Lose It All (Ayla)

[Savannah Jo]

The lights were almost blinding against the pure midnight blue that stretched across the expanse of the midnight sky. Savannah had to resist the urge to cover her eyes or, even more ridiculous, take her sunglasses from her purse to shield her hazel orbs. She'd never been in a casino. Had seen them in movies and on television. James Bond, mostly. She doubted that any casino was likes those in James Bond but it was the weekend and she now had her opportunity to explore this new city, and after some footwork on her laptop Savannah had decided to take her chances at the the casino. She used to play poker with her father and mother, and the rest of her family when they all crowded around the table for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners.

She wasn't too bad at cards. Maybe she could turn the fifty bucks in her pocket into something worthwhile. Maybe she'd lose it all. Either way it'd be worthwhile. An adventure. Small town girl in big city, living the risky life at a poker table. Savannah felt intrepid and daring.

She traded in her money for chips and made her way to a table. Was the anxiety and nervousness on her face? Savannah couldn't be sure as she sat down at one of the dollar tables.

[Ayla Myst]

Liz had hounded me for nights to get out and make my presence know in Raven Black. Her words exactly

[glow=red,2,300]" Seeing how it was your hell bent idea to come back to this flavorless city. You could let the refuse Know Your back in town." [/glow]

I shrugged the words off as I finished pulling my long raven curls into place. I smiled at the set of vibrant blue eyes watching my every move from a chair in the corner. Dropping my hands to smooth over the crimson satin dress that hung dangerously low and stopped short of mid thigh. I turned to fully face him.

"I'll be just fine darlin. Soon you will be well enough to taste the delights this city has to offer. Until then I do need to check out the waters a bit. See what or who is floating around."

I reached for my wrap uncertain of what the night air would bring.

"Besides maybe me going out for the evening will shut Liz up."

I ran my fingers through his hair then left for the city.

I had heard that the Midway was now the place to be, a very lively night life. I could remember when it was nothing but an under developed section full of sewer rats and bottom feeders the worst of the worst had once called this there domain. It seemed Raven Black had done some major changes in my long absence.

Pete finally came to a stop in front of a rather lavish casino and came to open my door offering a hand to help me out. I smiled and gave him a nod

"Ill be fine. I will let you know when I am ready to leave."

I left him standing next to the open car door as I stepped inside the brightly lit building. The brilliant lights took some adjusting for eyes that had resided in dim lit surrounding and dark taverns of the middle east for the past year.

I moved to watch a group seated at a table, there was a young woman there that had caught my attention but it was the human blood coursing threw her veins that had pulled me to her. More than that was the nervous almost fearful feeling about her that tugged at my curious nature. I moved to stand some what beside her to watch her play and make my introductions.

"I'm sure the table wont bite. The cards on the other hand well they tend to bite in their own way."

A gentle smile pulled at my burgundy lips as I introduced myself

"I'm Ayla , Ayla Myst."

[Savannah Jo]

"I'm sure the table wont bite."

Savannah jumped in her seat with surprise. Her small frame turned in the chair to look toward the female voice who'd spoken. The woman standing there was somehow imposing. Not frightening, but intimidating. Like the petite woman was larger than life and radiating outward. It was as though she was basking in the woman's presence, a plant showering in the rays of the sunshine. Except this woman didn't bring images of sunshine to Savannah's mind.

"The cards on the other hand well they tend to bite in their own way. I'm Ayla , Ayla Myst."

"Savannah Jo," she replied, extending her hand to the woman. Her eyes glanced at the seat beside her, empty and available. "Would you like to have a seat, Miss Myst?

I must look like a mess, trying to get back into cards. I never played in a casino before. It's different when I'm playing with my dad and mom at the dinner table."

[Ayla Myst]

I took her hand and smiled, releasing it and taking the seat next to her I replied softly

"It is a pleasure and please just Ayla. Forgive my chilled hands. I have poor circulation and it was a bit cool out. I haven't had the chance to warm up just yet."

Smoothing my hands together as if to warm them Before placing them in my lap. I turned to look at her more closely, giving her my complete attention .

"I didn't mean to startle you. I tend to move to quietly. I hate the deafening echos in the hallowed halls of my humble abode. So its become a matter of habit to step lightly. Sometimes my Chauffeur says I need a bell, so he knows when to have the car ready."

With a giggle I leaned in to whisper.

"You seem to handle the cards just fine. I would keep an eye on our dealer he is quick of hand."

Sitting back in my seat I gave a nod to a passing waitress, who quickly came to take our order. After ordering Absinthe I turned to ask.

"May I buy you a drink?"

