Ruby in the Shadows

Part One

KINGDOM OF WESSEX AND ALL ENGLAND
Anno Domini 979

If I'd have known beforehand what a mess I'd cause by being there, maybe I wouldn't have stopped. Then again, me being me and all, maybe I still would've. I ain't one to be bothered by the little things in life, not when I'm one of the only ones around here who can actually see the big picture.

There ain't a lot to say about how it all started, I'm afraid. Basically, I was hungry; not in the way you're probably thinking, though. See you, I'm not your average person, not by far. So it wasn't exactly human food I was lookin' for that night. It was more along the lines of humans themselves.

Now, before you go off all crazy on me, I'm not some twisted human with cannibalistic tendencies, or anythin'. Anything that outright would have got me hanged in three days, 'specially seein' how's I'm not exactly the best liar around. No, my diet consisted mainly of a rather thick liquid, and the type of which I was needing could only be found in humans.

I had managed to do without it for quite a bit; it wouldn't do to go on a killing spree every couple a days or so, so I'd worked on it so's I could go for months, even years without. And I had done just that, too, so that by the time I found myself in this particular village, I was just about at the end of my rope. I knew I had to find someone, and quick, otherwise I'd be weak as a kitten, and I always needed strength to get a quick meal, see you.

But I'd had my pick between this town and the next, and had picked this one just because it was nearer. I hadn't expected to find, however, that trying to get a quick meal without getting caught before I could make my exit, stage left, would be the least of my troubles in that town.

Me, I'm Rei ap Enna, Zero for short. During the daylight hours, I do a little buying and selling, though you wouldn't think to look at me. It's the one thing I do for the fun of it, without a higher purpose in mind. Selling saints, that is. Their parts, too, since whole bodies are rare these days- St. Peter's hand, say, or St. John's foot.

During the night, I basically just travel from place to place. See you, I'm what these English folks'd call an elf, just 'cause that's what they call all the things, nasty or not, that roam the night, but you'd probably know my kind best as vampyres. That's why the 'selling saints' job was so great; nobody'd ever expect someone who could openly touch something supposedly 'holy' of being the least bit 'evil.' So it was a living, of sorts.

The tavern I picked to set up in was the Green Shoe; named after some old legend or another immortalized in song around here. The rather dimly lit place was relatively crowded when I arrived, so no one worth mentioning noticed me slip through the door. The air was thick with coarse smoke and the bawling sound of laughter, but I'd seen it all before and was immune to it, and didn't even flinch an eye when some rather large, overly drunk guy stumbled past me, singing the chorus of some song horribly off-key.

One person it particular caught my eye as I slid gracefully into a seat at one of the open tables, and I turned ever-so-slightly, just so much that I could keep my gaze inconspicuously on him. The human was relatively short- about my height, actually- and he had the strangest shade of silver-white hair, along with piercing ruby eyes that just added to the fact that he seemed to be glowering at everyone around him. But his looks weren't the only things that caught my attention, see you. He also had that certain look about him and in his aura that practically screamed his blood would be sweeter than honey, and I'd never doubted my instincts before. This little venture was turning out easier than planned, it seemed.

Now, how to get him alone? I didn't need very long, just a minute or two, and that would be it; the boy wouldn't even be sore in the morning, and I'd have drunk my fill. What I hadn't counted on was the fact that this human was more stubborn than the rest of 'em combined.

Better to play the fool, I decided after a moment or two of watching him and his little social circle interact with each other. It would be easier that way, and no human ever suspects an idiot like me. It must be ingrained in their subconscious somewhere that ignorant people never pose considerable threats to their oh-so-precious persons.

So, per the usual routine, I paste a sloppy grin on my face and stand, making a meandering way towards his table. By the time I'm about fifteen feet away, I can hear what they were talking about, even over the loud ruckus of the tavern; ah, the joys of being non-human. Just my luck, too; they were planning to go off on some sort of venture or other- I catch the words 'bloodlust' and 'damned creatures'.

