The Dead of the Night

Persephone sighed, flicking away her toothpick she had been chewing on and tugging her gloves back on. The dead were rampant here in New Orleans, a ghost on every street corner, pale and transparent, staring vacantly into the night. Today, her mess of hair was up and exposing her neck, a neck that was intricately covered in tattoos. Buttoning up her leather jacket against the chill winds, Persephone started walking, the heels of her shoes clicking as she went. Occasionally, she would take a few steps to the left or a few steps to the right. To anyone she may seem a little mentally unbalanced. But, in reality, she was avoiding ghosts. She had no desire to walk through one and feel their lives. To breath their last breath and to feel their heart stop.

"Ahh," She made a noise of pain as her fingers brushed through one ghost, causing her to stumble and ram her shoulder against the wall. Crack, the brick of said wall fractured into three pieces, the heart of the fracture where Persephone's shoulder had connected. "Oops," She whispered again before turning up her collar against the wind.

The Case that had brought her to New Orleans was a typical case she was used to, it generally dealt with death. In this case a decapitated body that gave no clues. Thats when her ability to read came in. But that particular ability consumed her life, not allowing her to have physical contact with any living thing, anything once living, or anything previously owned. Even then it was still hard. Persephone's hotel was only a few blocks away.

Cain was bored, because let’s face it the most interesting thing he had done this month was take over some crappy Prom only for two punk ass zeroes heroes to try and take him down. When he had the entire army of the creatures of the night, literally, all there pissed off that they had decided to crash their party. So at least for a little bit he had gone back to his old tricks from the days before he got all big and high and mighty in the world of the night. It was his moniker, his calling cards of sorts that he used back when the police didn’t even believe he existed; back when they didn’t want to believe he existed because they didn’t have a face to a name.

They still didn’t exactly have a face or his name but that didn’t really matter. What did matter was that decapitated heads from the neck down, with two very present puncture wounds apparent in said neck, were popping up ever so slowly down in New Orleans. He had been having fun with his last two victims as of late so for the moment there was only one or two of the heads lying around with shadow monsters ready to spell out ‘The Lord of Shadows Returns’ when some stupid human or cop runs across them.

What made it all the more fun was that the people of New Orleans were just starting to feel safe again, what with Shade disbanding and all after Elena Marie died…again for like the fifth time. Laughing as he finished having his fun with the two victims he finished draining them of their blood and then severed the heads as he lit the bodies on fire, breathing in and taking in the smell of burning flesh. Next to blood and…well something else it was one of his favorite things to smell in the world. He could have stood there the entire time until something else caught his attention. Something that didn’t require super human hearing or some other sense to attract him. Oh no, the tell-tale sound of a wall cracking and breaking from a superhuman force was one he knew all too well.

Slinking back into the shadows his body becoming one with them as the shadow monsters wrapped around Cain, he was pulled into the shadow realm before re-appearing on top of a building not too far away. Overlooking the city streets he tilted his head to the side in confusion, as from what he could see there wasn’t exactly anything well…interesting or big enough to have made the noise he heard. In fact the only thing that seemed to be anywhere close to the building, which he could see had a pretty damn big crack in it, was a drunk girl walking down the sidewalk like she would fall over at any moment. Sure, two people filled you up pretty fast but Cain also had other needs that needed to be satisfied…and a taste wouldn’t hurt.

A wicked grin forming onto the face of the King of Darkness he once again melted back into the shadows becoming one with them. In a matter of moments he rose up from behind the girl, rising up from her very own shadow and licked his lips. Or rather, he licked his teeth and more specifically his two now growing in size canines. “You ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?” He asked with a cackle, having always wanted to say that line, as he went to grab the girl from behind and attempted to bite down on her exposed neck.

Persephone felt skin touch her skin, she screamed as information flooded her mind like the searing of a thousand knives; a tortured soul, murder, death… and lastly a name.

Then Percy reached around and behind her, grabbing the vampire by the wrist and attempting to do a classic throw to get him off her, if she succeeded Cain would either dent of crack the cement. After managing to get the scoundrel in front of her, the woman with emerald green eyes glared, crossing her arms indignantly.

“Oi! I wouldn’t do that if I were you leach face, unless you want cracks in your fangs,” Persephone rolled her shoulders and massaged her neck were his fingers had touched. He wouldn’t be leaving bruises, however if she were a normal human she’d most likely have a handprint. “As far as dancing goes, I don’t dance. Not if I can help it anyway. I don’t like being touched.”

