1: Damien & the Del Rosa

Damien was there.

I had expected to see him at Kiranni's celebration, but hoped to god that I wouldn't. Correct as I usually was, he was there.

I saw Damien long before he spied me. I swallowed hard as I watched him from across the room. He had changed very little, I could tell with just one glance. Turning from him, I grabbed a glass that contained some kind of alcoholic beverage and downed it. I shuddered at the burning taste, whiskey maybe. It was strong either way.

Then he saw me.

I still wasn't facing him, but I felt his scarlet eyes burning on my back. Still holding the empty glass, I slowly turned to face him. He took me in slowly, until our eyes met, and he grinned his wolfish grin. He said something to the woman he had been conversing with, eyes still on me. I bit my lip in fear and anticipation. Then he slowly made his way towards me. I waited, gnawing on my bottom lip, until finally he stood before me. I hated this man, hated him with a passion. On the other hand, he was the man I was desperately in love with. Love, hate; things balance out in life.

"Feral," He finally said breathing my name more than actually saying it, accentuating the two syllables of it more than was necessary.

"Damien," I replied, watching his movements with a cautious eye. He reached up and began fiddling with a lock of my twilight coloured tresses that had come loose from the coif the rest of my hair was contained in. I reached up a hand and shut it over Damien’s, forcing him to stop. "Damien," I repeated his name warningly. He shifted his hand so that he was now holding my wrist. I restrained myself from wrenching it away with great difficulty. He then kissed my hand lightly to disguise his menacing gesture. Relinquishing his hold on my wrist, he let my arm fall limply to my side.

"I’ve missed you Feral," Damien replied, running a finger along my arm, constantly touching me as a sign of possession. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, his touch was like poison. With his other hand he eased the cup from my fingers and set it down somewhere I couldn't see, presumably on one of the many trays toted by waiters.

"Goddamnit Damien, you only want that which you cannot have," I replied, keeping my gaze on him. He continued to run his finger along my arm, unaware of its annoying quality.

"You used to want me dear. Feral, I have always loved you and you know it," Damien said, ruthlessly, tactfully. He was baiting me, toying with me. He knew it. I knew it. He knew that I knew it. This was Damien's way.

"I don't have time for this," I said, getting annoyed and turning to leave. I took two steps before Damien had grabbed my wrist once more. His grip was vice-like. I faced him once more; a moth in a spiders web.

"At least dance with me before you go," He said, and I knew there was no way to refuse. Anger bubbling to the surface slightly before dissipating, I held my tongue and tried my best to graciously accept the offer. The tune that played in the ballroom was a mournful ballad. It sounded improper being played at such an occasion. Damien led me to the dance floor and spun me gracefully; we had always danced nicely. He pulled me close so that I was right up against him. He was only a fraction taller than me, so I was forced to gaze into his eyes the entire time. I barely concentrated on the steps I was making, I just followed Damien's lead. All I could think about was his arm resting on my lower back, pinning me to him, and how he smelled so intoxicating. He was like a drug I was simply willing to submit to. My own hands rested reluctantly around Damien's neck. As he watched me, I knew he relished every moment that I was in his torture. I danced like I was a lifeless shell, a specter of myself, looking in on my own despair. At the end of the song I snapped out of my reverie, we still continued to dance however.

"If you love me, why do you make me suffer like this?" I questioned, still somewhat entranced by Damien's flickering eyes.

"Surely I thought it would be obvious," Damien said with a cold, sardonic smile, "You will feel for me again. It will take time, but it will happen."

"Over no span of time will I feel anything remotely close to love for you Damien. There is not enough time in the world to convince me that you care any more for me than you do for yourself."

"Well, we do have all the time in the world don't we, and I am willing to wait as long as it will take, for even in the possibility of our untimely deaths, we shall burn in hell together."

I looked away from him then, no longer able to stand the sight of his maniacal eyes. He chuckled ruthlessly, knowing my pain, wanting me to suffer unimaginably. He wanted me to suffer just because I was the only one, the only girl of his to get away: the only one gutsy enough to leave and stop coveting him. I turned back around. Never show weakness, never show fear. Never show weakness, never show fear…

"You disgust me," I spat at him, head held high. Then, before I could leave, he pulled me in close yet again and kissed me. I couldn't resist this bait. I wrapped my arms tightly about his neck, my fingers roving through his soot black hair, my eyes closing involountarily. We stayed like that for mere moments, but worlds of time went by. Then he pulled away, slowly, deliberately. My lips fought to stay near his as he drew away. My eyes reopened, and I was euphoric. His smile was evil and his eyes flashed. I wanted to burst into tears. He knew how vulnerable he had made me. I let my fingertips slide down his chest before they dropped my sides although Damien still had his arms about my waist. I felt ashamed that I had let Damien invade my desires once more, worse still, I simply felt angry. I was tired of loving someone who wouldn’t feel the same. My eyes became more focused and I wiped my lips on the back of my hand as if that would erase the kiss.

