Mad Woman Rambles

“Krystal, Krystal, Krystal,” he says. “You do know why you are here, don’t you,” he states, not asks.

With a sigh, I blow my bangs out of my face, “No, I do not, Korbin.” I shift my weight from one foot to the other while I stand in front of the tall pale vampire staring at me with those piercing blue eyes. “All I know, is that I am standing here, dirty and hungry wondering that myself.”

Korbin smirks at his phone and slips it back into his pocket. “Come now, Krystal. You know that I tolerate a lot of things, but you crossed a line in helping her.” I rub the amethyst crystal in my pocket. I’m surprised they didn’t take it from me. They took my shoes but not my crystal. Vampires are so weird.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” I reply snarkily. But I knew exactly who he was talking about. The edict Korbin had put out about the Fae was known throughout the supe world. Especially here in Atlanta. And I knew as soon as I saw that fae princess walk into my shop it was going to cost me. I was just hoping it wasn’t going to cost me my life.

Korbin sneers and clenches his fist. “Don’t lie, Krystal. Especially to me. It is so… unbecoming.” His words tickle the side of my neck as he angrily whispers. I stiffen as his hand caresses my jaw angling my face towards him. Damn his vampire speed. I forget how quickly they move. I didn’t even see it. Now he is inches away from my jugular making goosebumps prickle my skin. Fuck, he is way too close.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Waters, I wouldn’t harm a hair on your pretty little head,” his hand moving my hair over to my other shoulder exposing my neck better.

“Yes,” I squeak trying to calm my fear. Fear is like an aphrodisiac to vampires. They either want to eat or fuck and I do not want to be either for him. Korbin is a monster.

 “Yes?” he hisses as his tongue slowly licks my neck causing my body to involuntarily shiver.

“Yes, I do know why I am here,” I reply clearing my throat and taking a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to break the edict. But I had to help her. I saw what happened and she was just trying to get home,” I stammer. His hand grasps my throat, and my back is against his desk. My eyes slam open wide as his bright blue pools come swirling into focus. I’m transfixed as my face goes slack. I try to fight the pull, but I can’t. His hand releases from my throat, and he goes back to stroking my hair.

“Why was she here in this realm? What did you see?” Korbin demands. The swirling in his eyes growing in intensity.

“I-I-I-I,” I swallow and try to shut my eyes tight. “Her brother Prince Adar and another vampire I didn’t recognize.” The words start flowing. Fear is a great motivator. “They were making some sort of deal. He kil—. “

“Korbin, kindly take your cold dead mitts off of my niece. We need to have a word,” Stormi bellows as she stands in the doorway, white hair blowing on an invisible wind of power.

Korbin smiles as he turns his head to face my aunt as she enters the room. “Stormi, always a pleasure,” he states as he straightens to his full height releasing me from his thrall. I immediately roll off the desk and away from danger. “I will have to discipline my staff. You shouldn’t have been able to make it down the drive –” Korbin pauses. His voice falls short, and he stills as he faces my aunt and an unknown woman. Their eyes lock as his smile turns sinister.

“Hello, Aloys. It has been a long time,” she says.

“Delphine?” he whispers, “It has been a while”