It's in the Blood - the Beast

Episode 12

I lean forward slightly to try and see how far the staircase extends above, but with the light from the duo and in my already weakened state, it was hard to tell from here. Maybe this time, I'll make it simple. Get in, feed, recuperate, and then fly out of this hole. By the time they wake up, I'll be gone, and they'll pretend it was all a drunken fever dream. None the wiser to go back to their plain, humble lives. See? Sometimes, even I can be kind and rewarding. Sometimes. Especially to those who do me favors. What better favor than to wake me up from a long and tiresome slumber and provide me with a full belly?

Instantly, I am snapped back into the present when I hear the little Fae gasp. I don't need to look over to know as I could feel their eyes upon me. Keen eyesight for a lowly Fae, and I'm a reasonable distance away from them at my current position. Taking in a deep breath, I could tell now her blood was very muddied. What is going on here? As if I thought it into existence, I slowly turn to find two sets of eyes upon my lurking form, slinking behind the rocks in the shadows. Oh, what a true beast I must be! I had hoped to learn more about the world before introducing myself to it, but I suppose now is as bad a time as any. Right?

Slowly, I rise to my feet. Those two sets of eyes were unwavering. I don't think either one had moved or blinked since they became aware of my presence. I have that effect on all lower beings. I started to move forward, becoming more and more familiar with my form with every slight movement. I smelled the compounds in them change instantly. They stood there hard like marble. Frozen like little fawns. Seeing the shiver roll over them does nothing but further stoke the fire I felt building within. I take turns meeting each pair of eyes with my piercing gaze. I can smell it now. The girl's body instantly betrays her. Her chest was erect. Wetness was pooling, heated with the type of fire that is only able to burn with desire.

I barely had to look at the young man, but I did anyway. It was dark, but my keen night eyes could see clearly from here despite the lack of color and vibrancy that only daylight can bring. The bulge looked like it would destroy the cloth of his trousers to break free or threaten to injure his member should it not be successful in that endeavor. He swallowed hard. I smiled, remembering to stow away my fangs quickly first. He was a rather handsome young thing with a strong jaw and kind-looking eyes. Aww, little babe. Tall with beastly-looking arms and a body to match. This man kept active, and it showed.

Walking to them slowly, almost systematically, I begin to speak but stop myself. The compulsion gained power as I drew closer, so it was best to get closer while I was in this weakened state. After a few more steps, I begin again, addressing them in my language. There's not one single chance in the universe that they will understand what I'm saying, but with the effects of it gracing their ears, it will still serve its purpose. My tone comes out commanding, "Hello."

I was greeted back with the expected reaction--sort of. The girl's muscles trembled. The moment her resolve cracked, she threw herself to the ground. On her knees, she proceeded to press her forehead further to the dirt, with lips almost touching the earth. The young man, however, was still standing there staring at me blankly. Trembling and seemingly unable to move, he stood there defiantly, nonetheless.

I cocked my head quizzically at him. This was new. Very new. Looking back through it all, I don't believe I've ever come across another being outside the family, let alone a lesser, who was even able to attempt to resist me. I slowed my gait and began to speak again, "Petulant brat. Someone should teach you how to properly greet and address those above you." He fell and braced himself on one knee. I was very close now, and I could smell the adrenaline and feel his blood rushing through his veins. Fight or flight instinct activation, yet he kneels here like a stone staring up at me. By staring, I mean scanning me over unblinking. The fact he's able to resist for this long and to this extent is rather impressive. His shirt was dripping with sweat from the stress caused by the fight he was insistently putting up. Damn stubborn mutt.

His gaze falls to and lingers on my bare chest. He attempts to avert his eyes but instead gives in to a look of longing. I giggle outward accidentally and quickly cover my mouth with my hand. Damn fangs. I can't say that I blame the fellow, though. Absentmindedly, I cup one breast with my hand and weigh how supple it is. Very nice, indeed. I look back in time to see his face begin to flush. Cute. Being this close, it was hard to wait any longer. I needed to feed. Waves of his scent kept pouring off him and distracting me. Gods, he probably tastes so good, too. I can't pinpoint what it is that's wafting from him, but it only fed deeper into my needs and desires.

"I would be more than happy, elated even, to provide special lessons if you would accompany me somewhere a little more... private." I was so close to him now. I could feel the heat of his body as it radiated off him. My mouth betrayed me, and it began to water. Watching his blood course through his veins and beat against his skin as if it were begging for my release created a feeling of hunger I was not accustomed to. Gods, that smell. What is that smell? I wanted to soak him in. At that moment, I wanted to close my eyes and be. Breathe every bit of him in.

Why is this man still kneeling?! He should have dropped at the words. It was infuriating! He should have dropped down beside his companion, just hearing me speak my native tongue. Instead, this man is here frozen on his knees, hardened tremendously and wide-eyed, staring at me. He finally shifted his stare to my eyes. Directly into them. I held his gaze for a bit until he wavered slightly and sucked in a small breath. There was a glimmer there. It was just a quick flash, but it left me with a strange feeling within. Unnerving.

What is this? Staring into my eyes is not something I was used to experiencing in... well, every lifetime, really. Am I just fragile? That was not it at all. I'd been left much weaker than this many times and could still compel and bend those to my will. This was something else entirely. This was concerning. I sent my mind straight into his and heard him yelp. I didn't have time to be gentle as I dove straight into his language center. It was English, just like the world above, but now, being this close, I could tell there was some slight variation. There was much added verbiage and slang. I couldn't wait and wonder more about that now. There was no time to play and explore here as I usually would. Desperation clung to what I needed to say to him, what I needed to know. What he needed to tell me. I exited his mind gingerly.

An aching pierced my skull, and I winced at the sudden invasion. I had to close my eyes to regain some focus, and when I opened them, I saw he was able to break free to take a step toward his companion. Somehow, he could escape my hold and help his friend to her knees. He stood there defiantly still, only now staring at me with a look of both fear and concern. He didn't say much, but he didn't need to. His voice was deep and clear, "Are you a-a-a-alright Miss? Do you need any h-help?"

What... Hesitantly, I reached out my hand toward him in wonder. What is that smell? He had my full attention. I couldn't focus on much else. I took another step forward as I asked, "What exactly are you?" It snuck out from my lips in a whisper as I faltered forward. The tips of three fingers grazed his jawline, sending shivers throughout me. Damn. Everything within me tingled. It felt like electricity. The world started spinning. I need to... didn't feed. Even the thought came through weak and hazy. It was too late. Everything turned black once more. I could barely hear their muttering and whispering as I felt myself falling away.