Path of the Vampire forum

"RATS!!!" An open palm smashed into the tile wall spewing little droplets of water.

All the women's weight stressed throughout her arms as they jut forward against the vertical ceramic box. Drawing each inch of strength into trimmed black painted fingertips that clawed into the tile. Her eyes grew lifeless apart from their normal crystal blue. "Temperance, focus." An unfamiliar voice growled from within while empty midnight orbs starred sharply at the grout between the tiles. Her aggressive emotions channeled into the gray squares as they grew smaller, blurring into one hardened mat under her palms. One hand pulled from its glued position, wrapped digits around the silver handle and turned it left while her head inclined. Steaming hot water pierced her dead flesh. To any average human the heightened change of temperature would sear their skin turning, fragile layers to a bright red as if they basked in the suns glow at high noon, but it only warmed her. Temperance stood as a stone. Tension had latched itself onto muscles of her small framed exterior brewing inside as the fiery water worked its magic slowly, relieving the strain.

"Rats." she spoke again while the water matted her curled brunette locks, dripping down the tip of her nose to pursed crimson lips. Temperance despised them-the taste left in her mouth. What diseases they carry, dirt, grime, death? Little rodents just larger then her palms easily made their way into her diet. Only a few each day for three weeks satisfying her hunger but she loathed them. If it wasn't for the carelessness she previously possessed, perhaps Temperance would be happier now. The allurist was cursed. A subject to roving human eyes, screaming out at any hint of unnatural movements. She scoffed as the water rushed over the winged-cross tattooed to her shoulder blade and down her back, "It was unnatural to them-feeding on flesh." A sight so utterly demonic that a high reward was placed on the beautiful vampires head. A reward Tempy learned of through a friend. The women asked around and toyed in some areas of the city which caused the bounty to soar higher. Retreating to the sewers was the easiest solution. Easier said then done.

Deep in the dark wet sewers no roving eyes could mistake the lady's bite for the dangerous sort. Each little mouthful of blood relieved her but she was starving and they were scarce. Over a days time she crawled to the depths of the city taking in her fill vowing to never starve herself again. The unintelligent rats scurried along pipes beneath the lady's feet, rushing across her toes, brushing the bottom of her dress. Disgusting rats. Pulsed within her palm, small short-haired gray bodies writhed within the digits wrapped around their center, squealing for no other to hear besides a necro friend she knew lurked in the dark tunnels. Disgraceful. Fangs protruded sinking deeper into the thin layers of fur and flesh to draw tiny droplets of liquid life from the rodent. Its taste was not like that of a human life. No. A human was what she desired. What she wanted. Wrapping her hands upon a living breathing machine. Gladly the women would devour the corpse till it bled dry. Seen or not she would savor its succulent life till it lie limp beneath her. "Raatts." spoken with a hiss across her lips as curled fingers forced her palm into a ball against the tile.

(to be continued)

A smile itched it's way across her face raising the curves of her cheeks as her chin lifted to allow colorless warm water to rush over her. Closing her still solid dark eyes, thoughts sifted for the memory as the shower continued to fill the room with a breathtaking thick white fog. Away with all the burdens. Temperance approached the thought as quickly as she spotted her first victim. Calling her to the sweet nectar he contained but unaware of the mess, his cry or an attempt to dispose of the lifeless form when she was through. The lady remembered it well.

The funny thing about a human was their hardly broken routines. Not just the daily grind and repeated motions one establishes. I'm talking about habits; little vices that one divulges into whole-heartedly. Like a drug; once you have found your nitch, begin to like it, love it, it's hard to let go. The small hobby can quickly become an obsession if you are not careful. Whether a desire for rich and smooth chocolate bars, spicy Cuban cigars, the burning bitterness of alcohol, compulsive spending sprees or a dangerous risk. Humans-most humans are easily by captivated and these little vices mold themselves into their daily routines. His was gambling.


Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Temperance could not forget the blonde perched at the green velvet table before a stack of multi-colored chips. His stern glare across the players left a ready to strike impression as his shoe tapped lightly on the chair beneath him. There was a fire about him, something that stated he was going to demolish anyone that got in his way of winning that night and she admired it. For the sake of details let's call this handsome gambling man; Mr. X.

She approached the casino for the second time with confidence in her stride. There were two possible men she could have run into tonight; Chad the owner of the establishment or blonde Mr. X. The brunette stepped with an effervescent glide across the carpet of the casino, passed the buzzing slot machines and approached the bar. Palms lengthened her Merlot dress before slipping into the seat before the counter. Resting silver heals on the steel bar stool the women faced the players table. Something embedded deep within told her the man would be here. In the same manner and chair he occupied a few nights before. There was a few ways to distract someone so deeply rooted into their additions. Temperance twisted in the seat, pushing a large tip to the barman and whispered a few notions to him before standing and stepping to an empty seat at his table.

Surely if she were to lose to such a talented bloke he would only shrug her presence like all before but she had to win or at least play as long as he did. Taking a seat his poker face met her gaze for a second or two while the dealer presented a small stack of chips before her. Mr. X grinned pleasantly at the little piles as if they were nothing compared to what he normally made match with. The attendant drew the cards one after another and she folded a few hands to his win. Temperance rested an elbow to the leather edge of the table while a waitress wandered by with a fresh drink courtesy of the lady. The maid whispered a few nothings into his ear and the blonde broke his focus from the deck to the alluring being in his view, lifting the fresh glass with a nod. "Cunning", she thought to herself with the success of catching the mans attention.

Holding two cards firm between her fingertips. A worthless hand-8 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. Mr. X bet and almost out of chips she matched it. The flop was placed before the players 10 of diamond. 8 of clubs and 5 of clubs. Two pair she pondered. Her hand should have been folded but to her favor it worked well. Although she knew it can quickly change at the flip of the next card. An 8 of hearts. "Hrm", she studied them with the worst gaze across the cards. Mr. X knew she had something so he bet again pushing the lady past her max chip. The dealer counted out a side pot then flipped the river card. A 10 of spades. She could not bet again but hoped that hand would hold her through. Mr. X laid his bluff face down to her win of a pitiful full house. Temperance grinned but with a smirk collected the winnings as the blonde scoffed picked up his chips and left the table. Lifting the colored chips from the velvet green; she cashed them in and returned to the bar.

"May a lady join you."

"If you are the one who purchased this drink." A sly eager attitude slipped through his voice. "The name is Matthew, Madame."

"Temperance." Holding a hand to him. He shook it firmly then lifted the glass to drink.

"A drink for the lady." he called to the barman.

"Oh I couldn't." she declined knowing Silver had warned her about such human delicacies that would now be out of reach; at least until she could learn to consume them again.

"I insist." Mathew spoke. Dark crevices formed under his eyes with his glare.

The women sighed; giving in and accepting the glass of poisonous elixir that the barman slid her way. Little black fingertips rested on the top of the straw as she began to stir the drink.

"Thank you." spoke softly, directed to him.

"Where did you learn to play?" The man questioned her after sipping his scotch.

"Family parties." Now in her thirties it was the only game she could enjoy with her father when he did come into town. They would visit the local gambling grounds, which was normally found in the smoky dark basement of some small bar. "I enjoy playing occasionally."

"I enjoy winning." He spoke.

"Oh, I've noticed."

"Have you?" he quirked a glistening eye to her as she nodded. "Well, are you going to drink that?" Glancing to the drink.

Temperance looked into to the glass still stirring in between melting ice cubes. "Oh." she muttered. "I was distracted." Brought the straw to her lips consuming some of the liquid. A small sip, just enough to wet the tip of her tongue. The rum lingered there a bit.

"Such a lady!" he scoffed jokingly at her barely touched drink and tugged a cigarette box from his jacket pocket. Reaching for his glass he gulped down the last bit of scotch, pushed it across the bar and stood from his stool brushing up against her frame as he spoke, alcohol rolling in his breath to her ear.

