Blood or Flesh

By Shaine Lake

“Yes. Are you offering your blood to me, or do you want my blood instead?” Reiner appeared to be too relaxed to be on his guard as he rested his lower cheek on his knuckle. The softened look in his eyes was gone, and replacing it was a glee of toying with one’s prey before killing it.

That answer was not enough for her. He could really be a vampire as claimed or just a lunatic who thought he was one.

She faked a smile and answered, “To offer.”

Reiner made a soft laughter while standing up, then strode up to Ada to grasp her forearm with an amazingly powerful grip. Shocked by his actions, she glared at him with scorn.

“Is this how you offer yourself?” he interrogated, the subtle hints of sardonicism in his eyes and tone might go unnoticed by most, but they were plain obvious to Ada.

Loss for words, she could not answer him. The feeling of regret was slowly creeping up onto her despite her earlier claim.

“You are one of the worst liars I had ever seen. However ...” His fingers lightly brushed against her neck, the stimulus on the lady’s delicate skin caused her body to involuntarily freeze up.

As the man grabbed her chin to tilt her head slightly to the side, he continued, “For you, I am taking this chance.” With that, his lips closed up to the side of her neck.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaine Lake
• Release date: Nov 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311351043

Shaine Lake

Shaine Lake may seem like the unlikely candidate to write romance novels, given her background of reading Dungeons and Dragons books, HP Lovecraft's novels, Junji Ito's works, heart-warming stories about animals and news regarding politics, culture and science. She ventured into novel writing, namely in the genres of Romance and Action, not only seeking to inject refreshing concepts and crazy ideas into the said genres, and also to fulfil her desire: To incite intense emotions in readers. To make them swoon, laugh, cringe, sob and ponder. Her route to achieve these is through compelling tales that combine fantasy, paranormal romance, sensuality and furious action.

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Blood or Flesh

~The Bonds of Blood or the Weakness of Flesh~

Shaine Lake

Published by Shaine Lake

Copyright©2014 by Shaine Lake

Discover The Custodians Trilogy:

Tome of Crimson - Blood or Flesh

Tome of Blaze - The Twelve Guardians

Tome of Shadows - Chains of Condemnation

All characters and events in this novel, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author.

Book Cover Design, Effects and Layout by Shaine Lake

Photograph by Sarah Robinson (https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/sarahdeephotography/), licensed for use under Attribution CC: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

The balance must be maintained. (The Scales)

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Massacre

Chapter 2 - Hero

Chapter 3 - Beginning

Chapter 4 - Hunter

Chapter 5 - Prey

Chapter 6 - Despondence

Chapter 7 - Face-off

Chapter 8 - Resolution

Chapter 9 - Truth

Chapter 10 - Mistress

Chapter 11 - Portrait

Chapter 12 - Outcast

Chapter 13 - Admirer

Chapter 14 - Mission

Chapter 15 - Resolve

Chapter 16 - Attraction

Chapter 17 - Chains

Chapter 18 - Prelude

Chapter 19 - Impulse

Chapter 20 - Monster

Chapter 21 - Trap

Chapter 22 - Chaos

Chapter 23 - Ambush

Chapter 24 - Throes

Chapter 25 - Request

Chapter 26 - Death

Chapter 27 - Confession

Chapter 28 - Choice

Prologue

As the clogging sounds of her heels pierced through the dense silence, Phoebe was regretting her choice to work overtime until almost midnight. The petite doe-eyed brunette berated herself for being too weak-willed to reject the request of finishing the report within the day.

There was hardly a soul around the clean, dimly lit street where most of the street lamps were turned off due to the city’s initiative to cut down the massive energy usage. The lone lady—dressed in bright white sleeveless work dress, looking almost like a glowing lantern in the surrounding darkness—was terrified, for there were numerous tales about corpses being discovered in her neighbourhood.

Some were brutally dismembered, while the others were found with bite marks on the neck. Such stories and various accounts had snuffed out the vibrant, colourful nightlife in the prosperous central of Accastle, a metropolitan city state, as if an unspoken curfew had been forcibly enforced on its inhabitants. The unnerved woman picked up her pace, in hopes of reaching the safety of her home soon.

