Chapter 10.

  Scott was in the bathroom getting ready as he looked into the mirror, he wanted to dress to impress tonight. He had just finished shaving, splashed a little aftershave, brushed, flossed, put some cream in his hair to slick it back in a style he rarely wore it in. He leaned out the bathroom door and looked to Hank, who was enjoying dinner as he banged out a few more episodes of Bleach.

  “Do you have a black tie I can borrow?” Scott asked.

  “Black tie?” Hank paused his show and stood up, making his way to his room to find a black tie off the rack in his closet, “Dad always said a black tie is only for a funeral,” he turned and gave Scott a once over, “You don’t think it’s a little too much, matching it with a black shirt? I have solid black and a black argyle,” he said.

  “That’s what Amelia said, dress like you’re going to hit a funeral right before you’re going hit the club later that night,” Scott said, looking over the two ties Hank presented to him, “Think I’ll go with the argyle,” he said, “The pattern can pop against my jacket,” he said.

  “Amelia, this the girl that put Vampires on your mind lately?” Hank asked.

  “If you saw this girl, you would have anything she wanted you to have on your mind,” Scott said. “Red hair, that sexy fake shade of red dyed just enough to not look natural, the shade that only natural blondes can pull off, skin like buttermilk, great body, blue eyes that just pop, gorgeous,” Scott said as he lopped the tie around his neck and tied it off.

  “So what is this you’re going too exactly, some kind of Vampire club?” Hank asked.

  “I did some research on it online. It’s called Larping, live action role playing. You ever see those videos about a bunch of nerds who wear cardboard armor and hit each other with plastic swords in the middle of the woods together, it’s not as nerdy as that, but it’s in the same vein,” Scott said. “There’s a whole subgroup of that culture that calls themselves Vampires. What happens is a bunch of people rent out a nice mansion on Air BnB and throw a cocktail party where they pretend they’re Vampires, talk about good kills they’ve allegedly had, and from what I’ve read some pretty wild stuff goes down on the higher floors of these parties. Don’t know if I’ll see any of that tonight, but I kind of hope I do,” Scott said, adjusting his jacket and finishing fastening his tie before turning to his brother, “How do I look? Grim?” he asked.

  “And people say that the girl I’m into is weird,” Hank laughed, “So you’re going to spend the night pretending that you’re a Vampire?” he asked.

  “Well, I’m a new member, can’t call myself a Vampire yet. I read it in the rule book, when you’re first introduced to the clan you start the game as a mortal who hopes to one day be ascended to the rank of Vampire, get turned,” he said, “I’ll be visiting as Amelia’s newest human slave, the way the rulebook described it was kind of like Renfield from Dracula. She said that new members need to go through an initiation with the group to truly be welcomed as a real Vampire,” Scott said.

  “Wait, there’s a rule book for Vampires?” Hank asked.

  “Yeah, some gaming company out of Louisiana, made up this whole lore and makeshift Robert’s Rules of procedure for how Vampires should conduct themselves while meeting each other, it’s like four hundred pages long, I stuck to the new member and initiation section just to get an idea of what I might be in for, apparently this game has a passionate fanbase all across the country,” Scott said.

  “And what exactly does this initiation entail?” Hank asked, “Just how deep into this game do you have to go to be considered a real Vampire?”

  “Well, the local chapter needs to vote to approve you, and you have to have the blessing of the clan leader, don’t know who that is but Amelia texted me saying she would set up a meeting with said Clan Leader tonight, some guy named Jacobin Hearsay,” he said.

  “Jacobin? What the hell kind of name is Jacobin?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, but apparently he’s the bank of this party, has deep pockets. He rents the house, buys the booze. She says he’s very respected in the community,” Scott said. “As for the initiation, I have to drink a Vampire’s blood, Amelia told me it’s just a ceremony of pomp and circumstance, I drink a glass of V8 Infront of everyone as I swear my soul to the Dark Lord,” Scott laughed.