[Savannah Jo]

The woman slid her hand into hers and Savannah gasped aloud with shock at how frigid the woman's fingers were. It was freezing out, hadn't she worn gloves? Savannah retracted her hand away and put it between her thighs to warm again. Her reaction to Ayla's cold touch didn't go unnoticed by the gracious woman sitting near her.

"It is a pleasure and please just Ayla. Forgive my chilled hands. I have poor circulation and it was a bit cool out. I haven't had the chance to warm up just yet."

"Oh it's fine," Savannah interjected quickly, feeling like a donkey for gasping so rudely. "Just surprised me is all."

"I didn't mean to startle you. I tend to move to quietly. I hate the deafening echos in the hallowed halls of my humble abode. So its become a matter of habit to step lightly. Sometimes my Chauffeur says I need a bell, so he knows when to have the car ready. You seem to handle the cards just fine. I would keep an eye on our dealer he is quick of hand."

Ayla called a waitress over and ordered something that Savannah hadn't even heard of before, then asked: "May I buy you a drink?"

"Uh-" At that Savannah Jo stopped. She didn't drink, except beer when she was watching sports. She didn't know what the hell to order in a casino. There was a long moment where she didn't know how to respond. Then the words came without her willing them.

"Martini. Shaken, not stirred."

Immediately her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment but the words were out and there was no point in taking them back. So instead she tried to breeze over it as quickly as possible.

"Are you from around here? I just moved to the city." Because it wasn't obvious at all, with her southern accent and plaid button down shirt with jeans. She was about as city as a field of corn.

[Slow Death]

"Are you from around here? I just moved to the city."

[glow=blue,2,300]“Actually little one… She’s been around here for a very long time… Isn’t that right Ayla?”[/glow]

I slipped into the empty seat beside the human woman, keeping her between Ayla and myself… One false move from Ayla and I would kill the human where she sat, and she knew it…

I had hunted Ayla for well over 2000 years, kidnapped her once and tortured her for nights on end before letting her family find her, stalked her dreams to the point she gave up sleeping all together, killed her and cut out her heart to keep her dead then turned it over some time later to her family so they could bring her back, drove her from the city… And now she was back again… Back for more…

I held out my hand to the human…

[glow=blue,2,300]“Forgive me my lack of manors… I am Mal… Mal Evolence…”[/glow]
I gave Ayla a slight wink… Game on…

[Ayla Myst]

"A martini it is."

I smiled and nodded to the waitress

"Only the best and charge it to my account. As well as whatever the man who just entered would like."

I motioned to Mal as he entered the room I knew he would be joining us shortly.

"The drinks are on me tonight. I wont take no for an answer."

I motioned to the others sitting at the table with us and they quickly gave there orders as well. Watching as Mal took his seat and introduced himself. I smiled I had no fear for him now. I had spent my time away wisely.

"Mal darlin I wondered when you would grace my presence. It took longer than I thought. You must have been exceptionally busy."

I leaned in to Savannah

"Mal is my ex husband revisited. He was once quite a hot catch. But If I'm not mistaken he's off the market now. "

I winked at him unmoved by his attempt to shake me with his sudden appearance.

"Mals right I am part of one of the oldest families in Raven Black. I went abroad for a while, enjoyed the luxury of not having to run family business. I took a much needed rest. But I'm back and I don't plan on going anywhere for a very long time."

[Savannah Jo]

"A martini it is. Only the best and charge it to my account. As well as whatever the man who just entered would like." Savannah had to resist the urge to turn and see who Ayla had been referring to, keeping herself glued in place. "The drinks are on me tonight. I wont take no for an answer."

"That's very generous of you, miss Ayla. Much obliged."

“Actually little one… She’s been around here for a very long time… Isn’t that right Ayla?”

Savannah jumped slightly at the unexpected voice, and before she could open her mouth to say a word a man was sliding into the chair that separated her from Ayla. There was a long moment where she sat with her lips parted, frozen, as she surveyed him. He seemed to radiate malice and bad intentions. Even as homegrown as she was, Savannah would have to be a fool to not realize that there was something bad about this man. And her daddy sure didn't raise no fool.

“Forgive me my lack of manors… I am Mal… Mal Evolence…”

His hand was being offered now. Every inch of her five-foot-two frame didn't want to touch him, but her momma hadn't raised a brat either. Reluctantly Savannah put her hand in his, the name he gave chilling her more than Ayla's touch had. Though his hand was cool too.

"Savannah."

"Mal darlin I wondered when you would grace my presence. It took longer than I thought. You must have been exceptionally busy. Mal is my ex husband revisited. He was once quite a hot catch. But If I'm not mistaken he's off the market now. "

"Mals right I am part of one of the oldest families in Raven Black. I went abroad for a while, enjoyed the luxury of not having to run family business. I took a much needed rest. But I'm back and I don't plan on going anywhere for a very long time."

