Beware: Vampires

“Look! It’s Raqueen!” someone shouted from below. People among the streets and sidewalks looked up to see the slender female jump from roof to roof towards the outskirts of Fairyland, Tamera Province.

“Where’s she going?” another person wondered aloud.

“Probably to get another bounty, or to hunt another beast. Who knows with Raqueen.”

The Prince looked up at once, only giving him enough time to see the lady jump off the cliff. “What’s Raqueen’s real name?” he asked aloud.

“Ah, that’s Valdene, your majesty.”

“It’s been such a long time since we saw Valdene, hasn’t it, Sebastian?”

“Yes, it has. Around eight years ago; when she first arrived at Tamera Province.”

“Oh, yes! I had greeted her and her guardian... what was his name?”

“It was Ariosto from Red Province in Nightmare Country.”

“Ariosto. That sounds about right. I forget what happened to Valdene and Ariosto after that first greeting. Do you remember?”

“Let’s get in the carriage first, your majesty. People are starting to stare.” The Prince nodded and stepped up into the carriage, followed by his personal butler, Sebastian waited for the carriage to start before he began the story.

“Ariosto and your father, King Orion, went into parlour number thirty with your mother, Queen Keira, leaving a quiet and pathetic looking Valdene. We didn’t have the time to talk to her since she was taken away by the other butlers and maids. I was told by Jason that they bathed her and clothed her in your deceased sister’s clothes, then sent her to Youna’s room.

“The next day we learned Valdene was going to be staying with us for a while. She lived with us for only a few months before running away. She never spoke a word to us, only to Ariosto. She always wrote letters to some person far away and no one knew who, even Ariosto.”

“I know what happened after that. A few weeks after she ran away, she became the new number one Hunter of Tamera Province, and in the top ten of Kisaki Country. Right?”

“That’s right, your majesty. I’m happy you remember.”

“Was Valdene ever in Green Province or Blue Province of Nightmare Country?” the Prince wondered.

Sebastian thought for a moment. “I believe she was. I think something tragic happened to her a long time ago, when she was little, and was taken in by Callisto and Irvana of Blue Province. Then she was transferred to Green Province to live with Blackstone and Hana.”

“Then she lived with Ariosto and Gana?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder what happened to her...”

“Me too, your majesty.”

As talk and chatter continued below Valdene, she made a last jump off the edge of a particularly tall medieval building, and fell down the edge of the cliff. Her hand held onto her black fedora hat and her other arm was kept stiffly outstretched for balance as she did flips and tumbles, her black trench coat flailing all around her.

She flew through bushes that clung to the side of the cliff, brushed closely to the rocks, and finally fell through a large tree’s branches, which cushioned her landing on the forest floor. Valdene stood, glanced around, and continued at walking speed toward her home, a mansion hidden deep within the forests at the base of Fairyland that she had found eight years ago after running away from the Royals.

In her heart, she hated the Royals. All Royals of Kisaki Country. They were all dictators and evil masters of their provinces. It sickened her. This was the only reason why she wanted to move to Nightmare Country. There, the Emperors ruled with the style of vote. Although, who was the Emperor was ruled by bloodline, what they did was done in a voting style.

What was holding her back was her dear friend Yamini, a cat girl who lived in Seashell, Tamera Province and made occasional surprise visits, and her desire to Hunt in Tamera Province.

Valdene opened the front door of the mansion, creaking as it did so, and stepped in. Closing the door, she heard snoring coming from the parlour. Knowing it was Yamini, she sighed inwardly and walked towards the sound. Right there, was Yamini, sleeping on the sofa. Valdene laughed lightly and smiled—a rare sight to see—and pulled out a quilt from the cupboard then laid it over Yamini gently—also something rare, coming from Valdene.

“Silly, Yamini. I thought you hated the sofa. If you keep visiting like this I’ll have to Hunt you,” she joked quietly. After she laughed again, Valdene turned and climbed the stairs to get to her room. She quickly undressed and climbed into bed, thinking about how her life is now.

After Valdene had run away from the Royals, she had established the mansion she found as her new home. Soon after, she was found by a Hunter, and was quickly taken in without word. He said his name was Thanatos, and told her that every Hunter needed a nickname or alias to run under.

