Perverse Thirst: A Ghost Walkers Prelude

Chapter 19

Fire burned in Pilo's eyes as he heard a single set of footsteps approach the door. The familiar sound confirmed Demini's suspicions. Loyalty became a stranger in a town controlled by fear. Threats persuaded people loyalties like the moon controlled the tides. Honor is an endangered concept within the circle of the cursed. It began to appear Demini and Pilo were the last ones upholding such a way of life. As time progressed, they became the only ones left to reap the benefits of such an oath. Taking her hand in his, Pilo let Demini know everything would turn out alright with a quick glance into her eyes. Turning their attention to the door, they waited for it to open.

Slowly, the door pushed open, and a crowd of wooden spikes pushed into the opening. Ladieta's brood pointed their wooden tip spears in the doorway, in front of Bajai. Carrying a worried expression, Bajai stood out in the hallway looking at the floor. He waited until the door creaked all the way open before making eye contact with Pilo.

"You left me with little choice, Pilo," Bajai said.

"No I didn't," Pilo answered. "We were all going to walk out of here. Now just the two of us are. I hate that it's come to this. I really did respect you."

"She requires an audience with you. We're not looking for trouble."

"I'd hope you didn't come here looking for a fight. You understand what I have to do now, don't you? You've left me no choice."

"I'd expect nothing less, if I actually thought we stood a chance. I've accepted my fate for a while now. I've just been enjoying being spoiled. It was a good way to go out...Could you make this easy for me, and follow me?"

Hand in hand, Pilo and Demini took steps toward the door. When they got close, Ladieta's ladies lowered their weapons. At this time in the morning, all of the candles had been extinguished. All of the windows were blacked out, and the group of cursed ones walked toward Ladieta's location in complete darkness, guided by Bajai's single candle light.

Pushing open the door, Bajai released the room's light out into the hall. Candles, behind red glass, lit the room, keeping the light dim and colored. Ladieta sat in her large chair, straight across from the door. A large number of her subservient, compelled ones, gathered in the room on each side. Bajai led Demini and Pilo into the middle of the group, before taking up his position behind Ladieta. She wore a silver crown, covered in red jewels. Her eyelids were shaded black, making the green color of eyes stand out. The tips of her fangs lightly pressed into her black lips. Pale skin hid behind the long hair hanging down the edges of her face. A black sheer dress stayed in place by the leather belt around her waist. The only sound in the room came from her long black nails clicking across the throne chair in a wave. A naked man rested on his hands and knees in front of the throne, giving her a place to rest her bare feet.

"Well, Pilo," said Ladieta. "Have you given my proposition any thought?"

"I have given it some thought. Still on the fence, but I want you to rest assured that I haven't forgotten about you. I mean how could I? Just look what you've done to the place."

"You see, that's not going to work. I can't let you just walk out of here, like you did last time."

"Maybe I can find some good graces in you. I've done some good since I've been gone. I took out the Counsel. So, you don't have to worry about that headache anymore."

"That's what Bajai was saying. It's true?"

"Yes it is. I really couldn't take their lack of respect anymore. I also couldn't justify a need for them. They were more of a hazard. They were a bridge to the politicians, that I didn't see beneficial anymore."