The last part seemed aimed more at Mal than her, but Savannah nodded and forced herself to smile. "It's nice to meet you, Mal." Though the lie was bitter on her tongue. "And I suppose I've met the right woman then. I can't imagine how much you can tell me about the city."

[Slow Death]

Ayla rattled on about my being her ex husband revisited, implying that we were married in a former life… A true statement of sorts… She had died and been reborn several times in the last 2000 years, where as I had never died… I had spent centuries searching for her, finding her, only to have her die, at which point the search began anew… Finally I brought her to RavenBlack where she was turned into what she was now, never again would she die and never again would I have to seek her out across the world… The only problem was, she had forgotten who I was… It took years of trying to make her understand, and eventually, with the help of one of her childer I was able to show her… Things went all wrong after that…

Ayla’s Implication of some former life was lost on the human woman…

I eyed Ayla… Her words ringing in my head… “I don’t plan on going anywhere for a very long time.” I would test that statement… Probably before sun rise…

The human introduced herself as Savanna… Then addressed Ayla… “I suppose I've met the right woman then. I can't imagine how much you can tell me about the city." She said… I took the opportunity…

[glow=blue,2,300]“Actually… Savanna…”[/glow]
It was hard to call her by her human name… It was something I almost never did… To give a human a name as to admit it had some worth beyond killing… I didn’t make it harder to kill them, in the end it just made it more personal…

[glow=blue,2,300]“I was just thinking… Maybe Ayla and I could ‘show’ you the city instead… The night is young and mere words alone can not describe a city that has so much complexity as RavenBlack…”[/glow]
It would be a shame to have to do this inside the gaming house, but it would not be the worst thing I had done… Standing up I held out my hand for Savanna to take, it appeared to be an offer, but anyone who knew me knew that it was more of a very strong suggestion… I offered my other hand to Ayla, my eyes locked on to hers… If Ayla were to refuse the offer, I would kill the little human girl and watch her blood pour across the table top… The other humans would panic and run and I would turn the room into a mass of broken screaming bodies…

[glow=blue,2,300]“Come Ayla, dear… Let us show the hum… um Savanna, the city… Let us give her the grand tour…”[/glow]

[Ayla Myst]

Before I could say anything Mal had chimed in. I wasn't surprised at Mal's usual attempt to get out of the mainstream. I looked up at Mal and smiled with a wink.

"Darlin don't be so hasty I just ordered around of drinks including my own And my friend is in the middle of a game right now. So be patient we have all night. Don't worry you'll get your tour."

I took her hand and patted it. Turning her back to face the table.

" I can show you quite a bit. Although the city has changed some in looks. I'm sure everything else is still the same. Like this place its pretty new. It use to be a really rough part of town nothing but old warehouses and sewer rats. They've cleaned it up nicely."

I looked back at Mal and waited for him to retake his seat.

"Where is that wife of yours. I haven't seen her around town sense I've been back. Is she well?"

[Savannah Jo]

“Actually… Savannah…” Her hazel eyes turned in Mal's direction, eyebrows raised and curious despite herself. Something about him simply made her skin crawl but he was compelling. They were both compelling in some indescribable and unnatural way. “I was just thinking… Maybe Ayla and I could ‘show’ you the city instead… The night is young and mere words alone can not describe a city that has so much complexity as RavenBlack…”

He offered her his hand. On the outside it was the gesture of a perfect gentleman, and there was great reluctance in her bones as she stared at the pale appendage for a few long seconds. Mal likewise offered his other hand out to Ayla; that was strange in itself. She was his ex-wife. Were they still close? Close enough to traverse the city together, to hold hands?

“Come Ayla, dear… Let us show the hum… um Savanna, the city… Let us give her the grand tour…”

Savannah thought she heard his words catch for a second but she wasn't sure. Everything about the man was unsettling. So instead of taking his hand, her hazel orbs looked in Ayla's direction for guidance.

"Darlin don't be so hasty I just ordered around of drinks including my own And my friend is in the middle of a game right now. So be patient we have all night. Don't worry you'll get your tour."

And just like that Ayla had deflected the man, so easily, while Savannah had been left grasping at straws. She settled into her seat, not taking the hand that was offered to her.

" I can show you quite a bit. Although the city has changed some in looks. I'm sure everything else is still the same. Like this place its pretty new. It use to be a really rough part of town nothing but old warehouses and sewer rats. They've cleaned it up nicely. Where is that wife of yours. I haven't seen her around town sense I've been back. Is she well?"

"You two are still on such good terms," Savannah commented, perhaps ignorantly. In fact...very ignorantly. "It warms the heart to see that even if a marriage doesn't work that two people can still remain such close friends."

