Aura
looked at the two faintly glowing figures standing in the back of the
alleyway, huddled together as though they were a pair of mice
cornered by a panther. Under different circumstances, she might have
taken pleasure in the effect her performance seemed to have on them,
but a wave of frustration welled up inside of her. There was always
a person or two in every town who had to push her boundaries. Why
couldn’t they leave well enough alone and mind their own business?
She wouldn’t enjoy what she was about to do, but she had to put a
stop to them before they ruined everything for her.
Her
eyes focused in on the young man’s neck. She could see a dark red
light of the blood coursing through his arteries. She could almost
feel the warmth flowing down her throat as she drank from that
fountain of youth. Her tongue slid across her top lip as the urge to
feed nearly overwhelmed her. She took a deep breath. Perhaps these
two had a good reason for following her. She would have to reserve
her judgment for the time being.
Just a
little ahead of her, a street lamp cast a circle of light. A mote of
dust drifted down through the beam. It would be perfect for her
grand entrance. There were few things in this life which gave her
more pleasure than a grand entrance. She watched as a younger
version of herself stepped into the spotlight on a stage and gazed
out at the seats filled with patrons waiting for her performance.
She shook her head. Those days were long gone. She would have to
make do with this humble street lamp.
She
felt the flutter of her clothes brush along her fingertips as she
walked into the beam. “What’s the matter? Cat’s got your
tongue?” she said, drawing the dagger from her purse. The blade
weighed heavily in her hand as she griped its hilt. She watched as
Sarah’s eyes darted to the knife. Sarah’s face remained stoic.
Roger on the other hand, had his mouth open and his eyes had grown
wide. Aura saw the pulse of his blood speed up. “I’m feeling
charitable tonight. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t free
you from your mortal coil?”
“We
know all about you, Aura,” Roger said, his voice shaking. “And
our friends do too.”
Sarah
rammed an elbow into Roger’s side. “Roger!”
Aura
felt a ice cold lump of fear lodge itself in her chest. How could
they possibly know? How could she have exposed herself like this?
She usually fed only once per town to reduce the chance of being
found out, but there was something intoxicating about Chester which
kept her longing for more…
No,
they couldn’t possibly know. Rob told her that they found and
arrested the killer. She was in the clear. All the pieces had
fallen into place and no one in the town was any the wiser. Had he
been on her trail this entire time and used the arrest as a decoy?
Aura
cleared her throat. “Whatever do you mean?”
“It’s
awfully suspicious that all those men died in the same way, don’t
you think Aura? The ones here in this town too.”
“I
suppose I have grown a little sloppy,” Aura said. “No matter,
I’ll just have to take care of you and your friends then.”
Aura
lunged toward Roger and Sarah.
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