Copyright Disclaimer: Any and all characters referenced from the Xenaverse belong to Renaissance Pictures and their respective parties. I don’t own the characters otherwise we’d already have a movie and the series would have never ended the way it did. All superfluous characters belong to me.
Sex, Violence, Language Warning: They will all be present and they will probably be graphic. In specific reference to the sex portion of the warning I will say that any descriptive sexual text will be centered on that of the lesbian variety. If you like it, great. If you don’t, I don’t want to hear about it.
Spoiler Warning: Post ‘Friend in Need’.
Feedback: Seriously, I live on it. If you like this story even a little bit please drop me a line saying so. I would really appreciate it. All constructive criticisms would also be appreciated.
Author’s Notes: This is the second book in my Living in the Past Series. If you haven’t read book 1 you’re gonna be a bit lost, so you might as well go check that one out as well. ;) But if you really just can’t be asked, there will be a brief synopsis going on in the beginning of this story that I hope will get you up to par. This is where the story is gonna start to take off a little from being Xenacentric and move more toward the Sarahcentric spin-off I’ve been obsessing about. So grab yourself a cozy chair and a warm or frosty beverage and relax. The fun’s about to begin.
By Xenamungrrr
Sarah’s Journal-First entry
Dear Aunt Janice,
I can only imagine it’s mid February and possibly between the years of 28-34 AD? It’s hard to tell, but I’m doing the best I can to keep the days straight. Where do I even begin? I guess I’ll have to start where you left off, huh? After you talked me into going back into the past using the chronostone I ended up right in Evil Xena’s path. Seriously, I puked in front of her. It was great. I managed to talk her into not slaughtering the village and taught an entire Japanese bar how to make a Sake Bomb. So make sure to tell Jake that the world can thank me for that little addition to bar etiquette. Anyway she went off on her own journey and I continued on with mine to find that Xena was STILL insisting Gabrielle allow her to remain dead. Apparently the broody warrior princess was tired of making Gabrielle pay to wipe away the stains of her past.
So, of course I stepped in and called bullshit. They were both mad at me for a couple of hours, but they got over it when they decided focusing on saving Eve was more important than holding grudges. Hell, it didn’t even take them a week to get back in the sack with each other, so they couldn’t have been too mad. Anyway we got to Chin in time to save Eve and then everything got kinda… well, crazy.
You see the guy, Liu Xiu, that was supposed to lead the resistance and overthrow the Emperor, was about to be slaughtered in a gladiator fight. And you know me, I wasn’t about to let that happen so I jumped into the fight and saved his life from this crazy Slavic chick, Rada. She tried to kill me later then became one of my best friends here, but I’ll get to that in just a bit. Anyway, after I saved him Xena sent me to my room for misbehaving and Eve did this freaky voodoo shit on me while I was taking a bath. Apparently she’s got some wicked supernatural powers; the only problem is she has no idea how to use them.
After the bathroom incident we went to bed and Rada, under orders from the Emperor’s son, came to murder us. And luckily she failed because the magic Eve worked in the bathroom (eww, that sounded way different in my head) made me impervious to mortal wounds! Can you believe that? I’m freaking immortal! It’s cool as shit too. I’ve probably been stabbed like a hundred times already and I’m still good to go.
So after securing Rada, I decided I wanted to go see Liu and figure out what his plan was to overthrow the emperor. The funny thing is he didn’t have one. He’d planned on killing himself before I came along to give him a little pep talk about saving China.
I don’t like to think about what this implies too much because if I do I get a headache and start wondering about the consistency of time and space. And you know me. I’m not bright enough to figure that stuff out. So I just stick to what I know and that consists of causing trouble apparently.
Xena found out about my little visit and insisted we leave as soon as possible. Of course the Emperor’s men tried to kill us, but we made it to the docks and my dumbass decided to stay behind with Rada. I wanted to help save the innocent people and Rada wanted to go kill the Emperor’s son. What we didn’t expect was for Eve to jump ship and follow us, which meant Xena and Gabrielle came along as well.
And that’s where I got myself in the predicament I’m in right now. You see, the chronostone is kinda… destroyed. During all the fighting a lot of stuff happened. Eve blew up the stone, I got in a fight with a Tiger, Xena nearly crippled herself. It was a big mess. Everyone is fine now, but I have no way to get home until I find some alternative means of time travel. We’re pretty much riding on a theory right now. Eve and I are probably a day’s sail away from reaching Greece and the Amazon village. What I’m hoping is that the chronostone they hid for Xena is still around. I don’t know how all this time/space/matter stuff works but it’s the best bet I’m riding on right now.
