Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 12:21:30 -0700 (PDT) From: britt bertolone Subject: Tears of a Vampire (fantasy) Oo0o0ooTears_of_a_vampireoo0o0oo Oo0o0ooChapter_oneoo0o0oo Oo0o0oo_Rebels _oo0o0oo Oo0o0ooBy_Raye_&Ashlynoo0o0oo For the past two hundred years I had been condemned to walk in the shadows of life, not really truly existing. We shouldn't have to live our lives in secrecy. We, the immortals. We should be able to walk fearless in the open. Fortunately for me, I do not care about being "secret" about whom and what I am. And as far as the elders are concerned, I could care less. I'm what they would call an Anarch, a vampire with little or no respect for the "elders." But then again, who would? Just because they know the old way, they think they're more superior. Like Dante, ugh.... The very thought of that bastard pisses me off. To him everything had to be so damn perfect, but enough of me complaining about that. My name is Velken, and obviously, I am a vampire. As tempting immorality might seem, it's nothing like you predict it to be once you've been condemned to hell. But I guess there's nothing I can do, I can not reverse what I have become, and I haven't been mortal for such a long time I doubt I'd go back if I could. I am stuck in this life, whatever it is this life is supposed to be..... Oo0o0ooTears_of_a_vampireoo0o0oo The flickering light from the nearby street lamp illuminated his face as Velken stood on the balcony watching, but not really paying any attention to his surroundings. His blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail except for a lose strand that fell over his left eye as his hands tightly grasped the railing and looked down into the quiet, almost dead streets. Xavier stumbled out of a back alley and into the street leaning against the wall of the buildings, he willed his heartbeat to slow. A red glow from a dying streetlamp illuminated his battered body. Bruises marked the once cream colored skin and his shoulder length raven hair escaped the feeble attempt at a ponytail. He groaned as he looked down at his left arm. A long gash tore the silk fabric. The wound was deeper than he thought. "Fuck." In an instant Velken was in the alleyway beside the lamp post, his arms crossed casually over his chest as he watched the teenager from the darkened alley. Grumbling, Xavier pulled a small knife from his pocket and cut away the sleeve to examine his injury. The cut was deep, slicing through both skin and muscles. Crimson tears still wept from the wound. Needless to say, it hurt like a bitch. "Ah damn it. I don't need this today." Velken stepped out of the shadows, still watching Xavier as he tucked the lose strand of his hair behind his ear. "What happened to you if I might ask?" The young man's eyes snapped up, the reddish glow turning the dark blue orbs violet. "Why should you care?" he lowered his eyes. "Just curious, thought I might be able to help." Velken answered rolling his eyes. "Now are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to force it out of you?" Xavier pulled his wounded arm against his chest. "I was hunting." He said evasirly. The vampire raised an eyebrow. "You are so full of crap." He answered walking over to Xavier, studying him carefully. The young man took a step back. "I'm telling the truth." A grim smile painted his lips. "I was hunting my brother's murderers. Not that it's really any of YOUR business." "Everything is my business kid." Velken answered as he brushed past Xavier. "Keep that in mind, will you?" "Fuck you, jackass! I'm not a little kid either. My name's Xavier, ass wipe." Velken stopped where he was and in a matter of seconds he had the teenager pinned to the alley wall by his throat. "First off, I really don't care what the hell your name is. Okay? Now, listen to me because I'm only going to say it once. Be careful what you say around or to me. I'm not about to have some fucking little punk tell me off." He said angrily as he slowly released Xavier's throat from his grasp. "Don't let it happen again. Understand?" Xavier just stared at the taller man. Velken smirked slightly then continued walking away. "That's what I thought. Stupid brat." "Don't -- you -- EVER call me a brat." Xavier growled, tossing the small knife at the taller man's back. Velken turned around catching the knife between his middle and index fingers, his grin widening as he approached Xavier and placed the knife back in his hand. "I wouldn't do that again if I were you." The teenager blinked. "How in the fucking hell?" The vampire smiled and patted Xavier on the head. "Next time you want to play with adults, at least be able to aim properly, you kind of suck. And try not to be so predictable." A vein in Xavier's eye twitched. "Don't treat me like a kid." He snapped, glaring at the man. Velken looked at Xavier before grabbing his arm, his nails digging deep into the teenager's flesh. "And why shouldn't i? You're just a child anyways." "I am not just a child. Would a child be able to kill three people? I think not." Xavier spat through gritted teeth. "Depends actually." Velken answered as he let go of the teenager's arm. "Any child of mine would, fortunately for me I'm not stuck with such a stubborn little pain in the ass such as yourself." I should reward the person who can put up with you. While I may be a little pain in the ass, you're a full blown royal pain." Velken smiled and leaned up against the other side of the alley and looked at Xavier. "I `m pleased to be the way I am. You, on the other hand, really need an attitude adjustment." He said crossing his