Disgraced: Twins of the Zodiac

Giving In To Temptation....Being Difficult

    The walk into town ended up being a little longer than originally planned. As the evening gradually progressed into night, Aurora found herself in Livingston Nature Park. 

    Aurora stopped at the first bench that she saw and just sat there for a time, admiring the breeze all the while as she thought about her day; and about this Azul.

    She lit a cigar as the tantalizing thought of tasting him began to grow on her, a small smile appearing across her face as she thought about her run-in with the extremely handsome and sexy older man. Or, well, he looked older anyway.

    This thought caused Aurora to chuckle a little as she came to realize that there were a rare few that was older than she; however, she never met any of them, save her twin and he was older than her by five minutes. Funny, how five minutes can make someone a full day older than you, Aurora thought to herself.

    Back to the thought of this Azul character, there was one thing that Aurora could not shake as he crossed her mind. It was something that even as she was speaking to him, she could not help to think about for a moment or two; though not long enough to dwell on while she was exchanging conversation with him.

    Now, however, it was partial to the only thing that she could think about as she sat there alone, her gaze against the evening-night sky and surrounding nature around it. His scent.

    Yes, it was an interesting one but it wasn’t something that she had necessarily come across before. And if she had she always considered the redolence an oddity but never dwelled on it before now as she never came into direct contact with the one beholding of such an aroma.

    Aurora had to admit to herself that the scent wasn’t something that she’d normally find delectable. Maybe, that was the main reason as to why she allowed him to live; as aforementioned, it wasn’t necessarily the first time she had run into someone with the essence, more the first time she was in direct contact with them.

    She inhaled the smoke, eyes closed as she allowed the laced enchantment to try and do what it was made to do. However, this time it wasn’t working as well as before and she knew why. It was because of him.

    This perfect stranger stirred a hunger within her and it wasn’t his odd bouquet alone-but his physical appearance and his unique aura. She had to admit that he was definitely something to remember.

    Aurora took one last puff from her cigar before putting it out in her hand, relishing in the slight pain of it before her hand healed. She then stood from her seat, deciding that it was time to head home before she allowed her hunger to get the best of her.

    “Hey, beautiful.” A stranger said, calling to her. 

    Aurora glanced at the large and well-toned man that she knew was calling for her. Not a second glance was spared nor a second more of attention before she continued down the brick path of the secluded park.

    “Shouldn’t be out here alone and vulnerable. Especially at this time of night.”

    “Oh yes, I agree,” Aurora said, her gaze never attending him. “So, you might want to hurry home before someone takes advantage of you.”

    “Wh-excuse me?”

    Aurora could tell that she had offended the guy but she didn’t care. She cared even less about the sound of his pace quickening to catch up with her. 

    “Would you like me to walk you home?” Aurora asked. “I’d hate for some man to find you out here alone and vulnerable.” She sarcastically mocked, though her tone was stoic and nonchalant.

    When she felt his hand grab her to stop her from walking away from him, she...reluctantly allowed it as she turned around and faced him.

    “I was talking about you, princess.” The man said, stepping closer to her. "But I'm sure you knew that,"

    By this time, Aurora knew that this man meant no good. Though, she had already known that no sooner he decided to open his mouth to speak to her. She sighed, looked at the large hand that still gripped her arm, and then haphazardly looked at him.

    “Are we going to have a problem, sweetie?”

    “Depends.” He said, looking around to assure that no one was watching. He yanked Aurora’s body closer to him before a sneer appeared across his face. “On whether you make a fuss.”

    “Ah.” Aurora nodded as if in realization of what he was trying to say then looked away from his gaze for but a moment. She then chuckled at his naivety, but of course, he didn’t know why. It did aggravate him even more, however.

    “Oh, what, you think you can fight me off? Think you’re one of those empowered girls? Let me guess, you took self-defense classes?” He began to make himself laugh with the many assumptions that he began to belt out. “Now you think you’re a force to be reckoned with.”

    Aurora’s gaze stayed on him a moment, seeming lost as she stared into his eyes. Of course, by the expression on her face, this guy got the wrong impression-probably thinking that he had burst her little bubble; that he made her realize that she was not going to get away from him like she thought she was. He even had the gall to try and caress her face; and just to play with him, Aurora allowed it too.

    But when a giggle suddenly escaped Aurora, is when the triumphant grin disappeared from the man’s face.

