Alexi

"Not again." Alexi swore and gestured rudely to the driver in front of her, then honked her horn three times in anger. The bitch cut me off! She'd had to slam her brakes hard missing the red Ford Fiesta by mere millimetres. "Not today bitch." Alexi honked for a fourth time, "Move it." But the driver seemed intent on pissing her off. Of all the days in the world, why did it have to be this one? She sighed heavily as she applied her handbrake and unbuckled her seat belt. Today was NOT a day to piss her off. Alexi had a bad temper on most days, her bad attitude got her in to trouble more often than she could remember. And unfortunately someone would be on the receiving end in about thirty seconds.

Scrutinising the small red car as she approached it on the driver's side, something made her pause momentarily. That special something that only came in dangerous packages. Alexi swore again and tapped on the window. Hold it together, keep calm, hold your shit together girl. The window slid down automatically revealing long blonde hair and bright green eyes.

"Shit. What do you want?" Why the hell hadn't she recognised the car? Alexi could have saved herself a lot of trouble. She cursed herself for her stupidity, but she was bound to make mistakes today, she was too tired to concentrate.

"Well that wasn't very nice Alexi." Replied the driver.

"Monique, I'm not in the mood today. You could've called." Alexi tried to keep her temper under control. Monique was a witch with a temper as bad as Alexi's. The situation could only go two ways. Alexi would either be jinxed or cursed. Neither appealed to her, so for now she had to play nice.

"I have called. In fact I've been calling you ALL day."

"Well then you should have left a message."

"I've left you three." Her green eyes darkened. Playing nice wasn't working, and Alexi was too tired to care.

"All right. Forget it. What do you want?" She stared pointedly at Monique not batting an eyelid.

"My brother was taken. They Marked his bookshop. I need your help."

Oh boy. The last thing Alexi wanted was a tag-a-long as annoying as Monique. She didn't mind looking for her brother but she'd rather do it on her own.

"When was the last time you saw Etienne?" She tried to seem casual about the question, but if his shop had been Marked, it could only mean one thing. Death.

"Last night around nine, I left him at the shop. He was working on something important and wanted to remain there. I shouldn't have left him." Monique's hands gripped the steering wheel hard, her hands were white from lack of blood circulation, but Alexi decided against pointing it out now.

"Go home and I'll call you." Alexi turned to walk back to her car.

"Wait a minute," Monique stuck her head out of the window, "I'm coming with you."

"No you're not, and that's final." She clambered back in the car slamming the door for effect, released the handbrake and drove off without her seatbelt in place. She steered automatically through the early dawn, winding down the quiet streets of London. Etienne, what the hell have you gotten yourself into? Alexi couldn't fathom how someone as intelligent and calm as Etienne could attract the wrong attention. What could the Vampires want with a mere human; well apart from food. They loved to collect pretty and beautiful objects, including people, she'd witnessed just that today. Perhaps they had a similar interest in him too. For Etienne was truly the most beautiful, cultured and intelligent person she had ever met.

Alexi harboured the most sickening and obsessive crush she'd ever experienced towards a man. Etienne was perfect. At first she didn't like him. She remembered thinking that a man that pretty, must be conceited and arrogant, in no possible way could he be interested in anyone other than himself. He must have women throwing themselves at him every day. It never occurred to Alexi that he could be charming, yet humble and very shy. The sheer innocence the shyness brought out in him was too much to resist. And as far as Alexi was concerned, no one needed to know how she felt toward him. Especially NOT Monique. Alexi could never live it down, Monique would use any given opportunity to use it against her. Monique, now she was another story. But one she had to put aside for now, as she parked neatly outside the dark book store.

Even in the dim dawning light, the shop had an eerie quality about it. Alexi noticed the dark Mark, floating around like large particles visible to the naked eye, veiling it from the view of passing humans. Any wandering Norms would simply pass by repelled by the bad energy emanating from the building. She reached into the back seat of the car and grabbed her Katana, then climbed out of her car. This has been such a long day. Her body ached as she made her way to the front door.

The shop was unlocked, always a bad sign. For the first time since she'd made her first kill, she felt a deep sense of fear. Whether it was the fact that Etienne was involved, or just because it had been a really bad day, Alexi really couldn't tell. The hairs on the nape of her neck and arms rose like a spooked cat as soon as she stepped through the door. And that's when she smelt it, the rotting stench of apples. Very fruity and sweet. Vampires had definitely been here, of that she was sure. Alexi pulled her Katana from its' sheath strapped to her shoulders, and held it blade back from her forearm in a defensive position.

The entire shop floor had been destroyed. Most of the books strewn in piles in one large heap. They were definitely looking for something, and by the looks of it, spent a couple of hours trawling through every book in search of it. Alexi scanned the darkest corners of the room first before proceeding towards the back, she moved with confidence and precision, despite the deep aching of her muscles.

