Page 115

I laughed, tossing my head. “Really? Well, I would rather that you did not. Now why do you not go home before something very wicked happens to you. ”

“Leave her alone, Bela,” one of the other men said shortly.

Bela just smiled, reaching out his grimy hand to me. “Come on. Let me take you home. ”

I was tired of this game and stomped my foot indignantly. “Leave now or you will regret it!”

“I bet your father would pay a nice sum if I return you safety to him,” Bela decided. He pondered this thought, then began to nod vigorously. “Yes, I’m sure of it. ”

Bela made an off-balance grab for my arm. When I jerked away, he teetered on his toes, his arms flailing. He nearly toppled over, but managed to straighten himself. Focusing on me, the inebriated man once more attempted to take hold of me.

Enough was enough.

I caught his arm as he lunged toward me and swiveled about, dragging him into a wide arc. As his body gained momentum, I released him. He flew through the air, arms and legs pumping in vain. He landed with a resounding crash in a pile of refuse.

Satisfied, I whirled about, wiped my hands on my cloak, and continued my stroll down the street. I could not help but be vaguely amused by the shocked exclamations being uttered by the drunks as they helped Bela to his feet.

Past all sorts of hideous, yet intriguing places, I strolled along in contented silence. I felt the full extent of my power over this mundane world and I relished in it. Nothing could truly touch me or hurt me. I stood atop the mortal world, untouchable and content. I was nearly drunk with the thought of my power.

As I journeyed on, I pushed through crowds gathered around brawlers, sidestepped drunkards passed out on the road, nodded my head to barely clothed women seductively luring men off the streets into their bordellos, and smiled at small children trying to hawk tobacco.

“Should you not be home in bed?” I asked one particularly dirty little boy.

“How much do you cost?” he responded, his blue eyes taking in my velvet cloak and fine dress. “You look expensive. ”

“You could never afford me,” I answered glibly.

“I have a bit saved up,” the boy assured me. His dark eyebrows lifted on his dirty face as he gave me a devastatingly irresistible, yet cocky smile.

I was charmed by the boy and could not help but smile down at him. “Why do you not buy food with that money instead?”

“You are much more interesting,” he responded with a smirk.

The boy was probably no older than twelve. I was not sure if it was my vampire beauty or his blossoming manhood that was obviously provoking the boy’s interest in me. I was amused by his flagrant flirtation, but a little saddened by it. This was not a child, but a small man trapped in a young boy’s body. The bruises on his face told of beatings and there was hollowness in his eyes that spoke of hardship.

“Here,” I said, fishing a coin out of my purse. “Buy a loaf of bread and go home. ”

The boy took the coin with a weary sigh. “Then you reject me?”

“You are far too young,” I chided him. “Your mother is probably worried about you. Rush on home. ”

“She is busy working. ” He jerked his head toward the nearest bordello.

“Oh,” was all I could manage. I dropped another coin into his grubby hand and tenderly patted his matted hair.

With one last smile, I began to prowl through the streets of Buda. I felt the pangs of the hunger, but I had yet to find anyone that looked appealing to me. I was not yet starving, so I could be very picky about my victim. Everyone was far too dirty, too drunk, or just too ornery to suit me. I desired young, fresh blood, full of life: not blood stale and thin from a weary life.

The streets became quieter as I moved along and soon I was lost in the maze of streets and buildings. It was here that many of the poorer inhabitants of Pesth slumbered in their beds in the shadow of the more illustrious Buda. I began to consider calling out and seeing which window opened. Time was quickly ticking away. I would soon have to return to Buda and the mansion.

A strangled scream broke me out of my contemplation.

Startled, I whirled about, my heavy skirt swishing around my ankles. My eyes glowed with dark fires as I gazed around me, peering into the darkness, examining every shadow.

Sly laughter drifted languidly on the night breeze.

Another vampire!

I was running before I could even finish the thought. Hands clutching my heavy skirts up around my knees, I dashed down the street and around the nearest corner. It was there I came to an abrupt halt.