    “Oh, sweetheart.” She chuckled as she snatched his paused hand from her face, tightening her grip around it as her eyes began to dilate. There, is when she saw the complete and utter terror across his face. “I am far worse than all of the above.” She then broke his hand, a loud snap sounding throughout the area as she pulled him deeper into the shadows of the large trees. “You see, I was trying to get home.” She mumbled as he struggled to get away from her. She just continued to drag him, however, looking around every so often to check and assure that no one was around. “I tried to be a good girl.” She shook her head. “But here fate is, begging me to act contrarily-to give into...temptation.” On a secluded bench deep into the park where the light did not reach night, Aurora stopped. 

    The man, seeming only then to have thought to scream for help, opened his mouth to yell.

    “Ah, ah, ah.” Aurora tsked him, shaking her petite finger in his face. “Zip it.” With those words alone, his mouth was suddenly shut. “You know I don’t like to do this.” She said as she threw the man against the bench and slowly sauntered towards him. “But you pushed me and, well, I am very hungry.” She smiled before straddling him. “You wanted this right?” She looked at him vigorously shake his head no. “Oh, come now.” She cooed. “I know you did.” She scoffed. “You just wanted me to be the one begging and pleading for dear life. Didn’t you.” He began to shake, still insistently shaking his head that this was not true, as he could not verbally voice much else. Aurora shook her head. “Did it occur to you, why I did not jump out into the lamp lights of the street when you came stalking behind me? Why I did not yell?” She began to find so much amusement in his idiocy that she laughed aloud. “You men...such idiots...most of you anyway. You, in particular.” She looked at the rapid pulse throbbing in his neck and began to bite her lip in arousal of the sight. “I guess I should be thankful though.” She almost whispered as she lowered her head to his neck, her two front sides elongated and sharpening as they did. “Thank you, stranger.”

    She sank her teeth into the pulse of his neck and allowed the blood to pool within her mouth, accepting the nourishment that it delivered unto her. 

    Her body shivered as the man jerked beneath her form. Aurora pulled away from him to come up for air, the fresh blood, falling in single drops on the side of her lips. She lifted her eyes to the sky, slowly rotating her head as she continuously savored the taste that she had long awaited to experience.

    As she licked the corner of her lips, preparing to sink her incisors back into this artery, Aurora could feel the symbols returning to her skin. She looked at her wrist and saw the tattooed like hieroglyph return and so along with it, her strength. A moan escaped her as she accepted the reviving feeling that captivated her. She had to have more.

    She looked down at the suddenly feeble man that sat there on the bench, groggily watching her, nearly tapped out from blood loss. Even Aurora was breathing a little heavily due to the heavy amount of consumption before finally taking a breather.

    She looked into the man’s eyes, no longer thinking him a bad guy...but a victim. She almost felt sorry for him.

    “How many women, I wonder…” Her voice trailed off as she looked at him. “Tell me.” She glamoured him, willing him to speak as he was now too weak to scream anyway.

    “Eight.” He answered.

    “Hmph.” Aurora said after watching him a moment, true disappointment in her gaze as she spoke. “I was hoping you would not have answered along those lines.” She shook her head, his words a painful reminder of her past as being victim to a man's desires bringing bitterness to her emotions.

    “P-please!” He gasped helplessly. “I sw-I swear I won-I won’t do it again.”

    “Hmm, but what about the women that you have already done it to?” Aurora asked. “Surely they need recompense.” She said.

    As she said those words, he began to cry, as if realizing that there was nothing left to say. There were no words that could justify what he had done up until that point.

    “I tell you what.” Aurora then said, starting to feel sorry for the man. “You have two choices, either you...turn yourself in freely, or you die tonight.” She gave him his ultimatum.

    “I-I will.” He said, in barely a whisper. “I swear it.”

    Aurora looked into his eyes, wanting to believe this stranger. “Is that true? Will you really?” She asked, awaiting an answer.

    The man started to nod his head in response as he fixed his lips. “No.” tears, pooling down the side of his cheeks as he realized that he had told on himself.

    Aurora sighed with disappointment. “I know.” She said sympathetically and before he could rebut any further, she dug her teeth into him to finish the job, ravaging him savagely until his number was up.

                                                    ***********************************************

    “Where have you been?!”

    It was nearly eleven o’clock at night when Aurora finally waltzed through the front door. She didn’t answer her twin right away, barely even spared him a glance.

    “Aurora!” He hissed, trying not to be too loud as he didn’t want to wake Mags.

    “What is it, Jeriko?” Aurora disinterestedly answered, finally turning to face her brother.

