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Immortality was a joke, a ludicrous idea filled with the promises of an existence of grandeur and luxury. It was sold as such from the beings of old wanting to pass on this said gift as if it was a way to carry on their bloodlines like a first born son. And while the riches did indeed come easily once one had a handle on things, the glamor of it all would quickly dissipate as the years flew by. A mundane sense of quality would be all that was left while one's mind slowly rotted from the inside of its infinite prison. A world of brilliant hues going gray while the universe lost its mysterious shine, the only reprieve being the time of The Hunt. A rather splendid event that would breathe life back into a body running on borrowed time, more so than the blood that Esmerelda had to greedily drink lest she slowly slip into madness losing what humanity she had left. Not that there was much, but having to keep herself blended in with the human population meant she had to have some. God forbid she behaved as the monster she was supposed to be.
The dark wood paneling, recently oiled with lemon, shone brilliantly under the candlelight that wrapped around the room. It dared to even steal the show from the intricately carved four poster canopy bed draped with a rich red velvet, where her body had lain for the hours in which the sun warmed the earth void of any sort of life. Perched on a stool at a provided vanity, Esmerelda pulled her straight long dark locks into a high ponytail leaving a few small tendrils to frame her angled face that had once been compared to that of an elf. Idly she went through the motions of making herself presentable knowing good and well that it would all be ruined by the end of the night, a thought that just barely managed to make her giddy. An impressive feat as by her age most emotions were hard to come by, there wasn't much that stirred her blackened soul anymore.
As if it had been conjured by pure thought, a soft alarm filled the room. Zipping up the black leather boots that covered her from foot to knee, she made her way to the door waiting to hear the lock turn over. Out of the entire trip, this was the one and only thing she detested. This all cost a rather pretty penny and being treated like a cheat wasn't exactly pleasant. Besides she had no idea where they kept the prey, just that it was nearby yet not close enough for her to smell. Which was a good thing as she often fasted before such an event in order to thoroughly enjoy just exactly what she was. The sound of the lock turning interrupted her musing as she took hold of the cool brass knob and swung the door out into a hall that was decorated much like her room minus the antique rug, lots of dark wood and red hues.
Crystal blues quickly spotted a familiar face as a man further ahead glanced over his shoulder. Picking up her pace, Esmerelda easily not only caught up to him, but met his stride. "Should have known I would see you here Stephen," she commented lazily with a coy smile playing across her lips.
"Any excuse to shift into my natural furry self," Stephen shot back with a wide smile showing his own set of pointed canines. Already she could see the animal that lurked within pacing behind his amber colored eyes impatiently waiting to be set free.
"Shall we initiate the same bet as always?" She inquired as they exited the old mansion that had been left behind in the 1800's, the large columns on the front covered in vines hiding the yellowed chipping paint giving an ominous feel to the place. The only clue that this place was used for something quite sinister.
"Shame you'll be handing over your money again this year," Stephen proudly claimed while shoving his hand towards her, his large callused hand swallowing hers as they shook on a set bet they had put in place years ago. With their normal deal agreed upon, Esmerelda drifted off to the side to stand apart from the small crowd. It would seem that every mythical creature had made it this time around, or more so the ones that were the fuel for nightmares had.
"Welcome!" Shouted a fellow vampire as he stood in front of the small crowd on a dead tree. His gray hair shone under the moon while the flames of the torches danced in his green eyes filled with glee. "Welcome to the 156th annual Hunt! As always you cannot chase after anyone else's purchased prey and can only assist if formally asked, a rare occurrence I know," a deep chuckle resonated from him as his eyes scanned them all as if assessing them. "You are only free to chase after the cannon has sounded. If you step one foot into the woods before then, or tackle prey that is not your own, you are banned from our little party and forfeit the lovely price you have paid to be here. My associates are making their rounds now to present a piece of your victim to you so you can correctly identify them out in the wild. You'll have a few moments to memorize what you can before the games begin. Happy hunting."
