5. Kairhyse

5

Kairhyse

T his was the sixth night in a row we'd been club-hopping. It's both infuriating and exciting. I find the hunt fascinating, but my eagerness to find that dainty raven-haired damsel is driving me to be slightly irrational. I've snapped a few times at Mathas, who is acting impatient. It's possible that she ran or fled town, making me truly believe that she had been the victim and was scared.

That prospect intrigues me, if I'm honest. Chasing her across the continent sounds fun.

First, I need to at least get a good idea of what she looks like. Maybe confirm her scent, so I won't be blindly scouring the fucking planet like a lost dog.

We stroll down the bustling main thoroughfare of Sidence, surrounded by towering skyscrapers flanking both sides of the street. The lanes, four on each side, are sporadically occupied by passing cars. Despite the city's perpetual buzz, it's nearly midnight, and the majority

of people are opting for taxis to reach their destinations. Given that it's a Saturday night, my anticipation for chaos in this particular club is high. As we turn down the alley, my expectations are met, it's busy as all Beyond.

World Nite House is likely the most lucrative, bustling, and lively place in Sidence .

The club itself spans three floors. Its exterior is all black with tinted windows, only the silhouettes of dancers dragging my gaze. A large sign reads ‘Your World' in bright neon colors. One couldn't miss this place even if they tried.

The line greets us the moment we turn down the alleyway, but we don't pause to stand in it. The two large Dylox guarding the door stare me down. When I stop in front of one of them we are of equal height. I measure six foot ten inches tall, not short in the slightest. He doesn't intimidate me, and as I expose the back of my hand to him, he nods.

I'm marked by duty; while Shifters can be scarred and marked by iron and fire, my kind are not. My marking is done by way of a tattoo. A skull with a flower coming from the right eye covers the entire backside of my right hand. Before claiming Sidence, Hause Farella was symbolized by the skull of a Mundane with a flower coming from its right eye. It signifies life beyond death, a recurring theme for us Vampires.

We're allowed to pass through, and as we do, the immediate sounds of music and shouts of merriment filter into my ears.

The first floor opens up quickly to a round space that shoots up all three flights, and circling it are more spaces for dancing. Bars round the entirety of the first floor, with the largest dance floor directly in front of me.

There's so much to smell: alcohol, sweat, semen and piss—but I can smell her. It's a scent of sweet florals, like blooming cherry blossoms and soft peonies.

I can't explain it, there should be no reason why I can physically taste her. Hints of fruity notes reminiscent of ripe strawberries that I haven't tasted in over three hundred years. It's light, playful... and I feel like my tongue is being flirted with.

"She's here," Mathas says, and I glare at him.

I'm not sure why, but it pisses me off that he can also smell her.

"I can't pinpoint her, but she's definitely here."

I can, it's like I'm being dragged forward. Damn. Vayl above, what is that? I've never smelled a Mundane, let alone a Dylox, that's this potent. This delicious thing is something I could devour for every meal and never tire of it.

I make my way through the crowd of people grinding against one another, nearly boning in the middle of the dance floor.

And then I spot her .

Her hair is lightly curled, beach waves I think is the right term, bouncing over her shoulders as she flows with the music. Her arms are up and over her head, a male behind her gripping at her hips and thrusting what is likely a mediocre cock against her curved ass.

I'm immediately captivated, struggling to even blink. She has cherry-stained lips, and I can tell it isn't lipstick. It complements her nearly white skin, and by the Goddess, it's as pure as silk. I don't see a single freckle or flaw on her.

"That's her," Mathas comes to my side, "damn. Gods damn!" He is likely drooling, but I refuse to remove my gaze.

She glances playfully over her shoulder at the man who's barely keeping his wits about him. It looks like he's ready to tear off the black silk dress that has a slit right up to her hipbone. Holy fuck , her confidence in that piece of fabric is astonishing, because she's not even wearing panties. Every sway of her hips, I can see where her thigh meets the curve that will take me straight to my undoing.

I hate being a male at times. My cock will not be restrained behind these pants for long. The thought of my hands on those hips and grabbing that plump ass is nearly blinding me.

"Come on, let's try to interject."

"Don't touch her," I grit through my teeth, the possessiveness easily readable. "I'll do it. Stay here, and I'll bring her."

