Until we fall: A vampire au
“How do you plea to the defense?”
“Does it matter? You’re going to kill us any ways. Hey? What’s it gonna take for a girl to get a glass of water over here? I’m thirsty and I don’t think with my impending death you should be treating a person so brutally. It’s all I’m saying, I’m done you can go on… What was the question?”
Dulche watched with a smirk on her lips as the ‘judge’ behind the grand wall sighed, his hands moving to soothe back white hair that could have easily been hidden by a good dye job. Those fingers sliding down wrinkles that she did not even think a vampire should have. Brown eyes paused on the motions when those eyes locked onto her again, his mouth opening so that those wrinkles that caught her attention sagged, and she could not help but scrunch her nose at the sight, blonde locks falling around her as she leaned forward.
“Can’t you guys get rid of those or something? The wrinkles I mean? Like with blood sucking, or vacuuming? I don’t know what you guys call it but you know what I mean… It just seems like a hassle to be an immortal hag… “
“You are accused of killing three ranking officers of the court, how do you plea?”
His voice shook as he spoke, the rage that was caught up in his throat slipping through the words like venom.
“Just because you speak louder does not make it mean more. Can we just get to the subject that you so rudely ignored? Like really? Hear a girl out, dying wish and such, how is it you keep your skin so ancient? You know so if I do survive this I do the exact opposite of that.”
“Just take her to the court. They’ll deal with her how they like.”
There was no victory won, she was not ignorant to that, but she had worked the man up into a big enough steam that she could not hold the smile back as he stood, hunched over the table, those thin fingers working over the paper to move on with his torment of innocent human beings.
“Look Sloane!!! We get to die together, cute right?”
She turned her gaze to her biffel, the beautiful brunette looking up at her from the gag with an expression was too used to by now. She winked in a mock delight as Sloane gave her the thumbs up. The guards moved in on her quickly after that, pulling up on the gag but not before she got a few words out first.
“Nobody has like had this in their mouths or anything, right? It’s been wash-“
And there it went that gag pulling into her mouth with no repercussions. The guards yanking her to her feet from the position they had put her in on her knees. They were rough handlers there was no doubt about that as they pulled her down on the seat next to Sloane, Shawna and Miranda looked at her with wide eyes, fear clinging to them like a second skin. Where Kato and Diedre only seemed vaguely annoyed.
It was not much time after wards they were standing again, all six of the girls forced to the middle of the room while the vampires exited. Only a guard standing at each door the indication that anything was even up. There were no whispers, no echoing winds in the room, just opens seats circling around them. Something that was only a little ominous compared next to the roaring thunder outside of the building.
It would be a lie if she said she wasn’t scared, that her heart was not racing a million miles an hour, that her body was not shaking over the unforeseen future.
She was fucking terrified to be honest, but she was not going to let a single viewer see that. Not even the ever beautiful Sloane that was leaning into her.
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Tick…. Tock… tick….. tock….
It was almost hypnotizing to watch the dark gold metal flicker, back and forth, back and forth, and to realize that each tick of the grandfather clock that sat across from him was another second passing, each second moving, sliding, slipping through his fingers like running water. His eyes followed the tarnished gold, bright eyes never leaving the sway that had him so captivated, though the vision of it was upside down, as his back pressed flat against the edge of a lounging couch, the one open edge allowing his head to dangle over the side, ink black hair spilling, reaching for the wooden floors beneath him. His foot tapped to a unheard rhythm, his fingers moving, tapping along with each second to play over his exposed stomach, shirt hitched up as his body stretched to watched the metronome.
Time passed slowly, too slowly, and it was almost funny to him that no matter how long he watched this clock, time, for him, would have no effect. He was a bolder in the river, unmovable, unchallenged, time splitting around him to continue its path, leaving him here, right here, where he had always been, had been since the moment his father had changed him.
He would be here, long after this clock stopped and long after humankind stopped recording every moment, second that passed them by, brought them closer to the death they so rightfully deserved.