"Bastard," I said forcefully, my eyes fiery. He leaned closer to me and I feared he would give me another immobilizing kiss. Instead he leaned in close to my ear so that his lips brushed my lobe and breathed the words 'I know.' He laughed quietly in my ear intentionally letting his lips linger near me so I could not forget our kiss. I could barely keep my breathing steady let alone forget. He was seducing me, and it was working. I knew I had to break free, I would see Damien later, but this visit needed to end. He knew he was cracking me, so he began with my hair once more. I let him, so that he could believe he was winning me over.

Then, standing slightly on my toes, I leaned towards him like he had me, and I kissed his cheek, repeating his actions by moving away from him slowly. He wanted my kiss as much as I wanted his; point proven. He closed his eyes then, a smile playing across his lips. Then I leaned in towards his ear and whispered in the same breathy way 'Two can play your game, and I’m a sore fuckin’ loser. Au revoir mon animal favori,' before slipping out of his now limp grasp and heading for the exit.

I knew he angrily watched me as I stalked away, my violently red dress hugging my figure. I smirked knowing I had gotten one up on Damien. He had expected me to melt into his arms like vapor, but quite frankly, I was tired of doing what Damien wanted.

I awoke next afternoon and lay with my eyes closed a long while. I remembered the previous night and Damien's kiss came flooding back, I smiled in spite of myself. My lips seemed to tingle as I remembered. I stretched, still lying down, and ran my fingers through my hair. Suddenly aware of the day my eyes snapped open.

Flinging back the sheets, I slid out of bed. I brushed my hair quickly and once done, slipped on the burgundy shirt and black pants I had prepared for the day, leaving my hair hanging loosely. Finally done, I grabbed my daggers and headed for the stairs. These instruments of death seemed so innocent sheathed as such. I strapped my daggers around my waist, swiveling their positions so they were at my back. Slipping into my dark, indeterminate coloured bomber jacket I slipped out of apartment 402 not bothering to lock my door and headed for the stairs. The elevator seemed far too lazy for traveling only three floors.

I was just about at the stairs when I turned to glance back at my door and saw a note shoved in the mailbox. I stood, holding the door to the stairwell open and contemplating whether or not to get the note. Sighing, I went for it. It could be important, I tried to convince myself; yeah right, nobody important sent me mail. Grabbing the envelope, I tore it open and quickly scanned the letter. It was a dinner invitation from Damien. I rolled my eyes, great, just what I needed. I decided to think on whether I would go or not, but would send no reply. Either I’d show up or I wouldn’t, it was Damien’s problem if he didn’t know I was coming.

I chucked the envelope in the trash and shoved the invitation into the pocket of my coat, which was filled to the brim with a mish-mash of crap. I began tromping down the stairs at a fair pace, reached the door to the main level and kept going down to the underground parking lot. I descended the few remaining steps and came flying through the door to the garage.

The parking lot was for residents of the apartment complex only. It was a fairly cheap building, so all the cars parked there were slightly shabby and decrepit looking. Yawning unattractively, I rummaged for my keys at the bottom of my pocket and headed to where I’d parked my motorcycle. I had driven a motorcycle for as long as I could remember. Most places downtown were easily accessible on foot, but some places required going a little faster.

Starting the engine, I hopped on my bike and was soon zooming towards my destination. As I did, I considered my summons. I knew very little about Thadius Sirec, only that he owned the Del Rosa, an upscale hotel in what could be considered ‘Uptown.’ I had no clue why Thadius had wanted a meeting today, or why I was even supposed to attend. It was apparently about a mission of some type, but that could very well have just been speculation. I’d never met the man, never even seen him. Apparently, I wasn’t the only unfavourable creature who would be participating in this little soiree. I had heard rumours that others with my… qualifications, would also be in attendance. Other than that miniscule chunk of information, I knew nothing of what lay before of me.

Rolling into the parking lot of the Del Rosa Hotel, I had to admit, it was fairly impressive. The structure was massive in height and in width. The towering building rose many storeys into the air. It had to have had at least 50 floors. I jumped off my bike and killed the engine. I stood apprehensively in the parking lot for a few moments more. Eyes widening, I took a deep breath to calm myself and to remind myself that I had been in meetings like this one before. I often did freelance jobs for pretty much any company or singular individual. Being a mercenary for hire wasn’t exactly the most glamorous of jobs and didn’t exactly give you the greatest reputation, but it paid the bills. Play to your strengths, mine happened to be death, what else was a girl to do?

