The Sphinx

TWO

She was living a life, one that appealed to her. Her title: self-appointed bounty hunter. When the supernaturals got out of hand, she moved in and cleaned up the mess they made. She became the boogey man, the justice for those who would otherwise go unchecked. In the process, she kept herself strong and her skills sharp. Like always, there were few who knew of her, and no one who knew her entirely. Her story, her life, would remain a secret shared with no one.

She wiped her mouth, cleaning away the remnants of her latest target. No matter how neatly she tried to eat, there was always a mess. Her food rarely went down without a fight. The meal of the day: vampire. Vincenzo, an asshole who was running rampant, ripping his way through cities with no regard, had caught her attention a few weeks prior. As always, she appeared and issued her warning. A warning he ignored.

"You've been a very bad vampire, Vincenzo. The tales of your work have spread far and wide." Shadowed by curtains she spoke to him. The vampire had occupied the New Jersey condo of a chubby man he'd finished off what Asa assessed to be a week prior judging by the smell rising from the body in the middle of the floor.

"Let me guess, you're here to tell me to change my ways." The man was unbothered by his mystery guest. She must not have been the first. He turned, allowing the moon to light his features. He was unimpressive. Wimpy for a vampire. Though he possessed strength, his pre-immortal body had been a small one and it remained the same—frail, boney, the body of an adolescent boy. No wonder he was running around like a child throwing a tantrum. "What the hell do you think you're going to do about it? What can you do that all the others haven't tried before you?"

"Oh, I'm going to make sure you clean up your act, Vincenzo." Asa stepped forward into the light. "I have no appreciation for your antics or the attention it is starting to bring. So, we are going to do some corrective behavior treatment, so to speak."

"Oh really? Mystery woman, please, do tell." He laughed boldly in her face. "How exactly do you plan to do that? This is only act one, there are so many more in this production!"

"Simple, your budget has been cut. It's time for curtains to close!" Wings unfolding from her frame knocked the curtains aside, and where once stood a small woman, emerged a beast. Vincenzo tried to run, but when the serpent wrapped around his leg, and broke the bones within, he turned to fight. It was futile. Her mouth opened like that of a snake, jaw unhinging, and the teeth of a lion slammed down, cutting through flesh. Wings folded around her prey as she finished her meal.

The recent rains left behind a scent that always brought a smile to her face even if there was an unknown piece of flesh by the corner of her mouth. She filled her lungs with the fresh air and removed the mobile device from her pocket and ordered a ride. Spotting a park across the street from the complex, she chose to distance herself from the crime scene. From the sounds of the screams that echoed from above, it wouldn't be long until law enforcement would arrive. They would find nothing but the body of the drained man, his wounds properly disguised, of course.

As she swung, letting her legs dangle beneath her she leaned back, holding herself in place as the night sky hung overhead. She stared at the stars. The grip on the chains tightened until her knuckles turned white. The breath in her chest escaped but didn't return; she was stuck, frozen, the air around her still. The blaring sound in her ears was paired with a source-less light that blinded her sight. It was the beaconing. The gods were returning.

This was the moment she'd been waiting for, the moment she'd been preparing for. As she hung, frozen in time and the energy of the earth shifted, she had one very clear thought: The gods are being reborn. After eons of being absent, their spirits were finding their way back to the land of the living. He would be among the ones returning.