[Ayla Myst]

I let my eyes fall from Mals face back to hers. Giving Mal time to answer before settling back to face the dealer. With the flick of the wrist I tossed long curls back off my shoulder and let them fall down my back.

"Just like the cards in your hand darlin. Thats as good as it gets."

I hoped she had caught the meaning and tone. I knew Mal wouldn't he wasn't here when we discussed the game. I built the mental wall I had learned about and emptied my thoughts. Like the Bastion I had become a strong hold mentally. I smiled when the Waitress came with a tray load of drinks and helped her pass them around. Glad to see my own green elixir. Taking a big sip of it I cradled it in my hand like a long lost friend. Watching her play her hand. I didn't quite understand the game but I was learning quickly.

"I'm a bit lost on this game I've never played a whole lot of cards. I've always been fond of roulette."

I placed my drink down and listened to the light conversation from the others around the table.

[Slow Death]

I took my seat again… Ayla knew it was only a mater of time before I grew bored of the dance and took maters into my own hand… I was not afraid of a public display of butchery, in fact, the more the merrier…

I wasn’t sure where this was leading, the cards would only entertain so much, the conversations always died off… Then what? I could wait… It was what I did best after all…

[glow=blue,2,300]“Roulette is a game lacking in any form of skill my dear… It is a simple game of chance numbers, kind of like dice… The gods will with the gods will, and no amount of praying will change that…”[/glow]

I knew that well, for how many humans had prayed to their gods for salvation just before I ended their lives… To many to count, and the result was always the same… They lost and I won… The ultimate game of chance is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…

[glow=blue,2,300]“Cards on the other hand is all about perceptiveness… How well you can read the other player, and how far you can risk pushing yourself before you have pushed to far, only to be left empty handed…”[/glow]

I smiled at Ayla…

[glow=blue,2,300]“Empty handed is something Alya has grown quit the knack for…”[/glow]

I turned my attention back to the human… Killing her while Ayla watched would give me great pleasure… Destroying anything and everything Ayla cared about was my favorite past time… It was so good to have her back in the city… This human would be the first, in a long line of disappointments for the poor woman…

[glow=blue,2,300]“So tell us Savannah… What brings you to this fare city? Business? Or pleasure?”[/glow]

[Savannah Jo]

Savannah was watching the divorced pair closely as they interacted. Trying to read the two as much as she possibly could, but it was like there was a wall there. Like maybe they were even on an entirely different plane that she couldn't access. For a moment her thoughts strayed to those of demigods. Deities looking down upon mere mortals, watching while they could not be watched. A one way mirror.

"Just like the cards in your hand darlin. Thats as good as it gets."

Maybe Ayla had meant to relay some hidden message. Something subtle to warn Savannah away from the man sitting with them. But it went over the blonde's head entirely. Deaf ears were all that heard Ayla's words. The waitress came around with a tray of drinks, and Savannah accepted hers with ready hands. She'd never had a martini before. Really she only drank beer when she was watching sports on television. She took a sip, and had to bite her lip to keep her face from puckering. This is what James Bond drank?

"I'm a bit lost on this game I've never played a whole lot of cards. I've always been fond of roulette."

“Roulette is a game lacking in any form of skill my dear…" Mal replied to that. "It is a simple game of chance numbers, kind of like dice… The gods will with the gods will, and no amount of praying will change that…”

If she didn't know better, she would think that as some kind of underhanded insult. Or a warning. It didn't occur to Savannah that it actually was. Instead she closed her lips over the rim of the glass again and tried another sip.

“Cards on the other hand is all about perceptiveness… How well you can read the other player, and how far you can risk pushing yourself before you have pushed to far, only to be left empty handed…Empty handed is something Alya has grown quit the knack for…”

But even that didn't escape Savannah's attention. But she kept her mouth shut around the glass, the bitter drink touching her lips.

“So tell us Savannah… What brings you to this fare city? Business? Or pleasure?”

"School, actually," she corrected. "I'm here for an internship for college. And what about you? How long have you been in RavenBlack? It's definitely a different kind of city." If only she realized how different it truly was.

[Ayla Myst]

"Mmmmmm Its nice to see you still cling to your gods Mal. Look where that got you. As for roulette, well that seems to be all you and I have left."

I gave him that old familiar Innocent smile that meant everything and nothing. I had grown tired of his games. But I listened as he rambled on.

"Oh Mal don't down yourself in such a manner. Your not empty not at all and I obviously still have you in my hands."

I kept my gaze on him with a pleasant expression void of all emotion. My eyes fell from his back to Savannah and a smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. I new what he was thinking mainly cuz he had a one tract mind. he would gladly rip this girl to shreds if he thought it would hurt me. I fought back the giggle trying to escape. He would only be cheating me out of a meal, one of many tonight.