Unholy Alliance (Closed)

[EroticLiteracy]

He watched half hidden in the shadows as the grand golden doors of the cathedral began to open. Below him the many subjects of the congregation sank to their knees one by one, their hands rose one mass wave reaching out to heaven above. Some openly sobbed tears streaming down their faces as the choir began to sing from their position on the grand stage. Their angelically high voices rising in crescendo.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Sir Carlous murmured a crooked smile on his face “The way they all crone over that windbag!”

“Shhhh” Altair hissed his grey eyes narrowing as he glanced back at his best friend “You know that kind of talk is heresy in here”

Calous snorted his tone dismissive he didn’t say anything more however and instead watched as the progression began to slowly enter the grand hall. The two watched as the priests came first waving their golden jewel encrusted staff in unison and chanting in Latin. The top of the staffs held candles flickering purple candles that carried the heavy pungent aroma of incense. The altar boys followed right behind the priests tending to their long heavy cloaks making sure to keep them off the floor.

Altair lips curled into a grimace as he watched the altar boys. Memories of his past came bubbling to the surface, memories of his own time wearing the white cloth of the altar boys. He could still remember the face of the priest who thought he could take advantage of his innocence. The same priest he horribly burned in retaliation. Not long after that he had left the church both in spirit and in service.

“Now look who is drawing attention to us” Calous remarked. Altair blinked his eyes dropping down to his hands. His long thick hands were curled around the wooden pew so tight his knuckles were a pale ghostly white. He took a deep breath drawing in his anger and releasing it slowly. He focused on his mentor’s words letting Adrian’s calm voice fill his mind until nothing else remained.

“We are all leaves in the wind” His mentor said his tone soft and impassive “Anger, fear, hate these are all superficial you must let go of them become nothing more than a leaf following the current of the wind”

Altair repeated his mentor’s mantra over and over again. His body began to relax, his hands uncurling from the wooden pew as the progression counted to march across the long red carpet. The grand archbishop himself followed behind the altar boys. He was carried by the strongest of his followers and sat atop a grand golden chair encrusted with the most lavish of jewels. Even though they hung on his pale frame his clothing screamed power and showcased his status.

His reaction on the crowd was evident. They cheered for him reaching out with their hands to try and touch him. The ones closest to the archbishop called out to him trying in vain to get his attention. Altair couldn’t hear them but could only guess what prayers they were trying to bring to the man’s attention. Many of them no doubt wished for safety from the plague or for their family members.

They were all fools.

“Always humble” Calous murmured.

Altair snorted in response his eyes tracking the Archbishop. His hands twitched moving to his belt and the dagger sheathed on his hip. He could do it he thought to himself. He could kill the archbishop and be moving before they were able to react. His mind began to work the room over creating escape routes in his head that would take him out of the grand cathedral and into the city. He knew the city like the back of his hand knew it well enough that he could disappear in a moment’s notice.

“Patience” His mentor said as clearly in his mind as if he was speaking right next to Altair.

“Yes mentor” Altair murmured to himself. He moved his hands behind his back clasping them. The entourage reached the grand stage just as the choir stopped signing. The priest began to spread across the stage continuing to chant and wave their incense sticks in the air in lazy hypnotic circles. The followers carrying the archbishops chair moved as well carrying the heavy chair to the center of the stage and turning it to face the congregation. They brought the chair down seating it directly on the red carpet before bowing and moving away. The archbishop surveyed them all a pleased smirk on his face as he cleared his throat.

“My sons and daughters”

His words brought on another cheering session. The archbishop pretended to be modest even going so far as to bow his head and wave them off. Altair moved deeper into the shadows of the awning doing his best to make sure the look of pure contempt couldn’t be seen on his face. The man and what he represented sickened Altair to his core.

“Here we go” Calusou said straightening up and leaning in.

The archbishop made a shushing motion before speaking.

“My children today I have gathered you here to talk about something of the utmost important. I wish it was good news! Alas it is not! We are at war! A war on two fronts!”

