Santiago:
The quick weekend trip to Amsterdam with the Three Musketeers was entertaining, I hadn't been there in quite some time, and it was a trip actually worth my time. Always knew Lestat had a bit of scrapper in him and David didn't do so bad either to my surprise. Louis, was Louis... but he did hold his own so I'll give him that much.
With some of my deeper wounds still healing from the encounter, I wasn't sure if I was ready to go back to Paris yet. I'd stalked its streets night after night for so many years that it felt good to get out and see other things. I'd had a bit of luck lately and settled on heading to Monaco from Amsterdam. The Monte Carlo Grand Casino would definitely be on my list for an evening. Impress a few victims with card and dice tricks, take my fill, then head back. A few nights at most.
I stepped off the plane in Nice with a black Ferrari Modena waiting for me. The one suitcase was slipped into the trunk and I left a nice patch there on the tarmac as I sped off.
Once in a while
When I'm sleeping
My horses are wild
And I'm weeping
Just like a child
I wake up dreaming that I've been loved
I parked the car downtown, deciding to take a walk for my first evening in Monaco. Sliding my trench coat off, I laid it over the fender of the car. My shirt quickly followed and I pulled a favorite silk royal blue from the suitcase. Did I realize I held the attention and distraction of most who walked by? Of course. One walked over and even had the courage to ask my name as I finished doing the buttons. Her fingers tracing along the line of the car as her eyes shyly went from the car up to mine. I grinned, placing my fingers under her chin and kissing her lips, whispering my name against them as I pulled away. Placing the coat back on, I closed up the car and walked backwards for a couple steps, bowing deeply with flourish, to the girl whom had just approached me.
Nights are in blue
And Castillian
Thinking of you
Senses reeling
Diving into
This feeling that I have been loved
As I walked, I could feel the press of the the silver adornments that decorated my Western style boots. I was particularly fond of the silver tips and silver guard that wrapped around the entire heel. They were quite fitting for me, I thought.
My stroll through Monaco caught me feeling in the mood to sing. I circled slowly one brunette who'd stopped to watch me as I went by. The song whispered in her ear as I tucked her hair to one side. So tempting was the nape of her neck, I pressed my lips against it, then turned and walked off, continuing to sing.
Lucky for you
You know what to do
When somebody hurts you
Somebody enters your life, disappears
Leaves you in tears
Stirs up your fears, oh yeah
Next to fall within my sights were the jade green eyes of a young woman walking across a grassy knoll in the park. I leaned back against the light post, arms crossed, and waited for her to get closer. She looked up as I sang to her and when her hair fell across her face, I knew why she'd caught my attention.
If you have a clue
About what to do
Then it's lucky for you, yeah, yeah
She offered a smile that was quite lovely, but just not the same. I moved closer and offered to walk with her, my hand extending behind her but remaining against air inches from her lower back. Very little was said between us as we walked, but I would soon know even her most intimate thoughts. I finally couldn't resist the temptation anymore and pressed her up against a tree, my fangs breaking skin easily and the gasp she let out would leave passers-by thinking nothing more than lovers. And that we were for that moment of time, letting it drag out through each heartbeat that refused to stop.
I scooped her up into my arms, feeling her flesh begin to chill against mine, to play out the romantic lovers a bit longer. A park bench was not far off and with no one around to see, it was there I left her in her last sleep. Her blood coursing through me and granting a warmth that was as intoxicating as any liquor that mortals could consume.
Still lucky for me
You're amazing
You made me see
Sparks come blazing
I was lucky to be
Made to feel like I had been loved
Returning slowly to the car, I strolled to enjoy the sights the city could continue to offer. The lap of the waters against the nearby shore; the gentle hum of a city just settling in for the night. Almost another hour had passed before I finally pulled up in front of the Hotel Negresco. I was checked in and took in the foyer of the hotel at my own speed, knowing I probably annoyed the bellboy who was to escort me to my suite.
It was all I expected it to be and looking out from my room across the bay, the city lights called to me. I had thought about waiting until the following night to go to the casino, but restlessness was my downfall.
Lucky for you
You know what to do
When somebody hurts you
Somebody enters your life, disappears
Leaves you in tears
Stirs up your fears, yeah, yeah, yeah
If you have a clue
About what to do
Then it's lucky for you
I donned the black tuxedo tails I'd brought, along with the royal blue damask vest. I thought of keeping the boots, for I was quite enjoying them, but knew better than with a tuxedo. Perhaps slightly overdressed for the casino, but I was there for attention after all, was I not? What better way to leave for the night with several women on your arm?
I didn't think you would sacrifice
U-u, the love I made you receive, no, no
I'd pay a grand for some paradise
but I'm just too scared to believe, o-o-oh!
It was about a twenty minute drive to the casino, but I took my time and toured a bit more of the city. The Ferrari was not as fast as my motorcycle, but it was still an enjoyable ride when I pushed it. Hey if they could run these roads in the Grand Prix, why couldn't I test out the limits as well?
I pulled up in front of the Monte Carlo, stepping out as a valet ran over to hand me a ticket and drive off with the car to park it next to one of the other dozens of Ferrari's that lined the round about. Setting foot upon the walkway, I turned to see a limousine stop and the driver hop out. I wasn't sure why, but for some reason, something told me to wait and see who stepped out.
Lucky for you
If you know what to do
When somebody hurts you
Somebody enters your life, disappears
Leaves you in tears
Stirs up your fears, yeah, yeah, yeah
If you have a clue
About what to do
When somebody hurts you
Somebody enters your life, disappears
Leaves you in tears
Stirs up your fears, yeah, yeah
She stepped out and my first thought was an elegant and classy actress from an earlier time period. She had that air about her... the blond hair pulled up with just the gentlest of curls to it. I couldn't help but smile once I realized who it was. She hid herself well amongst the mortals, but any man who laid eyes on her would know there was nothing mortal about her movement and ability to seduce.
What I did wonder was, why was she here? Not that I was about to complain. I knew exactly why she'd been made immortal, her beauty would have pulled at the heart strings of any immortal. And I was certain that most of those looks she had long before the blood.
I approached her as she began walking toward the entrance and even from this far away, we could easily sense the other was vampire and I could feel her block me out the instant she felt me. Her eyes locked onto me as I continued to approach. Her sequined dress catching the lights from the casino as the material shifted against her form.
Stopping right before her, I offered my hand and she took it, allowing me to kiss the palm, even if only through the fabric of the glove.
"You are stunning this evening." I bowed before her, having her finger tips bring me back up. You are far from unknown to me, but in case you do not know my name, I am Santiago. I offered her my arm. And I would be honoured if the beautiful Miss Bianca would allow me to escort her into the casino for the evening.
If you have a clue
About what to do
Lucky for you
(To reference the song that plays during this piece you can click here)
Bianca:
I had been within the luxurious confines of the beautiful Monte Carlo previously, as I was fortunate enough to have a well-connected friend who was often involved in various jewellery dealerships there. We had communicated briefly, and one phone call had settled it: I was to come and visit, and learn how to relax, in his terminology. It had been too long since I had last entered that glittering diamond shard of prosperity and corruption, and under such a persistent address as that which I had received, how could I refuse the offer to return for a short while? My friend had been most determined that I should once again experience all of the charms of Monaco, despite his awareness of my previous acquaintance with the area. Despite the fact that I had laughed at his remark about learning to relax at the time that it was made, the plane ride on the way to my destination made it plain just how much it was needed. I was more than certainly a wanderer by nature; one who craved the opportunity to cool her inherently nomadic heels in unfamiliar climes once again. It was my plan to allow the experience of the charms that my friend was so determined to have me appreciate in repetition, without too much resistance. He had no idea just how appreciative of those charms I would be, before my stay was through. That perhaps was well for him, although he had a quick hand and a fast eye when it came to cutting and dealing decks of cards, or letting diamonds fall into his fingers and spill through. However, none of the deals which he made were drenched in the blood that characterized mine. It would have unsettled his conscience, had he known what I truly was, and so I kept up the illusion.