My hope is that we’ll find it and I’ll be able to tell you all of this in person. But I also have to be realistic and realize that that may not happen. That’s what this journal is for, maybe someone will find it and bring it to you and you’ll at least know what happened to me.
But screw the sad thoughts for right now. I’ve got a plan and I’m gonna see it through. I love and miss you so much. I hope you’re taking care of yourself.
Me…Well…You know me.
All my love,
Sarah
She closed the leather bound journal she’d brought a long with her and stowed it in her bag before adjusting her fedora so it kept the sun out of her eyes. She was topside and the sea air was amazing. Taking a short nap under the sun seemed like a wonderful idea.
Of course Eve had other plans.
“Hey, are you sleeping?” She asked, sitting next to Sarah.
“Wow, that’s incredibly perceptive of you.” She said from underneath the hat.
“It’s a beautiful day, Sarah, you shouldn’t be sleeping.” Eve said. “Hey, do you want to spar?”
Sarah had talked Eve into teaching her how to fight by the second day they’d been on the boat and every day since she’d been getting better and better at making it through the fight. She also couldn’t help but notice how much Eve enjoyed herself through their little bouts. Sarah could only imagine that Eve was such an amazing warrior back in her warlord days because the girl simply relished the fight. It was a quid pro quo relationship; Sarah learned how to better protect herself from taking a beating and Eve got to work out her not so peaceful tendencies.
“You busted my ass pretty good yesterday, Eve. I think I’ll sit out today.” Sarah said.
“Oh come on.” She said standing up. “You’re immortal, it’s not like a bruised ass is gonna kill you.”
She extended her hand and with a grunt the time traveler accepted it. She tossed her hat on the ground with the rest of her stuff, and then grabbed her baseball bat.
“You know one of these days I’m gonna win.” She said, taking a defensive stance.
“Of course you will.” Eve countered, grabbing a staff. “You’ve got my blood running through your veins. That has to count for something.”
“She’s been hanging around me way too much.” Sarah said to herself before dashing into the fray.
When they landed at the docks Sarah was completely elated. She didn’t hate sailing by any means, but it was hard to be so confined for so long. It made her glad she never went to prison. Eve was obviously happy to be off the boat as well, her face was nearly electric in its glow. It was nearing late evening and they knew that travelling to the Amazon village at night was probably not the best idea, so the girls decided to try to find an inn with a room to rent for the night, and more importantly a bar.
After asking a few villagers they were pointed in the right direction and found themselves at a somewhat decent establishment in the middle of town. After securing their room and dropping off their things they headed downstairs for a much needed meal and some port.
“So how do you feel about going to visit the Amazons again?” Sarah asked after finishing the last bite of pita bread. “Last I read you’d made some peace with them, but I didn’t get the impression that they’re your biggest fan.”
Eve took a sip of water and answered casually. “I’m fine. I think they’ve all settled on putting up with me, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Even with Varia?” Sarah asked, taking a pull from her bottle.
“I think she’s forgiven me as much as she could for killing her sister.” Eve said solemnly.
Sarah cursed herself under her breath. “Sorry Eve, I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories; I was just trying to get a feel for what we’d be walking into.”
“No, it’s ok Sarah.” She said, thankful for the understanding on the girl’s part. “I have a terrible past. I’d have to face it almost anywhere. It’s just a little more difficult with Varia for some reason. She’s a good person that has suffered greatly because of me. I’d do anything to take that back, possibly above anything else I’ve ever done.”
“That’s saying a lot.” Sarah noted. “You must hold a lot of affection toward her.”
“Well yeah, I mean…” Eve suddenly became visibly nervous. “You know not more than anyone else or anything.”
“Uh huh.” Sarah said. She decided to table the subject for now, but couldn’t wait to see the way the two interacted with each other. It sure seemed like Eve might have a little more invested in the Amazon Queen than she was ready to admit.
They sat there in comfortable conversation for a few more minutes before Sarah headed over the bar to order another drink.
“I’ll have another one of these when you get a second.” Sarah said to the bartender after making eye contact with him.
