A Short-Short from Beast’s Point of View
Originally published online in 2011 as a Christmas serial and rewritten for this publication.
Jane dressed in black dress with little skirt, with red trim, like lace of blood. Hair in long braid hanging down back, like big-cat tail, like black panther. On Jane’s feet were shoes with tall heels. Jane was wobbly. Wearing prey clothes.
Beast watched from dark place in her mind, Beast’s den.Jane should shift into Beast for this hunt, so Jane would be safe. Jane needs killing teeth.
Nope,Jane thought. This is a false hunt. Like leading predators away from your den to protect your kits. Acting weak.
But Jane was not weak, not silly kit, and did smart hunter thing. Strapped killing claw to each leg, long knives for killing vampires. Shoved silver stakes into hair. Smeared color of blood on mouth, color that said to world, “Jane is killer. See blood of my prey.”
Still... Beast did not like it when Jane was alpha. Did not like it when Jane would not shift and hunt.Shift!
Nope. Think of this like a shopping trip. Shopping for bad guys and taking them down.
Beast’s ears perked up.Can eat bad guys?
No. Gack. No eating.
Jane is mean.
Jane did not care. Stuck cross into her pocket—pouch like opossum has, but not for young—lined with stinky metal. And I/we left Jane-den. To go dancing. Looking like prey, but really hunter, predator, killer.
Walked to bar where band played, where humans drank strong drink to forget pain and dance, mating rituals for lonely humans. Beast thoughthumans were looking for someone to make small pack with and love. Looking for mates instead of looking for mating. Were not same thing, but humans did not know this.
Inside was loud. Was dark. Many humans danced and ate and drank much beer and alcohol. Smelled fried food and hot grease, many peppers, sweat, and alcohol. Jane stood in shadows and studied room. Then Jane moved into crowd onto dance floor. Heart rate sped; Jane smiled. Jane lifted arms and swayed, taking small steps. Head went back. Eyes closed. Jane was... happy.
Jane danced, moving like cat in heat, letting her scent wash through warm air, to vampire noses, who turned at tables, and from tall chairs, and watched her like prey. She looked like prey, looked weak and harmless, hiding weapons. Vampires wanted to drink from her. Jane wanted to kill them.
Band played Christmas music.Ca-rols.With island reggae beat. Beast liked sound.
One vampire moved across dance floor to Jane. Tall male—taller than Jane—with short red hair, sticking out like porcupine quills. Tall vampire took her hand and twirled her into dance move, pulling her under his arm.
Jane thinks he is pretty, for a vampire, skin flushed and pink from drinking much from humans.
Vampire liked her scent, pressed his nose into her neck, sniffing, breathing, heart beating. Vampire is old and drunk on blood. Naturaleza vampire, has killed to drink his fill.Outlaw. Rogue.
Jane smiled, and let some of Beast into her eyes. Beast helped Jane dance, cat grace and cat slink are better than primate moves, like monkey in tree. Jane moved like cat and snake, body full of promise. Vampire put his hands on Jane. She whirled away.
Vampire led Jane outside, into dark, heart beating faster. Vampire had predator movements and sex pheromones. Wanted to mate with Jane and drink her dry. Vampire pulled Jane along alley, out of buildings, under trees. I/we smelled human blood.
Jane thought,He has killed here before. Tonight.
Outlaw-killer-vampire must die, Beast thought back.Will not follow law.
Jane laughed and teased vampire—all cat now—still dancing. She slid hand under skirt. Pulled vamp-killer blade. Was ready.
Vampire vamped out. Eyes bled black and wide. Fangs clicked down, long as human finger. Vampire rushed Jane.
Jane pivoted on tall shoes, all cat balance and cat speed. Whirled, arm out, blade glittering. And took vampire head. She leaped away as body fell, vampire blood pumping out. Jane watched to make sure vampire died. Then cleaned killing claw-blade on his clothes and sheathed it.Jane is good hunter.
Yeah, Jane thought.We are.
Jane pulled cell phone and took picture of head, showing fangs, and sent it to Bruiser with note that said “Merry Christmas to me. You & Leo owe me twenty grand.”
Then she sent GPS to have body picked up, and alley cleaned up.
Jane picked up vampire head and walked into night, humming song called “My Favorite Things.”
