chapter 6

The scent of blood reached Arali as she opened the door to her sanctuary. Zyanya was perched on her desk, her anger far from subsided. The blood was fresh, human, smeared across the younger vampire's face.

She avoided Zyanya's venomous glare, wanting nothing more than to call an end to this particular night. She also found herself at a loss for words as she stalked past her.

Zyanya followed Arali into the bedroom, catching her arm to spin the Marshal around. She presented herself when their eyes locked, "Is this what you want?"
Her anger surged at Zyanya's tone, she knew she had to put a stop to this. Arali rolled her eyes in dismissal, "I'm not having this conversation with you, not now." She turned away. None of her line would dare-

Except for Zyanya, as she sent the Marshal toppling onto her bed. Before Arali could recover, Zyanya was on top of her, pinning her hands above her head and straddling her waist. Dipping her head low, Zyanya caught Arali’s dazed eyes, holding them with an icy glower. "Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?”

Arali clenched her fists to counteract the numbness brought on by Zyanya’s tightening grip on her wrists. She opened her mouth to retort, her muscles tensing for a physical response, but was cut off, “Then you shall have your monster, but you are not worthy of my love.” With that, she pushed herself off of Arali and left the rooms, slamming the outer door with as much force as she could muster.

Arali raised herself onto her elbows, shaking her head as though to lift a haze as she stared at the space Zyanya had vacated.

She gave up her attempt to kick off her boots on the third try, falling back onto the bed with her arms spread out at her side. Mouthing a silent “Fuck,” she le...

... middle of paper ...

...her feet, down her legs, from rosettes of blood rapidly spreading over her simple woollen gown. Blood dripped from her fingertips.

The breeze picked up, sending her surrounds churning. She turned to the cry of an owl, finding Ashur standing behind her, his face strangely unfamiliar.

She fell into the river, powerless to break free from the hands at her throat holding her under.

Arali bound from her bed as her eyes shot open, her body trembling from the cold sweat soaking her clothes. Slowly her eyes grew accustomed to her current surroundings. She caught her breath. And plummeted to her knees before the window with her hands caught in her hair. Leaning back, she let out a discordant scream, allowing escape to the pressure settled in her chest before slumping forward, grasping at the scratches of light spilling in through the drapes, onto the hardwood floor.