While she waited she looked around the bar and her attention was drawn to a beautiful woman at the end of the bar. She was tall with shoulder length dark hair and incredible light blue eyes. They were the kind of eyes that asked, not demanded, to be noticed. And it would have been hard not to notice them anyway because they were staring at her. Sarah smiled, more to herself than anything and tipped her hat to the patron. Her actions were returned with a wine glass being raised by delicate fingers. She was pulled from the exchange by her drink being delivered, and she responded with a couple of coins to the bartender. By the time she looked back at the woman a somewhat burly man was leaning into her and slurring some kind of attempt at a pick up line.
Sarah decided to stick around the bar for a few more minutes to see how the scene would play out. She took in the woman’s appearance and the leather pants and boots led her to believe that she could probably take care of herself, but sometimes looks can be deceiving.
The man was starting to move more and more into the woman’s personal space and it was becoming obvious that this wasn’t a welcome advance. Sarah moved in closer and could hear a not so soft rebuke coming from the woman.
“Look, I said I wasn’t interested.” She said, sternly.
“Ah come on, beautiful.” He slurred. “I’ve been out to sea a long time and believe me I’ve been saving up my strength to treat a lady like you real nice.”
“And I’m sure you can find someone else to exert your affections on.” She said pushing him away.
“I don’t think you know what you’re saying.” He said moving back in even closer.
“Actually I think she’s coming through loud and clear.” Sarah said, intruding in upon the conversation. “I think it’s time for you to move along, pal.”
She’d always wanted to say something like that in a bar. It made her feel like a cowboy.
“This is a private conversation, girl. You’d be smart to leave us alone.” He fired back at her and turned back to his prey.
“No, I think I’ll be staying and you’ll be going.” She said, with a self assurance she didn’t really feel. “Now, I’m gonna ask you one more time to leave the lady alone.”
“And then what?” He said, grabbing her by the front of her shirt and drawing the crowd’s attention. “What’s a little thing like you gonna do about it?”
“This.” She said, pounding her knee straight into his crotch then punching him in the side of the face.
He stood up as fast as a man that just took a shot to the nuts could and swung at her, missing with his right fist, but connecting with the left. Sarah stumbled for a bit, but regained her equilibrium enough to take a defensive stance and block a couple more blows. That is, before he barreled toward her and sent them both flying into a table, breaking it in the process. She swung her fists rapidly at his head while she was down, knowing it was her only chance to get him off of her when the sound of broken glass could be heard coming from behind him and port sprayed her face. They both looked to see what had just happened and saw the mysterious lady standing there with a broken bottle in her hand.
“You bitch.” He said, barreling toward her.
Sarah got up quickly and tackled him just before he reached her. She then hopped back to her feet and enacted a harsh assault on his gut with her right boot. Somewhere near the fifth kick she was pulled away by Eve and the man just lay there clutching himself.
“I think he’s down.” The messenger said. “Ease up, Sarah.”
They watched as the bartender chastised the down man and ordered two of his hands to kick him out onto the street.
“Byron that’s the last time you drink in my inn and cause a fight!” He screamed out the door, and then looked to Sarah. “And you, young lady, you try any of that stuff again and you’ll be sleeping on the street as well, you hear?”
“Yes sir.” She said as Eve let her go. She felt the corner of her mouth where the man punched her and her fingers came back wet and red.
“Nice.” She said with a smirk.
“Are you happy about the fact that you’re bleeding?” Eve asked incredulously.
“I just got a bloody lip in a bar fight that started because I was defending some woman’s honor. I feel cool as hell right now.” Sarah answered as Eve sighed and rolled her eyes before grabbing a napkin and tending to Sarah’s lip.
“Sit down and let me look at you.” She said, and the girl obeyed.
“Excuse me.” Someone said as Eve administered to her.
Sarah looked over to see the very woman whose honor she’d defended. She quickly grabbed the napkin from Eve and shoed the messenger away.
“Hi.” She said, standing up and forgetting about the napkin.
“I wanted to thank you, for what you did over there.” She said. “But I don’t even know your name.”
“Um, Sarah.” She said, offering her hand.
“My name is Khepri, and I am very grateful for what you did in my defense.” She said, grasping the girl’s forearm.
Sarah couldn’t help but notice that Khepri had a sort of magnetic pull when she spoke. She held her attention with her eyes and she made her feel like she was the only person in the room. So much so that she soon realized that they’d been stuck in the greeting for far longer than was normal.
