Beast of the Night

Hush - FIFTEEN

Ennard nodded, his indifferent eyes peering down at the aching wound. He had never been injured before. This was the first time he had seen his own blood caused by someone else. He was much too skilled to be caught by a spear or any human creation. But he had sacrificed his own hand to save his chattel. "I will be perfectly all right."

It seemed Adriel's entire presence was forgotten when Ennard's stolid face curved into a joyous smile.

...

Continued

...

"Are you certain?" Vee questioned altruistically, holding onto the vampire's wrist, but with no acknowledgement to Adriel lying painfully with his palms clenched to his throat. The gasping pitiful creature slowly stood, plodding to the dark walls of the room. His weak grey eyes glanced at the smiling brethren with disgust. How could a vampire show his teeth so kindly, without threat?

The raven-haired beast only replied with a quick nod, gazing at his own hand with the pungent needling of the wound. What was this? Somehow, he felt invincible. He felt like he always had. Empty. But when soft, narrow, almost like a woman's hands, touched his own, it almost overpowered his blankness. The soulless red eyes staring down at such an innocent little human. If Ennard were to be honest, he never saw someone so uniquely beautiful. Even a vampire, who had travelled every place known to man, seen every being within the many centuries he lived; he still could not believe his eyes. Why was a human such as Vee, a hunter, being so kind to such a monster as I?

"Quite." Ennard Ambrogio said with assent, peering at Adriel with sullen insensitive eyes. The raven hair pulled Vee Elrod close to his chest with protectiveness, making Vee turn wide eyed and flush rosy red. "Leave, before you cause more trouble than you already have."

Adriel did not have to hear this twice, as the affection and closeness of two distinct species made his stomach turn. The boy gave a small scoff and stumbled off, holding his bruised neck tightly to embark on his new journey of leaving this wretched place. "You are just like our father," Adriel whispered unfeignedly with an angered purse in his lips.

Was it that his indomitable character forced him to push the limits of his on-the-edge brother? Was it the dearth of blood that drove him mad? Adriel always knew his temerity would take advantage of him, but his cautiousness was limited to the consequences. He was truly remiss with his previous intention of finishing his 'work.'

Ennard went completely wide eyed, releasing Vee instantly from his tight grip, and turning his body to face the intruder. His eyes were full of truculence as they had been when he drank from the animal's blood.

Stepping one dress shoe forwards, his fangs shot out to a threatening length, and his claws swung in the air. One infallible swipe knocked the poor Adriel to the ground, who bounced on the tile once and fell completely motionless. A pool of blood spilled out onto the floor; four long sliding claw marks remained on the grey cotton suit. The forevermore reposed Adriel twitched once more before the breath ceased.

Vee, staring with a dull pinch of guilt, moved his shaking feet to a slide along the dark tiles. The air was as heavy as the castle walls. Even the diffident servants in the halls built their confidence to shift away into shadows. Truly virulent. How could he kill his own brother? It could not have been caused by the little discrepancy. No, not the quiet, generous being that had saved him from ultimate death of the auction house. The clemency he was given, as Ennard Ambrogio fell limp to the blood-stained stone with the last words to help the human. But then again, the dark liquid dripping from the static inky claws was not the proof he needed in terms of a benefactor.

The still vampire made it look facile. Effortless, pathetic even. That chivalrous man who Vee had met vanished.

"S-Sir Ennard?" Vee whispered, backing his feet warmed by slippers until he hit the wall with his back. He could not think. He didn't want to see that body on the floor. Usually, Vee wouldn't be this way with blood... but Ennard... how many people has he killed since he was in the vampire's possession?

Ennard Ambrogio stared down at the body with a curve on his lips. Adriel.... Why did you have to be so weak? Do you remember what I told you when I came back home with Leuan dragged behind me? Do you remember how much my fangs, my claws, my hair... how much did it grow that day? Do you remember my tears?... no matter. I cannot ask you now, can I?

Ennard looked up slowly, the same dilated, blank eyes facing the trembling human before him. No response came from the thin lips. What would he say? He could not even think. He might as well be an animal at this point. "Vee...?" Ennard whispered back, looking down with a sudden thrash of guilt. No. Not for Adriel. He was a broken toy to begin with. But.... He scared Vee.

Vee stared with shaking eyes, pounding beats from his heart was all he could hear. But when the soulless, saddened eyes faced him. The flowing raven hair, torn from its ribbon, fell over the broad shoulders of his tattered suit. A curve of guilt on his lips, clenched as his hands were. What happened to that smile he saw? This was his fault. The fear faded into shame.

The human ran up to the hurt vampire, clenching his eyes tightly before jumping onto him and wrapping Ennard up in a hug. Vee's arms trembled as they hugged around the sturdy pale neck, trapping strands of hair in its grip. "Vee?" The vampire mumbled with a frown, looking down as his fangs slightly protruded from his lips.

"Hush." Vee said into the motionless purebloods ear, hugging him tightly, but then releasing. Vee was on his tip toes, and yet his head only still came to Ennard's shoulder. The human looked down and took both hands covered in black liquid and slipped them around the tiny waist. "Like this. You'll feel better." He said with gentleness in his tone, making the vampire stare with a stoic expression.

"...Vee..." Ennard obediently held the soft human waist, and Vee wrapped his arms back around him, pulling him close and leaning his chin on Ennard's shoulder.