Vampiris Sancti: The Elf by Katri Cardew Read Free Book Online Page B

watchful eye of the
almost Ancient Vampire, who should have been in an Ashre instead of
pretending not to care. The Elf had been aware of his presence
following them into the street as his power rode the atmosphere
like a sharp spike, alerting her and the Varkja attempting to blend
into the landscape. She went to move, but Vampire ears heard the
scrape of the boots in the distance and alarmed by what was coming
the girl pleaded.
    “Wait!”
    Zyre’s
amusement was best obtained from a distance as she had problems of
her own that needed immediate attendance. Whatever reason the
Aunsin Vampire chose to survey his dealings remotely was not of her
concern and his agenda, while beguiling, was overshadowed by
another. Much as Zyre would have enjoyed watching the girl’s first
interaction with the dimwit servants of the Ghuvk, she appreciated
that the more distance between her and the lackey of the Martyc the
better. Not that many besides the Elf would call a Varkja a lackey
as some things were best left unspoken. Ignoring her plea, because
the girl was not her responsibility, and the Elf had already been
involved more than enough she left the young Tyro to her fate.
    Zyre dissolved
to reappear on a roof adjacent to the Chambers, a place she had
discovered after following the stomping of the Aegai one night. She
knew they would bring the young Vampire straight there to await
judgement of the Scriptors. They recorded and enforced the Code of
Aeternus, the Vampire laws. Life or death, it was all the same to
the demon servants of the Vampire nation, which was why they were
used instead of Vampire enforcers. Zyre crouched low on the roof,
hoping the Varkja wouldn’t be bright enough to work out where she
was because her interest in the Tyro had not waned. One who had so
many interested parties became suddenly even more interesting to an
Elf who allowed no curiosity to go unexplored. A noise below caught
her attention, and she was surprised to see the Vampire who had
been tracking the girl stop before the side door of the
Chambers.
    He stood still
for a moment his back straight with suspicion and Zyre knew he had
noticed something, but wouldn’t be able to work out it was her.
Vampires, even those approaching Aunsin, weren’t good enough at
reading the atmosphere to find her. He assessed the impact of
whatever disturbed him and obviously didn’t consider it a threat as
it only took seconds before he continued through the doorway.
Interested in the fate of the girl Zyre moved across to the roof of
the Chambers to find a small skylight with bars that let her look
into the Vampire world below.
    The Chambers
was a vast area the size of a huge warehouse, but the only part of
the structure she could see was a central corridor filled with two
rows of cells separated by thick black bars. A large gap stood
between the cells as various incarcerated demons reached out in an
attempt to detach limbs from anyone within reach. She recognised a
Perhk, the thief demon, his mauve skin crisscrossed with black
veins that showed under the surface. There was a Poqir, the flat
featured chameleon demon, blending into the floor and against the
bars in a flicker of panic as his sand eyes bulged with alarm.
    The imprisoned
Vampires seemed to be more subdued—either too traumatized, or had
accepted their fate to bother complaining. Three Scriptors, scribe
demons, sat behind an enormous long desk at one end as their quills
scribbled endless notes. They were tall thin demons with lemon
eyes, parchment skin and wore flowing beige robes. Behind them were
three doors leading to whatever mysteries the rest of the huge
building held. The Aegai wandered up and down the corridor shouting
at the inhabitants while a lone Fhreh, the short orange haired
speckled skin demon, rushed back and forth in his administrative
duties.
    Zyre scanned
the room until she found the girl and unlike the other Vampires,
who sat in a quiet daze, she was passed out. Despite her lack