Gee, I really hope they weren't expecting me or anything; that would ruin the whole thing. But no, they aren't even looking my way with those angry expressions on their faces. Damn. I was hoping I might have had a little fun, too; no matter that it probably would have totally and utterly destroyed any chances I might have had at getting a quick bite- pun intended.

As luck would have it, there's an empty seat next to Mr. Wonderful- no, make that two; one on either side. Bad aura, perhaps? No matter; I slip in next to him, giving him my best 'idiot drunk out of his mind' grin and scooting just that tiny bit into his personal space. The look he sent me could have killed something, it was that intense. Didn't like that; no, he didn't like at all. His wine-colored gaze could have daunted any lesser creature, but I was a bit different than the idiots he was used to dealing with.

"Hey there, beautiful," I purr, giving him my best impression of a Sexy Look. I wonder if he's ever been hit on before; when I didn't immediately leave after his Death Glare, he began giving off just the tiniest scent of nervousness. "How's about I buy you a drink and we two get better acquainted, hm?" I made sure to slur my words just a bit, so's to not make him suspicious; who knew how touchy he was about details?

I get another Death Glare, this time courtesy of one of his friends; some guy with messy green hair and the same color eyes. "We were talking here, buddy!" he exclaims, and I wave an easy hand at him, slipping an arm into the crook of the silver-haired youth's own as I scoot just a bit closer.

"Go on and talk, I won't bother you." I send my newest target a promising smirk; he doesn't even twitch, just continues to glare. Erg... Not my type, definitely not my type. Too quiet. As a rule, I don't like quiet people; they annoy me. But he'll do for just a quick meal. I scoot a bit closer.

He's practically growling at me now; good, he has at least some emotions, then. Strange how I can't seem to smell them, though; he must have a pretty tight reign on his feelings. It'll make for a less interesting time, however; high emotion always make the blood that much sweeter.

"Who are you?" Green-Hair demands, and I smirk and stand, releasing my hold on the boy for a moment, and present them all a sweeping bow- almost, but not quite, mocking; wouldn't want to get them all riled up just yet, would I? I grin at them as I straighten.

"Rei ap Enna, at your service; professional relicmonger and part-time bounty hunter." That last part wasn't true, but, with my skills, I could easily become one for a while if joining this little group came out to require it. "I understand you guys are going on an adventure of a sorts, and came to offer my various services." I get a few curious glances for that; I do, after all, look a bit young for my kind of work. Idiocy and youth always seem to work best in my favor, though.

"You're a relic thief?" Green-Hair snorts, "I should have known. You're all idiots just looking for a quick scam, the lot of ya."

"Ah!" I exclaim, sliding back in next to Stoic over here. I have them, I can tell already. "But I- I am much more than just an idiot. I… am an idiot with some measure of skills, however minimal." I raise a suggestive eyebrow at this, and catch sound of a small laugh from one of the others at the table- tall, blonde, and blue-eyed, sitting next to Green-Hair. His longish hair frames and yet hides his face; quite intriguing, really, but I have other humans to seduce.

Speaking of which… I grin suggestively and run teasing fingers down my impending victim's bare upper arm; not surprisingly, he shivers a bit and jerks back. The touch of one of my kind can freeze, or it can burn- in an entirely different, much more delightful way. It all depends on what mood I'm in. And tonight I'm playful; it's been awhile since I've been this close in contact with anyone.

See you, I'm not one for casual sex to accompany my meals, but this boy needs to get laid or something similar, if only to remove the stick from where it seems to permanently reside up his ass. And I'm just the one to do it.

Seems he doesn't agree with me, however; I grimace a bit as one bony elbow jabs into my side, after an unsuccessful attempt at running my hand across the back of his neck. Stubborn thing, isn't he? And that elbow hurt; it could be a lethal weapon unto itself. I don't give up though; one elbow won't keep me from something when I want it.

