Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

The entire walk to the port was terse. Everyone's was on edge from their argument, but Azreal was a black pit of despair. 'Would the witches have to same reaction as Mihr?' Azreal's thoughts were a turbulent sea as she tried to run through all her escape plans and how she would get everyone on the boat if things went poorly. She should have told everyone to be ready at a moments notice. Azreal took a deep breath to try and calm herself. Belial kept glancing over to her with a question on his sharp features. She had thrown up a hard layer over her mental shields after Nadie's warning, and that meant even Belial wouldn't be privy to her thoughts.

They were nearing the split in the trail that lead to the docks or to the market and houses beyond. They all started to head towards the former when Azreal pulled Zarin aside to whisper a command in his ear, subtly tucking a pouch into his swords belt. No one had even noticed her little movements and Zarin only bowed, taking off in another direction. Lynn was the only one to notice, looking at Azreal, who put a finger up to her lips in a silent request. Lynn nodded before quickly taking one last look at her brothers retreating form. Lucia and Cameron were at the front of the little group, not paying attention to one of their members silently drifting away.

'What was that about?' Belial sent down the bond.

Okay, so maybe Lynn hadn't been the only one to notice. Azreal just winked at him, he would find out soon enough. He scowled, not liking being left out of the plan, long black pieces of hair drifting over his cheek with the movement. Her fingers twitched, remembering how it felt to run them through his silky locks. Azreal mentally shook herself, 'Not the time or the place.' Not to mention how sore she was feeling after that second round.

The sun had fully disappeared from the sky and it was the moons turn to rein. Darkness covered the trail, the hum and buzz of the local taverns and that were not seen, but only heard as they got closer and closer. The trail was lined with towering oak trees and gnarled berry bushes that were as tall as she was. A large portion had been cut through the bushes to allow entrance to the market.

The soft glow of gas lamps lit the cobblestone walkways. Each building and shack had been painted in a variety of colors. The nicer establishments having fancy trim and wood work adorning the outside of their business. The more shack like places that seem to have been thrown up just before the sun had set, were still bright oranges and pastel blues. At least Illium had been spared from the false kings destruction. She knew that if she lived long enough to see the once glorious city of Vanu, her beloved home, that it would not be the same. Even if all the great buildings hadn't been destroyed, that much blood shed would leave a stain on the city and its survivors, Just like the summer castle.

The market was packed and lively, someone had brought a flute and was playing a soft melody while another person farther down the walkway strummed on a mandolin in tune with the flute. It was beautiful and calming, even with all the people abuzz. The smells coming from a large chop house had Azreal's mouth watering, she could almost taste the roasted lamb with thyme and rosemary. The front side of the building remained completely open to the warm nights air. Large wooden benches had been set up all along the dining room. In the center of each table a candle glowed inside its sea glass holder, casting flickering colors over the nights revelers.

"Let's eat first, I'm starving." Azreal announced to her little party.

'We need to get to the witches before they pack up for the night." Camerons agitation was visible on his face.

Lucia looked a little puzzled by his insistence on getting to the witches, but still sided with him saying "I would rather get this over with."

"Who cares? It's not like they're leaving town tonight." Minx waved them off as he headed to the chop shop, "I would like something other than fish or rabbit for a change." He called over his shoulder.

Azreal took Belial's hand in hers as she tugged him towards the delicious food, "Are you coming?" She asked.

The corner of his lips tilted on one side, "Where ever you go, I go." He stated, letting her pull him along.

Cameron stomped up to the glorious red building that was blasting heat from the large fire pit in the back and said, "This is a waste of time."

Azreal snapped at him, "You can wait outside if your not hungry."

That shut him up all right, not wanting to be left on guard duty while everyone was eating. The room seemed to quiet as they walked in. Compared to the other patrons their clothing and attitudes did not fit in well. The second they sat down a barmaid approached their table with a lively smile, completely disregarding their ominous presence. Azreal didn't dare pull down her hood in fear someone might see her damning eyes. They ordered quickly, lamb and rice soup with fresh carrots. It seemed the port had not only survived but was thriving under their new patriarch. After a few minutes of staring and whispers, just about everyone went back to their food and drink, the room filing with noise once again. The other women in the room varied from elaborate corsets with large bodies skirts to simple home spun designs, which usually indicated they were a land owner or wife. A young lady, maybe fifteen or sixteen, was sitting at a table in the far corner of the room, her red cotton smock and simple brown skirt marked her as a commoner or worker. A thick wheat blonde palette was dr.a.p.ed over her shoulder as she fidgeted with its tip. She looked anxious as she nervously scanned the room, searching for someone. An older man with a pock marked face, in a fancy tailored jacket and pants moved to sit next to her, appearing seemingly out of no where. Azreal had scanned the room already and had not seen him. She flinched as the man sat down next to her, his lip curled up and he snapped something at the girl that Azreal couldn't hear, but the girl dropped her braid and sat up straight with her fingers folded in her l.a.p. The man smiled and ran a long fingernail down the girls side. She was trying not to let her feelings show but Azreal could see the tears building in her soft blue eyes. The man grabbed the girl by the back of her head and forced his tongue in her mouth. The girls face scrunched up and she tried to back away, a hand uselessly shoved against his c.h.e.s.t, but the man gripped her hair tighter, this time pulling it back and sinking his fangs into her soft flesh. The girl tensed up at first, but relaxed as the vampires venom soothed her into a drug like state.