With that the older vampire dropped down from his perch and the crowd started to excitedly murmur once more. Sirens clad in all black uniforms walked through them with trays in their hands labeled ziplocs resting on the metal. A set of purple eyes pierced her own gaze as a Siren approached her. The woman's manicured hand hovered over the tray before selecting a bag that was then graciously held out for Esmerelda to take. Inside was a small piece of bloodied cloth and a folded piece of paper. The cloth was the first thing she grabbed as she pressed it to her nose watching as the Siren sashayed away. Eyes fluttering closed, she concentrated on the scent invading her nose. He had an earthy smell, like fresh dirt and new rain. His blood, besides being mouth watering, had a high sodium count making it a tad saltier smelling than most. Luckily she wouldn't be able to taste it past the normal metallic flavor unless she concentrated on it, but tonight was about letting loose so she doubted she would think beyond her instincts.
Feeling she had a solid grasp on what she was chasing this beautiful evening, she removed the paper delicately unfolding it. Scanning the rap sheet, Esmerelda smiled evilly. Every year prisons across the globe became overcrowded, once upon a time officials would just let select criminals free however now they sold the worst of the worst to the more professional monsters. Mythical and supernatural beings had not only been living freely with the mass public, but also had been cataloged by the world's governments. Another little classified secret that the humans didn't know about. Just like they didn't know about the back alley deal that was made for the human monsters to be chased down by the real from hell monsters. As it was Esmerelda's prey was a man in his thirties who had quite the list of offenses ranging from sexual assault to domestic and even murder. Another human soul that sought out to be something that it sadly wasn't qualified for. Being evil was after all a gift that had to be offered and not stolen.
Dropping the bag and its contents to the ground, Esmerelda brought herself as close to the forest edge as she dared. Other creatures of the night were following suit as each prepared to find its prize. Not too far from her, Stephen shifted. Black fur poured from his spine as his plaid button up lay on the ground forgotten. Faintly she could hear his bones rearranging as the wolf that occupied his mind came forward snarling and snapping his teeth. Soon other shifters were dropping to the ground as their animal sides took over. Then the energy of the crowd heightened as each being readied themselves, far off panicked shouts could be heard as the devilish humans were set free to run or hide.
Bouncing on her feet, it took every bit of willpower Esmeralda had to not dash forward into the trees. Mouth going dry as a hunger of unbelievable strength took hold of her, she glanced at the line they had formed noting that she wasn't the only one struggling to stay in place. The loud boom of the cannon letting loose filled the silence before the pounding of feet muffled out the sound of an explosion as the cannonball met with whatever stood in its way.
Darting between trees, Esmerelda barreled into the thick of the forest. As was customary the humans had been released a mile away from where the monsters had stood, while also being given fifteen minutes or so of a head start to try and make things interesting. After all, no predator wants to sink their teeth into what they are chasing too quickly, especially when their prey is oh so fun to toy with. Which is exactly what she planned on doing, once she caught up to him that is. Already she could hear as fellow creatures got their hands on the slower of the humans or perhaps the ones that had chosen to hide. Skidding to a stop as she had reached the area in which they were released, she took a deep breath scenting the air. A plethora of aromas hit her; the woods, dirt, animals, blood. It all melded and became one, which would have made it exceedingly difficult to pick out her human's scent if it wasn't for that high sodium. The salt tickled her nose as she caught a whiff, her feet carrying her in that direction immediately.
The wind she created caused her hair to whip around behind her as bushes and leaves rustled. Howles sounded, echoing through the trees soon followed by screams as Stephen caught his purchased prize. It would seem that she would be paying him again this year, perhaps she would make him fight her for it. An idea to be considered later as she locked on to the sound of a rapidly beating heart. The man's image on the rap sheet flashed briefly in her mind as a body came into view as it zigzagged through the brush. A sheer rock wall was quickly coming up, something he wouldn't be able to see until it was too late. Slowing her stride, Esmerelda drifted off to the side keeping him in view. She couldn't approach unless she was sure it was him, the break in the trees that he was about to burst into would give her the clear view she needed.
