Ravenous. A Horror. Part 1 of 2

The city lights shimmered a thousand colors on the streets. Embraced by the damp, cool night air, Seth tilted his face to the sky, becoming the moonlight to caress his closed lids. He inhaled deeply, relishing the scents his highly developed senses accepted. Fair trade roasted coffee, probably claiming to originate from Sumatra, more likely coming from somewhere just south of the border wafted from a nearby coffee shop. Simmering sauces abounded by tomato, with fresh basil and oregano from an Italian restaurant. The sulfurous stench steaming from the septic manholes. Sweat in no way masked by varying layers of offending men’s body spray lingered after a group of obnoxious drunk college jocks lumbered down the street. Sickly sweet and overly floral notes of female abounded.

Seth lowered his head and opened his eyes, sighing. He could never understand the modern practice of layering chemical fragrances over the body. Granted, a century ago it was common practice to douse oneself with flowered oils, due to the lack of indoor plumbing. But now, with personal hygiene made easy, the humans only managed to smell worse! His reverie was abruptly shattered when a most pure mixture of warm blood swept just inches from where he stood. Seth fell in step several bodies behind her. Delicate hints of vanilla and sandalwood enhanced the spiced metallic scent of her blood. Seth gasped as the long lines of her neck were made visible briefly through the thick veil of her blond waves as she swiftly turned a corner. Seth, caressing his teeth with his salivating tongue, followed her footsteps. Her aura was pristine, almost angelic. And quite appetizing. He had not seen her face as of yet, but that was of no concern. Seth was hungry.

Catherine bypassed the bouncer at the Cave with a warm smile and an air kiss. She slid past what appeared to be the club’s proprietor, using the forms of a lusty couple as a shield. She all but ran to a glass bar that fronted the dance floor. In one deft move she removed herself of her coat and stuffed it under the bar, while she managed to greet a swaying couple and get their drink orders. Seth watched all this from a darkened vantage point across the bar. He had had no problems with the bouncer. He simply sidled to the front of the red velvet roped walkway and flashed his Drivers License. Although the dates on the plastic rectangle belied his years, his charming smile and confidant air led him to ease in any situation.

Seth always got what he wanted.

The bouncer had allowed him through with a nod, which led to much whining from the people in line. Following her scent, Seth had taken up residence far from her, and for several hours he waited, never taking his eyes off her. He could not get over how perfect this specimen was, lithe with sinuously long legs, and creamy skin to die for.

Or kill for, depending on one’s mood.

This was going to be difficult, Seth thought, but he always up for a challenge. This woman was well known here, and she would be missed. She would probably be escorted home by a gentleman caller. Seth would have to tread carefully.

A rather large man wearing an Armani suit appeared at the bar. His bright red Mohawk spiked sharply. “The usual?” Catherine regarded the visitor warmly. They exchanged an intimate conversation. Seth slipped further into the shadows, wishing to remain unnoticed by the masses. He continued to watch Catherine, debating. After a while he left the club, proceeding to await the end of her shift from the darkened doorway of a high rise across the street.

“Great shift guys!” Catherine saluted her coworkers with a shot. “Goodnight!” Mohawk let her out of the building. “Need an escort tonight, sugar?” he asked her. Even from his vantage point, Seth could hear the exchange.

Catherine surveyed the brightly lit streets still teeming with people, and shook her head. “Not tonight, Chief. I believe I will stop for a coffee before I get home.”

“Ok, be safe then, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” The large man enveloped Catherine in a hug, stirring a stab of what Seth could only perceive as jealousy. This both intrigued and enraged him. He had set this woman as his conquest for the evening; jealousy implied a form of care; of concern. This was completely absurd! He couldn’t care less for her. Her blood on the other hand was delectable, he wanted to taste her, to sink his teeth into her sweet pale neck, and lap the crimson pools as she writhed beneath him. He paralled her steps from the opposite side of the street. Two blocks later she slipped into a corner coffee shop. Seth waited for the light to turn.

Catherine was waiting for her order at the end of the counter when Seth walked in. Seth noticed one other customer, a stately man of about 50 reading a book and sipping a cup of tea. Catherine exchanged small talk with the barista. Seth looked studiously at the menu overhead so as not to appear conspicuous, walking slowly past Catherine to savor the thing he had come here for. He was suddenly doused with scalding coffee. Catherine was turned toward him, frantic. “Oh, my, I am so sorry. Let me get that,” a bar towel had materialized in her hand, and she was busily rubbing Seth’s drenched form.

He held up his hands, “No no, It’s quite alright. No really, I…there’s no need…” Seth had never been at a loss for words. Her face was just inches from his, her skin…so soft…so vulnerable. Her eyes sparkled when his caught and held her gaze. He almost fell into the deep turquoise pools that shimmered around her pupils. And her scent. So intoxicating that Seth had to exercise the greatest restraint of his existence to not jump atop her and tear into her this very moment.

“You were at my club tonight.” she was an excellent observer.

“You were late.” So was he.

“I thought you would order an Absinthe,” she said.

“Oh?” was all he could say.

“ My name is Catherine.’ she held out her hand.

‘Seth,” he said, holding her hand in his long practiced handshake. Catherine had stopped sopping up the mess of his shirt at some point, Seth could not remember. Being in such close proximity to this being was clouding his thoughts. He felt drunk and not in control.

“I did not realize you were so close behind me,” Catherine explained, frowning at the coffee stains over his shirt and pants.

“That is quite all right,” Seth offered, “I was going to order a cup of coffee, but you have saved me the trouble.”

Catherine laughed, a very melodic sound. “Grand to be of service, sir!” God, she was so naïve, Seth almost wavered in restraint.

“In all actuality I was wanting an edge to talk to you. You have saved me the trouble. I find you intriguing.” There. He had said it.

He had said something, anyway.

Catherine cocked her head slightly, and stared intently up at him. “Do you have a woman?” she asked bluntly.

“Why do you ask?” he teased.

Catherine batted her eyelashes demurely. “You first.”

“No.” Seth answered honestly.

“Because I may be interested,” Catherine’s eyes glimmered.

Seth leaned closer to Catherine so their faces were almost touching. He heard her breath come quicker. ‘Tell me, Catherine, what could I do to interest you more?”

She smiled, and busied herself with smoothing his lapel. She said to his chest, “well, a gentleman will do whatever needs to be done to capture the lady’s attention.” She then turned and took the cup the barista had thoughtfully prepared to replace the one she had thrown. Both her hands cupped the beverage as though she were cold, and Seth noted that gave her a childlike quality. He stepped closer to her and bent, his face tickled by a random curl. He whispered into her ear, “I want to take you to dinner. But first I must get out of these clothes.” Catherine’s body had grown still to listen to him. He liked that.

Catherine turned back to him. “So what shall we do about this dilemma?” she asked.

“Follow me to my condo,” he tempted. He knew she would not refuse.

The thoughtful cock of her head was scintillating. “And if I go?”

“I will show you the most stimulating time of your life,” now his eyes sparkled.

“Is that a fact?”

“It is. In fact, I am willing to ensure the offer.”

“Quite enticing.” Catherine purred. “You just may have found me to be a willing party.’

Seth smiled beautifully. “Shall we?” He held his arm out, and Catherine stepped to his side, sliding her arm into his. She was twelve inches shorter than he, and her arm was very small compared to his.

He wondered if she would be enough to satisfy him. The moment that question crossed his mind, he dismissed it with a smile. Oh, she would satisfy him. He savored her scent on inhalation.

She would most certainly satisfy him.