Hey, lady.

Who? She whirled around to see five men swaggering towards her. A sense of bad omen hit her, and she took flight to flee away from them.

Oh my, that’s rude of you not to say hello. A ghastly face appeared in her sight, and Phoebe realized that one had caught up to her. The hostile man grabbed her arm and exerted his strength to crush her delicate bones.

No! Let go of me! Her dainty facial features were contoured with pain. She tried in vain to twist off the eerily cold and inhumanly strong hold on her.

His gleaming sharp teeth were revealed when he snickered at her.

Why am I so unlucky to encounter the vampires only known in our urban legends?

Hey, I’m in the mood for some fun. Let’s take her to the torture hall to put those tools to good use first. Her captor gave her a sly leer.

Blood tastes the best when the vessel is in extreme pain … another shared his grisly theory.

Fear overtook Phoebe: her legs went weak and tears rolled down her cheeks. The gang guffawed at her futile struggles to break free. Then they heard footsteps. The laughter halted. Phoebe lifted up her head to see a tall, well-built solitary man who donned a long, unbuttoned black leather coat, black shirt and dark trousers. He was walking at a leisurely pace towards them, from a distance away.

Not wanting to lose the only possible chance of getting help, she wasted no time to shout, Save me! Please.

Upon hearing that, the gang joked about getting their fill with the guy first, and the woman could be left as dessert. That man in coat seemed unfazed by their words and continued to approach the crowd. As he got nearer, she could see the swirls of wraithlike cigarette smoke dancing around his face.

Are you willing to pay any price to get out of this? Including your life? he asked after exhaling the smoke. His voice was low-pitched and gravitating, yet it was also gritty and abrasive, laced with a threatening tone.

Enough nonsense. Tear him up alive! With exception to the one grabbing Phoebe, the rest of the gang dashed towards the lone outsider at a speed that was beyond a human’s capacity to possess.

I don’t care anymore. I just want to get away from these foul, evil creatures. Phoebe yelled, Yes! Anything!

Her answer came too late as the gang had already closed up on their target. The cornered man calmly made a slight sweeping action with his free hand, and then the air in front of him distorted visually. The next moment, all of them were cut into half, horizontally. Their guts and blood spilled across the street.

The only intact one was stunned by the quick demise of his gang and took a closer look at the perpetrator, only to realize to his horror that they had made a huge mistake of antagonizing a notorious lord from one of the top six Houses. You’re, you’re …

Yes, the one who trashes your First Order until she begs for mercy. My men will let her know of what transpired here. Maybe your brethren can get you out before the sun rises. He kicked a severed leg out of the way before advancing menacingly towards the standing two. The gravel crunched nosily under his boots with each deliberate footstep taken.

The panicking guy let go of his captive, then stepped backwards warily while stammering, Lord Veit, I, I’m sorry. Spare me, plea—

Didn’t your First Order teach you to persist in what you had started instead of backing out? The disdain was obvious in Veit’s voice, prompting his soon-to-be victim to make a run for it.

The merciless lord made a flicking action with his index, then Phoebe felt a rush of hot air passed by her side. She spun around to witness her captor’s legs being chopped off by seemingly nothing.

Phoebe had no idea on what she was getting into by seeking help from a man who relished the bloodbath around him. Unable to move her legs, she stood there and turned back with great apprehension to look at Veit as he was getting closer to her. When he walked under the dim light of a street lamp, she finally got a good look at his face: a man in his late twenties, a good-looking one due to his masculine, chiselled facial features accentuated by the spiked, dishevelled jet-black hair. His broad shoulders and overpowering presence made he looked like the Dark Lord of the modern legends.

Phoebe found herself uncontrollably attracted to him as she stared into those dark, smouldering, deep-set eyes that resembled polished smoky quartz and felt her soul being seduced by his mysterious and imposing aura that felt almost sexual in nature

He reached out to hold her in his warm embrace. No need for thanks. I’m getting my payment due anyway. Don’t worry, this hardly hurts.