  “You’re falling into a pretty weird group, bro,” Hank said.

  “Listen, a girl this hot can get away with being as weird as she wants to be,” he said. “All this fucked up stuff, the blood drinking, the ceremonies, she says it’s just a small part of the meeting, she assured me it’s just a fun cocktail party for like-minded people to meet up and play a fun little game of pretend for the night. Playing pretend was fun enough when I was six, I guess it could be fun now,” Scott said as he took one more look in the mirror, making sure he looked as good as he could.

  Hank smiled and flopped back on the couch, “Fair enough, hope you have fun, I got a few more episodes of Bleach to get through. Eleanor told me I could skip these episodes, but I’m actually kind of into the story right now, she said it’s called filler, but I think stuff is happening, the Qunicies are up to something and I’m intrigued,” he said.

  “Oh yeah, you’re watching anime and I’m going to a party, yet my girl is the weirder one?” Scott asked.

  “Fuck off,” Hank laughed, “Have a good time,” he said.

  “Hopefully won’t be home tonight, should have the couch all to yourself,” Scott nodded as he grabbed his keys and went out the door.

  Scott’s Cavalier cruised the outbound of 485, cigarette hanging out the window as he headed to the Southside of Charlotte. Namely, SouthPark, a rich area. Amelia told him that the Covenant had a big bank, able to get them the nicest accommodations for their little gatherings. Scott followed his phone directions into the very well-off neighborhood and spotted the house with an assortment of cars parked in front of it. That must be the place, he thought. Scott took one of the last spaces he could find on the other side of the road, hoping that the owners of the house across the street wouldn’t take too much issue with their neighbors having a Friday night party.

  Scott made his way up the driveway, marveling at the great McMansion that the Depraved Covenant had made their meeting place for tonight. He saw Amelia leaning against a car talking to a cute, but a bit frumpy girl. She was smiling, grinning, laughing, caressing her shoulder, almost looked like she was flirting with her.

  “I’m here, my lady,” Scott said, smiling as he introduced himself to Amelia. She was in an even sexier black dress than she was the first time Scott met her at the bar. It had a low-cut neckline with a mesh screen over her cleavage and a fake black rose on a beret in her hair. She jumped when she saw him, leaping towards him and wrapping her arms around him.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you came, you’re going to have so much fun,” she raised her eyebrows and smiled. “You look great,” she said, running a hand up his chest, “I love your tie, it’s perfect,” she said, grabbing it and pulling him towards her, bringing him in for a kiss.

  That was fast, Scott thought. Amelia said that these parties were all about hedonism and pleasure, and she was showing it.

  “Nice to see you too,” Scott said, hands already on her hips, “Love your dress,” he smiled, “So how does this work? Am I going to get to drink some blood tonight or not?” he asked.

  “Oh, no, you can’t take part in the sacrament until you get approval from the Covenant, if you impress tonight then maybe at the next meeting we can see if your worthy to be inducted,” she grinned. “For tonight you are only a guest, not a member, you’re here merely as my Damane, my slave,” she licked her lips, “What that means is that while I’ve fed on you, I’ve yet to turn you,” she said.

  “So you’ve drunk my blood, and how does that make me different from some poor son of a bitch you pounced on outside a bar for a quick meal?” he asked.

  “What makes it different is that I’ve taken a liking to you,” she leaned into Scott, “That I see your potential,” she raised her eyebrows, “Potential to become one of us, and I definitely think you have that,” she smiled, “But worry about your membership and potential induction can come later, let’s just have fun tonight, let me show you what our lifestyle offers,” she took Scott’s hand and pulled him through the front door into the mansion, “Welcome to the Depraved Covenant,” she said, waiving her arm and showing off the party.

