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4.

Quiet and elegant music in the background, gorgeous saloons, grandiose hairdos, enchanting glimpses shining with the light of the underworld, amazing dresses and suits – perfection came alive. Or at least from the outside it must have looked like that for the shallow observer, who let himself getting enchanted by the measured laughs and the lewd looks. The victim couldn’t see the danger behind the sparkling irises. A vampire ball – staged by the more sophisticated ones – looked like this. The majority of the guests didn’t know the occasion at all, they were just allured here by the happening itself. They were like moths to the flame. Finally they had the opportunity to show themselves or to boast about what they’d done since the last party they’d attended.

The slender man, who stepped into the room in a black suit and took a glass filled with blood, never liked these way too power-demonstrating events. His former mistress held such parties too where she could show how much power she’d gained or whom she managed to seduce. But of course as a celebrity in the mortal world he liked these happenings, because those were harmless. He just had to hide his true nature. Here it wasn’t a problem if it showed, because everyone was a vampire – except the influential humans the bloodsuckers brought with themselves or the seduced fools. But here he had to pay attention on every gesture he made to keep the others away from drawing the wrong conclusions. Especially when someone was watching these gestures directly. It was a game of power where often your life depended on one conversation. If you were able to protect yourself and your territories then they left you alone, but if you seemed weak, you failed and just a few hours or days had remained for you. You had to say goodbye for everything you were and owned, for the things you’ve built up during the years – all these found a new owner after your death. These were cruel laws which had been written for survival. This was the way vampires cleaned their lines, getting rid from the weak suckers.

But for now Dave wasn’t worried because of the ones who attended this party – though there were a few more powerful vampires than him, but during the years he managed to assure a quite good position. Of course some members of his race didn’t like that he was getting this strong after his mistress’ death. Most of them were suspicious and confused even from the fact that he could survive the death of Dita Van Tesse and of course the destroying power of that fire-witch. They heard the rumours that more than ten years ago he was there in the middle of her cruel power in New York. They whispered that on that night a new chapter had opened in the history of the Nord American vampires’ lives – and especially in the ones who were living in New York City.

They’ve heard that after a few days a fresh and enormous power took control over, collecting the survivors into an effective Clan – giving power for the worthy and building up an effective network, which supervised the vampire-population and its strength, creating a nearly equally strong vampire society. But of course these rumors were mainly just exaggerated rumors for the majority. But no one could deny that one of the most powerful Nord American vampire clans could be found in New York and the leader of this clan just walked into one of the imposing saloons, smelling the content of his glass and not paying too much attention to the gazes which eyed him from head to toe.

He eyed the crowd for his acquaintance, but he suspected that he’s arrived too early to find Gabriel here. He always had his specific little games, but Dave tired not to think too much about them. For the time being he decided to mingle in the crowd though he saw that some of the influential guest have already started their predator-like circles around him, like stalkers coming nearer and nearer, ready to find out some news about him. He knew that his suddenly enormous power was interesting to them. He was getting bored with them, though it wasn’t too difficult to disarm the intrusive ones. His politeness and seductive skills were always noticeable – even when he had been a human.

***

‘Shit. What the hell is he doing here?’ the woman in black thought behind her mask as she was standing in a darker corner of the balcony, watching the chatting or dancing guests. She was here because of her mission. For now she just seized up things, she had no exact plan yet, but she hoped that she’ll be lucky tonight.

She followed the dark-haired man with her eyes for another few moments until he got company – a woman in a fancy dress. She could see even from this distance that they began a shallow conversation. Here, through her nice black lace-mask it wasn’t prominent that her eyes glistened and moved along the balcony with a light golden colour until she found she was searching for. She linked the faces to the names which she received this morning in a file. Lord Wordsforth, Ezékiel Young, Christoph Vril-Ya, Nathaniel de Lac and Edward Brightshown.

She made a face as she watched her targets whispering verbally and non-verbally, flashing their eyes at each other time after time, “taking a break” in observing the guests downstairs. But she noticed too that when Lord Tharsis appeared, all of them followed him with their eyes. Their gazes weren’t too kind, indeed.

Elizabeth instinctively ran her hand along the blade which was attached to her forearm under her dress. She knew that it was impossible to shuffle her graceful sword inside under this strapless dress. But she trusted her power too, which she completely closed into her body. She was careful, she didn’t want anyone to sense it. She didn’t want to draw attention on her. She concentrated hard on her targets and her surroundings. She saved every little morsel of information. With one glimpse she could size up which one of the vampires have already had dinner; she noted how much blood they took from the fine glasses, which were served by the human servants; and where the vampire lords’ servants were positioned. They weren’t brave enough to spin the subtle veil of intrigues unprotected.