Are you a human?

Used to be one. Now, a creature known as the vampire who kills humans for blood … or on a whim. I prefer to be referred as the undead. Scared? As he smiled sensually at her, she noticed that unlike what she had expected, he did not have fangs.

The smitten woman shook her head in response, for she was too mesmerized by him. The surrounding throes of pain did not bother her anymore when Veit seized control of all of her senses by engaging her in a passionate French kiss. It was the most sensational kiss she ever had.

Unfortunately, it would be her last.

The next moment, she felt his warm lips on her cheek, followed by kisses on her neck. He made his fangs appear and used them to puncture her veins at the neck in order to draw blood. The initial stinging pain led to a high feeling that surged through her body. Her vision was getting dim as a dark, swirling vortex slowly swallowed her.

Chapter 1 Massacre

Invincibility and immortality; everyone seeks for them, but do these ensure eternal happiness and contentment?

Vampires.

Some crave to bask in the triumph of overcoming insurmountable trials of life and experience the fragility of human life. Yet they are denied of all these.

Some appreciate the power that vampirism brings to them, but is it enough to satisfy their desires?

That massacre was not the end but the beginning of a whirlwind of events where copious amount of blood was shed. They did not make a dent in history though they created permanent impacts on the life of individuals.

***

The pallid yellow, unnaturally bright full moon hung in mid-air on the backdrop of dark red sky. Even the thin veil of clouds failed to obscure the ghostly moonlight, which illuminated the gore, fear and death permeating the college compound of Elisa Bennington University. None was spared from the on-going slaughtering.

Trapped in the corner of a corridor, a pale-faced man was shivering from the pain of his injuries and the shock of the sudden stealth attack on him. Glaring into his assailant’s bright, striking hazel eyes saturated with maniacal glee and bloodlust, he tried to retaliate. However, before the man could do so, a dagger was plunged into his heart with expert precision.

After pulling out the blade with a strange calm, the perpetrator picked up her motorcycle helmet. She tucked her chin length hair behind her ears and said in a raspy voice with a mocking tone, Wish I can spend more time on you.

Then she dispassionately walked away while taking off her employee badge with the print Ada Leigh as the victim’s body was collapsing into a heap.

***

Three of the survivors had gathered in a cubicle of the Gents. After rounds of discussions, they had decided to head out to the library: possibly the safest place in the campus.

Laurel, a model-like lady with luscious, long strawberry blond hair, kept on staring at Hiro, a tall, lean guy who was dressed in designer apparel of baseball T-shirt, faded jeans and leather casual shoes. How is it possible to pay for all these with his allowances? What a dodgy guy.

Hiro was smoking on a cigarette and noticed the look of contempt on her face. What’s with that death stare? Crazy woman. What did bro see in you? Just another brainless vain pot …

Okay, let’s execute our plan, remarked Anders, a bespectacled blond man who had indigo eyes and an athletic physique. His Ivy League hairstyle was going out of shape, and his worn-out faculty T-shirt and cargo pants were drenched in sweat.

Unaware of the ongoing hostility between his girlfriend and his fellow Mechanical Engineering PhD buddy, Anders focused on dissipating the smoke by fanning it away with one hand while unzipping his electric blue duffel bag to reveal a Remington shotgun. He had borrowed it from Hiro to study its mechanisms, with the intention to return it to its owner during the meet up. Never did he expect to use it outside of his club trainings.

Glad to tear away from the heated exchange of eye power with Laurel, Hiro turned to look at Anders. In a second. He went on to pull out a semi-automatic pistol—a weapon he always carried around due to the nature of his side job—from his luxury leather travel bag.

Laurel eyed the two gun-wielding guys with shock and suspicions. Are these even legal? I knew this Hino is no decent guy. Somehow, she could not get Hiro's name right.

Use of firearms by unauthorised personnel is prohibited, stated Anders who seemed unconcerned with the implications of breaking the law.

Hiro clarified in a hurry, They got onto our shores via legal means.

Though Laurel was unwilling to have a brush with the law, she figured that there was no choice but to employ the use of firearms to increase their chances of survival.