Finally deciding that I should just bite the bullet, I walked through the revolving door that deposited me on the inside of the Del Rosa. It was just as impressive from the inside as it was from the out. I had to stop myself from gasping, the hotel was absolutely gorgeous.

I had been given instructions to check in to conference room one which I did immediately. The clerk who worked at the front desk gave me brief directions and I headed the way she had indicated.

Reaching the set of French doors marked Conference Room 1 I stopped and composed myself before pushing the doors open and entering. Standing inside the doors were two guys taller than I was and twice as wide; security. I chuckled faintly to myself. Did these men really think that disarming me would truly stop me from killing their precious CEO? Knowing these two imbeciles would just search me and most likely attempt to feel me up, I handed over my daggers willingly, but shot the guys a look which said: If those go missing, you will die. Both glanced at each other with expressions that were half way between cockiness and wondering if I actually posed a threat. Still not trusting me, they did a quick pat down as if I’d somehow be hiding enough napalm to blow up the hotel.

I rolled my eyes slightly, and they seemed to only do a half job of the check as if sensing I was about to smack one of them in the face. I gave them a crazed fake smile as I headed further into the conference room.

Directly in front of me was a room full of people I knew. Their attention shifted to me as I entered, most pretending that they didn’t care who I was. I knew everyone here, they were all people I had worked with or come across in past. I quickly noted that in the room, I was the only female. I also realized with slight disdain that all the figures seated had turned to face me except for Damien, whom I could recognize from any angle. Shaking off my feeling of contempt, I looked away from the man to take in my other surroundings.

My eyes roved the rest of the large room, seeing that all of the seats were facing one chair which stood empty as of yet. I assumed this was where Thadius would address us from. I nodded, more to myself than anyone else. Figuring that it could take a while for Thadius to arrive, I took a seat at the very back of the room where I could watch everyone else.

Eventually, after a relatively short wait, a side door opened and a handsome looking man entered. I swallowed hard knowing I would have no trouble working for him. Then, of course, my cocky nature took charge. This was a man who had probably had everything handed to him on a silver platter. He looked to be around 25, only a few years older than me, and I had barely accomplished anything in my life at this point and it wasn’t for lack of trying. My contemptuous manner set in once more.

I yawned as if already bored and leaned back in my chair, resting my feet on top of the seat back in front of me. Thadius, as if sensing my slacking nature shot me a look that seemed to penetrate my thoughts. Pretending not to care, I shot back a glare of my own.

Thadius took a seat in the chair that had been waiting for him for some time now. He looked out at all of us, barely hiding a look of disgust, as if we were somehow inferior to him. I shook my head in anger.

After watching all of us for a moment, Thadius seemed to resign himself and began to speak. Surprisingly enough, it was me he addressed first, “You are Mia Feraline, are you not?”

I ground my teeth at being called my maiden name. I swear he asked just to get me this worked up, just to prove that he could. Everyone’s eyes turned discreetly back to me as if wanting to see how far I would push the boundaries. Keeping my composure, I made a big show of pretending to look around at everyone else present. “Do you see any other women? Or did Vince’s presence confuse you? I know he looks like a woman, but don’t be too hard on the guy” I replied in a tone both mocking and condescending, “And it’s Feral, please and thank you in advance,” I finished in a voice sarcastically polite. The other men in the room seemed to be containing their laughter, the man I’d referred to, Vincent, was grinding his teeth menacingly, but Thadius just looked at me as if I wasn’t impressing him. Things were just getting started.

Letting out a deep breath, Thadius began, “You’re probably all wondering why you’re here.” There were a few half-hearted grunts of consent. “The reason I have asked you to attend this little get-together, is because I need your assistance.” I snorted audibly, this should be good, a look of disbelief played across my face. Thadius resisted the urge to shoot me a venomous look, and instead continued, “I want to know everything there is to know about where my sister is. As you may or may not know, she’s a missing person as of now. If she is in fact dead, which I’m aware is a very real possibility, then I want you to kill her murderer.”

I was a little taken aback at Thadius’ honesty, I had figured he would have given some boring, long-winded speech before getting to the point. Another little fact I knew about Thadius, was that he had never married although he had come close before. I wondered now why he had not wed. It wasn’t as if he was undesirable in some way. Who would not want to be married to Sirec? He practically owned his own empire.

There was a long silence in the room. Everyone waited for more information, but none was forthcoming. I tapped my fingers against my knee impatiently waiting for someone to speak up.

Finally, a sinister man in appearance by the name of Marcel spoke up, “Why us?”

“Well…” Thadius began, apparently at a loss for words as he trailed into awkward silence.

