Howl by Brieanna Boyce (chrome ebook reader txt) 📖

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I walked up to one booth that had 3 vampires and one human. Each vampire looked attractive in their own way. This however did not catch my attention; in truth I had never once seen an ugly vampire and no longer found their looks extremely tempting. What did catch my attention was the human with them the drinks were poured down him. They all cackled at him cruelly, entertained by his stupidity.

I cleared my throat, “No one else is having any drinks?”

The vampires fell silent, looking at me suspiciously; they knew that I was a vampire. Yet I had interrupted their entertainment which clearly they didn’t take kindly to.

“What of it?” A female vampire hissed. Lately I had a growing disdain for the entire female populace including myself. My mother and Ashley seemed to be the only exceptions.

“Well it just seemed odd is all,” I shrugged innocently but kept an eye on them. Continuing onto another table I couldn’t help but wonder, Why, I mean I liked the smell of humans, I yearned for their blood and yet I could resist drinking from them. Perhaps other vampires felt more compulsion than I did, perhaps that after a change vampires feel less attached or maybe drinking human blood was engrained as their only possibility that there were no other options. Maybe vampires are so gifted they see themselves as better, that humans should be privileged to die for them. Maybe like people, they all have their own individual reasons. It still didn’t make sense though, there had to be more of a reason something underlying.

I went to a table where a lone vampire sat waiting; his eyes were blue, intelligent, and contemplative. He looked at me with a smile, “those are awfully interesting eyes.”

I smiled, “thank you. I was thinking the same of yours.” He was obviously a vampire far too lovely to be a human, but he also had an aura of power. One that seemed much stronger than the other vampires, I could tell that he was very old.

“How may I help?” I asked feeling cowed by his presence.

“Give me your finest wine.” He said in finality, as if I had no other choice but I suppose I didn’t have much of one. I hurried to get his wine not understanding why I was so fascinated by him; I suppose I thought I could learn more from him. I came back with the wine pouring it.

“Leave the bottle here.” He commanded regally. I obeyed and pushed down my irritation.

I watched as the wine stained his lips seductively. His grace unmatched by any of the other vampires in the bar, they all seemed to look to him occasionally as if for approval. “Is there something else?” The man asked, his eyebrow rising quizzically.

I bit my lip, “I want to ask you something…”

The vampire laughed leaning back in his cheer analyzing me, “Is that so?” He thought for a moment than shrugged, “alright sit.”

I looked hesitantly at my boss, the owner, and tried to decide whether or not it was a good idea. “He will not mind,” the vampire said dismissively, “now sit.”

I did so, trying to bite back my pride. I didn’t take kindly to others telling me what to do, especially if they were as arrogant as this man in front of me. Yes, he was very arrogant, his eyes shined with hunger, his smile was a proud one. As if he was daring me, or anyone else, even the world to do something, to challenge him. Challenge him how I did not know.

“So child, what is it you wish to know?” he said his eyes prodding, “you see I have someone accompanying me.”

“Oh,” I said dumbly, “Well I want to know… how… why…vampires are so hungry, for everything.”

He smiled his blue eyes dancing with amusement, “you went to the right vampire my child.” He thought for a moment, “I suppose that our kind is so hungry because we are alive for eternity. We have to cope with forever watching our closest family and friends die. We become numb as years sprawl out in front of us and we know there will never be an end. Quenching our thirst, for flesh, for blood, for murder… it provides a momentary escape… you get lost in the moment.”

I thought about it, it really did make sense. Watching the crumbling of a society, one after the other, holding everything you love and then watching another society being built off its ashes, one after the other, each time losing another part of yourself. Peeling away like a snake’s skin; I had never really thought of it, what if, miraculously after being through all I have I don’t die, I live through centuries. Would all my morals, my ideals peel away? My memories, my concern for others, No it wouldn’t I wouldn’t let it.

“Even so,” I said more confidently, “can we not find another way to quench our thirst then killing others?”

He laughed louder now, more exuberant this time, “Oh my dear, you remind me so much of one I have changed… if I didn’t know any better I would think you a daughter of Louis.”

I looked confused, “Who?” I asked.

The man smiled, “A vampire, an old one whom shared very similar ideals with you.”

“Really?!” I smiled fascinated now.

“Not many share your ideals exist child, in fact I thought Louis to be the only one.”