‘Why is your nickname “Thanatos”?’ Valdene suddenly asked.

He looked up. ‘Why? Thanatos was, in Earth’s Greek mythology, the daemon personification of Death and Mortality. You know I’m a Hunter, right, girl? And that I’ve been training you to become a Hunter, right?’ Valdene nodded and swallowed as the scar on her neck started to burn again.

‘Why are you here, Thanatos?’ she finally asked. This question had plagued her mind, her tongue, to ask for the past few weeks.

He laughed. ‘I was running away from a Vampire. He’d tracked me down a few provinces, to here. I think I’m at the end of the line, girly. I’ve been led to you, here in this mansion near Fairyland. I think it’s an omen.’

Valdene cocked her head. ‘An omen? For what?’

‘I think I was brought here to train you to be a Hunter.’ Those words brought joy to Valdene and she smiled. ‘You’re going to be my heir; the next number one Hunter in all of Kisaki Country.’ This only made her even more happy.

Five days later, the vampire that was tracking Thanatos came and wreaked havoc upon the small, short-lived family.

Valdene was reading a book on Hunting when she heard a crash come from below. Immediately, she threw the book to the floor and raced down the stairs to the parlour. There, she saw the furniture had been upturned, blood on the floor and walls, and Thanatos on the carpeted floor, bleeding madly. She cursed inwardly and rushed to the bleeding Thanatos, tears threatening to make their fall down her porcelain face.

Words would not form from her mouth, only gurgles and whimpers were audible. Thanatos’ hand raised to lightly touch Valdene’s face. ‘Don’t worry, girly, I’ve taught you all I know, already. Your best bet, now, is to become a Hunter. Make me proud, Valdene.” His hand dropped to his side and finally tears fell from Valdene’s eyes since the attack when she was four. This was the first time Thanatos used her name.

‘Th-Thanatos? Thanatos?!’ Tears continued to fall and soon her vision became blurred. The last thing she remembered before she woke up was seeing Yamini climb through the parlour’s broken glass window, calling for her.

Abruptly, Valdene awoke. Cold beads of sweat fell down her horrified face, her wide eyes began to water, but no tears fell. She didn’t allow them to fall.

The afternoon light filtered through the tattered curtains that framed the window across the room and aside her bed. As her heartbeat decreased, she strained her ears to try and hear anything other than her own breath.

Below her, she could hear the smashing of pots and pans, as well as the occasional curse and sudden yelp of pain. “Yamini, why do you come over here to stay with such a wreck as me?” Valdene mumbled. Slowly, she climbed out of bed and got dressed in a casual set of 

clothes which consisted of a black tank top, a black mesh t-shirt, a short black skirt with laced edges, knee high boots, “Hunter’s Hat,” and her trademark, the red ribbon she always wears.

As she climbed down the stairs she heard one particular loud yelp and the sound of something hard hit the floor. Valdene hurried, and when she opened the kitchen door she saw a knife on the floor and Yamini’s hand dripping in a vibrant, crimson blood. Yamini looked up, horrified. “Valdene! It’s not what it looks like! I’m sorry I woke you!”

“Shut up, Yamini, you’re bleeding.” Valdene walked forward steadily and grabbed the poor cat girl’s hand, causing her to execute a small yelp of pain. “Sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Slowly, Valdene brought her lips to the cut and blew on it. The flowing blood turned into a red dust and fell to the floor, leaving Yamini’s wounded hand without a scratch nor scar. Valdene let go of the hand and Yamini retracted it, staring at it with amazement. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now let me help you with what you’re making.”

“It’s been eight years since you’ve been able to do that, and yet I’m still amazed by it.”

Valdene chuckled. “You’re silly. Let’s get to work.” Yamini nodded and the two started work on brunch.

“So there’s going to be a ball, eh? Do you think Haden will be there?” Valdene asked quietly. Valdene and Yamini were shopping in the market square when Valdene happened upon a flyer posted on a wall advertising about a ball the Royal family was hosting that evening.

“It says only nobles are allowed. Haden wouldn’t be able to pass up the opportunity to feast on all those high ranked people,” Yamini concluded in thought. Valdene’s grip on her pouch tightened.

