The Crucivire

Chapter Eight: Lord Victor

Penny's head spun as the vampire carried her in his arms while he sped through the woods. Trees flew past her vision faster than she could process as Penny realized she didn't even know where she was anymore. The only constants in Penny's vision were the moon and stars shining above her and the vampire carrying her, his handsome features focused and determined. Out of all the vampires who had run with them, only he had survived. The others were either shot down by the night hunters or were torn apart by those large animals. In her muddled state, Penny couldn't figure out what those creatures were. Not that she was trying. With what little willpower Penny had, she tried to jump out of the vampire's arms. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pierce the dark fog hanging over her mind. She couldn't even move her limbs.

Suddenly the forest went still, or rather the vampire stopped in his tracks. As Penny looked up, the unearthly creature looked down a certain path, his eyes wide with fear. Penny felt a chill go down her spine. Something was out there that made this creature afraid?

"Master," said the Vampire. "I have to keep running. The hunters..." he shuddered violently, "No...no, my lord, I'm sorry. I obey."

The vampire turned and walked down the path, slowly and reluctantly. Penny tried harder to break through the pressure on her mind, but still, her body remained relaxed and unmoving. Penny didn't know who this vampire was going to meet, but she knew in her heart that she didn't want to get any closer. And yet, the vampire walked on.

Soon Penny heard rushing water and could see a river before them. The vampire stopped at the edge of the river as it ran white with rapids, and he looked up. Penny followed his gaze to the sky where the moon cast its pale light over them. All Penny could see were stars, clouds, and bats silhouetted against the moon.

Actually, one bat seemed to be flying towards them, a tiny speck getting bigger and bigger. It flew in from the left, on the same side of the river as the two of them, and flew lower and lower as it came closer and closer. As it approached, Penny's blood ran cold as she realized that it wasn't a bat. It was bigger. Much bigger. As this new creature flew closer, she could hear the rush of its wings beating against the air. Penny could just barely make out a humanoid form attached to the wings but could make out no other features in the silhouette above her.

Finally, this new creature landed softly in a kneeling position, making no sound on impact. Then the monster stood up straight, wrapping its wings around itself. By the time Penny could see him clearly, however, she could no longer make out some batlike monster but a tall, handsome man in an immaculate suit with a black cape covering his shoulders. He had vibrant green eyes, a strong jaw, a cleft chin, and a muscular frame. Though Penny found him striking, she was vaguely aware that this handsome exterior hid the monster she'd seen moments ago.

She also realized that this one was different than the vampires that had attacked her father's farm. Those didn't have wings, for a start. Seeing this man's...this monster's piercing eyes, she somehow knew he was older, stronger, and more powerful than the others. He was also angry, his eyebrows slanted with displeasure.

It made her shudder.

The vampire holding penny in his arms shrank back as he placed Penny on the ground. As she lay on the ground, the vampire above her bowed his head as he fell to one knee before this newcomer. The vampire that had taken Penny before had seemed boyishly handsome, but compared to the regal and princely lord before him, he seemed a mere boy.

"Lord Victor," said the kneeling vampire. "I've retrieved the target's cousin."

"Stand up, Jack," said Lord Victor.