“Isn’t it beautiful?” Marie had asked me while snuggling herself closer to me. It was freezing, as the sun had left our sky for quite some time now, and my body was warm.
The square was quite magnificent, just as she had told me, but I wasn’t enjoying much of it.
“I can’t believe we’re really sightseeing.”
“King said we’ll be fine, wasn’t she? So why not enjoy ourselves before meeting the big baddie?”
“I don’t understand how.”
“Look at me.”
I did as she ordered.
She gave me a giant smile.
“Now look at the lights, look at the buildings!”
Even in the middle of the night, the square was still lively. It was surrounded by brick buildings, all restaurants or shops. No neon lights, everything was illuminated by large lamp posts. The inside of the shops was completely ordinary, though, and it had bridled our desire to do any shopping. We were sitting on one of the many benches around the large sculpture/fountain in the middle of the cobblestone plaza.
In front of us stood the church, it looked like a European church on all points, except it lacked the stained-glass windows and the gargoyles.
I knew from my art lessons gargoyles were mostly only present on Cathedrals, but I still felt it lacked gargoyles.
All in all, it felt fake.
“I don’t like it.” I said honestly.
“You don’t like the square?”
“No, the square is really nice. I mean the church.”
The two hands of the giant clock were edging closer to the number twelve. It wasn’t even written in roman numbers.
“It’s wrong.”
“The place is only ten years old, of course it can’t have the same feeling as the real thing.” Marie explained.
I remembered now why I never went here; a teacher had told us the story of how and why this place was built.
“All of this, it’s for marketing purposes.”
Marie giggled. “What do you think its purpose was during the middle ages?”
“Well, religion? So that everything is centered around the church.”
“Yeah, and the catholic Church has never been interested in money, as everyone knows. You have to enjoy its beauty without forgetting its flaws.”
“Wise words.”
“A drunk guy told that to his friends after I slapped him.” Marie informed.
“You had to ruin it.”
“Hey.”
We looked at each other.
The sound of an artificial bell broke the moment.
“Let’s go.” Marie held my hand. “Scaredy wolf.”
“I’m not scared about me.”
“I know.”
The church was supposedly closed at this hour, but the large wooden doors had not been locked.
As we entered the church, the square behind us seemed to close down, and the lights outside went out. Inside, it was well lit, with electrical spotlights, and everything was rather sober, an altar in front of twenty or so rows of benches.
There was a second floor, behind us and on the left side. It was where the organ was. And multiple vampires, considering the rancid smell of blood.
They were well hidden, nowhere to be seen.
The only visible person aside from us was sitting on the first row, facing away from us.
“Isn’t that a child?” Marie whispered to me.
“In appearance, yes. It doesn’t smell human though.”
I was not going to tell her how old he smelled.
“Ah fuck, children always scared the shit out of me in horror movies.” Even though Marie said that, she was still holding herself perfectly straight, showing no fear at all.
“Well. Let’s go.” I said conclusively.
We came closer to the boy. He was dressed in a tuxedo, and considering his frame, it made him look cute.
HE’LL BE FUN TO HUNT.
Hush. Diamond could hear you before, shouldn’t you shut up?
HE IS NO PART OF THE MOON.
Uh, uh? I prodded for more.
No answer.
“Hello.” The child looked at us. He had extraordinary eyes, of the color of waves. His voice was soft, calm. “I’m pleased with your punctuality, it’s one of the many forgotten virtues of this era.”
Marie held my hand a bit tighter. Creepy, said her eyes to mine.
“Sit down.” He ordered.
We did as he asked, still maintaining a fair distance. I placed myself between him and Marie. The position was awkward, as we were all facing the same direction.
But as I turned my head to the left, he was gone.
I heard Marie gasp.
He was now standing in front of the altar.
“So many forgotten virtues.” He said to the sculpture of Jesus on the cross.
He turned around. I was still grasped by his unbelievable eyes.
He stared us down.
“Human. Both of you. Strange.”
“How so?” I asked.
“I was certain Ray received help, somehow, but it didn’t come from you two, that is certain.”
Great, it seemed like my cover was okay.
“Still, some mysteries remain. Mainly about you.” He looked directly at me. “Who are you?”
“I am Igris.” I answered.
“That is a lie…no…partly the truth. You should know I learned the ways of language centuries ago. Not telling me everything is…unwise.”
Well fuck, pardon my language, but telling him everything seemed suicidal. I was now between an unbreakable rock and a hard place made of diamonds.
“I do rather prefer to be called Gray.”
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For a fraction of a second, he showed surprise.
“Isn’t that how this Ray likes to be called as well?” He asked.
“Yes.”
He smiled, closing his eyes at the same time, the rest of his face inhumanly still.
“I will not play games with you for long.”
I felt Marie’s hand grasp mine harder.
“Then ask better questions.”
As soon as I finished my sentence, he was in front of me.
It was hard to believe such a small body could be intimidating. Even sitting, I was taller than him. Still, he was. Power pored out of his skin, his eyes took a darker tint, his suit stretched under the strain of the muscles underneath, unbefitting of a child.