    “Answer me.” Jeriko countered. “Where...have you been?”

    “Does it really matter?” She said rhetorically as she headed up the stairs when Jeriko grabbed her arm. She looked him in the eye and realized something. She scoffed and looked away. “You already know where I’ve been.” She looked at his livid gaze and rolled her eyes, chuckling harshly. “So why should I answer you?”

    Jeriko disgusted with his twin, hissed under his breath. “I needed to know, whether you were going to tell me the truth or not.”

    “Guess I failed that test,” Aurora replied.

    “Miserably.” He aggressively released his younger twin before turning away, shaking his head as he did so. “You killed someone.” 

    Aurora didn’t answer right away. She averted her gaze finding the dimly lit hallway a little more interesting than it was. It wasn’t until she felt her brother’s eyes on her that she finally looked at him. “Yes, Jeriko, I did.”

    “And you don’t even care!” He incredulously countered.

    On the contrary, Aurora did care-more than she probably should have for someone as low down as the man that she ended that night. Nevertheless, that was a moot point in comparison to the bigger picture.

    “Tell me, brother, how long had you been watching me?” Aurora asked. “Or did you just conveniently channel in, when I killed someone?” As she asked this, she couldn’t help but wonder if he even cared about the fact that this man attempted to attack her; never mind the fact that she greatly overpowered him in strength and more than likely everything else.

    “Don’t-”

    “Don’t what, Jeriko?” Aurora asked. “Reasonably inquire how long you were spying on me today? Like I am some sort of child?” She sarcastically added.

    “Well after what happened, can you blame me? Do you see why?” Jeriko pointed out. “You took another man’s life, Aurora!” Jeriko hissed.

    Realizing that he was being too loud, Aurora placed a hearing barrier between the foyer and the area of the house where Mags was sleeping before she continued.

    “He was a serial r****t!” Aurora snapped. “As far as I am concerned, I did a civic duty in lessening the world of a guy like that.” She cut her eyes. “You want me to feed, but then again you don’t want me to give in to the temptation of feeding-pick one, brother.” She curtly stated in aggravation. “You act as if I took the life of a stand-up citizen.” She further pointed out. “And so what I took his life.” She said though she didn’t feel so unbothered by it as Jeriko may have thought. “He took eight women’s right to say no! He took a part of them that they can never get back! But I guess that doesn’t matter to you. You only care about being caught and seen and found out.” She scoffed. “Though it seems you’re becoming a little lax in those feelings, I’ve begun to notice-letting a human waltz around here freely and all.”

    Jeriko sighed. “Is that what this is about? This killing? This talking to older men? Because I invited Jennifer over?” When Aurora eyed him curiously, he confessed. “Yes, I saw that too.” He replied, referring to the gentleman that Aurora had a pleasant run-in with earlier.

    Funny, she thought, I usually can sense when he is in my head. “Wow.” Was the only thing that she could say, though not in amazement so much as how much trouble her brother went through to spy on her in the first place.

    “An older man, Aurora? Really?” Jeriko commented, ignoring his sister’s dead-end response.

    “Older man?” Aurora replied incredulously. “I’m old enough to be the whole of this town’s ancestor.” She laughed harshly. “Wh-tell me,” She decided to say. “Which is better? To date a man that looks older than me but is not? Or to date a girl that’s young enough to be the daughter of your daughter’s daughter's daughter?” She asked, throwing stones at her brother’s way of thinking.

    “You always go too far, Aurora.” Jeriko hissed.

    Aurora suddenly felt a hint of guilt at his words but she did not regret what she had said as she knew it rang true. Or at least, that was how she felt concerning the whole situation. 

    “You make me go too far, Jeriko when you fail to realize that my life and the decisions that I make do not revolve around you and yours.”

    "How can you say that when I..." Jeriko scoffed, so frustrated with his sister that he didn't even have the energy to open up another can of worms. “You are so difficult-”

    “I am not the one that brought a human into our dysfunctional home-just to keep up pretenses of being the all-American boy toy,” Aurora said turning to head up the stairs. “We came to a decision-the both of us...that no one should come to this house. And here you are breaking the rules again for your own personal gain. I am trying not to mess up again. I am trying to do better this time Jeriko. It is not easy but I am trying and I wish you'd see that versus everything that I do wrong,” She shook her head. “Tell me brother, who is being more difficult. You...or me?” Before Jeriko could answer the question, Aurora left him to his thoughts and headed into her room.