Prey

Branches slapped at her face as she darted between the trees. She could hear the cacophony of footfalls around her; they ran with no fear, it was of no consequence if they were heard. Only the moon could witness their rituals. Zynniah let the others gain ground on the target, they knew better than to start with out her anyways. The running was hard on her false leg, but otherwise she pleased with how the night was going.

She had been bored recently. Being worshipped twenty-four/seven was hard on a woman. All of her followers wanted to see her, talk to her, sleep with her. It was too much. Plus, they had been forced to stop their power rituals after the loss of her arm. It was her stupid luck she had been built by humans. If her kind had already mastered the art of body construction, her frame would be able to contain her power properly. Now they were running out of things to do. They tried entertaining her. Games were invented, plays put on in her honor. She had invented at least four new sex positions and taught them to each follower individually. It was as if they had run out of life to live.

But then, she had had an idea. It had come to her in a vision, she had told them. They would take up hunting. She would choose their mark, then as a group, they would attack. Everyone had been hesitant about the plan, but Zynniah knew what to do. She quite literally had a book to guide her way, not that they needed to know that.

She heard a shout and knew they had her. