Page 6 of Mad Hatter Vampire Prince

“Yes, a game. It’s rather simple. No one is allowed to leave this rooftop building. You will fight one another until only one remains. That vampire will be rewarded by me personally.”

I felt Sasha slowly prowl underneath. She was anticipating the attack that would never come. Not tonight anyways. I was right to believe that fun would follow her. I didn’t recognize any of these brats. None of them worked within the castle which meant someone inside had orchestrated this little band and objective. And someone besides my brother giving out orders would not do.

“You want us to kill each other?” One of the taller men said. His fangs indicated he was no more than fifty years old. They were babies. My, how messy this fighting would be. Unskilled and desperate. My favorite.

“Yes, well it’s rather simple if even the brawn of the group understood. So, without further ado…” I flashed through them with lightning speed and rested against the chimney so I could comfortably lean and cross my legs. “On the count of three, begin.” I offered an enthusiastic smile. They looked at one another, uncertain. Their independent nature would kick in. Fight or flight. My favorite. “Three, two, one, go!” I said fast.

Without hesitation all of them dove into the center. At the click of my fingers they fought one another. There was no choice and no place for them to run. I could torture and kill them all myself in seconds if I wanted to. This was their only chance of survival and that’s why they fought. Such weak little monsters.

Blood splattered this way and that for minutes until the job was done. I was impressed by some of the maneuvers. Others were clumsy mistakes that cost them their lives. Six carcasses rotted on the rooftop, the wind picking up the stench and throwing it towards the city. The victor was the woman with black short hair. I clapped in theatrical approval. Not bad for a youngster.

“Now, who sent you?” I asked, no longer leaning against the chimney. She looked down at her previous comrades before that selfish glaze washed over her face. She didn’t care about the loss. We were accustomed to faking human presence and emotion.

“Only Petar received the location. We were told by him that we’d get a chance to work within the castle walls,” she admitted. She wasn’t lying. I had a keen sense for when I was being lied to.

“Who is Petar?” I asked. She pointed to the closest carcass near me. Ah, the tall brawny one. “I probably should’ve asked that question as a group first.” I took mental note of the mistake. I looked down into the pool area. It would’ve been so much more convenient if Sasha were in there bathing. Instead of a green pool I envisioned a hot tub. At least we could’ve watched this grand spree of murder happen together. “Well, girl, or whatever your name is, your reward is that you can now break in through this window,” I pointed to the glass window that I was standing on. Precisely the spot that I sensed Sasha standing beneath. “And have at it with the human. That way you will still get the reward, right?”

Her eyebrows furrowed. “But you said she was yours?” She said confused.

“Well yes, and she is. But it’ll be fun for me to watch. So, don’t do it yet. Wait until I’m standing back over there,” I pointed to the cross that I had perched next to above the church previously. “And when I give you the thumbs up you can jump in, so I can watch.” I gave her a smile and without further conversation leapt over the distance. I wanted to see this play out from the side. I lightly touched down in my previous spot and waited with glee. I took a step to the left and then a step to the right, trying to achieve the best angle where I could see all the fighting.

I angled my fingers to create a frame and drifted it back and forth. Yes, I think this spot is best. Smash. Before I could even give the vampire thumbs up to jump in, Sasha broke through the glass from the pool room and ended her within seconds. I dropped my finger frame utterly guttered. There wasn’t even a real fight.

She looked at the massacre of decaying bodies on the roof and then looked in my direction–directly at me. Caught in the act I simply waved with a heartfelt warm smile. She pulled out a gun and shot an arrow towards me. I grabbed it before it hit its target, my heart. I began to laugh, cackling in delight. Oh, my she was a fiery one.

I wavered the arrow in her direction. “Alright, Sasha Darling, I’ll see you tomorrow then!” And as giddy as a teenage boy I jumped off the roof and onto the next, skipping my way back home. I doubted that anyone else would attack her tonight. Her apartment building would now reek of me and eight dead vampires. A message that no one was to attempt to touch what I had already declared as mine.

As I sped on the rooftops and back home, I looked down at the arrow that was meant for my heart. I charmed a wicked smile. I think she likes me.

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