As the smell of imminent death tickled her nostrils, Cassie pushed off the ledge, silently falling through the air. Landing in a crouch, she pulled her sword from its sheath. The sound of the glorious metal sliding out attracted the vamps attention and she spun round. A hiss escaped her snarling mouth, the twisted face of a monster holding Cassie's glare. The drunken boy rounded the corner out of view and Cassie smiled.
“Aw pity, don't ya just hate it when your take out ends up at the wrong address.” Cassie pretended to inspect her nails as if she was unimpressed by the vamp in front of her. The vampire shrieked, lunging for Cassie, all claws and fangs. She easily pivoted out of her reach. Her blood sang and she felt alive, more than she had in months, the lust for the kill overpowering and addictive. Breathing in, she rejoiced in the scent of anger and fear radiating from the vamp. The momentary lapse in concentration was all the vamp needed to land a sucker punch to Cassie's face. She recoiled backwards, landing with no grace, flat on her ass. Swearing under her breath, she pounced up and twirled her sword, awaiting the chance to strike. The vampires eyes were frozen open, and Cassie realized her hood had fallen down in the scuffle. She watched the vamp cautiously for a few minutes before taking a step forward. Retreating in her steps, the vamp held out her hand in surrender.
“I meant you no disrespect assassin.... I didn't know it was you till I saw your face. Those eyes really are quite remarkable....and your scar....” her voice trailed off, most likely due to the look of contempt on Cassie's face. Taking in the smell of lemon and ginger Cassie was able to deduct two things- the vampire was old and she was going to die.
Boldly strolling up to her, Cassie shrugged, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. “So my reputation precedes me, goody....,” her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Shame you won't get to tell anyone that you got to dance with the vampire bogeyman now isn't it”. Before she had even uttered the final word, she was in front of the creature. Swinging her sword, it hit its mark with precision, slicing through the vamps neck. The magnificent sound of metal against crunching bone was a symphony to her ears. Within seconds the body disintegrated into ash, any evidence the monster had been there washing away in the rainfall.
The tremors started then, starting in her fingers until her legs became unsteady. Fuck, I really left it too late this time didn't I? She scolded herself. Ever since she had found out that drinking blood increased her powers, she had taken to drinking it every now and then when she needed a boost, but the flipside was that if she went to long without drinking blood, she had adverse side effects. Tremors, headaches, nausea, and excruciating kick you in the ass pain. Thankfully she had made a couple of contacts in the local hospital when she had dropped off victims, who kept her stocked up on blood bags. She had tried animal blood but that stuff was rank. Cassie despised the fact that she took blood away from patients that might need it but it was all about survival. She just prayed to the goddess that the lives she saved somewhat made up for the legion of sins that she carried with her. Replacing her sword, she took in one more sweeping glance of the alley. The first hints on the impending sunrise making an appearance. Pulling her hood back in place, she prepare to head home, when the unexpected voice in her head held her frozen to the spot.
Cassie?...... Cassie please............. just let me know that you’re okay........... Say something.
A rush of emotion flared throughout her, changing in seconds from shock, to relief before settling on anger. She was careful not to think, not to answer but how in the hell could he be speaking to her now?
As the familiar voice continued to plead inside her head, Cassie saw the glint of something white in the corner of her eye. Her necklace must have fallen off when the bitch ass vamp got in her cheap shot. Reaching down into a puddle to retrieve it, she hesitated.
Come on Cassie...... the voice growled. Just let me hear your voice... I......I.... thought the worst when I couldn't sense you and your mind has been turned off.....I really did fear you were dead my assassin.
That was all Cassie could take, her anger boiling over.
Don't fucking call me that, you filthy blood sucker. I'm not your anything..... Get this into your head, I don't wanna be found. I hate you with every fibre of my being, you lying sack of shit. You thought I was dead and I wish I was. But listen carefully to me Luka, if I ever see you again, I will kill you..... Forget about fearing that I'm dead, you hear me? 'Coz as far as I'm concerned I am dead ... dead to fucking you anyway!
She spat out every single word with as much venom as possible before returning her necklace to its rightful place, the voice nothing more than a heartbreaking echo. Cassie hoped that he would give up now, stop looking for her so maybe she could find a little shred of peace. Summoning what little strength she had left, she willed her body to fly and levitated to the roof. Rattled and empty, she headed off over the rooftops, leaping from one to the next. All she needed was a shower, a cold glass of blood to settle her nerves and things would go back to normal. But as thunder rumbled in the distance, Cassie was certain her life was anything but normal.
A chirping noise brought her out of her thoughts. She didn't have to check the reminder on her phone; she knew what day today was. With one quick glance at the rising sun, she spoke to know one but herself. “Happy Birthday Cassandra.” she whispered before vanishing into the fading shadows.
Another Way To Bleed (Midnight Assassin) Page 17