He knew my habits well, and knew that I would not consent to join company before the evening. Being so long acquainted with me now and yet being allowed to live was something of a rarity for mortals such as him. He was one of a few who had not been corrupted by his overlong proximity to money and privilege, and so I had continued to mix and mingle in the world that he shared with certain companions occasionally. I allowed myself the temptation of staying in touch with the few who caught my attention, but I refused to take the risk of making my presence known in the matter of true intimacy. Occasionally this distance was able to incite in me an overpowering sense of loneliness, but this was an emotion that was rarely sustained, as I had always carried a solitary streak that separated me from others, allowing me to come and go as I pleased, unencumbered by the passage of time so precisely marked by mortality. Despite this, my arrival a few days ago had been a welcome distraction from the ceaseless furore of my own thoughts, and I had been swept up in various social engagements since then. Ever the hostess even as a mortal, it was not difficult for me to actively demonstrate the qualities of an intellectual modern socialite. It seemed that my friend's idea of relaxation was interacting with other people more or less constantly. I confess that I enjoyed every moment, despite the fact that my presence there made the possibilities of hunting precarious. I had not hunted since I arrived, thus far...it had not been necessary, thanks to the fact that the years had worn away the sharp edge of my hunger and made it less demanding. However, it was becoming a difficult need to ignore, and I had all intent of slaking my appetite during tonight's outing.
It had been quite some time since my last approach to the doors of the Monte Carlo Casino, but I had no compulsions against doing so once again. Wearing a sleekly tapered golden dress, my hair swept upwards with a few curls cascading loosely, and the final crown of simple pearl earrings lightly hanging from my ears, I settled myself within the white limousine - I had been told that for the duration of my stay, it was at my beck and call, and so I had chosen to take advantage of it. The journey was quiet, and the only interruption in the air was the soundless thrumming of my anticipation. As the limousine pulled to a stop perhaps twenty minutes later, the door opening to allow me to step out, I caught a disturbance upon the air as I made my exit. The lightest pressure was felt at the back of my mind briefly, confirming what my senses had told me as I closed out the invading presence of another vampire's mind. The intent that I caught briefly did not feel malicious, merely inquisitive, and my eyes slid to the side, even as I continued to walk towards the entrance of the casino. To my slight surprise, I was met there quite openly, by a presence that I recognized from rumour alone. The dark good looks and the easy self-assurance, tempered with an obsidian intensity which more than fleetingly reminded me of a panther on the prowl immediately gave him the necessary familiarity. It was a familiarity that he only confirmed moments later with his words, punctuating them with a formal bow. In those few moments, I already perceived the acquired mark of a gentleman gracing the features of a known predator.
"You are stunning this evening. You are far from unknown to me, but in case you do not know my name, I am Santiago."
Following the introduction, he held his arm out, a note of invitation in his tone as he continued to speak.
"And I would be honoured if the beautiful Miss Bianca would allow me to escort her into the casino for the evening."
A slight smile curved at the corners of my lips, and slowly I folded my arm over his. My elbow length gloves were an antique cream that was almost golden, setting off the gold of my dress against the darkness of his attire. I knew that we contrasted strongly, though I caught the bright flash of colour in the form of his blue waistcoat without missing a beat.
"I thank you, Santiago...perhaps we can learn something from one another this evening. I hear you have some skill with sleight of hand in more ways than one."
As we ascended the red carpeted steps, I was aware of more than a few gazes burning into our backs, some with desire, and others with envy. I knew that he had noticed also when I shifted my gaze sideways and caught his eye. Santiago positively radiated amusement briefly, but he also basked in the attention, something which allowed me to gauge a little more about him than I had known previously. We passed through the glass doors, and the pearls at my ears caught the light of a delicately crafted crystal chandelier hanging above our heads. My smile grew, along with my anticipation of the evening's entertainment. A few more steps through another set of doors, and we had finally entered. To the bedazzled eye, the interior of the casino would seem a luxurious playground, created for the pleasure of the rich and self-indulgent. And indeed, it was all of that, and yet so much more.
All around us, there were people drinking expensive champagne as though it was water, brittle diamond laughter laced with the heartiness of drunken revelry to make a sound that almost rings true. Sweat poured down more than a few brows as they gambled for money and stakes higher still. I knew that it was not a foreign concept for concubines and similar to be gambled away, even in today’s modern world where such things were not considered acceptable. Human flesh and blood occasionally formed a price out of the range of even the richest patron, the sand in the hourglass pouring down in fatal grains…until their time ran out. All of those present lived in the manner that was best afforded to them…but despite the fact that many of their outright boasts rang true, just as many of them were bravado to cover the underlying fear of losing it all. As much legal dealing as illegal went on under the golden roof of this casino, but it took a discerning eye to pick out precisely who fell into which category. The promises of sin and the scent of the mortals around me pressed lightly upon my hunger, something that was for that moment easily resisted. At my side, I noticed Santiago doing much the same thing that I was, and a soft laugh was elicited by the comparison. Both of us so very different from one another, it would seem on first impression…and yet if one were to delve deeper into the arts of death, we were merely a few breaths apart in time.
We cut a swathe through the elite that settled themselves around the various carved mahogany tables, complete with stools. I caught sight of a fleeting acquaintance made at my friend’s mansion, and tilted my head in greeting, but made no move of invitation as he was ensconced within what looked to be an intense game of poker. I already had my companion of choice for the evening; if choice it could be called on my part. It had been his decision to approach me, though I could not deny that I was pleased with the prospect of perhaps getting to know him a little better…whether on my terms, or his. My eyes scanned the card tables and found nothing of real worth, and I caught Santiago’s gaze halfway. With a slight grin, he flicked his eyes towards the roulette. Almost too appropriate, that game of chance, for I sensed in that moment that many other games had the potential to be played tonight.
My smile took on an edge as I observed those that would serve as our opponents. I could almost taste their blood coursing down my throat, and I knew that barely perceptibly, my eyes gleamed. Finally, I spoke, offering my acknowledgement, and verbally throwing down something that could have been construed as a gauntlet…one that I did not believe I would regret. It had been too long since I had matched off with another in such a way.
“Well, Santiago…we have a game in front of us. The question is…what sort of stakes do we play for?”
My words hung in the air like so many diamonds gleaming at pale throats. I could see them falling through fingertips again as Santiago’s smile grew, playing about his lips in a dark timbre that suited him. Catching a look in his eyes I had difficulty reading, I sensed that he had not the least intention of disappointing.
Santiago:
We drew the eyes of all those who mattered within the confines of the building. I could feel the press of their consciences against my senses and reveled in it. While I had been known to turn the heads of women in a room, with Bianca on my arm we held the attention of the entire room. Bianca let out a soft laugh, so she felt this all as well. I knew of her, but I fully admit to knowing nothing when it came to her hunting habits. The pleasures that hung thick within the air gave me a bit more insight based on that laugh. Monte Carlo promised more than I ever expected and I offered her a quick side glance and a devilish smile.
While I have a penchant for certain card or dice games, the night was early and the tables weren't paying right now... or at least those not kept behind locked door. My eyes fell on the roulette table, scanning quickly down the illuminated list of last wins. It was not a game that we had to pay close attention to, it might give us a bit of chance to talk. I led Bianca's eye toward the wheel and grinned. I was rewarded with a smile that spoke volumes as her eyes seemed to alight.
“Well, Santiago… we have a game in front of us. The question is… what sort of stakes do we play for?”
So she was all that I had heard... and more. The proverbial stone had been cast, it was my duty now to increase the wake. Something I was all too willing to accept as we approached the table.
"There is a legend of François Blanc and his bargain with the devil to obtain the secrets of roulette. Since the sum of all the numbers on the roulette wheel is 666, the devil was the obvious choice. Care to learn the secrets from me?"
I paused for a moment to catch the slight amusement upon her face as I took a clip of large bills out and set it on the table. The house called out the exchange and several racks of chips were passed our way. I took out only a single row from one tray and slid all the rest over before Bianca. She too took only a single row then slid the trays back to me. It seemed my own showmanship was to be countered tonight. I set four chips on the black, she set down on red. I set four down on "Pair" she set five on "Impair". The remaining chips in my hand I split and set two equal piles on ten and fourteen. Her final placements put one on Derniere 12, then the remaining split on twenty-five and zero. The last placement making me flinch slightly since she looked up at me as she laid them, indicating that I still had much to prove. I bowed my head to her slightly, acknowledging her challenge.
The wheel was spun as a young woman approached with a tray and asked if we would like something to drink. Bianca held her delicate hand up to decline the offer and returned her attention to the wheel. I smiled at the girl, thanked her and then declined while taking one of the chips from our trays and placing it in her hand. Her innocence was astonishing as she thanked me and headed off.
"You should go enjoy her, Santiago." I looked down at Bianca who continued to watch the wheel.
"Not just yet, I have other pleasures in mind before I have my desserts." Her eyes glanced up at me and the ball fell into place on the wheel. The house called out that it fell into fourteen red and I grinned at her. "Guess it's not zero after all."
"The wheel has yet to stop spinning for the night." Bianca turned and walked away from the table, leaving me to collect both our winnings. I grabbed one of the trays and threw a couple chips to the house to let him take care of the remaining trays. I'd cash them back in later. I caught up to Bianca watching a couple hands of Blackjack.
"Care to try your luck, beautiful?"
"No, just watching the one on the right."
I looked over to see he was sitting with three cards face up in front of him totaling fourteen. Based on the fact that he was actually debating on asking for another card or not, told me he probably held a two or ace as his face down card.
"What would you do Santiago?" She said without taking her eyes off the boy still deciding.
Stepping closer to her, I whispered in her ear. "I'd take another without hesitation. Greed and risk are quite enjoyable."
He held and the house played out the hand. The following card drawn, had he asked for it, went to the house and it was a four. The groan of a missed opportunity was heard and the house stayed at eighteen. He slipped from his chair and headed off, perhaps to find another table or game. "You going to follow him?"
Bianca headed in the other direction, speaking over her shoulder as she walked. "He isn't risky enough for my tastes."
I laughed out loud, tonight just got better and better.
She paused at the craps table and here I stepped up and put my chips down. A game I knew well, a game I could affect the outcome of directly. I called for the dice and other then a minute complaint from one man across from me who caught my direct stare, the rest of the table seemed ready for a change of thrower. I shook them in my hand then turned and brought them up toward the lips of Bianca.
"Care to cast a bit of luck on them?" The men at the table all urged her on and a moment later, I felt the press of her lips against the dice in my hand. The tip of her fang catching the edge of my palm just slightly, not enough to draw blood, as she pulled away. My jaw ached... I'd already fed tonight, but in that one action she'd nearly pressed me over the edge. The dice were thrown and landed exactly as I'd wanted.
"Looks like you're lucky after all, Bianca." Was I laying it on with corny lines? Of course, but she seemed more than willing to play. "Manipulation of a dice roll will only get you so far, Trickster. After that, a lady needs more than a single stroke of the hand to keep her entertained."
She was off again and I stood there for a second in stunned silent laughter. Our game had just been taken up a notch and it had been some time since I was met on my own ground like this. I wasn't sure now if she was bored with the casino, or if she was just attempting to keep me on my toes. I threw the dice once more, then picked up my tray of chips and headed after her once again. Leaving behind the cheers of all those who I'd just helped win again.
"I think the lady deigns the abilities of my hands and fingers far below their true capabilities."
This paused Bianca mid stride, then she turned and stepped close against me. Her hand going around behind my back, pulling us closer together and giving me a perfect visual down the front of her dress. A distraction for certain.
"If that's so Santiago, then how about we up the stakes a bit?"
I leaned down to kiss her and a gloved finger was pressed to my lips, stopping me. Tonight, just got really interesting and now I was prepared to up the ante.
Bianca:
As my footsteps took me with purpose from the roulette table, I sensed his surprise at what would seem to most my disinterest. And yet, it was not disinterest at all, merely the fact that if Santiago was a worthy challenge, the fact that I walked away due to a slight attention shift would not dissuade him. I paused at one of the blackjack tables as one of the players caught my eye. His poker face had crumbled slightly and I saw the consternation there as I scanned his mind with casual ease. A good deal of winnings hung upon his choice of card, but the loss would be considerable if he made the wrong choice. As Santiago slipped up beside me and spoke to me once more, I let a faint smile curve my lips.
“No, just watching the one on the right.”
My next words were silken laced, and made its way to Santiago’s hearing in a question’s subtle nuance. They of course referred to the risk of the boy that I watched.
“What would you do, Santiago?”
In the next moment, I felt the press of his body more directly along the length of my back, a new twist to the game that we had begun.
“I’d take another without hesitation. Greed and risk are quite enjoyable.”
I knew that Santiago took his measure then with some amount of amusement, and such proved to be correct as the player did not take the risk. I had been gauging him as a potential prey for the evening, captivated by his indolence, but as he stepped back from a gamble that could have paid off, I shook my head in a manner that was barely perceptible. Hardly the type that I favoured – someone with a little more fire and struggle with them was my usual preference as they often provided a more interesting hunt. I had to admit that I was tempted despite this, but watching him only heightened the feeling of dismissal.
“You going to follow him?”
“He isn’t risky enough for my tastes.”
I heard his laughter as I walked away, and I could not suppress my own amusement. The duel of wits and challenge alike was proving to give my evening the spark that it might otherwise have lacked. I was good at making and finding my own entertainment, but meeting another person head on served as a far better distraction…one that I did not receive very often. Not many dared to meet me on my own ground. But Santiago did, and those who dare...
We stopped at the craps table, and he raised the dice to my lips with a wicked grin. My eyes flashed, I was no symbol to be used as a hint of luck. I knew full well that he could affect the outcome of this particular game, and so as my lips grazed his palm, the warning prick of one fang caught his skin before I withdrew, watching the table intently. I felt the quickened response, and also had felt the pulse beneath the surface of the skin in the blood that he had taken from others. It was a beginning to something that promised to make the evening even more of an enchanting gamble. As the dice landed, I rolled my eyes slightly. There was no doubt that Santiago had fixed them. It was an impressive trick, but not enough to satisfy my needs or his for the night, and he knew it.
"Looks like you're lucky after all, Bianca."
Santiago’s words amused me infinitely, and my gloved fingertips slid along the polished wood at the edge of the table, drawing his eyes for a moment before I spoke. Then he looked at me directly.
"Manipulation of a dice roll will only get you so far, Trickster. After that, a lady needs more than a single stroke of the hand to keep her entertained."
Turning on my heel, I continued to walk, casting my gaze for another source of entertainment that both of us could indulge in. I heard the rattle from a short distance as dice were thrown and landed again, but the sound of his voice from behind me made me stiffen…with anticipation or intrigue, I wasn’t quite sure.
"I think the lady deigns the abilities of my hands and fingers far below their true capabilities."
And there, another gauntlet met the one that I had laid down earlier in the evening. I certainly had no objection, and so I met it steadily, turning back to pull his body against mine with a half-smile, almost a smirk.v
"If that's so Santiago, then how about we up the stakes a bit?"
I saw the gleam in his eyes, like hot coals leaping from a fire, and he leaned to kiss me, only to have one fingertip press to those well-shaped lips and halt his progress. It was seldom that anyone drew my attention as Santiago had, and thus far, he was proving himself admirably to be worthy of my time. The prospect pleased me exceedingly, and as I removed my fingertip, I watched him carefully before I spoke again.
“Now, I have a small challenge in mind. We shall see if you are as good as you seem to think.”
Leaning in more closely, I murmured into his ear. “Come with me...”
I sensed the curiosity as he released me but kept an arm about my waist. I allowed it for once as we drew towards a pair of golden double doors that indicated the exclusive members’ lounge. When the young man on the door sought to stop me, a flash of a golden card between my fingertips and the toss of a chip with my other hand assured him that I was eligible for entry. He caught the chip deftly with a bit of a grin, nodding in my direction and that of the one I had chosen to be my guest. The door locked behind us as it always did, only capable of being opened by the card during business hours. In emergencies, the locks would release automatically, or reinforce themselves if a break-in was attempted. Over to my right, a large bar with tall glasses and bottles of many colours gleamed in the neon light, and to my left, dark red leather and velvet provided the perfect frame to the tables. These were no ordinary stakes, however. Anything and everything could be gambled here, and I knew it. It had seemed more than appropriate to bring Santiago here for the game that I had approximated we would be playing. I watched the slow grin spread over his lips as he realised precisely what sort of stakes I had upped this to.
Leaning in close to him, I murmured to him once again, my voice barely loud enough for him to catch.
“Now, I am sure that you have noted the poker table in the corner with your astutely observant eye, Trickster. As between us money has no care, I suggest that we play for other stakes.”
He raised an eyebrow, but his grin said it all. It was close to mischievous but had the underlying pulsation of Santiago’s predatory nature…the nature that we shared. I was more than certain that he had been a beautiful mortal, but immortality suited him so well in my eyes that it was hard to imagine him any different. He stood before me, and with an amused twist of his lips, his voice was low but clear as he replied.
“Name your terms.”
I laughed, delighted at his curiosity once again, a quality that I was appreciative of.
“My stakes…win five hands of poker.”
He looked as though he were about to scoff at the difficulty of this, but seemed tacitly aware that I had one more thing up my sleeve. He was more than correct.
“Back to back.”
It was at that moment that his fingertips ran lightly down my cheek, and then further still, grazing my throat and pausing in what seemed to be appreciation.
“And the prize, beautiful?”
The words were devious, but I knew that he wanted to hear the answer. I gave it to him without hesitation, in the form of a question of my own.
“You already know what the prize is, do you not?”
