Mercia was silent for several steps as he considered his sister's words. Tragedy.
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"But who could possibly cause us harm. You've seen what has befallen those who have attempted or even considered attempting it. I will try to contact father, though. I'll send a few messenger bats to find him," he decided.
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"See if he'll take my help."
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He smiled at Nadia, though the expression didn't touch his eyes.
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Would that make you feel better?"
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The sudden sound of foot steps behind them caused him to fall silent if he would have said more on the matter. He would not have bothered glancing back over his shoulder if he had not sensed the rapidly gaining presence was that of?another vampire. Not the one who had sat with his sister in the tavern either.
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The man came up fast on Nadia's other side before Mercia could turn his head, though, saving him the trouble. The vampire was one Mercia had never seen before. Of that he was certain. A short stocky bull of a man with unrefined features, too much hair and? a heavy flaring cloak that draped and surrounded his form like batwings. Awful fashion sense, he thought with an inner cringe, not in the mood to be friendly or particularly social with a likely mad vampire.
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The vampire gave a tight smile and thrust? a black rose into Nadia's hand.
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"I do wonder....when your parents are gone, will you reign over the Tepes vampire empire or will your brother kill you for it...or....or perhaps break you, and leave you in the family dungeon...You shall likely bloom nicely in the dark. your beauty unfading like a black night orchid. The rose is the first flower in a series of mourning that you should carry for your many losses to come."
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Already incensed by the suggestion that he would harm Nadia, Mercia had had enough. Lunging for the vampire with a growl of fury he found himself flying back too his own shock. He had neither seen or felt the fist that struck him in the gut faster than fast, knocking him back onto the cobblestones. In less than an instant, he had been in mid lunge, then he was flat on his back and his attacker gone without a trace save for the black rose he had left in his wake.
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"Drop that it could be poison," he snapped even before bothering to rise.
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The flower was likely a symbol rather than a direct attack on his sister, but she was the eldest, and perhaps some vampire in power would wish to frame Mercia for his sister's demise.
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****
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Several streets away in a matter of seconds, Sariel paused under the eaves of a manor to enjoy the surge of elation that was rushing through him. The blood and power of all those old ones he had killed sang through him more sweetly than any adrenaline rush?could. It had served him well thus far.?He had been faster than one of the most powerful vampires at least for a moment! Not enough long term, but if he kept hitting fast, weakening them with paranoia and fear, whittling down at them, with patients and caution and the proper placement of skills and retreats, he just may have a chance at full revenge.
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He had struck at Katarina and 2 of her children in less than 24 hours! That felt amazing. Only the look of hurt in HER eyes had shaken him and still stuck in his mind a little, serving to dampen his joy in fleeting instances, but in time she would know and understand.
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OOC, That was completely unplanned/my favorite/your post inspired.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
Kat