Chapter 355 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 6 - The Bronze Token (II) (1/2)

Layton was not really what you would call a 'connoisseur' of the opposite s.e.x. He'd dabbled here and there, but he much preferred the company of his weapons, and a sweat worked up from sparring, than he did an evening of s.e.x.u.a.l p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.

It made Rassa's criteria for tonight's hunt all the more annoying. Challenging? Of course, to those not adept. Layton was not much for conversation with those he was not comfortable with, and his metal piercings through his lip, eyebrow, ears, tongue and nose were all a certain kind of terrifying to most respectable women. He usually had to pay for a particularly brave whore if he wanted to release himself. Sel and Rassa had both told him that it was probably the generally chaotic aura he gave off as well. That, unfortunately, wasn't entirely on purpose.

Growing up where he had, amongst thieves, murderers and the worst of the human rot, he'd learned early how to survive. He'd learned early that if he was better at it, if he enjoyed it more than they did, then all of a sudden it was them who were fearful of him. He'd still had a weakness back then though. He'd still had his mother, wasted as she was. He'd gotten too comfortable in her presence, and one night, those men who had come to fear his potential had taken him and sold him off to the slavers. He'd let his rage at this weakness bleed out through his enemies on the hard-packed sand of the Warrior's Arena floor.

The other Reapers had been his only solace. Souls that were perhaps not as tortured, but certainly as vengeful. But Aegin…Aegin had been like a light in the dark. He had spent two years protecting a woman they only let him see once a week. At first, Layton hadn't been able to figure him out, but he'd seen it when he'd been able to watch Aegin, unshackled, in the Arena. Aegin had grown up just like him.

When Layton had met Rassa, he'd seen nothing but shadows at first. But then he'd seen the confidence, the dominating aura. And the others had too. This was not a kindred spirit like Aegin had been. But without a doubt he was somebody that they could trust. That they could put their lives on the line for. Because Rassa Moonshadow would do exactly the same for them.

Layton had wanted nothing more than to stand in that shadow, to feel it's warmth, protection, and its power. He had yet to be disappointed by it. In fact, standing within that shadow he felt the most powerful and the most at home that he'd ever felt.

Hunting with Rassa Moonshadow was not a game to the Coven. It was a privilege. It was their Lord and Master standing at the head of the table and telling them, the lowly peasants, to join him. Even a hundred or a thousand years from now, Layton knew he would still feel the same joy when in his Master's Shadow. It did not matter what demand Rassa made of him. It was worth it to feel as content and alive as he did.

Layton, leaning against a lamppost in the square as he watched the dancing of the night's festivities, sensed a curious gaze from the side. He smiled, biting his lip ring in anticipation as he put his hands into his pockets.

He may not be appealing to any woman who laid eyes upon him as Rassa was, but the more daring would occasionally pluck up the courage to approach him. In Layton's opinion that was better, the more daring ones often were more fun.

***

Iah paced at a leisurely stroll through the streets, her heels cl.i.c.k.i.n.g on the cobblestones. The others had all gone towards the more heavily populated areas, but Iah had decided to go where they'd usually hunt. To back alleys and side streets.

She had not lied in saying that she was uncomfortable with seduction. She firmly believed that one should wait until marriage. She had no prospects, and with eternity in front of her she hadn't the pressing weight of time to affect her reasoning. So instead she paced leisurely, walking in circles along the streets near the apartment complex, her heels cl.i.c.k.i.n.g on cobblestones, and her purse jingling with coins in her hand.

She would hunt, just as they all would when the opportunity to hunt with their Lord and Master came. But she would hunt on her terms. Knowing Rassa, he would simply sit back and smile in approval when he learned of her methods.

”You're looking especially lovely tonight, Miss, but you look a little lost. Is there something wrong?”

Iah smiled, ”I find myself in a minor dilemma, seeing as you are so kind as to concern yourself with me, would you mind sparing a few moments of your time?”

The prey looked hesitant. Iah held up her purse and shook it, the coins jingling inside.

”For a price, of course”.

The hesitance vanished, ”What would you like me to do, Miss?”

***

Mathius sat in the quiet tea house, his tea steaming in front of him as he gazed out of the window beside him.

One year and one week since his release, and he still felt the hunger eating away at his insides. He still felt it as his flesh festered and died. As his mind retreated into the darkness and he was left standing at the edge of nothingness.

He had learned his lesson. He had learned to reign in the hunger. He had learned to not let it control him. But most of all, he had learned to never cross Rassa Moonshadow…at least, not unless you were confident of victory.

He'd had his small victories since his release. He'd learned that his power was but a fraction of his Master's, so instead he'd used his mind. His mind had never failed him before. When Rassa had suggested implementing the Railway on the Southern Continent, Mathius had protested. At first it had fallen on deaf ears, but he'd gone and done his research and come back with a full report of what needed to be achieved before Rassa could even think of implementing the system elsewhere. Rassa had, shockingly, conceded. Then praised him.

Mathius had learned in that moment that while Rassa Moonshadow was one of the most, if not the most powerful being in the known world, he was not without reason.

Besides, Mathius had known businessmen a long time before he'd met Rassa. They may be enraged by lies coming from their subordinates, but a little white lie managed to slip under the radar every now and then.

Mathius had learned that his Vampiric abilities would not help him achieve more in the world. But his abilities as a businessman certainly would.

”Is the tea not to your liking, Sir?” asked the widower who owned the tea shop.

Mathius turned to her with a small smile, ”Forgive me, it may be strange but I prefer the scent over the taste. It reminds me of my late wife”.

”Oh, I see, I'm sorry for your loss,” said the Widower.

Mathius shook his head, ”Don't be, it was many years ago. Besides, I remember her more as a dear friend than anything else”.

The Widower smile warmly, ”Aye, my Francis was like that too”.

Mathius looked to her, knowing the bait had been set. A hunt such as this where words were more useful than his Vampiric abilities? It was a sure win for him.

”Oh? Did your Francis spend his days determined to ensure that you smelled the roses before you picked them to bring home to him as a gift?”