Her grandfather was the one who had brought her into this life, so it was him that she had asked the one question that plagued her. How did the vampireâs sense when she was near and why did they always seek her out in a place full of hundreds? She remembered heâd tapped his chin while deep in thought, but the way he was looking at her made her feel like he was keeping something from her.
âIâll research it and let you know if I come up with a clue.â Was all her grandfather had said.
Sheâd stopped questioning why she had the power to hit them and actually hurt them⦠it wasnât like they couldnât hold their own sometimes though. She had limped home too many times to think she was indestructible. But she healed faster than anyone she knew and she could take a hard punch better than⦠okay, she didnât know anyone who could withstand what she could⦠any human that is.
Now that she had a safe distance between her and everything she loved⦠Kyoko had a reason to be angry and a reason to fight. She blamed them for it⦠the demons that stalked her. Theyâd forced her to leave home and abandon everything that resembled a normal life. Now her family had moved into the home at the shrine. Granted, it placed them closer to Tasuki and that made her feel better.
âItâs not that bad,â She said aloud within the solitude of her apartment. Getting out of bed, she headed for the small kitchen and opened the refrigerator. âOkay⦠maybe it is that bad,â Kyoko smirked seeing it was still empty.
She would just have to go hunting for vampires tonight and if they had a wad of cash in their pocket when she killed them, then so be it⦠it wasnât like they could take it to hell with them. Closing the door she turned to the one thing she knew she had plenty of. âThank god for coffee.â
She lifted the cup to her lips knowing it was going to be a long night.
*****
Hyakuhei lay in the bed listening to his brotherâs voice once again before it faded. This had become a habit⦠although in his opinion, it was better than being face to face. They would listen to each otherâs thoughts most nights for the few moments it took for the sun to set⦠then the link would vanish. As of late, the silent conversations had become more and more disturbing.
He glanced up at the canopy that covered his bed⦠seeing the gift from his brother. The Mirror of Souls had appeared in his room over a month ago⦠heâd seen it before. It was the only mirror that could cast the reflection of a vampire. It had once been his brotherâs prized possession.
When he had silently called to Tadamichi, asking why heâd given it to him, his brother had responded, âI only wish to remind you of what you are.â
He now gazed up at his own reflection and knew there was another reason for the gift. It was a way to see his twin brother as he gazed at himself. Hyakuhei flung his arm over his eyes, refusing the sight.
Heâd thought Tadamichi would be angry when he told him that he was killing the half-breed vampires within the city for the mere fact that they were in his way⦠or in the wrong place at the wrong time. The knowledge hadnât even fazed Tadamichi. His brother only reminded him that the power to rule the human city and the demons within it was theirs for the taking.
Tadamichi had even confessed that it pleased him. In some twisted way⦠his twin brother was happy heâd provided entertainment for him⦠something to kill⦠again reminding him of what he was. Hyakuhei glared back up into the mirror thinking about the manipulation. He and his brother were nothing but monsters in every sense of the word and he didnât need to be reminded of it.
One thing Hyakuhei noticed over the last couple months was that when his brother turned a vampire, then that vampire turned a vampire, and so on, all it created was weak, needy half-breed vampires who were greedy and sloppy. Where he was pureblood⦠he only fed maybe once a year and left no evidence behind. He could survive on nothing if he chose to do so or even partake of human food. A newly turned half-breed vampire would feed every night and usually slaughtered their meal before they were through.
A true vampire didnât do that⦠a pureblood vampire could seduce humans into their thrall then feed off them just enough to quench their thirst before leaving and taking the memory of it with them. No one was the wiser. In other words, the further down the line the vampire was from Tadamichi⦠the closer they were to being an ugly liability like city trash.
He could feel the need to step out into the city and become a part of it. He didnât need Tadamichi reminding him of who he was⦠he could already feel the need for the hunt. His hunger was growing not only for the need to feed⦠but also for the need to feel a part of something. He blamed this craving on his brother.
Hyakuhei slid his black silk shirt on as he stepped to the window, drawing the curtain back now that the sun was gone. He narrowed his eyes at the view. âNice wall,â he said sarcastically. His scenery was the side of a brick building across a small alley and there was a reason for that. Although he could stand the daylight for a few moments at a time⦠the last thing he wanted was it streaming in through his bedroom window.