The light of the moon revealed wide terrified brown eyes set deeply into a tanned face. A scar marred his lip glistening with sweat as his chest heaved desperate for more oxygen. Darting forward with vampiric speed, she intentionally snapped a twig twenty feet out behind him causing him to jerk around to face that direction. Next she broke a branch off of a tree to his right, his head snapping in that direction. A small whine left him as his feet back pedaled. Still the fear had him wound so tight that she knew he wouldn't venture back into the darkness of the woods. Humans would much rather see what they were up against, seeing was believing in their books a small ridiculous idea that she had once harbored herself before her rebirth. Stepping out into the moonlight, she smiled fully, her canines elongated as her stomach tied itself in knots from hunger.
"Wh-what are you?" He managed to ask, stepping away from her as if it mattered. The sound of his heart beating so wildly in his chest filled her head, feet moving without her command to slowly stalk his movements. More screams sounded causing his head to jerk around as if looking for an escape.
"I'm the monster you wish you could be, Alejandro," she said remembering the name that had been printed across the page she had read earlier. "Fortunately I'm a woman that you won't be able to over power. It would seem that while you like to hurt the females of your own kind, you'll die by the hands of one far superior to you."
A strangled noise came from him as the knowledge of what was to come settled between them. Her steps maddeningly slow as she followed him in a circle around the clearing they were in. It would seem however that he had reached some sort of point as his once terrified eyes hardened. Excitement rolled through her like a tidal wave as he charged, fight response kicking in. Easily she dodged his outstretched hands while kicking her foot out to trip him, sending him stumbling a few feet. He rebounded quickly and was soon after again swinging his fist which she avoided. Frustration was creeping into him as his attacks became erratic and uncalculated. Laughter peeled from her as she 'ran' from him.
"As entertaining as you are," Esmerelda said lightly, "The time grows late and I must finish this little rendezvous before dawn. So if you'll be so kind…" Lunging forward as her words died off, she took hold of him lifting him from the ground. With one quick movement she flung him into a tree, the sounds of his ribs breaking sending a shiver down her spine. In a blink of an eye she was towering over him again, slamming her foot into his chest she took hold of both of his arms. It was then that Alejandro had found his voice as screams shot from him in rapid fire. In one solid jerk, she tore his arms from their sockets, blood spraying from the wound in a red rain. Drops landed on her face and arms, longingly she licked her lips as a weird mixture of hunger and desire bubbled up in her. Lazily she smeared his blood across her chest before licking her fingers clean.
"What a time to be alive," she sighed before falling onto him savagely tearing into his flesh to drink her fill.
The dark wood paneling, recently oiled with lemon, shone brilliantly under the candlelight that wrapped around the room. It dared to even steal the show from the intricately carved four poster canopy bed draped with a rich red velvet, where her body had lain for the hours in which the sun warmed the earth void of any sort of life. Perched on a stool at a provided vanity, Esmerelda pulled her straight long dark locks into a high ponytail leaving a few small tendrils to frame her angled face that had once been compared to that of an elf. Idly she went through the motions of making herself presentable knowing good and well that it would all be ruined by the end of the night, a thought that just barely managed to make her giddy. An impressive feat as by her age most emotions were hard to come by, there wasn't much that stirred her blackened soul anymore.
As if it had been conjured by pure thought, a soft alarm filled the room. Zipping up the black leather boots that covered her from foot to knee, she made her way to the door waiting to hear the lock turn over. Out of the entire trip, this was the one and only thing she detested. This all cost a rather pretty penny and being treated like a cheat wasn't exactly pleasant. Besides she had no idea where they kept the prey, just that it was nearby yet not close enough for her to smell. Which was a good thing as she often fasted before such an event in order to thoroughly enjoy just exactly what she was. The sound of the lock turning interrupted her musing as she took hold of the cool brass knob and swung the door out into a hall that was decorated much like her room minus the antique rug, lots of dark wood and red hues.
Crystal blues quickly spotted a familiar face as a man further ahead glanced over his shoulder. Picking up her pace, Esmerelda easily not only caught up to him, but met his stride. "Should have known I would see you here Stephen," she commented lazily with a coy smile playing across her lips.
