The moment I reassembled my skeletal self, I tumbled out onto a neatly trimmed lawn next to a bunch of chirping birds and a brand-new lawn mower. Even in my foggy, near-unconscious state, I couldn't help but appreciate the crisp cut of that grass. Using my elbows, I rolled over onto my back and took a deep breath, overwhelmed by the flood of smells and sounds washing over me.
A beautiful morning in the woods. Well, next to the woods — but that's just technicalities. I hadn't been out in nature in so long, I thought dreamily.
Inhaling all the tangy spring air and squinting at the playful sunbeams dancing across my eyelids, I slipped into a lazy, blissful sort of nonexistence.
Julia, this is so nice! — My first thought through the I wondered if she was near me. And Antwan? Where's that rascal? — Smiling at these warm, fuzzy thoughts, I brushed away a pesky mosquito trying to land on my nose and folded my arms behind my head. My hair draped over me like a soft blanket or shawl, and I wrapped myself in it — safe from all the bullshit of both this world and the next.
A bee buzzed somewhere nearby, clearly on a mission to find a flower for a quick break between flights. And way over there — look! A baby deer nibbling grass! Aww, what a little wonder of nature. All by itself, no mama, and not scared at all — just munching peacefully and blinking its big, innocent eyes that haven't yet seen the cruel face of danger.
And above it, the branches of a gorgeous magnolia reached down, fragrant and full of sap. Its blossoms had opened wide and swayed as if waving hello to all life below. And in just a second, those same branches would lash down and snatch up the little deer's body, wrapping around it and tearing it to shreds... no!
Screw off, you cursed negativity! Don't you dare ruin this perfect little slice of serenity.
Just look at the bold azaleas swaying under the tender watch of the fearless wind, and the—
Wait! What the hell is this nature-lover's monologue playing in my head? Who's spoon-feeding me this syrupy crap?
It took everything I had to lift my buzzing head off the comfort of the clover-and-wildgrass bed I'd landed in and stop sighing about dreams long gone. I couldn't let go of who I was — not yet. Maybe later, if I ever got my stolen blood back and returned to my rightful self, I'd consider that well- earned break. But not now. Not when someone else could get to me first and erase me from existence entirely.
My dazed mind finally stopped daydreaming and serving up wholesome delusions after I forced it to turn all that sweetness into nausea. Buzz off, little chickadees — I've got work to do. The hunt is still on!
Groaning, I stood up and brushed the last traces of foliage off my clothes, then scanned the area with clear eyes. Nothing much had changed. Still the same pure, untouched stretch of nature — but that was only one half of it. On the other side of the clearing stood a large countryside estate built from massive wooden logs.
The house looked like it'd been crafted from whole tree trunks, finely finished and hand-painted. A sloping roof and a chimney with curling smoke made it look even more like some fairytale cabin. Attached to the side was a wide veranda with a big canopy overhead. A long, empty table stood beneath it, flanked by a few chairs. One of them was occupied — a man (a man?) sat there smoking a cigar, occasionally setting it down in the groove of an ornate ashtray.
He greeted me with a subtle nod and went right back to admiring the leaves on the trees. Not far from him was a grill overflowing with juicy cuts of meat, sizzling from their own dripping fat.
Well, damn — I'd shown up just in time for the BBQ. Guess I'd better join the feast.
I walked up to the veranda, paused, and asked the host:
May I have your permission to come inside? Will you invite me in? A stream of tobacco smoke and a smirk in response: If you were one of those bloodsuckers from trashy novels, then maybe
you'd need an invitation. But as far as I can tell, you don't need blood to stay alive. — The strigoi flicked some ash and went quiet again.
Happy to know the guy had a sense of sarcasm, I pulled out one of the comfy chairs from the table and, after fluffing the already soft cushion, plopped myself down. My glutes sang a hymn of pure joy.
Good You, on the other hand, do need blood. A very specific kind, in fact — mine. Used to belong to you, let's speak in de facto — Noah corrected gently. — My dear Alenari, do you always leap straight to the point like that without giving proper time to small talk? I prefer catching my prey off guard! — I tilted my mouth into a smirk and flicked my hands forward to summon my And struck a battle pose with... empty palms.
What the hell?!
The ever-unflappable strigoi blew a few perfect smoke rings and explained:
Alenari, forgive my boldness, but you're acting like a child. Did you really think I'd leave you fully armed—in a reality I personally crafted? Fair point. – I replied, trying to look like I was handling the new setup with every ounce of dignity I had, like this was all just business as usual. That damn strigoi had even cut off my mental link with my people, so I'd lost contact with them again. Fine. I could keep things civil for now. No need to bust out the mind-moves just I'd wait until he slipped up—and then I'd hit him with something from the Higher Transform list. .. shall we continue this peaceful and touching little chat in this charming corner of nature, or shall we descend into some pointless bloodbath? – The charming man raised a brow. He'd put on the perfect mask of a courteous gentleman—and I gotta say, it suited him, if I didn't know he was a flesh-hungry undead creep. Just like you, dear Alenari. Or rather, not quite like you. But, how does the youth say it? Ah yes! Your undead cosplay is rather – This bastard didn't even try to hide the fact he was skimming my surface thoughts. I instantly strengthened my mental firewall and planted a little nasty surprise in there for the next time he tried poking around. And he would. No doubt.