I stared down at the mass of bodies moving to and fro below me. Cars blared and people shouted. Even from ten stories up I could still hear them all perfectly. They ranted and raved about insignificant things and I sighed.
In my three hundred-plus years on Earth, I've grown weary of humans, they create a lot of trivial problems. It was like they longed for hardship and drama instead of an easier life.
As a young man, in the streets of what is now Romania, I'd been raised in an affluent home. My family had been favoured by the wealthy, our jewellery designs had been highly sought after.
My father had been a true craftsman, he'd been mesmerising to watch. Obviously, I had been trained but I, like the ants below, had been more occupied by unimportant matters. Primarily women as well as drinking.
Every night you could find me in the nearest tavern or brothel. Obviously, Father had been disappointed in me but Mother was always hopeful I would make something of myself.
My thoughts drifted back to that fateful night. The night my whole world changed.
As usual, after an argument with my father, I'd left the house ready to drown myself in a bottle of alcohol and a woman's busty chest. After a few rounds, I realised I'd not brought enough money with me so, reluctantly, I headed home.
At first, I hadn't noticed anything amiss. It wasn't until I realised no one had come to meet me. Zita, my house's main servant, always greeted everyone. Even Rufus, our dog was silent.
Slowly, I searched through the house, calling out for my family. I was greeted with silence. The only place left to check was my father's workshop at the far end of the courtyard.
The moonlight barely provided any light but I could just make out a faint light coming from inside. As I opened the door I was met with a truly gruesome sight. My Father, Mother and little sister were laid in a pool of blood. My body froze and I couldn't tear my eyes away. Eventually, I pulled myself forward and watched their chests carefully hoping to see any rise.
As the realisation hit me my heart sank … they were dead. Their clothes looked like savage dogs had ripped them apart.
"Stay still!" came a chilling voice.
I froze in place, once again, my eyes widened and my heart hammered.
"Good boy! Now turn."
Slowly, I forced my limbs to do as the voice said. Standing leaning against one of the back walls was a beautiful woman. One I was sure I'd seen before.
"Do you remember me?" she asked.
My brows knitted at first until the memory of a strong blonde woman who had seduced me into her bed a few nights prior came to the surface.
The woman smiled and I began to feel like prey.
"What … What happened ... happened here?" I stammered.
"A witch happened," she smirked. "Do you know what a witch is?"
I shook my head and her smirk grew wider.
"They are vile and evil creatures. Humans with the powers of the gods. They hunt and kill both our kinds without mercy. My kind has been at war with them for centuries, and we try to keep you, humans, out of it … but sometimes it gets past us. Unfortunately, I couldn't get here in time to save them but I did kill the witch responsible."
My throat constricted as my legs gave way. She rushed to me with inhuman speed. My fear spiked as her cold hands gripped my heavy body effortlessly.
"Do not fear me, I can help you. I can make you like me and you can get your revenge. There are many evil witches out there. I can help you kill them all," she offered.
Obviously, that night, I'd agreed and became a creature of the night. I continued on with my father's business, whilst coming to terms with my new diet.
I hadn't liked the idea of drinking blood, but she'd convince me it was necessary. However, she hadn't liked that I would only feed from those humans who killed or robbed.
Under my maker's guidance, I hunted and killed many witches until, one day, I finally learned the truth.
Ten years later, one evening, after returning to our home I found my maker, my lover, in bed with another vampire. He seemed older than me. His piercing eyes held a lot of horrors in them as they eyed me.
When I'd demanded to know what was going on, he'd laughed the same cold and evil laugh she often made.
"Is this the one, Marina?" he'd asked her.
She nodded whilst laughing. They'd both got out of bed and calmly collected their clothes as if I wasn't standing there.
"Marina, who is this? Why is he in our bed?" I demanded.
"You're right Marina, he is clueless," he laughed. "I wonder if he would be so possessive of you if he knew the truth?"
"Truth? What truth?" I demanded.
"I'm sorry Dante, but I'm afraid I've lied to you all these years. I'm deeply sorry and beg for your forgiveness," she mocked before laughing.
"What lies," I gritted.
"The witches didn't kill your family," he offered. "Marina did. You'd whined about your father holding you back whilst in bed with her so she thought she would help you out and have a meal at the same time."
My wide eyes and open mouth caused their laughter to increase in volume. Then, as if struck by lightning, a blaze of anger ripped through me. First, I'd lunged for him, ripping his head clean off whilst he was distracted.
His body crumpled into dust as I turned to face her. Her laughter died instantly as rage overtook her once beautiful features. Marina's eyes blazed red as she lunged for me. My anger fueled my blood as I dodged her claws.
Her nails extended and they'd caught my shoulder slightly. When she'd lunged for me again I gripped her throat. Her talons dug into my flesh as I squeezed.
My own nails sharpened into points and pierced her neck one by one. Her growls soon became gurgled as blood flowed down my hand. In a flash, I tore her throat out, and she gurgled and choked. In one swift motion, I ripped her head clean off.
The pain I felt as her body turned to ash sent fire spikes throughout my body. A deep rage and sorrow filled me. I cried a deep guttural cry, for the death of my maker, for the deaths of my family and for the deaths of all the innocent lives I had taken in my misguided revenge.
"Mr Astello, there's a phone call for you. It's Ms Poppler."
My sweet-minded receptionist bowed after speaking and then left quickly. With a deep sigh, I forced my memories aside and picked up the phone. Business was the best way I knew to distract myself.