Now Cain could see that he had made a mistake. She was indeed very alert and fully capable of sending him flying, even if he was stronger than her. Even though Cain was the scarier creature, Persephone was scarier looking, studded with tattoos, a leather jacket, and unnaturally bright green eyes.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. Of course I know you’re a vamp. You gave away your species the moment you touched me.” Percy rubbed her forehead and started walking past him before taking two steps to the left to avoid another ghost.

“So what do you want me to call yah? I can’t just keep saying Fang Face without getting weird looks.”

Just as his breath kissed her bare neck his teeth ready to delve into the unknown and taste the bag o’ blood he was on his ass. It was just plain embarrassing, a fledgling could have done better than he did and that’s possibly what he looked like to any onlookers. He grumbled as stood up from the cracked concrete, he wasn’t harmed physically at least but mentally he was happy there was not any other vampires, werewolves, shadow creatures, or other creatures of the night around to see what had just happened. What she had said next tough made him laugh, no it made him cackle like a mad hyena. She actually thought she was able to harm him? Her some chick off the street?

Sure, this chick of the streets had been able to flip him, but if she had paid any attention she’d see that only the ground had been hurt in that collision. In fact the cracked, broken, and dented ground was harmed ten times worse than Cain had been, he hadn’t even felt the impact. What got the Lord of Shadows to stop laughing however was what she said next, she knew about Vampires and that they actually existed?  A sly grin forming on his face, his blood red eyes glistening in the moonlight…this was going to be fun; a lot more fun that he had originally imagined and it didn’t hurt that she was very, very attractive.

Crossing his arms and raising a bushy eyebrow Cain looked her up and down. Studded with tattoos, a leather jacket, and unnaturally bright green eyes she was like a woman right out of Cain’s own heart…if he had one. He himself was dressed in black jeans, his favorite purple shirt, a slick leather jacket and his blood red eyes only seemed to compliment his ghostly white skin and messy jet black hair. When she walked away from him he followed close behind before catching up, she had caught his interest…and she’d get to live for now because of that. “I’ve got many O’ names, The Bloody Bandit, the King of Darkness, The Lord of Shadows but you can call me Cain, Cain Vulsore; and if you know so much about vampires than I’m certain you’ve heard of me. So, what can I call you precious? Bag O’ Blood just doesn’t seem your style.”

The cracks on the cement honestly did not surprise Persephone and she paused as a ghost walked by in front of her, this allowed for Cain to catch up. She made a mental note to never come back to New Orleans because of ghosts. Creatures she can deal with, ghosts? Not so much. However, Cain’s eyes sliding over her gave her the heebeegeebees. It almost felt like- ohmygosh. The Vampire was checking her out. But Persephone acted like she didn’t notice. After all, she was a very good actress.
Three steps the right, avoid a gory looking ghost waving a meat cleaver in an attempt to get her attention. Another pause as she turned onto the street where her hotel was, no ghosts. That was nice.

Cain Vulsore? Lie. That was not the name he was born with.

Percy arched an eyebrow but she didn’t comment.

“Oh, I know quite a bit about you Mr. Vulsore; Serial Killer, bad boy extraordinaire, likes to drain, burn, and decapitate most of his victims, and is on the FBI most wanted list. I am going to go ahead and say that you had nothing to do with the recent murder. Body was practically ripped to pieces.” She shot him a crooked grin. “You can call me Percy. Yeah, Bag O’ Blood isn’t really my type either. Judging by the markings you left on the cement you most likely wouldn’t break your fangs if you tried to eat me… you are one of the few who wouldn’t. First and last vampire that bit me told me I was disgusting. Too many drugs in one’s system leave permanently tainted blood I guess. So instead I cut off his head. So I wouldn’t recommend trying to eat me.” She kept up a pleasant conversational tone with a hint of humor; Percy assumed that what she was saying amused him to no end even though what she was saying was true.

Persephone adjusted her gloves as she came to a halt outside her hotel, hopefully the hotel didn’t have any ghosts. Otherwise she’d get no sleep at all.

“Tell me,” She turned to him. “Are there any Weres in the area? I have a sneaking suspicion that is what did the damage to the body.”

