess of Kauket…”
I hissed gutturally as she said this, the memories of my own past burned ice-cold in my chest- the careful mental binding I had in place threatened to disintegrate. I shook my head violently.
“NO! You can not be…all the priestesses were killed…”
She interrupted me. “Not all of them…” She looked at me knowingly. “Two survived – well, mostly; my mother- who died when I was born, and…you.” My breath caught.
“Who was your mother?” The ache in my chest became nearly unbearable as the memories of that fateful day bubbled to the surface.
“Meleda.”
And then I saw her face in the face of the woman in front of me, recognized her eyes. How had I not seen it before? My throat tightened as the guilt washed over me- one had lived and I left her there. But, I didn’t know. How could I? I sank to my knees in grief, head in my hands.
Gently, she placed her electric hand on my shoulder. I couldn’t take that- I didn’t know what to make of how her touch made me feel and in this moment it was too much to bear. I shrugged her hand off as I jumped to my feet and raced out of the alley. I needed to get away from her and these memories that she stirred up. I needed to get to somewhere safe.
Blinded by my misery I ran paying little attention to where I was headed or who saw me. In the core of me I knew she followed. Miraculously I ended up at my basement apartment.
For some reason unknown to me, I left the door unlocked.
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©2010 N.M. Faria
Tags: N.M Faria, RIXAS DE SANGUE
June 13th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Very nice, thoroughly engulfing. The story sparks imagination including enough detail to be complete in and of itself and still leave room for a wandering mind to enjoy all the bits only eluded to in the actual text.
But that being said I still want more. Will there be a continuation of this story?
June 13th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Jennifer,
Thanks for reading! Yes, this is the first episode in N.M’s series. You will find her stories here every Saturday.
June 13th, 2010 at 6:37 am
I like this! The pacing, and the feel of the story. Nicely done!
June 13th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
WOW! Colorful, imaginative, and not intrusive. Can’t wait for more!!!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Wow! This is off to a roaring start. I love the “Blood Witch” concept. The descriptions and pacing was great!