Page 12 of Worse Fates

Because less than five seconds after that thought, I have it in my hand.

For something decorated with fat rubies, it’s lighter than it looks, and I hold it up to catch the moonlight. The rubies are like drops of blood, but hard as I run my thumb across the smooth surface.

Movement catches my eye, and I drop my hand. Startled, I recoil as a tall man looms over me. I know I can get distracted, but I should’ve noticed a six foot something guy with white-blonde hair and pale white skin staring down at me.

“Er…” I shove the brooch back into my pocket. “You alright, dude? Listen, I’m not selling drugs, or sex. And if you’re looking for someone, it ain’t me—”

His hand shoots out, and before I even register what's happening, I’m dangling in the air, my legs kicking as I struggle to breathe as something tightens around my neck.

I claw at his arms, kick my feet at his legs, but he stares at me with hard, uncaring eyes.

Then, I watch in horror as his canine’s elongate, and sharpen into fangs.

‘Monsters are real,’ I think, as he lunges for my throat.

Next, all I feel is pain.

Chapter Four - Lucero

Waves of heat beat at my skin as I watch the mansion burn. Smoke, thick enough to taste, heaves into the sky, as an inferno engulfs the mansion. It’s like watching two mighty hands digging flaming fingers into wood, brick and glass and tearing it to pieces.

“Vidar.” I’m angry, but more than anything I’m tired.

My once proud Maker sits naked on the pebbled road, unbothered. Ramy places a coat on his shoulders.

“Are you okay, Maker?” Ramy asks, kneeling beside him, speaking as if Vidar is a wounded child. Not a vampire over a thousand years old. “I’ve found you another home to keep you safe.”

“As long as it’s far away from you, whelp, then I don’t care where it is. Shove me in some hotel for all I care.”

Ramy flinches, barely, but I see it. And as another wall of the mansion falls, so does my patience.

“A hotel? Have you lost the last shreds of your mind?” I say, my anger turning my voice harsh. “No wonder that human took one look at you and fled.”

“Like I care—”

“We’re all aware of how little you care!” I gesture towards him, my fury building. “You have turned into a thing you would hate, lashing out at us like we’re at fault for your apathy. We love you, even now as you hurl your insults we love you, Maker. But it isn't our fault you stopped loving us back.”

Vidar tries to stand. It’s a painful process for him, and me to watch, like seeing a broken hand with fingers at odd angles, needing to be reset. His limbs and spine crack as he moves, his joints grinding back into place. Ramy tries to help, but is hissed back.

Finally, he stands, his back hunched, knees and elbows protruding and glares at me with such disdain I nearly take a step back. But I stand my ground. My gaze hard and unflinching.

“The only reason I made you, Sen, Rurik, and Ramy, was not for love orfamily.” Vidar grunts. “But for entertainment. To watch you all desperately attempt to become some noble vampire while remaining the humans I found in the filth.”

Ramy sucks in a pained breath, while I seethe.

“Con artist,” he spits at me. “Drunk and beggar.” He waves a hand to encompass Rurik and Sen who aren’t even here.

He levels Ramy with a harsh glare.

“Whore.”

Ramy’s intake of breath is a small, hurt thing.

“No more.” I grab Ramy by the shoulder, pulling him towards the car. “I am done listening to you. Congratulations are in order, Vidar. Well done, would you like an applause? You’ve found my last straw and pushed us all away. Rurik is out hunting the human you traumatised, and that is the final act we'll ever do for you.”

“Luc…” Ramy’s voice is quiet, but hesitant. Vidar is our Maker, our family. But today we turn our back from a relationship I thought would never break.

I rip open the car door and I’m about to shove Ramy in when Vidar laughs.