1
I leaned against the dark cherry desk shuffling my cards as I waited for the man I was about to kill to wake up. At first, I was just casually flipping through them, looking at the intricate designs each tarot card possessed. The Six of Wands, The Emperor, The Page of Cups…
This specific deck had belonged to me for many years, and it was my most prized possession. I didn't go anywhere without it, and I never killed without consulting it.
A sharp intake of breath came from six feet in front of me. I straightened my spine and leaned over to pull the little drawstring on the desk lamp.
"Who are you?" The man planted firmly in his office chair demanded as he struggled with the ropes that held him to it. He squinted, trying to see me in the dim light.
I kicked off his desk, slipping the cards into my pocket.
"Does it matter?" I asked dryly. I sauntered closer and circled him, arms behind my back, taking in his scent. I was mildly impressed that there was no fear. Only anger.
"Who sent you? How did you get in here? What time is it?" he demanded.
"Why? Are you worried about the sunlight?" I asked, glancing at the thick, light-blocking curtains on all the windows.
"Is that what you're waiting for? To light me on fire. Pathetic human. How did you even get in here?" He repeated his question. I laughed.
"Human? You know, I've always been told that Bloodshed vampires were odd. Inferior to the Bloodborns. Can you not sense one of your own?" I stopped directly in front of him and slapped my hands on his wrists, tightening my grip.
The vampire with the gold eyes bared his fangs at me and snarled. I had to catch myself before I laughed out loud.
"Those terms are outdated and are offensive," he argued. I blinked and smiled wide, exposing my own fangs. His eyes flicked to them and then back up. "No one cares how you turned anymore."
I stood back up and went to the bookcase on the left side of the room. I started scanning the titles. Law books, business books, old books. Nothing particularly interesting. "That's a rather bold assumption. I know many, many Bloodborns who beg to differ." I told him.
"That’s because you’re all elitists. You think your genes are better than everyone’s, but they aren’t. You need to get with the times. There’s no more gatekeeping. Anyone can become one of us.” He tried to persuade.
I turned toward him and laughed. “Just because they can—doesn’t mean they should.”
He struggled with his bonds but to no avail. “This is ridiculous. Did you tie me up just to talk shit about how I became a vampire?”
“Of course not. I tied you up because I have to kill you.” My voice—so steady, unwavering, and so—bored, unnerved him. He stopped struggling, his mouth fell open, and he began to blink rapidly. I let him have his moment. He didn’t have many of them left anyway.
His lips curled into a snarl, then his eyes darkened. “Take off your sunglasses, you coward.”
I laughed, pushing my dark glasses higher up my nose before crossing my arms over my chest. “What right do you have to start demanding things? I’m literally about to kill you, and you’re ordering me around like I’m one of your lackeys. Nice try,Victor.”
“Is it a money thing? Who hired you?”
I ignored him. Returning to my spot against his desk, I pulled the cards back out of my black duster. I began shuffling them, looking up at him occasionally.
“Victor Johanson, I hear you’ve been misbehaving,” I say instead of answering him.
“So? Rules don’t apply to me. To us, people like us.”
Ah, here comes the part where he tries to compare us. To make it sound like we’re one and the same. Buddies.
“Is that so? Since when?” I bobbed my head, peering over the dark sunglasses I kept firmly over my eyes.
“Since the dawn of time. Sure, I’ve only been a vampire for a few years, but it’s always been that way. I’m not hurting anyone like us. I’ve never touched a vampire.” He pulled against the ropes again.
“But you have others. Women, young girls,” I barked. Victor shut his mouth quickly and swallowed. His eyes widened as he realized that I knew of his transgressions.
“Oh, come on, man, they wanted it. They were out after dark. They had ribbons on. Every single one.” He stopped wrestling with the rope and relaxed. I stopped shuffling and slammed my cards sharply on the desk before crossing my arms as he jumped.
“This new world is so different from the one I’m used to.” I shook my head. “All of you Bloodsheds sprouting like weeds, causing the world to go into chaos. Bloodshed Vampires like you are the reason we have all these rules now.”