My words were challenging, an exercise in that lost art of flirtation and perhaps slightly back-handed in that they questioned his knowledge of the situation. I held a great sense of certainty that he knew exactly what he was gambling for here.
“I do. I have no intention of losing.”
It was my turn to trail a lingering touch now, lightly down his throat in mimicry of the touch he had dealt to me previously.
“And if you do?”
A chuckle was emitted from him, a dark clip against the tension in the air from the patrons but a brief distance away.
“Losing is not my game, as you will soon discover…”
A thrill of anticipation chased down my spine, and I knew that my expression matched his…confident, exigent, somewhat seductive…and both conscious of how very interesting this night was turning out to be.
Santiago:
While I'd have had no problems getting into the VIP room on my own, Bianca seemed to already have the right connections to get in. I'd have to ask her who she knew in this town. The room had changed slightly since the last time I'd been here decades ago, now decked in velvet and leather I almost laughed. It was done with enough class, but it also struck me as a bit over the top. Bianca remained on my arm as we took in the room and I couldn't help but grin seeing some of the other wagers that were placed about the room. One table even had a scantly clad slave girl sitting on the floor next to her master, watching closely how the cards fell to see who she would go home with. To see Bianca like that? Interesting, but I knew she had something else in mind. I felt her pull gently on my arm and I leaned over for her to whisper once more.
"Now, I am sure that you have noted the poker table in the corner with your astutely observant eye, Trickster. As between us money has no care, I suggest that we play for other stakes."
I raised an eyebrow but grinned at her. I was well aware of what it was she offered and it was a game I was quite prepared to win.
"Name your terms."
"My stakes… win five hands of poker."
Five hands, that's it? For the meager stakes these gentleman played for, I could continue to wager all evening. Five hands was nothing to me.
"Back to back."
Ah, now there was a better challenge... and one worthy of my skills. My fingertips slipped down her cheek to her throat, my attention fully focused there. She was a beauty, and worthy of more than the risk of such a wager. I knew the terms, but wanted to hear her say them. Call it a more formal agreement between predators.
"And the prize, beautiful?"
"You already know what the prize is, do you not?"
My imagination raced back to the slave girl at the master's feet. Bianca played a good game of seduction, after all it was in her nature. Now it was a matter of setting two equals upon each other that we would decide who would win this little challenge.
"I do. I have no intention of losing."
Her touch upon my throat sent a shiver through my body though I refrained from allowing it to show outwardly. Her touch was feather soft and delectable. If I lost the poker hands, I had no doubt she would turn and leave without a hesitation as she had done to the mortal we watched earlier. It was in the rules of the game after all... to show weakness or failure was not an option and right now, she held all the cards by proffering the wager. I could counter wager, but it seemed there was something I had to prove after all. And who was I not to accept that challenge?
"And if you do?"
"Losing is not my game, as you will soon discover…"
Her smile in response to the confidence was as devious as my own grin... and the stakes had been set. My eyes fell once more upon the slave girl and this time Bianca followed that gaze. Her laughter filled my ears as she plucked the prospect of what ran through my mind, from me. With a quick arm around her waist, I pulled her close and kissed her before she could object again. Her fang scraped my lip, entirely on purpose of course, and as I pulled back, I licked away the remnant of blood. I couldn't help but grin at the combination of surprise and pleasure upon her face.
"It worked for the dice, non?"
She glared at me, but it held no heat. A part of her had enjoyed that quite a bit, but she wasn't about to let me win round one so easily. Now it was my turn to walk past her toward the table. I summoned for a runner and one came immediately, no one was kept waiting for long in this room. I told him which tables outside I had chips held at, and that I required all to be brought here. He nodded and quickly headed off while I made my way over to the slave girl. I belt down and took one of her hands in mine, kissing the palm. She blushed instantly and her master tugged at the chain.
"How dare you look at another man like that. You're my slave for the evening!"
I glanced for but a moment at the man then back to her. "Do not worry, ma chere... I will make certain you do not leave tonight with this man."
She smiled and her master turned bright red in annoyance with me. "I won her fair and square tonight!"
I smiled back at him. "And I shall win her fair and square from you, monsieur."
My chips were brought and I took a seat at the table. Bianca approached, placing her hands on my shoulders. Ah, so a distraction it was to be tonight, more of a challenge, I loved it.
I started out with a basic wager, and by the end of the first hand, I'd used about a quarter of my chips. I, of course, lost and smiled as Bianca whispered once more in my ear.
"I thought losing wasn't your game? You seem off to a bad start."
I turned my head and looked up at her. "Your wager was that I only had to win five hands back to back... not that they had to be the first five hands."
She smiled that devilish smile once again as the second round of cards was dealt. This time, her fingers slipped inside the top button of my shirt and across my collarbone. Something told me the distractions would get worse with each hand. Once again, I spent a quarter of my chips and again, I lost. This trend continued, allowing me the chance to count the cards and hedge my bets when it came time to truly start playing. As I wagered the last of my chips and lost them, I heard Bianca sigh in my ear.
"Guess you're not as good as you think you are, Trickster."
It was my turn to grin as I looked to the master of the slave girl. "I wager this beautiful woman standing behind me for my next hand." I heard Bianca gasp and a slight growl of annoyance at my not asking her permission first. "I expect you to wager your slave as a counter."
The man laughed "Given your stroke of bad luck so far, you got a deal." He looked up at Bianca, no doubt imagining his slave girl and Bianca both entertaining him. Oh if only he knew...
For the next hand, Bianca's gentle touch was no more... instead, I could feel the bite of her nails against my flesh. I flinched slightly when one drew blood, but tried to focus on my hand. The cards fell as I'd predicted they would. When the hands were asked to be called, I laid down a Royal Flush in front of me and smiled at the other man.
"It would seem my luck is changing."
He threw the chain of the slave girl to the floor and stormed away from the table. She looked up at me, and I motioned with my finger for her to approach. Kissing her cheek and then her neck, I removed the chained collar and whispered in her ear. She looked at me with surprise on her face and I passed her several large bills. She nodded at me, stood and headed out as I collected the chips from my win that the other players had put in for their bets. I knew Bianca watched each move I made now.
"What are you up to, Trickster?"
I looked at her as she took the seat next to me. "Up to? Now what makes you think I might be up to something? I told you after all, losing is not my game. Pity if you lost your trust in me."
"Losing or not, you will never use me as stakes for a poker game again without my permission."
"Ah, but you already gave your permission when you set forth the stakes, did you not?" My gaze looked back to my chips as I stacked them before me. "Besides, he would not have given that girl up over mere money, only for something that he wanted more than her." My eyes casting once quickly to Bianca as the corner of my mouth raised slightly.
She glared at me while still having caught the compliment. Unsure of which of those two things offset her more, she remained silent on both points as the next round of cards was dealt and she joined the game with me.
"What will you do with your slave girl, Santiago?"
It was a fully baited question, Bianca knew what I would do with her, yet here at the table while attempting to concentrate on my hand, she meant to make me focus on something other than the cards.
"I had planned to give her to you, for your own pleasures, beautiful. But if you wish, I would have no qualms about sharing her."
I leaned over and kissed her cheek, amused as she folded her cards down so I could not see. The little plan to distract me hadn't worked, however she had managed to provide me the means to distract every other man at the table, even beyond just her presence, which I fully admit to being a distraction in its own right. I called and laid down my hand... a full house. Next best hand to mine was two pair, resting below Bianca's fingertips, I was up two for five and based on the grumblings that were murmured around the table, there seemed to be no question in the minds of the mortals that I would win this wager between her and I.
The third hand was dealt, three of a kind Kings on initial, an excellent start. My eyes went around the table, gauging initial reactions. If you believe other mortals can spot the tells on people, imagine how easy it is for immortals to sense... the pulse quickens on a good hand, heartbeats racing in my ears. The most subtle of breathing changes, all things that even the best poker players can not hide unless under the influence of some type of drug. My secondary weapon was the ability to read the minds of those at the table and I found my hand would win this set in comparison to theirs. It was coming down to the hands Bianca and I held as to who the winner would be and my concentration faltered just slightly when I heard a soft "tk tk tk" sound come from Bianca. When I looked over at her, she watched her hand but I heard her voice within my thoughts.
"Cheating by reading their thoughts... shame on you Trickster."
So she'd realized it. She was more powerful than I thought and it seemed I'd have to improv the rest of the game to keep her from knowing my plays. I leaned over and let my lips brush against her ear as I spoke. "You never set that down as a ground rule... I am fully in my right to use all of my abilities to win. Or are you telling me you are not worthy of my best?"