Her concentration broke when the elegant host of the evening started to speak. Every head turned towards him. She had to concentrate very hard not to obey to the delicately forcing energy, which filled the whole ball room, and to be able to look away. She had to confess that the ancient vampire who started talking downstairs knew how to attract attention.

Liz stepped further back from the balustrade and in the shadows she started going around the boxes – stopping here and there not to make sensation. Although she had great skills in slinking and shading her presence, she was still among experienced vampires. Time after time she stopped – as if she just admired the paintings – but meanwhile with one eye she scanned her surroundings.

“A majestic piece, isn’t it?” she heard a male voice next to her. For a while she saw that the stranger was circling around her.

“It’s a bit too vivid for my taste” she shrugged her naked shoulder elegantly.

“Well, well… so you like naturalistic style better?” the blonde vampire smiled. His long hair was spun together and reached down to his waist. He turned towards Liz.

“We can say” she sent him a shallow smile while she sized up the man next to her. ‘He’s around 300 years, not a master vampire, but he’s strong enough’ she thought.

“I haven’t seen you around yet” the owner of the greenish-blue eyes noted.

“No surprise.”

“Well… then you’re a fresh rose?”

“Don’t you sense it?”

“You don’t let me size up your power.”

“Then it seems my defense works well” she sent him another smile, but saw that the other vampire though that it was for encouraging him. ‘Shit!’

“True. Can you fill me in why you’ve attended this party tonight?”

“I really don’t want to hurt your feelings, but…”

“Ah, at last! My dear, I thought that you’ve left without me!” she heard a too familiar voice from behind and felt that someone hooked on her.

‘Act naturally!’ she heard in her head.

“I have to apologize Gerard, but I have something to discuss with the lady” Dave sent a charming smile towards the other vampire, whose face turned expressionless, and Dave started already pulling Liz into the other direction. The blonde man seemed a bit harassed seeing that David snatched his prey away from him, but he didn’t do anything to stop it, just turned around and disappeared on the half-lit corridor.

“Who the hell do you think you are?!” Liz pulled out her arm from Dave’s grip.

“What’re you doing here?”

“Don’t ask back! And by the way it’s none of your business and don’t you dare to touch me again without my permission, you sleaze!”

“Uh-oh, these are hard words, Liz” he backed her to the wall.

“Well, well… You’ve already forgot why you’ve earned them?” anger flashed in her eyes, which turned more bright.

“Oh I remember” he slid his hand onto her slim waist.

“I’ve told you not to touch me!” the air started smoldering around her. Dave pulled his hand back, but didn’t step away.

“Alright. I didn’t save you from Gerard to burn me afterwards.”

“I could do that easily!”

“Really? Then how would you finish off the hundreds of vampires which would jump on you?”

“I’d solve it.”

“I guess so. But then you’d miss to carry out your plan, which made you come here tonight.”

“And what’s that?”

“I cannot know everything, but I’m not stupid, I can put two and two together. You’re on a mission again, aren’t you? Otherwise you wouldn’t walk in on your nice legs into such a place. Are you here to kill someone?” he whispered the last sentence “It’d be stupid to do so in such a place filled with vampires – unless the killer wants to attempt suicide.”

“You’re already entombing me?”

“Liz!”

“I owe you no explanation, Dave! And don’t think I’m a fool. I have enough experience. You have no idea…”

“Then enlighten me!”

“No. Instead I’d like to hear why you are here and why do you bother me?”

“To live some social life.”

“Don’t make me laugh!”

“Don’t you believe me?”

“I never did.”

“You’re lying.”

“True. But most of the time my statement covers the truth.”

“Wow, what a surprise! A man can learn something new every day.”

“You’re not a man anymore.”

“True. I meant it allegorically.”

“Great. Then maybe you could let me go to do my business.”

“Why? Is my presence this bothering?”

“More than that after the thing you’d done a few days ago.”

“Listen, you’re right… I can still feel it… And I wanted you to know that I’m sorry! Really sorry. I didn’t want to bite you. Something happened to me and I don’t know what. Something made me completely wild. I came here to figure it out.”

“Great. Good luck with that! And now if you excuse me, I have to arrange something…” she put her hands on Dave’s chest to push him away a bit so she could finally go, but Dave didn’t let it happen so easily.

“Liz, please! I am really sorry! And…”

“And?” she looked at him questioningly.

“And I’m worried about you…” Dave looked away.

She just laughed “You never give up, do you?”

Dave didn’t answer just looked her in the eye then let Liz go. He watched her until she disappeared on the corridor and he went to search for Gabriel. He could feel his presence now.

