In Shadows

Vezriel allowed a soft resigned sigh to escape her lips as she surveyed the sprawling cityscape from her perch on top of a stone gargoyle. Weariness settled over her like a heavy cloak. She was so tired. Tired of this dreary world. Tired of death. Tired of life. She briefly considered taking her own life. She sighed again at the absurdity of that thought. It was far easier to end the life of another. She knew that fact intimately. She immediately put a stop to that train of thought before the dark memories could wash over her. She shivered as a gust of wind swept across the city. Her unbound hair whipped about her face, stinging her cold-numbed cheeks. The softly glowing marks running along her forearms and coiling around her neck flared briefly, sending fingers of warmth throughout her body. She traced the marks swirling around her wrist with a finger. The faintly glowing marks were edged with darkness. Soon, they would turn completely black. A shiver ran down her spine. It wasn’t from the cold this time. “Penny for your thoughts?” a familiar gruff voice asked from behind her. She stiffened and quickly whirled around. He was leaning against the wall, his face hidden in the shadows. He detached himself from the wall and strode towards her. Her foolish human heart skipped a beat when his ruggedly handsome face came into view. A five o’ clock shadow still clung to his square jaw. He stopped within a few feet of where she was. He was close enough that she could detect the gold flecks in his sea-green eyes. “Are you stalking me?” she asked, irritation sharpening her voice. He smirked. “Don’t flatter yourself, angel.” She fought the blush rising up her neck. She gritted her teeth at how easily his nearness rattled her. “What are you doing here, hunter?” His smirk widened at her confrontational tone. “Just enjoying the view.” He swept his hand outwards to indicate the brightly lit city below them, but his eyes were fixed upon her. “Don’t insult my intelligence, hunter,” she growled in annoyance, stepping off the gargoyle onto the ledge of the roof. “I do have a name, you know,” he said conversationally as he held out his hand to her. Ignoring the offered hand, she jumped down from the ledge and landed beside him. She shot him a glare before heading for the door. “Stay out of my business, hunter,” she deliberately emphasized the last word.