72 The Ritual (1/2)

The more that I looked up at him the more intimidated I felt. He was silent and the pressure that he was asserting to my back was not painful. But it was strong there was no denying the fact that I would have to pay a heavy price to escape from him right now.

Looking down at me his green eyes are piercing like a knife. It felt like he could see deep down into my soul. I knew that this was a lot like a game and that they were a lot like NPC's but that didn't do anything to soothe my mind.

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. I know that he asked me a question, but I could not formulate words to respond to him. At that moment, I really felt the age of my body.

Seeming to find the answer that he was looking for in my eyes. He released the hand holding onto my back and I quickly retreated. Jumping to the side so I don't step off the side of the rooftop.

Putting some distances between us. The nerves began to lessen, and I felt like I could think again. The helpless feeling subsided and I look at him curiously.

A devious smile rest on his lips and I can't help but stare. He was quite a good-looking man. The scruffy appearance just added to his appeal.

”Do you need me to repeat my question, little lady?” He asks me. Turning to look at me his eyes still visible.

I felt like blushing he seems so relaxed and I was looking at him so intently.

”Yes, if you could,” I manage to say.

He smirks and pulls out a neatly rolled cylinder of paper. Then with the snap of his fingers, a flame appeared at the front end of the paper and he drew a puff from it.

”What are you doing here?” He repeats.

I curse, inwardly.

Why had I not left before I was found out? The last thing I needed was unnecessary suspicion to fall onto me!

Sucking in a deep breath, I decided to answer him honestly. He had a somewhat favorable view of me already. He might believe me!

”I heard the cry of a woman and decided to follow the direction of the sound. Then I happened to stumble upon this,” I said nodding towards the statue.

He looks towards the statue and tags a drag from the homemade cigarette. The smoke curls in blue smoke around his mouth and through his hair. It was an enchanting look. He looks just like an angsty protagonist of a crime book.

”These girls were used in a ritual,” he states lightly.

I look at him curiously.

”Can you explain what you mean by this?” I ask him.

Pulling the cigarette back from his mouth. I watch the smoke curl out of his mouth. He steps towards me and I try my best not to flinch. He soon invades my personal space, for the second time.

”That,” he points at the woman, ”was done by a servant of the Black God. It's a ritual to bring the attention of the profane God. By the desecration of the blessed Goddess. The sacrifice of twenty virgins and then a woman that with child bring the attention of the accursed deity,” he explains darkly.

There was no kindness in his voice, nor much emotion. But it felt like I was being swallowed whole back a dark and deep abyss.

Looking at him, I straighten my back.

”Do you suspect me then?”

He takes another drag and inhales more of the smoke. It smelled faintly of vanilla and herbs. It was neither pleasant nor unpleasant.

”This isn't something that you'd be able to do without any blood on you. Besides I have been watching you since you've arrived here. That wound on your arm was to prevent yourself from losing control, right?” He asks.

His hand reaches out and pulls up my left arm. Which is marked with a row of deep cuts from my fingernails. His hand was burning it felt like a stark contrast between my freezing skin.

”Didn't anyone tell you peeping wasn't nice?” I ask pulling my arm back.

He drops his hand and gives me a small grin. Before looking back towards the statue. A few more people had appeared, and mages began to cast light on the area.

”It's not a habit of mine to peep on children. But are Vampires really children?”

He doesn't wait for my answer.

”We need to go down there before they move the bodies. We might be able to figure out just the profane god's servant wants,” he says softly.

Dropping his cigarette to the ground his stamps it out. Reaching for me he quickly grabs my body and hauls me easier into his arms. I don't even have time to protest the sudden motion.