Labor of Living

Escalation

Mirabella's hairs stand up on end, she looks up to the left and right but doesn't see anything out of the ordinary.
''Come on Suna,'' she says, grabbing him and pulling him to the nearby mall.
''Don't you think you should be explaining what's wrong? Weren't you ordering a cab?'' Setsuna says.
''Yeah but that can wait, just come on,'' she says, pulling him through the mall entrance, They head up the escalators towards the back of the mall as Mirabella keeps stealing glances behind the two of them.
''Alright I'm following you now tell me what we're running from,'' he demands.
''I told you that vampires can change form right? Did you not notice the light mist as we walked into here? She says looking for a back exit. ''Stop thinking like a regular human and think like you're in a video game with no limits, logic and intuition is more important than it's ever been Setsuna,'' she says, spotting the emergency exit.
''You don't think this could've been a trap to lead you to this exit? Setsuna says dryly. ''And I feel like you're moving too fast without thinking Mira,'' he finishes.
''Shut up and don't patronize me! Just help me pick up any pieces that don't fall into place,'' she says.
''Okay then let me go out first they'll prolly be expecting you,'' he says.
''But I'm stronger,'' she shoots.
''Yeah but I'm 6 feet and bigger than you so just let me go first!'' he says moving in front of her as they finally reach the exit door. Setsuna slowly pushes it open and sees that it leads into a alley but the alarm spooks them and they run out straight into the light mist.
''This shit feels heavier than it looks, and I bet I'm the faster of the two so let's go,'' Setsuna says, scooping her up and running out the mist. ''Luckily the mist doesn't stretch too far,'' Setsuna says, seeing the edge of it.
''Slow do—'' but before Mirabella can finish Setsuna is grabbed by the ankle and topples over. They both fall outside the range of the mist, and it slowly begins to dissipate as a lone slim figure walks out of it. The woman is around Mirabella's height but a darker amber, with a sharp slender face and upturned eyes.
''What's the rush Mirababy?'' The woman says with eyes like the burning sun.
''Serana, please, just let us go,'' Mirabella says, squaring herself directly at the assailant.
''But what's the fun in that love? I just wanted to have a nice chat,'' she says, inching closer to them.
''How about you stay the fuck right where you are, Mirabella says showing her red eyes. ''It's been years since we've spoken, what do you want?'' Mirabella demands.
''I want you back in my ezinoulo, and I know how you love those filthy lesser beings so I won't force you to kill anymore but you're meant to be with me so come on back, she says with a soft tone. ''And I wonder why your scent is particularly different from the last time I've seen you,'' she ponders.
''I'm not interested in joining anyone's coven, I just wanna be left alone,'' Mirabella says, inching backwards.
''Your smell is quite matured, and that fine creature over there's smell is very peculiar, tell me, what's your name?'' she points at Setsuna.
''You haven't even introduced yourself to me though,'' he shoots back.
''Oh! I know, since you follow Mirababy here why not join as well Setsuna?'' she says and smiles when Setsuna's face turns cold.
''Be careful of what you think when she speaks to you,'' Mirabella tells Setsuna telepathically.
''That's a neat trick Serana, Setsuna says, forcing a smile. ''So now that we've formally met can I know exactly why you'd like for us to join?'' he says inching closer to Mirabella.
''How about you two stop moving so close to each other,'' Serana says dryly and in a flash she's between them. Mirabella's reaction is quicker than Setsuna who's pushed hard into the wall. She sidesteps Seranas hand and drags her, and throws a punch of her own that doesn't connect.
''Now I know what felt off, your body is full of vigor that wasn't there before, Serana says, circling around Mirabella. ''And I bet it's because you don't follow your card—.'' Without warning Mirabella throws a kick but before it lands the mist manifests causing Mirabella to miss, and Setsuna begins to frantically look around.
''Mira what's she talking about?'' Setsuna asks telepathically.
''Focus on the flow of air and listen closely,'' Mirabella says to him.
''You're quite stronger than I remember, hey boy was the Mira you've always known one to throw blows and try to fight? Or is this a new development?'' Serana ponders as she weaves in and out of the mist.
''AGH fuck!'' Setsuna cries out. ''The bitch is throwing shit, be careful Mira,'' Setsuna yells out as he keeps his guard up. He feels the air shift and wildly swings feeling his fist connect the mist begins to dissipate.
''You're pretty strong for a newborn but you are still but a dumb budding fledgling,'' she says before cutting his tendons and grabbing him around the neck in a flash.
''SERANA LET HIM GO OR I SWEAR I'LL RIP YOU APART!'' Mirabella's voice has a demonic gruttal.
''Oh, I see, you've begun developing again and it's started with this boy right? You've begun feeding on the lesser creatures Mirababy, you're finally beginning to be true to what you are, Serana says gleefully while Mirabella and Setsuna lock eyes. ''Awww was that supposed to be a secret from the little boy here? Serana teases and Mirabella takes a step forward.
''Serana list—''
In response Serana stabs him in his shoulder again. ''Not another step Mirababy, you're one of my favorite immortals and I will do anything to have you back, she says. Setsuna begins struggling against her hold and Serana responds by pinning his leg with a sword.
''MMM,'' Setsuna stifles his scream while clenching his teeth.
''I've finally found you, and I'll make sure I get what I want by any means,'' she says. ''But for now I'll let you go since it's not wise to kill any more of us. ''But Mirababy has to know just how serious I am, this is my only warning and I will make this a recurring activity until I get what I want,'' she finishes and yanks her sword out before vanishing into the night sky.
Setsuna shakes his head to stay awake while putting pressure on his shoulder. ''Aren't we supposed to heal quicker from conventional weapons like knives and swords?'' he asks as Mira rushes to his side and begins a tourniquet on his leg.
''Her weapons are designed to maim and kill supernatural beings so these wounds are going to take a minute to heal,'' she says, lifting him to his feet. ''I'm really sorry this happened to you,'' she says, pulling out her phone.
''So was she right? Are you really feeding on humans?'' he asks in a somber tone.
''We have to focus on getting you home so you can heal, you don't have access to a lord form so you need blood and rest,'' she says while ordering a cab.
'' Listen, he says, yanking away and leaning against the nearby wall. ''You're only making things weirder by dodging my question, he says with a deep breath. ''I'm not going to repeat myself since you heard me!'' he barks.
''I don't see how that's any of your business or why you're even taking her words seriously! She says, glancing at her phone.
''Yeah the bitch may be crazy but she didn't strike as someone who just says things just to say it, so stop deflecting!'' he shouts as the car pulls up.
''Can you just get in the car? You can't wander around New York looking like that,'' she says.
''The same city that has to ask its citizens to say something if we see something? I'm sure nobody will give a fuck if they saw me limping around, now answer me! I wanna hear you say it Mirabella,'' he demands. She pauses for a moment and responds to the cab driver letting her know they'll leave soon if she and Setsuna don't get in. She rocks back and forth shaking her legs as she soaks everything in.
''Yes,'' she replies dryly and walks ahead slamming the door as she sits in the front seat not waiting for Setsuna as he hobbles to the car. The ride is long with the only sound being heard is the radio playing ''Say so" by Doja Cat. Before long they arrive home and the only help Mira gives is opening the car and front door of the brownstone. She makes a beeline to her room locking the door, As Setsuna hobbles to the basement; reluctantly drinking down the blood that's in the freezer as he thinks about how his next meal.