Obsidian Sprite

Emily and Hayden got together again the following day in drama class to work out the plot of their skit. When she said yesterday, "You were right," Hayden initially attempted to ask her what she meant, but she would only talk about the project. Then, while other pairs were already writing their skits, they spent fifteen minutes discussing various options. Emily eventually came up with a plan that they both approved of.

"How about an Obsidian Sprite develops feelings for a human, but is unable to be with him because of certain circumstances?" Emily recommended. The more Hayden considered it, the more it seemed like the ideal skit, even though it was the most bizarre idea yet.

"All right, that sounds awesome," Hayden said casually.

After that, Emily took out a piece of paper and began writing the screenplay.

"Why can't you be the human and me the sprite?" In protest, Hayden asked.

Emily gave him a cautious look. "Are you serious about becoming a Sprite?" He stopped talking after that.

Before the dismissal bell rang, they had written nearly half of the script. Without saying anything, Emily left, leaving Hayden speechless as he stared after her. She pretended that he was a cockroach.

Trent said, "Hey, buddy," and gave Hayden several pats on the back. "Is your partner making you crazy yet?"

"Not really," said Hayden apologetically. "And you?"

Trent chuckled. "You don't know. Loren and I couldn't be more different. We hardly have anything in common! We ultimately decided to perform a scene that parodies Romeo and Juliet.

"Oh, that's awesome. Our skit is about an Obsidian Sprite who falls in love with a human but is prevented from being with him by laws or something. Trent gave him a strange look as Hayden hurriedly explained, "I don't know—we don't have the whole thing planned out yet."

"Gosh! That girl is insane!

"She's not that weird," Hayden defended himself.

Trent gave a shrug. "Anyway, dude. In any case, are you looking forward to tonight's game?

"Yes!" Saying that, Hayden gave him a high five.

"The Wasps will be killed!" Trent exclaimed with gusto as they left the room. Although Hayden cheered with him and nodded in agreement, he was still thinking about his theater classmate. He was aware that this was not at all encouraging.

They were hunting on yet another gloomy night. Above them, the sky was a pitch-black expanse with stars illuminating the vast space from innumerable points. Xavion huddled next to Emily, his big dark wings folded tightly against his back as he peered over the building's edge. He was dressed the same as he had been yesterday, but he had worn a black leather jacket over his sweater that evening, with metal spikes on the shoulders. Emily, however, was wearing a short black skirt and a black blouse with short sleeves. Her wings, which she kept low to avoid attracting the attention of the sheep (she meant mortals), extended from her back. Xavion gave her a quick glance, his expression anything but subdued.

"Who would you like?" He growled in a low voice. He had a deep, blood-red glow in his eyes that Emily was positive was reflected in her own.

With malice, she said, "You take the whore; I'll take the pimp."

"Yum. "I enjoy courting younger women," he dreamily teased. They were both in predatory crouchs, so she kicked his ankle.

"Oh."

"Cease experiencing flashbacks! "We must concentrate on our hunt!" she said sharply in a whisper.

They were looking down on two dregs from the top of a tall, deserted building. A streetlight was shining on a pimp and his sex worker. One of his workers was trying to rebel against the pimp, so he was reprimanding him. She was unaware that a sniper was waiting down the block, prepared to kill her if she didn't comply. Emily's heightened senses allowed her to pick up bits of their conversation floating up from below.

"You work for me, in case you forgot! Now pay attention! You have one more chance, or you'll be fired—for good! The pimp threatened, and she heard it. Unfortunately, his employee failed to understand the deadly gravity of what he was saying. The prostitute began to respond, but Emily ignored the dispute and muttered, "Let's kill."

They spread their wings, black as the clear sky, and plunged into the cool night air as soon as the order was given.

A few feet away, they touched down. Xavion approached the sex worker and took her by the hand. Emily, meanwhile, headed straight for the pimp and backed him up against the closest wall.

His voice was shaking with fear as he yelled, "Who the fuck are you?"

She flashed her fangs in a monstrous smile. "Your worst nightmare." She then drank the sweet nectar of his blood while sinking her teeth into his neck. His cries for assistance eventually faded into silence as she used her hand to muffle his screams. She heaved his limp body onto her back after continuing to drink until his body was completely depleted.

She asked Xavion, who carried his victim in the same way, "Where to?"

"To the dump." In the hopes that they wouldn't be found for at least ten years, they crept through the darkness to the nearby dump, located the closest pile of trash, and buried the bodies deep. They then returned to their perch and made a landing. Xavion looked around the area as Emily sat down suddenly on the roof.

Emily licked her lips and said, "I still can't get the taste of marijuana out of my mouth." Many of the people they hunted had an odd flavor that had been ruined by alcohol or drugs.

Xavion said in an emotionless tone, "Well, I heard the Queen is considering allowing our kind to hunt anybody—not just the filthy dregs living in the decrepit slums of society."

"What? Is she crazy? Mortals will become suspicious if we begin to hunt down any innocent person we desire! Emily cried out in confusion.

Then go talk to her about it," he said condescendingly. "Or, when you become Queen, you could alter it."

She bit her tongue and snarled. Since he wasn't the cause of her annoyance, it wouldn't be appropriate to curse him out.

Xavion let out a sigh. "Look on the bright side. I know you wish things were different and that you weren't destined to rule a vile realm. You will have complete control over the kingdom once you are crowned queen.

She gave him a growl. "Xavion, I'm not interested in becoming Queen! I have no desire to participate in this monarchy! All I want is to be. The thought was left unfinished as she trailed off. To be honest, she wasn't even certain of her identity.

Xavion gave her a stern look and said, "Listen." "I understand that you didn't choose this life, but you have no control over it. You can only accept your fate and wish for the best.

She put her arms around her knees and muttered angrily, "That's a crap answer."

Xavion gave a shrug. "Well, that's the only one I have."

"Leave me in peace; I need to think," she commanded as she stood. He complied, giving her one last look before disappearing into the shadowy emptiness they referred to as a portal. She kept thinking about what he had said, particularly the part about how she couldn't alter her destiny. He was unaware that she could—in a sense, anyway. Yes, something would be lost, but it would be worth it to get away from the Queen and this whole damned Obsidian Angel Dominion. She stood up; she knew what she had to do, how to solve this frustrating problem.