There was a noise, the sound of a door opening that caught his attention, but his eyes remained glued to the metal, his fingers never stopping, the only hint he even heard someone enter the light quirk of his lips as he began to speak, to address whoever dared to interrupt him as such a time.
“You better have a good reason for coming to me. I’m very busy.”
His tone was soft, playful and smooth as he continued his little motion, and he heard them shuffle on their feel, the slight creak of one as they looked around, possibly trying to decipher what it was he was busy with, not that they would ever really understand.
“My lord…”
Not a Squad member.
The smile on his lips never faded, but there was a hardening to his eyes, one that caused the man addressing him to stumble over his words and cough as the slight change.
“My lord,” He started again, “Your presence is requested in the Court room.”
“And do tell me, why is my presence required?”
Balthiair was many things, A killer, a trickster, a little bit of a man man…. but a fool was not one of them. He was not stupid, especially not when it came to his standing in the world. When it came to matters of the court, there was a ladder of people that judgement was passed to. It started with the True Kings, The Lee’s, Dhouti’s Arenello’s, Power’s and Khaset’s… the ones that had been dictated eligible to rule after the True son decided that he didn’t want the position as the king… just A king. If, by the grace of the original vampires, none of them were available, it moved down the ladder, to the most logical, the well calculated, the ones who have proven themselves, over and over again to be able to make a stable minded judgement when it came to all matters, ones who did not allow something as trivial as emotions to get in the way.
Balthiair was not one of those people.
It was no secret the boy was… strange, and that he held very little regard for human life. It drove Carson mad when they ate together, how careless He was, but Really, the green eyed boy could not find it in him to care. Humans, by nature, were disgusting, deplorable things, no better then the animals they so persecuted for simply not having the ability to communicate with them. They were filthy, they scurried like roaches when the lights came on the moment they saw a vampire, they were nothing, a plague to the earth, the very destruction to a beautiful planet. They were nothing to him, every human he had come across just as vapid as the last, just as dull, just boring. They held nothing bust selfish desire and fucked one another over easily, no loyalty among them, and what sliver they had…. That could easily be broken.
He hated them.
The smile never faded as the man cleared his throat.
“It… well…. No one else is available.”
Balthiair knew that. He knew the reason, had logically put it together with just the few words the man had spoken to him, But he had wanted to hear it…. He wanted a reason, and the moment the man spoke, as soon as the words left his mouth, Balthiair was moving, a blur against the background as he flipped over, feet landing easily on the floor with a silent thump, and he was before the man, a easy going expression disassociated with the flashing darkness of his eyes.
“So you mean to tell me that You’ve come to me as a last resort? You think of me last?”
The man Gulped. Balthiair grinned.
“You disrespected a king. You think I’ll go just because you ask?”
His hands were around his throat before he could even scream, and it was the sound of gurgling blood and ripping flesh that greeted him as he flung the man’s head to the wall, the blood splattering against his face, the grin never leaving as he moved to swipe at it with the edges of his black jacket.
“Seems like fun though… why not?” he laughed, and the room fell silent, save for that small passing of time.
Tick…. Tock… tick….. tock….
----
Now, what do we have here.
The thought moved through his mind as he pushed open the door to the Court room, his gaze sliding along the stone floors as the thunder roared overhead, a clash loud enough to rattle the windows that lined the walls of this particular room resounding as the door slammed shut behind him, almost with an ominous toll. He made no motion that he even saw the rest of them, the bodies lining the higher tiers of the staggered seating, his eyes locked, solely on the figure of a girl who was kneeling in the center of the Courtroom,. He watched her, a slow interesting building, Her eyes flickering, watching him, the guards, and the others that walked in. He heard Titus as he moved through the doors, heard the voices of Logan and Parker as they spoke in low whispers to each other, but Balthiair payed them no mind. His attention was focused, sure, and there was really only one thing that interested him.