While checking the cartridge of the shotgun, Anders suggested, It’ll be so cool if we meet up with that guy who killed the vampire.

Guy? The hunter could be a woman! Laurel pointed out.

Hiro scoffed at her opinion, I put in a hundred dollars to bet on it.

The frisky lady accepted the challenge, And I wager that it’s a she.

Anders adjusted his rimless spectacles while giving his input, Well, it’s possible to deduce the gender of the hunter by analysis on the wounds made on the corpse. We can study the severity, depth and angle to make some conclusions.

Hiro glared Anders with scepticism. Bro, this is not the time for this.

Yes, I agree. Laurel nodded while hoping that her boyfriend would drop the idea.

Oh … we can examine the corpse after this is over. Let’s get going then. Laurel, stick close to me. Anders grasped Laurel’s hand and opened the cubicle door to get out.

I’m counting on you, said the fearful woman, clutching her boyfriend’s hand.

They stepped out of the restroom to proceed down the corridor with extreme caution. With one of the broken lights flickering, the atmosphere there was eerie. In spite the university’s reputation as the best Engineering School in the country, the interiors of its impressive-looking neoclassical buildings were in a sorry state.

No thanks to that new facilities guy … Then Anders tried to focus on observing the surroundings instead of noting what was not working.

Argh! Laurel’s scream startled the guys.

Enemy spotted! Anders assumed.

I’m not sure, but I, I saw someone outside. At the window.

Hiro folded his arms, looking to be irritated. There’s nobody. But I’m sure that your scream will attract the vampires!

Tears formed in Laurel’s eyes, and a feeling of dread descended onto Anders. Laurel, we don’t have time for this.

No, I’m sure there’s someone there. Why doesn’t anyone believe me? You two smart aces think I’m an airhead, right? I’d overheard those things that Hino had said about girls in business faculty. And you laughed along!

We need to move on. It doesn’t matter. Let’s hurry, Anders urged.

But …

Then they heard footsteps that sounded as if someone was approaching them at an inhuman speed.

In panic, Anders cried out, Run, they’re coming!

He grabbed Laurel’s hand, and with Hiro running ahead of them, the three sprang ahead with all of their might. As they fled, Anders noticed that the sounds of the footsteps were getting closer; he could not suppress the urge to turn around to steal a glance at their pursuer.

Right behind them was a long-haired, pale woman, whose face and hands were smeared with blood, and her crazed eyes were reminiscent of those of a deranged wolf. She stretched her hand towards Laurel. Anders yanked his girlfriend towards Hiro, then let go of her and brought out his shotgun. He pulled the trigger when the barrel was facing the attacker. With no time to position his body properly for the shot, the recoil of the blast sent him flying backwards violently.

As he was falling onto the floor, he caught a glimpse of that woman—half of her lower face was a bloody, mangled mess.

Anders! Are you okay? Laurel tried to help him up.

He could not answer her, for his neck and back hurt, his vision was blurred.

Hiro cheered, Nice one, bro.

Still recovering from the shock and pain, Anders simply responded with a thumbs-up gesture.

Laurel’s panicking voice caught their attention, Oh no, oh no. She’s getting up!

That woman got up, groaning in agony. Anders was unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but he noted that the gaping wound he had blown into her face was getting smaller. It got him to contemplate on the possibility of self-healing in vampires.

Then there was a deafening loud blast. The vampire clutched her chest while falling backwards. They waited with bated breath for her to get up, but she had stopped moving for good.

Hiro kept his pistol and proudly declared, Common sense, you got to aim for heart.

Great. Now we know. Have to go on. Anders pushed himself up from the floor before charging down the corridor with Laurel in tout. Hiro followed them.

As they went further down the corridor, Hiro suddenly warned, One is following us! And getting closer!

Anders looked up to see a shadow eclipsing over them. Hiro, up there! Dodge!