***

Liz was still in a fret as she walked along the corridor, but she forced herself to calm down – concentrating even more to hide her power. She lost control over it a few minutes ago and thanks to Dave’s boorishness some of it “leaked out”. But now she had a task to do, she had to close her anger inside – she’ll have time to think it over when she gets home. For a few moments she stopped in the shadows to take a few deep breaths, calming herself down. After a little concentration she already felt better and as she opened her eyes she started walking, one of her ears following the speech the evening’s host gave.

Slowly she reached the box where her targets were sitting behind the heavy brocade curtain. She hid most of her face behind her black lace fan as she passed the aware guards. There were two of them on both sides of the door and two other one were leaning against the wall opposite them. Their intense gaze followed her every move and she could feel that they tried to use their mental tricks on her to read her intentions, but her brain was already closed – they had no chance to look into her head.

She let her gaze wander onto the corridor’s walls – as if she just admired the paintings – and slowly left the guards behind. It won’t be easy. She has to figure out a quick and effective method to kill her targets. She gracefully walked into the neighboring box where her escort was sitting in his elegant suit.

“Did you manage to size things up?” he leaned to her – this time his long hair didn’t tickle her shoulder, because it was in a ponytail – and breathed his question into her ear.

“Yes. It won’t be easy, but I’ll solve it” she answered then waved to Thomas to stay silent. She closed her eyes to avoid all visual stimuli, sharpened her senses and concentrated on the quiet conversations in the next box.

***

“Gabriel, my old friend!” Dave held out his right hand to the tall vampire with honey-blonde wavy hair, whose hazel eyes flashed as he noticed his friend. Dave noticed that playful, silly light in the familiar look. Gabriel’s brown irises still had that golden ring around it. The ex-singer always mused how many women he could have made crazy with this kind of eyes.

“David Gahan! Well, well, well. Nice to see you again. Lately you’ve disappeared!” he waved towards a chair. Their box was on the second floor, opposite the stage. Dave sat down next to the other vampire and slightly shrugged his suit-covered shoulder.

“You know how it is… sometimes you have to disappear from the observing eyes…” he rolled his eyes. As he let his gaze wander on the other boxes he spotted Liz and Thomas on the first floor, but now he didn’t care too much with it, he turned back to his friend.

“Well yes, it’s familiar. I guess leading your clan takes a lot of your time as well…” he held out his glass. Dave filled his own with some blood then they clank glasses, the characteristic sound of crystal quickly getting lost in the hall.

“Yes” he nodded after a sip “Although luckily everything goes well. My commissioner holds things in his hands. But this isn’t the cause I wanted to meet you.”

“I’m listening” he waved for him to continue.

Dave looked around. He couldn’t be sure that there wasn’t someone spying on them.

“Fancy a nice walk outside?” he smiled.

“As you wish” Gabriel stood up, flashing his sharp canines as he smiled and after a minute they were already walking on the roof, avoiding the slippery spots with cat-like moves. They used to go hunting this way a lot.

“So? What’s this all about?” Gabriel squinted at him. In the light of the full moon his fair hair looked white as the soft breeze played with a few wavy tufts. Before he went on he examined Dave with his intense stare “Somehow you’re different. Much more… strong and hard.”

“I knew that you’ll feel it… Somewhere I’m glad that I gained more power, but I’m worried because of the way it’d happened.”

“And that’d be?” he held on to a hundreds of years old gargoyle. For a few minutes they walked quietly while Dave collected his thoughts.

“I need your help, Gabriel” he whispered staring at the stars “I know it won’t be for free.”

“What kind of help do you need?” he frowned questioningly.

“I need information about a certain topic. It’s very important and top secret” he looked at him to emphasize the importance of the last sentence.

“I see. Go on!” he looked at him with more curiosity “What did you do again?”

“You remember the big clean-up a few years ago in New York, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You were one of those few who could resist Elizabeth Townsend’s calling.”

“True.”

“You know more about witches than any other person I know, this is why I turn to you” he stopped.

“But what do you want to know?”

“Everything possible. I would like you to find out everything you can about Elizabeth Goldwing.”

“You mean about Elizabeth Townsend’s former life?” he looked at him deep in thought.

“Exactly. I want to know what that witch did in her life. Every last detail – or at least the things you can find out. And everything about witch blood and its effect. I need every little detail. Will you do it?”

“I will” he nodded seriously “But… what had happened, Dave?”

“I tasted her blood and… something has changed in me… My Beast broke loose and wants her…” he added and saw that Gabriel’s pupils became small black spots. Dave knew that he was sitting in deep shit.

(To be continued...)

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