He paused to let that sink in before continuing.

“Outside our holy city the creatures of the dark hunt us down and try to end us. Our Knight Templars do their best to defend us but still the supernatural come to test our fate and our resolve. For centuries, they have tried to take our city but we have beat them back! Our templars are the army of god and his will shall be done!”

The crowd cheered in response stomping their feet and clapping. The Archbishop played them like a conductor directing a concert. He waved his hands whipping them into a frenzy before finally directing them to quiet down.

“The second war is one far more important. It’s one at the very heart of our city! And it requires each and every one of you to be vigilant. The enemy is all around us! Gaining steady movement with each passing night”

“Wonder who he could be talking about” Carlous piped up.

“Shhhhh” Altair growled leaning in.

“I’m talking about the scientology movement!” The archbishop cried out waving his arms above his head.

“For those of you GOOD honest god-fearing people the scientology movement Is run by a group of heathens who believe in the devil’s arts! They claim it is not the devils work but something instead called “science”. These men and women bend glass into strange unholy shapes, create lightning in a bottle, and have been known to cut up and examine the bodies of the dead AND supernatural”

There were gasp of shocks and fear from the church goers. They began to look around murmuring to themselves. Altair watched in dismay as the look of fear began to run through the entire crowd. He wanted to shout out to the congregation to tell them they had nothing to fear. White hot anger filled him once more and he struggled to keep it in check.

“They are the cause of the plague besieging our city” The Archbishop cried out a wild accusation that set Altair further on edge “They claim to be able to cure it but their healing is unholy and an affront to god himself! There actions hurt us all my children and if they are not stopped they will condemn this holy city”
“Liar” Altair hissed his eyes narrowing to slits.

“I must ask each and every one of you be vigilant” The archbishop continued “you are our eyes and ears if you see anything suspicious or any large gatherings you must report it to us. Together we can bring these culprits in and keep our city safe and most importantly holy”

“I’ve seen enough” Altair growled turning to Carlous.

“Let’s go”
…………………………..
He loved his city

He sat on the stone gargoyle his gaze sweeping across the city below. The town of Westchire greeted him its many lanterns casting the city in a slight amber colored haze. His nostrils flared taking in the smell of smoke from the lanterns and chimmys. From his perch high on the cathedrals façade he could just make out the carriages and people walking below.

“Good to see you’ve calmed down a bit” Carlous remarked his feet firmly planted on an awning next to Altair.

“We will have to let our brothers and sisters know what we heard” Altair said the smile dropping from his face as he focused on the business at hand “The Archbishop is searching for us”

“Let him search” Carlous remarked his tone dismissive as he shifted and let one leg dangle over the ledge “With each passing day more and more people come to our movement”

“You saw the crowds” Altair reminded him shaking his head “Many are coming but far more remain firmly in the churches thrall”

“They won’t once we find a cure to the plague” Carlous argued.

“IF we find a cure to the plague” Altair corrected “Brother Alderan is not so sure it’s possible”

“I believe it is possible” Carlous insisted moving towards the edge “When can you bring another cadaver? The vampire you brought last time advanced our work considerably”

“I’m not sure” Altair admitted shrugging his shoulders “You know the risks”

“I do brother I do…. But there abilities may hold the secret to curing the plague”

Altair sighed once more looking out at the city.


“I’ll see what I can do”
……………………………………………
ONE WEEK LATER

“Move Move Move!”

He ran his breath coming out in short gasps as he pushed his body. The burning in his legs increased but he ignored it drawing on every bit of his training and pushing himself beyond his limits. His hands tightened around his silver half sword and his free hand hurriedly pulled the second half sword from the sheath on his back. His black coat flapped all around him giving him a much larger appearance as he ran for a line of snow covered tree.

They were on the fringes as far out from the city as one could get. They were close to the ruins a misshaped collection of buildings from a time long past. A group of vampires were said to be in the location gathering strength and hiding out from the long winter. His commander a portly man known as Sir Valick was intent on capturing the unholy demons and bringing them in himself.