"Four of a kind, Jacks high." She called as she laid down her cards, smiling at me. "And you only have three of a kind."
"Do I now... and who is the cheater?" I laid down my three kings, then reached for the two cards I'd requested in the round, flipping them over to reveal the fourth king. She was going to force me to play this on instinct alone. "That would be three out of five."
Several of the other players stood and excused themselves from the game, with good reason. They knew that they'd been played by my early losses, I do believe the term is "card shark". As the first cards went out for the next hand, I reached over and picked up the collar from the slave girl and set it down before Bianca.
"What say we up the stakes?"
"You're going to be my slave? I do hope the collar fits about your neck."
I laughed. "Are you afraid I'll win, beautiful?"
"No, not afraid, but the collar clashes with my attire for the evening."
"Then it would appear I must win a diamond studded collar so that it would match. Though you in either would go quite well with my tastes."
Her laughter, cleverly disguised, was my answer before the collar was pushed back over in front of me and the fourth hand had begun... only to end shortly there after with yet another victory under my belt.
Bianca:
The fourth hand was over. This final hand was the moment of truth, and would determine how the rest of my night and Santiago’s would be spent. A dare of a smile crossed my face as I watched the cards pass between fingertips, although I had declined to play this round myself, preferring to observe the reactions of each individual player instead. It was not hard for me to perceive which mortals were truly under pressure. I did not even have to look into their minds to see what their cards were, simply watching their faces. Some had excellent poker faces, as the term went, but others were significantly less suave. The only one who seemed un-rattled by the course that the games thus far had taken was, of course, Santiago. He sat with cool composure, his face blank with little effort, the mark of a seasoned actor, a mark that I could appreciate with little trouble. My anticipation grew as cards were flicked from hand to hand, the movements casual but the impact of each holding more import than the one prior to it.
I became aware that occasionally Santiago’s attention strayed to me from the cards. I watched his expression slip slightly to anger and then mild consternation after glancing at his cards, having requested he be dealt one with a sharply cut nod. It took a moment for me to conceal my surprise at his expression, but then I flicked my eyes across the table. A rather arrogant and affluent young man was gambling quite a bit on this game, and it seemed he also had his eye upon Santiago, due to his previous victories. For a split second, his eyes met mine and I found him unnerved by the fact that my gaze did not falter from his. He was quick to look back to his cards, and I could see the lazy pulse of his neck peeking from beneath the crisp collar of his designer shirt, his skin a rich cream colour, now slightly diffused by a blush at having been caught. Interesting…I would not have taken him one to be so easily cowed by a mere look. Then again, I often forgot the effect that immortal eyes could have upon mortals if sufficient force of will was applied.
My hunger raged for a moment as I pictured that creamy skin suffused with scarlet threads of blood, before I forced it back in favour of watching Santiago more closely. After a few moments, I came to the realisation that he was fixing his expressions deliberately. Undeniably clever, in that he had almost taken me in also, though this may not have been the case if I had allowed myself to read his thoughts. His mental defenses were strong, something that I had noted and admired previously this evening, now more so than ever. While his use of wile did not surprise me, the manner in which he chose to execute it fascinated me. His observation of others was to his obvious benefit within this casino. Nonetheless, it was only now that I began to perceive just how advantageous it was for Santiago as a general rule too.
So taken had I been with watching my companion for the evening and the young man attempting to psych himself up for the battle ahead across the table, I had quite forgotten to watch the cards. I sucked in a needless breath at this realisation and recalled my will, setting myself to the less personal details in the forms of cash and arrogance. Some played in the hopes that Lady Luck would bestow some kiss upon them, much like the one that Santiago and I had earlier shared. Others were simply there for entertainment. But Santiago was the only one still sitting with effortless composure – this was no doubt a result of the fact that his objective in looking distressed had been achieved. Others around the table verbally swaggered in between the cards being dealt now, breaking the silence occasionally to jibe at one another even as they covered their cards.
“Luck running out?”
This remark was addressed to Santiago, flung carelessly across the table from the one who had recently captured my attention. I watched Santiago with undisguised interest to see how he would respond. At first Santiago barely seemed to register that the question had been posed, then with detailed slowness, his eyes met with the other and a grin slipped into place as he motioned over at the chips sitting in front of the other individual.
"Oui, yours has it would seem."
His opponent was for a moment flustered. But as he spotted the collar from Santiago’s earlier interlocution with the slave girl upon the table, a few glib words rolled off his blackguard tongue.
“If my luck has run out, why can’t you get the broad into that collar?”
Now he definitely had my attention, and not in a good way.
"Broad?" I laughed low, dangerously from the back of my throat. I knew that it was seeped with the chill of pure derision, my eyes flint-edged and my tone patrician. I watched him shiver at the sound, caught between a sneaking amount of titillation and the beginning apprehension of having underestimated me. The remark had obviously been meant to rile Santiago and distract him from the game, but the effort was futile and my disdain for the trick was palpable. Santiago simply glanced at me briefly, and then returned his eyes to his hand without bothering to give his attention to the others at the table.
"The woman beside me needs no collar to improve upon her perfections. Something someone like you will never know the value of."
His reply was unexpected, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the flawless timing of Santiago’s words. He had managed to catch the young man opposite in the midst of taking a long drink of what smelt like Michael Collins whisky from a distance. The charm of it was the way that he spluttered in indignation, prompting more laughter from me that I did not bother to conceal. This time, however, it was born of genuine amusement, rather than withering irritation. Eventually, however, I fell to silence. The revelation of the game’s outcome had drawn near, and we were now moments away from it. The concentration of every player redoubled upon their opponents, and I watched with interest.
One by one, they turned their cards over. Some cursed outright with sheer frustration when they observed that another had beaten them. Others simply remained silent. Santiago folded his cards together in his hand and set them in a single pile on the table with a ten of clubs showing. Slowly he slid the ten over to show a matching Jack beneath. Then slipped the Jack off to show a Queen. The tension of the other players was palatable in the air by the time the last card was visible.
When I saw his full spread, I could see why he had done so. It was indeed something to be savoured. Beneath those finely shaped fingertips, with their nails that resembled glass, similar to my own, lay a royal flush. A slow smile of victory spread across his features, and the reactions of those around the table were priceless.
I was tacitly aware that he had won our bet, but I did not begrudge him that. It would simply make my night more interesting than it probably would have been otherwise. As some of the players cleared the table, apparently deciding that their luck was out for the night, I followed the young man who had quickly become my chosen prey out of the corner of my eye, before returning my attention to Santiago. The mortal could wait for a while.
“Quite the spectacle, Trickster, but I sense you have yet more cards up your sleeve.”
Santiago turned partially to look at me where I stood, his elbow propped on the back of the chair.
"So you admit now that I'm capable of more than a single practiced flick of my fingers to keep you interested, chere?"
At this I laughed, a concession passing over my face briefly.
“I admit nothing, but I am still interested in pursuing your company for the evening. Take that as a good sign.”
Following my words, Santiago pointed in the direction my prey had wandered off to and offered me a smile. "We have all evening, go and enjoy yourself. You know where to find me when you're done." He turned back to the table and motioned for another round of cards to begin. I watched him for a moment, and then disappeared; my gold gown whispering as I quickly caught the scent of my prey.
It would not be long until I had him in my thrall, taking his life into myself in that intimate passion-play of blood. I had already played with him enough for my taste in the casino, and I knew that he recognised me when I approached him, in a bar not far from there. He grinned at his good luck at first, obviously assuming that Santiago had bored me and that he was to be the recipient of my attentions for the rest of the evening. His mistake, though the illusion did not last long, and he quickly realised that he was the recipient of a change for the worse. As I curved his cooling corpse into a heap upon the ground a short while later, I paused for a moment to appreciate his features, attractive even in death. He had been possessed of fine cheekbones, a sculpted jaw and eyes that were constantly full of some fury. I had tasted every drop of that fury and felt it burn through me – he had lost a great deal tonight. He was young, and foolish enough to be under the impression that regardless of how he abused his body and his finances, luck would always serve him. A part of me had taken a rather sadistic amount of pleasure in proving him wrong.
Straightening my dress, I returned to the casino, slipping back in without most noticing that I had been absent. I had thought to find Santiago, but I paused at the Baccarat table instead – a game that I had always been quite good at. Baccarat could be played in two ways – it could be a game of sheer luck, or a game of skill. I quite enjoyed playing it from both angles, but I was more likely to opt for the skilled perspective if I could. Given, it was slightly unfair as I had advantages of perception that the mortals did not, but most often I did not use those advantages. It made the game more equal and infinitely more interesting for me. I settled myself at the table with clear confidence, speaking to the dealer with a smile. I knew that most of the men at the table had taken me for easy pickings the second that they laid eyes upon me, and so it was my pleasure to surprise them with the risks that I took. As it came to my last move, I felt arms around my waist and a whisper into my ear (as to what move I should make next). I did not flinch, instead opting to return that suggestion with a soft murmur.
