Vampyre New Moon

Prologue

Prologue

Footsteps echoed through the long labyrinthine alleyway as the man following tried to match the rhythm of his prey. Ahead of him were a man and woman walking alone. He began to move in toward them faster, seemingly confident that he was unnoticed. He drew a long knife from his jacket, something he just might not need to use, but by the grin on his face he was hoping he would. It would be quick, a confrontation that could lead to drastic consequences. As he got within reach, he stretched his arm out to grab the shoulder of the woman. However, instead of grabbing her, instead of stopping them both, the man was hoisted into the air with such strength and speed he had no time to even call out. The couple stopped and turned around, swearing they heard something behind them but currently seeing nothing.

The mugger tried to scream, plunging his knife into his attacker’s side. However, the strange female shaped figure had strength of iron and clamped down on his neck so savagely it stifled any chance he had for a scream. His skin began to pale, the literal lifeblood of his body being drained out. The woman holding him was shorter and slimmer but had ten times his strength. She had willow white long hair that fell down her back and was dressed in a simple black tank top, ripped jeans and leather boots. She held him like a lover might hold the one they treasured, but in this case, it was the blood she desired not the person.

As the mugger began to go limp a second figure arrived on the rooftop, leaping up to it like the four-story height meant nothing. He was tall and broad with dark hair and deep brown eyes.

“You stalk like a predator.” The newcomer said with a smile. “It is rather impressive to watch.”

The woman detached from the mugger, wiping blood from her mouth. “Did I steal your prey?”

“There is much prey out tonight Val.” The man replied. “Even for those of us that choose those who deserve to be prey.”

“We are the top of the food chain Henrik.” Val replied with a smile as she tossed the muggers unconscious body to Henrik like it weighs nothing. Henrik caught it with one hand, holding him up as if sizing the mugger up. Val smiled. “That does not mean we can’t...ethically source our food.”

“I am surprised you picked the path of the vigilante when you were turned.” Henrik replied. “You were such a violent person, use to hurting anyone who got in your way.”

Val laughed as she watched Henrik bite into the man and continued to drain him. “There’s a difference in the people in these streets that turn to violence. Some do so to just get what they want and some do it just to survive. I was hurt by the former and was turned into the latter. Now that I have the strength to hurt those like the ones that hurt me...I find myself compelled to do so. Besides, we have to eat...why not feed upon those who walk over others?”

Henrik finished with the mugger, tossing him over the side into a dumpster after he was done. He wiped his mouth and walked over to Val. “I am glad you have chosen this path. There are others who have chosen the other path that became lost to them. We might have the minds of men, but there are many of us that become like beasts, others like monsters.”

Val looked down, noticing the mugger's knife was still in her side. She slid it out and looked down in disgust. “I liked this tank top.”

Henrik laughed as he walked closer, watching the wound in Val’s side heal instantaneously now that the knife has been drawn out. He looked to Val, grinning. “I must admit that it was in fact you that I was searching for tonight.”

“Me?” Val asked in a coy tone. “I thought you people in the path of chaos searched for little.”

“That is a generalization.” Henrik replied with a laugh. “It is just the idea that to protect what we are and what we need; we need to be unbiased. We do not choose any two victims alike, nor from the same place or the same time. We believe that no human deserves to be our prey more than any other and it is only through unbiased randomness can we be fair and refrain from becoming monsters.”

“So, premeditation is the true evil?” Val asked. “I suppose this is why those of your path feud so much with those on mine. We who decide our prey deserves to be prey for what they do to their fellow humans.”

“Some of us may feud.” Henrik replied as he moved to stand right before Val. “But I find love much more desirable than conflict.”

Val reached up, taking a hold of Henrik’s shirt, looking up into his dark eyes. “I don’t know how you do it but you disarm me almost instantly.”

“Well not entirely.” Henrik looked down with a smile. “You still have the knife.”

“This?” Val said with a laugh. “It’s not silver, heck it isn’t even steel. It is a cheap knife from a mall kiosk.”

“Well then.” Henrik said with a toothy grin. “I suppose we have both fed; there is nothing to really stand in the way of us enjoying the night together than is there?”

“I would not say that.” A familiar voice said from the other side of the roof. Both Val and Henrik looked over to see a thin man dressed in a red leather jacket with a shaved head and a tattoo on his cheek.

“Kuro,” Henrik said with a suspicious tone. “What do you want?”

“Such distaste,” Kuro replied. “I know neither of you have much love for one of the freedom path but I am not here to argue.”

“There is not much I would want to say to one who believes that vampires are above all and should be able to kill and do as they like.” Henrik replied. “State your business.”

“There has been a shift.” Kuro replied. “The thousand-year pact of the paths has ended and it seems none of the leaders wish to renew it. There will soon be a way in the shadows and we must find our allies where they are.”

“You seek alliance?” Henrik asked. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Believe what you may.” Kuro replied, “But you both know that your paths are separate and if there was a war they would not be on the same side. What I propose is an alliance of individuals, not just paths.”

“And if we refuse?” Val asked. “What then?”

Kuro gestured to the city. “Then this city, this dark place where we all share...will get a lot darker soon.”