Sir Valick was smart, smart enough to set up an ambush for the beast. Once they were ready they used flames to draw the monsters out throwing several fire bombs into the ruins. Four so far had come out of the ruins attacking in a desperate attempt to save themselves.

“Ready men!” Altair yelled brandishing his swords and grabbing his comrade’s attention. He directed them with his sword conveying to them he wanted them to form a perimeter. The men snapped to attention doing as he said and deferring to his experience and skills. Once he was sure none of the beast would pass through their ranks he moved forward intent on finding one and trying to capture it. He would have to be quick about it and so he hurried his pace as he moved in the general direction he last saw the beast run off to.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Her eyes were a pale blue colour, almost translucent, as raw anguish brimmed in their depths.

Violet was perched atop one of the remaining towers of the ruined castle on the outskirts of Westchire, its desolate features and broken walls hiding the small but flourishing vampire coven below its surface. She was staring at the skyline of the city, with hatred kindling in her mind as her eyes slowly turned black with rage.

Angela, was a young vampire, and from the moment they met, Violet knew they were kindred spirits. The two had forged an almost inseparable sisterly bond. When Violet received word of Angela’s mysterious disappearance, she hastily made her way to Westchire in search of her, never imagining that she’d be the one to discover her mutilated body.

It was unfortunate that the mortal scum managed to get their hands on Angela. She had always been a very gentle soul and no match for the mortal band of mercenaries. That was, however, the part that was killing Violet; if they had taken her, the story would have had a very different ending.

The coven was a little uneasy with Violet’s presence. She was one of the elder vampires and a renowned deathdealer. The last thing they needed was for her to go on a bloody rampage, adding more fuel to the turbulent fire that was Westchire. But from what Violet surmised, Westchire was a cesspool of religious and traditional sects that were at war with itself and her kind, incapable of embracing diversity. She never had much patience with narrow-minded blundering idiots and from her viewpoint, Westchire richly deserved to be desamated by a coven of vampires.

There have been talk of the coven relocating and many have gone already, driven by fear. The fact that these petty mortals were targeting immortals and experimenting on them in such a gruesome manner was reason enough.

Violet, however, found it curious; why would they seek out immortals? Vampires are at the top of the food chain, which completely boggles the mind. Perhaps she could first sate her curiosity and then exact her revenge for Angela’s cruel and unusual death?