“Poker is your game, Trickster. This is mine.” I scrutinised my move carefully, eventually opting for one similar to that which he had suggested, but with a small amount of additional risk. My win at Baccarat was made certain moments later, but I had no real attention for the table, only for the rapid rejoinder which Santiago graced me with next. “Then perhaps we should find one that we both excel at?”
“We have not already done so?” I replied, tilting my head slightly.
“Not one that can keep our interest all evening.”
I knew of course that he was referring to the casino, but I was enjoying this exchange far too much to let the verbal riposte fall silent.
“Pity, I could have sworn that we were engaged in a game the moment that we stepped in here together, Santiago.”
I felt the grin at that, but again, the reply was rapid, rolling easily off his tongue.
“Ah, but that one appears to have been stacked in my favour, after all, you have not left alone.”
“Yet,” I paused with a slight grin of my own, continuing a moment later. “There is still plenty of night left, Santiago.”
His next suggestion was one that agreed well with me.
“I say we leave the casino to those who know of nothing more interesting to do and take our pleasures out into the night.”
I remained silent briefly as my winnings were counted, only to break it by leaning over to the dealer and requesting that he have them directed to the place that I was staying. I pressed a sizeable tip into his hand for the service, accompanied by a brief moment of eye contact and a smile. It was sufficient to engage his attention and make sure that he obeyed the request, and I watched him closely as he left to do so, another taking his place as the dealer for the next game. I slowly exited my seat, dislodging Santiago’s hands from my waist for a moment, but not before I met his eye once again with a slow smile.
“Hm…you do play your cards well, Trickster.”
I knew that he heard the acceptance in my tone, and without another word we began to leave the casino. Where we would end up next, I was not sure, but I was more than willing to find out.
Santiago:
She played Baccarat with a skill I'd seen in few others. Especially delving into the depths of a six deck stack. Since Bianca was, by far, the high roller at the table, the call was hers. A nine and three appeared to me to be a bad starting hand, and I whispered my suggestion into her ear, but her smile and call of "Card" told me she knew exactly what she was doing. When the third card was turned over to reveal a seven, totaling nine, I watched as the banker flinched. Pulling a winning combination to sum to nine impressed me, but then again, she had at almost every step this evening, not that I would openly admit such a thing to her.
With my hands still upon her, I leaned over to whisper one last suggestion.
“I say we leave the casino to those who know of nothing more interesting to do and take our pleasures out into the night.”
She began to rise, and I took a step back, assisting with her chair. Her eyes met mine and I knew my offer had been accepted.
"Hm…you do play your cards well, Trickster.”
I kissed the palm of her hand then let my other hand rest gently upon her lower back as we headed toward the exit. Arrangements had already been made for our winnings, not that they were actually of a concern, and the warmth of the evening flowed over us as we stepped from the artificial chill of the casino. She motioned for her car and I canceled the request, then pointed toward the Hotel de Paris that stood across the circle from us.
"Arrangements have already been made for us, ma belle. I thought it best to freshen up a bit, and I would not want your gown destroyed by the rest of the evening events."
Her laughter filled the air and with lips delicately puckered into a surprised grin, she inclined her head slightly, accepting. Guiding her past the parked Ferrari's and Bentley's, we made our way around the circle to the Hotel de Paris. I approached the concierge, asking for the reservation of "Santiago and guest". I was handed two cards for the room and we headed up to the room on the seventh floor, guaranteed a room that looked out over the Mediterranean. Slipping the card into the slot on the door, I pushed it open and motioned for Bianca to enter first.
The distinct scent of a mortal hung in the air and as I looked over toward the bedroom, there lay my recently acquired slave girl, decked out in a purple and black piece of negligee. I caught Bianca's eye as she noticed the girl, then continued to move past the bedroom and pulled open the doors to the balcony, letting the sea air flow into the room. I walked up behind her, placing my hands around her waist and burying my nose within her hair.
"The place is ours for the evening, should we get tired."
With a quiet clearing of her throat, my little slave girl brought our attention to her. "I do not mean to interrupt master, but you did give me further instructions." Her eyes went to Bianca. "Mistress, if you would follow me."
With a look at me that clearly wanted to know what I was up to, Bianca stepped in from the balcony. Pausing when she stood next to the slave girl, I turned and leaned back against the railing, arms crossed watching both ladies. Glancing back over her shoulder, a playful grin tugged mischievously upon Bianca's lips as she leaned in toward the slave girl. "So far he's proven to be every bit as enticing as he looks, darling."
A flush of color came to the face of the slave girl while Bianca's eyes cast fully over me from head to toe. With a gentle coaxing of, "Come, show me the rest of his surprise" Bianca urged the slave girl toward the bedroom. I undid my tie and slipped out of the coat. If my slave girl had done all I had instructed her to, I'd have to make sure when this little vacation was over, that she be sold to someone better than her last owner. If she had failed me, then she would make a delicious end to my evening. Unbuttoning my shirt, I slid open the door to the coat closet and there hung the items I'd told her to get. A deep crimson red silk shirt, the lambskin leather pants and my silver adorned boots. I quickly changed into the pants and slipped into the boots. As my arms slid into the shirt, I flinched slightly as fingertips slid under the back of the shirt and moved across some of the fading wounds on my back.
"You hide the pain well, Trickster. Do I ask what they're from?"
I turned in her arms and smiled down at her. She was now clad in a pair of leather pants that clung to her perfect hips and legs. The shirt was tight enough to remind anyone how much of a woman she was, while still leaving much to the imagination. My little slave had come through once again. Bianca's hands came around from my back to slide up my bare chest.
"The wounds were from a recent trip, they will heal in a day or so." I made no effort to conceal my eyes moving once over the length of her body. "That is quite the change of clothes. Very acceptable for the rest of the evening, for certain."
Bianca took a step back, spun on her heel and once again headed out onto the balcony. I buttoned up the shirt halfway then followed her out as I tucked it in. The feel of soft leather met my fingertips as they moved over her hips and I stood behind her overlooking the Mediterranean and Monaco. Slowly, my hands moved up her body and down along her arms. I leaned over to kiss along her neck, and whispered, "Now about that payment for my winning earlier..."
Bianca spun in my arms, startling me slightly, then pressed her lips to mine. Such perfect lips to frame the pièce de résistance that was her entire body. As she moved past me, I had to grasp the railing of the balcony to steady myself for a moment. The click of her heels echoed through the room before stopping near the door to the suite.
"Well come along then, Trickster. No need to keep you waiting, is there?"
She disappeared out the door and I gave a momentary pause, then quickly headed out after her.
Bianca:
Encased in leather, my body formed a dare of sensuous proportions. Santiago’s newly won slave girl had indeed done her work well, and I exited the small bathroom adjoining the bedroom with a smile hanging upon my lips. I glanced at the girl and thanked her in a low voice.
“You have exquisite taste, darling, thank you.”
A smile passed over her lips in response, and briefly she reminded me of myself, but devoid of the ferocious strength of will which I had possessed from birth. She was eager and willing to please in whatever way she could – it was her life, after all. Something flickered in my expression before I turned away, stepping out of the bedroom, only to be met with a sight that drew my mind from the past instantly; Santiago, clad in pants that looked to be made of lambskin, soft and shaped to his form. It allowed me a moment to appreciate the care with which he had been created, observing a sleek back which tapered down to long legs, muscles taut in their definition. He had been made at the prime of his life, much as I had, and the results were evident in both of us. As I took him in and approached silently, I also noted that there were wounds upon his back, not yet quite healed, and my curiosity flared, rife momentarily. My fingertips searched them and I felt his wince, though I could not see it directly from the angle I stood at.
“You hide the pain well, Trickster. Do I ask what they’re from?”
Despite the brief sting, he turned and smiled at me, and I felt his approval as he observed the effect of my change in attire. Before, I had been dressed for an elegant playground. Now, I was dressed for danger…an indecent proposal in the flesh. My fingertips slid over his chest, exploring another commodity of his skin that remained open to me for the moment, as he responded to my words.
"The wounds were from a recent trip, they will heal in a day or so."
I felt the heat of his gaze as it encompassed me, and I met it with equivalent force as he continued.
"That is quite the change of clothes. Very acceptable for the rest of the evening, for certain."