  Scott felt a bit underdressed, just an everyday jacket, a black shirt and tie and some black slacks. He saw that the various people in attendance had really dressed for the occasion. Men in Victorian vests and blood red dress shirts, tuxedo jackets and fake black roses pinned to their lapels, women in dresses of red and black, a few others with black flowers in their hair like Amelia had. Most of them were pretty good-looking, a few chubby ones but no outright dogs. Some men had pocket watches and other turn of the century fashion accessories like pocket squares and broaches. It was anyone’s guess why an immortal would care about what time it was, less of course they were keeping an eye on when the sun would come up. He also noticed the shorter guys were more likely to be wearing top hats, and he spotted more than a few fedoras in the crowd.

  “Most of the members are just weekend warriors, but there are a few big players in the Charlotte game here tonight,” Amelia said, her arm wrapped around Scott’s as she led him through the party. “Here are some key players you need to know about,” she said as Scott spotted a hot blonde, unique face, foreign but familiar tan skin from either a recent vacation or time in a tanning booth, and drop dead gorgeous, “That’s Susan, better known as Lady Suvilia,” Amelia said.

  “Suvilia?” Scott asked.

  “That’s her Vampire name, once one is inducted into the lifestyle proper, when you’re reborn as a creature of the night you take on a new name of your own choosing, she’s a bit new but she’s been making quite a name for herself, the new name symbolizes your rebirth,” she said.

  “So Vampires get a new name, and what’s your name?” Scott asked.

  “Which name are you talking about, are you asking if Amelia is my Vampire name, or the name on my birth certificate?” she asked with a devious look in her eyes.

  “I’m not sure,” Scott said.

  “Well, that’s part of the fun. You’ve only known me a day and think you should be privy to what my true name is? My name is Amelia, is it the one given to me at birth? Well, that’s for me to know, and for you to find out, she took her finger and booped Scott’s nose, now come along my Damane,” she said, tugging Scott through the party. She approached Susan, Suvilia. Suvilia turned and her eyes lit up, seeing her sister of darkness.

  “Oh, Lady Amelia so great to see you again,” she said wrapping Amelia in a girlfriend’s hug. “So glad you could make it tonight,” she turned to Scott, looked him over with seductive eyes and licked her lips, “Oh, I see you have a new Damane, let’s hope he fares better than your last one, such a shame the Hunters got him,” she said, giving Scott another once over.

  “Your last Damane? Someone I need to be worried out?” Scott asked.

  Amelia pulled him aside, “It’s a game, we’re playing pretend, remember?” she asked, “In my story I’m a recently turned Vampire, and my first Damane, the one I had before you, met an unfortunate end, it’s just part of my backstory. When you’re accepted, you’ll be able to make a backstory too,” she said, “We’re all living as people we want to be here, so you’re free to make your past as interesting as you want,” she smiled.

  Suvilia turned from Scott back to Amelia, “So you believe that your new Damane will fare better than your previous, that he could be a welcomed addition to our clan? I notice you always find males to take as slaves. You should think about expanding your tastes,” she grinned.

  “What can I say, I know potential when I see it, I think my current Damane will be perfect for our little family,” Amelia said.

  Scott chimed in to the conversation layered with terminology and ideas he did not know of, winging it, “I think you’ll find I’ll be quite an interesting member,” he smiled, giving Lady Suvilia a bow.

  “Well, I have much to show my Damane,” Amelia said as she tugged Scott along by his tie through the party, “I’ll see you at the next sacrament, Lady Suvilia,” she said.

  “Can’t wait, bring your Damane, I’m sure he’ll have just the best time,” she said before grabbing a glass of wine from a table, sipping it as she turned to explore the west end of the party.

  “She looks like she has fun here,” Scott said.

  “Suvilia is a big player, very close with the clan leader, she’s in his inner circle,” Amelia smiled.

  “Ah yes, the famed Jacobin Hearsay, I’m assuming that’s his Vampire name?” Scott asked.