Determination flickered in her eyes...

~~~**|**~~~​

She could hear them coming from a mile away. Standing on one of the hilltops, Violet watched their progress with interest. One in particular, caught her eye. He was clearly their leader, pushing his physical abilities. He was armed with classic weaponry believed to provide the upper-hand against an immortal.

Violet moved, silently mirroring their progress, a predator on the prowl. The sugar, white snow an alluring contrast to her features; Dark, raven hair spiraling down her back, her eyes an impossible blue set in porcelain-like features.

The team of mercenaries burrowed down on the ruined castle. A few remaining coven members were scrambling around, but Violet felt like she was merely an observer, studying their moves. They held form and systematically pulled in their ranks. Fascinated, Violet joined the game of cat and mouse.

Her form concealed beneath a long coat, Violet circled deeper and deeper into the cavernous spirals contained within the ruins. She could hear him behind her, the thrum of his heart... his breathing. He had put an immense amount of space between him and the rest of his team, a mistake, perhaps?

Reaching a junction in the path, Violet came to a standstill and turned, drawing her sword and awaiting the arrival of her ‘hunter’.

“Hello,” the word ghosted from her lips. “I am curious, now that you have ‘cornered’ me, what... exactly... are you planning on doing?” she asked, injecting enough venom in her voice to make it clear it was a threat.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Two facts presented themselves

1. The woman wasn’t running and instead seemed to be waiting for him
2. The girls tone was calm and collected which meant she wasn’t afraid and either thought she could handle him or that she was safe

Those facts caused Altair to stop and study the creature. Unlike the men and women in rags the clan was chasing she had on tough leather like armor. Her posture was sure and confident with a hint of danger the others didn’t seem to possess. Then there were her eyes which felt impossibly old and ancient and caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up.

When dealing with the supernatural you could always trust your instincts. The sixth sense of knowing when you were dealing with a predator was invaluable.
Especially when dealing with alpha creatures.

For the first time Altair truly feared for his life. In his years hunting supernatural creatures and being a templar know immortal creature struck such fear in him. Even now his body told him to run to get as far away from THIS particular vampire as possible. It took everything in him to ignore his instincts.

“It depends on what you decide to do” Altair said his half swords glinting in the light as he sheathed them on his back.

“I get the sense you were tracking me” Altair said his hands going down to his belt and reaching into the pouch on his left. His hands enclosed around the vial hidden there an invention from his brothers in the Scientology movement.

“There is something different about you… something powerful the other vampires don’t poses” Altair said continuing to talk and lull the women into a false sense of security “You could be the key to it all, the key to the plague that is currently besieging Westchire”

“Of course that means I have to capture you…..”

He pulled the vile out flinging it against the rocky ground. It cracked open mixing the cchemicals and creating a bright intense solar flare. Altair closed his eyes waiting for it to dissipate before pulling out a syringe from his pouch and jumping at her. He drove it down toward her neck intent on pushing the powerful sedative into her body and capturing her.

 

[DarkEmpress]

“It depends on what you decide to do,” he said. Violet watched as he sheathed his weapons, an act that surprised her. He projected an air of authority, but she could tell from his physiological responses that he knew the threat she held. Though his heart was racing, his form spoke of someone who was ready to attack.

“I am still deciding,” Violet said as her form straightened, slightly. Upholding a code of honour, she sheathed her sword, the gleaming blade glinting in the dim light. She was never one to attack an unarmed opponent.

“I get the sense you were tracking me,” he ventured.
Violet’s eyes narrowed. His actions seemed very relaxed but clandestine nonetheless. “Humans are not known for walking quietly in the snow,” she offered, giving him an almost sarcastic little smile with a slight hint of her fangs.

“There is something different about you… something powerful the other vampires don’t possess, you could be the key to it all, the key to the plague that is currently besieging Westchire.”

“The plague...” Violet repeated more to herself than to him as the puzzle pieces fell into place. Of course, that would explain everything... which also made her his prime target. Violet hissed at him, coiling her body, ready to attack.

“Of course that means I have to capture you…..”

Before she could pounce, something glinted in his hands, the sound of glass shattering ringing out. Acting on pure instinct, Violet wrapped her cape around her as a blinding flash of light illuminated the corridor. She could feel the rays licking at her skin and if she had been a youngling, it would have evaporated her.

