Asiona barely held back tears as the woman jabbed her with her sharp words. How could anyone be so mean? She was no longer puffed up and her eyes were on the floor. She just wanted Lateus to hurry up and find the clothes so they could leave. Despite how rude the guardswoman was she had no desire to leave anyone naked and lonely in the city after last night. And she was just repaying a favor.
After the woman was finally done Asiona said, "They surprised me." She felt her face turn red when her voice wavered. She hadn't wanted to show any of her emotion but was failing miserably. Now it was best not to say more lest it got worse.
Lateus then was back and in his arms he had bigger clothing. Relief at seeing Lateus, despite how rugged he looked at the moment, made her break out into a small smile. She quickly got up and went past him out of the shed and looked back inside. The demon threw in the clothes and Asiona fixed her with a glare. "Well, now you don't have to deal with me anymore. Bitch!"
With that she ran off, Lateus staring at [Aeryn] some more until his master called and then he was gone, too. After they reached the house a tear slipped down Asiona's cheek which she quickly wiped away. Lateus watched her and was about to speak when both of them side by side walked from around the abandoned house. A group of people were walking down the street, looking around. Now she heard their calls, "Asiona! Asiona!"
"Oh shoot!" she hissed and grabbed Lateus. They ran back around the house and she paused against the wall in panic. "My dad must have sent people around to look for me. Gosh, they must be worried sick... But they can't catch me with you. And they can't catch me here, or how will I explain what happened??" Now she was panicking and Lateus didn't know what to do.
"Okay, we'll hide! Find a place to hide!" she ordered, casting her glance around wildly.
"There's a window right there," he said and pointed at it. Not far over their heads was a window going into the abandoned house. Lateus hoisted her up and she tried her best to open it, but it seemed to be locked on the inside. "Hurry!" Lateus whispered when the people's voices got closer.
"It's stuck! Find somewhere else!"
Immediately Lateus, still holding Asiona up by the legs so that she could reach the window, ran back to the shed. "Not there!" she tried to plea, but they were already there. He put her down and they both hid inside and shut the door. They panted for a moment before Asiona squeaked, "We'll be going... in a moment..."
The worried cries of "Asiona!" still reached through the cheap wood of the old shed.
Returning home from watch
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Aeryn Cooper
- Outsider
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:30 pm
Aeryn rolled her eyes at Asiona’s feeble excuse, but before she could make another cutting remark Lateus returned with clothing. When the younger woman hurled an insult at her then ran off, she made a rude hand gesture at the girl’s retreating back, then looked at the clothing that had been thrown at her. It seemed that the demon had over compensated for his previous mistake, as it seemed that the garments she had been given had been made for a large man.
Groaning, the guardswoman picked up the shirt and pulled it over her head, making faces as sore muscles protested. The garment covered her almost to her knees and the sleeves hung over her hands, making her feel rather like a child playing dress-up with her parents’ clothing. Reaching under the shirt, she unbuckled her sword belt and set it aside, leaning her sheathed weapon against one of the shed walls.
Thankfully, the demon had brought some pants as well, but like the shirt, they were hopelessly too large. Stepping into them, Aeryn pulled them up and discovered that if she were to let go, the waistband would be around her ankles once again. Grumbling curses about useless familiars, she grabbed her sword belt and awkwardly buckled it around her waist with one hand as she held the trousers up with the other. Once she was confident that her lower half would remain covered, she rolled up the sleeves of her stolen shirt and tried to fix her rumpled hair. However, as it was soaked in sweat and blood, she soon gave up on making it look presentable.
All and all, the guardswoman was sure she made quite a sight. Her baggy shirt was untucked, hanging almost to her knees on one side and held up on the other by her sword hilt, her pants were about to fall down, and she wasn’t wearing any shoes. However, her silent bemoaning of her appearance was cut short by Asiona and Lateus’s sudden return, which was accompanied by the sound of people calling the younger woman’s name. Although she wasn’t sure of exactly what was going on, she knew she did not want to be found in a shed looking rather disheveled without some sort of an explanation.
