[b]“I’m not dominated, and I’m not playing,”[/b] Lyselle was firm in her response. 
Renaissance Le Sang, blending between her human and Vampire form, let out a raucous, animalistic snarl. Her knees dropped, back arched like a street-cat, her eyes bottomless pits. The fangs she splayed, advertising their razor-sharp tips, begged for flesh. The hair on the Vampire’s arms stood rigidly upward, eyes intently focusing on each of her opponents one by one. 

With each smouldering, withering look, Ren assessed her newly-presented enemies. Ever the strategist, ever the logistical analyst, the Ancient Vampire raked her contemptuous gaze over every inch of the Hunters before her. She watched for tells, signs of weakness. Locking in her focus, the Ancient Vampire felt her vampiric intuition beg to be released. Like a caged animal, her repressed power trembled with glee at the prospect of being unleashed. It had been so long since the Aged Creature had been challenged so outright. With so much power laying dormant inside her, Ren had to lock away the beastly rage that rumbled beneath her cold, dead flesh. But like any caged animal, this power ached for release. And so, stood opposite these Humans, Ren opened that trap door just an inch. Her intuition soared with energy, rearing up like an impassioned stallion as she unlatched the stable door holding it prisoner. With calculated care, Ren unleashed her intuition upon the Vigil members. Details began to become apparent:

[i]Delwyn’s left side was weakest, especially his knees. Many years of Hunting, sleeping rough, walking long distances, had worn down the muscle. 

Felicity was technically sound at hand-to-hand, but she focused too much on what she’d been taught. She was rigid. She lacked elegance and initiative in her fighting style.

The boy… He was easy enough to pick off. He had to follow orders, and he would do so to the best of his ability, but talent can’t be taught.

But the Master? Seraphine? Her weakness was hidden behind that stonewall she’d created. It would take time to delve behind it…[/i] 

[b]“Get over here—now.”[/b] 

Renaissance felt the shriek bubble in the pit of her stomach. It ripped through her, tearing through her vocal cords. The banshee-like scream was so contrasted to the beautiful rosebud mouth it flew out of. Haunting, shrill, blood curdling… There was the tiniest thread of human tone to the cry, but it was mostly vampiric. Hauntingly so. The scream was a protest to Holt’s arrogant commands. Renaissance couldn’t bear to listen to the Human attempt to overpower Lyselle, to corrupt her. 

[i]“ENOUGH!”[/i] Ren roared. She lifted her muscular arm, extending that threatening talon in a menacing point, angled directly at Holt. [i]“I can’t [b]bare[/b] to watch you scramble for control any longer. Enough.”[/i] Then, tossing her glossy midnight-black curls behind her slender shoulders, she narrowed her coal-like gaze at Holt with the threat of a well-trained predator. A seductive, villainous smile spread across her face as she cocked her head tauntingly at the Master Huntress.
[i]“I’m already fantasising about forcing you to address me by “harlot” for the last time… Except this time you’ll be choking it out as I tear open that pathetically feeble jugular and drink directly from your Carotid Arteries.”[/i] The vampire spoke with quick, artful spite. She meant it. The image flashed into reality before her eyes, bringing another layer of determination to the violence that coursed through her veins.

Then, slowed by his rage, Delwyn made the first attempt to attack. That enchanted, exaggerated anger made his intentions clear and his aim sloppier than usual. Renaissance sprung into action, flipping the internal switch that triggered her vampiric speed. Her blurred form almost swam through the air, gliding from left to right. She kept Lyselle at the centre of her movements, not straying too far from her side. They’d have to partner up to face these foes. A united front.

The bond flickered with apprehension from her beloved Human. Renaissance imagined clasping it with a gentle touch, soothing it with a caress, before setting it free like a baby bird. Her talented Huntress had brandished her throwing knives with the agility of a determined warrior and when Felicity made her strike, Renaissance saw her slither of opportunity. The vampire, still moving with that supernatural agility, dove forward. She landed on the ground with a soft roll, swiping her taloned hand in a horizontal strike. She felt the tip of her claw slash across both Felicity’s shins, right where there was a gap in her armour. The vampire saw the material in the Huntresses trousers rip open with a satisfying tear and blood spattered forth. She hissed in satisfaction, not pausing to bask in the glory of a successful attack for long. 

Agile as a bird, swift as a panther, Renaissance slunk away from Felicity and returned to Lyselle’s side. Her eyes constantly scanning the battleground before them, the Ancient awaited the next attack. She remained alert, her breaths turned to growls. Rabid but controlled, Renaissance remained behind her Huntress, a pillar of strength behind her. 

[i]“We move together,”[/i] Renaissance whispered down the bond, feeling it ablaze with flowing energy. It seemed to respond, catalysed with the adrenaline of the battle. [i]“They’ll try to separate us, pick us off individually. They don’t know how connected we are… The bond is our strength”[/i] Her inner voice echoed down the thread that tied the two together and still the vampire’s guttural roars punctuated the air thick with tension. 

They’d face the Vigil. Together. Bloodbound but never broken.