Rage surged through her as her eyes orbed into ominous black spheres, she was going to rip his head off. Recoiling from her defensive stance, Violet was taken aback when he lunged at her. She could feel the needle plunge into her neck and instantly her veins felt like it was on fire.

“What did you do!” she hissed as she threw him off her in one smooth motion. But instead of rising to her feet, Violet felt a dizzying onslaught on her senses as the world blurred out of vision. “What...” she wanted to repeat her question again before she fell to the floor.

Darkness came to claim her almost instantly and if any other vampire had seen it, they would not have believed that this mortal had managed to immobilise Violet, one of vampire-kind’s elders.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

I can’t believe it” Altair said his tone one of disbelief and shock.

He starred down at his captured prey the elder vampire who had surprised him so much. His eyes took her in studying her from head to toe.

“Sir where are you?”

He froze the reality of his situation hitting him full force. He had to move quickly! Try and hide his prey or figure out a way to smuggle the body back to the transport. The idea of even bringing back one of her kind into the city was blasphemous!

Luckily Altair was smart, smart and a quick thinker. He went to work quickly using dirt and blood to smear and cover her ghostly pale skin. Once he was sure she wouldn’t be discovered as a vampire he stripped her of her long black like overcoat. It took him a few precious seconds to recover her body this time with the armor of one of his fallen.

”Forgive me brother” He said softly to the man whose clothes he stripped “I will come back to give you the proper burial as soon as I can”

He pushed the body over it disguising it as one of the many fallen. Once he was sure he took his cloak off wrapping it over the woman and taking her into his arms. He was just in the nick of time as seconds later the rest of his unit ran down with swords drawn.

“Commander are you-“ One of the men began

“I’m fine” He snapped making sure to express an air of command and no nonsense. If he could keep his men on their toes…..

“This is one of our fallen” He explained moving forward to the stair case “I managed to kill the vampire bitch that felled her but we need to move lest more come”

They nodded snapping to attention and going about their orders like good soldiers. Altair watched them for several seconds making sure they weren’t suspicious before he carefully brought the body out of the ruins.

Snow was falling raining down from the skies above and beginning to pile over the battle. Altair felt the chill against his cheek and ducked his head down doing his best not to show any outward signs of worry or anxiousness. So much could go wrong at this stage. Anything from his brothers checking the body to the vampire waking up. Did he give her the correct amount? All he could do at this point was hope he did……

The cart was waiting already loaded with some of their dead. He placed her near the bottom of the pile his eyes sweeping over her cloth covered form one more time before he stepped back.

“Let’s get a move on” He said clambering up the cart and casting his eyes over the ruins.

“Were needed at home”
……………………………………..
THREE HOURS LATER

“I can’t believe you captured an elder!”

“I didn’t know that’s what she was” Altair hissed his eyes still wide with fear from the revelation. He watched the creature through the iron bars his mind swimming with the revelation Grand Maester Burke levied to him.

Once the cart reached the city Altair was able to send word to his contact in the scientology movement. The city was filled with many of their kind and soon enough his true brothers and he were able to transport the body. Altair himself hadn’t been able to get away at least not until he was down with his report and reported to his watch commander.

“This vampire is the apex of its kind” Maester Arendale hissed literally shaking from fear “We need to dispose of it! Kill it before it wakes up”

“But its blood could hold the cure!” Another Maester argued an older man with a long grey beard “Its contained surely we can-“

“We’ve never had a creature this powerful in captivity” Maester Arendale said his head shaking from side to side over and over again “What if it has powers we haven’t seen before?”

“Only Squire Altair would be able to tell us such a thing” Grand Measter Burke said his tone calm and serene as he turned his attention to Altair “What say you ser? Did you witness any new powers from the creature”

“Nay” Altair said glancing at the others “she seemed faster and stronger than the others for sure but I didn’t witness anything that would cause concern”
The grand Maesters fell silent at his words. He could see each of them internalizing it debating the pro’s and cons with themselves. After several long seconds Grand Measter Burke spoke his kind eyes locking with Altair’s.

“We will tread carefully for now, Altair if you can be on hand just in case she escapes that would be ideal. You’re the most accomplished of our knights and you’re the one who captured her. She will awaken soon so please be ready”
