Eris stood in the rain on the clock tower ledge and looked over his city. He had been born here over two thousand years ago. He had seen and watched his little village flourish and bloom into the beautiful, thriving city it was, equal to Nephilium and Seraphim. Even in darkness, it was beautiful.

Still, it made it hard for him to hunt for his prey. Now, he was going to have to break into a house early. It made things a little tricky for him. But Eris needed the body to be found sooner rather than later. Crossing his arms over his soaking-wet black t-shirt, he stood there, thoughtful, a small part of him rethinking his actions.

A presence arrived at his side, and he turned to look at Nivette. Her azure eyes were closed off to him, no longer eyeing him with love but also not holding contempt. There was something there, but she was like a stranger to him now.

“Yes.”

“Gabrielle sent word.”

He scrunched up his forehead, making sure he heard her right. “The Kings’ Garrison Gabrielle?”

“Yes. She wants to know how on top of this you are and who is leading the investigation.” Her tone was cold and detached, mirroring the look in her azure eyes that seemed to glow within the red outline of her iris.

“Did you already reply?”

“Yes. I said we had a Dimmer in place and you are in charge with Selene as your second.”

“I am not in charge. Selene is leading the investigation.

Nivette let out a cold and harsh laugh. “You can’t honestly believe that. Selene is following your orders. You haven’t let her do anything the way she wants. Why do you think the other Hunters look at you with such disdain? Everyone tiptoes around you because they’re scared, darling.” Eris winced at the revulsion in her tone, the usual tenderness she used gone. Eris suddenly had a sinking feeling that she knew about Shira, about everything.

“Nivette I—”

“Save it. I’m not someone you need to apologize to.”

“You are if you feel the same way.”

“I feel many things, but fear is not one of them.”

“Do you still love me?”

She looked at him steadily, her expression guarded, eyebrows raised. “That’s a funny question coming from you.”

“Nivette, I love you.”

Nivette chuckled. It was a bitter chuckle masked with sadness and pain. “Sure.” Eris could not handle it. He suddenly saw her standing outside a barrier, sad and angry. Erin lunged at her, cupping her face and pushing her black hair out.

“Nivette, I do love you. Believe me.”

Shaking her head, a sad smile on her pink lips, Nivette pulled away from him, eyes shifting back to their deep blue. “I wish I could believe that.” Nivette stepped back on the clock tower edge, poised to jump off. “Don’t expect me tonight, I’ll be returning to my old bed chamber.” Nivette stepped off, and knowing her the way she did, he watched her land with feline grace. Eris clutched his fist tightly. They shook with such anger at himself.

“Eris?” Eris spun around and was faced with Evida. She had that same detached and empty look in her coal-black eyes. Chills went down his spine.

“What is it?”

“Shira believes she has found one of the Roamers. She sent me to inform you that she will be watching him.”

“Good.” Eris looked away from her, back towards the rain. Contemplating. He stared at the apartments across the way. “Come with me.”

“Do you have a target?”

“We will in the morning. Right now, we will look for a woman who will be missed. Come.” Eris slunk into the shadows alongside Evida, unaware of the laughter in the dark heavens that mocked her sisters’ futility.

***

Eris watched a woman talk on her ConEx. A perfect prey, she was supposed to arrive at work early and have breakfast with her coworkers. Someone who always appeared on time and worked at the corner market. It was almost too easy, too perfect. He could feel Evida’s dark eyes burning holes into his back annoyingly. It was as though she was his watchdog.

His eyes watched for a moment until the woman was at ease. She was watching her ResoScreen, keeping track of the ongoing news as she strapped on her watch. According to the news, flashing a picture of his beloved sister, the anchor reported that she was investigating. The woman pulled her eyes from the screen to walk quickly to the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of Rueberry wine. The dark and rich liquid sent his senses buzzing. He watched it slide down her throat with each gulp she touched, further enticed. The liquid always made the blood that much sweeter.

Eris watched the woman in her loose white blouse finish off her wine, leaving the glass on the kitchen counter before returning to her auburn-shaded sofa, her eyes attached to the screen. A strand of hair fell over her face, and, almost absentmindedly, she tucked it behind her ear, sparing a brief glance at her watch.

Stepping from the shadows, he continued to watch her. On the far side of the room, in the corner of the blue-painted living room, there was a mirror capturing his ever-fading existence. The more the Blood Hunger rose, the less reflective the image one had. A perk of hunting and also a warning to the Vampyre. It meant there was a risk of succumbing to the Hunger.

His tongue ran over his lips as he tasted the air and dug his fangs into her meaty flesh. She tried to fight him off, tried to scream, her arms trying to push him off, her legs kicking the air, knocking back her coffee table, sending candles and incense flying. All her efforts were in vain.

The red liquid that ran down her neck and his chin was tangy and sweet. The Rueberry aftertaste in it warmed his own blood. Eris loved it.

Staring at her body, Eris served himself a glass of Rueberry and drank it. Back across the room, he saw his reflection. It was whole again and captured the blood on his chin and limp, pale hand that hung over the sofa.