Hellhound: Prince of Fire by Rue Volley

started up and everyone took a partner. I remained hidden with Gunner as they started their waltz.
    The first few turns seemed normal enough and I almost found it enjoyable as I watched everyone. The dresses were amazing, the men were all dressed in black tuxes and I glanced at Gunner as he watched, but his look was not that of wonder, as was my own. Then I heard it, the first scream then the second and as I started to stand up Gunner grabbed my arm and jerked me back down as one by one the vampires attacked and drank their partner. Some of them women and some men, but this was a blood bath and I was so disgusted until the smell of blood overtook me and I stood up, pushing Gunner off as he tried to stop me. It all seemed to be in slow motion to me, but I wandered into the room, as the vampires fed on their prey and my teeth ached and grew inside of my mouth. I could not help it, it was not me and yet it felt so natural to be amongst it. I stopped as a man and woman strolled into the room and looked around as if they were proud of what they had accomplished. He was dressed in a black tux, not unlike every other man in the room. The woman wore a white dress, strapless and hugging her curves. A large diamond sat against her pale skin and still did not rival her beauty. I stood there, my teeth long and my fists clinched as the man walked towards me and grabbed my jaw, pushed my head back and inspecting my teeth. The woman who was with him, flashed to my side and jerked my shirt up and saw my branding.
    “How can this be?” she asked as Gunner entered the room and spoke.
    “Dorin changed her, Vanessa…Hunter,” Gunner said as he nodded to both of them. Hunter hissed at me and then let me go as I stumbled back.
    “You smell like nothing I have ever known.”
    “There is nothing like her in the world.”
    “So what do you want?” Vanessa asked and Gunner looked at me.
    “We need your help.”
    Hunter laughed and it echoed in the room.
    “This again.”
    “He does not care that you are damned, he will kill you anyway. He tried to kill Dorin.”
    “Tried.” Hunter said and Gunner stepped forward.
    “Dorin is dead.”
    Vanessa grinned as Hunter held his face with his hands and then cried out.
    ****
    Lucifer stood very still as his minions climbed all over him and set plates of red armor on him. Once done they all left him and stood in a circle as he stared into the mirror. He turned slowly, touching the red plate on his chest and then to the other side as the doors opened behind him and Mary came walking in. She reached up and touched the edge of her mouth and removed a small bit of blood. Lucifer stopped and grinned at his own reflection as three minions stepped up and held a large sword up to him. He took it and his grip was firm and unyielding on it. It was his true weapon, one of which he had not utilized in centuries, not since the first of battles between heaven and hell had begun. Mary looked him over and grinned.
    “You look like a true King.”
    Lucifer turned and smiled at her. He raised his sword and stared at the metal, deeply etched with angelic symbols that now glowed red with his passion.
    “I do think that “King” is something I should get used to now that we have a prince.” He looked to the far corner as a man stepped from the shadows. He had dark hair and green eyes. His lips were not as full as Lucifer’s, but soft just the same. He now had his hair pushed up and back, out of his eyes and his jaw tensed up and then relaxed as he looked Mary over.
    “Grandmother,” h e said as she bowed to him. He walked towards her and then reached down, touching her chin and lifting it up. Her eyes met his and she stood.
    “You can call me Mary if you wish, my Lord.”
    He nodded to her and then looked at Lucifer.
    “My Father has told me that Halo has abandoned us.”
    She nodded to him and then glanced at Lucifer.
    “Do you know why she would do this?”
    Mary took his hand and placed the back of it to