I found myself in Ruby for the first time in a couple of days. I needed to distract myself before I had to return to the twins, and the delights of the red establishments were singing a perfect invitation. I had wanted to find myself at the bar for a couple of hours, downing drinks as though they'd eventually have a large effect other than subtle happiness, instead, however, a young woman's arms had wrapped around me in seconds.

A few small kisses on my neck was enough for me to decide what I wanted to do with her. I barely took a glance, not that it would've made much difference; the dark lights hiding her face from me. And even if I could take a long enough gander at her, I had no intention of asking her name. So I followed her eagerly, knowing this is just what I needed.

Once we'd entered the red room, the nameless girl kissed me softly on the lips and removed her jacket. I caught hold of her waist and pulled her in closer to deepen the kiss.

"This is exactly what I needed," She murmured, an uneasiness falling over me as I realised she was using me the way I was using her. I couldn't ponder that though, as she cupped my face in her hands and looked up at me with complete lust. I couldn't help but smirk, turning her around quickly and slowly unhooking the skin-tight little black dress she was wearing. A slight giggle releases from her mouth as I begin to kiss down her back as the zip trails down. She stepped out of the dress quickly and turned around, pushing me down to the couch behind us.

As she bit on my neck my head was enveloped in a fizzing sensation that only heightened as the activities we did became more intense and less clothed. I took her with a fiery passion before we had even fully undressed, determined to ignore my feelings for the night. She responds to me eagerly until she succumbs to haziness and collapses against the couch.

I couldn't help but abandon the girl in the room, knowing one of the staff would come and aid her soon. There was something about her I didn't like. Though it wasn't as though I didn't know what it was. She didn't smell the way I wanted her to. She didn't even look the way I wanted her to at this moment. Then again, that might be the point. I needed to be as far away from her image as I possibly could be. Or I'd never be able to do it at all.

It wasn't long after I'd left the club that I finally felt content. I'd fed my other appetite and could focus all of my energy on those twins, at least for an hour of my time. At least that was what I thought. Until I feel a soft hand touching my arm from behind as they soothingly whisper, "Handsome."

I found myself turning, drawn to the musicality within the word, only to find nothing behind me. I took another step on the street, waiting for something else to be said. It wasn't like me to miss the presence of anyone.

After a few seconds of silence, I take another step. Nothing. There was no one here.

I swallowed before walking further up the street, digging my feet into the ground as I took weighted lengths. I couldn't feel anyone's presence so I knew there couldn't be anyone around me. I released a breath and leaned back against the nearest wall, pouncing up from it immediately when I felt a liquid seep into the back of my white, freshly-pressed shirt. My head turned to the left as I rolled my head.

Red on the wall. A vivid, all too familiar red.

I take a few steps closer to the wall and run my finger through the substance that was being used as ink. A sigh of relief had left me as I realised the substance had been paint. I take a step back and analyse what the message had said.

R wants to see you.

I let out a sigh of relief as I understood what was happening, and who the culprit was. This was the alluring yet elusive work of Marianna - there wasn't any doubt in my mind about that. She'd often write instructions on hotel walls for me to find after a long nights hunting. She'd simply take the blood from the mangled body of someone I'd taken earlier in the night and leave small notes. The messages would have begun to turn brown long before I'd get to glance at them.

I'm going to this hotel, some would say, or, I've gone to find some blood of my own. I'd often find myself scrubbing these messages off the wall, or convincing a staff member to do such a thing for me. The human mind could be convinced of many things if a vampire had enough willpower - and after a single blood run, I often had an abundant amount.

I had to admit, Marianna had improved vastly in her penmanship - specifically on wall-based messages. She'd even upgraded to writing in elegant cursive letters that were still legible.

I'd found myself making my way to the western wall of the zone. There were three gates along this wall that were manned by one of each of the species. I had chosen the closest gate to the Central Government Building that was built in the heart of the wall. The gate would open up to a small booth with two desks on each side separated by glass with another gate on the other side of them.

The vampire guard on duty then had barely given me any eye contact, simply snatching the ID Card I'd presented in my hand, scanning it briefly, and then throwing it back. The second gate opened slowly while the first closed.

