A Devotion Of Blood And Shadows

Chapter 1

  The bodies that could be made out in the laser lights didn't follow a particular rhythm, they moved on their own accord. Haven watched them with uninterested eyes, her gaze sliding over the crowd. She hadn't wanted to be here in the first place. Lisa was keen to be here. A new nightclub everyday. The only thing that was different was Haven's presence. She ordered a drink for the sake of the environment but she hadn't touched it. Her long slender fingers tapped the crystal glass to the rhythm of the music which blasted over the crowds. It was loud and annoying yet they didn't seem to mind. They never did. She turned to her counter rolling her eyes. She twirled her drink in its glass. Purple light shaded her face, throwing the gold of her hair in the limelight. The middle aged man in the bar stool beside her tumbled off, vanishing into the crowd and a bloody hand slid on the counter signalling the bartender for a drink. She lifted her eyes to view the owner of the blood coated hand, not scared like most would be, instead she was simply intrigued. Haven froze. Her eyes scanning the boy who stood carefree beside her leaning against the counter of the bar. 

She looked at the ground below and swallowed. Blood dripped down his clothes, and the floor, retracing his steps backwards. His face held no emotion, his grin cold and hard. The color of his hair wasn't noticeable in the lighting. But she assumed a natural brown or a dark raven hair. Fingerprints were marked around his neck, painted in blood. It was like blood was the highlight of the outfit instead of the dark cladded denim outfit. She looked around to see anybody had noticed the blood but they hadn't. Or they were ignoring it. The bartender mumbled an incoherent greeting as he poured him a double shot of a whiskey. His aura was ripping off him. A negative energy. She looked out for Lisa. Wanting to get out of there before she was made. When she looked back at the blood. The fingerprints on his neck. The blood tracing his steps. Didn't exist. His hands were smooth and a rich pale color. He hadn't looked at her when the words formed on his lips. "What's a daughter of health and light doing in a club of shadows?" Her lips pursed. She didn't bother responding as she flipped a vulgar gesture before stalking off. It wasn't until she walked into the middle of the floor she realized the cries of the dancers had stopped. The loud chatter across the club ceased and it was until it was a little too late it dawned that they were all staring at her. 

Their gazes dripped with shadowed curtains. Black right through the orbs. Her small walk halted as her eyes scanned the room for Lisa who was nowhere to be seen. Bedtime tales spun by her mother knocked at the recesses of her mind. She turned to face the boy who she had believed to be soaked in blood. He hadn't moved an inch from where she had left him when she stalked off. He waved a hand and the dancing resumed as if the mere existence of her in this place was wiped off. Or ignored. She wasn't sure which. With their kind, no one ever really knew. Haven pushed through the dancing bodies, her figure easily slipping past them. She reached the back door, pushing herself out she collided with the railing and walked the quick three steps. Her breathing evened as she held her wrist and rubbed it, reassuring herself. Light footsteps echoed behind her, she whirled around, dagger ready in her hand. She froze dagger mid air.

"That's one way to greet a friend." Lisa mused her lips tipping upwards.

"Where were you?!" She yelped.

"Fun times" Lisa smirked, wiping her mouth and the smirk along with it.

Haven nodded and pursed her lips slightly upset. "Never again." She said stalking off, the chill of the night harsh against her skin.

"Fine, grumpy head." Lisa scowled misting their way back home. The walls felt familiar. The engraved brand of the family dimmed in the night sky. Lisa escorted Haven back to her chambers collapsing against the doors as it closed. She watched Haven shed her jacket and throw herself on the bed. Haven's mind was a calm peaceful monotone but it held a spike of fear tonight. More unnerved. Haven peeked through the pillows at the night sky.