Vampire Gemini. Amy Blankenship

the rest to cascade down her shoulders and back in silken waves.

      She wore a short black mini skirt with trails of black lace coming down lower and covering some of her lower thighs. The shirt was matching with black satin cloth that came down just above her bellybutton but also had the same V shaped trails of black lace that moved as she walked.

      He didn’t miss a thing as his gaze caressed the small flashes of exposed skin. Her aura was the size of a hundred humans and it spread out covering most of the alley. As her aura passed mundane things, dull colors would become vibrant making even the darkness seem breathtakingly alive.

      He was so enthralled with watching the girl that he momentarily forgot she was walking into her own death trap.

      Kyoko walked slowly as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She knew she looked delicate and defenseless… little more than a child really. She was fine with that because she was a good target. The city night was alive and thumping but if you turned the wrong corner, it could turn into dark shadows with deadly edges… for humans.

      Her lips hinted at a deceiving smile as she turned and headed down one of those very long dark alleys. Hearing the slight echo of her own footsteps, she kept her gaze in front of her even though she noticed a shadow peel away from the wall about halfway down.

      Lowering her lashes so she wouldn’t give herself away, Kyoko took in his clothing and had to suppress a smile. He looked like he came from the rich part of town. One thing she’d noticed about the vampires in the city was that most of them could have had modeling jobs before they were turned… sexy and deadly.

      She jerked her head up knowing the demon was about to make its move. True to her act… she gave an almost silent scream… it wasn’t like she wanted to draw attention from the innocent people passing by on the sidewalk, it was only a ploy to act frightened and take off running.

      Sprinting past him, she ran forward, and then steered off toward the darkest spot within the alley as if trying to hide from him. Just as she turned, he slammed into her, placing his palms on either side of her head as if she would try to escape.

      The aggressive vampire pushed his body against hers as he stared down at her with cold blue eyes. “Would you like to join me for dinner?” His voice held a wicked sense of humor that she wasn’t supposed to catch.

      Kyoko almost smirked hearing the double-edged request. “Sure… as long as it’s stake.” Her hands slipped around him and he smiled until he felt the pain slice into his back and out the front of him. He looked down at the tip of the glowing light that protruded from his chest and opened his mouth making no sound.

      Seeing the girl pinned against the wall, Hyakuhei gripped the windowsill deciding he would be selfish and not allow the vampire that last meal. Pushing himself forward, his feet hit the ground just as the girl stepped out of the shadow alone.

      Hyakuhei didn’t move when she seemed not to notice him. He backed into the shadows and watched as she pulled a pair of pants from the darkness. He cocked an eyebrow realizing it was the clothing of the vampire that had just attacked her.

      â€œThere’s got to be a better way to get rid of them,” Kyoko muttered. “Who ever heard of a vampire melting anyway? I’ll never get used to that. It should be more like in the movies… poof and they’re gone.” She continued while reaching into the front pocket of the pants and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. “Save those for later, never know when I’m going to need a favor. Why the hell is a vampire smoking anyway?”

      She held the pants out in front of her and made a face at the goop on the front slowly dripping down. “Eww,” She said childishly before starting her search of the back pockets. “Let’s see here,” she whispered. “Comb, lighter… membership to the local gym… dental floss?” Kyoko stared at the dental hygiene product before tossing it behind her. “Now there’s a gross thought.”

      Dropping the pants, she pulled his jacket out of the vampire’s remains and started searching there. “Okay, this is more promising,” She said a little louder. “Tiffany and Co., definitely worth pawning. HA, jackpot,” Kyoko exclaimed when she fished out the dead creature’s wallet.

      Opening it, she took out the credit cards one by one looking at them. “Bank card, MasterCard, Visa… whoa, American Express card… Don’t leave home without it.” She dropped the credit cards on the ground and pulled out the cash. “SCORE!” Kyoko shouted when she saw how much was there. “Another month without having to have sex with Yohji for a place to live, life is good.” She finished as she pocketed the money and dropped the jacket in a garbage can.

      Hyakuhei arched an eyebrow listening to the young woman. ‘She’s insane,’ he thought to himself. He let the briefest smile appear on his lips when she relieved the dead vampire of all its cash. As she walked back out onto the sidewalk, he stepped from the darkness and slowly walked toward the spot where the other vampire had been left.

      Seeing all that was left of it was a black dusty puddle, he reached in his pocket for a match and lit it, tossing it on the remains. The alley illuminated for about five seconds before burning out… leaving nothing behind.

      He was having trouble accepting that a mere human woman had done this to a vampire. She was dressed indecently, apparently had a few screws loose in the head and was a master pickpocket considering all of the worthless jewelry she’d left behind. Proof of that being the Rolex knock off that had been burned with the rest of the dead half-breed.

      He inhaled still smelling the lingering scent of the girl. How odd for one dressed so provocative to still be a virgin. He glared back at the burnt spot on the ground no longer caring how she had killed it… if she hadn’t… he would have.

      As he stepped to the sidewalk, his gaze slowly turned in the direction she’d taken. For the first time in a long time, Hyakuhei felt a stirring within his blood. Tonight he would hunt and before dawn… he would taste her.

      *****

      Kyoko groaned seeing the mob still milling in the doorway of the Underground. It was the weekend and the place seemed to be a hot spot. She slipped around the line and headed toward the bouncer, giving him a mere nod before ducking under the arm that held the door open for her. All the bouncers knew her on sight because she lived above the club.

      Once inside, she headed straight for the door that read, ‘Do Not Enter’. Punching in the code on the door lock, she reached out and opened it, letting it close behind her. She breathed a sigh as soon as the noise became a dull roar. Feeling the wad of cash clutched tightly in her hand, she headed up the stairs. Demons were not the only dangerous thing in the city and she was not walking around all night with her rent money in her bra.

      Stopping by the small lock boxes at the end of the hall, she punched in another code and opened it to check her mail. Normally it was empty but Kyoko smiled seeing the lone envelope resting inside and pulled it out, recognizing her grandfather’s handwriting on the address label.

      Closing the mailbox locker, she headed up another flight of stairs. The secret to staying in shape… living on the third floor with no elevator. She stopped before hitting the top floor and counted out the money seeing she would only have twenty dollars left after giving Yohji her rent money.

      Yohji… she cringed. Kyoko knew he wanted her to ask him for more time to pay the rent but she’d be double dipped if that ever came to pass. Yohji was scum as far as she was concerned, but she had to be nice to him since he was the one who collected her rent every month. It was also up to him to fix things and he had the say so in who rented and who got kicked out.

      She walked to her door and barely got her key in the lock before the door across the hallway opened. Kyoko inwardly groaned before turning around and giving Yohji a strained smile. What was he… psychic?

      â€œHow’s it going Hot Stuff?”