He almost turned and walked away but something caught his attention and he glanced down into the alley.
There⦠leaning against the far wall just out of the reach of the street lamps was a young man maybe in his early twenties. Hyakuhei glared at the well-dressed college look knowing it was deceiving. He could smell the blood of the underlingâs last kill even through the closed window. The shadowed face turned just a little and Hyakuhei could see the glow of unnatural light emanating from its eyes.
If there was one thing Hyakuhei could say about himself, it was that he was very territorial. Even he and his twin stayed on different sides of the city for this reason. He would not allow these greedy half-demons to feed so close to his building. If this was what his brother desired⦠to watch him kill a killer⦠so be it.
Hyakuhei reached out and slid the window open without making a sound.
Before he could jump out the window, Hyakuhei heard footsteps coming from the far side of the alley and paused. He waited for the stupid human to walk into the deadly trap. Whoever it was⦠they deserved it for traveling the dark alley.
Demons where not the only dangers of the city night⦠human riffraff like muggers and rapists also hid within the darkness of most city alleys. Maybe he would even let the vampire have its last meal before he killed it⦠it was the least he could do. It wasnât like he owed the human population anything. He owed no one.
He leaned against the windowsill with dark brooding eyes. The first thing Hyakuhei noticed was the long auburn hair as the human slipped from the shadows into the dim light below. Half of it was up in a bouncing ponytail, leaving the rest to cascade down her shoulders and back in silken waves.
She wore a short black mini skirt with trails of black lace coming down lower and covering some of her lower thighs. The shirt was matching with black satin cloth that came down just above her bellybutton but also had the same V shaped trails of black lace that moved as she walked.
He didnât miss a thing as his gaze caressed the small flashes of exposed skin. Her aura was the size of a hundred humans and it spread out covering most of the alley. As her aura passed mundane things, dull colors would become vibrant making even the darkness seem breathtakingly alive.
He was so enthralled with watching the girl that he momentarily forgot she was walking into her own death trap.
Kyoko walked slowly as if she didnât have a care in the world. She knew she looked delicate and defenseless⦠little more than a child really. She was fine with that because she was a good target. The city night was alive and thumping but if you turned the wrong corner, it could turn into dark shadows with deadly edges⦠for humans.
Her lips hinted at a deceiving smile as she turned and headed down one of those very long dark alleys. Hearing the slight echo of her own footsteps, she kept her gaze in front of her even though she noticed a shadow peel away from the wall about halfway down.
Lowering her lashes so she wouldnât give herself away, Kyoko took in his clothing and had to suppress a smile. He looked like he came from the rich part of town. One thing sheâd noticed about the vampires in the city was that most of them could have had modeling jobs before they were turned⦠sexy and deadly.
She jerked her head up knowing the demon was about to make its move. True to her act⦠she gave an almost silent scream⦠it wasnât like she wanted to draw attention from the innocent people passing by on the sidewalk, it was only a ploy to act frightened and take off running.
Sprinting past him, she ran forward, and then steered off toward the darkest spot within the alley as if trying to hide from him. Just as she turned, he slammed into her, placing his palms on either side of her head as if she would try to escape.
The aggressive vampire pushed his body against hers as he stared down at her with cold blue eyes. âWould you like to join me for dinner?â His voice held a wicked sense of humor that she wasnât supposed to catch.
Kyoko almost smirked hearing the double-edged request. âSure⦠as long as itâs stake.â Her hands slipped around him and he smiled until he felt the pain slice into his back and out the front of him. He looked down at the tip of the glowing light that protruded from his chest and opened his mouth making no sound.
Seeing the girl pinned against the wall, Hyakuhei gripped the windowsill deciding he would be selfish and not allow the vampire that last meal. Pushing himself forward, his feet hit the ground just as the girl stepped out of the shadow alone.
Hyakuhei didnât move when she seemed not to notice him. He backed into the shadows and watched as she pulled a pair of pants from the darkness. He cocked an eyebrow realizing it was the clothing of the vampire that had just attacked her.