I got up and turned, standing there was a woman who made my eyes water, she was short but still an inch or two taller than me. She had dark eyes and pale skin even compared to vampire standards. She had large eyes, cunning and curious. She had auburn hair, the same shade as mine that came past her shoulders. She lacked the freckles mother had but otherwise seemed like she could be her twin.

“Hello,” the woman said her expression conveying a mix of concern and confusion.

“I apologize,” I said, “I didn’t mean to, I just, was asking some questions.”

“Not at all,” the woman said sitting me down, “It is I who apologizes I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Hello my darling,” the vampire said both his voice and features softening.

“Hello,” the woman who looked like mother said, “I would very much like to be introduced to this young woman.”

The vampire in front of me his blue eyes blazing his messy bleach blonde reminding me of a lion’s mane. “Where are my manners? My name dear child is Lestat; and this lovely woman behind you is my eternal partner, Jessica.”

I bit my lip and looked around to make sure no one was listening. “My name is Skylar.” I looked to the corner of the room where a group of vampires was leaving with the incapacitated human. My eyes widened and my heart slammed on my chest. What was I supposed to do? Should I just let them leave? I was already wanted in New York City; the queen was looking for me. The stakes were so much higher. However, if I let her get away with it than I would never be able to forgive myself.

I sighed, “I’m sorry,” I said turning to them, “Lestat, Jessica, I am grateful for your kindness and advice but you must excuse me.”

“Of course,” both said simultaneously.

I nodded and made my way out of the bar following after them.

“What are you doing?! Stop looking at them and don’t follow so quickly!”

I smiled, it was the she –wolf. I slowed down as she commanded apparently I was looking too conspicuous. I walked out of the bar and looked around.

“Good,” she said “Now focus; use your sense of smell to track them, keep quiet and no matter how hard you’re concentrating while passing others look nonchalant. Once they are in range I want you to lower your head and move soundlessly and slowly than pounce at the perfect moment. Let nothing get in your way not even you’re heartbeat.”

I sighed and sniffed the air, sifting through all the different smells until I found the scent of vampires, the smell (to me) of rotting. I followed quietly behind but pretended to be preoccupied with the city. The trails lead me to the abandoned factory, the very same one I had taken lessons in with my pack; looks like class is in session.

I walked in soundlessly impressed by my ability to do so while wearing heels. A feat I could’ve never accomplished as a human. I heard their voices and followed the sound to a clearing in the factory; the same place where I had beaten Derek.

“Hello my dear,” the female vampire cooed softly.
“Why are we here?” the human voice shouted clumsily.

“Relax my good man,” another said calmly.

The girl purred softly, “What would you do for me?”

“I would do anything for you.” The boy said his voice growing husky.

“Would you die for me?” The girl asked coyly, the others chuckling. I took several steps closer, positioning myself and letting my body shudder and change under cover into that of a werewolf’s. The girl’s head inched closer to his neck, the boy shuddering helplessly in her grip. She smiled her incisors growing her mouth gaping wider. I leapt out from behind a nearby pillar and took the unsuspecting vampire to the ground ripping out her throat her blood bursting into my mouth. I ripped her apart easily than turned as the other two vampires tackled me.

They ripped into my fur and chest wildly, bouts of pain only causing my mood to turn black and for me to lose all self control I threw myself against the wall, the two vampires taking the brunt of it. Their bones snapped like twigs as they collapsed to the floor and I backed up to give myself adequate room to fight. When I turned they were standing there, hissing contorting shapes. It was amazing to think these things were once human. I felt no kinship to these lustful, selfish creatures. These living abominations, they were bleeding and staring at me, their eyes gaping pits in their skulls. I tackled one his body seeming to bend itself to the will of my razor-sharp teeth. I tore mercilessly into his flesh pinning him with my paw, the skin tearing away easily, the blood gushing and flowing into my mouth the taste sweet and pungent, as well as rotten. I finished him off easily ripping him to shreds than easily tore apart the other one.

I let my body shudder and shrink so that I looked somewhat human again; I felt the blood drip from my chin, covering my hands and half of my face. I knelt down besides piles of blood and bones; all that remained of my former foes. I suddenly felt the presence of another; I whipped my head around preparing myself for the onslaught my fists poised in front of me. When I turned all I saw was the human boy, staring wide eyed shaking like a leaf. In half a blink of an eye I was standing right in front of him. I licked some of the blood off my lips although I could already feel it drying in a thick cracking layer over the rest my skin.

“Are you alright?” I asked absently.

“What- I… what are you?” the boy asked his eyes wide with fear.

“That is not important,” I put my hand gently over his face,