With a smile that was both a promise and a threat, I turned and walked out onto the balcony, my eyes sweeping the city and taking the measure of it and the ocean that lay glittering like so many jewels beyond. I heard Santiago behind me before I felt the graze of his fingertips at my hips, allowing the touch as his body once again pressed along my back. We stood in silence for a moment as his hands slid up and down my arms, and I felt the barely expelled breath of his whisper against my throat as he brushed his lips there.
“Now, about that payment for my winning earlier…”
With a swift turn in his arms, I also turned the tables. I knew I had surprised him, and would surprise him further still before the night was over. I leaned upwards, my lips pressing to his in a kiss, and he returned it momentarily before I broke it, stepping away and moving past my partner in crime for the evening. I heard the brief noise as Santiago leaned against the balcony, and a grin that was as deviant as my intentions curved my lips. Without looking over my shoulder, I issued an invitation that I was fairly certain he would take.
“Well come along then, Trickster. No need to keep you waiting, is there?”
I left the room, not troubling to pocket one of the key cards as I knew that I could open it with little trouble if I felt like it. Into the night I slid, smooth as silk and dark, another facet of my inner self that few glimpsed. Or, to be more accurate, few people glimpsed it and survived. Santiago was close behind me and I felt his anticipatory smile, a keen edge sharpened by pleasures ahead. As we made our way across the square that was outside the hotel, I paused, fully allowing him to catch up to me. As he did, I turned and strove for his gaze and found it, knowing that he had picked up on my thoughts.
“Monaco, hm?”
“You surely did not think I was going to waste my time in casinos all night?”
His laughter was low and rich at this, and I enjoyed the vibrations and textures that the sound created. The sound of car keys jingled through the night air and it was my turn to outthink Santiago's actions. Reaching over, I grabbed the car keys from him and stepped toward his car. Stepping ahead of me, he leaned his body back against the door.
"You're driving, beautiful?"
"Of course, you did win a fun evening, didn't you? It just wouldn't be as interesting to me if you drove."
With a mock feign of being struck in the heart, he stepped back from the car and motioned toward the lock.
"Then by all means, show me how it's done."
Unlocking the car door, I grinned. “Gladly…”
The engine purred at start-up and I settled back into my seat, the fingertips of one hand caressing the wheel while the others clasped the gear-shift.
"Well, well, beautiful, so a clutch isn't beyond you."
“I’m infamous for using various speeds to my advantage, Trickster. The question is can you keep up with me?”
Grinning, he replied, “This is my car, non?”
"And who said it was the car I was referring to?"
“It wasn't but I'm good with finely tuned machines.”
“Ah, but it depends upon what kind of machine you are handling.”
“And which model are you?”
“The classic with dangerous curves.”
“Oh good, back when there was real horsepower under the hood.”
“Perhaps you like both power and style?”
“Style always wins out over pure power. But little compares with the right kind of power.”
“Once you've had a taste of it, you're never quite the same...”
“Are you offering?”
I decided it was probably best to forgo a response, revving the engine with a smile I knew was as near to angelic as I could manage it. I knew full well that he wasn’t fooled and enjoyed the fact that he did not underestimate me. It was a rarity for someone to collide with me on my own level as he had, and needless to say our companionship for the evening was another ride I felt the thrill of.
Within minutes we were driving at a speed that could have been considered suicidal, were we mortal. As we were not, I grinned as I turned the wheel confidently beneath my hands, my grip firm. The limousine ride earlier in the evening, while more than sufficient for my needs, failed to give me quite the same dose of euphoria that a truly fast car could achieve, and Santiago’s vehicle provided precisely that. It folded seamlessly to every bend in the road and seemed geared towards my thoughts rather than my control of the wheel. I was a woman who had an appreciation for the finer things in life. Santiago in the seat next to me was easy for me to appreciate, that was for certain.
Curving into the hills, we passed the border into Monaco and the gleam of city lights greeted us with further possibilities. The route that we had taken was more isolated than most, but I slowed to a more acceptable speed with slight regret now as we entered the second metropolis of the night. And already I could taste the potential ahead, my gaze shifting from left to right in a motion too quick for mortal observation as we exited the vehicle. I tossed the keys to Santiago with a grin, knowing that his reflexes would prevail as he caught them.
The question that remained now was…where to begin?
Santiago:
Bianca drove with the skill and agility after my own heart. I fully confess to being a horrible passenger, but she was more then adept at muscling the car into perfect lines. When we headed west from the casino, I opened my mouth to mention going the wrong way, and got a forefinger held up in my direction, indicating my silence on such things. I chuckled softly and motioned for her to continue. Besides, it would have been no fun had we just gotten on the boulevard du Jardin Exotique and headed straight into the city of Monaco. As we drove, the gentle whine of the engine and the soft click of the shifting gears relaxed me and I decided to just enjoy the company and the scenery.
It wasn't long, especially at those speeds, to get in our roundabout way into Monaco proper. Bianca seemed more anxious than even I for tonight to truly begin, and I barely managed to exit the car before I had the keys flying toward my head and Bianca heading off into the city. Catching the keys with ease, I quickly activated the alarm and took off after her. A few long strides and I was next to her.
"So shall I guess your type now, beautiful?"
I saw the glint in her eyes as she momentarily cast them my way and the edge of her lip curled upward. "If you insist on doing so."
Grasping her shoulder, I spun her back against the wall. My hands were placed on either side of her head and my body pressed against hers to keep her in place. I saw the fire spark within her eyes and I knew I'd hit the right button. Leaning forward, I brushed my lips over her neck, taking in the scent that was so exquisitely feminine and all her.
"Rough and abusive... you love the taste of those who seek to claim ownership."
Her eyes looked up into mine, all predator, as her hand collided with my chest, pushing me back.
"A good guess Trickster, but how I like my men is quite different from my meals." She turned and continued walking into the city.
"Perhaps, beautiful, but we have to get past the meal before you get me."
She paused and my grin grew. Then the most perfectly pitched timbre of laughter arose from her. "You don't quit, do you Trickster?"
"Now what fun would it be if I quit just when things got interesting?"
Bianca looked over her shoulder at me and I stepped closer, putting my arm around her waist. "Come, lets go find you a perfect meal that appeals to all your tastes."
"I'm beginning to wonder if that ideal combination of man and meal isn't back at the hotel after all."
I gave a quick laugh. "You'll never know it's the finest cuisine if you don't first taste the appetizer then cleanse your palate."
I felt the movement of her body from a stifled laugh against my arm about her waist and could feel her eyes watching me. Offering her a smile in return, I stopped and pointed toward the quay. Her sight followed where I pointed and we momentarily watched as two men mugged a young woman. When her shirt was torn, Bianca bolted toward them. So I had guessed correctly after all on her meal preference. I strolled my way toward the action, collecting up the girl in my arms as she knelt on the ground crying. I carried her around the corner and set her down on a small bench. Normally I might have just taken her for my own, but something told me I'd win no favors from Bianca for it.
"When you collect yourself, get home chere. The wharf isn't a place a young girl like yourself should be alone at night."
She nodded through several sniffles and I made my way back to Bianca. The corpse of one of the men already lay at her feet, sheet white and eyes of glass. I raised an eyebrow at the speed in which she'd finished his blood. Then again, she'd had centuries over me on how to perfect a kill. I leaned my shoulder back against the nearby building and crossed my arms to watch. A perfect killer in motion as the man struggled futilely in her grasp. The look in his eyes clearly displayed his confusion of how such a petite, beautiful woman could have overpowered them both so easily and now would bring about death. Plucking the mantra from his thoughts of, "But we just wanted to have a bit of fun with the girl..." made me laugh. Perhaps that was all he wanted, but now THIS beautiful woman was having a bit of fun with him.
I could hear the moment his heartbeat stopped and the squished thud of his corpse as it fell upon the wharf. With a nudge from her foot, first one then the other of the men splashed into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. She stood there for a moment, in all her perfect form, and watched the bodies disappear out of sight into the depths of the water. It was when she turned and walked toward me again, I saw what could have easily been a perfect predator. Where before there was only a spark of flame in her eyes, it now burned with a ferocity that wanted more. I could have moved, gone off to find my own meal at that time, but I found myself too mesmerized by the sway of her hips as she sinuously approached. When she stood before me, her hands slid up the front of my shirt and around behind my neck, pulling me down and kissing me. The taste of their blood still hung on her lips and who was I to cease such eagerness. Pulling her body closer against mine, the kiss intensified in all the best ways.
Then, with one last nip against my lip, she backed away, leaving me once again off balance and hungrier than ever.
"Come Trickster, now that my edge has been alleviated, it's time we take care of yours."