So intent am I on planning my next move, I don't notice he has pushed me, rather forcefully I might add, until I actually find myself sprawled somewhat ungracefully on the floor. He's glaring at me with that intense ruby gaze of his as he stands, towering over my form and practically glowing with anger- I kid you not. But perhaps it was that way because I can see these types of thing; I doubt the others even sensed it.

"Don't touch me," he hisses, and that is all. That is all, indeed. He stalks off somewhere, and I pull myself to my feet, trying to salvage what's left of my pride, and slipping back into my seat. The others are watching me now, and I don't blame them; from the angle we were at, they couldn't have realized exactly what I was doing, but they had caught on to the fact that I was invading Mr. Personality's space.

After a long moment of stunned silence stretching between us I grin and shift in my seat. "So, 's he always that friendly to newcomers? I thought I was going to get blown away by the sheer acceptance around here."

I think my general stupidity has brought me up a stage in this particular group's eyes, because Green-Hair answers quickly enough, "Hiead's cold to everyone; I'm surprised he even spared a glance at you. Usually, he just ignores people. Thinks they're a waste of his time."

Ah, so his name is Hiead. Something I have to remember, for later reference; sounds foreign. "Hiead got a last name somewhere in there?"

"Gnr. Hiead Gnr." Blondie answers. "And I'm Ernest ap Cuore. Mister Enna, I'm sure we would love to have your help on this particular outing."

I grin. "Call me Zero."

-----

By the time Hiead returns from- … well, wherever he went, I'm pretty much caught up on the situation and the persons involved. See as listed:

The group consists of four people, not including myself: Ernest, Hiead, the third guy who had been off getting drinks- who I found out was a dirty-blonde guy name Rioroute-, and Green-Hair, who turned out to be named Gareas ap Elidd. These four are going off on some adventure to locate a witch who is causing considerable mischief in the town- armed with the protection of several holy items, of course. According to them, Hiead's the youngest in their group; he was only picked because he's supposed to have some ancestor or another who was successful at fending off demons and the like- 'successful' meaning he wasn't outright killed the first time around. I almost laughed out loud at that; if anything, Hiead's destructive-type aura would attract demons, not scare them away. It had attracted me, after all.

I didn't bother to let them in on that little secret; better to let them think he could fend for himself, so's I could get him alone sooner. By then I was feeling severe hunger pains, and even eyeing Gareas a bit hungrily; hey, you can't blame a guy for looking, 'specially when the main course was away at the moment.

Mm, and here he comes now. Looking as friendly as ever, I might add. He takes the seat as far away as he can get from me, next to Rioroute; I just scoot closer and grin slyly up at that shuttered face, noticing that he's trying once again to ignore me. Oh, I see. Up for a game, are we?

Look at me…

"So, Hiead… how's business coming along, hm?"

He glares at me then. "Idiot."

"You know it," I purr, brushing fingertips across the closest patch of bare skin, which just happens to be the side of his neck. The look he gives me then is quite odd- a mixture of barely repressed fury and grudging acknowledgement and sudden realization. I must be imagining that last part; what could he possibly have to realize about me?

See me… notice me…

Hiead audibly growls this time around, surging to his feet in an instant; surprisingly, his hand circles my wrist in an iron grip, dragging me from the table and towards a darkened area of the tavern, near the back. So there'll be no witnesses when he kills me, perhaps? Not likely; I doubt the poor ignorant human could even lay a finger on me if I didn't want him to. This little scene is quite enjoyable, however.

He slams me forcefully up against the wall as soon as we're out of sight of everyone who might possibly be interested in us, and I grimace just a bit; having your skull rammed against hard stone isn't exactly enjoyable, even when you're immortal. I can smell his anxiety now; control losing its hold, Hiead dear? His eyes are glittering, molten rubies in the shadows as he brings his face closer to my own, sneering at me.

