The Vampire's Crimson Kiss (Editing)

Chapter 20/ Chains of Desire

"Cub, you long-winded excuse for a walk in the park, come in here and get my face done!" I shouted. I was practicing being more nycha, and part of that was being strict and demanding with your familiars. I was fully capable of doing my own face work, and possibly I could do better, but Electra said the whole point of having a staff was for this kind of thing.

There were hundreds of rude and unpleasant words in the black tongue, and I knew too many. Most rolled off the tongue and felt good in your mouth when something went wrong. I tried some of them out on Cub, who didn't know what I was saying except for her name. Mary did and almost half approved. She said it was like working for a vampire again.

I turned and looked at Vlad, my cat. Slightly tilting my head, I whispered, "ur mach che-vay." The cat got up from where it was sleeping and moved to the far side of the room and sat. "ur mach che-vay sa," I said, and the cat returned. I had a a sadistic delight in keeping this up, and seven times, I ordered the cat from one side of the room to another. I knew I had to learn to being comfortable being in control and this always brought smile to my lips.  Mary and Cub had not seen me do this. I was getting to the stage where I could release my voices at any point, even hours after consuming venom. 

There was another sound that caught my ear. I looked through my hidden window to see another seagull on the ledge outside my window.

"Well, if you don't get the hint," I said as another seagull landed next to it. I had sent the gull away a number of times, but it kept coming around and screeched during the day when I slept. The space outside the window was getting thick with seagull waste. I mused for a moment, narrowed my eyes, and began to whisper in one of my voices. The first seagull suddenly attacked the second. They began squawking. Two seagulls engaged in a raucous aerial skirmish, their wings slicing through the salty ocean breeze. They circled one another with precision, their beady eyes fixed on each other. Their stark white feathers contrasted with the vivid blue sky, creating a striking image of rivalry in the vast expanse of the coastal heavens.

Their cries filled the air, a cacophonous battle hymn echoing off the cliffs below. Sharp beaks snapped like daggers, each bird attempting to snatch the morsel from the other's grasp. Feathers ruffled and jutted as they collided mid-air, their claws reaching out in a flurry of aggression. I watched, almost proud, with a slight smirk on my lips. This was very Nycha even if it was just a veonom induced delision. 

"Mistress?" Mary said, coming in. I turned around. "Are you all right?"

I turned around, shutting the hidden window. "I'm fine," I said, "I'm just practicing being more Nycha. Oh, and if Madam Quaila drops by, tell her I'm out. I'm in the gambling dens with Electra, no, I'm consulting with Dr. Ambus; that should make everyone jealous. If she doesn't believe you, just say I had a venom overdose or something. Send Cub out for a brew of the dark bean, and we can get started on today's lesson."

Over months, I had worked through ten chapters of the book the Duke had gifted me. The seasons had turned, and the nights grew longer. I hardly noticed. I had so many new words; my head spun faster than a mill wheel. I was giddy and feeling myself in a heightened state of anticipation. At the same time, I was reading a new book, but I wasn't sure it appreciated me. As such, the pain and the throbbing in my head were enough to kindle the desire for a dose of venom. I was trying to spread the time between doses out. Mary didn't force me to take any, but if I weakened, she would always join in.

Electra had brought some of her favorite venom as an alternative. I didn't think it was as good as the high priestess's, but that gift would not last forever. There was also a bottle with fresh blood in case my guests were hungry. I had another with animal blood to allow me to keep them company.