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  “Don’t call it a Vampire name, that’s actually very offensive to us. At your level, don’t even use the V-word,” Amelia said, “Jacobin is his name, when he’s here at least, at these parties, everyone is who they want to be, we don’t like to be bothered with reminders of that dull world that Damanes like you still call home,” she said. “You’ll find our community is quite diverse, people from all walks of life who come here to embrace their true selves, our sacred bond as creatures of the night, that’s one thing we all have in common, we trade the dull of the day for the glorious fun that debauchery the night can give us,” she said, leading Scott to one of the several tables littered with wine, she took two glasses of red and handed one to Scott, “There are many people for you to meet, just relax, it’s a party and we’re here to mingle, I want to introduce you to everyone,” she said as she took a sip and wrapped her arm around Scott’s free one.

  Amelia perused the party attendees as Scott to a big drink of wine, feeling that if he was going to fit in, he needed to be at least a little inebriated.

  “Oh, there’s Lucy,” Amelia said, “I was just talking to her, you didn’t get to meet her,” she beamed, pointing out the slightly cute brunette. “She’s Suvilia’s current Damane, a new member like you, I’d like to see how you two feel about the party,” she said, “It’s her first time at a gathering as well,” Amelia said, pulling Scott towards her.

  She was cute, not a knockout like Amelia or Suvilia, but she had a certain charm to her. Had Hank been here, knowing the type of girl he was into, she might have given Eleanor a run for her money. She had heavy black eyeliner, black short shorts, fishnets, and high heel boots that went up to her knees, and a black tank top with a silver and stylized upside down cross on it. “Nice to meet you,” Scott said, reaching out to her. Instead of taking it, Lucy just bowed.

  “A pleasure to meet you, fellow Damane, I serve under lady Suvilia, I take it you serve at the pleasure of Lady Amelia?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Scott said, trying to play along and get in the game, “I serve as Lady Amelia’s Damane, I’m new to the covenant as well,” Scott said, pulling his hand back and returning the bow.

  Lucy turned to Amelia, “Mistress, it’s so good to see you, the hour of my turning comes ever closer,” she closed her eyes and her body seemed to radiate with joy at the idea of becoming a Vampire. “Does my new jewelry please you,” she said, slowly sliding her tongue out, showing off a stud in the shape of a silver pentagram. Damn, Scott could see that this girl was a true believer.

  “Lucy is hoping to become accepted soon, I think she shows great promise for the clan,” Amelia said, smiling at her with what seemed to be such a hungry look in her eyes.

  “We can’t wait to welcome you into the clan,” Amelia said, “Enjoy the party Damane, for soon you will find pleasure beyond measure,” she said, her voice rolling with a seductive beckoning. She turned to Scott, “Enough chit chatting and mingling, you have someone very important to meet,” she said.

  “And who would that be?” Scott asked.

  “Our clan leader, now don’t embarrass me you have to look you’re best in front of him, he has big pull around here and he can see if you’re worthy enough to join the clan,” she said, taking Scott to the backyard, “Jacobin Hearsay,” she smiled.

  “What’s his real name?” Scott asked.

  Amelia rolled her eyes, “We don’t like to talk about what you call ‘real names’ here, we come to these parties to escape that world, and you better show respect. It’s thanks to Jacobin’s success in what you call the real world that we can celebrate in such luxury,” she said. “I told you, there’s a lot of politics you have to keep track of when playing our game,” Amelia said, “Jacobin is our leader, that’s the first rule you need to learn, do not offend Jacobin, if you make him mad you won’t be able to come to our fun hangouts anymore,” she said, tugging his arm towards the great leader of this clan of Vampires.

  Jacobin turned, he was a rather large man, not large in the intimidating sense, large in the enjoyed pizza rolls sense. He had a whiskered beard that was shaved to a somewhat presentable appearance. He had long hair with a bit of grease to it tied back in a ponytail. He wore a black fedora, a black vest over a purple shirt, pocket watch tied to his vest and resting in his pocket, a purple rose on the other next to it. On his left hand was a rather expensive looking leather glove. He turned and his face lit up.

  “Lady Amelia, so glad you could make it, as always,” he smiled, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips to kiss in the gesture of a supreme gentleman.

