Mad Woman Rambles

Happy Holidays to all! I hope everyone can find some joy this time of year. I will be celebrating Yule and doing all the fun Christmas activities. No matter what you celebrate or don’t celebrate, may the sun’s light find you on your darkest day.

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Day 1: 

‘This is what I get for helping the Fae! Here I am, Krystal Waters, stuck in a dirt-floor dungeon. I am filthy, icky, and… Oh My Gods! What is that smell?!’ I scream mentally because screaming out loud had gotten me nowhere. Stupid vampires!

‘When I get out of here, the sign over my shop door will read, ‘Figure it out yourself’. No more help from me, that’s for sure.’ I affirm to myself with a huff. I pace around the cell, arms crossed, refusing to feel sorry for myself. Anger coursing through every fiber of my being.

‘This is why I prefer to be alone. So I don’t have to be bothered by anyone but my family,’ I huff again, kicking a rock in my path. Then immediately swearing as my toe loses the battle against the rock.

‘Something told me to just give that fae girl the lodestone and be done with her. Oh, but no. Not you, Krystal. You had to go and feel bad for her because she was helpless and far from home. Now you are stuck here, and Korbin is being petty about vampire laws. It is not my fault that his people can’t be trusted. Trafficking with the fae. Unheard of, really. ‘I throw up my hands, exasperated by all the events leading up to today.

‘Okay, okay. Get a grip, Krystal! I will just plead my case to Korbin. He has to listen to me. I was not trying to help his brother. I was just trying to help that fae girl. Dang it! He has to listen to me. It’s not like he doesn’t know me. Intimately…’

The thought trails off as flashes of us tangled in the sheets, sweaty and happy, replace the rising panic. My body shivers, still feeling his fingers caressing places that haven’t been touched in a long while. My brief daydream is interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching.

“Food,” the vampire says as he unlocks my door and pushes the tray along the floor. I look on in disgust at the selection of some of the healthiest food I have seen in my lifetime. The vampire smirks and exits, slamming my prison door behind him.

“WTH?! I can’t eat any of that!” I shout after the vamp. “You tell Korbin I want real food or else,” my shout quickly dies down as the vamp returns almost instantaneously. These bastards are so damn fast it’s insane how they move.

“Listen here, blondie, you will eat what we give you. Besides, you could stand to lose a few pounds,” he replied, eyeing me through the bars of my cell. His laughter bounced all around the cell as he took in the shock on my face.

“You dirty bitch,” I whisper, knowing full well he would hear me. How dare he talk about my weight?! He could have called me names, threatened me or my cat but calling me fat? Oh, that crosses a line! I am a healthy weight and refuse to diet. That is probably why I even have curves at all. Unlike my sister, who is just all height and lean muscle.

“What did you say?!” he barked at me.

“You heard me! How dare you call me fat! I am a healthy weight, I will have you know. You would be lucky to have me as a meal,” I affirmed, crossing my arms and stomping my foot.

“Say. It. Again. You fat cow,” he hissed at me, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.

“Who are you calling a cow? You dirty bitch!” I screamed at him, temporarily forgetting where I was and what supernatural being I was talking to. Unfortunately, the vamp was quick to remind me as he began to unlock the door to my cell.

“Shit!” I squeaked, running towards the door and pulling it shut as he went to open it. The handle coming out of his hand as I did so. I held onto it in vain, throwing my body weight back, trying to keep him from entering.

‘Real smart, Krystal. Real smart. You just had to insult the stronger supe. Frack!’ I thought in desperation as he laughed, and he began toying with me by gently pulling on the handle, forcing the door to open slightly. I was being dragged with it like I weighed nothing.

‘Fat, my ass,’ I thought as he flung open the door and I let go. My life flashing before my eyes as I scurry back towards the other side of my cell. Huddling in on myself, I wait for this vamp to end me, but he never came. After what felt like an eternity, I look up to see the vamp dangling by his neck. A large hand wrapped around it, choking my would-be attacker.

Marcus, Korbin’s right-hand man, stood at the mouth of the cell, the vamp raised high. He looked my way and smiled. “Only you would be dumb enough to taunt a vampire in a vampire lair.”

“He called me fat,” I insisted, chagrined because Marcus was right. ’Stupid Marcus the Moor always being right.’ I thought with a huff as I crossed my arms.

He just shook his head and looked at the vamp who was quickly turning a shade of purple. “Did you call her fat?” The vamp tried to respond but only gurgling came out. His eyes were beginning to bulge, and veins were starting to protrude from his neck and head. If he hadn’t been about to kill me–or worse–feed on me, I would feel bad about his current situation. But I didn’t.

“He did. If this is how I am meant to be punished,” I said, pointing at the tray of quinoa, salmon, and steamed broccoli. “Kill me now.” I finished, crossing my arms and raising my eyebrow towards Marcus and the struggling vamp.

“Really, Krystal,” Marcus sighed and released the other vamp.

“Why are you releasing him? I was kidding. I don’t want to die,” I pleaded.

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose. “Report to Adrian. You are off guard duty,” he barked the order to the other vamp, who gingerly touched his neck. “For the sake of the Gods, get up. Have some respect for yourself.” Marcus chastised the vamp, who scurried off. I watched as he moved down the hall and rounded a corner out of sight. I slinked towards the door, trying to look inconspicuous while Marcus appeared distracted.

With a raised finger, “Not you,” he said, stepping back and closing my cell door. I went to protest, but I fell silent as he raised an eyebrow in my direction. I knew I could talk shit to the other vamps in the Peach Kiss and even a little to Korbin, but not Marcus. He was older and more powerful than Korbin, which always confused me as to why he never led the Kiss.

My fingers curled around the bars of my cell, “But Marcus,” I started but quickly stopped.

“No,” he replied.

“Korbin is being dumb. You and I both know this,” I reasoned.

“You made him look foolish. Until you tell us exactly what happened, I can’t help you, Krystal,” he replied.

“You men are all the same. No matter the species, you are all concerned about optics and pride. Goodness glaciers!” I exclaimed, frustrated because I knew I would have to tell them something. But what I wasn’t sure especially with the coercion that was placed on me.

“Doesn’t change the fact that we need to know what happened. You being caught with Jona doesn’t help your case, and you know why,” Marcus stated before turning to leave.

“Can I at least get some cheesy puffs?” I asked, sighing because I wasn’t sure how long I would be able to hold out.

“Look down,” Marcus called as he rounded the same corner the other vamp had.

“What –” I said as I looked down at my feet. An orange bag with my favorite snack laid there in all its glory. “Thank you. I love you, and I don’t care who knows,” I shouted after Marcus. The only reply was a melodic chuckle floating back to me as I sat in the dirt and ripped into bliss on this Earth.