My name is Tre Lloyd. I am a wizard. Not one of those robed stereotypes that you see in the movies, though. The only robe I wear is the bathrobe I use when I get out of the shower. I prefer my jeans, boots, a shirt and my duster or a light trench coat. Even the wands and other magical paraphernalia are not actually necessary, though they do help. I live in the city of Horn Lake, Mississippi in a nice house paid for with various investments. Many do not believe in the supernatural because they have never seen a sign of it, or didn't recognize it if they did see it. I was gifted with the ability to see the creatures of the other world at an early age. By the time I had hit puberty I was able to affect these creatures as well as see them. My teacher in the Arcane, Gabriel, swore he had never seen a person with my innate power or skills. For the most part, I am able to peacefully coincide with the creatures of the other world, the demons and spirits, the vampires and were creatures. There are some of these creatures though, that will tolerate no peace with the human world. These creatures are the ones I seek out. These are the creatures I must fight.
As dawn threatened to break, I stood in the large shower and washed off the ashes and dust from my chest and shoulders. After tonight, I enjoyed the feel of the hot water flowing over my body. The steam curled up around me as my mind roamed back to the events that led me to this apartment in Memphis at this time.
The night had started out like any other Friday night. I watched some television until I was near bored to tears and then I got up, grabbed my keys and went and got into my car, a Dodge Viper that I had won at one of the casinos. Cranking the car up, I headed south on highway 61. While I drove, I drank my Mountain Dew and thought about which casino to go to. I settled on Sam's Town and, when I got to the turn, I pointed the black Viper towards the casino. I wheeled the car into the valet parking area and slipped the valet a $20 before heading inside.
As I stepped into the lobby, I quickly slipped in and out of the astral plane, enjoying the mixture of auras present in the casino before heading on in. I passed by the slot machines and made my way over to the table games. I found a seat at a $25 minimum bet blackjack table and sat down. I pulled $2000 and got it changed for 10 $100 chips and 40 $25 chips. I placed a $50 bet and got to playing, losing myself in the game for a while.
A familiar prickling at the base of my skull caused me to look up from the game. At first I could only stare at the woman taking a seat at the table beside me. She had long black hair that was so black the light cast blue highlights in it. Her breasts were perfect, and perfectly displayed under the near skin tight shirt she wore, leaving no doubt that there was no bra supporting them. There was a sparkle in the deep green of her eyes that spoke of an invitation and her skin was smooth and pale. I glanced down and saw that the skirt she was wearing was barely long enough to be called decent before turning my attention back to the game. I split a pair of aces, only to have to split another pair, getting a jack and an ace on the draw. I split the second pair of aces and ended up with three blackjacks at $500 each, for $750 per blackjack.
"My name is Nadia. Nadia Martin." She said. "Congratulations. That was a good win." She smiled a truly dazzling smile. Again the prickling at the base of my skull warned me of something.
I smiled back and nodded to her, "Hi. I'm Tre Lloyd." I kept a rein on my instincts, knowing now that this was a vampire beside me at the table. We talked for a while as we played, minor conversational things, and then she gathered up her chips.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Tre." She held out a hand to shake and I took it, smiling.
"Are you leaving? I was just about to do the same." She smiled shyly and nodded, sending another prickle along my spine. "Do you have a ride home?"
"No," she said, "I got a ride here with some friends and they have all gone home. I was going to catch a ride home with one of the cocktail waitresses that lives in the same complex I do."
"I will give you a ride home if you want." I offered. She smiled and nodded, saying she would like that and we both headed over to the cashiers cage. We both turned in our chips for the cash of our winnings. We then headed out the front doors to the valet area where we picked up my car. I held the door for her to get in, unable to help admiring her long trim legs as she got into the car. After I closed her door, I went around and got into the car on my side, slipping the valet another $20 bill. I navigated the car out of the parking lot and got it headed back north, asking her where she lived.