  “You flatter me as always, Lord Jacobin,” Amelia said, Scott wondered for a second if he saw a flash of blush come across her cheeks as Jacobin paid her complement.

  Jacobin turned to Scott, “So I take it that this is your new Damane, I’ve heard her speak very highly of you,” he smiled, showing off a pair of fake Vampire teeth, like the kind you buy at Spencer’s gifts or party city, but they looked a little more well-made then a simple party toy.

  “He shows promise,” Amelia said, “He’s a reporter,” she smiled at Scott.

  “Oh, a reporter, I do hope he knows the importance of anonymity is something our little family takes very seriously,” he said, giving Scott an accusing eye. “I hope you won’t go weaving stories about our beautiful and depraved machinations,” he asked.

  “I’m an out of work reporter, don’t really have a channel for anything I learn here tonight, I may try to tell people, warn them about a nest of Vampires in their community, but you have my assurance, no one would listen. With the power you wield you’ve nothing to worry about, Lord Jacobin,” Scott said, trying to play along and giving Jacobin a bow. This Jacobin character was well respected here, and apparently he had deep pockets, deep enough to rent a mansion and provide more than enough fine wine for a party this big. It was almost commendable that this was how far a guy who looked like him went to get laid. Game recognizes game.

  “Ours is a life of secrecy and subterfuge, we control this world, we have for centuries, millennia even if one has read the old writings,” Jacobin said before turning to Amelia, “I was recently conversing with Lady Suvilia, about a great feed I had the other day,” he grinned, “We left something for reporters like your current Damane to find. We left them a reminder of the Dark One’s ever approaching coming,” he said.

  That grabbed Scott’s reporter’s attention. Dark one, he heard that term before on the news report about the crime scene Hank investigated. “You’re just joking right, sorry, still new to this whole, lifestyle, as you call it,” Scott said.

  Jacobin turned to him with a confused look, “A Vampire never jokes about a feeding,” he said, then turning to Amelia with an curious eye.

  “Forgive my Damane,” she said, “He’s new,” she pulled Scott aside.

  Scott turned to her, “He’s talking about a real crime scene, I heard about it on the news, what the fuck is he doing?” Scott asked.

  “Look, we have fun with the news, there's been a ripple through the community with that crazy crime scene the cops found. At least a dozen people here have taken credit for it. I know it may sound terrible, but it fits our group so well. It’s just meant to be fun, macabre fun granted, but just that, a little grim fun we have. This is all make believe remember,” she said, trying to reassure him. “It’s a tragedy, what happened, but sometimes to deal with tragedy a little of humor is called for. This or that member of the clan says it was them, of course it wasn’t. You’ve gone through this party, you’ve seen the people here, be honest, do any of them look like someone who could kill someone so viciously,” she asked.

  Scott looked around the party, tons of lanky pale guys, slightly chubby girls, a few hotties, “I guess you’re right, just some macabre fun, I think I get it,” Scott nodded. “What’s next? What can your humble Damane do to serve you, my lady?” Scott asked, trying to get back into the game.

  “Oh, yes my Damane, you will do my bidding, and my bidding is that we head to the common room to dance,” she smiled, putting her arms around Scott’s neck and pulling him in to another kiss. They found the main room and music was pumping, early 2000s goth/emo blend. AFI was playing right now. That was a deep cut back to Scott’s jr. High years.

  The party's crowd was interesting, to say the least. A peppering of some pretty good-looking women dressed in fancy gothic wear, lots of leather boots and corsets abound. Amelia pulled him to the dance floor and turned, getting her ass up on him and grinding to the gothic punk music.

  Scott looked over and saw Jacobin dancing with a very outstanding blonde. She was totally enveloped in him, grinding him, teasing him, running her hand up his chest. With her other hand she reached into her pocket for a small glass vial with a cork, a deep dark red liquid. She pulled Jacobin into a deep kiss, seeing a man like Jacobin kissing a bombshell like that? Now that was a sight to see.

