Orlando
"Hit harder" Estelle demanded behind the sand bag holding it steady. Orlando lifted his leg again with a scowl swinging it to the left against the sand bag.
The clanging of metal and exhausted pants of the supernatural patrons struggling on the occult modified equipment, where the starting level was Olympic standard could be heard.
Instead of sweat the dense cloud of magic residue stuck in the air putting a purple haze on everything.
Orlando was at the gym - Pressure owned by Estelle.
"I don't usually hear that outside the bedroom Ellie" he smirked as he raised and swung his leg again and again.
"Focus, idiot" Estelle replied unmoving and cold faced.
"Stop being a ghoul little sis." Orlando's muscles ached and he had no qualms complaining but his occult powers meant every torn muscle healed itself instantly, the feeling of his muscles growing in real time was creeping him out.
The sweat stuck on his brow finally dropped burning his eyes, the salty water notified him it was time to finish this torture session.
"Why do you even show up if your going to be so lazy?" Estelle said squatting by Orlando's now collapsed body on the ground. Her box braids in an up-do, falling above his face.
"Sorry I don't enjoy abusing myself in this dungeon you call a gym." he panted out slicking his hair back before dropping both his head and hand again.
"I can't believe it finally happened Ellie, I met him, my angel." the memory of last night flowed into his brain like a warm spring melting his muscles into mush.
"Here we go" Estelle said with a sigh chucking a full water bottle at the collapsed Orlando, he caught it reflexively eyes closed as he began retelling the earth shattering encounter. The devilish smile he wore had his fangs glinting in the perfect studio lighting of the gym.
"His body was thin but not hollowed out - delicately sculpted, like a fever dream. Warm caramel eyes peaking through a curtain of light brown curls that shined as if signally me to come closer. Lucid from alcohol swaying to the music unconsciously - absentmindedly beautiful. Face flushed with soft pink lips that were oh so inviting. Round cherubic cheeks with glasses forged by dwarves to add to his angelic disposition." Orlando felt like touching myself after that spiel.
"How'd you even know that it's him and you didn't just get horny?" Estelle questioned lightly wrapping her hands in gauze to have her go at the bag.
" You just know lil sis, it feels like the stars have aligned."
"Sounds like you were on some insane stimulants."
"Arghhh how I wish it did anything for us." Orlando said in faux anguish.
"Shakespeare would be proud and don't do what your thinking you perverted gremlin, I'd like to keep my appetite." The mention of hunger had his blood rush and fangs itching to escape,
"Unfortunately I was so drunk off of winterwake that I don't know if he was a higher vampire or not"
"If he's a lower vampire or even worse a fledgling your parents are going to literally kill him you are aware of that, yes?"
"Don't be so negative Ellie, who said I'd let them meet? I like the prospect of an alive mate."
"Regardless your body seems weak, when's the last time you fed you bloodsucker?" Estelle remarked noticing his agitation at her comment, face cold tone playful.
"On dick or blood?" Orlando replied lazily rising to his feet more levitation used than muscles involved, gravity is purely a suggestion.
"Its usually both with you isn't it Orlando?"
"Why don't you give me a cute nickname Ellie? Some term of endearment. After all these centuries and your still so cold, I've known you since corsets were all the rage and ankles were slutty." he said fake pouting, walking towards the lockers and slowly peeling off his sweat drenched clothes. Drying himself and flashing his abs and ass putting on a loose shirt and tight jeans giving the other occults a mouth watering show.
"If my coven knew I did more than tolerate you I'd be excommunicated." That earned a full laugh from Orlando regardless of its validity.
"Tell those wretches I need help stopping people being bewitched by me, is there a potion for that? Anyway as much as I'd enjoy taking up more of your time I have work and I need visit the clan."
"Is that not a tad overdue, aren't the elders already pissed with you?"
"Well the old farts should just be patient, all they have is time anyway." his clan was an old one and it really made sure to show no progression through the ages.
Unlike other newer vampires and clans Orlando was born into his clan, one of the founding fathers fucking his bloodline into existence.
"Right. Anyway, enjoy your decade old lecture, and why do you even bother working anyway just compel humans and live in luxury little brother, that's more your style." Ellie replied as she followed him out of the boxing room into the hallway towards the door.
