Perspective

Rhiannon was the first to speak, “Well said, Elianna. Your voice brings life to that tired old piece. It’s captivating, your voice. It has a far away quality to it…”, she stepped softly toward me, extending her hand. “It is truly a pleasure meeting you. I am Rhiannon, I serve as the Coven Wayland or Master-at-Arms, if you will..”

“I feel as though the pleasure will be entirely mine, however.” I said as I took her hand in mine, “Merry Meet.”

“I was just thinking that her voice could bring about the comprehension of the most vexing of subjects…” Rossanna added, agreeing with Rhiannon. She also stepped forward, her hair floating around her in an unfelt wind. “I am Rossanna, the am the animal trainer and keeper for the Coven. This is Germayne, my familiar. He is a Red Tail Hawk.” She said, pointing to the preening bird perched upon her shoulder.

“He is indeed a beautiful animal,” I replied simply, at a loss to say anything further.

A familiar ache was building inside of me, its insistence made it difficult to concentrate on small talk. I was about to make some excuse and leave when Ladislao reappeared holding a cloak.

“I promised you a meal, my dear, and a meal you shall have. You must be positively famished. Come let us make haste and break our fast,” and with that encased my shoulders within the fabric and closed its clasp at my throat.

I bowed slightly to the women and bid them a good evening. Perhaps when the hunger was answered, I could engage in more informative conversation with them and Lysande as well. I felt it odd at that moment that I hadn’t seen any other men about the place since the other night…another mystery to be solved….later.

Now it was time to take to wing, so to speak, and hunt. The hunger I felt had eclipsed my ability to think rationally. I merely sought to follow Ladislao’s lead and learn.

My love embraced me as he had that first night, and away we went; up into the inky night. I reveled in the feel of the wind whipping around us, my thirst sharpening my senses to a razor’s edge.

Our feet met the ground after only a few minutes. Ladislao released me with a kiss to my forehead.

I began to study our surroundings. We were at a waterfront, and the air was quite damp with a touch of chill still in it, although I could tell that this was normally a very hot humid place. I looked around at the buildings and their wrought iron balconies with a detached familiarity. I heard music off to the North, faint but fast. I lifted my nose and sniffed the air. The myriad of scents I detected nearly overwhelmed me; age, mildew, sea, grass, alcohol, and sweat. There were fainter odors, cooking and sex. I honed in on the one that mattered…blood. I followed that delicious perfume until I became truly aware of where it was Ladislao had brought me. I hugged myself and spun in circles giggling like a child. I stopped when I felt Ladislao approach.

“So you approve of the menu I take it?” he said amusement tinting his voice.

“What a perfect place to hunt! Your timing is impeccable as always, my love! I love Mardi Gras!” I hissed.

With that I began walking toward the increasing sounds of merriment on Bourbon Street.