"I know who you are, Enna," he hisses vehemently, eyes full of cold fury- and something else, something I've never seen reflected in the eyes of any of my victims before. My heart speeds up just a bit at his words; could he possible actually know? "Stop trying to get into my head." He backs that statement up with another rough shake of my form, then stares at me for a moment, obviously waiting for some sort of reply or acknowledgement. I don't disappoint.

In a sudden unexpected move I grin at him, catching him off guard for a moment as I land a swift punch to his gut, causing him to let go his hold on me rather quickly. Retaliation is rather efficient with me; I don't do well as submissive in anything. He reels back a bit, still glaring; I'm beginning to think that's his answer to anything and everything intruding on his person.

"Call me Zero. And I'm not trying to get into your head, Hiead." I reply simply, turning back towards the table with the others and beginning to walk away. "You're letting me." I now believe I shouldn't have said that last part, but what happened, happened.

I don't even see the attack coming, but that's all right; I react in a fraction of an instant, even as he tackles me with a loud curse on his breath. I whirl as he lands a lucky punch on my right shoulder, sweeping his legs out from under him and tripping him up so much that he reaches out for a hold and ends up grabbing me; we both fall to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. Neither of us cares; we're too busy trying to maul each other.

Watch me…

That's it. Get angry, Hiead. Be mad at me. Let those emotions come crashing down upon you; it'll make our encounter that much sweeter. I'm grinning as I twist out of his grip and pin him to the floor in one swift movement, but the move doesn't even faze Hiead; he growls yet again, flipping me over so he's now the one pinning me, though I'm still the one grinning.

Ernest and Gareas have noticed the fight at last; out of the corner of my eye I see the both of them rushing over to us. They're afraid we'll kill each other, I can tell from the twin expressions on their faces; this revelation makes the smirk on my face widen, and I lift my head up, brushing lips against Hiead's own in a seemingly tentative caress, before I pull back just as suddenly. He jerks at that, eyes widening the slightest bit at my audacity; he's so taken aback, he actually allows Gareas to bodily remove him from me and lead him a bit away from me.

Surprised, human? You shouldn't be. I've just gotten started.

-----

The next day, the five of us meet in a nearby graveyard about an hour before sunset. That's another misconception the English have- that all creatures that like the night can't survive the daytime. Sure, bright light really isn't my thing, but I don't turn to dust the instant I step into the sun. My eyes may not appreciate it when I spend time in direct sunlight, but I can stand it; in fact, the more time I stay in sunlight, I seem to build up a stronger immunity to it so's I can stay in it longer the next time.

Hiead is here, of course. I didn't fool myself into thinking that I had scared him so badly that he would take great pains to avoid me altogether; I knew better. He isn't the type to do anything until he's absolutely sure what the outcome of his actions will be.

He *does*, however, ignore me. Very much so, in fact. It's almost like I am invisible or something, but that isn't the fact, simply because he can't have managed to stay so far away from me at all times if he's not been able to see me.

My intellect astounds me sometimes. Really, it does.

I grin at that and grip my choice of the holy relics I had brought for everyone, at Ernest's request; it is the finger bone of St. Peter. Not that I really need it's supposedly 'divine' protection from demons and night spirits; I am one of them, after all, and a member of Queen Mab's court despite the fact that I rarely participate in those political games anymore.

So here we are, five idiots in a graveyard at twilight, looking for-… looking for what, exactly? I'm not sure; how would playing 'scavenger hunt' in a place with lots of dead people help in finding a witch? I'm not sure about that, either, so I ask Ernest; I consider approaching Gareas about it, but he was a bit too hostile for my tastes, and Rioroute is just way too hyper for my tastes- he could give a guy a major headache with all those emotions he is flinging around so carelessly.