  With one thumb she uncorked the small vial and brought it to her lips, drinking half the dark red liquid inside. Was that blood? Scott thought, no, it’s got to be just another part of the game. Amelia said fake blood drinking rituals were involved in this little game. Most likely corn syrup and red dye number 5 food coloring. She leaned Jacobin’s head back as his lips parted and she poured the rest of its contents into his mouth. He had a dreamy look in his eyes as she brought him to another kiss.

  “This lifestyle you have, pretty odd for a girl like you, a girl like a lot of these girls,” Scott said.

  “You meet a thin girl and think her life has always been a certain way,” Amelia said as she leaned back and put her arms around the back of Scott’s neck, “When you get to know the people here, you’ll find we all share some experience of being an outcast, not just for our bodies, what they are or what they used to be, there are other reasons, being a Vampire gives us an outlet,” she turned, in Scott's arms as he rested his hands on her hips, “It gives us a place we can be the beautiful creatures that we want to be, no one judges you here, no one tells you to behave, we find comfort in it. Once you get a taste of what a life without limits can be quite addicting. Do you think you could handle that? Living unconstrained by petty things like morality or some sad obsession with right and wrong?”

  “I don’t know, seems like a violent life, if they’re causing crime scenes like Jacobin brags about,” Scott said, trying to get into character. He was a Damane, Amelia’s slave, a curious newcomer to this macabre world.

  Amelia laughed, “You think Jacobin is the kind of Vampire who could do something like that, no, no, I’ll let you in on a dirty secret about Jacobin, our so-called leader, he came to the scene late,” Amelia said, “He just brings money to the group, we used to meet in parks, have to worry about some ranger giving us a problem about drinking so much in public,” she turned back around and leaned back against Scott, “If not for his resources I doubt he would be anything more then some low ranking Damane, no way he could have been turned and inducted to such a high rank so fast,” She rolled her eyes along with her hips, drawing Scott further and further into her seductive envelopment.

  “I’m not bringing any money to the party, you think I’m good enough to be turned someday?” he asked, “Or am I only good enough to be your little pet?”

  “I think you could be, I got a feeling about you, cute, charming, masculine, mmm, yes you’ll make a fine Vampire, after you learn a bit more about our world, it’s up to you. If you want it bad enough and impress us, then I would love the opportunity to give you sacrament, finally feed on you, and turn you into one of us. It’s a big decision though, do you think you’re up for it?” she said, looking over her shoulder at him as his hands slid around her body.

  “Am I going to need a pair of those fake teeth? If I’m going to play along as you say?” he asked.

  “You can if you want, that’s a big credence of our lifestyle, you get to do what want,” she laughed.

  “I think I could rock some fake teeth. Just don’t go asking me to buy a fedora,” he said.

  “Oh never, you’re my slave,” She turned back around, running her fingertips up his chest, “I command you to never buy a Fedora,” she said, grinning.

  “As you wish, mistress,” Scott raised his eyebrows. He felt like he was getting into this. Doing whatever you wanted for a few hours a week had a certain appeal to it as he looked deep into those bright sky-blue eyes.

  “You just need to make a choice,” she leaned into Scott’s ear, “How devoted do you see yourself becoming to our lifestyle,” she asked, for the umpteenth time her voice carried that shiver that went through his spine when she whispered something to him. Like some pulling force that made him act as the Damane she declared him to be. Her obedient servant. He had to shake himself every time she talked to him like that.

  “I could use some new flavor in my life, drinking Vampire blood, that’s pretty out there, I got to admit. Sounds fun, I think I’d be down to join,” he said.

  “If you get to join, as much as some of us deride him in private, Jacobin must take a liking to you, so I hope you don’t embarrass me next time you meet him. I command you to watch yourself, you are my Damane,” she put her hand on his neck, gently and seductively squeezing it just enough to be a little playful and kinky, “You have to follow my word, so don’t disobey me,” she said. Though she was a foot shorter than him and easily fifty pounds his lesser, Scott felt like she could break him in half as he was lulled by her words. What was this power she had over him? As he looked into her eyes, he felt compelled. He wanted to obey her, no matter what crazy thing she was going to bring on him next.

