Fali Estraga
From the dark of eyelids to the dark of night, my eyes examined the intricate inside of my coffin lid. Details of God and Jesus mocked the Demon Blood that runs through my veins. Demon Blood that I refused to feed. I laid here for weeks, months, maybe. I was getting old and so goes my time perception. What a wonderful loss! I believe, if we know how long we really exist, we would burn ourselves alive…or dead as the case may be.

What were we? What are we, more accurately? Vampires. The Children of Demons. Masters of Darkness. Jesters in our own Grotesque Court. We are beautiful and deadly. We swoon and slit throats. We are beloved and forever lonely.

Suddenly, the pain hit. My body doubled in my coffin, and I let out a roar. I had not fed for longer than I had laid here. The Demon Blood demanded a sacrifice. I could no longer deny it.

Rising from my resting place, I unlocked the door manually from the inside and mentally from the outside. Fifteen hundred years and I had yet to make another. I was unsure if I found our Grotesque Court too rich or too revolting to bring in new clowns. Whatever the reason, my aging accursed soul longed for companionship.

I stalked from my apartment dressed in my finest: deep, royal purples, enticing, mysterious blacks and shining silver. Those colors would have made me a queen but my century is far gone. My plum skirts billowed around my legs. I swiped strands of onyx hair from my face as not to distract from lavender eyes set in cognac skin.

My eyes were black once as well as my hair was dark brown and my name was my own. I was Falisha Estratre, a distant but influential niece of the royal family. I was homely and became depressed as I saw all my sisters and cousins and even second cousins being courted and married. My despair then caught the attention of a most dangerous gentleman caller, Andreas duMerond. The mysterious and wealthy Spanish duke became the man to take my name, my ugliness and my life. He created the monstrosity that now walks and hypnotizes every human she passes.

“Estraga means she ruins, corrupts and depraves,” he had said with loathsome laugh. The Duke duMerond had an awful sense of humor. Now I am Princess Fali Estraga, Mistress of Love and Death.

I was pulled from my memories as I found myself staring into dark green eyes surrounded by bright blonde hair. Alice was her name, and she had strong body but a weak mind. A combination I quite enjoyed. I did not let her hear my foot falls until I was directly behind her.

Sweet Alice screamed, “who are you?”

“I am Princess Fali Estraga, Mistress of Love and Death.”

“I—“ she began but was cut off as I moved quickly enough that she did not feel anything until she was passed out in my arms. I jerked the body violently to feel the faint pulse and spasms through the dying muscles. The warmth, the taste was almost too much. I nearly sucked beautiful Alice dry before snapping her neck. I make sure to take her money and jewels. I had no use for them but what good mugger would kill and not take possessions. Let the next day’s headline read: “Young Woman Killed in Brutal Mugging.” I let out a hardy laugh. Oh, how I loved this city.

I made my way to the Savage Garden, a bar owned and run by vampires but frequented by humans. Some came seeking the mysteries that surround the place while others came to be lavished by vampiric glances of eyes and grazes of teeth. As I enter that night, I could smell it. That place throbbed with the blood of the willing. Young beauties thirsted to quench my thirst. I encountered a brush of disappointment that I could not make these young ones’ dreams come true, but it was quickly vanquished as I felt lovely Alice’s life force pumping through my veins.

I gently scanned the room. I found weak minds, open minds, strong minds, and one guarded mind. Could that be correct? Was there someone here who not only knew what we are but also knew what we are capable of? I had to find this person. I followed the trace to an angel sitting in a dark corner of the bar. He had crimson hair, a cherubic face and thin frame. What a god the Grotesque Court could make of this angel!

I sat quickly, but I let my steps be heard. I scanned him thoroughly, and only came up with his name: Javeyn. It was too beautiful not to be said aloud.

“Good Evening, dearest Javeyn.”

He did not jump or flinch. He barely moved to look at my face. I could not stand it. I wanted to entrance this delicate angel so desperately.

“Oh precious Javeyn, do look upon the face that loves you so,” I implored needing his attention, my thoughts had nothing to do with his blood.

“Do you want heart, soul, body, mind? Speak it quickly, beauteous Satan, for I know what you are,” the angel snarled with a faint accent. I had to hold in a gasp, as his glare cut into my eyes. Navy gems posed as his eyes, and his blood-tinted hair covered one. He made too tempting a picture.

“What if all I ask is a conversation, enthralling Javeyn?”

“Then you shall be lying to yourself and your creed. What is your desire? Is it blood? I am not of the children here. I do not share my life willingly?”

I could not help but smile, show my fangs and watch Javeyn’s utter lack of reaction. “I do swear, beloved Javeyn, that my intentions are true and have little to do with your blood,” I stated as though reading an official document. All at once, I felt it. I was what fragile Javeyn really wanted. I felt his despair, his hatred of this world and I wanted him to know I was willing make him what he secretly desired.

“Fine. Before I shall converse with you, I must know. What do you actually want?” he asked still believing I had ulterior motives.

“What do you really want, precious Javeyn?” I inquired wishing to get the smallest glimpse of his mind. He did not blink or fidget or break eye contact. Delicate Javeyn stared into my lavender eyes unafraid as if he was attempting to warn me, and I held back laughter.

“Someone. I want someone…forever.” His stare did not falter and his muscles did not twitch.

I raised an eyebrow, ”Are you sure when you want forever, heavenly Javeyn? Do you know the meaning of forever?”

My angel only nodded, “Forever.”

---

A/N: Savage Garden is what Lestat called the world through the eyes of the vampire in the “The Vampire Lestat” by Anne Rice. Everything else is mine. XD review if you would please!