"Enjoy your visit, sir." The three guards had said in unison, their eyes darting back down to the desks. There was something about this process that gave me creeps, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Central was the most put-together zone in the City. As soon as you leave the second gate you're met with dozens of modern, well-designed buildings of different sizes; some spanned tall and reached for the sky, while others were far more compact yet still made a visual impact; each one was clean and untainted - they'd chosen pale and crisp colours for the sole purpose of a calm and collected look.

The leaders of Eternity were doing their best to convince all citizens that the city was running smoothly - despite the various issues on a near-daily basis. They'd chosen the area of Barewood that was least affected by the war and made it their own. They were content to make as few repairs as possible.

The rubble of the homes that were built there previously had been cleared away, and most of the land had been covered over in mosaic tile that stretched right around the zone. They had opted to add a few Gardens to add some green flourish that had been sorely lacking beforehand.

For the most part, Central was the land of trouble. If there was an issue, people would come here. The noise in the street was often shouts of pain, peril and fear; noise that was often ignored. I had spent as little time as I could manage in this zone - the screams of the convicted too often crawled into my ear and made a home in the back of my mind.

I made my way to the centre building where the leaders and many officials in their employ worked their days away. I could see why many who weren't employed here would spend their days wasting away here. They'd decorated it with reckless ignorance to the monetary expense; the main attraction was the 'void' in the centre of the lobby.

A large black circle was in the middle of the room and offshoots of light were running up and down, in and out of the void. The lights would take on different forms depending on the time of day; sometimes they looked like bubbles and other times stars. On my first here I was almost tempted to walk into the void, just to see where I ended up.

The rest of the lobby paled in comparison but still screamed needless opulence. The floor was made of a pale tile, while the furniture had been coloured deep shades of dark blues and oranges, and even the stark white walls around the room seemed 'too much'. As void lights travelled up, most tended to follow them and would be met by dark, black, balconies that blocked the floors from view. It had been designed to seem open, yet private.

I'd opted to climb the stairs without signing in. I didn't need a reason to linger in the lobby with the rest of the 'beasts' that were inhabiting the lounge furniture. Besides, I wanted to climb the four floors that it'd take to find Rudhairi sooner rather than later.

"Nika, my friend," Rudhairi had greeted me without glancing up. His eyes were glued to the desk he was sitting behind with his hands firmly against his temples. There were stacks of forms on his desk all labelled with the City of Eternity logo, each had been signed by his own hand with his signature. The black ink bottle he'd used had formed opaque circle stains over his desk.

I closed the door behind me and stood against it, the handle still firmly in my grasp. His office was plain in comparison to the lobby. A simple redwood desk, three wooden chairs placed around it and a bookcase next to the door. A bare bulb hung from the ceiling in the centre. He'd been here for months but the thought of personalising the room hadn't come to mind. The walls were bare, the floors rugless, and the entire room screamed I don't want to be here.

It also screamed Rudhairi. He'd been my friend long enough for me to think so. We'd met long before the revolution that created his leadership, and have yet to part completely. I had become his solace amongst the wolves; the larger beast that'd hide him from view as he dealt with the issues behind the scenes. That part of our relationship was the only strain; our pure friendship was tainted by his desire to have me work with him.

"You wanted to see me?" I murmured as my hands clasped behind my back. The words had come out reluctantly, almost expecting rejection.

"I don't believe I sent that message yet," He had muttered, his head had come up to look at me, but his eyes were still lowered. The glances he was giving me were brief and could go unnoticed to the untrained eye. "I don't think I even brought it up to any of my fetchers."

A shudder ran through my spine and I nod slowly, gulping. I had been suspicious of Marianna's communication. I now realised she'd been acting out of her own volition; something she in all probability wanted to be left out of the conversation.

"I suspected- " I had begun as I wanted to try and make an excuse for Marianna. He had cut me off with a clear of his throat and stood from the desk.

"I did ask Marianna not to visit Eastern anymore." He'd growled low, the words causing the hair on my arms to stand up on edge. He'd gotten closer to me, to the point we were almost nose to nose. A flash of emotion had run over his face and he'd taken a step back, releasing a breath. "I suppose it was naive of me to believe she'd do as I say."