Oh if only feeding would take care of them all... "It appears I'll have to make sure to put you back on that edge before the night is over, beautiful. We can't have you spoiling your appetite."
My mind went back to the girl on the bench. After Bianca's little tease just now, I was almost half tempted but once again decided against it. Though the thought of having Bianca attack me as she had those men sent a shiver of pleasure through my spine. I was certain I could get her to do that again, just perhaps next time without the vendetta to go along with it. We made our way back into the main city, the royal palace seen up on the hill in the near distance and the general hustle of the populace in the late hour of the evening.
My attention was caught through an alley and I stopped, taking two steps backward to watch my choice for the evening. Bianca stopped as well and watched me. I clicked my teeth together as I stood there thinking for a moment. The one who had caught my attention was the type Bianca seemed to want to protect on some level and I just hoped that my taste in prey for the evening would not sour our mood. Then my decision was made and I disappeared from sight down the alley. The young girl looked up when I approached, smiling at her with devilish eyes. I could feel her fear rise, her blood racing through her veins. She took a step back from me and slowly, I shook my head. She froze in place like a rabbit, hoping the wolf would pass her by. Sorry petite, not tonight. Flight was next and she let out a small yelp as she tripped over a cord in her rush to get away. That momentary pause was more than I needed and I had her back against the wall before she knew what happened, my thumb pressed against
her vocal chords to keep her silent.
The body is easy to confuse. Words of death spoken in a soft and soothing voice, lulls the mind but forces an even greater desire to flee. A conflict, a pause, an indecisive moment that gives me all the time I need to bury my fangs into the tender flesh there upon the neck. Her blood flooded my mouth, thoughts crashed through my mind, and it was then I learned her deepest and darkest secrets. A hand caught my shoulder and pulled my fangs from the girl. With a deep growl and eyes of darkest obsidian, I glared at my interference. Bianca stood there, a look almost as confused as the girl in my grasp. When no further action was taken, I fiercely buried my fangs in once again, finishing her off moments later.
As the body slipped down the wall, I turned on Bianca. I stalked her across the alley, watching her eyes dart between mine as we both moved, until the wall ceased that momentum. My body collided with her and I grasped her head within my hands.
"Don't worry, beautiful... she wasn't as innocent as she seemed."
Pressing my mouth to Bianca's, I shared the last remnants of the blood and the fading memories of her life of a woman who emotionally abused her husband. Bianca's eyes went wide as the kiss continued, then slowly closed, her arms once more slipping around behind my neck. In my hungered bloodlust, I lapsed in thought for a moment and moved my head to her neck. Just before my fangs pierced Bianca's flesh, a hand camp up under my jaw, clamping my mouth closed, forcing my fang down through my tongue. I took a step back and shook my head, trying to force myself to focus once again that my companion was not to be trifled with. Her hands went to her hips as I felt my tongue healing.
"Ow... I should make you kiss it and make it better."
"Next time, don't forget yourself Trickster." With a smile, she smacked me on the rear end and headed out of the alley. Appetizers were now done. I wanted to say we were on to the main course next, but just when you're hoping for it, a bowl of soup gets set down before you. Now I just had to figure out what flavor the soup was going to be.
Bianca:
The sound of Santiago’s fang piercing flesh was audible to me, small though the distinction was. His kiss had heated me in all the ways that many men had never learned to let a woman enjoy, and though the first two kills had taken the edge off my hunger, I felt the need for a longer hunt tonight. My eyes were liquid grey and veiled in the shadows, and I cut myself through the night like a blade. I knew that Santiago was with me still, and that the game, though drawn out, would be worth the prize in the end. Neither of us made demands upon the other, and perhaps that was why his companionship was so enjoyable this night. While we challenged one another, there was the foreknowledge that the entire game was going somewhere. I wasn’t sure where, but I was enjoying the journey of finding out enough that it hardly seemed to matter. He had come to the conclusion that I was not to be underestimated more quickly than most, and I was pleased with the fact that Santiago was aware of me in such a manner already. After a lifetime of being underestimated, it was an enjoyable change to have someone with a different approach almost from the very beginning.
Through dirty back-streets we coiled in serpentines until finally, I settled upon the perfect spot, riddled with those who could be classed as the perfect prey. Not the drug dealer for me tonight, too predictable in pattern. Not the murderer, seeped in their own filth. Tonight it was all about raising the stakes, and I had every intention of doing precisely that. I felt the prick of my fangs to my lower lip, slipping forth without my attention, proving that I was indeed more than ready for further exploration. I checked myself and inhaled, the scent of grime and mortal flesh meeting my senses. Seconds afterwards, I knew exactly where my tastes lay tonight, and silently, I began to stalk the figure that I sought, noting with approval that he had a companion.
A pair of lovers, hand in hand, walking without fear in an area that was undoubtedly without safety. I sensed his confidence that none would dare to approach him. He was armed, a gun concealed upon his person, though he had neglected to mention this little detail to the woman who walked beside him. As I drew closer, I knew that Santiago’s attention was also honed in on them to pinpoint precision. Ah, the clandestine romance…both had left behind their spouses for this supposed business trip. The only thing businesslike about it was the fact that both wore attractively cut business suits, well-tailored. The way their hands occasionally roamed over one another and the spark upon the air suggestive of the intensity between them spoke of other things. I knew that I smiled then, unpleasantly so. I cared little for the petty infidelities of mortals, but these two had caught my fancy for a reason that did not involve their immediate deaths…yet. It was the location which they were heading for that had caught my attention, and so I followed them, stalking their steps from a distance.
Lucky, darlings. You offered me an alternative to draining you dry. You may survive a few more precious hours. Enjoy them.
The place to which they led Santiago and I was a brothel. Packed to the seams, and I could smell the corruption within moments of being close to it. I turned to Santiago then, one eyebrow arched slightly in question. I received a predatory grin in return, and it was then that I voiced my question, so softly that a mortal could not have heard it. We were standing close enough together that it took little effort for him to attend to my words.
“It would seem we have a banquet before us, Trickster. What do you think?”
My anticipation was acute, and I saw similar reflected in him, his reply provoking a smile to play around the edges of my lips once again.
“I think that we should step in, have a look around, and see if the delicacies are to our liking.”
Leaning closer in, I murmured my next words close enough to his ear to almost brush his skin with my lips.
“And if they are? I think it has potential.”
I felt his smile, sharp against my skin though he did not touch me directly.
“It has far more than just potential, beautiful. It has the makings of a feast like no other.”
Considering his words as I drew back slightly, I knew that Santiago was more than certainly correct. The low-life reputation that teemed therein was already whetting my appetite beyond what I had conceivably experienced in a long time. The predator was close to the surface, waiting to be unleashed. As we both turned towards our fresh objective for the evening, Santiago offered me his arm, a mark of the gentleman mingled with demon that he was. With a smile that barely spilled over the darkness my gaze had taken on, I folded my arm over his.
“Interesting. Shall we?”
“Ladies first.”
A low laugh left me, and I punctuated my next words with a slight wink.
“I do love a man with manners.”
A short, leisurely walk brought us to the door of the brothel. As we approached, a woman stood at the door. Her curves were accentuated by the clothing that she wore, and as we walked in, she made a sincere effort to smile and greeted us as, so she assumed, customers. If only she knew. “Welcome. Please check in at the front desk and we will be with you shortly.”
I was hard pressed to keep myself from raising my eyebrows at that. Evidently a little more secure than such places from my own time, I foresaw that some smoke and mirrors might be necessary to ensure that neither myself nor Santiago were remembered by those present tonight. That is, those that would be allowed to live. With a pressure of my mind to the woman’s, she soon possessed no recollection of our presence. I knew that Santiago had sensed what I had done, subtle as it had been, and I felt the suppressed grin rather than perceived it. The fact of the matter was that we could kill everyone in the place without much ado if either of us took the notion to do so; however, at that moment, I felt such a scene to be unnecessary. Drawing the wrong kind of attention was not something that we needed to do - all eyes were upon us as we closed in on the desk.
Santiago leaned on the counter, eyes locked on the young receptionist. He provided an undeniable distraction as I busied myself with other matters. There were more people present that had seen us, and so one by one, I repeated the same trick that I used on the young woman at the door. Soon, not a single one of them remained aware that we were there, though we stood before them. The other young woman at the desk, distracted as she was by Santiago’s apparent flirting, forgot entirely what her duty was, and shortly, Santiago exacted the same treatment upon her as the others. As we walked into the back rooms, we left nothing but a void behind us, blank of all evidence that could have left a trail. All of this, the framework that surrounded a potentially perfect hunt.
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