Bound by blood: A forced allegiances story

Chapter 1.

Incandescent moonlight streamed through the floor to ceiling glass windows; the rays of luminescence shone through the crystals on the chandelier, reflecting colourful fractal patterns over the walls. The beauty of the rainbow against the wall held me mesmerized for a moment as I pondered what I would do tonight. I paced along the grand music room, my heels clip clopping on the marble floor. Pigments of crystal within the marble sparkled like diamonds and my attention drew to it like a moth drawn to a flame. I closed my eyes in annoyance. There were far too many distractions here. Normally I enjoyed looking out of the penthouse upon the city but tonight, with the moon high and my 500th birthday approaching within hours, I just felt so alone. I opened my eyes again and sighed miserably. I felt old. Everyone thought I was happy but truth be known my life was growing wearisome.  

Something began vibrating in my pocket. I fumbled for a moment but pulled my phone out and flipped it open as I shoved it to my ear. Deafening music assaulted my ears for a moment before I tuned the sound out to focus on the caller.  

'Kat, you hear me?'  

'I can but you don't need to shout...' I trailed off forgetting that Alyssa didn't know about my hearing. 

'I can't hear you...'  

'Can you hear me now?' I yelled back, smiling in amusement. 

'Yea. Like... are you coming to meet us? We're in...' she trailed off as she asked Laura where they were.  

'Verboten. It's the new club over near Gower Square,' she gushed merrily, already half tipsy by the sounds of things. 

'Sure. I'll be there in like 20,' I yelled back. 

I hung up and stuffed the phone back into my jeans pocket, hurried across the vast music room and began stripping my vest top as I sped up the stairs to my private floor. It was times like now I was pleased my parents often had situations to attend to. I guess that happens when you have the position they possess. I dreaded the day I would have to take over ruling the faction. For now I was free to do whatever. I oversaw some problems but most of the time they left me be, understanding my lack of interest and not bothering trying to change my stubborn ways. I entered my sleeping chamber and zipped across to my walk in wardrobe. I grabbed several tops in succession, huffing each time I tried it against myself, dismissing them and throwing them across the closet. I dropped my head and breathed out slowly, relaxing every muscle as I breathed in and out. I raised my head, made a beeline for the dresses and pulled a beautiful, black, knee high dress out. Star burst patterns made by diamanté crystals covered the bodice part and went up and around the halter neck straps. The fabric of the skirt part was flowing and loose. A dress perfect for dancing in. It looked magnificent with the kind of lighting they used in night clubs.  

I stripped off the remainder of my clothes and efficiently pulled the garment into place. I skipped to the dressing table and sprayed perfume onto my wrists and scattered a light body glitter all over by arms and chest. I gracefully dropped onto the stool and scanned my shoe shelves for the perfect shoes... where were they... THERE. My black, stiletto heeled, ballet style shoes. Black ribbons laced up intricately to just under the knee. My pale skin gleamed through the crisscross perfectly. I swivelled around and looked in the mirror. I speedily donned my make-up and smirked at myself. That would do. I glanced at my phone to see how long I'd been. 15 minutes. That left 5 minutes to get there. I pounced from the stool in a graceful leap and landed precisely.  

I yanked my clutch bag from the side, peeking inside to check for money. I had enough, I thought merrily, as I eyed the wad of cash left over from my last night out. 

*** 

I closed my eyes and concentrated as I phased to the location Alyssa had mentioned. I found them both incredibly easily, but continued on to the side of the building to un phase so no-one would see. The last thing the vampire race needed was a slip up like being found out. There were too many scared and violent humans out there for it not to cause an uprising. We'd have a vampire hunt on our hands before we knew it. I threw my otherworldly senses, scanning for humans in the vicinity; having found none I un phased.  

I began to saunter along the alley seductively and as I got closer to the street I ruffled my long auburn hair. The smell of blood from the club patrons hit me hard and oh boy, was it mouth watering. I swore softly under my breath, realising that I had not fed before coming out. I had good control, but being hungry and going into a room full of food... I mean humans... was torturous. I wondered what the odds were of there being a licensed and approved blood donator within the club. I chanted repeatedly that all would be fine and I would find a blood giver as I turned the corner.