Because Valdene was a Hunter, and Hunter’s aren’t accepted in regular society, she and Yamini had to frequently disguise themselves in casual clothing just to shop in the market. For Valdene, this was a purple-black blouse, black skirt, pink and gold pouch around her waist, leather shoes, record earrings, and a mink jacket. For Yamini, it was just a t-shirt and shorts, with sandals.

“I’m going,” Valdene stated.

“How? You have no official records of being a noble in Tamera Province.”

“I’ll masque as my mother. People in Tamera Province aren’t up-to-date with events all the way in Nightmare Country.” For a moment, Yamini looked worried for Valdene. Would she get caught?

“What are you going to wear to cover your tattoos?” They started to continue walking because people we beginning to stare at them.

“Makeup. Just a little over the devil wing one. The sun and the wings won’t need any if I wear the purple fancy dress.” Her face was calm and cold; serene, even. It certainly held Yamini’s attention, and even a few of the men passing by her.

“Are you positive you’re going to do it, Val? You know, if you’re caught it’s straight to the guillotine, right?” Yamini’s words were cautious.

“Yes, I know. But don’t worry, I won’t get caught. I won’t allow myself to be caught.” She tried to smile but failed, producing a half grin.

Yamini giggled. “You better come back in one piece or else I’ll kill you,” she joked.

“Of course. My death is all yours.” And with those solemn words the two women walked home in the late afternoon sun.

“How do I look, Yamini?” Valdene twirled and tried for a smile. She wore a flowing dark purple gown that wrapped around her body. She wore her casual purple record earrings and a wrap of purple lace around her wrist. Her shoes were dark purple stilettos from the old world. Antiques.

“You look beautiful. Now leave, quickly! I’ll be here until tomorrow afternoon so try to be home before then.” Yamini shuffled Valdene through the front door and shut it. “Now time to do some reading...”

“How rude. Kicking me out of my own house,” Valdene said, already in noble mode. She climbed up the stairs to reach the top of Fairyland, and then more steps to the castle.

Guards held up their swords in front of Valdene, preventing her to pass. “We’ve never seen you here before. Are you really a noble?” one of them asked.

“Of course, I am! I’m Natasha Nyx, a noble from Nightmare Country. I was passing by when I saw one of the flyers and wanted to make a visit.” The men eyed her carefully until a passing man in noble clothing swept by.

“Why, Natasha! What a coincidence seeing you here! How long has it been? Six years?” The man had white hair but looked young. He had very pale skin and sharp eyes. Valdene knew immediately who it was. In her head she heard the words, ‘Valdene, what a pleasure seeing you here. I expect payment for this.’

“You know her, sir?”

“Of course! We’re old friends!”

The guards let them both pass and Valdene whispered a thank you. A hundred yards down the grand hall and Haden pulled Valdene behind a pillar.

“Why on Earth are you here? What do you plan on doing?” he growled.

“I’m here to stop you from gaining power any higher. How dare you abuse what you are. I’m a Hunter. I should exterminate you,” she retorted.

Haden smirked. “But you can’t, can you? I never knew I played such a deep role in your love life, Valdene.”

“Shut up! You don’t know anything about me now! I should kill you.” She pulled out half a silver arrow from her clutch in a flash, the arrowhead resting on Haden’s neck. “Silver to your throat should make due for now.” Her voice was low and deadly, Valdene would not give up on the simple chance.

“So you plan on stunning me? In Fairyland’s Royal palace? Everyone would think I were dead and your mother to blame. Do you think that’s a befitting end to your long gone mother? Do you even remember her?”

“I said shut up!” The arrow dug into his neck.

“I know where she is now, Valdene. I’m the only one in the whole world who knows the secret your mother left behind. Would you believe me if I told you I’m her friend right now?”

“Liar!”

He laughed a dark and deep laugh. Haden crossed his arms. “I’m a cheat, not a liar. You know that better than anyone, Valdene.” His voice was hot and steamy.

Valdene tried to keep her face firm. “Don’t you try to pull those moves on me now, Haden. They won’t work.”

“Then what’s this?” He raises his hand to stroke Valdene’s cheek. They’re warm. “I don’t remember them being this color unless we were together.”

She slapped his hand away. “What if there’s another I’m thinking about?”

“There isn’t.”

“What if there is?”

His smile fell and instead formed an angry frown. “I’d kill him.”

