Starless

How the hell am I supposed to find my Sire when I don't even know who turned me. I let out a sigh while tucking my head into my knees.

"What's wrong?" Crow asks.

I lift my head, "How will I find him or her?" the clouds hiding the stars. Ever since the world started falling apart, it's easier to see the stars. Not the way you would in the country or mountains but still better than before.

"You're connected," he says, "just tug on that invisible link."

"Why didn't your mother mention it?" I ask.

"She thinks it dangerous," he says, "just be happy you get a second chance."

"What's great about not being able to eat the things I like?"

Crow laughs, "I feel like you're more upset about not being able to eat, then you are about not seeing your family."

"Somehow, I know they'll be fine," I stand and brace myself against the chimney, "so I just jump, and I'll land as graceful as a cat?"

Crow nods, "gravity will take over, it likes our kind," without another word he jumps. I take an unnecessary breath and jump. The distance from the roof to the garden isn't great, but I'm still surprised when I land gracefully.

"Told you, gravity loves us," jumps up landing on the garage roof, I follow after him, and soon we're hopping from rooftop to rooftop until we're high up in the trees.

"You said, us?" I ask when we stand atop the remnants of a library.

"Immortals," he says, "if you had gone with Sean, he would have shown off."

I snicker, "because you're not," I jump down my hood, staying in place.

Crow lands beside me, "he thinks he's alpha just cause he beat his old man, trust me. I'm holding back."

"Why doesn't he like you?" I ask, not looking as I cross the street.

"Don't be reckless."

"We just got here by jumping on rooftops, how is this reckless," I stop mid-street and raise my hands.

He shakes his head and pulls me onto the sidewalk, "my father and his don't get along. For whatever reason, Sean believes we have to be like them."

"You should tell her the whole truth," Sean jumps down a building, eyes glowing.

"You mean how your old man wanted mother to choose him," Crow mocks, "but she instead chose my father."

"He's just like him," Sean says, "he'll use you, then leave you."

Crow lets out a mocking laugh, "mother knew what my father was long before he bedded her. But what did your father want," he taps his chin, "oh, that's right, a whore. The bastard has a Mate, but he chased after mother, almost getting her killed."

"Enough!" I can't take their bickering anymore, "Do you think it wise to argue about family matters out in the open. Don't you know the winds always listening?" not waiting for a response, I walk away from them.

The stench reaches me before the person those, "Hello, pretty lady, how would you like to be with a real man?"

I tilt my head to the side, a strand of mauve hair slipping out, "I would love to do you know any?" without wasting time, I reach for the man claws sinking into his throat, "you pestered me that night. Tell me where your master is?"

The filthy bastard claws at my hand, trying to break free. His blood has the pungent stench of cigarette smoke and decay. Drink his blood would be like drinking shit. Crow and Sean run up to me, halting behind me.

Sean lets out a growl, "put him down."

I let out a manic laugh, "I'm not a hound, I don't have to listen to you," I say, snapping the stranger's neck my grip severing his head, "here, a present for you," I toss the body at Sean and walk away.

Crow trails behind me, not a peep escapes him. He leads me into an alley and magics the blood away.

His silence is killing me, "Say it," I say.

He just looks at me, his eyes betraying nothing.

"Cro… Rafael, say something."

He gives me a smile, "what did you say?"

"Say something."

Crow brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "before that."

"Rafael."

"No," he tilts his head sideways, "before that, you stopped yourself."

I swallow and say, "Crow."

He gives me a wicked smile, "only you can call me that," he pulls his hand away, "I know a place you might like."