I don't wait for him to respond and slither my way through the dancers. She's not short, smaller in frame yes, but her breasts and ass are not dainty.

When I'm a mere foot from her, she finds my gaze. Her slanted, upturned eyes are a breathtaking silvern.

She gives me the one up and brushes me away, turning back to her endeavor with her temporary dance partner. But I'm not to be ignored, unfortunately for her.

I swing an arm behind her neck and pull her from the man who shouts in protest, "Allow me to—"

The rough push from her is surprising, and she separates us. "Get your hands off me!" Gods, even her voice is a dream. She sounds of the night, like a symphony of delicate whispers carried by a breeze. The gentle hum of the city, the rustling of leaves.

"Go find your own treat." The male, a mere Mundane who smells of whiskey, grabs her around her waist and pulls her back to him .

Her lips part, but before she can get a word out Mathas speaks. "I think we could show her a better time than you," he says impatiently. "Mundanes are so boring. Beautiful, why not have some fun with a few Dylox?"

I groan, momentarily taking my eyes off her to look at Mathas.

"Fuck off!" the Mundane shouts, and I shoot my glance back to him. The woman is being pulled tighter to him, as though he is ready to run with her as his property.

Her scent shifts, and my eyes widen. She notices my change in demeanor, and her carefree expression disappears. A hardened one surfaces because she knows I can smell it.

The Amoro.

The Mundane shouts and rips his hand from around her. A twitch of her nose comes as she steps to me, her chest pressing against mine. Her chin lifts as she mutters, "Fuck... Off."

This is no damsel.

"Sorry," I say with a coy grin. "Can't do that. You see, Miles has requested a few words from you."

I'm taken aback that she doesn't flinch. The Mundane behind her is shouting at Mathas, but my ears are open only for her. She's the target, and all that matters in this moment.

"Doubtful." She lifts up toward me. "I'm sure that even in the Beyond, Miles is too choked up to talk."

That's enough confirmation for me, and I wrap my arm back around her neck, pulling her flush against me. "Let's take this outside, hmm? I'd rather not have an audience."

There's no smile accompanying her quip. "I enjoy making a spectacle." she takes one long intake of breath through her nose. "Achille dog."

I may have found my match with this one.

"Woof." I don't know enough about her dwindling kind, and for that, I won't allow for those lips to touch me. "I'm not asking. Let's go."

With a rough jerk, I begin walking us through the crowd. She's smart not to make a scene, but I can feel her anger. The tremble in her arms as she fights to keep from lashing out. I keep it impossible for her to swing for my head in this position, but selfishly, even if I didn't fear her running off, I'd still force her to stay under my arm.

Her scent is intoxicating, and I can only imagine her taste being just as delightful .

It's unfortunate that Achille will kill her—or at least try to. I don't know how you kill a Succubus, but it's not my job to care. Maybe I could at least get a single night with her. I'd usually ask for a big payout for this kind of trouble, but I think a twelve-hour session with this delight will suffice.

"Filthy," she whispers, "I can smell your desire seeping through your jeans."

Leading us out the door and turning away from the main street, I chuckle. "It's quite the compliment. I was imagining giving you your final meal."

She scoffs, and I look down at her.

"What's your name, Succubus?"

A bored expression accompanies her silence.

"Oh, don't be boring. We can share if you would like. My name is—"

As if perfectly timed, just as my name is about to slip from my lips, we turn the corner, and I am slammed against the concrete wall. My spine breaks in several places, and I instantly crumble down to my knees.

"I do not give a fuck." I hear feet rushing, Mathas is immediately in front of me and wrapping his hand around her throat.

My healing kicks in nearly immediately, and I slowly get to my feet. "Let her go, Mathas," I hiss. Unfortunately for him, he is too slow to hear my command, and with a single swipe of her hand, his forearm separates from the rest of his arm.

He shrieks and steps back, grabbing his bicep right above where his arm has been severed.

Watching as her nose twitches, she lifts her bloodied hand. "You ruined my night," her tone shifts, and I know it's the demonic side of her race peeling out from behind the layers of her human form. It holds a seductive, dark allure that I would be lying if I denied didn't make me crave to bend her over and punish her for thinking she could talk to me in this way. "Fucking Vampires."

The cadence of her speech is slow and deliberate, dripping with hints of malevolence .