âThereâs got to be a better way to get rid of them,â Kyoko muttered. âWho ever heard of a vampire melting anyway? Iâll never get used to that. It should be more like in the movies⦠poof and theyâre gone.â She continued while reaching into the front pocket of the pants and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. âSave those for later, never know when Iâm going to need a favor. Why the hell is a vampire smoking anyway?â
She held the pants out in front of her and made a face at the goop on the front slowly dripping down. âEww,â She said childishly before starting her search of the back pockets. âLetâs see here,â she whispered. âComb, lighter⦠membership to the local gym⦠dental floss?â Kyoko stared at the dental hygiene product before tossing it behind her. âNow thereâs a gross thought.â
Dropping the pants, she pulled his jacket out of the vampireâs remains and started searching there. âOkay, this is more promising,â She said a little louder. âTiffany and Co., definitely worth pawning. HA, jackpot,â Kyoko exclaimed when she fished out the dead creatureâs wallet.
Opening it, she took out the credit cards one by one looking at them. âBank card, MasterCard, Visa⦠whoa, American Express card⦠Donât leave home without it.â She dropped the credit cards on the ground and pulled out the cash. âSCORE!â Kyoko shouted when she saw how much was there. âAnother month without having to have sex with Yohji for a place to live, life is good.â She finished as she pocketed the money and dropped the jacket in a garbage can.
Hyakuhei arched an eyebrow listening to the young woman. âSheâs insane,â he thought to himself. He let the briefest smile appear on his lips when she relieved the dead vampire of all its cash. As she walked back out onto the sidewalk, he stepped from the darkness and slowly walked toward the spot where the other vampire had been left.
Seeing all that was left of it was a black dusty puddle, he reached in his pocket for a match and lit it, tossing it on the remains. The alley illuminated for about five seconds before burning out⦠leaving nothing behind.
He was having trouble accepting that a mere human woman had done this to a vampire. She was dressed indecently, apparently had a few screws loose in the head and was a master pickpocket considering all of the worthless jewelry sheâd left behind. Proof of that being the Rolex knock off that had been burned with the rest of the dead half-breed.
He inhaled still smelling the lingering scent of the girl. How odd for one dressed so provocative to still be a virgin. He glared back at the burnt spot on the ground no longer caring how she had killed it⦠if she hadnât⦠he would have.
As he stepped to the sidewalk, his gaze slowly turned in the direction sheâd taken. For the first time in a long time, Hyakuhei felt a stirring within his blood. Tonight he would hunt and before dawn⦠he would taste her.
*****
Kyoko groaned seeing the mob still milling in the doorway of the Underground. It was the weekend and the place seemed to be a hot spot. She slipped around the line and headed toward the bouncer, giving him a mere nod before ducking under the arm that held the door open for her. All the bouncers knew her on sight because she lived above the club.
Once inside, she headed straight for the door that read, âDo Not Enterâ. Punching in the code on the door lock, she reached out and opened it, letting it close behind her. She breathed a sigh as soon as the noise became a dull roar. Feeling the wad of cash clutched tightly in her hand, she headed up the stairs. Demons were not the only dangerous thing in the city and she was not walking around all night with her rent money in her bra.
Stopping by the small lock boxes at the end of the hall, she punched in another code and opened it to check her mail. Normally it was empty but Kyoko smiled seeing the lone envelope resting inside and pulled it out, recognizing her grandfatherâs handwriting on the address label.
Closing the mailbox locker, she headed up another flight of stairs. The secret to staying in shape⦠living on the third floor with no elevator. She stopped before hitting the top floor and counted out the money seeing she would only have twenty dollars left after giving Yohji her rent money.
Yohji⦠she cringed. Kyoko knew he wanted her to ask him for more time to pay the rent but sheâd be double dipped if that ever came to pass. Yohji was scum as far as she was concerned, but she had to be nice to him since he was the one who collected her rent every month. It was also up to him to fix things and he had the say so in who rented and who got kicked out.
She walked to her door and barely got her key in the lock before the door across the hallway opened. Kyoko inwardly groaned before turning around and giving Yohji a strained smile. What was he⦠psychic?