“Alright, witch, this is what happened last night,” Aeryn said, her voice an irritated growl. “You were attacked by muggers, and I tried to help you, but I took a blow to the head with a- uh- shovel. I managed to get rid of the muggers anyway, but I passed out. You, being the helpful, law-abiding citizen you are,” sarcasm practically dripped from her words as she spoke, “You dragged me to this shed, tended to my wound, and stayed with me all night to make sure I was alright. Got it?”
While she spoke, the guard ripped off one of the sleeves, then tore it into long strips. Unsheathing her sword, she cut a shallow gash into her left hand and smeared blood on the cloth. Returning her sword to its scabbard, she used a piece of one of the strips to bind the cut on her hand, then tied the rest around her head, angling them so they covered the blood-soaked part of her hair. With that, she sat down on the floor, preparing to act as though she had just woken up from unconsciousness.
Groaning, the guardswoman picked up the shirt and pulled it over her head, making faces as sore muscles protested. The garment covered her almost to her knees and the sleeves hung over her hands, making her feel rather like a child playing dress-up with her parents’ clothing. Reaching under the shirt, she unbuckled her sword belt and set it aside, leaning her sheathed weapon against one of the shed walls.
Thankfully, the demon had brought some pants as well, but like the shirt, they were hopelessly too large. Stepping into them, Aeryn pulled them up and discovered that if she were to let go, the waistband would be around her ankles once again. Grumbling curses about useless familiars, she grabbed her sword belt and awkwardly buckled it around her waist with one hand as she held the trousers up with the other. Once she was confident that her lower half would remain covered, she rolled up the sleeves of her stolen shirt and tried to fix her rumpled hair. However, as it was soaked in sweat and blood, she soon gave up on making it look presentable.
All and all, the guardswoman was sure she made quite a sight. Her baggy shirt was untucked, hanging almost to her knees on one side and held up on the other by her sword hilt, her pants were about to fall down, and she wasn’t wearing any shoes. However, her silent bemoaning of her appearance was cut short by Asiona and Lateus’s sudden return, which was accompanied by the sound of people calling the younger woman’s name. Although she wasn’t sure of exactly what was going on, she knew she did not want to be found in a shed looking rather disheveled without some sort of an explanation.
“Alright, witch, this is what happened last night,” Aeryn said, her voice an irritated growl. “You were attacked by muggers, and I tried to help you, but I took a blow to the head with a- uh- shovel. I managed to get rid of the muggers anyway, but I passed out. You, being the helpful, law-abiding citizen you are,” sarcasm practically dripped from her words as she spoke, “You dragged me to this shed, tended to my wound, and stayed with me all night to make sure I was alright. Got it?”
While she spoke, the guard ripped off one of the sleeves, then tore it into long strips. Unsheathing her sword, she cut a shallow gash into her left hand and smeared blood on the cloth. Returning her sword to its scabbard, she used a piece of one of the strips to bind the cut on her hand, then tied the rest around her head, angling them so they covered the blood-soaked part of her hair. With that, she sat down on the floor, preparing to act as though she had just woken up from unconsciousness.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Asiona blinked in surprise as [Aeryn] laid out the plan. She had thought the woman would blow her cover just for spite. This was good! Asiona could only nod, speechless, as the guardswoman got her costume ready, cutting her arm and everything. She had to snap her jaw shut by the end; it was very convincing. The woman looked a mess. Now everything was ready except for Lateus, who was so obviously not quite human.
"Lateus! Hide!" she hissed. Immediately Lateus faded from sight as he stood up against the wall. At the same time Asiona felt like something got wrenched out of her chest, and it was so sudden and so fast she collapsed onto the wall and slid down, hardly noticing the splinters that entered her bare arms. On the floor she felt a little better and put a hand on her forehead, wondering how she hadn't noticed how tired she was.
At that moment someone peeked into the shed and saw Asiona slumped on the floor across from the bandaged guard. "I found her!" he shouted and waved his arms at the others. A group of people were soon packing into the front of the shed near Asiona and helping her up. Her father pushed through and immediately strangled her in a big hug. "I'm so glad you're alright! You were gone all night, what happened?"