"Well, from what we can tell, the witch was last spotted in this area, around the time her last spell was cast. Basically, she is stealing away young people between the ages of thirteen and twenty-four, male and female alike, from this spot during the night of May Eve, a few each year. These people are never seen again. The reason we are looking into it on this night in particular is because the locals claim to spot her and her accompanying strange lights on this night as well, the night of November Eve, though she apparently does not take anyone then." Ernest explains calmly- almost cheerfully, considering the circumstances.

The situation sounds vaguely familiar, for some odd reason. I nod, muttering a hearty, "All right, then! We'll stop 'er!" just to give more sound evidence to my idiot-act, and stand, wandering a bit away from the rest. All except for Hiead, that is; the silver-haired human is deliberately and patiently making an inconspicuous path towards the outer reaches of the graveyard, near the back. Hm. Looks like the little human is up to something; or on to something, if he's as devoted to the task at hand as the rest of his little social circle seems to be.

The moon is beginning to rise as I follow Hiead, trying to make sure he doesn't spot me as I tail him; stupid human actually'd put himself in a position for me to be alone with him, without any goading from me at all. That means he'd probably lied when he'd told me he knew who I was last night, before we'd gotten into that fight; he wouldn't have done anything near as stupid as that if he had even half an idea of what I truly was.

My hunger is rising again; thankfully, I'd been able to make it through last night without actually jumping Hiead or anything so conspicuous, and by daylight my urges were much more subdued. I know that I can't last much longer, though; last night had been a fluke, I shouldn't have been able to last through the night the way I did. So I'm practically drooling as I watch Hiead turn down another path, cut momentarily off from my sight by a low-hanging tree. His aura is very, very intense tonight; very shadowed, and it's good potential for high emotions. I love it.

I finally spot him again, crouching behind a gathering of thick bushes, which is quite unusual this time of the year. He is watching something on the other side of 'em quite intently, those ruby eyes of his trained on some sight or another. He also hasn't noticed me yet, which I find lucky on my part. Must be a particularly interesting scene on the other side of those bushes.

I decide to take a look myself, seein' as I'm naturally curious and all, so I go up the path a ways until I can find a spot to look from. Lo and behold, there actually is something worthwhile looking into there- five moon-white, flowing forms, moving in concentric circles, accompanied by a multitude of ghost-white wraiths. The movements of the figures seem to signify something, something ritualistic in nature.

The physical forms are a group of pale-white Daoine Sidhe, by the looks of it, moving in sync with the spirits of the dead present here as well. I should have known, or at least guessed- November Eve is the night of Samhain for them; the night of the year when they'd leave their little forest hidey-holes and come to dance with the ghosts inhabiting the area. It's some sort of ritual with them; a type of which I haven't the means to understand, either the first time I'd been introduced to their kind, nearly five hundred years ago, nor now, with all the knowledge I'd gained since then. The dancing was beautiful, though; in it's own unique way.

And, from what I could recall of the rest of their peculiar rituals, they're probably also the cause of all those disappearances Ernest mentioned earlier; on the night of May Eve each year, it's rumored that the Sidhe come up from their homesteads to take brides of the human world- that particular night was called Beltane in their tongue. Mystery solved, though I wasn't about to go back and inform the others of that; I had other things to worry about.

From my vantage point, I can actually spot the glitter of Hiead's eyes from where he perches; he is somehow reminiscent of a cat at this moment, though I'm quite sure how or why. And, with him all occupied like he was, why not invite myself over to give him a little 'company', of a sorts? So, grinning like a cat myself, I crept, slowly and carefully, towards his hiding place. He didn't even notice me until I was practically on top of him.

And then, still not noticing my presence but seeming somehow determined in his own right, he made the most foolish mistake he could ever have done at this particular time and place. He stood up. Stood up high enough that anyone could have spotted him now. In front of a bunch of Sidhe.