“Aye Grand Maester” Altair said bowing his head.

“Thy will be done”

 

[DarkEmpress]

The world slowly came back into focus. Violet let her senses roam, the little tendrils of her consciousness reaching out and testing the environment. Her senses felt muffled as if a thin veil had been pulled over it, evoking a sense of floating.

She could identify a few warm bodies, four or five, perhaps? They were speaking in hushed tones, debating her fate, as fate would have it. Screaming panic radiated from one of the occupants in the room, while another was filled with curiosity. The predominant emotion was, however, fear.

Violet lay perfectly still, listening to the conversation, her senses feeding on the emotions that were rolling off the spectators like tidal waves. For the most part, humans were blissfully unaware of vampires in their midst and it is refreshing to find a sect that was. Violet had only been able to guess at their reaction, but peculiarly though, these humans knew that she was different in some way, suggesting that they have been in contact with vampires, often.

There was one particular voice that Violet honed in on, her captor, as it were. Squire Altair, they call him, an accomplished knight...

The thin veil slowly lifted. Violet felt fully in control of her senses before she opened her eyes. They were black orbs from the dizzying array of emotions tumbling through the room. She sat up, ignoring the people in the room as she moved her legs off the table and stood, her eyes slowly morphing into pale blue, once again, as they swept across the room and steel bars, assessing her environment, finding a way out. Smoothing her hands across her form, she realised her state of re-dress.

For the first time she acknowledged their presence in the room, as Violet leveled her gaze on Altair, unnervingly so.

“Why do you believe that vampire-kind hold the cure to the plague?” she asked. Though vampire blood was known for its healing properties, Violet was not too sure it would provide a lasting cure for the plague, unless they tried her blood. The healing properties found in vampire blood was linked to the source of the blood, which meant that whatever experiments they did on Angela would have failed, the moment she died, if it was, in fact, this group of people responsible for the act?

It placed the humans in a precarious position, unbeknownst to them, because if they found a cure in a vampire’s blood, the humans would be forced to protect that source: the very thing they all feared.

“Does the name, Angela, mean anything to you?” Violet asked, screening their reactions, bringing her back to her quest.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Altair was the only one who didn’t jump at the elder’s strong regal voice. His eyes watched her as she moved his hands on her belt and the array of knives affixed to the black leather. He didn’t answer her instead watching her with his intense eyes as the Grand Measter and his men tried to figure out how to answer her.

“Remember she can tell if your lying” Altair snapped out just as the Grand Measter opened his mouth to answer her. The Grand Measter bushed in response and cleared his throat drawing himself to his full height as he spoke.

“Elder Vampire my name is Grand Measter Burke I am the leader of this movement” He said sweeping his hand over the large cavern filled with men and women wearing the robes of the scientologist.

“We do not know this Angela” The Grand Measter said his tone polite “And we are sorry for capturing you I do not know if you know this but-“

“The humans in the city are becoming very sick” Altair said cutting off the Grand Measter as he stepped forward “We do not know why or if it is your kind poisoning us. I was the one who captured you for the intent of studying your elder blood. If you have any quarrel with these men please take it up with me”

“I am sure there is no quarrel” Grand Measter Burke said his eyes narrowed in anger at Altair having taken over “You say you are looking for one of your kind? A woman named Angela? Well our order can help you in that search. Altair is part of the knights templar he could check into this girl in exchange for you letting us run some test”

“Grand Measter” Altair protested dropping his voice to a harsh whisper “My position relies on discretion. I cannot serve you and our noble cause if I am find out! There is no reason for me to ask about vampire women and names!”

“I am sure you can find a way” Grand Measter Burke said waving off his concerns “Remember this is for the cure our new friend here could be the key to it all. We need her”

Altair growled in response and pinched the bridge of his nose. He stood still for several long seconds before turning to her.

“Who is it?” He asked her crossing his arms “Your lover? Or is she of familiar relations? Do you have any pictures of her or a drawing? Something I can use to search with?”

 

[DarkEmpress]

Violet watched as a very informative power struggle played out in front of her. The conversation illuminated a few things:

Firstly, it wasn’t Grand Measter Burke and his movement that was responsible for Angela’s untimely demise. Secondly, this group was genuinely searching to find a cure for the plague; and thirdly, Altair appeared to work under the guise of a different organisation and was willing to place his life in jeopardy to find information on Angela.