arms over his chest and raising an eye brow. Xavier's lips formed a half-smile as he shrugged. "I know that." A twinge of pain reminded the teenager of his injured arm. "But before I receive any more education tonight I need to take care of this damn arm." "Let me see it." Velken said holding out his hand out for the teenager's arm. Xavier extended his arm wincing as he moved it. The vampire slowly moved his fingers gently over Xavier's arm as he watched the younger man's expression. The young man drew in a startled breath as he felt his flesh knit back together. He looked up at Velken. "You're a vampire" The vampire smiled slightly. "What makes you think that?" "I'm not that stupid. I know what powers the dark gift can bestow. My brother was doing research on it." "Just because I can heal doesn't necessarily make me a vampire." Velken said stepping back. "But if you must know, yes I am." Xavier nodded. "That explains how you caught my knife. I haven't missed yet." "Guess I ruined your reputation." Velken answered as he turned and walked away. "See you around kid, don't get yourself into too much trouble." He said as he looked over his shoulder and winked. Xavier's eyes flashed. "Hey, get your ass back here!" Velken walked over to the teenager, his hand resting against the wall right above Xavier's head as he leaned close to the young man. "What?" "Uh... n -- nothing. Forget it." Xavier turned his head away, their close proximity making him nervous. "Don't lie, I can sense when people are lying kid. Now, let's try again... What do you want?" Velken asked smiling. "My name's Xavier, remember it would you?" "Whatever." The vampire answered as he moved away from the teenager. "I'm Velken." The younger man nodded mutely. "I have things I need to take care of, things that are far more important then hanging out here with you." Velken said as he placed his hands in his pockets. "Then why haven't you left then? You could have ignored me." Xavier tilted his head questioningly. "You told me to wait; I was merrily doing what you asked." Velken said with another smile but before Xavier say anything else he had disappeared into the shadows. Oo0o0ooTears_of_a_vampireoo0o0oo Annabell paced the underground room muttering to herself. "Dante, Dante, Dante, curse you fucking Dante." She tossed a curled strand of blond hair behind her shoulder and continued pacing. Velken walked into the room, when he saw his sister he shook his head. "What the hell are you doing?" "Oh just cursing a certain elder. Oh and waiting for you. What the hell took you so long?" "I ran into someone." Velken answered falling into a nearby seat. "but then again what business is it of yours?" "As you always say, big brother, everything's my business." She curled up on the sofa and rested her head on her folded hands. "But what about this someone? Was he interesting and have a name?" Velken rolled his eyes. "Interesting yes, but like I said, it's none of your business. And... wait- how did you know it was a he?" Annabell smiled. "You find him intriguing." Velken swung his legs over one of the arms of his seat and leaned back. "So what if I do?" "You haven't found someone you liked in quite a while. Oh you have to let me see him before you break him. It's not fair that you get a newplaything." &nbs p; "He ain't my plaything!!!" Velken shouted as he sat straight up in his seat. "And I doubt I'll ever be seeing him again to begin with." "Oh did I hit a nerve?" she leaned back lazily. "I have a feeling you'll see him again." "Oh? And what makes you so sure about that?" he asked pulling the black ribbon from his hair and letting it fall past his shoulders. "I already said, he's just a kid." "You call everyone younger than you that. Hell you call ME that half the time. And why do I say you'll see him again? Well, just call it a hunch." She sighed. "Why do you insist on pulling your hair up?" "I don't like it in my face." Velken answered as he tucked a strand back and untied the lace of his shirt. "You always have some sort of excuse don't you?" Velken smiled softly. "`Course I do." "always my brother." She shook her head. "So are you going to tell me that potential plaything's name?" "HE'S NOT MY FUCKING PLAYTHING!! And if you must know, his name's Xavier. There? Happy?" Velken asked crossing his arms over his chest in defeat. Annabell smiled. "Sooooo his name's Xavier. A fitting name. A human I guess?" "Why the hell do you know so much?" he asked as he leaned back in his seat and stared at his little sister. "What? I just guessed. You called him a kid so that pretty much rules vampires out." "He could be a fledgling...or --or um.... A vanpean. Why do you automatically assume he's human?" "Like I said a hunch. It's not like I followed you or something." Velken raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't put it past you." He said crossing his arms over his chest. "After all, you have done it before." "Well I haven't this time." Annabell crossed her arms and pouted. "The dark gift is different for us all." "Don't you think I know that? Must I remind you... I've been stuck like this longer than you have." "Then don't accuse me of spying." "I'm not accusing you of anything damn it." Velken answered as he stood up and leaned against the wall. "Yes you are! Or....or at least you were." Velken rolled his eyes. "I'm out of here." He said as he turned to leave the room. "Hey! You should look for Xavier tomorrow!" "Shut the fuck up, I don't think so." Velken answered as he left the room slamming the door shut behind him. Annabell smirked at the closed door. "Predictable as always."