He moved like a predator, all sleek movement and smiles as he walked to the edges if the seating, his foot coming up to push himself up to the railing, standing there for a moment as he bounced on the balls of his feet, before he flipped over the railing that lead down the to the court floor. He landed witha thump, the room silenced as they watched one of the most unstable of The United States Kings stand slowly, moving with reptilian grace toward the humans in the center of the circle. His expression, easy, playful, calm, never changed, that same smile on his face as he dropped, slid on his knees, closer to this blond human Until he was in front of her, this literal definition of perfection that was wrapped up in a disgusting human flesh.
She was perfect, the most gorgeous girl, Human or vampire for that matter, he had ever seen. Long blond hair framed a perfect heart shaped face, bright green eyes, framed by thick dark lashes, watching him as he moved, his hands coming up, tracing over her lips and the bit of her gag. Her skin was flawless, pale against his, not a blemish or scar or mark in sight and only the skid of dirt and ruin that she had been dragged through by his kind. She was small, such a small little thing, her body curved perfectly like she had been hand crafted to turn every head she came across. Her eyes flashed at him, bringing him back as his fingers trailed over her features in a mesmerized sort of movement, a small breathy hitch the only indication that something was different before he moved, taking the bit off, Balthiair blinking at her slowly, taking in her every move. She licked her lips, trying to get her lips to feel something again as she shifted her gaze, and a flash of anger surged in him at it.
Balthiair brushed his knuckles over her cheek, bringing her attention straight back to him, where it belonged.
“What’s your name?”
There was a moment of shocked silence after he spoke, and he was very aware of the whole Courtroom watching him, wondering what it was he was doing, why he was even talking to her, considering her filthy human status. The girl looked equally surprised, her gaze flickering with thoughts she would not say, taking in his smile, the one locked on his lips, the one that was now taking a sort of dreamy effect as he looked upon her longer. She was so pretty, a perfect ideal in a physical form.The girl never looked away, her lips parting as she sucked in a breath.
“Cynthia.”
Balthiair’s grin grew wider. His motions never stopping.
His hand snapped solidly against her cheek, making her whole head snap to the side. Even his hand stung a little, and eh could see the rest of his hand print already beginning to appear on the previously unmarked skin. The gasp that slipped past of her didn’t go unnoticed, but Balthiair made no indication, no mention of hearing it at all. Instead his fingers moved, sliding along her cheek to grip her chin with his fingers and then yanking her jaw to face him again. He could see a little redness on her lip, here the force had pressed her inner cheek into her teeth. It must have cut her a little.
“Ow, For one, that Hurt you know, I –“
“What is your name?
She paused, clearly not used to being cut off, as her expression changed to on of indignation, before answering again.
“It’s Beth.”
Balthiair’s smile never wavered, though he could feel it as his brows furrowed slightly at this. This time the slap was harder, and He watched as she dropped, her body slamming against the ground as she coughed slightly, her cheek bright red and her lip gaining a small cut that had not been there before. Balthiair moved, hovering over her slightly as he looked down on her, His expression never changing, his tone still soft, still friendly, casual. He seemed more like a friend, asking if she was okay then an attacker, his expression friendly, open, his tone soft and welcoming. His head tilted as he looked down on her.
“What is your name?”
“Fuck… Shit… that hurt.” Her words came out a little slurred, like she had drank a little and it was finally starting to hit her. Her eyes looked dazed as she opened them again.
“What is your name?”
“It’s Joan, Okay?”
The resounding smack reverberated through the near silent room. He could hear the girl behind them move, struggling against her bonds, but his attention never shifted. Her cheek was bright red now, and the cut elongated, a dribble of blood starting down her chin as she gasped in pain at the remaining sting. His own hand burned, but he made no motion to change his expression.
“What’s your name?”
“You just wanna go at it huh? Why don’t you take a girl out first before you smack her around, that's the gentlemanly thing to do ya know.”
Another slap. This time he could see her lips split again, even more painfully than the last, the whole bottom of her lip ripped through, painfully as his hand crossed her cheek again, his body moving now, crawling over her to straddle her body. He placed himself, either knee on the side of her hips as he looked down at her, face schooled in an expression that was far too friendly for his actions. The smile never dipped, only widened as his eyes did, his heart hammering against his chest, his breathing coming in slow shallow pants. His features were that of a friend, lips pulled, quirked, never failing.