“My name is Violet,” she said, addressing Grand Measter Burke and providing a formal introduction. “I am a high elder of vampire kind, one of only five, and I left the protection of my coven in search of Angela.”

Her gaze fell on Altair, as she pursed her lips together in a hard line. “Angela was my blood sister,” she explained, “and I was the one who found her mutilated body outside the city, a victim of inhumane experimentation.” Her words were hanging in the air for a pregnant moment, nullifying their bargaining chip.

Opting for a controlled show of power, Violet walked up to the door of her cell. In a swift movement, that looked almost casual, she broke the lock and pulled the door open, the metal giving a bewildered screech under the strain.

People scattered as she walked out the door towards Altair. “I will make a bargain,” she said as she came to a standstill in front of Altair, rejecting Measter Burke’s authority and speaking to the person she believed to be able to assist in her quest. “Help me find the person who murdered my sister and I will subject my blood to be tested, on my terms,” Violet said, holding out a hand to Altair for them to shake on the agreement.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

The revelation that Angela was her sister sent a bolt of surprise through Altair. His eyes widened ever so slightly minute evidence that would speak volumes to the super natural elder. He starred at her hand for a few minutes his eyes flickering with indecision before he finally took a deep breath.

“I accept” He said reaching out and grasping her hand. His hands were firm and warm his numble fingers tapping on her knuckles for one gentle second before releasing.

“Excellent” Measter Burke said ignoring the incredulous look aimed his way from the other scientologist.

“Let’s get this cage open” Measter Burke said tossing the keys over to Altair who caught it with one hand. He nodded at the Measter and moved going over to the cage and unlocking it. His strong hands wrapped around the iron bars on the door pulling them forward and swinging the door open. Once the door was open he stepped back his hand dropping down ever so slightly to the silver knife on his hilt.

“Now then” Measter Burke said a pleased smile on his face “If you want we can send Altair to look into your sister while we draw your blood”

 

[DarkEmpress]

The moment Altair touched her hand, Violet locked eyes with him and she projected her senses into his mind, allowing Violet to see what he sees and to hear what he hears. The link would have been far stronger had she taken his blood, but in the current environment, it would have sent their shaky truce on a rocky path.

Confident that she’d be able to uphold the link once he moved into the city, she simply broke eye contact and let go of Altair’s hand, diverting her attention back to Maester Burke.

The humans would have been none the wiser. Though they had much intel on her kind, Violet was certain they were not aware of her abilities, and she was aiming to keep it that way.

The fact that Altair’s hand was hovering over the knife strapped to his waist, did not escape Violet. He did not yet trust her, and to be honest, she was not too sure of the group’s intentions either.

“Now then, If you want we can send Altair to look into your sister while we draw your blood,” said Maester Burke.

Violet nodded, and she took Altair’s hand one more time and shook it in a thankful gesture, locking eyes with him to affirm that the link is in place. “I wish you luck,” she simply said, before letting go of his hand.

She shifted her gaze to Maester Burke who signaled a few of the members to follow him. “Maester Arendale, you will accompany us as well,” Grand Maester Burke ordered, and Violet had to hide a mirthful grin. The fear that radiated from Maester Arendale was positively intoxicating. Violet had to fight every instinct she had from sampling the rich ambrosia of such overpowering emotions.

“Thy will be done,” said Maester Arendale as he fell into stride behind the group, making sure there was ample space between him and Violet.

The fact that the group was heavily armed that escorted her, did not escape Violet. Her eyes momentarily glazed over as she flexed her third eye and focused on Altair, following him. Altair himself eluded to the fact that he would be placing his life in mortal danger by asking about Angela, and if this happened, Violet could intervene.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

He moved quickly and with purpose his hood up and his head down. The last city was always busy especially during the evening. Everywhere he looked men, women, and children hurried to their destinations. They gave him a wide berth every so often dipping their head in respect as he passed. For the most part however they stayed away shying from him and what he represented. Even if they were alive because of him… he was a reminder that they were never TRULY safe.