âHowâs it going Hot Stuff?â Yohji asked as he leaned against his doorframe as if acting all cool.
âItâs going,â Kyoko answered, suddenly wishing she were wearing a huge trench coat that hid everything he was so leeringly looking at. âOh, I got your rent money by the way.â She handed the money sheâd carefully counted out toward him knowing better than to get close to his doorway. The last time she had gotten to close, he had invited her in.
Yohjiâs shoulders visibly slumped as his eyes trailed down her again, âThatâs good, come on in and Iâll get you a receipt.â Heâd hoped she would come up short this month and beg him to let it slide. The corner of his lip lifted in a smirk.
Kyoko shook her head as she counted to ten. âI can wait out here for it.â She folded her arms in front of her as if she were bored out of her mind waiting on him.
Yohji shrugged knowing that little game⦠theyâd played it before. He would go get the receipt and she would be gone before he made it back out. âIâll give it to you later.â
âThatâs fine,â Kyoko turned the key in her lock and opened the door to her apartment trying for a quick getaway.
âHas anyone told you how hot you look in that skirt?â Yohji asked suddenly right behind her.
Kyoko glanced over her shoulder at him and arched an eyebrow. âAre you flirting with me Yohji?â Sheâd always wondered what he would look like flat on his back⦠with a bloody nose.
âDoes it matter?â He asked, running a hand through his spiked hair and grinning, thinking he was finally going to get lucky.
âActually it does,â Kyoko stated. âI donât think my boyfriend would like it very much.â
Yohji smirked at her knowing she spent her time inside the apartment alone, âNow we both know you donât have a boyfriend, Kyoko. If I didnât know better, Iâd say you were trying to avoid the inevitable.â He pressed his large hand against Kyokoâs open door so she couldnât close it. âWhatâs wrong? Afraid I wonât be man enough for you, or are you saving it for that imaginary special someone?â
Kyoko glared at him, her emerald eyes turning stormy. If he was tired of being nice⦠then so was she. âIâm sorry Yohji, but Iâm more into guys that donât dip into a different flavor of sauce every night.â
Kyoko gasped when Yohji suddenly grabbed the hand she had on the doorknob and pulled the door closed then pressed against her backside, pushing her body into the unforgiving wood.
âYou canât tell me that youâre not the least bit curious Kyoko,â Yohji whispered in her ear while grinding his arousal against her bottom. âI wonât tell your imaginary boyfriend if you wonât.â
âHeâs not imaginary. In fact, Iâm meeting him downstairs in a little while,â Kyoko ground out knowing if she lost her temper with the dumb ass⦠she would definitely get kicked out and he would leave in an ambulance.
âOh really? Tell me what he looks like,â Yohji demanded as he felt himself strain inside his jeans. He liked the ones that put up a little fight.
Kyoko took a deep breath. âHeâs got long black silky hair, pale skin, very dark eyes and a body to die for.â She described and mentally smirked. âTake that you ass!â âAnd heâs very possessive.â
Yohji made a sound that was supposed to be a growl. Kyoko almost busted out laughing⦠if Yohji only knew what the real thing sounded like. She finally decided sheâd had enough and was about to turn on him when a door further down the hall opened.
Amni stepped out in a pair of tight jeans and black T-shirt that accentuated his athletic body. His sky blue eyes narrowed and the muscles in his jaw jumped as he took in the so-called landlord virtually mauling Kyoko. He watched as Yohji quickly pulled away from Kyoko and the auburn haired woman turned around with a glare.
âLet me know when you want the rent,â she said sweetly. âOn second thought⦠maybe Iâll start mailing it to your brother Hitomi so I wonât bother you anymore⦠okay?â
Before Yohji could stop her, Kyoko slipped into her apartment and bolted all the locks behind her. Tossing her jacket onto a nearby chair, Kyoko ripped open the letter from her grandpa and started reading it. She slid down onto the sofa and rolled her eyes at its content.
âOh, this is rich,â Kyoko growled softly. âNot only am I an eighteen year old virgin⦠but thatâs the reason vampires can sense me?â She huffed in disgust just before her eyes widened at the last line in the letter. âYou want me to WHAT?â Kyoko screeched.