Cain blinked when she mentioned she knew a lot about him, okay so that wasn’t when he really blinked in surprise but he was surprised. He was on the FBI’s most wanted list? Did they even know what he looked like? Hell if they did know what he looked did they at least have a good picture of him or was it some crappy dark, un lighted picture? “Wait hold on FBI’s most wanted? Sweet, bet ‘ol Volt isn’t even on the FBI’s most wanted list.” He said with a grin only for her to continue talking which bored Cain again, she was starting to lose his interest and that was never good for anyone, except him of course. If he lost interest in her, he wouldn’t be the one who had to be scarred.

However, she quickly caught his attention again when she made a commit about how the first and last vampire tried to bite her got beheaded and mentioned something about drugs and of course not trying to eat her again. “Sweet, precious Percy you claim to know oh so much but really you don’t know anything. If I wanted to you’d be begging for me to eat you…” He got closer behind her as his voice dropped to a whisper, and he spoke into her ear “in more ways than one.” His lingered there for a moment before stepping a bit away, watching her movements wanting to see how she reacted, and only made a ‘hmm’ sound when she said that he couldn’t have been the one to commit the recent murders.

Which in all honesty was a complete and total lie, he had just in fact completed some recent murders of his own, even if he wasn’t the only ‘murder’ in town signs pointed to the fact that he had orchestrated them in some way shape or form. “Weres? Oh yes, there are certainly some werewolves in the area. It is New Orleans my dear, hub of all thing’s magical and unexplained in the good old US of A. But mostly as of late it’s become the hunting ground to the Creatures of the Night.”

His breath was cold as ice on the back of her neck; his threat was very much a threat and one that sent a shudder down her spine, he would try to touch her again. Well then, he was in for a surprise.

“You know Mr. Vulsore,” Persephone reached up and straightened his tie. “If you’re going to threaten someone, do it properly. But I will clue you in on a secret. I have died more times than I can count. I don’t fear you and I don’t fear death. I have seen the faces that have died by your hand as well as the hands of other vampires. Trust me when I say, there are worse ways to die.”

Her dark green eyes looked so sad when she said those things before her mind turned to the murder.

“Pft, of course it is a Supernatural hub, common knowledge for people with my abilities. As for hunting grounds, well… sounds like I am in for a bit of fun. It would appear that the hunter is about-“

RING! RING! RING!

Persephone jumped and sighed before pulling out her cell phone.

“Persephone speaking,” She said in a smooth voice before falling silent as her face drained of color. “Where are you guys?...uh huh. I see. I will be there shortly.”

Percy let out a long drawn out sigh, “Looks like I am not getting any sleep tonight.” She looked up at the hotel longingly. “There has been another murder. How do you feel about corpses?”

Abruptly she made a face, realizing who she was talking to.

“Never mind, don’t answer that question,” She waved a leather gloved hand dismissively. “Just control yourself, mkay?”

The woman doubted she would be able to shake Cain off. With that she began walking again, towards the waterfront.

**

The crime scene was alive with police activity; red and blue lights lighting up the area and a few boys in blue attempting crowd control.

“Excuse me, “Percy stated, cutting through the crowd. “Excuse me! Detective coming through!”

That got people to move; Percy stuck her hand with her badge in the air and made her way over to the yellow tape which she ducked under. A fellow detective moved to stopped Cain from following her, “its okay. Princess Sparkles is with me.”

Then she turned back around and moved towards the main group of workers. The body had been cleanly ripped into several different pieces, arms, legs, and head. The teenager’s mouth hung open and her eyes glazed and foggy. It was a mess; innards up in trees and blood everywhere.

“Percy,” A graying cop came over, holding evidence bag that the Medium eyed with obvious distaste. Wordlessly she held out her hand. After she had taken the bag, the cop opened up a notebook. Persephone’s green eyes glowed faintly in the dim light and she opened the bag, pulling off one glove, and exposing a slim pale skinned hand. Then, she carefully picked the piece of cloth up in her hand. The effect was instantaneous. Persephone started trembling all over as she handed the information of the dead girl, age, name, weight, favorite sport, and address. With extreme effort she slid the cloth back into the bag and handed it back to the cop.

“I’m done for tonight,” She said quietly to the cop. Persephone did not appear to seem shaken or even disturbed as she had lived the teenage girls last moments before she had been ripped limb from limb. However, Persephone’s hands were trembling as she fumbled with the black leather glove.