"Listen." I straighten my back, looking at Mathas who is trembling in pain. Limbs, while we can grow them back, take days. That's unfortunate for him, but he needs to be more careful. "You fucked up, now you'll have to answer to Hause Sidence. That is the law."

She licks her lips, and I swear I see metal against her tongue. "I didn't plan on killing tonight," the fact that she sounds bored pisses me off. "But for you, I'll make an exception."

Mathas, the fucking idiot, lunges.

I'm not sure if I'm more upset that he was going to touch her again, or at his stupidity for being reckless. His hand is around her throat, slamming her against the adjacent wall. She doesn't scream, which is good, because one shout and someone will come running. We're not far from the entrance to the club. Granted, the booming music would muffle a slight cry, but we still need to be careful.

He throws her so hard it averts my gaze, and I quickly look for her in the trash and other bags of filth.

She groans, and I charge toward her, hovering above. She sighs, "Tiresome."

When I blink, she's gone. Shit, she's fast.

I'm pretty sure it was her shin that collides with my face, but I can't be certain. I crash against the wall, and I scold myself for being so careless.

I shake my head and when I open my eyes, I see her flat on her back, Mathas straddling her. I've never been the jealous type, but seeing that; oh, I could have killed him myself. "Mathas…" I hiss.

"Get your shit together, Kairhyse!" His fangs are protruding, and I snarl.

"Don't you fucking dare!" I try my best to convey the idiocy while not screaming.

"Make my night, my sweet," she purrs.

He is a Gods damn moron. The moment happens in a blink, and just as I am over him grabbing at his shoulders, his teeth sink into her neck.

Her gasp, tinged with pleasure, sparks a surge of anger in my spine. I toss back Mathas, who rolls until he stops, just before hitting the wall. "You have no idea what her blood will do—"

Her rising laughter draws my attention back to her. Our bites are lethal to Mundanes, causing death without the antidote. However, for Dylox, it's akin to a drug. I'm not personally acquainted with the sensation, but those who have described it liken it to floating in a haze of cannabis.

However, that laughter quickly ceases as her body goes taut.

"I've never tasted a Succubus before... but I don't want that to be the last time I do," he says, my gaze still fixed on the girl.

Despite my fear of turning away, I snarl at Mathas, my anger evident. "You fucking idiot, you have no idea—"

"Mathas…" she interrupts, and as I shift back to glance at her, she's on her feet, slightly hunched over. "You…" Her skin trembles, and her fury is so palpable that even my bones quiver, though I'm not afraid.

In a single step, she stands before him. "Kneel, Mathas."

I am on the verge of laughter at her audacity to command him. But then, he complies without hesitation. Mathas sinks to his knees, his head tilted back to maintain their interlocked gaze. His wide eyes betray his fear, as if he is incapable of resisting such a simple demand.

What...

She leans forward, and I'm too intrigued to intervene. "I can smell one of them on you…" Her hand closes around his throat, and I regain my mobility, darting behind her. My fingers entangle in her thick locks, pulling her head back. I hold my nails pointed straight at her neck, ready to tear her throat out.

"Stop, let's just talk. It's obvious neither of us is going to—" Her head turns slowly toward me, and I feel her hand reach back, grabbing my groin tightly in a vice-like grip. My teeth clench, my fangs extending further as I hiss through them. "Release me."

She remains silent, her piercing silver eyes akin to moonlight.

My balls would regenerate, but did I want to suffer through that? Absolutely not. Especially not for Mathas.

Slowly, I withdraw one hand from her hair and move the other from her neck.

Her gaze returns to my partner. "Who do you report to? Speak, Mathas. "

"Fuck you, bitch." How he ended up under the Hause Sidence, I'll never understand. Does he not realize the gravity of the situation he is in?

"Achille," I answer for him.

Damn, I should attack her, but I'm too fascinated. Plus, Mathas has pissed me off. I'll let her rough him up a bit before interfering.

"No," she hisses. "Shifters. Achille is a Mundane. Who did you report to before Achille? Who did you report to that was a Shifter!?"

I narrow my eyes, and Mathas, for Vayl's sake. He spits at her, and at such close proximity, it splatters across her face. "Release your hold on me, you witch!"

