The Little Death

Act 3

Instantly, Vero felt the hand on her head turn into a fist and then wrench her head backwards by the hair, exposing her throat. She screamed and fell backwards, pushing Fatima away. The vampyress roared and snapped at her, trying to reach her neck.

There was a sound of movement outside the door, followed by a crashing opening. The guards stumbled inside, before standing dumbfounded by what they saw. With blood red eyes and gnashing teeth, Fatima hissed at them. Then she turned her attention back to Vero.

"Help her, you fools!"

Dora's shout finally brought the men out of their shock. The first one rushed forward and tackled the vampyre off Vero. The second man quickly followed, and together they attempted to hold the monster down with their combined weight. Still dazed, Vero crawled over towards Dora, who helped her to her feet.

When Vero's senses returned, she saw the man who had rescued her sent flying across and room and crashing into the back wall. He slumped to the ground unconscious and his companion was receiving the worst end of a grappling match against the creature. She realized that Dora had placed a stake and mallet into her hands.

The vampyre rose to her feet, slowly drawing her combatant's limp form to her mouth with a look of the most sublime anticipation on her face. Too caught up in her own bloodlust, she took no notice of Vero until the stake was planted firmly into her back. Fatima fell limp to the ground and Vero continued to pound with her mallet until she was sure the stake was secured.

Dora fetched smelling salts to revive the guards. When they were awake, Vero ordered them to haul the body up to the roof. She followed them, but sent Dora to inform Kitty of what had transpired and to bring the props she planned to use for the interrogation.

Vero felt exhausted from the long night, but thankfully it meant they would not have long to wait until dawn. They took off Fatima's jewelry, which Vero gave to Dora as she had no interest in it. The men held out each of Fatima's hands, and Vero separated them at the wrist with her longsword. The dead flesh parted like soft butter, but did not bleed. They repeated the process with her feet at the ankles. Finally, they bound her in heavy ropes until they were certain no movement was possible.

With their prisoner suitably disabled, each of the men readied their weapon, and Vero removed the stake. The creature looked up at the three armed individuals standing over her. She hissed and spat at them with her nature fully revealed, her eyes glowed a baleful red. Vero brought her blade up underneath the monster's chin, which stopped her fit at once. Instead, the monster gazed up at her with absolute loathing.

"That's better, little mosquito. Now perhaps we can talk civilly about the thing that did this to you."

The creature laughed, but the sound was hollow. "You have no idea what you're dealing with, mortal."

Vero smiled with more genuine humor. "I'm afraid I know more about this than you, little mosquito."

The creature considered her position a moment, then abruptly changed her tact. Her foul aura receded and her eyes dimed to a smoldering auburn. "You're right. They turned me a week ago, I don't know anything yet..."

Vero lost her smile. It was only too obviously a ploy, but she felt she had to give the vampyre at least one chance to cooperate peacefully.

"Who turned you? Who did this to you?"

"I don't know. He attacked me... I awoke- hungry...! I was so hungry... and scared..."

"It was a man or a woman? Where were you when they took you?"

"I was working- on the street. A man attacked me; I never saw him before... never saw him again... will you help me?" A drop of blood welled up around her eye and slid down her cheek.