The Vampire Assassin

Chapter 12

As I made my way back to the brotherhood I felt a sense of dread. Being away from my new family took a bigger toll on me than I thought. Being away from Niccolo just felt unbearable. Going back to the brotherhood was not making me smile with joy but bringing tears to my eyes.

Rosa what are you going to do I scolded myself. I really have grown close to everyone. Before, the brotherhood was the only thing I knew. It was definitely no family. We all knew each other and there was some respect. Sure we all had orders and there were no close connections between people but that was the life I knew. It was my new life since I was changed. My only real family was Darius.

I never thought I would think of anyone else other than my brother as family. But Giovanni and his group have changed me, Niccolo changed me.

I don't want to work for Nicarus anymore. Sure he is my master, the one who changed me. However I don't think I want this life with him anymore. Not after what I have seen and felt these past weeks.

As I neared the brotherhood I got this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something didn't feel right. My whole body began to shake. I was suddenly nervous. "Okay Rosa calm down.." I attempted to soothe myself, "everything is going to be fine." After all I was just returning from a mission. I've done this countless times before.

I walked through the big doors of our hideout. No one was to be seen. Usually there would be a few boys around to greet me.

It wasn't until I neared the dining area that many voices could be heard. "Why did you bring this!" someone shouted, "It's already been bad enough lately." Many bodies shuffled around. Someone moaned. "We're thirsty Jason! You can't expect me not to bring a couple snacks." Many voices hissed in response, some shouted in agreement.

"Shut your mouths! Rosa is making her way back and the master said specifically not to bring any one. If I were him I would have ripped out all your throats by now!" Jason yelled.

"The master would never do that. Besides it doesn't matter if Rosa knows about this or not." I tensed up. What was going on? Something was definitely not right.

Jason spoke up again "Fine... just hurry up and finish this. Don't leave a mess." With that said many vampires hissed and snarled. I heard teeth sinking in to flesh. A woman's voice screamed. I stifled a scream of my own and quickly ran the other way to my room.

With the door shut firmly behind me I proceeded to walk to my bathroom. Everything was just how I had left it, along with the stench of many boys who have seemed to make their way in here. Pigs I'm not sure how I've ever called them my brothers in arms in the first place.

But what was happening? They brought humans here. HERE of all places, that was not allowed. What was bad enough? Why were they feeding here? What about me? Was Nicarus going to kill me? No he wouldn't. He wasn't kind but he sure wouldn't kill one of the best.

With many questions needing to be answered I headed towards the grand room.

On the way a group of about five vampires saw me. They sure had cleaned themselves up, however the glow of a recent kill was fresh and evident in their eyes. "Hey Rosa," One of them spoke up "Welcome back." A few of them whistled and licked their lips. I recognized the one who spoke as Zane. He was also the one who I overheard replying to Jason.

"Zane." I replied. I had nothing to say to him. He was one of the boys who tended to do whatever it took to get what he wanted. He disgusted me.

Zane and his gang came and sidled up against me. Their breath fanning all over my face, it smelled of blood. "Oh come on now Rose, baby don't be like that." Zane grabbed my face so I was looking at him. His breath was making me thirsty, it was intoxicating. His other hand grabbed my waist. "I'm glad your back. I missed you." All his buddies laughed and snickered as Zane licked his lips.

What did he think he was doing! Seducing me? He has done that many times before. All of the boys have. Apparently Zane has forgotten his place. I was pretty much similar to second in command. I had a higher ranking among the brotherhood. Clearly I have been gone for far to long. Everything had changed.

I was furious. My anger and superiority strengthened me. I could feel my eyes turn a deep dark red. The look on Zane's face turned to one of cowardice. It seemed that the lightbulb finally clicked on in his head. I threw him off of me and he smacked into the wall and landed on the floor.

"Zane I believe you have forgotten your place." I said, like a teacher scolding a student. I went over to him a lifted him by the throat. He began to choke and the look of fear plain in his eyes. The other vampires, Zane's buddies all watched. None of them laughing now.

Finally I let go of Zane and continued on my way. However when I did take a quick glance back Zane looked smug, like something satisfying happened or was going to happen. I was to caught up in the moment to worry about it.

With this overpowering strength I confidently strode up to Nicarus' chambers.

He was sitting there, naturally, waiting for me. As I neared his desk I kneeled, showing him respect. However after what I have heard I'm not sure if he deserves it.

"Ah Rosa, I am so glad to see you again." He said, a smile creeping through his hard features. He looked as if nothing had changed. He didn't seem to happy to see me either.

"Nicarus what I have some questions. It seems that things have changed." I said getting right to the point. I didn't want to be here any longer than needed.

"You would be correct," Nicarus finally said. "Things have changed. Your brothers have been thirsty my dear. With so much blood around its hard to contain yourself. Not only are they drinking from their assignments but nearby citizens as well. There has been much bloodshed."

"Then stop it!" I replied, baffled "This is not the way. We don't take the lives of innocents!"

His face darkened. "We also don't involve ourselves with them either." I froze. He knows about Niccolo. Nicarus noticed me tense up. "Yes Rosa I know all about your infatuation with this human boy. I also know your close bonds with Giovanni and his way of life. Rosa you are mine! I created you! I taught you! You are my property!" With that others came out. They grabbed me, restraining me before I had the chance to get away. I hissed and snarled. I had to get out of here.

"Rosa... Rosa!" Nicarus yelled. I stopped and turned to look at him. "I'm not going to kill you. You are one of my best assassins, it would be a waste. But I can't have you going back to Giovanni and the others." This realization hit me. He was going to kill them, all of them. I stopped struggling. "What about Darius?" I asked.

Nicarus sighed "I know, I know. Darius is a nice boy. But he's just a messenger. We will be fine without him." A blood-curdling scream escaped through my lips. "NOOOO!" I yelled at him. I began thrashing again. Biting anyone around me, trying to get free. "Lock her in her room. I don't want anyone in there until everything has been taken care of."

More vampires came to restrain me. They took me all the way to my room. I couldn't escape. When we finally made it to my room I made it so the boys could not let me go for a second. They couldn't lock the door with just me inside.

Then something hit me in the back of my head, and everything went black.