Book III: Casino Royale (XI): Red Eyed Monsters

  --- Maeve Roisin ---

  The Old Blood came with a number of costs when one imbibed it, such as the thirst for human blood, the line between man and beast drawing thin, a lower place in the hierarchy than whoever turned you, and far more depending on one’s bloodline.

  In exchange for these costs one would receive a number of perks, extended lifespan, the unlocking of magical potential, and a physiology enhanced by said magical potential. One such enhancement being the ability to instinctively heighten one’s senses and reactions in response to certain threatening stimuli.

  Such as the explosive sound of a firearm being used.

  The fact that the music changed mid-song to something with false gunfire did little to disguise the previous shots fired. Or it did to the people paying attention, such as her and a few others around the room tensing as if ready for a fight to break out.

  When one didn’t they all as subtly as possible turned their attention towards the source of the sound, where she found Fischer talking to a young man with a scar on his face with one guard on the ground behind him and another with a gun aimed at her fellow librarian. And if she wasn’t mistaken he was currently tossing several bullets he’d somehow managed to catch, a feat even she wouldn’t be able to pull off easily.

  (I suppose it’s good to know that he’s keeping busy on his side of things.) What he was doing she didn’t know, but given how exemplary he’d apparently done with his trip to the Crimson Carnival… (I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.)

  “Hmm, know that fella?” A gruff voice asked from beside her, drawing her attention to a large but scruffy looking man with dark hair wearing a black and red jacket as he took a seat next to her, her latest table gathering for the next game.

  Catching sight of his crimson eyes, her first instinct was to stab the man for being a part of the Crimson Court.

  Then she realized that her blood wasn’t singing to his, (Meaning he’s not actually a part of the court and he just has red eyes.)

  A rare trait but not unheard of when you became as… worldly as she was after the last couple of centuries.

  “Something like that.” She admitted, her instincts warning her that even if the man wasn’t a vampire of the court he was still dangerous in some other way.

  Rather than being offended by her clipped response, the man merely seemed amused. “You know, I think you’re the first vampire I’ve met at one of these little get-togethers.”

  Her eyes darted towards the table’s other occupants, not overly concerned with how they might respond given the many non-humans in the tournament, but still preferring the knowledge that she was a predator to half the building’s occupants not get out. “And what makes you believe I’m a vampire?”

  “Beyond how skittish ya are about bein’ called out?” The red-eyed man huffed, matching her lowered volume. “It’s the eyes.”

  “Plenty of people with red eyes.” She pointed out hers meeting his, as she reconsidered the possibility that he might be a vampire as well. (Red eyes are usually reserved to those who’ve been a vampire long enough for the Infernal to infuse every drop of their blood. If he’s of the blood I would know him… unless he’s not a part of the court?)

  It was a possibility, though not one she’d be willing to bet on.

  “True that. True that.” The man grinned, fangs flashing, more than a normal human would have.

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  “I suppose we both have that in common?” She pointed out, deciding there was no point in dancing around that little detail.

  “We do, though I’m pretty sure we be two different breeds of monster.” The red-eyed man confessed.

  “Hmm, perhaps.” She nodded, lifting her latest drink to her lips to buy herself time to think. (It’s possible he’s a different kind of Infernal… a Revenant perhaps?)

  In many ways they were similar to Vampires, killing others and feeding on their energy. In others however they were distinctly different. (Such as how if they quit killing they won’t be dead within a month.)

  Then again, she’d avoided killing for decades even if she avoided asking where her bloodwine was coming from. (The fact that they serve it here should have been more alarming even if I avoided ordering it myself.)

  “Now now, no need for the suspicious glare.” The self-admitted monster told her, sounding amused as he raised his hands. “There’s a lot of monsters comin’ to this casino to play and we all be followin’ the rules of keepin’ the peace lest we all have nowhere else to play cards all proper like.”

  “So you’re just here to play cards?” She frowned, not quite believing that.

  “Mm, also lookin’ for someone.” The red-eyed man conceded with a tilt of his head. “An old friend of mine, and possibly a more… intelligent monster than either of us.”

  “And the reason you’re telling me this?” She couldn’t help but ask as she ran a finger along the edge of her glass.

  “Because she has red eyes a lot like yours.” The man answered voice low.

  “I see…” (Meaning that even if he isn’t a vampire, the person he’s after is.) “And if the woman you’re looking for and I happen to have the same eyes, why should I help you find her?”

  She’d rather do everything in her power to avoid the Court’s gaze regardless of whatever assurances Briar gave her. (Just because the library might be beyond their reach for now, does not mean this casino currently is.)

  The man let out an almost amused huff as he took a sip of what smelled like a beer of some sort. “Don’t worry, she ain’t of your bloodline if’n that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “It’s not.” If there was a member of her bloodline here, she would know even a day’s ride apart she’d be able to feel them. The Blood of The Crimson King made sure of that.

  Though that did little to change the fact that the Court was made of dozens of bloodlines, (and whoever he’s after could still be a part of the court.)

  Red eyed watched her for a moment before finally the man told her, “She’s a Progenitor.”

  That caught her attention.

  “A Progenitor…” The first of a Bloodline. Someone who through some means of magic or science turned themselves into a stable vampire capable of passing their blood on and continuing the line.

  While the court was made of numerous Vampires and Bloodlines, there were far fewer Progenitors in the court, and none that wouldn’t have an entire retinue following them wherever they went. Every member of their bloodline holding some sort of instinctive loyalty and bond to the source of their blood and everything that made them more than human, so much so that some bloodlines were even wiped out upon their progenitor’s death.

  “That is… very dangerous prey you’re after.” She quietly confessed as the dealer finally began handing out everyone’s cards.

  “Was planning on using my wish to handle it quick and quiet if I won.” The red-eyed man explained as he checked his cards. “Unfortunaely, I’m not half as good as some of the people I’m seein’ around this room.”

  “So instead you’re trying to make friends who might help you.” She guessed.

  “Friends are always fun, even if they don’t always side with you in a fight.” The man argued. “Sometimes it’s helpful to just know who’s who in the room.”

  “I suppose it is.” She agreed, considering whether or not it was worth helping the man beside her or instead offering help to the Progenitor. Someone who understood the Old Blood well enough to create their own version of it.

  Decision slowly forming she turned her attention towards the man beside her, “Though… I don’t suppose I actually know who you are, Mr?”

  “Ah, where are my manners?” Her fellow monster chided himself, before giving her a grin full of fangs. “You can call me Alaric Landry.”