East

The east side of the city is the very heart of Sacrosanct - it's unique skyline is a clash between modern sky rises and small Victorian-inspired storefronts. In the heart of downtown, the sleek colored glass buildings reign supreme though their old-world roots can be seen in the most peculiar places from the lamp post styled electric street light to the stone sidewalks. The old world architecture slowly returns the further from downtown you travel, however. It's here that magic thrives, it hums in every stone and can be felt in every breath. Often, newcomers to the city may become overwhelmed by such sensations but, eventually, it becomes an ever-present feeling that's hardly noticed.

What You'll Find Here

City Creek Center
Dark Hunter Department
Inner Sanctum
Red on the Water
Starlight Tower

hold on to this lullaby, even when the music's gone; [Auree]


Posted on December 23, 2014 by Claire Grace
East
Hold on to this lullaby; even when the music's gone

I was on my way back from a walk through the city, it was one of my favorite things. It seemed so different going from living on my families property with its stone walls to being in this new place with people I didn't know. It dampened the ache of loneliness I got at not being near my siblings or even knowing their whereabouts.

Everything was new. It was bright and shiny and I wanted to do it all. It was a nightly ritual for me, I walked the streets to familiarize myself. I walked a different way each time, staring at the same point from the park and spiraling out from there. It also gave me something to do during the day, I had my own slice of dirt beneath that tall pine in the park that I was staying near. I felt more comfortable as a vixen in a new place then I did as a human.

My footsteps faltered on the sidewalk as the darkness pressed in closer but I heard music, so much of it, that I walked in that direction. I paused outside what must have been a bar, it seems like it would be like what I'd seen in my books. It was different, dirtier, I think. I started walking faster, instinct told me that this wasn't a good place to be.

It hadn't taken long for the footsteps to start behind me; I had a feeling it would. But I had to keep my heart rate in check, keep it from being erratic and off the charts. I knew what happened when it climbed.

At first I counted three but after awhile one broke off and then there was two. I picked up the pace again, turning left and looking over my shoulder. When I turned back around there was a dead end. I skidded to a stop and turned around, there was no time to change and even if I could I could tell they were human. I'd never changed in front of a human.

My heartbeat skyrocketed. I could hear it in my ears, it pounded against my ribcage and I bit my lip so hard it bled. Sometimes, the pain would make it stop. But it didn't. They said something, I couldn't hear what over the sound of my heart beating so loudly. They took a step closer and I took a step back, "Don't" I say but they just laughed. They were closer, within arms reach and one grabbed my arm. My eyes snapped to him, the other man was in my line of vision too. They hadn't been smart enough to flank me.

The pressure built in my head, I could feel it tugging against my gut and bursting forth. The men dropped to their knees, clutching their heads between their hands and screaming as if they were on fire. I didn't know what it felt like to be under my curse, but the last person who had, my father had killed.

"Please. Make it stop."

I spoke to the shadow who stood in the mouth of the alley, I could see it from where I stood but I couldn't tell their gender. It could have been anyone. My voice cracked and strained but I couldn't pull my gaze from the screaming men. I could feel the darkness rising to cloud my vision and I knew that I had maybe a minute or two longer before it claimed me and I'd be a crumpled heap on the ground.

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