“It um…” Sarah stuttered. “It was no big deal. I’m happy I was there to help.” She instantly missed the contact as soon as their hands retreated from each other.
It was then that Eve noticeably cleared her throat and Sarah realized she was being rude.
“Sorry, this is Eve.” She said, introducing her.
“Nice to meet you, Eve.” Khepri said. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”
Her tone was partly embarrassed and partly questioning.
“Oh no!” Sarah said a little overenthusiastically. “No, you didn’t interrupt anything at all. There’s totally nothing to interrupt.”
“Easy there, stud.” Eve said quietly to Sarah.
“Well then, do you think that maybe I could buy you a drink and join you for the rest of the evening?” Khepri asked.
“Sure, that sounds great!” Sarah answered quickly.
“Great, I’ll be right back.” She said and left to go to the bar.
“She’s pretty cool, huh?” Sarah said as they sat down, her eyes not leaving Khepri’s retreating form and lingering slightly on a specific part of said form.
“Uh huh.” Eve said, knowingly, causing Sarah to look back at her defensively.
“What?” She asked, knowing exactly what Eve was thinking.
“You like her.” Eve answered.
“Well yeah, she seems nice.” Sarah defended.
“And nice to look at.” Eve countered.
“Is there something wrong with that?” Sarah asked.
“Just be careful.” Eve said with concern. “She’s a lone woman in a bar, and judging by her clothing I’d say she looks a little more like a warrior than a simple village girl.”
“Um, if you hadn’t noticed we’re not exactly simple village girls either.” Sarah said.
“Yeah, but we’re not alone.” Eve countered. “She’s either incredibly naïve or she knows she can take care of herself.”
“What’s so wrong with that?” Sarah said. “Honestly it’s part of the appeal.”
“All I’m saying is keep your eyes…” She pulled Sarah’s eyes off the girl and made her look at her own. “…Open.”
Sarah rolled her eyes, but kept her attention on Eve. “What’s she gonna do, kill me?”
“Here we go.” Khepri said as she seated herself at the table.
“Thank you!” Sarah said, raising her mug and clinking it against Khepri’s wine glass. “So Khepri, tell us a little bit about yourself.”
She kicked Eve under the table as if to say ‘See, I’m playing it smart.’ Eve just looked at her and sighed then turned her attention toward the stranger.
“Well, let’s see…” Khepri said, looking at the table as if the answers would be there then looking back up. “I was born and raised just outside of town, haven’t ever really been anywhere else, my parents are dead so it’s up to me and my brother to keep the family together and take care of our affairs… pretty boring stuff really.” She took sip. “How ‘bout you two?”
“Umm. Well… Eve, you wanna start?” Sarah asked, realizing she was going to have to lie.
“Why not, because my story’s so easy to tell.” She said. “I was born Livia of Rome.”
“Livia?” Khepri looked at her with shock.
“And you’ve heard of me.” Eve said, nodding her head.
“But she’s like totally good now.” Sarah said. “She won’t fight or anything. Completely non-violent.”
Khepri still sat in awe. “Uh huh. So what changed?”
“My mother, Xena, helped me find my true path. Now I am Eve; I spread the message of Eli and promote peace all around the world.” Eve was still looking down at her cup. It was obvious that her past still hurt her greatly and Sarah suddenly felt terrible for all the times she’d given the messenger a hard time.
“Eve is one of the most loving and generous people you could ever meet.” Sarah said and Eve’s eyes rose to meet hers. “She also has more patience than anyone I’ve ever met. She doesn’t allow herself to be mean to people, even when they are total assholes to her.”
Eve smiled.
“What’s an asshole?” Khepri asked.
“Someone unpleasant.” Eve answered for Sarah.
“That’s an incredible story.” Khepri said, and then turned to Sarah. “What about you, Sarah? Do you have some deep, dark past? I know you’re at least from a distant land, I’ve never seen someone dress or talk the way you do before.”
“I’m kinda from all over. Mom died in childbirth, Dad was nowhere to be found. So, you could say with all the places I’ve been I’ve just lived in my own world for the most part.”
And that’s the closest to the truth that I could possibly get. Sarah thought.
“How’d you meet Eve?” Khepri asked.
“Well um… I got interested in possible family ties and started researching it. Seems somewhere down the line Eve and I are related, so I tried to find her and I did.” Sarah said, still amazed at her ability to stretch the truth.
“And she saved my life.” Eve said.
“Really?” Khepri asked.