"Marianna doesn't listen to anyone. Never has and never will." I agreed blankly. Marianna and Rudhairi had been close since her creation. At first, they'd bickered and fought like any newly turned vampire was bound to do; it often took us a couple of weeks to soften to the experience. Eventually, they urged each other into emotional corners, even the words of many doubters hadn't stopped them from kindling a flame that had lasted for several centuries.

Even with this flame, Marianna still found herself running off and exploring the world, often with me by her side. They had an almost wondrous relationship; he was so full of worry and fear over her that was fuelled by unimaginable love, while she, of course, was also filled with unimaginable love for my friend, but was far more energetically chaotic than he could ever be. It was impossible to pull her down to earth, tie her up and keep her safe, or get her to do anything that Marianna didn't want to do.

I could only imagine the old Marianna that had existed before she'd been turned had always dreamed of exploring the world, the new Marianna had just decided to do it. The newly found spirit that rested on her soul refused to accept any intervention in her plans. Oftentimes the words of disapproval from Rudhairi lips just floated in one ear and left from the other.

"I have not been inclined to visit Eastern in a long time. I'm sure my absence has been felt throughout the bloodlines," I couldn't agree or disagree with him. I didn't find myself in the position to know the answer as someone who often ignored the existence of any bloodline outside my own and often found themselves in a single club, I didn't partake in the gossip that would lead me to it. The man before me didn't seem to pick up on my indecision, however, continuing on with his request, "I was hoping you could be my eyes for a moment Nika. Can you tell me what they're thinking? What is the mood after the incident at fifteen?"

"You could ask Marianna, you know?" I replied. The blonde curled girl often did sweeps of the zone, talking to few but taking in many. If there was gossip to be heard, she'd already heard it, "I'm sure she's bound to give you any information you really needed. She tends to find her way around all of the zone before I can even get through my own skyscraper, Rud. Have you even tried to communicate this with her?"

"She'd sugar-coat it. That's what she does," He mutters, returning to his desk and leaning back in his chair. He'd turned away and began to stare out the window and out into the Central Gardens.

I walk forward enough to see the same view. Hundreds of humans, vampires and werewolves rushing around the square with false responsibility. The children were weaving between the bonsai trees that lined the perimeter, laughing together as they did so. Several werewolves were sitting crossed-legged beside the pond in the centre, looking straight at the flowering lily pads where frogs were jumping intermittently and the Koi Carp were bobbing against the surface. The vampires mostly clustered together, dodging humans and werewolves and carrying out their business without delay.

I swallow.

"You know what they're like, Rud. When we were underground there was never a steady income of food, but at least then we could climb to the surface and feast. If we're hungry now, Rud, what are we meant to do?" I point out, revealing the true issue of Eastern to him. This was the type of information that would make Rudhairi become the dishevelled man he was when we'd first met. A weeping willow in the dank ground, sinking as the wind blows.

"I don't know what to do Nika," He admits, his head sinking back into his hands. I couldn't be surprised by this reaction. Becoming a leader of a large group was hard enough, but such a volatile and dangerous one had to be on a different level.

"I can't say I do either." I agree, joining him in the sombre silence that takes hold of the room.

"Have you heard anything?" He says, turning back in his chair to face me, "There have been reports of whispers. If it becomes more than that the other leaders might suspect I have something to do with it. I want to assure people that I will deal with the issue but there aren't any easy options." He rambles on, his fear exemplifying with every word. This man was my friend, he had been for many years, but I'd never heard him show any fear. He was a man of little resolve.

Imogen's face had popped into my mind. A golden head that had reared into defiance. I pondered telling him of my encounter and sharing the news of a brewing revolution. The dark tint of his eyes filled with doubt and fear had taped my mouth shut.

"I haven't heard anything, Rud. You have plenty of time to think about it," I lied, but I couldn't figure out if I had done it at his expense or my own. I had faith in my belief that we didn't have many options left anymore; an uproar was working its way through the bloodlines, and eventually, something was bound to blow.