A shadow perched on the rooftop of the building above, watching all the people like insects below, all dressed for the drama that was Saturday night in Deep Ellum. Yet the attention of this predator was only on one- and when her scent wafted through the cool September air, he made his way below, effortlessly leaping down and across buildings to the streets, crimson eyes glowing.
Leighondra walked out of the Galaxy Club out onto the busy sidewalk of Deep Ellum, lighting a cigarette as she walked to the next club, the next gig. She lived for the weekends when she could prowl the clubs, dancing, drinking in the music that was her addiction. The thick soles of her boots made her stride silent, purposeful- her mother often accused her of walking like a football player. Leighondra felt she simply walked- efficiently.
Suddenly, her senses tingled, the hair standing on the back of her neck. She looked in front of her to see a shadow come from the alleyway, mingling with the crowd. The man seemed to float, weaving in and out of the crowd like a spectre, chestnut hair laying about his shoulders, trench flowing behind him like a cloak. She felt compelled somehow to follow, increasing her stride in an effort to keep up. For an instant, Leighondra thought he'd looked back at her- a mischievous smirk on his lips, eyes cloaked by shades even though it was night- and when he turned back, she lost him in the crowd.
Frustrated, Leighondra increased her pace further, completely passing up the club she was going to, growling low in her throat. Damn! Where had he gone?
Standing in the shadow of the doorway of the very club Leighondra had passed, Malichai grinned. She was good- he had thought to cloak his chi the minute he'd made his descent, yet she had somehow seen through it. Very interesting....
He closed his eyes, calling her back with a mental nudge, and the proceeded past the bouncer- who looked through him as if he weren't there- and into the club.
Leighondra felt a tugging in her mind- like someone had pulled a string in her brain- and remembered she was supposed to be at another club to see her friend play. She turned back and made her way back, quickly flashing the pass Tim had given her at the door and made her way through the crowd to the bar. After ordering her usual vodka tonic, she made her way to the stage, waving to Tim as he sat behind his drum set and began tuning it.
She found a place at the front of the stage where she could set her drink down and made faces at Tim as he laughed hysterically. She had known him for years, so he was like a brother to her. The other guys in the band would all swear they were blood related if Tim were not blond and tan- direct opposite to Leighondra's fair skin and red hair.
Their first song was a cover of Phil Collins' "Mama"- with the synthesizer parts adapted skillfully buy the lead guitarist and rhythm guitarist, Tim playing the drum parts like a man possessed. Leighondra had always loved the raw beat to the song, the slow, sensual rhythms and lyrics, so she closed her eyes and gave herself over to the music, body moving, hips swaying.
She was so given over to the music, she failed to notice Malichai coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his body matching her rhythm. She gasped when she felt his weight against her back, his hair falling across her bare shoulders. Leighondra eyes rolled back as she melted into him, riding the wave of the power flowing from him.
"You're not afraid?" Leighondra shuddered with the feel of his warm breath on her neck.
"Intrigued," she replied, chills going through her as he pulled her hair back from her jugular.
"Hmmmmm..." his growl vibrated on her skin as he kissed her neck. "You taste sweet, Leighondra."
Leighondra's eyes flew open- how? She tried to pull away, but he held her fast. Who was he?
"Most call me Kai," he chucked, reading her thoughts as if she had spoken them, "others call me their worst nightmare."
His lips closed over her skin again, nipping her neck lightly as she shuddered, her defenses again useless.
"What do you want from me?" she breathed.
"Everything."
And with that, everything turned a shade of crimson as Malichai's canines dug deep into her jugular.....
