This one is a bit longer. I haven’t really had much that I’ve felt like saying in the last few days but hopefully I’ll have a couple of blogs to post next week. Enjoy the next piece of Melody’s origin story while you wait. Let me know what you think.
“Our powers are growing,” said the voice as Melody slipped away. “Soon you won’t need me anymore.”
She grunted, wishing suddenly that her maker was with her. At least then, if the voice did stop, she wouldn’t be quite so alone.
The sight of the stables distracted her and she jumped easily to the rooftops, her feet crunching softly in the snow as she circled, leaping from one building to the next. She found her prey sitting by a roaring fire, looking even bigger and more beastly than she remembered.
Gavin looked up as she dropped to the ground and stepped into the firelight.
“Who’re you?” he asked suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m a little lost,” she replied. “I arrived on the last ship and don’t know the town very well yet.” She gave a sheepish laugh. “I must have taken a wrong turning.”
The man’s piggish eyes glittered with barely concealed lust as he rose ponderously to his feet. “Well we wouldn’t want you to be late now would we? Got a husband at home waiting for you?”
Melody smiled sweetly and shook her head. “No. I don’t have anyone really.”
Gavin’s face twisted in what was meant to be a friendly smile. “You look cold dearie. Come into the tack room. I’ll get you a blanket and then I’ll help you find your way home.”
“You’re too kind,” Melody said, resisting the urge to tear out his throat right then and there. She followed him into the dark stable. “You seem like a good man.”
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than Gavis spun around, his meaty hands reaching for her arms. She curled her lip in anger and disgust, planting her palm in his thick chest. The blow knocked the big man to the ground and she knelt beside him, watching him gasp for breath. His face paled as Melody bared her sharp teeth. He tried to scream but the noise was cut short as her fangs sank into the soft flesh below his ear. Melody growled in annoyance as he thrashed, batting at her with his thick arms and heavy fists. After several long moments his movements slowed and she released him, tearing away part of his shirt to wipe her bloodied mouth.
“Either drain him or heal him,” said the voice. “If you leave him as he is, he will turn.”
“A dragon?” asked Melody, staring down at the gasping man.
“No,” growled the voice. “A vampire. We were… different.”
Gavin’s eyes fluttered open and he moaned miserably as Melody leaned closer, tempted by the blood seeping from his mangled neck. She growled and bit her wrist, pressing it to the man’s mouth. He gagged and writhed but she tightened her grip, watching in fascination as the bite on his neck closed and blood returned to his face.
“You will leave on the next ship,” Melody said, transfixing Gavin with her eyes. “And you will never harm another human being for as long as you live!” Her eyes narrowed. “You will not remember me.”
The man nodded stupidly and got up, tottering away past the fire and into the sleeping city.
“You should have killed him,” said a voice from the far side of the stable. “ ‘Twould make me feel better about killing you.”
Melody tensed and turned around to see a man dressed in buckskin and furs, leaning lazily on the door. He adjusted his cap, puffing contentedly on an ornate pipe, watching her with bright, blue eyes.
“I thought that this job would be fun,” He said with a sigh. “I was hoping to finally test my strength against a dragon… but I guess a vampire will have to do.”
“Vampire?” Melody asked warily, backing away.
The stranger shrugged off his coat and drew a slender sword from its scabbard. “Your maker didn’t even tell you what you are? Maybe your death will be a mercy after all.”
He bolted down the aisle, the point of his blade narrowly missing Melody’s shoulder as she ducked away. She vaulted into the nearest stall, slipping past a frantic horse to break through the wall with her shoulder. Snow sprayed from under her feet as she skidded around a corner with the stranger hot on her heels.
“Bloods and Beasts. Think they’re the strongest,” he taunted as he followed Melody to the rooftops. “The fastest. They’ve never fought a battle master….”
Melody snarled and spun on her heel, driving her fist into the man’s gut as his sword cut a deep gash above her hip. She roared in pain and caught the man by the wrist and throat, levering the blade away from her body.
“You’re stronger than I thought leech,” he panted, planting his feet on the slippery roof. “It won’t help… steel might not hurt you, but dragonbone blades will….”
His eyes widened as Melody’s eyes began to blaze and she forced his arms apart.
“I’m not a leech!” she roared, her fangs shining in the darkness. “I’m a dragon!”
The mage gasped, dropping his sword as Melody wrenched him in and closed her jaws on his neck. Her mouth still dripping, she dropped the man to the snow, kicking his blade away.
“Leave me alone!” she growled as he gasped for breath, clutching his neck. “If you’re a mage, then my bite won’t turn you, but if you come after me again it doesn’t mean I won’t try!”
“You won’t make it out of the city,” the mage rasped as she turned to leave. “Even if you are a dragon…. Better check on your friends, Ethan isn’t as merciful as I am.”
There was a loud crack as Melody punched him in the jaw, loosening his teeth and laying him out cold. She snatched up the mage’s blade and dropped to the ground, sprinting madly through the streets to the tavern. The door shattered under her hand as she opened it. Before the broken wood even touched the floor she was through the second door and inside Mary’s bedroom.
“Shh…” said a voice. “They’re still sleeping.”
Within the Endless Skies 