72 The Ritual

The more that I looked up at him the more intimidated I felt. He was silent and the pressure that he was asserting to my back was not painful. But it was strong there was no denying the fact that I would have to pay a heavy price to escape from him right now.

Looking down at me his green eyes are piercing like a knife. It felt like he could see deep down into my soul. I knew that this was a lot like a game and that they were a lot like NPC's but that didn't do anything to soothe my mind.

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. I know that he asked me a question, but I could not formulate words to respond to him. At that moment, I really felt the age of my body.

Seeming to find the answer that he was looking for in my eyes. He released the hand holding onto my back and I quickly retreated. Jumping to the side so I don't step off the side of the rooftop.

Putting some distances between us. The nerves began to lessen, and I felt like I could think again. The helpless feeling subsided and I look at him curiously.

A devious smile rest on his lips and I can't help but stare. He was quite a good-looking man. The scruffy appearance just added to his appeal.

"Do you need me to repeat my question, little lady?" He asks me. Turning to look at me his eyes still visible.

I felt like blushing he seems so relaxed and I was looking at him so intently.

"Yes, if you could," I manage to say.

He smirks and pulls out a neatly rolled cylinder of paper. Then with the snap of his fingers, a flame appeared at the front end of the paper and he drew a puff from it.

"What are you doing here?" He repeats.

I curse, inwardly.

Why had I not left before I was found out? The last thing I needed was unnecessary suspicion to fall onto me!

Sucking in a deep breath, I decided to answer him honestly. He had a somewhat favorable view of me already. He might believe me!

"I heard the cry of a woman and decided to follow the direction of the sound. Then I happened to stumble upon this," I said nodding towards the statue.

He looks towards the statue and tags a drag from the homemade cigarette. The smoke curls in blue smoke around his mouth and through his hair. It was an enchanting look. He looks just like an angsty protagonist of a crime book.

"These girls were used in a ritual," he states lightly.

I look at him curiously.

"Can you explain what you mean by this?" I ask him.

Pulling the cigarette back from his mouth. I watch the smoke curl out of his mouth. He steps towards me and I try my best not to flinch. He soon invades my personal space, for the second time.

"That," he points at the woman, "was done by a servant of the Black God. It's a ritual to bring the attention of the profane God. By the desecration of the blessed Goddess. The sacrifice of twenty virgins and then a woman that with child bring the attention of the accursed deity," he explains darkly.

There was no kindness in his voice, nor much emotion. But it felt like I was being swallowed whole back a dark and deep abyss.

Looking at him, I straighten my back.

"Do you suspect me then?"

He takes another drag and inhales more of the smoke. It smelled faintly of vanilla and herbs. It was neither pleasant nor unpleasant.

"This isn't something that you'd be able to do without any blood on you. Besides I have been watching you since you've arrived here. That wound on your arm was to prevent yourself from losing control, right?" He asks.

His hand reaches out and pulls up my left arm. Which is marked with a row of deep cuts from my fingernails. His hand was burning it felt like a stark contrast between my freezing skin.

"Didn't anyone tell you peeping wasn't nice?" I ask pulling my arm back.

He drops his hand and gives me a small grin. Before looking back towards the statue. A few more people had appeared, and mages began to cast light on the area.

"It's not a habit of mine to peep on children. But are Vampires really children?"

He doesn't wait for my answer.

"We need to go down there before they move the bodies. We might be able to figure out just the profane god's servant wants," he says softly.

Dropping his cigarette to the ground his stamps it out. Reaching for me he quickly grabs my body and hauls me easier into his arms. I don't even have time to protest the sudden motion.

"Hold on little lady," he says, and he steps forward off the edge of the rooftop we are on. The impact never comes instead, it was like we had teleported.

One instance we are falling off a tall building next thing you know. We are standing near the statue. I'm still in his arms and the soldiers that are near us look a little startled at the sudden appearance of two people.

The smell of blood hit me like a wave. It was dizzying, I felt my teeth elongate in my mouth. I dig my hand into his jacket. Trying to control myself, I had no desire to accidentally attack a corpse.

"Hold it together. I'll reward you later if you can manage," he whispers to me.

I frown at him the blood lust forgotten for a second. Who did he think he was talking to? Treating me like a child!

Before I can retort a man in a shining suit of armor appears in front of us. There is some sweat pouring down his forehead. He was a good-looking older gentleman. His hair was showing signs of graying, but he still had an air of youthfulness to him.

"Guild Master," he greets us with a bow. Well, more of the greeting was directed at Odd than me.

"Commander. Have you managed to contact the Governor?" Odd asks.

The commander shifts on his feet and lets out a gruff sigh. His age shows as the stress of the situation sets in again.

"I've sent a messenger to deliver the message. But the last thing we need is an unholy ritual to take place. Sadly, it's already taken place and a couple of my men are finding people that they know," he explains glumly.

Turning I look towards some of the soldiers that are being led away from the women by others. I could sympathize with them but I knew it was not real either.

"It's unfortunate that we've allowed one of the profanes servants into our city," Odd replies.

"I haven't seen a ritual of this magnitude in over twenty years," the commander sighs.

"It's been a long time since such an atrocity had been committed. But we must continue onwards. We can't allow them to roam freely we need to look for anything or anyone that might have seen something," Odd presses.

The Commander nods his head and looks up. His eyes are steely with determination. It then that he notices me.

"Guild Master, who is the little lady in your arms?" The commander asks.

"My Daughter," he states simply.

I see the disbelieving look on the Commander's face as he looks between the two of us. Even I felt shocked into disbelief.

He coughs into his hand. "Do you think it wise to show a child these images?" He asks.

Odd looks unconcerned and I roll my eyes a little bit.

"She's a strong child. She will be fine. We'll be moving to take a closer look at the corpses. Please have the scribes arrive as quickly as possible to note down the symbols and their positions," he says nonchalantly as he walks forward.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the Commander cast a weary glance. But he quickly turns and begins to bark out orders.

Turning towards Odd I give him a sour look.

"When did I become your child?" I ask him ruefully.

He looks down at me and just smirks. "Do you prefer I call you my lover?" He asks.

I felt the words dry up in my throat.

Could this world be a world of lolicons?!

"You would be my type if you look just ten years older," he continues completely shattering my expectations, yet again.

Shaking my head.

"You'd be mine if you were ten years younger," I mutter under my breath.

He must have heard me because the smirk on his face doesn't vanish. We soon approach the bodies and I'm glad that his grip on my body is firm. Because the scent of blood seems to be eroding at my ability to control myself.

My fangs felt like they were popping out of my gums. I had never experienced anything like this at all.