  “Yes, I am your servant, your Damane,” Scott said, his voice trailing off, too obsessed with her eyes locked on his to know what he was saying.

  Amelia slid her hand off his neck and down Scott’s chest to take his tie and tug at it, leading him around like a puppy. “Let’s head outside, come along,” she said grinning as she led Scott off the dancefloor and towards the backyard.

  “What’s outside?” Scott asked, willingly letting her lead him outside. It was just as his title said, he was her Damane, her slave, willing to follow her to the ends of the earth had she commanded it. When Scott was home, away from her, waiting for the next meeting, she was just another sexy girl who thought he was cute, nothing too special. But being around her, she had some kind of power over him he couldn’t explain.

  “We’re doing something fun tonight, practicing combat arts,” she said, letting go of his tie as they made their way to back of the spacious yard, “We’re honing our archery skills,” she said. At the far end of the yard there were three posts, each with a foam mannequin tied to them. They were white and faceless wearing cheap but quite elegant white dresses pin cushioned with a bevy of black arrows with black and gold fringed feathers.

  Amelia found a table and got them each another glass of wine. She handed one to Scott and clicked hers to his, “Doesn’t that sound like fun?” she asked.

  “You get drunk and shoot arrows, it’s interesting,” Scott said taking a sip of wine, “Sounds pretty fun too, I have to admit,” he said.

  “This is particularly important for our kind. We have been persecuted for thousands of years, even since the time of the first Blasphemer created our kind,” she said. “It’s necessary that we know how to defend ourselves, we call those who would end our time on this earth The Hunters,” she said, leading Scott to a rack of bows and arrows.

  Everything she told him unveiled more and more of the deeper mythology that Scott had seen when he gave the game’s Wikipedia page a once over.

  Amelia took one bow and tested its string, “The Hunters seek to destroy us, so it’s only natural that our kind train to fight them,” she said.

  Scott wasn’t much of a sportsman, but he had been to the range enough times with Dad to recognize a high dollar bow rig. It must have been another benefit of letting Jacobin take authority in the game. These weapons looked to be worth a grand each, easily.

  Amelia took a gold feather fringed arrow and knocked it, taking a long draw as she aimed towards the mannequins. She had the pose and poise of an Olympian archer. She must have been worried about these so-called hunters, because she looked like someone who had done this a lot.

  She loosed her arrow, and it sailed through the air over thirty feet, embedding itself right in the eye of the center mannequin. “Pretty impressive, huh?” she asked.

  “You’re a good shot,” Scott said, taking a gulp of wine before resting his glass on the table. He took one of the heavy well-made bows in one hand, and an arrow in another. “Pretty fun games you Vampires play,” he said as he took his place next to Amelia, knocking his arrow.

  “Haven’t shot one of these since boy scouts, let’s see if I’m rusty,” he smiled as he drew his bow. He closed one eye and raised his eyebrow. This string had a heavy pound test. Amazing a tight little body like Amelia’s could pull one with such a skillful hand. He took his draw, took his aim, and loosed his arrow. Letting it dart through the air and hit the left mannequin square in the chest. “Center of mass,” Scott said as he lowered his bow, “I think I’d call that a kill,” he smiled, handing the bow to one of the waiting Vampires and grabbing his wine again.

  “Promising shot, Damane,” Amelia grinned.

  “So, if we’re training to fight Hunters? I assume that hunters are mostly men? The people who hunt you, I mean,” Scott asked, “Why would you have practice on targets wearing women’s dresses?” he asked.

  “Because it’s more fucked up,” she laughed, “Haven’t you noticed yet that we’re a kind of odd bunch?” she winked.

  Odd, that was certainly something to call this party. Scott took another drink of wine, as offbeat as it was, he was having a surprisingly good time.