Her grandfather had just ordered her to find a boyfriend or he would tell Tasuki where to find her.
âGrandpaâ¦â She seethed as she crumpled the letter in her fist. âYOU PERVERTED JERK, YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME THIS A LONG TIME AGO!â
Amni had stared Yohji down until the creep went back into his apartment. âIâll get even with you for touching her later,â he informed the closed door then turned to knock on Kyokoâs. His hand halted in midair wondering who she was yelling at.
There was a soft knock on her door and Kyoko stormed across the room. She quickly undid all the locks and nearly tore the apartment door off its hinges before glaring at the poor soul on the other side.
âWHAT?â She demanded.
Amni backed up a step and raised his hands in front of him. âCalm down Kyoko, I was just making sure you were all right.â Although he would admit anger looked very sexy on her, especially when her breast rose and fell like that.
Kyoko sighed and leaned her temple against the door jam. Amni was the bartender downstairs at the club. Theyâd struck up a type of friendship not long after she moved in. Amni was very cute with blonde hair that hung in layers around his face and down his back⦠the longest layers barely touching his upper thighs. His skin was clear of any blemishes and had a silky appearance that Kyoko was sure any girl could get used to.
He would have been her first choice for what Grandpa Hogo had suggested⦠too bad he was a vampire. That was an odd, if not disastrous relationship waiting to happen if it ever came to pass⦠which it wouldnât. Amni had never made any moves to kill her or bed her for which she was grateful. It was all for the best anyway, because she wouldnât be caught dead with a vampire as a boyfriend, not in a million years.
Amni stood patiently outside her door and studied her tired expression. Heâd first met Kyoko in this very hallway the same night she moved in. It still made him a little high when he realized the full implications of that very meeting.
Sheâd just come out of her room and was locking it when he stepped out of his. They both froze and stared at each other. Her right fist was balled up and he saw the glowing spirit dart clenched tightly within it. After staring at him for a few moments, she turned to face him but stayed next to her door, leaning on it.
Amni carefully walked down the hall toward the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it down to the club. Later that evening, or early that morning if you will, heâd come upstairs ready to shower off the smells of the bar from his body. Again he saw Kyoko standing outside her door and remembered wondering if sheâd stood there all night.
As he walked by her toward his own door, she finally spoke to him.
âI know what you are,â Kyoko said softly.
Amni stopped but kept his back to her hoping she would see it as a sign of trust. âI have a pretty good idea what you are as well.â
âThen I purpose a truce,â Kyoko stated.
Amni finally looked back at her curiously. âWhy didnât you kill me last night?â
Kyoko crossed her arms over her chest having thought about it off and on all night. The truth was⦠she simply didnât want to. âYou donât kill humans to feed,â She had been more than grateful to find all the empty Red Cross blood pints in his trash.
âMy sustenance is delivered once a week,â Amni explained secretly wondering how she already knew.
From that point on, Amni had become Kyokoâs friend, brother, protector⦠maybe more. He wasnât really sure what word he would use to describe their relationship. All he knew was that they sort of looked out for each other.
âIâm all right,â Kyoko answered, drawing his attention back to the present. âJust a bit stressed out.â
Amni grinned, âYeah, Yohji can do that to you. Would you believe that he actually came onto me the other night? Talk about bent.â It was a lie but the look on her face was worth it. The truth was, he had caught Yohji in the bar coming on to a girl that had already told him âNoâ way too many times⦠but he would leave out that little detail.
Kyokoâs eyebrows shot up into her hairline and a disbelieving grin spread across her face. âOh my god, youâve got to be kidding me?â
Amni shook his head, âNope, I wouldnât kid about something like that.â
âWhat did you do?â She asked, wishing she had been a fly on the wall.
âI knocked his drunken ass out and deposited him in his apartment.â His smile widened, âI would have loved to have seen his face when he woke up though.â
Kyokoâs eyebrows raised a notch, âWhat did I miss?â
âInstead of putting him in his bed⦠I put him under it.â His blue eyes sparkled mischievously.