He checked her over as she stuttered in response, "I got mugged, but she saved me and got hurt..." She pointed at [Aeryn] and her father's attention finally went to the only other apparent person involved in this.
"Get her some help, a healer! Who's a healer? Help this woman," he said, his voice powered with a modicum of authority. As a merchant he did have to order his employees around and in order to deal with other merchants he had to be assertive and ambitious. Which he was, very much so.
He unhooked his money purse and stepped away from Asiona and in front of [Aeryn]. "What's your name, my good woman?" He dumped some bishani out of the pouch and seemed to count as he waited for an answer. It really wasn't important that the guardswoman seemed injured and may not be able to respond, from his point of view at least.
"Lateus! Hide!" she hissed. Immediately Lateus faded from sight as he stood up against the wall. At the same time Asiona felt like something got wrenched out of her chest, and it was so sudden and so fast she collapsed onto the wall and slid down, hardly noticing the splinters that entered her bare arms. On the floor she felt a little better and put a hand on her forehead, wondering how she hadn't noticed how tired she was.
At that moment someone peeked into the shed and saw Asiona slumped on the floor across from the bandaged guard. "I found her!" he shouted and waved his arms at the others. A group of people were soon packing into the front of the shed near Asiona and helping her up. Her father pushed through and immediately strangled her in a big hug. "I'm so glad you're alright! You were gone all night, what happened?"
He checked her over as she stuttered in response, "I got mugged, but she saved me and got hurt..." She pointed at [Aeryn] and her father's attention finally went to the only other apparent person involved in this.
"Get her some help, a healer! Who's a healer? Help this woman," he said, his voice powered with a modicum of authority. As a merchant he did have to order his employees around and in order to deal with other merchants he had to be assertive and ambitious. Which he was, very much so.
He unhooked his money purse and stepped away from Asiona and in front of [Aeryn]. "What's your name, my good woman?" He dumped some bishani out of the pouch and seemed to count as he waited for an answer. It really wasn't important that the guardswoman seemed injured and may not be able to respond, from his point of view at least.
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Aeryn Cooper
- Outsider
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:30 pm
Aeryn raised an eyebrow as Lateus disappeared and Asiona collapsed, seemingly simultaneously, but before she could contemplate the occurrence people began to enter the shed. Allowing her jaw to hang open slightly, the guard glanced around slowly as though moving her head was painful and blinked blearily. However, as she concentrated on looking dazed, she was inwardly disgusted by the lack of organization.
The guardswoman looked up when the man, who seemed to be close to Asiona, addressed her. She allowed her head to rest against her shoulder as she leaned it back against the wooden shed wall. After staring at the man for a moment with her brow furrowed as if she were trying to comprehend the question, she made her eyes go wide, seemingly in realization of what he wanted. “Aer’n,” she replied, allowing the two syllables of her name to run together. Normally she would never introduce herself with her first name, but she wasn’t supposed to be acting normally.
Aeryn made a move as though she was going to try to stand up, then groaned and held her head. “My ‘ead ‘urts,” she moaned piteously. She almost grimaced at how pathetic she sounded, but kept her face fixed in its dazed, pained expression.
The guardswoman looked up when the man, who seemed to be close to Asiona, addressed her. She allowed her head to rest against her shoulder as she leaned it back against the wooden shed wall. After staring at the man for a moment with her brow furrowed as if she were trying to comprehend the question, she made her eyes go wide, seemingly in realization of what he wanted. “Aer’n,” she replied, allowing the two syllables of her name to run together. Normally she would never introduce herself with her first name, but she wasn’t supposed to be acting normally.
Aeryn made a move as though she was going to try to stand up, then groaned and held her head. “My ‘ead ‘urts,” she moaned piteously. She almost grimaced at how pathetic she sounded, but kept her face fixed in its dazed, pained expression.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Asiona's father, still carefully counting out bishani, nodded slowly and said, "Mm-hm..." to Aeryn's reply. Asiona stood wearily beside him and watched Aeryn's great acting ability. It was working so far, and soon this whole thing would be resolved and she could get away from the mean werewolf-guardswoman and get some sleep.
