Crimson Eyes

"Stay away from him, moon-crazed beast!" A woman's voice sounded. It was crystal clear and echoed in Aoric's mind. "He is human!"

He opened his eyes that he had shut as he began falling. A woman was standing besides him. She had caught him just as he began to fall. The crazed man no longer holding onto his leg, and the woman was holding him up by his arm.

Aoric quickly stepped on the ground firmly, and the woman let go of him.

She was tall. She was wearing a short, simple, yet beautifully woven woollen dress that reached just above her knees. Her ghastly white hair fluttered in the wind as she glared at the crazed man. Her crimson eyes were filled with anger.

The man snarled, he didn't seem to care about her words at all. He lashed out with his hands, only for the woman to catch his wrists. She smirked, then raised her right foot and kicked him in the crotch.

Aoric flinched as the man let out an unintelligible howl of pain and suffering.

"Right." The woman muttered. "Ok, now we run!" She grabbed Aoric's arm and dragged him past the man squirming on the ground. "He'll be really pissed when he gets up."

They ran past the man, out onto the street, then down the main street. Only when they reached one of the small parks did the woman stop running.

"What the hell were you thinking approaching a moon-crazed beast?" The woman shouted at Aoric's face all of a sudden. Startled, he stumbled back. "I was trying to get to the cathedral." He mumbled before quickly shaking his head. "No, wait. Who are you?"

The woman shot him an odd look. "The cathedral?" She muttered. "A human, at this hour of the night?"

Aoric made a vague gesture towards the large building in the distance. "I was helping out with the wounded before I went to fetch doctors. Who are you?" he asked again.

"Ruby." She replied. "And you are…?" She narrowed her eyes.

"Aoric." He took another step back. She seemed… weird. Too perfect, and timeless. It was impossible to tell how old she was. "Right, thanks for saving me back there." He cautiously continued. "I do need to get back to the cathedral though, so I'll just circle around the back."

"Right." Ruby smiled, showing all of her teeth, including the very much vampiric looking fangs. "Let's go then."

Aoric froze mid step. "I'll be fine on my own."

"Well, probably, but I'm also headed there. I need a word or five with the sorcerer." She walked past him, catching his arm, and dragging him along with her. "The werewolves have gotten out of hand. First, they attempt to frame the Darkhavens for the murders, and now they attack us under the guise of a full moon."

She stomped the ground as she walked. "Unbelievable, and to think I stepped down just to make sure they were satisfied."

-

Irene took a breath of relief as the purebloods finally took their respective documents. Now that they had all the information they needed, none of them could claim ignorance.

"Lady Irene." Lord Ruthvic's voice sounded. She lowered her gaze from the statue of her mother and glanced at the older pureblood. "I must thank you again, for reminding everyone of Ava."

"It was only natural. She passed so young, she had a bright future ahead of her." Irene gently stroked the older man's shoulder. "Lord Ruthvic, please lend me your aid for a while longer. I can see not everyone agrees with me, especially the younger leaders." Her gaze lingered on the two younger leaders: Victor and Cedric. They were standing off to the side, checking the document Irene had prepared for their respective families.

"They do not want to be burdened with the offsprings of their extended family." Lord Ruthvic muttered. "They lack the understanding and knowledge, as well as experience needed to effectively lead a family."

Irene's lips curled down. "That does not excuse their lack of respect. Not against me, and definitely not against you." She snarled, slightly annoyed. Lord Ruthvic shook his head. "I don't care whether they respect me or not. What matters is to put a stop to this monster who killed my girl."

Irene nodded. That was indeed the important thing right now. To find the murderer and make them pay. She took a deep breath and walked back to the desk overlooking the hall.

"If I may have your attention!" She loudly spoke. "I would like you all to make sure to have all the ruts under your protection within the next two days. We can not-"

The doors leading to the hall swung open as a young woman burst inside. "The full moon!" She shouted in panic. "It's turned them moon-crazed! They're attacking the people!"