The dark city night would provide cover for his intended actions. This wasn’t the first time the Death Monk had the insatiable desire to feel the life force of some street whore enter into his mind. The streets of Durbin were not particularly clean near this part of the town. The local pubs were lucky to have anything more than a dirt floor and a fire pit for their patrons. At any moment in time one could find tests of strength against some hearty barbarians, or a contest of skill against the archers of Grayspire. Of course, at all times one had to be alert for the many thieves trying to earn their way into the local guild by a either a night’s worth of pilfering, or a daring attempt at a local temple to come away with some religious artifact.

None of that was on his mind as he scanned the potential victims. He almost felt sorry for the tramp that he was going to take that night. No remorse for their useless souls, but instead of how they wasted their lives by offering their bodies in exchange for gold, items and most times, food for their wretched children born into the world. Why would a whore think that she could actually do any good by bringing in another mouth to feed? But none of that mattered to him now.

He finally spotted her. The one that would please his Mistress. The whore he sought was cute for having shorter hair. At least it was brushed, and she looked cleaner than most of the other street walkers that night. Maybe she was just getting started for the night. No matter, this wouldn’t take long.

The Death Monk reached up and pulled down his hood to reveal his shaved head and piercing gray eyes sparkling in the thought of what he was going to do in the next few minutes. He caught her attention by tripping himself into her.

“Hey!” she shouted. “The first grope is free, the next one will cost you.”

The Death Monk smirked. That trick worked every time.

“How much for your company, my lady?”

She gazed over his tall frame twice and then stopped, looking at his crotch.

“Well, honey, what’d you have in mind?” as she leaned in towards him, placing her hand on his upper thigh.

“My lady, I’ve never had the company of a woman before, so I…”

“Oh. You’re pure! Well, that changes things now doesn’t it? Since you’ve never been with someone of my…talents, for five gold, I’ll make sure you won’t forget my name.”

“What is your name, my lady?” he asked.

“Whatever you want it to be, honey.” as she playfully pressed her body against his.

“Can we go somewhere with some more privacy?” as he spoke with more confidence.

“Of course, but first, I need to make sure that you’re serious?” her hand extended towards him.

“Certainly.” He reached into his cloak, securing his money bag while pulling out the payment and placed it in her hands.

“Follow me.” the short haired whore said as she turned towards Little J’s pub.

He began to follow her as he surveyed the scene. No guards in this part of town. A nice dark alley way next to the pub. Easy escape route with many places to dispose of the body afterwards. Then as he was just about to make his suggestion, he caught glimpse of his Mistress standing atop the pub. Pale skin. Ice blue eyes. Long dark hair gently resting her cape and bosom. She was just as gorgeous as she was dangerous. She made eye contact and nodded.

The Death Monk spoke with authority to the whore.

“Can we step over here for a moment?”

He gestured to the alley way.

“Well now, for your first time you’re a frisky one, aren’t ya?” She took three steps into the alley.

At first all she felt was his hands groping her at her chest, but then he moved his massive fingers up to her throat. His hands reached around her larynx and he quickly squeezed the air out and trapped whatever her final moments of oxygen would provide her in her lungs. She tried to reach back at first, then she tried to twist her body to get an angle on him.

But he was soo strong. She looked into his eyes and saw anger. Then blackness. She blinked again and saw his fist coming down on her face. The pain never came like she thought it would. Instead, she felt all her memories of her childhood. The good times, and bad things that shaped her to what she was today. She felt the connection to her body losing it’s grip. She felt as if she was floating. Gently hovering.

She looked down. She saw her body getting pummeled by the man with the shaved head. Why was he doing that? Why wasn’t anyone coming to her aid? Why didn’t she feel anything? Then at that moment, she realized what was happening. She felt an endless ache in her soul as she thought about her brother that was waiting for her to come home the next morning.

But that feeling was instantly replaced by a sense of surrounding cold. She felt her life essence being torn apart, to exist no more, and to matter nothing to anyone.

She felt a tug behind her, or was it above her? She felt her existence fading into nothingness. And in the next moment, she was no more.

“Excellent work.” The Mistress said as she landed on the ground next to the monk.

“Thanks.” The Death Monk said.

“Where the hell can I dispose this?” looking down at the body of the short haired whore.

“I’ll take care of it. You should join your friends now. I will summon you again when needed.”

“Yes Mistress.” The Death Monk bowed, but waited.

“What is it?” She asked.

“When will I see the evolution?” The monk asked.

“Next time you’re in combat, you’ll notice it. Now leave me.”

“Yes, Mistress Divine.”

The Death Monk emerged from the darkened alley way. No one noticed him.

“Amazing what those vampires can do.” He thought to himself as he entered Little J’s Pub.

– War Wizard