"Any excuse to shift into my natural furry self," Stephen shot back with a wide smile showing his own set of pointed canines. Already she could see the animal that lurked within pacing behind his amber colored eyes impatiently waiting to be set free.
"Shall we initiate the same bet as always?" She inquired as they exited the old mansion that had been left behind in the 1800's, the large columns on the front covered in vines hiding the yellowed chipping paint giving an ominous feel to the place. The only clue that this place was used for something quite sinister.
"Shame you'll be handing over your money again this year," Stephen proudly claimed while shoving his hand towards her, his large callused hand swallowing hers as they shook on a set bet they had put in place years ago. With their normal deal agreed upon, Esmerelda drifted off to the side to stand apart from the small crowd. It would seem that every mythical creature had made it this time around, or more so the ones that were the fuel for nightmares had.
"Welcome!" Shouted a fellow vampire as he stood in front of the small crowd on a dead tree. His gray hair shone under the moon while the flames of the torches danced in his green eyes filled with glee. "Welcome to the 156th annual Hunt! As always you cannot chase after anyone else's purchased prey and can only assist if formally asked, a rare occurrence I know," a deep chuckle resonated from him as his eyes scanned them all as if assessing them. "You are only free to chase after the cannon has sounded. If you step one foot into the woods before then, or tackle prey that is not your own, you are banned from our little party and forfeit the lovely price you have paid to be here. My associates are making their rounds now to present a piece of your victim to you so you can correctly identify them out in the wild. You'll have a few moments to memorize what you can before the games begin. Happy hunting."
With that the older vampire dropped down from his perch and the crowd started to excitedly murmur once more. Sirens clad in all black uniforms walked through them with trays in their hands labeled ziplocs resting on the metal. A set of purple eyes pierced her own gaze as a Siren approached her. The woman's manicured hand hovered over the tray before selecting a bag that was then graciously held out for Esmerelda to take. Inside was a small piece of bloodied cloth and a folded piece of paper. The cloth was the first thing she grabbed as she pressed it to her nose watching as the Siren sashayed away. Eyes fluttering closed, she concentrated on the scent invading her nose. He had an earthy smell, like fresh dirt and new rain. His blood, besides being mouth watering, had a high sodium count making it a tad saltier smelling than most. Luckily she wouldn't be able to taste it past the normal metallic flavor unless she concentrated on it, but tonight was about letting loose so she doubted she would think beyond her instincts.
Feeling she had a solid grasp on what she was chasing this beautiful evening, she removed the paper delicately unfolding it. Scanning the rap sheet, Esmerelda smiled evilly. Every year prisons across the globe became overcrowded, once upon a time officials would just let select criminals free however now they sold the worst of the worst to the more professional monsters. Mythical and supernatural beings had not only been living freely with the mass public, but also had been cataloged by the world's governments. Another little classified secret that the humans didn't know about. Just like they didn't know about the back alley deal that was made for the human monsters to be chased down by the real from hell monsters. As it was Esmerelda's prey was a man in his thirties who had quite the list of offenses ranging from sexual assault to domestic and even murder. Another human soul that sought out to be something that it sadly wasn't qualified for. Being evil was after all a gift that had to be offered and not stolen.
Dropping the bag and its contents to the ground, Esmerelda brought herself as close to the forest edge as she dared. Other creatures of the night were following suit as each prepared to find its prize. Not too far from her, Stephen shifted. Black fur poured from his spine as his plaid button up lay on the ground forgotten. Faintly she could hear his bones rearranging as the wolf that occupied his mind came forward snarling and snapping his teeth. Soon other shifters were dropping to the ground as their animal sides took over. Then the energy of the crowd heightened as each being readied themselves, far off panicked shouts could be heard as the devilish humans were set free to run or hide.
Bouncing on her feet, it took every bit of willpower Esmeralda had to not dash forward into the trees. Mouth going dry as a hunger of unbelievable strength took hold of her, she glanced at the line they had formed noting that she wasn't the only one struggling to stay in place. The loud boom of the cannon letting loose filled the silence before the pounding of feet muffled out the sound of an explosion as the cannonball met with whatever stood in its way.
