Chapter 4 - Blood Moon
As the small plane circles its final descent into the ruins of Chicago I watch as the other passengers grow restless wishing I could share in their excitement. All I feel is edgy. The sun is starting to set and soon the blood moon will rise and the frenzy will begin again. In less than an hour the ceremonies will commence, and soon I'll be surrounded by nothing but blood and sex. To most vampires its heaven. For me its a long three days. I admit its good to see old friends in between the unending orgies but I am glad when the pressures to be one of them will be gone again.
Once landed I rise and file off the plane with the rest of the vampires smiling at the 'flight attendant' who waits to clear the plane with a fang filled grin. This first thing you notice when you get off the plane is the smell. Since the city died long ago there are no nanobots cleaning the air and the scent of earth and asphalt assault your senses. The winds of Chicago have long blown away any scent of the thriving city it once was. I study the decaying city as I make my way toward the cathedral. Vines and grass permeate the streets and sidewalks, crawling up buildings in an upward race for the sun. Its beautiful to me. Wishing I could stay out here for the next few days instead of in the stuffy halls of the cathedral and surrounding buildings.
I jump as I feel a hand on my back not even realizing i'd stopped walking. I turn sheepishly to look at the 'flight attendant.' "Come Miss Riddle, the sun is setting. We don't want to be caught out after dark." He was right, it wasn't safe to dawdle. We both hurried on into the cathedral and took our places amongst those gathered to watch the ceremony. As I took my seat Damion turned and smiled at me from a few rows up and I smiled in return looking forward to spending some time with him.
The ceremony started with its usual pomp and circumstance. The girl representing her peers this year was stunning. Hazelnut colored skin covered her lithe body, her pretty face surrounded by dark wavy locks of satin hair that draped nicely over the altar as she was laid upon it. Her nipples stood at attention in the cool air of the room atop round perky breasts. Her narrow waist created a smooth line to her gentle hips and strong legs. She looked like a runner. I could see why she'd been chosen.