“You wouldn’t. Because I’d kill you first.” Her muscles tensed up and readied for the stab. But his arm instead grabbed hers and he locked her in a firm grasp. She was pinned to him. Pinned in a way she did not like. Literally, mentally, and emotionally she was his.

“My, my. Have we grown such since the last we met eyes. Was that only eighteen years ago, dear.”

“Don’t refer to me in such a tender way!” Valdene shouted. She didn’t struggle, she knew it was futile. Strength was one of her poor spots and Haden knew it.

He stroked her cheek softly. “Please, won’t you accept my apology and live eternity with me?”

“I’d rather die! You killed my father! You killed Thanatos!”

His grasp on her tightened. “I was hunting down Thanatos for ages before you came along, sweetie. I knew your father longer than he knew me.”

“Who are you? Tell me who you are!”

“Anything for you. I’m Haden De Sang-Froid. I’ve been on your father’s hunt list since he first joined the National Hunter Organization. I’ve been on many Hunters’ lists. None of them have killed me, yet. What makes you so special, Valdene? Is it that you have my heart? However cold it may be it still beats for you.”

“You killed my family! I can never love you!”

“Who’s here?” a male voice shouted from the red carpet only feet away from Valdene and Haden. He cupped his hand over Valdene’s mouth. She didn’t object. There was only silence as the man stood there, pleading his ears to pick up something.

Haden smiled when he saw who it was. “Oh, it’s just him. No problem. A little exchange with him and my reason for being here is over.” Valdene tensed and tried to break free.

“There! Who’s there?” the man shouted.

“Hell, you’ve done it now, Valdene. I’ll expose you,” Haden whispered in her ear.

“Not if I kill you first!” Valdene jumped and kicked off the pillar, pushing her into Haden and sending them both backwards.

“What the—! Mr. De Sang-Froid? And who are you?” the man shouted, appalled.

Valdene rushed up and away from Haden. She looked around the pillar to see the man who had bought her time. It was a noble. For once she panicked. A plan formed in her head and she acted out on it immediately. There was no time for calculating logic. She grabbed the noble’s hand and dragged him out through the front doors and off to the low slum rooftops. She wouldn’t be able to get far with this extra luggage.

On impulse, she pulled the noble towards Fairyland’s outer walls and jumped off into the forest below. The nobleman screamed. Valdene only laughed. As usual, they landed in trees before falling another ten feet to the ground. “Come with me, noble or else that vampire will kill you,” she said and started dragging him towards her mansion-like home.

The man didn’t have much choice. How would he climb all the way back up? Even the path is a hard walk. He followed Valdene to her home and once she locked the doors and closed the curtains she studied him. Yamini was already asleep in a chamber room upstairs and she didn’t want to bother her.

“Who are you, ma’am?” the noble asked.

“My name’s Valdene. I’m the local Hunter of Tamera Province. Who are you?”

“You’re Raqueen?” the man shouted.

“Shut up. Don’t be so loud. My friend’s upstairs sleeping and I don’t want her to wake up already; she has a though day ahead. Now who are you?”

“You don’t know who I am? You don’t remember? How can you?”

“Don’t answer a question with another question, noble. In fact, I hate nobles. I only stole you to prevent Haden from gaining power. I hate Royals, too. They sicken me. You aren’t one of them by any chance are you?”

“My name is Eric. I come from Seaside.”

“Great, that’s where my friend’s from. She can quiz you tomorrow to see if you’re telling the truth or not now spit it out. Where are you from?”

Eric sighed. “I’m from Fairyland.”

“Oh? Then why haven’t I seen you around?”

“You said so yourself you don’t like nobles. You don’t like Royals, either. They’re always near each other.”

“Untrue. Nobles go on hunting trips around these forests. And not for demons, either. That’s my job.”

“So Raqueen really is a Hunter, eh?”

“Of course. I supposedly have a family member involved but I don’t know who... Shut up and go to sleep. If you’re not here tomorrow morning I’ll leave you to die. There are demons in these parts. It’s the main reason why nobles go doe hunting; the thrill of being able to die at any moment.”

“It’s like we’re chosen to live another day.”

“Is that how you nobles feel? I’ll mull it over tonight. Night, bastard noble.”

Eric sighed. “Goodnight, Raqueen.”