He walked into the military district and ducked into a side alley. Without a second thought he began to climb taking advantage of the many handholds the gothic structures provided. He reached the top ledge in a matter of moments and continued jumping across alleyways and gaps as he moved toward the crow’s nest and main base of the hunters. It stood in the center of the military district jutting out into the sky. The doors were open the massive openings that allowed the hunters to run out and get anywhere in the city. Just getting up there itself was a test for a hunter a way of making sure they never faltered in their skills.
He reached the tower and climbed up it once he reached one of the wooden platforms he swung himself up and walk through the doorway. The inside was massive and open one large circular room that was ringed with catwalks and platforms connecting the “departments”. The room was filled with Hunters both Measters and apprentices. Everyone was doing something from training to studying to coordinating attacks.

Altair took it all in smiling softly. It made him proud to see his order and the gains they made. One day he hoped the hunters would have even more. That they would come to his cause and this would become a place of science and knowledge. The Hunters were already the curve in several ways only hindered by the oppressive rules of the church.

But soon….

He shook that thought preferring to stay grounded in fantasy and not reality. He was on a mission, a mission involving the rather captivating vampire and her missing sister. He tried not to think about her to much as he moved through the crow’s nest however he couldn’t resist. She was clearly skilled in combat yet she didn’t seem to interested in humans. Was that how the rest of them were? If so who was making the feral vampires that attacked the city almost nightly? And what did it have to do with the plague?

Altair didn’t like questions without answers. Figuring out the larger world and the puzzle was the key to victory. He made a mental note to ask her some questions when he got back questions no human had ever been able to ask a vampire.

But for now….

He reached the morgue which was set in one corner of the room. It was the only one with walls and largely contained rows upon rows of drawers. In the middle of the room was a partially decomposing vampire one with his skin peeled back and his insides showing. Altair moved toward it eyeing the insides with great interest as he reached out-

“Don’t touch that!”

Altair stepped back anticipating Voltaire’s hand. He watched as the shorter hunter swiped the air and tried to contain his amusement. Voltaire was…. Something of an odd ball within the Hunters rank. He wasn’t a true hunter at least in the sense that he actually went out on the hunts. He was technically the churches puppet put there to make sure the vampire’s body was burned and properly disposed of. That being said Voltaire was very…. Loose with the bodies they brought back. Often they were disposed of after he cracked them open and peered inside. Altair was unsure if his curiosity was scientific in nature…. Or if it bordered on a deeper obsession.

“You didn’t bother her did you” Voltaire asked pushing up his spectacles and peering at the corpse almost lovingly.

“It’s my Voltaire” Altair said rolling his eyes and pushing down his hood “You know me better than that”

“Well with all your damned beaked hoods how was I supposed to know!” Voltaire snapped shaking his head “Have you come to see my latest founding Altair? I think I finally found out how to extract their venom!”

He turned gazing fondly at the small glass containers of spiders at his desk. The black widows inside gave their master no mind continuing to spin their webs as they waited for their next pray. Altair admired them for a second his mind threatening to run away from his mission as he thought about what the poison could do.

Focus!

He shook his head clearing his throat before continuing.

“Not today Voltaire” He said watching the man’s shoulders fall ever so slightly “but tomorrow for sure. Today I need to look at the records”

“The records?” Voltaire asked his face a mixture of surprise and suspicion “Why would any of you lot need to look at the records?”

“I think I messed up my count” Altair said lying smoothly “and you know how competitive Calous is… He boasted more than me and I want to make sure he is wrong”

“I see” Voltaire said stroking his moustache. He seemed to think it over for several seconds before leaning in.

“You know I am not allowed right?” He asked a little playfully.

“Nor allowed to keep spiders” Altair reminded him playing back “Tomorrow my friend I promise”

Voltaire sighed and finally nodded. He moved back to his desk reaching under for something. Seconds later he pulled out a leather-bound tomb stamped with the churches crest. He slammed it onto the table and motioned for Altair to come over. He turned the book so it was facing Altair and opened it.

“The records” Voltaire said his eyes flickering back to his corpse “Do you…”

“Mind if you go back?” Altair asked laughing “Go ahead I will put it back when I am done”

Voltaire nodded and moved practically skipping back to the body. Altair waited a few moments for him to be engrossed in the corpse before finally scanning the names. He started to look for the woman the elder was looking for trying his best to remember her feature as he scanned rows and rows of dead vampires.