"Dah-ddy, I'm tired. Let's go home," she whined, using the little girl voice she used with her father when she wanted something.
"Yes, go on ahead....Paul... or, you," he said, pointing at the nearest person. "Tell the others that we've found her. And Paul--Where's Paul?--Ah, Paul, lead her back home, will you? And then contact the authorities." Then he turned to his daughter. "From now on you're going to get an escort. I'll hire one if I have to. No more visiting around like you've been doing lately, it's dangerous."
When Asiona opened her mouth to protest, he turned away and said, "Not now, Asiona. You've also been skipping school--that has to stop. Now, I'll see you back home."
Asiona only pouted a little bit; she was too tired to argue, and just wanted to go home. "Thank you, Aeryn," she mumbled again and walked away with Paul. The other people all dispersed to do something or other.
Meanwhile Asiona's father finished counting and, seeing that Aeryn wasn't in best condition, put 1,000 bishani in his money purse and dropped it beside her. "Thank you for your services, and don't get mugged of that reward money, now," he said, chuckling a little bit to himself. The other coins he put in his back pocket and walked out of the shed.
It was silent for a moment before Lateus appeared as if just coming into existence. He crouched beside Aeryn and stared at the bloody rags. He wished she really had been that badly hurt; he could have fed off her, then. To cast a spell to do that with her state now, however, would be a bit of a stretch at the moment. Instead he stared hopefully at the rag, wondering if she would take if off and give it to him. Just for a taste...
"Dah-ddy, I'm tired. Let's go home," she whined, using the little girl voice she used with her father when she wanted something.
"Yes, go on ahead....Paul... or, you," he said, pointing at the nearest person. "Tell the others that we've found her. And Paul--Where's Paul?--Ah, Paul, lead her back home, will you? And then contact the authorities." Then he turned to his daughter. "From now on you're going to get an escort. I'll hire one if I have to. No more visiting around like you've been doing lately, it's dangerous."
When Asiona opened her mouth to protest, he turned away and said, "Not now, Asiona. You've also been skipping school--that has to stop. Now, I'll see you back home."
Asiona only pouted a little bit; she was too tired to argue, and just wanted to go home. "Thank you, Aeryn," she mumbled again and walked away with Paul. The other people all dispersed to do something or other.
Meanwhile Asiona's father finished counting and, seeing that Aeryn wasn't in best condition, put 1,000 bishani in his money purse and dropped it beside her. "Thank you for your services, and don't get mugged of that reward money, now," he said, chuckling a little bit to himself. The other coins he put in his back pocket and walked out of the shed.
It was silent for a moment before Lateus appeared as if just coming into existence. He crouched beside Aeryn and stared at the bloody rags. He wished she really had been that badly hurt; he could have fed off her, then. To cast a spell to do that with her state now, however, would be a bit of a stretch at the moment. Instead he stared hopefully at the rag, wondering if she would take if off and give it to him. Just for a taste...
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Aeryn Cooper
- Outsider
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:30 pm
Aeryn allowed her gaze to roll sluggishly down to the purse the man dropped beside her, then looked back up at him. Nodding clumsily, she forced a woozy smile onto her face at the man’s joke, as though she had found it amusing in her unsteady state, when in reality she wanted to roll her eyes and make a sharp remark.
When everyone left the shed, she immediately dropped her act, sitting up from her slumped position against the wall. The wood had been uncomfortable against her back, and she never slouched, as her armor made it nearly impossible. Closing her eyes, she laced her fingers together and lifted them above her head, stretching her back and making soft noises of pleasure as she felt stiff muscles loosen.
Opening her eyes, the guard jerked back with a yelp when she realized how close Lateus was to her. She was about to strike him when she realized that he was not staring at her body, like before, but almost at her face. Reaching up, her hands brushed the fabric of her makeshift ‘bandage’. Realizing what the strange creature was staring at, she scowled. “You’re disgusting,” she said as she pulled the bandage off.