I smirked at his inability to state what everyone in the room, apparently excluding Marcel (he never had been that bright), knew so obviously.

After no one said anything in answer for a few moments I finally let out an exasperated sigh and spoke up, “It’s because we are the lowlife of the city. The lowest of the low you might even say, and he’s half expecting it was one of us who did it. Is that not correct Thadius?” I questioned, rising from my seat and watching the man with a cocked head. A few of the dolts in front of me laughed at my having blatantly declared in laymen’s terms, what no one else had dared say for fear, or whatever other reason.

“Well, yes, as Ms Feraline has so openly put it, I suspect you. What reason would I have not to be suspicious of you who are a gang of vampires, demons, and criminals?” Thadius said, not bothering to contradict my statement. What I had said was truth; we were looked upon as the scum on societies shoes. Everyone in the room began mumbling to their neighbours. Apparently, Marcel wasn’t the only clueless one. I rolled my eyes at the dull creatures surrounding me. Only a few were silent, they were the ones who had known my words as truth even before I’d spoken them.

My attention span was fairly short, and therefore my mind wandered as Thadius continued.

“There is one more stipulation to your being hired by me,” Thadius said, regaining the attention of the congregation, “Mia is to be your leader for this operation. Once you have done as required, you will be paid out in full. Anyone who questions this agreement will not be compensated for their contribution.” Finishing his speech, Thadius looked at me resolutely.

My attention flew back to Sirec, my mouth slightly open; he had to be joking. Thadius’ expression turned to a satisfied smile at my shock and I hated him for that. I had expected Damien, or Marcel even to be left in charge. I had expected to be second tier as usual. This new power was amazing to me. I was still surprised however, I was the last person even I would have chosen to direct this operation, my sporadic nature and irrational decisions didn’t exactly make me a first choice for leading anything. However, perhaps I was just what this task required.

Either way, Thadius had seemingly chosen to overlook my track record.

All the men in front of me glanced back with jealous and contemptuous looks as if a female was not fit to lead their mission. I scowled at every one of them. They knew, better than any, that they couldn’t do a better job. Even if I did make stupid decisions, at least all of my actions weren’t based upon how many people we would get to slaughter. I shook my head slightly at the thought. Men.

Thadius, apparently having assumed that this was enough of a dismissal, spoke no further. All of the men, now in a foul mood at the prospect of being ordered around by yours truly, headed for the door through which they had arrived. Thinking fast, I realized that we should probably have a meeting. Quickly thinking my empty schedule through, I decided upon a week from now. Before all of my associates could leave, I told them the date on which we would meet. They all grunted in affirmation. Some offered congratulations, and I could tell those who did, did not share the sentiments they bid me. The last to depart was Damien. He shook my hand rather awkwardly and shoved a message into my palm. Fed up with his quirks, I told him the date of our meeting and quickly sidestepped and walked around him.

Finding all the other men gone, I turned back to Thadius who was still seated and had apparently been watching me. I was silent considering what I wanted to say to him. I did want to say something, I just couldn’t decide what. Don’t over think it you idiot. Then I changed my mind and couldn’t say anything.

So I turned to leave, but was then was struck with a thought. “Oh, one thing before I leave. How should I contact you?”

“I’ll be here. Otherwise…” Thadius motioned me towards him and rummaged in the pocket of the jeans he was wearing. I finally stood just in front of him, waiting, rather impatiently at this point. Eventually, he withdrew the pen he had been looking for and grabbed my hand. Clenching the pen cap between his teeth, he quickly wrote ten numbers on the top of my hand. “If I’m not here at the hotel, you can reach me twenty-four seven at that number.”

I nodded as I made out the number, which was written nearly illegibly. Dropping my hand to my side I tuned and headed for the exit. I cast a look back at Sirec as I was at the doors and his eyes still lingered upon my retreating form. The thugs who had taken my daggers weren’t where they had been at my arrival, so I asked the same clerk who had helped me before. She seemed flustered and quickly told me where to head.

Finally reaching Thadius’ cronies, I reclaimed my arms. I shot the pair of them hateful glares that made them shiver and lower their gazes. A smile of triumph crossed my face at their submission. I quickly stalked away and exited into the relatively fresh air of the city. Only now that I was away from the stream of people who kept exiting and entering the Del Rosa did I give another thought to Damien’s note, which was still clutched in my hand.

I quickly unfolded the scrap of paper and read over the message that was contained therein. I’m watching you. Once I had read it over, I stopped in the middle of the parking lot, a look of bewilderment on my features. What kind of psychotic, disturbed individual sent anyone messages like this? Damien, that was who. Breathing deep, I crushed the note in my palm and shoved it deep into my pocket as if trying to shove something vile out of my life.