The small office was in a worse shape than the shop floor, and a hell of a lot darker. Unlike Vampires, Alexi didn't have the ability to see clearly in such poor lighting. The stench of rotting apples grew stronger, resting in the back of her mouth. What a bad fucking day. Two Vampire attacks in one night. Definitely not a good sign. Ordinarily Alexi wasn't very superstitious, despite being trained by a Catholic priest, she didn't hold much hope in God. She scanned the pitch black room and caught movement from behind her. Rookie mistake.

Something launched itself from the doorway and landed with a heavy thud right on top of her; it threw her to the ground with a painful crack to the head as she hit the floor. Mercifully she still held on to her Katana. Twisting her body away just in time to witness a large claw swing down where her face had been only a second ago. Alexi kicked out with her right leg and connected with something solid, the kick was hard enough to send it crashing into the wall opposite. But it didn't remain there long, in a blink of an eye, it launched itself at her again. Alexi tried to scramble clumsily to her feet, but the Hellhound was already on top of her.

"Shit. Just what I fucking need." The horrible growling noise that emerged in reply gave her no comfort. Hellhounds were mindless beasts, half demon and half your average friendly pet; their strength and their tenacity made them a nuisance on most days. But right now, this one was lethal. In almost five seconds, it had managed to knock her sword out of her hands, and was now attempting to get past her forearms and bury its jaws in her neck.

"Not today." With one last bit of effort, ALexi pushed her knee into its' stomach and shoved hard. This time the Hellhound slid across the floor, his paws skittering as it tried to right itself. This was all the time Alexi needed to grab her sword again. "Tenacious little fucker aren't you." The hound growled in reply, it's whole body tensed and waiting for her to make a move.

But before either of them could react, a large blue flash of fire flung itself from the shop floor and hit the Hound squarely in the back. The demon screamed in pain, there was no other way to describe it, gone was the growl. It turned towards the shop floor, deciding the other party was a bigger threat. Alexi used this small distraction to sneak up behind it and with one swift swing, cut the Hounds head clean from its' body. The head landed on the wooden floor with a wet smacking sound, and rolled into one of the darkened corners.

"I thought I told you not to get involved."

"You're welcome." Replied Monique, sarcasm was her favourite tool. "He's my only family, did you think I would seriously take your advice."

"Most people never do." She sheathed her Katana and examined the tears to her leather jacket. Yet another one ruined. Her body too tired and sore to feel any real pain.

"From the looks of things, it was a good thing I showed."

"I can handle myself. I don't need to remind you I've been doing this job for over ten years now." She replied with mild irritation.

"Of course, you're the expert," the sarcasm had gone up a notch, "How silly of me to think you might need me seeing as you're so great at your job. But you're welcome anyway."

"If you HAVE to be here, make yourself useful and turn on this damn light." She almost growled that last sentence. Hold it together. At the click of Monique's fingers, the lights switched on blinding them both momentarily. The office looked a lot worse with the lights on. Papers were strewn all over the floor, broken bits of wood littered the room, from what looked like it had once been a table. The walls were painted maroon with dried blood. God there was so much of it. Etienne's blood. Of that Alexi was certain.

"What can you show me?" But Monique wasn't listening. For the first time since Alexi had the misfortune of encountering someone as annoying as this woman, Monique was actually speechless. Her green eyes glazed over with unshed tears, she blinked quickly trying to compose herself.

"Monique. We don't have much time." She swallowed the large lump that had formed in her throat. If Monique started crying now, Lord help me. But mercifully she held it together. Without uttering a word, she grabbed hold of Alexi's hand in hers. They were both as clammy and agitated as each other. Neither had expected this.

Monique closed her eyes and focused. Alexi had experienced this once before and wasn't looking forward to it. With a sudden lurch, she found herself dragged through a wormhole, or at least that was what it felt like. Her stomach rolled around making her feel like throwing up, even though it was empty, in fact she couldn't recall the last time she'd had a proper meal. The sandwich this morning didn't count.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing next to Etienne. Or at least the image of him imprinted in the memory of his office. He was sat at his neatly organised desk with a large leather bound book, his head bent over it, studying its contents with a magnifying glass. Occasionally he would pause and pick up a pencil, with his long slim fingers, and make a few notes before going back to his book.

"Etienne," Monique's voice called from the shop floor, "It's late, I'm going home. Would you like me to give you lift?"

"No, that's fine. I need to look at this, I might stay over night." He never even lifted his head.

"Fine, I'll bring you breakfast in the morning." The bell to the shop floor jingled as Monique left. He put his magnifying glass on the desk, careful not to touch the book and made his way to the shop floor. As he attempted to lock the door, it pushed open forcefully, sending him staggering back. Alexi's heart beat faster, knowing in her heart what was to come. The stranger was extraordinarily beautiful. She had long black hair, gleaming with vitality and shining with health. She moved with the grace of a cat about to pounce on its prey. And when she smiled at Etienne, Alexi's heart almost stopped. It was a smile a lion would give right before the kill. There was no mistaking what this woman was. All the same, Etienne remained polite.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm closed for the day, but you are welcome to come back tomorrow." His voice was soft and deep, such a wonderful sound, Alexi almost forgot that he was in danger. The Vampire's smile grew into a morbid grin, turning her face into something out of a nightmare. Her teeth were razer sharp and pointed, nothing like the movies would have you believe.