"My sweet." She leans back, running her fingers along her face to collect his saliva. I'm not sure why, but watching her lick them clean as though it is inconsequential spit makes my cock throb. "Witches bow to me and my kind as though we are their Gods. Do not belittle me." Her eyes narrow. "Answer my questions, for you have already surpassed my fucking patience."

When Mathas doesn't speak, she turns her gaze to mine. I focus down onto her lips that are slightly parted. "Who did he report to before Achille…?"

A low growl vibrates from my throat.

"Please?" she pleads mockingly, giving me a pouty expression.

"I'm unsure, it's not my job to know."

She scoffs and rolls her eyes, bringing them back down to Mathas. "I don't have fucking time for this. You both ruined my night. Answer the question, cupcake!"

The moment their eyes lock, Mathas breaks through the hold she has on him. His eyes now a bright purple, ah, a Nyxdrana . A Vampire that can cleanse their palate is rare, and quite useful. So much so that they are given their own designation. Now I understand why Achille wanted him.

I want to appreciate his ability, but once more, his actions are hasty. While I can see the attack coming, it seems to be too quick for the girl. He extends his hand out and slices straight through her neck, the blood splatter coating the adjacent wall.

Quickly, I move to her and grab her from behind. My one arm wraps around her waist, the other grabbing hold of her hair once more, pulling it back.

When I see the wound, heat rises from my stomach, "Mathas, Gods almighty—" I could see her damn vertebrae.

"She'll heal," he says with a shrug.

I am angry, not concerned she'd not heal.

"We need to work on your…" I pause, feeling her entire body vibrate as though she were the world and it were undergoing a quake.

My instincts kick in, and I drop to a laid position just as sharp shards of blood shoot across the alleyway. Mathas isn't fast enough, but it won't kill him anyway. Protruding from his neck and chest are a dozen, if not more, crystallized spikes of blood.

I can't imagine she will surprise me, but she does. With speed I only thought imaginable to my kind, she has Mathas against the furthest wall, feet dangling before I finish my blink. She smells of rage and despair, and I swear for a moment, I sense fear radiating off of her. It doesn't derive from Mathas...

No… She does not fear us.

There is something else—or someone else.

"Let me—" she cuts Mathas off.

"Don't!" I scream, but it is far too late. Mathas' head is completely gone in the matter of a breath. Blood, bone, and brain matter splatter across the narrow space. His body falls to the ground, slipping from her grasp.

Shit …

Her gaze, an unnerving intensity, locks onto me, and the deliberate twist of her neck, almost defying the laws of anatomy, sends shivers down my spine. In that moment, my entire being surrenders to a tumultuous blend of desire, an intoxicating dance that leaves me spellbound in the presence of her pull.

I see her action, and I am at my feet before she has the chance to stand above me. I might find her more attractive covered in blood.

Her mouth opens and I can see her hands raising, as though prepared to attack, when a shriek echoes from the entrance to our corridor of death.

"Oh, my Gods!" a woman calls out, and I know it will draw all the unwanted attention.

The Succubus before me lowers her hands, and in a blink, her face softens. Tears begin to pillow in her eyes as she wraps her arms around my torso. "Thank you! Thank you!"

I am so taken aback that my hands begin trembling at my side.

She rubs her face against my chest, and I can hear her taking in a long, deep breath of my scent. I know she is doing it to remember me, and I hiss through my clenched jaw.

"You saved my life!" This woman was fucking phenomenal. If I hadn't just witnessed her completely obliterate Mathas' head, I would call her the victim.

When she pulls away from me, I see the dilation of her eyes, and the corner of her lip twitch up. Then suddenly, she's running off toward the now growing crowd. "This Vampire saved me from that other one." She falls into a stranger's arms, an older male that has a phone to his ear. I can hear the authorities on the other end.

"He saved me! I would have died!" she continues her act.

Several of them begin moving toward me, and I groan. "It… It was nothing." I knew trying to pin the blame on her would be stupid, because they wouldn't believe me. Now with Mathas' blood smeared all over me, thanks to her, I was in a predicament.

I watch her, and she doesn't falter in the intensity of her stare down with me.

Oh, little demon, this is far from over.

As though she can hear my thoughts, she shakes her head—a warning—and slips from the man's embrace. Then, as someone walks between us, she disappears.