Kyoko laughed and shook her head, âYou are priceless Amni.â
Amni smirked, âNow donât go telling everyone that⦠they might think Iâm a nice guy.â His face softened knowing he had made her happy. âI guess I had better head on downstairs before the place gets too wild without me.â
âYou are a nice guy,â Kyoko informed him. âIâll see you downstairs in a little while.â
Chapter 3 âHungerâ
Hyakuhei stood in front of The Underground. Normally he stayed away from this area of the city because it was heavily infested with half-breeds. It was also closer to his brotherâs underground lair, making him wonder just who had named the small, overcrowded nightclub. It was not a good place for the girl to be.
He vanished and reappeared within its walls, taking a seat in the darkest corner.
Amni was still smiling when he opened the door and entered the club only to stop dead in his tracks. Something wasnât right. His head snapped to the side and his eyes widened. Tadamichi? Jerking his gaze away, he took off behind the bar, completely disturbed.
Why was the Master here⦠in his bar?
*****
Kyoko stood looking in the mirror wondering just how drunk she would have to get before she could go through with it. She fluffed her hair and started to change but didnât⦠deciding what she was wearing would hopefully do the trick. She would just have to stop herself from punching whoever came on to her for once.
She nodded at her reflection, giving herself the pep talk of her life. âOk Kyoko⦠you can do this. Think of all the vampires you will be able to sneak up on if they donât sense your virginity coming.â She rolled her eyes at the strangeness of that conversation. âAlcohol⦠thatâs what I need.â
Within minutes she was sitting at the bar thinking about what Grandpa had said. She glanced up at Amni as he worked at mixing all the weird drink requests. She frowned wondering why he seemed so nervous. She tilted her head a little as she watched him completely miss the cup he was aiming for with the scoop of ice.
Hyakuhei felt her presence the moment she entered the room. He was in no hurry as he leaned back in the chair surveying her. The girl seemed not to pay attention to anything around her, leading him to believe she didnât want to be here at all⦠so why was she? He watched her in the mirror as she took a wall seat at the bar, confirming the fact that it appeared she would rather be alone.
He followed her line of vision and realized it was the bar tender that held her attention⦠the blond vampire that had been nervously eyeing him.
Amni glanced again wondering if it was his imagination or not, but it seemed that corner had gotten even darker. Trying to pretend it wasnât bothering, him, he leaned his hands against the bar and gave Kyoko a distracted smile, âWant a drink?â
âYes,â Kyoko informed him, the determination in her voice nearly making Amni fall over. âLong Island Iced Tea⦠strongest you can make it.â She announced.
Amni faltered and looked around wondering if heâd stepped into the Twilight Zone for the evening. First, the vampire lord walks in and sits down like he owns the place, then Kyoko asks for an alcoholic drink. What next⦠Polar Bears performing the Nutcracker Suite?
His hand unconsciously went to his neck, remembering the night Tadamichi had turned him so long ago. Was he here looking to take another life? He pushed the thought forcefully from his mind.
âKyoko,â Amni said quietly. âI donât believe a drink is what you really want. Why donât you go back upstairs and get some sleep? Thatâs better for stress then a hangover. Iâm sure everything will look better in the morning.â
Kyoko had told him many times that she was a non-drinker and there were already enough alarm bells going off tonight for her to be changing her mind. On many levels, he was glad she hadnât noticed the atomic bomb of all vampires hanging out in the corner⦠and he would like to keep it that way.
âNo can do,â Kyoko said with a pout. âIâve got some baggage I need to get rid of tonight and itâs going to start with that drink youâre going to give me.â
âAll right, all right,â Amni said now that she held his full attention. âRetract the claws and stop hissing at me or you wonât get any.â
Kyoko glared and Amni chuckled. He wished he could fix whatever it was that was bothering her enough to make her drink. She was the only one he knew whose life seemed to be just as complicated as his. Trying to cheer her up, he winked and turned on the charm.
âWell, itâs true,â He said while pouring the rum. âAll thatâs missing is the fur, tail and ears. Youâve already got the temperament and the attitude.â
Kyoko clawed the air in front of her playfully with a grin on her face. âMaybe I should go stand out in the alley tonight meowing off key and waiting for a furry boyfriend.â