Azreal shifted in her seat, looking around at the other patrons to see their reaction. A few had noticed, but didn't bat an eye. 'Was this just how it was now? Anyone could do anything? Take anything, so long as they're paying the crown its taxes?' Azreal's hand twitched, debating on getting up here and now to kill the vampire, and make a large display of gutting the creature in front of all these disgusting people.

'Finish your food. Remember what happened the last time you tried to help?' Belial sent down the bond with out even looking at her. His face was damn near inside the wooden bowl as he feasted. Azreal rolled her eyes at the back of his head and turned her attention back to the girl. They had left. Azreal cursed under her breath, "I'll be right back." And took off so fast, no one could follow her if they wanted too. 'There must be a back door', she would have smelled them walking past if they had left out the front. Azreal turned down the alley separating the buildings and wreathed herself in shadows so no one could see her approach. Azreal knew she wouldn't hear sounds of a fight as the girl was now drugged out of her mind. Azreal took a sharp turn around the corner, but no one was there. She closed her eyes and turned her face up to the night sky, listening. She could hear one very feint heartbeat further down the next alley.

Azreal ran, her footsteps silent as a wraith. The child was fading, he was going to drain her dry. A soft whimper exposed their location. At the end of the alley the vampire had dragged her between two crates, and was currently bent over the girl, fangs deep in her neck, the child herself was glassy eyed and white as cream. Azreal's shadows wrapped around he vampire, who didn't even notice as he was enraptured by his blood l.u.s.t. Black tendrils sn.a.k.e.d around his neck and squeezed, yanking his head back. The vampires eyes had turned wholly black, deep purple veins raked down his face like tears and the girls dark red blood gushed from the creatures mouth.

Azreal flung him hard into the crates with out so much as lifting a finger. The crates splintered into pieces.

"HOW DARE YOU!" He roared. "THAT IS MY PROPERTY!" The man continued as he threw the bits of wood splinters off his legs. He lunged at her, but Azreal was ready. He didn't deserve the quick death her sword would offer. No, she would kill him with her hands and her magic, slowly. Azreal easily dodged him, his attack sloppy. She lashed out with her hand slamming right on his shoulder socket, dislocating his arm. He grunted stepping back and jamming his shoulder back into place. Azreal didnt move a step, he lunged again. This time Azreal jumped just before he touched her, reappearing just behind him. She slammed her fist into the middle of his back with a sickening crunch.

The vampires scream curdled the air, and Azreal threw up a hard shield of darkness around them. Anyone walking down the alley would just see darkness. She didn't want to be disturbed. The vampire panicked trying to scoot backwards away from her.

"Do you know who I am?!" He hissed, trying to intimidate her, seeing that it wasn't working he stuttered, "Wwhat ever your getting paid, I'll double it!"

Azreal chuckled low in her throat, and slowly prowled up to him kneeling down next to his legs. She tossed off her hood and let her eyes glow an unsettling amethyst that only the Sacris blood line carried. A disturbing smile etched itself across her lips, "Do you know who I am?"

The vampires entire body was shaking. Whether it was from fear or the pain of his spine trying to knit itself back together. She ran a fingernail down his t.h.i.g.h, "I have some questions for you." She said as she slowly put pressure on one finger, her nail easily cutting through the material of his pants. "How did you acquire this child?"

He winched, knowing what she would do if he didn't answer her questions. "The local witches."

Azreal dug her nail into his leg, her fingertip almost all the way inside his tendon, the vampire yelped out in pain. "The witches would never sell one of their own." She hissed.

The vampire panted in pain, but still managed to spit on the ground. "You don't pay for witch whores, you just take them."

Azreal's nostrils flared, "You aren't afraid the witches are going to come after you?"

The vampire choked out a laugh, "The witches weren't given citizen ship from the king after they fought on your families side. They have no rights, and if they were to out right attack me, I would just kill all of them and claim all their belongings as mine."

Azreal had heard enough, she ripped her finger from his leg. The vampire sagged in relief for all of two seconds before Azreal jammed her whole hand into his t.h.i.g.h all the way to the cobblestones below and twisted. With her other hand she ripped out his larynx. Lifting a bloody finger to her lips she whispered "shhh" and stood, leaving him to either bleed out or suffocate to death as he frantically clawed at his throat.

Azreal looked down to the passed out girl, she was alive, her heart was still beating.