Crystal Ball [Fiction]

A millennium ago, I swore to my sire never to venture out after dark when boredom struck. It never ended well.

Call it ennui. Or the flaw of immortality. Or the downside of the restless energy flowing through my veins. I wasn't sure which it was, but I hissed and cursed as my blood hummed under my pale skin, pacing the length of my spacious dressing room.

“Perhaps my lady would enjoy a fresh meal. I could go hunting now,” my faithful familiar and thrall suggested, his bulging eyes fixed on me with admiration and worry. “The moon will soon rise.”

I shook my head, pacing again, softly rapping my hands on my chest. I sighed. “No, Chico. It's not hunger…”

“What is it then, my mistress?”

“I…I'm simply restless. Maverick's after party should soothe my jitters, I think,” I replied, chuckling at first before breaking into a loud laugh. Chico shrugged, used to the sudden shifts in my emotions.

As I wriggled into my shimmering party gown, I smelled Chico’s scent before he appeared in my dressing room. “What is it now?”

His chest heaved as he struggled to form words. I arched my brow in irritation. He thrust his crystal ball towards me.

When the universe favoured me, it would glow with wisps of fog dancing inside. If the fog turned pinkish red, that signalled danger. Now, it did not glow at all. Chico was so petrified he couldn't speak.

“Please, don't go!” He cried.

I rolled my eyes. “I'm going, Chico and that's final. Get the car ready.”

I had second thoughts the moment I arrived at the after party. Maverick, my human friend and the bestselling author, was busy entertaining guests. I didn't know any of the people there and wished I had not come.

Then my ears caught the pounding of a strong heart. Excitement stirred in me. I slowly inhaled, eyes closed. He smelled of pine and cold steel, the scent of dewy forest almost overpowering.

I opened my eyes to find his gaze on me. Like a moth drawn to a blazing flame, I couldn't resist. My veins hummed beneath my skin as I let my desire reach for him. I won’t be denied.

His smile and the subtle tilt of his head towards the back door almost undid me. In the next moment, he was gone.

I finished my drink and slipped through the back door, thirst gnawing at me as my body trembled in anticipation.

Tonight, I would be sated.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "crystal ball".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{_{Image credit: RondellMelling}}