Cursed Blood Angel

I followed her up with the girls, but I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched… by everyone!

Every person that I looked at looked right back at me, and some of them with hungry eyes. There were primarily humans, but I did lock eyes with a woman that looked like an angel but not.

The Angel's eyes were solidly red, and her wings had more red than white in them. She wore a black plate with red runes engraved for speed and lightness.

"Be careful. That is a Cursed Blood Angel, a Vampire. Not the nice type like Breya, who is a Guardian Angel," Nyala said, snapping me from those red eyes, but I was intrigued.

Something about being warned not to go near something just made me want to do so, and I could catch up with the others. This didn't seem like the thing that I would see every day, so I was going to have to check this out before she disappeared.

"Girls. Can you go on without me? I want to go talk to the Vampire," I said, and Nyala threw up her hands.

"You really are crazy, but you can do what you want; I am actually more concerned for her at this point of knowing you," Eliza said, letting go of my arm to go up to take Nyala's a.

"Well, I am not sticking around! See you when you get up top!" Chili said as she ran up to grab her mother's other arm.

"Don't blame me if she is rude or tries to kill you!" Nyala said and then dragged the girls up the stairs in a huff.

I sighed, but she should have just not said anything. Every protest just made me want to meet this person that much more!

I walked over to the bar first, and a big woman came over.

"What'll you have?" The wide and stern-looking woman asked.

"Beer."

"What kind?"

"The wet stuff."

"You think you are funny?"

"No, I'm new in town, so I have no idea what to ask for," I said, and the woman nodded and pulled out a reasonably large tankard.

"Four copper," The woman said, filling the tankard up with a dark liquid.

I fished out the coin and just gave her a silver. The woman grumbled about the change, but I told her to keep it after taking a sip.

"Huh? The tip is more than the drink!" The woman exclaimed, and I nodded.

"Of course, you gave me a smooth dark beer with a bit of sweetness, even though I was rude. You deserve the tip, thank you," I explained, and the woman nodded.

"True, you were a bit of a twat, but now I think I like you. Hard to find a woman that knows hers and others' worth, if you know what I mean. My name is Tilda; this is my bar," The woman told me, and I grinned.

"Pleasure to meet you, Tilda. My name is Galio, and I am new in town, but I am here with Countess Eliza," I explained.

"Yeah, I have heard about you already, but I was trying to get a feel for you. You seem like a good kid; just be careful around here, and don't get yourself too drunk!" Tilda told me, and I nodded, understanding her words.

"Thanks, I will keep that in mind. I am going to have a chat with that Cursed Blood Angel over there, so I might be back for another drink before I head up," I said, about to turn.

"Nevermind, I changed my opinion of you. You are dumber than a sack full of hammers. Probably got dropped as a child. Down a flight of stairs. Hitting everyone."

"Woah! Those are some strong words you are using there, lady! I am just going to talk to her; I will be fine," I said with a chuckle, getting a bit more excited as I took another sip of my beer.

"Don't worry, if she tries to leave with you, I will punch you in the face, free of charge. Think of it as a hospitality service!" Tilda told me, and I rolled my eyes.

I have felt the pull already, but I knew how to deal with this type of thing, I think. I was pretty sure I could deal with it, mostly at least.

I just had to not make eye contact for very long! No problem!

I walked over to the table where the woman was sitting, and she looked up at me with those red eyes. I looked over at the seat beside her rather than across and then pointed to it.

"Do you mind if I sit here? I noticed you as I was about to go up the stairs. I thought that you might make for some interesting conversation," I said.

"Leave. Listen to what the others tell you," The woman said, so I sat down.

"Come now. I promise that I won't take too much of your time," I said, setting my tankard on the table.

"Why would you risk yourself to come and talk to me? Do you not know what I am? If you look into my eyes, I will gain control of you if you stare for too long," The Curse Blood Angel said, but I shrugged.

"I don't know about that. Would thirty seconds be too long?" I asked, looking up at the woman, and she flinched back from me, but I was caught by her eyes instantly, sort of.

"I am sorry for this. You should have left."

"What are you sorry for?" I asked as I finished carving Dispel runes in the skin of my arm with my fingernail.

"What?"

"Wow, I never expected you to have normal blue eyes! Ha! You are gorgeous!" I exclaimed because it was true.

"Wait, What do you mean my eyes are blue? Like solid blue?"

"What is your name, Blood Angel?" I asked, and she blinked at me.

"Blood Angel? Umm, My name is Seraphina," The Blood Angel said slowly, sounding very confused.

"Come with me. I want to show you off upstairs!" I said and stood up.

"Wait! Aren't we going to talk about this?!" Seraphina asked, and I nodded.

"Yes! Upstairs!" I laughed.