“You don’t understand who I am.”
“I’ve got a vague idea.” I didn’t back down. Marie was very stiff beside me, holding her breath.
Yeah, I shouldn’t provoke, I know, but what was I supposed to do? Answer and die?
LIE.
I don’t like lying, and even then, he’s seeing through us somehow. Just like me maybe?
LIE. The Beast repeated.
I felt the words escape my mouth. “I’m nobody. My family is dead, I’m considered dead, my identity is lost.”
He visibly backed down, going back to the altar, walking towards it normally, this time.
“I see. Why not tell me that in the first place?”
Had I lied? I felt the Beast, but the words had been mine. No, I had not lied. As Igris, this was all the truth. But I was not only Igris. I was too confused as to why he had not spotted the half-truths this time.
As I did not answer, he raised an eyebrow. “Tell me.”
Power flew towards me. In a manner I knew all too well. “Because I don’t want to tell you anything.” I answered his compulsion.
As soon as I said that, his power receded. I wasn’t his concern anymore. I couldn’t enjoy that fact for long, as his eyes fell on Marie.
“What about you? Is there anything you are hiding?” Power crept again, not in my direction.
Marie’s mouth began moving without her control.
“I’m not hiding anything, but Gray…”
“How fun!” A childish voice interrupted the desperate situation. It was definitely not coming from the Elder. This one seemed feminine in nature. I had the horrible feeling I had heard that voice before.
Someone was on my left, where the Elder had sat before. I had not heard, smelled, or seen anything.
The Beast itself showed surprise.
“What are you doing Licky Licky?” Said the girl, maybe twelve or thirteen, that had popped out of nowhere. Her appearance was what you would expect from a young teenager. She was clothed in a posh school uniform but was squatting on the bench rather than sitting on it, which wasn’t very classy. She had the perfect adorable face, with freckles and big green eyes.
She smiled at me.
Her teeth were serrated as if every single one of them had been perfectly limed.
The contrast between this and everything else was terrifying, but I was barely registering it.
Because I had met her before.
Almost five thousand years ago.
“Do I know you?” She asked. “I’ve seen you before.”
I couldn’t answer.
DANGEROUS.
“You’re like me!” She exclaimed childishly. “Licky Licky, where did you find this one?”
“Astarte.” The Elder didn’t look pleased. “I asked you to refrain from interrupting my business. Multiple times.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She just brushed him aside, unconcerned. “But seriously, this one’s special, can’t you see?”
He sighed. “No. I believe it’s just you.”
She pouted. “You should be more open to new things, Licky Licky…” He couldn’t mask his annoyance at the surname this time. “…She’s a predator, this one. What surprises me is that I’m sure I saw her before. But I wouldn’t have forgotten such a beautiful one.”
I felt the need to hide and run but knew I couldn’t move.
“Gray, you need to let go of my hand. You’re crushing it.” Marie suddenly spoke.
I looked at her, then immediately realized how my grip was hurting her. “Oh no.” I released her from my grasp.
She didn’t bother answering and just looked at the girl behind me.
“Hello. I am Marie. Nice to meet you.” She said extremely politely.
“Hey! I’m Astarte. You can call me Arte. Or Ass.”
Did the millennia-old creature just ask my girlfriend to call her Ass?
“I will go for Arte if you don’t mind. Ass is not polite, and Gray here does not like bad words.”
“You’re cool.” Arte gave Marie a big smile. My best friend did not move or react, but I knew otherwise. The hair on the back of her neck betrayed her fear.
“Stop with the pleasantries.” Said the Elder looking like a child. “What do you mean she’s a predator?”
“She seems meek and acts shy, but can still hold her ground, and even answers your questions with impudence.”
“They are cattle, they do not understand.”
She giggled. Her teeth made a screeching sound as she did.
“See! You’re too close-minded Licky Licky. Let me show you.”
As she finished saying that, I felt like an explosion struck my head. The back of the bench behind me shattered in pieces and I flew towards the church entrance. I was still in the air when I registered what had happened.
I turned my body instinctively but couldn’t stop myself from hitting the stone pillar between the wooden doors.
“Oops. I thought she’d dodge that. My bad.”
“ASTARTE WOULD YOU STOP KILLING EVERYONE?”
I felt broken rocks behind me and saw stars dancing in front of my eyes. Looking at the strength of Astarte’s strike, I should have been dead, but I felt no pieces missing.
“Oh my god, Gray. Please.” I saw Marie run towards me. The expression she had on her face was one I hated profoundly.
“I PROMISED NO HARM WOULD BE DONE ON THEM!” Alik was continuing his ramble.
Marie’s anguish disappeared as soon as she saw me through the dust cloud.
But the harm had been done.
I was furious. The Beast was furious.
My growl pierced the whole room, stopping everything and everyone except Marie, still running towards me.
Alik and Astarte looked towards my rising figure, with totally different reactions.
He was astonished.
She looked ecstatic.
“Hah! I knew it!”
“What?”
“You could have hurt Marie.” I was angry.
