Welcome to Dublin: A Skulduggery Pleasant Fanfiction

Welcome to Dublin

The taxi wound its way through the darkening streets of Dublin, moving at a crawl to avoid the pedestrians meandering through the city centre. From the backseat, Tanith Low watched a pack of girls hobble down the cobblestones. Weaving their way around puddles and potholes, laughing as they teetered dangerously in stilettos. A stray gust of wind blew a flimsy plastic rhinestone-covered cowboy hat from the crown of one girl's head. She gave chase, branching off from her friends, and stumbling directly into the path of the taxi. The driver put his foot down on the brake pad and his hand on the centre of the steering wheel. The car's horn blared. Tanith was amused to see the girl start at the sound and then, quickly recovering, give them a one finger salute before tottering off into the night in pursuit of her hat.

"Charming," the driver muttered under his breath.

They turned a corner, passing a stag party huddled beneath the flickering neon lights of a nightclub, before pulling up in front of a ritzy looking hotel. 

Tanith unbuckled her seat belt and handed the driver a fifty euro note. "Cheers, mate. Keep the change." 

The taxi driver thanked her and wished her a pleasant stay. No sooner had the taxi pulled away than a sudden shrill scream pierced the night. Welcome to Dublin, she thought ruefully. Then the years of training kicked in, and her brain switched into fight mode. Without a second thought Tanith turned and pelted towards the outcry. 

The cobblestones beneath her feet was slick with rainwater. Music blasted from the open doors of the club, the bass drum keeping time with her heartbeat. She sprinted past throngs of mortals, dodging in and out of pedestrians and traffic alike. A second scream sounded across the city - only to be abruptly cut off.  

Tanith turned a sharp corner, her hand reaching for the sword concealed beneath her jacket. Too late, she realised.

A hat skittered across the street, carried by the breeze. Plastic rustling. Rhinestones twinkling. It fluttered for a moment before coming to a standstill at Tanith's feet. Too late.

A naked pale hairless creature stood in the shadows of a bus stop, pressed against a bloody figure. Its claws pierced its victim, holding her in place. Its fangs tore through skin, sinew, muscle and arteries alike. Too late.

She drew her sword. The blade chimed as it slipped from its sheath. The noise made the vampire look up. Its black eyes narrowed as it caught sight of her. Its cherry red-stained mouth twisted into a snarl. The corpse it held fell to the ground, slapping sickeningly against the wet stone.

Tanith didn't bother with the usual chitchat this time. She lunged straight for the creature. Sword swinging for the monster's neck. Knowing this was the best shot she was likely to get.

The vampire parried her swing with one lazy swipe of its claws. She rolled sideways, landed on her feet, and kept moving. Running straight towards a brick wall. Without slowing down, she jumped onto the wall, flipping her centre of gravity. She sprinted up the building, her open jacket billowing behind her. The vampire was hot on her heals. It scrambled up the building, mortar crumbling beneath the beast's claws. Outrunning it wasn't going to be an option. At least not like this.

Tanith jumped up onto the rooftop and spun. Swinging her blade again, as the monster propelled itself onto the roof. But her timing must have been off or else her aim was too low – because she missed the neck and instead her sword sunk into the vampire's right arm. The metal bit deep. The creature howled in rage and agony. First Blood. Good. Now let's end this.

She withdrew her sword and aimed another blow. But the vampire was too fast. It dodged, and swiped at her exposed belly with its good arm. Razor sharp claws tore through her flesh like it was paper. A cry of pain escaped her lips. The sound seemed to fuel the monster. It swiped at her face this time and Tanith ducked, a narrow miss. She took a step back. Her sword swung in broad arcs, trying to create distance between her and her opponent. Her free hand clutched at her abdomen. Blood dripped between her fingers.