The Vampire's Crimson Kiss (Editing)

It was the morning of the big hunt. The sun was still set well beneath when I boarded the boat to go up river to the hunting grounds. As we sailed powerful lights pointed at the land ahead. As we cleared the lagoon, We sailed passed numerous semi submerged derelict buildings the rotting ghosts of cities past. The ship I was one fell behind the other boats. I didn't notice I was lost in thought. Being outside was wonderful, it felt like I had been freed from being pressed under a rock. Out here I could get a little perspective. I looked at the boat familars, they were dirty and poorly feed. I realised how much like the vampires I was, well made clothes, clean. In my excitement I had chattered in the black tounge with the vampires like Valencia on the way down. I could see people in the docks flinch at my words in the black tongue. I could hear my self use the same words for the common people I did - sequath larder fodder, achmela dirty cabbage eaters, out here if felt diffrent.

Mary was worried, she walked aft and spoke to the captain. He stood in an small cabin behind the wheel. The captain bore the familars' mark on his neck but had an unshaved beard and lank knotted hair. He was clearly used to being master of his own boat. I walked round and stood out of sight over hearing what he and Mary said. Even from where I stood I could smell the water jugfrath.

"Take the south route" said Mary.

"Why would that be girl? You are no domina now, jumped up governess, head ass wiper is what I heard. You can't tell me to do anything" said the captain.

Mary walked closer to the captain "*HE* thinks touring too much deprivation off the west end will put the girl off hunting. I may be a governess but that doesn't mean I can't get you on her punishment list. "

"I've heard silver neck has a black heart with a whip." said the Captain.

"You better believe it, I am an biddable woman but I have more red lines on my back than the American flag.| said Mary "So are you changing course?"

'Silver neck' - I wondered is that what they call me?

The captain looked at Mary and wondered on the merits of a stand up argument with the Balham Butcher.

"For those rounded tits anything" he said tuning the wheel, the ship started to heel in the water.

I had been up long before dusk getting ready. I wore a thick riding skirt my feet were buried in knee length patent high heeled boots which were laced tightly up the front. I had taken to covering my silver collar and other jewelry up as a way of not putting a certain Duke off. This morning Mary had suggested wearing the silver more proudly - "In case some of them work up a blood lust". I walked round to the back of the boat. Where  a couple of coven domina stood near the railings. With the exception of the silver collar and no fangs I looked at them, immaculate pale complexion, dark sunglasses , oxblood lips on the sensual side of black, elegant veil, riding crops flicked impatiently in the air. They seemed to be enjoying them selves despite the dangers of sunlight. I knew their kind, I knew them because as I was practically one of them. As soon as word got out of his practical engagement, the fashionable brides of midnight had descended on me. They were curious, but also the rival fractions saw me as a way to exert subtle influence on him.

Mary came round "I think Electra made sure you got the slowest ship. She want's you to be last, she's got some surprise to add to your delay. By going this way we will save time and catch up."

Mary had explained more then she should about coven politicts. There were three main fractions. Supporters of Sadismann natrually. then there were 'the ghosts of anarchy' supporters of a former familiar now vampire called Tearman. Tearman's supporters were mostly new post apocalypse vampires. They didn't have the burden of 100's of years of history so they tended to sell them selves as being more forward thinking. Forward thinking meant testing and selecting new familars from the best of the whole population rather than savaging from the prisoners and volunteers as Sadismann did. Historically the vampires had hidden them selves taking only the unwanted dregs of society.