Darting between trees, Esmerelda barreled into the thick of the forest. As was customary the humans had been released a mile away from where the monsters had stood, while also being given fifteen minutes or so of a head start to try and make things interesting. After all, no predator wants to sink their teeth into what they are chasing too quickly, especially when their prey is oh so fun to toy with. Which is exactly what she planned on doing, once she caught up to him that is. Already she could hear as fellow creatures got their hands on the slower of the humans or perhaps the ones that had chosen to hide. Skidding to a stop as she had reached the area in which they were released, she took a deep breath scenting the air. A plethora of aromas hit her; the woods, dirt, animals, blood. It all melded and became one, which would have made it exceedingly difficult to pick out her human's scent if it wasn't for that high sodium. The salt tickled her nose as she caught a whiff, her feet carrying her in that direction immediately.
The wind she created caused her hair to whip around behind her as bushes and leaves rustled. Howles sounded, echoing through the trees soon followed by screams as Stephen caught his purchased prize. It would seem that she would be paying him again this year, perhaps she would make him fight her for it. An idea to be considered later as she locked on to the sound of a rapidly beating heart. The man's image on the rap sheet flashed briefly in her mind as a body came into view as it zigzagged through the brush. A sheer rock wall was quickly coming up, something he wouldn't be able to see until it was too late. Slowing her stride, Esmerelda drifted off to the side keeping him in view. She couldn't approach unless she was sure it was him, the break in the trees that he was about to burst into would give her the clear view she needed.
The light of the moon revealed wide terrified brown eyes set deeply into a tanned face. A scar marred his lip glistening with sweat as his chest heaved desperate for more oxygen. Darting forward with vampiric speed, she intentionally snapped a twig twenty feet out behind him causing him to jerk around to face that direction. Next she broke a branch off of a tree to his right, his head snapping in that direction. A small whine left him as his feet back pedaled. Still the fear had him wound so tight that she knew he wouldn't venture back into the darkness of the woods. Humans would much rather see what they were up against, seeing was believing in their books a small ridiculous idea that she had once harbored herself before her rebirth. Stepping out into the moonlight, she smiled fully, her canines elongated as her stomach tied itself in knots from hunger.
"Wh-what are you?" He managed to ask, stepping away from her as if it mattered. The sound of his heart beating so wildly in his chest filled her head, feet moving without her command to slowly stalk his movements. More screams sounded causing his head to jerk around as if looking for an escape.
"I'm the monster you wish you could be, Alejandro," she said remembering the name that had been printed across the page she had read earlier. "Fortunately I'm a woman that you won't be able to over power. It would seem that while you like to hurt the females of your own kind, you'll die by the hands of one far superior to you."
A strangled noise came from him as the knowledge of what was to come settled between them. Her steps maddeningly slow as she followed him in a circle around the clearing they were in. It would seem however that he had reached some sort of point as his once terrified eyes hardened. Excitement rolled through her like a tidal wave as he charged, fight response kicking in. Easily she dodged his outstretched hands while kicking her foot out to trip him, sending him stumbling a few feet. He rebounded quickly and was soon after again swinging his fist which she avoided. Frustration was creeping into him as his attacks became erratic and uncalculated. Laughter peeled from her as she 'ran' from him.
"As entertaining as you are," Esmerelda said lightly, "The time grows late and I must finish this little rendezvous before dawn. So if you'll be so kind…" Lunging forward as her words died off, she took hold of him lifting him from the ground. With one quick movement she flung him into a tree, the sounds of his ribs breaking sending a shiver down her spine. In a blink of an eye she was towering over him again, slamming her foot into his chest she took hold of both of his arms. It was then that Alejandro had found his voice as screams shot from him in rapid fire. In one solid jerk, she tore his arms from their sockets, blood spraying from the wound in a red rain. Drops landed on her face and arms, longingly she licked her lips as a weird mixture of hunger and desire bubbled up in her. Lazily she smeared his blood across her chest before licking her fingers clean.
"What a time to be alive," she sighed before falling onto him savagely tearing into his flesh to drink her fill.