Lucian's Mark

Chapter Eight

            What was becoming of my life? I stood there for another minute, steadying my breathing as thoughts swarmed my mind. What had just happened? I watched my chest rise and fall in my reflections, absolutely sure that abnormality seemed to favor me. For no matter what mirror I gazed in, it couldn't conceal the fact that my blush wasn't the result of fear. So much for ordinary.

            I exited the house of mirrors, suddenly re-aware of the fact that I had arrived here with Beth, and that I had lost track of time. I needed to find her and her friends, being that it was already dark out. The last thing I needed right now was for the group to think I had ditched them, because first impressions were kind of important. I automatically thought of Lucian Vernicillo and his first impression... memorable to say the least. I rubbed my neck subconsciously and felt a shiver run up my spine. Were they watching me right now? Had he been serious? I couldn't take any risks; I would not mention anything to anyone, least of all Beth, I needed to think this whole thing over. I felt my head pound in response; Black Forest was quickly becoming a tough pill to swallow.

            I found the gang near a 'Win a Goldfish' game stand after a few minutes of searching. Though they weren't actually near the game...they were next to a crowd of people who had started to gather around some sort of unseen attraction.

            I approached cautiously, something telling me to turn around and leave before they noticed me. But curiosity and guilt got the best of me and I ignored the urge to flee, coming up behind Robert and Beth.

Robert was the first to notice my arrival, "There you are, I--we've been wondering where you were. We thought you had left."

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, "Yea, sorry, I kinda got lost." I averted my gaze, lying really was never my forte.

Beth then interrupted him before he could go on, "Shh! I think it's starting!" she sounded eager, even more than usual.

"What's starting?" I asked aloud, to no one in particular.

James turned towards me, "Some sort of performance, check it out!" He winked at me, pointing ahead of him with his thumb.

That's when I noticed the tense scene unfolding before us—the one the captivated crowd was so intently watching.

There before us stood two groups a distance from each other, poised for action. The first consisted of eight to seven intense looking men in dark cloaks, led by a tall muscular man with a buzz-cut and a deep gash in his right face who was pacing back and forth lazily while speaking animatedly to the other group. The other group, an equally large cluster, stood eerily still, fists clenched, eyes fixated on the man with the buzz cut with looks that could kill...

I felt a pit drop in my stomach. Oh no. This was in no way an act.

"Guys, we need to get out of here," I spoke with such authority and fear that even Rebecca turned around.

But before I could continue, the man with the buzz cut and scar addressed the crowd, garnering all eyes on him, "But I'm sure they wouldn't want to leave without a show. AM I RIGHT?" He spread his arms out towards the crowd, an unpleasant gleam in his eye.

The tone of his voice made me cringe, but not more than the loud cheers the crowd framing the group issued in delight.

He then turned back towards the leader of the second group, "You see Lucian, we cannot deny them their satisfaction."

"Beth! I really think we need to go, now," I grabbed her shoulder but she didn't respond, her eyes locked on the display.

Unlike those accompanying him, who wore their anger on their sleeves, Lucian Vernicillo stood with a face devoid of all emotion, his eyes locked on the boisterous man with a look of indifference. Unfortunately, his calm façade did not seem to ease my fear a bit, being that I could easily make out the bulging muscle in his left forearm. Something was telling me to run and to run fast. But I couldn't leave Beth.

I stepped closer, in an effort to find a way to break her trance and drag her away.

"I'm afraid they leave us with no other choice, it's in our best interest to give them what they want. You see, no matter what they think otherwise...the people have come to love blood nearly as much as us!" Buzz cut then laughed deeply, acknowledging us with another wave of his arm before turning back to Lucian. "There's no use in denying it Lucian, so what better way to meet your end than to an eager audience?"

"Demetrius, you are not foolish enough to think your words bare truth. You know the ultimate consequence and repercussions of this scene, yet here you stand. This act will not grant you the revenge you so desperately seek for Claudius."

"How dare you speak his name," Demetrius' eyes glowed as he spat the words.

Now. The time was definitely now. I yanked Beth hard, "HEY! OW LILLY!"

Demetrius turned towards us immediately, suddenly a little too aware of our existence. His eyes widened and his eyes raced back and forth over our area. He sniffed the air dramatically.

"What's this?" I felt his eyes settle on me and felt something burn across my chest. My hand jerked to the Emerald necklace instinctively.

"Doth my nose deceive me Lucian?" his menacing voice now laced with disbelief.

I glanced at Lucian whose demeanor had turned deadly; his calm façade had dropped completely, every muscle bulging from his appearance as he began to issue a low snarl.

"A human? How very appealing, I wouldn't have taken you as the type, how precious!"

Every head in the crowd turned to me at once.

"Oh cool Lilly," I felt Robert nudge my frozen body, "I didn't know you were in the act! Is that where you disappeared to?"

I didn't get a chance to respond for just at that moment Demetrius leaped.