Chapter 1: A minor prologue.
Humans.
Bahhhhh!!!
Ok maybe not all the humans, just ninety nine point nine percent of them are merelycattle which to be fair they had been conceived and created to be. Even so You have to be careful with cattle because when they are spooked or frightened they become an out of control stampeding herd. There are a lot more of them than there are Aos Sidhe.
yes we may be very hard to kill, we can be killed though. Out numbered, stomped down by the rampaging herd it would still hurt quite a bit. I don’t care who or what you are, pain hurts. Hah, kind of goes along with the concept doesn’t it? Synchronicity is a fact of reality. Llew’s thoughts spun along weaving their own webs as he watched the cattle shuffle along oblivious. Prey on parade, living breathing mobile menus.
There, one burning bright with lifes flames. Llew could taste her anger on the breeze. This would bring a tasty snack. High emotional states add flavor. Hormones and pheromones and endorphins and adrenaline all spice the blood.
Llew watched as she walked across the packed parking lot. Red Lobster seemed busy this evening. Llew watched her disappear into the seafood restaurant. It amused Llew to seek his meal at restaurants. That irony tickled Llews funny bone. He followed her in , standing behind her while they waited for the hostess to seat her. The humans actively ignored his presence, a genetically engineered pheromone response that had bred true in the cattle.
The large lobster display tank bubbled, the whirring of electric motors and pumps creating a slightly annoying background hum. The scent of cooked and cooking sea food mixed with a light salt tang on the air along with the many volatile emotions in the busy Seafood place brought forth memories of his past life on the coasts of Wales, Ireland, and Armorica.
People entered, casually steered around him, avoiding him with no knowledge of who, what, where, or why he was. No one noticed him at all as Llew openly walked about the busy restaurant observing his chosen meal. She had ordered Lobster. Llew chuckled to himself as he passed near her eating alone. He pretended to stumble, brushed his hand with a light furtive touch across her bare shoulder. ” Oh! Excuse me! ” he murmured to her.
He watched in amused fascination as his glancing touch showed subtle effects along her neck. The sudden rise of goose bumps spread across her shoulder and graceful neck along with a light flush. Oh, oh yes! This one was nicely flavored already. Passing on by her, Llew was contemplating the many emotional flavors to choose from. She shuddered as if suddenly chilled. Without a conscious thought she found herself rising to follow him back out the front doors, across the open parking lot.
It was time for a tasty snack. Llew decided a little stalking, a bit of playing with his food would enhance her complex flavors. He led her out of the public parking, along the sidewalk into the old antebellum cemetary. Savannah made prime hunting grounds. All of the benefits of New Orleans with none of the drawbacks or cliches. Who builds a city on the coast, below sea level and thinks that is a great idea! Couple that with a river Prone to flooding and you have tragedy just waiting to happen. Savannah is definitely a step up from New Orleans!
. . . . . . . . . . .
Llew made sure she was aware of him as he taunted her for his amusement.
" Seriously? Is that what you think? That is very presumptuous of you! What did you think about as you chewed that tender lobster so succulent, glistening with melted butter? Did you even notice the creatures terror and agony as it shrieked it’s death cry? Did you care about anything other than taste, texture, how it soothed your appetite?
Come let me demonstrate your true purpose, let me fulfill your lifes meaning."
Llew flowed about her, a flickering flaming darkness.
"Ah, what of your feelings? Your emotions are merely my butter and garlic. I can taste your confusion, your fear, so tantalizing. What did you think we created you for? Companions? Worship? That is what Dogs and horses were for! You, are merely my meal. You are nothing more than a tender morsel to whet my appetite. ”
Smiling widely so she could see his teeth, he laughed softly at her frightened gasp. Her fear pheromones overpowered the blooming jasmine and magnolias.
She wanted to run, to struggle. She couldn't move. Frozen in place, reduced to frightened quivering prey.
Her taste, sweet with a rich bouquet, sharp, like a fine peat fired Whiskey with subtle hints of rage and terror, fear and lust.
Llew considered dessert as he casually stuffed the husk that remained of a human into a trash can, Mus’nt litter after all! Give a hoot don't pollute and all of that. Besides which, it is simply rude to casually throw ones trash onto the ground! Unless one is trying to incite a fight, rudeness is weakness revealed.
Now, What is that flavor? She had left an after taste of citrus and berries. Llew couldn’t decide between an orange julius or a berry smoothie. Something fruity and icy and bold. Randomly a craving for Blackberry brandy possessed him. That would cleans his palate nicely. Hmmm maybe A slice of Key lime pie. So many choices, so many simple desires awaiting fulfillment. Llew smiled as he left the cemetery, ducking his head to avoid the spanish moss.
Yes, Savanah was shaping up nicely. This will make a wonderful lair. His new base of operations. Central location, nearly equidistant between Miami and New York. Seven or eight large cities within a days drive. A sweet spot to linger and plan. Besides, there's the red clam chowder, not a heavy white cream chowder, a lighter red. Something Llew had come to enjoy almost as much as spicy sweet conch fritters.
It had been a very long time since Llew had ventured forth, since he had left his home hidden deep within an ancient dolmen on the island of Jersey. Jersey, Llews own private baliwack.
However, the wheel turns as it will and there is no stopping fate or fortune. There is the manipulation and management of fate though. The Maneuver and direction of events is far preferable to trusting blindly to fate. It is far better to be proactive than to find oneself acted upon.
One might say, it is better to be pissed off than pissed upon.
Llew could sense the urgency like an electric current on the air calling to him. The Time had come at last, now was the long awaited moment. "What rough beast slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?" Llew had known W.B. Yeats. Billy boy fancied himself a poet and a wizard. Well, the poet part was true at least.
Llew moved along, a golden flame of shadows in the night. There was work to be done before the new moon passed. Timing as always, a critical element required for action. Timing directed choices actions and fate. It was time for tweaking fate and for him to keep a long awaited promise. Battles awaited, honor required for there is no meaning found in simply existing. Llew knew a pupose, he had long had a goal to right a wrong, to soothe his shame.
The best part of it all is that his exwife, would dance to his tune unaware. Ignorance brings sweet bliss! She had slaughtered the innocent child of his paramour in her rage at his betrayal. An completely unacceptable action! Now to right the balance with a vicious irony. Twisted? Certainly! Cruel? Obviously! Justified? Thats a bit more complicated. Llew would serve his honor, justice, and vengeance all at once. When this all played out she was going to be pissed! He had warned her of the costs of her rage. She, had no idea of the depths Llew could or would mine for his gem of perfect vengeance. Llew was a thoroughly patient Sidhe. Centuries meant nothing to him.
The breeding program had finally paid off. The game was now afoot. Which is Sherlock, which was Dr. Watson and who plays Moriarity remained to be seen.