Cain laughed at the things Percy said, trying to make it seem as if she wasn’t at all scared of him in any way shape or form. She said she had seen all of the faces that had died by his hands and other vampires, but if that were true there would be no way on earth she would dare stick around near him. He had killed more people in his lifespan than she had probably ever met in her entire life and would ever meet. Not only that but he was also very well versed in the art of torture able to keep his victims alive with nothing on their bodies but the upper part of the chest, their tongue and an eye or two if he was feeling generous.

When the phone rang Cain raised an eyebrow but only remained silent as he not only listened to the conversation on her end, but as much as he could hear coming from the phone its self. Which if he was being honest was practically nothing. “Corpses? Why I’d say I love them, bu-” He was cut off abruptly when she told him to behave himself, which caught him off guard. Behave himself? What did she expect him to do honestly? Run around terrorizing everyone along the way and drinking the blood of her little cop friends? Please, unless they deserved it he wasn’t going to kill anyone else tonight. Okay, so no promises on that really but as far as he himself was concerned right now he was full and needed no more blood.

Cain followed her to wherever they were going and had almost gotten bored half-way there…he probably would have if he hadn’t been walking behind her the entire way. But that was a story for a different time, the story of today was what happened when they got to the, well crime scene. When they walked onto the crime scene Cain hadn’t expected to walk his way in but he also had not expected to be almost stopped by some two bit cop who thought he was all that because he had a badge. However Percy told said cop off and Cain only laughed “Yea, I’m with- wait hold up Princess Sparkles?” He called after her following her to wherever it was they were going.
Cain followed her over to her…well location and was going to give her shit about the nickname because it made no sense to him, but then something caught his eye. Or rather what she did caught his attention, she touched the cloth in what appeared to be an evidence bag before turning her eyes green and then wrote some stuff down in a journal. Confused but also very interested he watched as she stumbled to put the glove back on, most normal boys would attempt to help her do so but Cain was not a normal boy. He may not be the smartest man in the world but he did know a thing or two about powers and the occult.

“You’re clairvoyant or whatever the hell the thing is aren’t you?” He asked with a grin, “You touch things and see what they’ve seen…that sort of deal yea? Bloody nice power for someone in your line of work…bet you’ve come across some pretty nasty things.” He laughed only now realizing that whoever just died had worn the cloth she just touched and therefore she had seen the last dying moments of that person. So in a sense when she earlier said she had died many times, she hadn’t been completely lying. She had lived through many deaths, just not her own. “You go through that all the time and still able to walk on the wild side? You are metal as hell Princess.” He whistled. “So, who do I gota…Kill?”

Persephone was sitting on a bench several yards away before Cain caught up with her and started bombarding her with words. In the English language she would have guessed but the screams from the dead girl still rang in her head. The Medium’s head was in her hands and she was breathing very hard and very rapidly through her nose and mouth, trying to pull her senses back into her own body. It took a few minutes but soon enough she was coherent enough to understand what Cain was saying.

“I’m a medium,” Persephone winced at the term Clairvoyant. “I’m also psychometric, hence the gloves. I can’t touch anything that is or was living or previously owned unless I want to know too much about the individual.”  

Carefully, Percy stood, adjusting her jacket so it wasn’t slipping off to expose bare skin or the dark blue tank top underneath.

“Nasty doesn’t even begin to describe some of the things I have seen or felt,” She began walking down the street again, removing pins from her long, dark, auburn hair, her head had been beginning to ache from the mass of waves being piled on top of her head. Percy couldn’t help but smell her vanilla coconut shampoo.

“Mental, yes. Princess, no.” Percy disagreed teasingly before sobering up at his question. “No one, yet. I think, from what I saw, it was an accident. If we can find the were first we might be able to stop these murders.   It depends on the next murder victim that I see tomorrow. I am hoping to get some more information off that body to see if the two murders are connected.” She watched Cain out of the corner of her eye, realizing what she was saying. “Not that you have to help. Considering you generally do the killing versus hunting a killer. It might be fun. Catching killers of other species is a little more challenging than catching mortals. Considering you like to go for the soft stuff… those last two you slaughtered today were rather on the fluffy side. Wouldn’t you prefer a challenge?”

Her voice held no emotion, like she was stating a fact. The hotel was nearing the two as they walked, lights blazing brightly out of the building in the 3 AM morning light.