Remorse fell over Lyselle’s face like a curtain being drawn. That sorrowful look was enough to make Ren extend her hand, an outstretched offering of condolence. She wanted to reassure her that she didn’t care for her offspring in that way, not like human mothers with their children. Rhyland’s death stirred nothing in Ren’s unbeating heart, she’d simply sought an answer to her question. Always thirsty for the truth, for knowledge. 

[b]“I-… I’m sorr—”[/b] Lyselle’s voice was soft as a whisper, each struggling syllable a mark of genuine apology. A Vampire Slayer? Apologising for slaying vampires? Ren shook her head in disbelief, her furrowed brows exposing her confusion and sheer bewilderment at what was happening between the two of them. 

Then, a lightning bolt of primal warning struck Ren’s spine and her head shot to behind Lyselle where a raging man had appeared. He was dressed like her Huntress. Clad head to toe in protective fighting attire, lightweight but certainly a uniform of sorts. A crossbow. A sword. A belt full of assorted weaponry curated entirely for her demise.

[b]“No, it was [u]my[/u] doing!”[/b] he roared. The man was consumed with fury. Ren could smell the stench on him like rotten flesh. That was what anger did to humans, it festered within them. Decayed them, from the inside out. That was another beautiful quality of vampires; That kind of human emotion was expelled from their souls the minute they became corrupted with their own disease. A fury for blood, granted. But the elder vampires controlled themselves, their every flickering emotion, for that was what it took to survive.

Anger made humans clumsy and rash albeit strong at times. This was certainly the case with this man driven by his hatred for Ren’s kind. Her simple presence, her very existence, ignited such repulsion within him. It was etched in his face as he shot an arrow straight for her.

Like the very lightning above them, Renaissance moved with a speed you’d miss if you blinked. 

[b]“W-wait!”[/b] Lyselle cried. Ren, back lowered in a combative stance, whipped her head to face the Huntress and snarled. Her lethal fangs protruded, her razor-sharp talon unsheathed and midnight-black pupils corrupted those once chartreuse eyes. 

[i]“Let him come!”[/i] Ren roared, her voice shifting into something more animal, more beastly. A long, pronounced hiss erupted from her lips and Ren focused her knife-like gaze on her opponent. The arrow narrowly missed her, snagging the velvet cape still draping her shoulders. The vampiress leapt into the air, wings unfolding with a “CRACK” and she unfastened the button of her cloak. It slithered from her shoulders like an anaconda, and floated dramatically to the ground. Ren’s corseted torso now hovered in the air, her skirt billowing in the wind. 

For Lyselle and Ren, time slowed. Each second crawled by, agonisingly slow, yet the fire that had been ignited in Ren’s stomach drove her on. This man would die tonight. All she had to do was lock away the flurry of emotions Lyselle had stirred in her in order to concentrate. And so she did.

Hanging in midair, darting artfully from side to side to ensure she was a moving target, Ren awaited the enraged Hunter’s next move. Advancing on him too quickly would end all her fun, and Ren didn’t much enjoy a quick demise. She was all about playing with her food before she ate it and this was no exception. 

[i]“Come, then!”[/i] the hauntingly unafraid Vampire bellowed. The trees around her moved with the breeze generated by her beating wings, making a satisfying rustle as their leaves brushed together. Ren outstretched her muscular arms, throwing her head back in submission. She would savour this. And then her and Lyselle would be alone again, able to continue this time uninterrupted with whatever magic was being created between them.