Sidhe aren't partial to humans, not in the slightest. I react without thinking, practically launching myself at him and knocking him forcefully to the ground, me on top of him for the second time in as many days. He was becoming just a bit habit-forming. I hear him growl viciously and try to struggle upward, but I hold him down, using the considerable strength that I hadn't displayed yesterday to keep him there. Hiead glares at me with that gaze like mulled wine, and I proceed to send him a mocking grin- only to have it fade instantly as he opened his mouth to most likely yell for help. That won't do; the Sidhe are still very nearby, and I don't think they'd give punishment of a trespassing mortal a second thought, even if I argued to them about Hiead being my next meal.

See me…

There wasn't so much as a flicker of speed as a blink of unconsidered movement; one moment, I am leaning over him, eyes widening at this new ploy of his, the next, my lips are mashed against his own- it isn't so much as a kiss as a silencing technique, and it works. Boy, does it work; his breath literally stills in his throat and, as I begin moving my mouth again his in a more purposeful manner- seeing as he isn't resisting all that much-, I swear he begins to purr, though his body is still unmoving beneath mine; I am using all of my considerable talent, and even some of my inherent magic, to get him to react to me. With that pulsing vein of his so tantalizingly close to my mouth, I am suddenly too hungry to care where we are, or how foolishly dangerous taking my share of his blood here would be; vampyres aren't immune to the Sidhe laws, either, though I'd get in trouble only because they'd probably think I brought Hiead here by my own power.

Unfortunately, he doesn't quite fall under my spell the way I'd expected him to; he jerks up all of a sudden and pushes me roughly off of him, moving into a defensive crouch even as his breathing comes in pants, and his eyes flash with the visible urge to hurt me. Badly. He is more stubborn than any human I'd ever met, and trust me when I say I've encountered quite a few in my generous lifetime.

"What are you doing?" he hisses, wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand; there is disgust evident in his voice, although whether directed at himself or at me I can't readily decipher. He swallows roughly, and my gaze is drawn back to his suddenly rapidly-pulsing jugular vein. I smirk at that little discovery. More put out than you want to admit, Hiead dear?

Watch me…

"That is a group of Daoine Sidhe over there that you were just staring at. If you'd have given yourself away, you'd have been ripped to pieces soon enough." I explain as coolly as I can, even with my eyes riveted on his neck. He looks a little disturbed at finding me staring, but otherwise doesn't mention it just yet.

"That's not what I meant."

"I know."

He gives me that odd look again, the same as before- that very same mildly disturbing mixture of repressed fury and grudging acknowledgement and sudden realization. "This isn't part of what you do. Stop it." It isn't a question, or a request. Maybe he does have some limited knowledge after all; Hiead is correct, in a way.

"It's part of me; it's in my nature. Besides, you need it." It's only a half-jest on my part.

Notice me…

"I do not need anything from you, Enna." He's angry now; good. It makes this game all the more interesting, and my reward all the more sweet.

We may be whispering, but the ferocity between us is tangible; the trait is in my nature and, by the looks of it, in his as well. He thinks we're total opposites; I know we're not. We're not exactly the same either, though; if we were, he'd drive me crazy, and I him.

Hiead surprises me with his next words, when he finally figures out that I've ceded the next move of our little game to him.

"You and I-… we're the same, you and I. But we're nothing alike." He glares at me after that one cryptic remark, standing but making sure it's not high enough to be caught by the Sidhe, and heading rather contentedly back down the way he and I had come. "I'm warning you for the last time, Zero Enna: Don't mess with me."

Look at me…

Well. I grin, staring after his retreating form from where I'm still awkwardly perched on the rather hard ground. That was an interesting encounter, indeed.

And it ain't over yet.

-----

This is part one of two, and was inspired by Candidate for Goddess vampire fics I read earlier. From the ones I read, Hiead was always the vampire, so I decided to switch it just a bit. This was originally going to be a one-shot, but I have split it into two parts to add suspense… or something like that. ^.^ Please tell me what you think, as this is only my second Megami Kouhosei fic, and my first rather longish POV fic. C&C is much appreciated!

Nozomi