“Yes several times, actually. The most recent was in a cave where she fought a tiger.” Eve said.
“A tiger? You’re kidding!” Khepri said. There was definitely shock on her face, but there was something else Sarah couldn’t place lurking behind her features as well.
“It really wasn’t a big deal.” Sarah said, finishing off her drink. “It was just my lucky day.”
“And she’s modest.” Khepri said.
No, I’m immortal. Sarah thought as she smiled and stood up.
“I’m gonna grab another, can I get you one?” She asked Khepri, who refused. “Eve?”
“I’ll have another glass of water, thanks.” The messenger answered.
Left alone at the table, Eve and Khepri struggled to find something to talk about. Eve decided to go in for the kill.
“So, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you a warrior of some sort? Your manner of dress would suggest so.” She said.
Khepri looked at her as if she was not happy with the question, but managed to keep a smile on her face.
“The roads are not the safest place for a woman to travel, especially a woman carrying goods to trade. I sometimes find that looking tough helps me avoid violence I might otherwise have to face.” She said.
“And if you can’t avoid it?” Eve asked.
Khepri let out small chuckle and answered. “Let’s just say I’m pretty good at taking care of myself.”
She looked down at her boots and Eve noticed two sizeable knives on the side of each calf.
“I see.” Eve said.
She was feeling even worse about the prospect of this woman continuing to share the table with them. Luckily Sarah returned with the drinks before she had a chance to receive any more unpleasant answers.
“So what were we talking about?” Sarah asked as she took her seat.
“Nothing important.” Khepri answered quickly, before Eve had the chance. “I’d like to know more about you.” She said as her eyes bore into Sarah’s.
The girl swallowed hard. This was gonna require a lot more port.
“Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet and that slow southern style
It’s a new religion that’ll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please.”*
Sarah belted on the bards stage and the patrons roared with laughter and applause. She’d been supplementing her confidence with port and decided it was time for some improvised Karaoke. Two of the patrons helped her off the stage and she fell back into her seat, just a little out of breath. Someone else was heading up to sing right after her, and she was sure a trend was in the works.
“Explain to me again why you had to do that?” Eve asked.
“Eve,” Sarah said in that oh so familiar ‘drunk explaining something’ way. “It’s just what you do in a bar with a stage. You get up there and you sing Black Velvet. It’s like required in bar rules or some shit. I’m pretty sure no one has ever done that in this bar, so I took it upon myself to break her in.”
“Well I thought it was charming.” Khepri said.
“See.” Sarah said taking another sip.
“Charming in a drunk, semi-obnoxious, but ultimately cute kind of way.” Khepri amended with a mischievous smirk.
Eve laughed and so did Sarah.
“Oh, I see how it is. See if I ever sing you a song.” Sarah fired back. She wouldn’t dare admit it, but she loved being picked on by attractive women. She sometimes wondered if that spoke to the playground mentality of her maturity, but didn’t worry about it too much.
“I think you would.” Khepri said, taking a sip of her drink.
“Oh really?” Sarah said, defiantly.
“I can be very persuasive.” Khepri, eyes bore into hers on that one.
Sarah’s face became flushed and the alcohol wasn’t helping her battle that glare at all.
“Um…” She said with a smirk and stood. “You know I think I need to go hit the head, or the outhouse or whatever the hell that thing is.” She said as she walked away.
“You know I think I’ll go with her.” Khepri said as she followed Sarah’s exiting form.
Sarah stumbled out the door and tried to find the privy on the exterior of the inn.
She’s totally hitting on me. What the fuck am I supposed to do with some hot ancient Greek girl that’s hitting on me? As she went over this in her thought process, she felt a hand grab her wrist and turn her around.
“Hey.” A familiar voice said and Sarah looked up to see the very eyes she was trying to retreat from.
“Hey.” She said with a smile. “Did you um… need to go first?”
Khepri smiled and shook her head. “No, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. It’s a little more dangerous outside the inn.” She took a step forward and spoke again. “And I think you are running away from me.”
“Running away from you?” Sarah laughed and took a step back. “Me? Are you kidding? I take on fucking tigers, why would I be afraid of you?”
“Well, I don’t know,” she took another step closer and Sarah took another step back.
“Maybe because I think you like me.” Another step forward, another step back.
“And because you think I might like you.” Another step.