"Well I need something to do since you left the clan." Estelle tensed at that comment.
"And what fun would that be? I enjoy watching human peasants fawn over me everyday." Orlando quickly continued smoothly moving on, Estelle didn't resist.
"You have odd hobbies Orlando.".
"Don't we all?"
"Maybe not? Your human mate seems pretty normal to me."
"He can't be. He's mated to me." he replied not facing her, because at that moment all you could see was a ice cold face with eyes that deep within held some uncertainty.
The sunlight hit Orlando's skin and he relished in it, he never understood the myths around vampires burning in the light. He supposed superstitions like these were useful in hiding their identities.
But anyone that saw him had to admit he did look good in the moonlight.
Walking aimlessly through the crowd he glamoured himself to not catch attention from mesmerised mortals and headed towards a close by church, it was a catholic cathedral.
It was early morning just after the 6am morning mass most of the attendants had already cleared out, leaving some choir members and priests packing up, removing his glamour Orlando waltzed down the centre of the church.
His all black attire and lazy attitude attracted the attention of the remaining people, to put it simply he looked like he was up to no good, a grinning lost soul to them. The most senior bishop noticed the shift in the air, his people tensing at the sight of the strange mans who's red eyes were glistening.
"Sir, unfortunately mass has ended but confessionals open in a few hours"
"Oh bishop, I'm not here to confess my sins we'd be here all day"
"Then what can we help you with sir?" The elderly man began to hobble forward passing his choir students and tides men.
"Unfortunately old man you can't help me, your souls far too tainted" Orlando coolly replied looking past the bishops shoulder to the choir group behind him.
A group of young men and women ranging anywhere from 12 to 25 years old. At his gaze a lot of the younger children hid behind the older ones, like lambs for the slaughter.
"If it's money you want we've just taken donations, satisfy yourself and then... leave."
Orlando side stepped the bishop, no powers necessary and continued forward, the children scampering to the edges of the stage, except one.
Orlando finally reached the podium and stood squarely in front of a young woman, blonde hair tied tightly into a bun, an all white choral gown worn.
"Evil men like you will burn in hell!" The remaining girl proclaimed gripping her dress at both sides, eyes fierce.
"Your right, we will"
A sinister smile morphed on Orlando's once serene face straining his muscles with pleasure,
"It's where I'm from so I would know.".
With that and a light chuckle, Orlando released his fangs, nails sharpening and the tips turning black as they morphed into claws that he used,
gashing the young virgins throat.
Screams echoed in the cathedral.
No one was coming to save them.
All of their bodies were paralyzed, not with magic but pure unadulterated fear.
As if unaware Orlando grabbed the ankle of the now collapsed girl, jugular pierced gushing blood onto the carpet in buckets at a time.
With no effort at all he flung her body onto the pristine alter letting the blood soak into the ancient obsidian white marble, one of the main reasons he lived so close was to take advantage of this taxi system.
Laying her flat he dug a whole on her temple dragging his finger down until reaching her original would on her neck, next he began to chant.
"Eiol'mor, thalan dra'ek, veshan nai'kheran".
After no more than 3 chants the poor girls body began to split open and more pools of blood gushed out, more than normal, more than possible.
Like an inviting stream it pooled around Orlando's feet solely, creating a pattern similar to a maze, the destination unknown. Vibrating like it had a life of its own,
it was alive.
Finally a harsh light burst transporting Orlando elsewhere.
Unfortunately this is not a fairy-tale world and someone has to pay the price for such extraordinary things that occur, Tara had to today.
Tara's body lay on the alter deformed and resembling ground beef more than anything, blood soaked strands of blonde hair slicked onto the alter sides.
But what of the screaming innocents?
Eyes glazed with a milky white the witnesses all expressionlessly, eyes puffy throats raw from their blood curdling screams that resulted in no saviour. Hands trembling began to clean the crime scene.
The second it was done they would be unaware of the horrors committed but their bodies would remember as they screamed in their sleep. Their souls would remember as they plead with God for justice.
All futile, cruel, disappointing endeavours.