******
I wrap my cloak tightly around me as I approach Baymore Park’s west entrance, but the thin velvet does little to protect me from the palpable chill in the night air. Normally, my body doesn’t react to external temperatures, so I can only assume it’s because I didn’t properly replenish. Tatiana’s stuff is good, but it’s nowhere near as good as the Source’s. But I’d figured since I was only tormenting tonight—not fighting—her backup elixir would suffice. It’s also why I’m wearing a long, gothic gown made from yards of vintage lace. I like wearing dresses to torture; it puts me in the right mood. Just like wearing skintight leather puts me in the mood to kick some ass.
I just need to hurry with my rounds and get back to Demon Bar as soon as possible. The fastest way to Ludwing’s is straight through the park. Otherwise, I’ll have to circle around for miles.
Sigh. I don’t want to waste energy on running, and Diablo doesn’t leave Dryndara except to come to the cabin. Bones’ warning sounds in my head, but I’m sure he’s just being overly protective, as usual. Still, I reach into my boot and withdraw my blade. It will kill an Altrumina if I’m attacked, as long as they don’t touch me first. No problem. If I see someone who seems at all suspicious then I’ll run. No point in wasting precious energy I don’t have.
After several minutes of strolling through the park and seeing only a few strung-out junkies and some prostitutes, I relax, chiding myself for worrying in the first place. Altrumina are far more interested in infecting Sapies; they wouldn’t come looking for a fight with someone they think will fight back.
Just as I’m reassuring myself of this, I spot Altrumina everywhere. The place is swarming with them. They look like Sapies, but I recognize their overly-erect posture and out-dated wardrobes. Plus, they always work in pairs, a male and a female, and have whiter than blond hair, straight to their shoulders.
My heart pounding, I pick up the pace and take a wary look around. Directly ahead of me, two Altrumina approach a young homeless boy. Further up, two more are standing by a swing set. Another pair is over on a bench, talking to each other. One female stands alone, silently stalking a young prostitute who’s just entered the grove with her john.
I cut off the main path onto the grass, away from any trouble, and silently curse myself for not bringing my crossbow with me tonight. Not because I’m afraid, but because I hate them so much. They aren’t from my family, so I would kill them happily and with impunity.
Tomorrow. I’m definitely hunting me some Altrumina tomorrow. Tonight, not only am I sadly unprepared and not at all dressed for hunting, my alarming lack of strength would assure my certain defeat in a scuffle.
But I’m curious about the one Altrumina by herself. They always work in pairs. Always. So where’s the other one?
A light crunching from behind me causes me to jump and spin around, my dagger at the ready. I find myself face to face with an impeccably handsome, smiling young man with shiny lavender eyes.
Shit.
“You lost, bitch?” he asks, and before the question is out of his mouth he lightly touches my hand.
I fall into darkness.
Chapter 7. Lucky
I struggle to regain consciousness, but I feel drugged. Everything is foggy…my mind’s a blur. I’m shivering from the biting cold, and somewhere in the darkness I hear mocking laughter.
Gradually, I force my eyes open. Everything is dark, hazy. I try to wrap my arms around myself to stop from shaking, but they won’t budge.
My body is paralyzed.
Slowly, objects come into focus. I’m standing in the middle of a grassy field, trapped inside a small cage made of steel bars.
“Where am I?” I croak.
The Altrumina who touched me steps up to my prison.
“Why don’t you tell us, pretty girl?” He’s joined by his partner, who smiles at me with perfect teeth.
“She’s yummy,” Perfect Teeth says in an eerie, high-pitched voice. “I want to eat her.”
The first one laughs and moves closer. He reaches his arm through the cage bars and lightly brushes the side of my face. White-hot razors melt my frozen flesh. My mind screams for me to move out of the way, but my body refuses to listen.
“She’s not entirely human, I doubt she would taste very good,” my captor says with disdain.
“Still, I wouldn’t mind a little sample,” Perfect Teeth says. “Let’s see what this little beauty is made of.”
She comes closer. With all the strength I can muster, I struggle to force my body to obey me.
Nothing.
I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out.