Aeryn was about to throw the soiled cloth away, when an idea struck her. Leaning close to Lateus, despite his smell, she held the bloody fabric close to his face. “Do you want this?” she asked, her rough, boyish voice unusually smooth. “My blood might turn you into something like me, you know.” The guard was unsure as to whether that was true or not, but it seemed reasonable. However, if Lateus said yes, she had something that she wanted in return.
When everyone left the shed, she immediately dropped her act, sitting up from her slumped position against the wall. The wood had been uncomfortable against her back, and she never slouched, as her armor made it nearly impossible. Closing her eyes, she laced her fingers together and lifted them above her head, stretching her back and making soft noises of pleasure as she felt stiff muscles loosen.
Opening her eyes, the guard jerked back with a yelp when she realized how close Lateus was to her. She was about to strike him when she realized that he was not staring at her body, like before, but almost at her face. Reaching up, her hands brushed the fabric of her makeshift ‘bandage’. Realizing what the strange creature was staring at, she scowled. “You’re disgusting,” she said as she pulled the bandage off.
Aeryn was about to throw the soiled cloth away, when an idea struck her. Leaning close to Lateus, despite his smell, she held the bloody fabric close to his face. “Do you want this?” she asked, her rough, boyish voice unusually smooth. “My blood might turn you into something like me, you know.” The guard was unsure as to whether that was true or not, but it seemed reasonable. However, if Lateus said yes, she had something that she wanted in return.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
"Yes," he replied immediately as she offered it to him. He didn't care if it affected him; it smelled good. Carefully he grabbed the bandage with his fingertips and tugged weakly. The last time he had taken something from Asiona he had gotten a sharp rebuke, and that was the last thing he wanted from the harsh guardswoman.
He finally looked away from the treasure to see Aeryn's face, see if she would let go and let him have it. The demon was very hungry and it showed in his drawn face. He needed something soon, especially with Asiona as tired as she was. He wouldn't be surprised if she had collaspsed in Peter's arms by this point.
He finally looked away from the treasure to see Aeryn's face, see if she would let go and let him have it. The demon was very hungry and it showed in his drawn face. He needed something soon, especially with Asiona as tired as she was. He wouldn't be surprised if she had collaspsed in Peter's arms by this point.
Last edited by Asiona & Lateus on Tue May 01, 2007 2:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Aeryn Cooper
- Outsider
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:30 pm
Aeryn kept hold of the rag when Lateus tugged on it, but didn't pull it away. "I'll give it to you, but you have to do something for me, so we're square," she said. "When you disappeared, Asiona collapsed, so I'm guessing your powers are tied to hers, right? If I give you this bandage, you have to keep her power drained so she can't cause any mischief that I'll have to deal with. Understand?"
The guard did not want Asiona in trouble with the law, but not for the younger woman's sake. She knew that illegal mages often gave up the names of others while being questioned, and she did not want to be revealed as a werewolf. If Asiona was too weak to work any witchcraft, she would not be arrested, and Aeryn's secret would be safe.
"So, do we have a deal?" the guard asked, slowly relaxing her grip on the bandage.
The guard did not want Asiona in trouble with the law, but not for the younger woman's sake. She knew that illegal mages often gave up the names of others while being questioned, and she did not want to be revealed as a werewolf. If Asiona was too weak to work any witchcraft, she would not be arrested, and Aeryn's secret would be safe.
"So, do we have a deal?" the guard asked, slowly relaxing her grip on the bandage.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
"I'll give it to you, but you have to do something for me, so we're square. When you disappeared, Asiona collapsed, so I'm guessing your powers are tied to hers, right? If I give you this bandage, you have to keep her power drained so she can't cause any mischief that I'll have to deal with. Understand?"
Lateus thought a moment, trying to decipher what she meant. We're square? What was 'square'? And the rest of it was just confusing... He guessed she meant that Lateus was a part of Asiona, which was true, but that was all he really got. It was a bit too embarrassing to admit that he didn't understand, but he figured that the deal was something easy he could do.