“And because I could probably hurt you in ways a Tiger can’t.” Khepri took another step forward, but Sarah’s back was now against a tree. She was trapped and wondering if the ‘hurt’ the woman was talking about was emotional or otherwise.
She knew one thing at this moment. The look in Khepri’s eyes was predatory; she didn’t know if she was out for blood or lust, but either way it was doing things to her body that she was sure needed to be addressed in therapy.
Khepri put one hand on the tree behind Sarah, and the other on the side of the girl’s face as she leaned in slowly. Sarah’s breathing was completely erratic as she anticipated the kiss. Her eyes went back and forth between Khepri’s mouth and eyes.
“Sarah?”
They heard Eve calling her name just before the kiss was sealed and their eyes locked.
“Jesus Christ.” Sarah said dropping her head back against the tree. “I’m right here.” She yelled.
“You didn’t have to tell her, you know.” Khepri said. Her voice held a tinge of regret and a hint of annoyance with the messenger.
“I know. But it might be better this way.” Sarah said with a soft smile. “I wasn’t drunk when I took on the Tiger.” She referenced the woman’s prior remarks.
This forced a smile from Khepri and they both walked toward the one who’d ruined all the fun.
“What’s up Eve?” Sarah asked.
“I’m getting pretty tired.” She said, wondering what she’d just walked into.
“Yeah, I guess it is about time we turned in.” Sarah said. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“Where are you headed?” Khepri asked.
“We have to travel to the Amazon village tomorrow.” Eve said.
Khepri looked at them with surprise. “Really, wow, are you both Amazon’s as well as travelers?”
“Well I guess you could say I was born into the tribe, but this will be Sarah’s first visit.” Eve said.
“Maybe I’ll come look you up there then.” Khepri said. “How long do you plan on staying on?”
“Not sure.” Sarah said. “But I’d like to see you again if you wanted to come by. Just remember that they’re kind of protective of their lands. Do you know the Amazon stance of peace?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen it a couple of times.” Khepri answered.
“Great.” Eve said. “I guess this is goodnight then.”
“Yeah, sadly, I guess so.” Khepri said looking at Sarah. “I had a wonderful time getting to know you.”
“Me too.” Sarah said, putting her hand out.
Khepri accepted the appendage, and then brought it up to her lips for a kiss that was ever so soft.
“Until next time.” She said, releasing the hand. “Goodbye Eve.”
“Goodbye.” The messenger said, knowing she was not the woman’s favorite person at that moment.
As Khepri headed back inside, Eve just looked at Sarah.
“Not one word, Eve.” Sarah said as she cursed and made her way over to relieve herself. It was gonna be a long night.
Khepri entered the cave and found her brother, Asteri, behind the curtain of his personal cavern. He was sitting in a chair and talking to one of his favorite girls at his feet, but looked up upon her entrance.
“Sister. You had a good night out on the town, I trust?” He asked.
“Leave us.” She said to the woman on the floor, who complied immediately.
He rolled his eyes, and replied. “So I take it you didn’t have such a good time?”
“No, it was fine.” She said, pouring herself a glass of the dark red liquid he had sitting in a decanter on a small table.
“Couldn’t have been that ‘fine’. It looks like you didn’t feed.” He said.
She ignored his observation.
“I’m probably going to be gone for a few days.” She said, taking a sip.
“Well that’s not cryptic at all.” He gently tossed his long, dark, wavy hair out of his face. “Care to let me in on your plans?”
“I may have found a way to get rid of our little Amazon problem.” She said.
Asteri laughed. “Oh sister, I’d forgotten how impatient you are. The Amazon’s will be taken care of in time if we continue to catch them in the woods at night. Why push the progress? Are you becoming bored with our life in the cave?”
“No.” She said defensively. “I just think it might be a little fun to raise the stakes a bit. There was a girl that I met tonight; she’s headed into the village.” She paused thoughtfully then spoke again. “She was able to resist my thrall.”
“Oh… I see.” He said, moving over to pour himself a glass. “A challenge. I’m happy to see you taking an interest in something other than simple road brigands. Take as much time as you need, but be sure to stay in contact. I’d at least like to be clued into your plans as they progress.”
He offered his glass for a toast. “To your new conquest.”
“May it be just as sweet as I imagine.” She said as the glasses clinked together and she drew the blood into her mouth.
So very sweet. She thought before taking the glass and heading to her own cavern.
*Black Velvet obviously doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to Allanah Miles and Atlantic Records.