The male vampire was too swift and nimble—both Anders and Hiro could not get a proper shot at him, only wasting their bullets in the process. Laurel was not even sure on what she could do to help them. The creature of the supernatural realms leaped up and used the transparent blades on his fingertips to take a swab at Hiro. Fortunately, the deadly, sharp edges dug through the thick hide of the travel bag that Hiro held up as shield. During that window of time, Anders rushed up from behind to use his shotgun to choke the vampire. Then the two struggled with each other, and the vampire was gasping for air due to the pressure on his windpipe.

Laurel fanatically racked her brains for ways to help Anders. I need something! What?

The vampire stretched his arms backwards, then grabbed Anders to judo-throw him onto the floor. Laurel was outraged by the sight of her man being hurt. In her anger, she grabbed a javelin nearby and thrust it through the vampire’s back and straight into the heart. The vampire released a loud, blood curdling scream before dropping dead.

After the deed, Laurel was trembling from fear and the unreal feeling of killing a living being. One is enough already. I don’t want to see any more of them …

Anders gazed at her with amazement. Wow, that’s cool.

Hiro used his foot to nudge lifeless body and expressed his concerns, Hope this vampire is a higher ranking type. Apparently, he had played too many video games.

Anders shook his head. I doubt he’s a high level boss who would appear after a battle with one enemy only. He did not lose out to his buddy in terms of obsession with video gaming.

Right. We need to upgrade our weapons to deal with more powerful enemies.

We need a Weapons Upgrade Portal, Anders stated with a serious look on his face.

Laurel was torn between laughing at their wackiness and telling them off for treating such life-and-death matter with frivolity.

Great idea, bro. But the portal, my condominium, is not reachable by walking or running.

We’ve to improvise and find another portal around here.

Hiro and Anders turned together to regard the janitor section scattered with numerous junk, the spot where Laurel found her javelin.

***

After offing two more vampires on her way to a hideout, the injured Ada raced across the garden, towards the library as she poured alcohol over the ugly, gashing slash wound on her left upper arm. Need to hide.… Damn, I didn’t know the whole place is infested with them!

She proceeded to tear a strip of cloth from the lower hemline of her shirt, then bite on one end of the fabric and pulled on another to bind it over her injury. The sounds of rustling grasses alerted her on a presence closing up behind her. She spun around to throw her black tote bag towards her assailant.

That bag was sliced into halves by a short spectral-like blade. Not bad, good reflexes, for a human, remarked a vampire, who looked to be in his early twenties, as he scrutinized his prey from head to toe.

He could not help noticing her lithe figure clad in dark flare jeans and a long-sleeved shirt dyed in the colour of coagulated blood. Then he ogled at her delicate lips, clear, round eyes, and the flawless pearl-like skin highlighted by the strands of sweat soaked dark hair plastered on the sides of her oval shaped face. Nice specimen … I don’t mind having you as my sex slave.

His words triggered an image of a begging woman to flash across Ada’s mind. She began to recall a male voice saying, She makes a good servant and plaything. Turn her into one of us.

Then a dull pain slowly infested her whole head, causing her unbearable stress and trauma. The pain. I’m alive. I’m still here! I need a sharp one.

The vampire was wondering if his would-be victim was breaking down due to the fear when she suddenly regained her composure again and tilted her head sideways while staring at him with defiance.

Ada exposed her bloodstained teeth as she spoke, I do mind. It sounds more painful and repulsive than having my throat ripped out. The best option for me is to dig out your heart instead. Despite having the odds against her, seemingly armed with only a dagger and a motorcycle helmet, she refused to plea for mercy.

Actually, you’re in no position to have any say on this. The one with superior strength and speed dashed forward to incapacitate his target.

Chapter 2 Hero

Sprinting down the corridor with Anders beside her and Hiro trailing behind, Laurel crinkled her nose as she checked out her boyfriend’s new image. Hey, this looks so wrong on you. It’s bulky and heavy. You’re running slower than before.

Hiro stared at Anders with the resentment evident on his face. Well, at least that rugby tackle suit and helmet offer a complete protection. As compared to a single neck brace! How about my handsome face?

Despite the wish to voice out his thoughts, Hiro was rendered breathless by the jogging.

This is totally expected since I’m increasing my defence by compromising my dexterity, assured Anders.