His head nodded uncertainly when she asked, "So, do we have a deal?" Her grip relaxed enough that he yanked it away from her. In case she revoked the deal the demon quickly fell back and scooted to the wall with his prize in hand.
Sitting against the rough wood, he put the bloody part of the bandage in his mouth and sucked on it. It was only just starting to dry and came off easily enough with his spit. It wasn't very much, but the life still filled the expelled fluid. He watched Aeryn while he sucked on it, holding it to his mouth with his clawed fingers. He was thinking about how satisfying it would be to get more of the wonderful life lurking in her veins. Or at least just to absorb it as she lay dying and sick... The fantasy was delightful enough that he smiled with the bandage in his mouth, a vestige of emotion he learned from Asiona.
Lateus thought a moment, trying to decipher what she meant. We're square? What was 'square'? And the rest of it was just confusing... He guessed she meant that Lateus was a part of Asiona, which was true, but that was all he really got. It was a bit too embarrassing to admit that he didn't understand, but he figured that the deal was something easy he could do.
His head nodded uncertainly when she asked, "So, do we have a deal?" Her grip relaxed enough that he yanked it away from her. In case she revoked the deal the demon quickly fell back and scooted to the wall with his prize in hand.
Sitting against the rough wood, he put the bloody part of the bandage in his mouth and sucked on it. It was only just starting to dry and came off easily enough with his spit. It wasn't very much, but the life still filled the expelled fluid. He watched Aeryn while he sucked on it, holding it to his mouth with his clawed fingers. He was thinking about how satisfying it would be to get more of the wonderful life lurking in her veins. Or at least just to absorb it as she lay dying and sick... The fantasy was delightful enough that he smiled with the bandage in his mouth, a vestige of emotion he learned from Asiona.
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Aeryn Cooper
- Outsider
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:30 pm
Aeryn watched as Lateus sucked on the bloody bandage, unable to keep an expression of disgust from her face. Part of her wanted to kill the demon while he was distracted, but it was obvious that the monster had some sort of powers and she was no battlemage. It seemed that she would have to let the creature live, for now, in any case.
The guard became aware of the demon’s stare and, unnerved by the expression she found there, she turned to leave. “Remember our deal, monster,” she said as she walked out of the shed. She had to go on duty in about an hour, so she needed to go and clean up. Blinking in the bright sunlight, she walked home.
The guard became aware of the demon’s stare and, unnerved by the expression she found there, she turned to leave. “Remember our deal, monster,” she said as she walked out of the shed. She had to go on duty in about an hour, so she needed to go and clean up. Blinking in the bright sunlight, she walked home.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
It was suddenly quiet and lonely. With Aeryn gone there were no major lifeforces close by.
Lateus finished sucking out all the blood he could from the bandage and discarded it on the floor. He sat for a moment, very still, eyes distant. He couldn't sense Asiona's awareness and presence. She was probably asleep and couldn't sense him, either.
Very serious, he thought over his options. It was his responsiblity to get to the tower but without invisibility it would be a challenge to get there without problems. Anyway, going back to his prison, that tower in the historic district, was so unpleasant that it wasn't even an option. Instead...
It was time to feed.
He bared his sharp teeth like a vicious animal and moved to the door. He peeked out and there was no one there. Still with the snarl on his face he was on the hunt.
Lateus finished sucking out all the blood he could from the bandage and discarded it on the floor. He sat for a moment, very still, eyes distant. He couldn't sense Asiona's awareness and presence. She was probably asleep and couldn't sense him, either.
Very serious, he thought over his options. It was his responsiblity to get to the tower but without invisibility it would be a challenge to get there without problems. Anyway, going back to his prison, that tower in the historic district, was so unpleasant that it wasn't even an option. Instead...
It was time to feed.
He bared his sharp teeth like a vicious animal and moved to the door. He peeked out and there was no one there. Still with the snarl on his face he was on the hunt.