The House Of Blood and Dust, Book One: Darkness Rising

'Tis a Pity She's a Strumpet

What is taking her so long? She may have a pretty face but her speed to find something is rather tedious; red hair and a fine pair what more can a man ask for perhaps his brother to come back and everything to be fine, I’ve never been a begging man but I should be out there helping out in this time of despair. From a nice house in the human district with my brother and my two best friends, to this one floor bungalow which smells likes stale piss and shame. 

          “They’ve been an awful long time… Zachary’s beginning to gain an attraction to you again, Mira.”

          “Shut up, Liz… he doesn’t have a thing for Triss… she may be pretty but he loves me.” I cannot answer her; I do not wish to answer these two harlots. I stare at them and snarl like an angry feline ready to rip apart its prey.

          “Oh yeah, well I’m sure he went into her room and fucked her hard last night whilst you slept in an empty bed.”

          “I went to make myself a cup of tea… or is that now not acceptable?” My patience is beginning to run thin, I can hold out but sooner or later I may snap this little bitch’s neck.

          “Tea is that euphemism?” the blonde bimbo laughs like a rabid hyena. I clutch my fist and calm myself,

          “No, in fact I was actually getting a cup of tea.” I stand and walk into the bungalow’s kitchen and make myself a cup of tea.

          I sip from the mug, slowly and dainty like a gentlewoman, my body has been battered for the past two days. I sit and think of my friends… my brother. Proditor Xion the mage, he is missing from his world, thinking he has nothing and this may be true. Michael Parador, he came into human life without a care in the world, now his mind has destroyed him. My brother, the anger fueled wolf. The man who has been through hell and no one noticed, the bottled up emotions and shattered knuckles; the loveless heart and broken soul. Avenji Arkness the man without hope, without fear… the man with no love to give, he’s alone in his head and still carries on, death will not take him for he has me his brother… the big oaf of his family. A single tear runs down my cheek.

          “Where the hell are they?” The aggression in my voice is obvious, I don’t know what I’d do if Avenji was dead, wouldn’t be first time I was alone but I don’t like that thought.

I walk outside and take a deep breath, the wind blows with little force blowing my clothes slightly in the wind. In the distance I see her alone, the white haired wonder.

“I am so sorry, Zachary.” I look at her, she smiles and grabs my shoulders, “I couldn’t find him and Saskia, and well I don’t know where she’s gone.” Her expression looks low and I lift her chin up with my hand.

“Do not worry; they shall come back to us… I am sure of it.” She smiles and as do I,

“Are you always an optimist, Zachary?”

“Well with what I’ve had to put up with in my life… I guess I would have killed myself if I didn’t look forward and never faltered whilst walking through hell.” The night sky holds us like a mother and the moon sits high upon her throne.

“We should go inside… Miranda’s been expecting me.” I hold her chin; I stare into her beautiful eyes and cannot remove my gaze. “Zachary?”

“Yes?”

“Nothing.” She says coyly and I finally let go of her, “Now into this piss soaked bungalow.”

“I knew that was the smell.” She and I laugh. Back inside the bungalow, Elizabeth gives me a disgusted look. I smile and go into the kitchen once more.