“That’s what’s pissing you off?” Astarte said laughingly.
“Yes.”
“Don’t worry, I know how to handle my strength.”
“Seems like I was tricked. I don’t like being tricked.” Alik wasn't looking happy. “So you’re the one who killed Jeanne.”
“Oh, stop being so pouty. She just survived a direct hit! Isn’t that cool.” Arte responded.
My growl got deeper.
“How did you do it? Did you trap her?” Alik wasn’t listening to Astarte anymore. Seemed like a bad plan, for me or him, I wasn’t sure.
“Gray. You’re looking very threatening right now, maybe calm down a bit?” Marie pulled my right sleeve. Fear was filling her voice.
“Stay behind me.” The words left my mouth almost as a snarl, but she understood.
“Okay. Please be careful.”
I felt slightly better. The vampires would come from upstairs, but they hadn’t moved, probably because Alik had not given the order yet. It would come any minute now.
“Wait do you think you can win?” Astarte suddenly exclaimed looking at my calculating gaze.
“Don’t be daft, whatever she is, she knows that that is not happening.
I need some help.
No. It seems the right place for you to learn.
ARE YOU FUCKI…
Astarte had disappeared from my vision. I reacted on the spot, kicking the air with unbelievable speed. I felt my feet connect with something right in front of me, and a small body flew, hit the ground, and ricocheted on the western wall, piercing right through the stone.
“HAHAHA.” Screech. Screech. Sound of her teeth grinding on each other.
Astarte’s body was half inside, half outside the church, and looking like a horrendous rendition of a broken marionette.
It didn’t seem to bother her, as she just stood back up, her neck breaking back in place.
“Oh God.” Marie whispered.
“You can!” She said happily. “Alik! She’s slow, but damn, she’s strong!”
What happened.
I AM PART OF YOU. OUR KNOWLEDGE IS SHARED.
Was that martial arts? Cool, I knew kung-fu. No, Tae-Kwon-do I immediately rectified.
Not the time, we had the exorcist’s girl on steroids right in front. But unexpectedly, it seemed she had enough, and just gave me…a thumbs up and a wink?
“You’ve finally lost it.” Alik simply said before doing a strange hand gesture.
Alarms sounded in my brain.
“Oh, come on Licky Licky, you know better than not to listen to me.”
But it was too late. Massive bodies fell down from the second floor, one I recognized immediately, but the others remarkably similar.
“You lied to me, cow.” Said our vampire visitor two nights prior.
“Marie.” I said.
“Yes.”
“Don’t move.”
“You sure you don’t want any help? I’ve got a killer right hook.”
I looked at her. She gave me an apologetic look.
“Really?”
“What?”
I sighed. I looked at the seven vampires, not counting Alik and Astarte, facing us.
“Seems like you won’t hold your word. She’s human though, don’t attack her.”
I asked Alik politely.
He seemed pretty furious and was unresponsive.
“I shall kill anyone who tries.” I promised.
My eyes were bothered by the sight of Astarte, who was now on top of the railing of the second floor, clapping her hands excitedly. Most of her clothes were shredded to pieces, but she didn’t seem to mind.
The first one to attack was our messenger, he went in for the kill on both of us at the same time, enough strength in both his extended palms to crash steel and bones alike.
WEAK.
One of his hands was constricting my head, the other I had stopped with my right arm.
He had attacked my best friend.
He looked at me with newfound terror, as however strongly he gripped, pulled or pushed, I did not budge, and he could not move.
“I gave you my word.” My left hand flew, fueled by rage and HUNGER.
His skull was like soft snow and his head scattered all over the holy place.
His body fell on the ground, listless.
“What was that sound?!” Marie was holding on to me for dear life.
“You closed your eyes. Good.” My voice sounded foreign to me, but it did not matter. I was pleased by her foresight. I would reward her when it was over.
Now six vampires faced me, Alik turned towards Astarte, I did not know what those two were doing, but not having to face Astarte was good news.
My enemies were more hesitant to move, I could not transform though, as it would leave Marie defenseless.
I had to find a solution, as with such a small body, shielding her would be hard.
I picked the body on the ground and ripped the heart out of its chest.
I took a bite out of the putrid blackness.
GOOD.
That seemed to do the trick, pure fury and disgust filling the eyes of my enemies.
They all attacked simultaneously. I threw the body at them as a distraction, picked Marie in my arms, and jumped towards the now deserted and unlit square. They were fast but did not know how to move in shadows.
“Hiiiii!!!” Marie couldn’t help it and opened her eyes. “Gray?”
“Shhh.” I took some distance, still jumping away from the six vampires who had lost me from their view. However, they stared, my silhouette was out of their reach. I was out of their perception, and Marie was correctly staying still, letting me hide her from view as well.
“What the hell?” Said one of them.
They would not find us in time.
In the middle of an open space, I was still invisible.
In front of Marie, I began to change, once again.
She put both of her hands in front of her mouth and tried not to scream.
She muffled her voice at my breaking bones.
She stared in silence as my flesh ripped.
And when I finally howled, she kneeled once more.