I … can change … with you, Hiro offered another option to his buddy as he was gasping for air.

Anders hardly panted despite the intensive running. Bro, you had said that you’ll never want to decrease your dexterity, thus this arrangement. You look tired.… You need to smoke less, exercise more.

Bro aka Track and Field dude, I’ve something for you. Hiro displayed his middle finger.

Anders responded with a thumbs-up sign. That’s my bro!

Hiro’s face broke into a sneer. What’s up with that cheery mood in the face of The Finger? I’ll beat you with no mercy in our next duel!

Laurel pointed at the end of the corridor while exclaiming, The door is right ahead!

After heaving a sigh of relief, Anders commented, At last.

When they were in front of the wooden door, Anders reached over for the door knob while Hiro and Laurel tried to catch their breath.

It’s stuck and broken, Anders reported.

Laurel’s eyes widened with shock. What?

Hiro grunted in exasperation. Crap! Must be that lazy bum from facilities. The light is out at one of the lab corridors, the water cooler is spoilt, and the door knob is broken. What had he been doing?

Another light at the corridor is also out of commission, reminded Anders.

Now what? Laurel turned to the guys for an answer.

Anders held up his weapon. I can blast off the knob.

Any ammo left? Hiro queried.

Upon checking, Anders cursed, Imploding news, none left! We’re going to get anoded because the incompetence of the dude! Wait, let me calm down and think.… Oh yes, I’d brought along a backup weapon from the portal.

He took out the hammer and started hitting the door knob. After a while, Hiro nudged Anders and Laurel. Hey, you two. Heard the footsteps?

Still working on the knob, Anders replied in an urgent tone, Yes, my conjecture is there’s more than one. We’ve to hurry up on opening this implosion-inducing door.

There’s no time left, they’re approaching us fast. They’ll get to us before we can get out. We need someone to hold them off while you work on this door, Hiro analysed.

Then he looked at Laurel with focused eyes. Laurel, you … stay with Anders. I’ll go and hold them o—

Bro, this is suicide! exclaimed Anders as he pounded on the door knob with greater ferocity, in hopes of it breaking down soon.

Hiro explained, Staying here with you guys is suicide also. Let me have the chance to be a real Hero and fight my battle.

Anders did not stop hammering for one second in spite of the dilemma he faced. His face was riddled with reluctance when he gave in to Hiro’s request, Bro, stay alive.

You bet I will. Please help me to take good care of my dog, Beauty. And remember to take her out for daily walks since Border Collie needs lots of exercise.

Anders nodded while trying to wedge the knob out from the door frame, but to no avail. "You can count on me, if you’re not there for her."

Hiro drew out his pistol to get ready. Okay, that’s enough for now. I got to go.

See you! Anders waved his free hand.

With his back turned to Anders, Hiro lifted up his hand as a gesture implying see you. Then the hero ran down the corridor, away from the couple.

There they are, three of them in total.

He had no bullet left in his pistol. Well, I just have to see what I can do.

The vampires had spotted him, and they were clamouring for his head.

***

The door lock finally gave way to Anders’ continuous, zealous hammering. It is open. Let’s go! Anders held onto Laurel’s right hand while pushing the door open.

The coast outside appeared to be clear as Anders briefly surveyed the area. With exception of few corpses spewed around the garden, there was no ongoing carnage, no scream, no moving shadow and most importantly, no vampire. Too quiet. It’s lonely without Hiro around. Or this is the calm before the storm.…

Laurel tugged on her boyfriend’s hand. Hey Anders, are you okay?

Yes sure, come on. Let’s make our way to the library.

When the massive library with huge window panels lining its walls was within their sights, they hurried towards it.

Oh no! screamed Laurel as she pulled Anders towards her, causing him to stumble.

Then he saw a white hand narrowly missed in seizing him. Anders tried to regain his balance before swinging the shotgun at the assailant to throw him off his guard. When the pale guy was distracted, Anders ran up to rain blows on him with the stock of his shotgun. Blood and skin came flying out, spattering onto Anders’ face. Laurel ended it by