“What is your name?”
“Are you broken? Or Deaf? Or maybe just stupid? It’s Delena, I told you.”
This time his fingers clenched, and the feeling of her flesh under his fist was a reverberating heave that sent shiver down his spine. The girl under him coughed as his hand drew back, a splattering of blood bubbling up as her lip split again, her body shaking as she sucked in a pain filled sob. He looked down at his hand, looking, for all the world, only mildly amused. There was blood on his fingers now, and god she smelt so heavenly. He wanted more, just as much as he wanted to know her name.
“What is your name?”
“… Andy…”
Another punch, the sound of her teeth clashing together as his fist connected synonymous with the sound of her control breaking. He wondered if she knew, knew he could heard her lies, could hear her heart accelerate with each little lie she told, could see the little ticks in her face that sang of her falsities. It was so easy to tell when a human was lying. It was a little more difficult with vampires, he would admit, but alway, always, always,he could tell. He had long since studied body language, had studied what it meant to lie and the signs of it. He had heard lies, lies telling him he was attractive, he wasn’t a monster, he wasn’t scary, so much so he could pinpoint them with a sniper's ease. He assumed that she didn’t or she wouldn’t have continued this way, or maybe her human nature made her stupid, like the rest of them, and she foolishly thought she could deceive him.
“What is your name?”
“Dulche… It’s Dulche.”
Finally… the truth.
“Dulche….” He spoke softly, tasting her name on his tongue. He liked it… he liked it a lot.
“That’s pretty.”
“What? You could tell?” Her words were slightly muffled, gurgled as blood welled in her mouth and she had to spit again, her head turning to allow the red to paint the ground, a little getting on his jeans. He didn’t mind. He only tilted his head, that grin never leaving as he skimmed her cheek again, enjoying the way she leaned away from him.
“Yes. I can tell when you’re lying.” He told her, expecting her to look horrified and for her to lean away again, to curse him, scream at him. She did none of those.
“Oh… Cute~” She spoke, her voice gurgled and slurred…. But truthful. She was telling the truth.
“What?”
That caught him off guard. Balthiair blinked, his eyes widening and the smile finally sliding off his face as he looked down at this bloody, broken mess of a girl. She didn’t seem apologetic for what she said, her heart beat the same speed as it had been before, no acceleration, no stall…. Her face remained the same, broken, but there wasn’t a single tick to it, not a single indication of lies he had come to associate with that word and him. She simply stared back at him as she allowed her words to slowly sink into the vampire king’s head, and as they did, Balthiair could feel the slow rising of warmth flooding over his skin as the blush built up, finally taking over his face and making him completely red.
Balthiair was anything but stupid. He wasn’t attractive, wasn’t smooth or pretty like the others, People didn’t call him cute, they called him hideous, intimidating, scary…. His heart hammered again, and he could feel his mouth gaping as his entire face ran bright, bright red.
“What?”
“Hard of hearing suddenly? Please tell me you aren’t actually deaf, I don’t think my face can take any more.”
“What?” He couldn’t think, couldn’t place together her words to him.
“Oh I’m screwed.”
“No, I just….”
Balthiair, suddenly, was at a loss of words. Luckily, he was saved from having to respond by Logan’s soothing voice, his tone hesitant but also impatient.
“Balthiair… Care to tell me what that was about?”
The dark haired boy looked up, his face still red and his eyes a little wide and watery from the raging emotions this situation had created in him. His eyes stung as tears welled up, green blurring as he but his lip. No one ever called him cute, very few people ever really said nice things about him. It was always monster, scary, demon… He had forgotten what affection, even the slightest bit of it, could feel like. He swallowed around them, pushing them down as he nodded, blinking rapidly to keep the tears from spilling.
“Dibs. She’s mine… Dulche…. Is mine.”