"What I need won't take much of your time." Her voice was distinctly musical, and very out of place. She unbuttoned her long black cloak, revealing a skimpy bright red dress beneath it, then shrugged the coat off letting it fall to the floor. The door opened again and two more vampires entered, tall and broad shouldered, each bowing low to their master.

"Take him. And search the place. It will be here. Don't come back until you find it." Etienne's face betrayed no hint of fear as she floated closer to him, she looked ridiculously small next to his six foot frame. "My dear, I bet you don't even realise how beautiful you are." Her face had changed back to its pretty facade. "Will you come with me nicely? Or would you like me to force you?" She licked her small pouting lips and smiled up into his face. If she weren't a dangerous sucker, she would have looked like a child playing dress up next to him.

"What do you want." Oh boy, wrong answer. Alexi's stomach somersaulted in despair as the Vampire grabbed his hair, twisted his neck down towards her with unnatural force, and loudly bit down into his flesh. Monique flinched but didn't turn away, Alexi tried not to react, the anger boiling beneath the surface. Her heart pounded loudly in her head.

Etienne slumped forward, clearly the blood loss was already beginning to effect him, but the Mistress didn't stop. They could hear her slurping as more blood gushed freely down his throat, shoulders and soaking into his white tee shirt. His legs buckled, giving way to his weight, until he could barely hold himself upright.

"Mistress." One of her minions spoke almost tentatively, afraid of interrupting her. She pulled her face away from Etienne's neck and let him fall to the floor. Her mouth was a deep crimson, his blood dripped from her open mouth onto her chin and chest. She looked at his unconscious body, a look of deep pleasure in her expression, which passed as quickly as it had appeared.

"Find it." She turned without so much as a glance at Etienne and left the shop, floating through the open door like a ghost. Alexi's heart pounded loudly in her ears, she hadn't even realised she'd been holding her breath. "Alexi, you're crushing my hand." Monique whispered. But she ignored her and continued to watch the morbid scene unfold before her.

One of the vampires grabbed his body by the wrist and dragged him into the office, leaving a large crimson trail of blood. The other proceeded trawling through the books in the store, throwing them aside one by one. Alexi could hear the other trashing the office. A few minutes later the vampire emerged, carrying the leather bound book in one hand and Etienne in the other, his wrist still firmly held. "I've found it, the Mistress will be most pleased." He smiled in triumph, and dropped Etienne's hand. "Take him." He left without a care in the world. The other vampire sneered at his companion's departure in obvious displeasure.

The lurch took her by surprise this time as the world spun around her, she felt like she was emerging from a tumble drier. Alexi dropped to her knees heaving on an empty stomach, she hated that hollow feeling it left her with. And worst of all, was the feeling of helplessness. Etienne looked so frail. If she had a heart it would have broken at this point. But Alexi knew better than to let her emotions get the best of her. Piero had trained her well. "To lose one self in emotion, is to lose the war."

"Monique?" Her face had lost all its colour. Alexi knew that look all too well. She'd had the same expression when her parents were murdered. A shock so deep, she would feel it for months to come if they didn't find him alive. And soon.

"Monique, I need you to pull yourself together now. We don't have much time." The blonde finally seemed to hear her. She turned her glassy, unseeing gaze towards her. As if only now realising she wasn't alone.

"I'm sorry," she replied, "I just..." she let her sentence trail on unfinished. But Alexi understood all the same.

"Do you know why they wanted that book?"

She shook her head in response, "I don't even know what that book was. But Etienne was consumed by it."

Alexi scanned the office floor in exasperation, hoping something would jump out at her in answer. But everything had been destroyed beyond repair. Even his Macbook Air lay scattered in pieces on the hardwood floor. She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialled Piero's number, it had been years since she'd last seen the priest, he was the only one she could think of calling at a desperate time like this. If anyone could help, it would be him. But Piero wasn't answering his phone. Not that she expected him to, yet the disappointment was deep. She needed him now and he wasn't responding. She would have to pay him a visit.

"Monique, go home. There is nothing you can do now." She said putting her phone back in her pocket. "I need to go see someone, he might be able to help."

Monique didn't reply, she simply turned and walked out of the shop in a daze. Alexi understood that turmoil all too well, but swallowed her frustration and followed her outside.

Alexi sat unmoving in her car, watching the old darkened church. St Jame's Roman Catholic Church on Gregory Street was closed at this hour. Even in the early morning sunlight, she couldn't help marvelling at it's gothic beauty. The last time she had seen Piero, he had been holding service for a small group of elderly women. He stood behind the intricately designed altar, reading passages from the bible. She hadn't really been paying attention, but the old ladies were attentive to his every word. She could see it in the stiffness of their backs, as they lent forward, craning their necks.