"Care to join me. I'm sure that drink will be here when you return."


(to be continued)

Crisp April breeze encompassed their bodies with the first few steps outside of the CW Casino. The lights beamed from the establishment leaving interlacing colors in the street towards the Metronome Club. Dancing specs faded out slowly as Matthew began to wander off puffing upon his well lit cigarette. The young man wore a brown tweed jacket, light blue collared shirt that tucked into his jeans, brown shiny loafers and a gold onyx ring on his right hand. Perfectly fitting for a twenty-eight year old gambler with nothing better to spend his winnings on then more cigarettes and booze.

Temperance wandered along quietly standing a few inches shorter then the man at her side. He Flicked the butt away from his lips into a shadowy area before them and in a unforeseen rage Matthew turned, wrapped his hand around around her right wrist and yanked her by the arm.

"Hey! she spoke sharply as he tugged the rest of her into the dimly lit void between the casino and commercial building next door.

"What will it be!" Echoed through her ears as she twisted full circle til the soft flesh of her back met with a cold brick wall.

WAIT. What's hap... Silenced.

Temperance's thoughts scattered for a few moments. Pain pierced her skull as tiny tingling ants dispersed across smooth trench-like crevices of her brain and latched themselves into the sensitive muscle. Discomfort radiated into darkness while a damp fluid sensation burned inside her head crushing against the slick mortar. Crystal blue orbs flew open to meet a sharp violent gaze as Matthew pressed his brute force against her, closing the distance between them. Strong heavy digits lashed up and wrapped around her soft collar pinching the skin to hold the women in place.

Under the dim amber light of the ally Temperance liked the man better now as Mr. X. His handsome features twisted before her eyes taking what he wanted without regard. A heavy mixture of scotch and smoke rolled across his lips against her cheek. Leaning rough tormenting kisses across her jaw while he kept her in place. Forcing against his grip the lady attempted to squirm free but before she could reach for his wrist his grip tightened across her throat bringing a second hand up equipped with a silver dagger to her skin.

"Be still my pet." he growled as the sharp blade grazed her drawing bits of red liquid to the surface. "or you may not make it back to finish that drink."

A soft smirk grew across her crimson lips as the dark nights plot twisted within her mind. Slipping her blue eyes closed; the freshly turned vampire tilted her head in the opposite direction allowing him satisfaction to continue across her already dead flesh. Her mind raced, strengthening with each passionate but subtle advance as Mr.X began releasing the grip on her throat to run rough digits down her frame, tugging an arm around her waist. Temperance ran small black nails across his arched back before pressing her own tender kiss to his jaw then nuzzled in against him. Her actions enticed the man and he grew more aggressive with her touch. Another gentle kiss she teased then sunk her fangs deep into the very spot.

With a loud angry cry he shoved her frame back into the wall. Temperance flicked her eyes open and gazed back at him with empty black orbs. "What the ****!" He hollered watching small droplets of his blood fall from her lips only for a moment before she sunk her nails deep into his new wound.

The man screamed again in agony as she spread his flesh forcing him to lose his bearings on the slick pavement of the alley. Falling with the man she grinned when his head met the cement below and he released his grip on the silver dagger allowing it to roll out of reach. She pressed a palm across his loud screams and sunk her fangs deeper into his flesh. Draining the squirming man dry.

Unresponsive. Mr. X's succulent life filled the women with a new strength. Temperance pulled her head back admiring the beautiful corpse beneath her, tapped a palm against his cheek and grinned wide. Midnight orbs scanned both directions of the dark space between the buildings before dragging him against over to a dingy garbage bin. She used her new raging strength to pull him up against the metal and peeled him over into the opening. Tempy shrugged with a smirk not expecting to have such a mess on her hands with her first kill.

Running fingers through brunette curled locks to the back of her head. "Ouch!" she muttered under her breath before gazing him over once more then slamming the lid closed.

As she stepped lightly away from the dim space her heels brushed against a small object on the ground. The dagger. A souvenir from her merciless act. An act that now came with a bounty she would eventually discover.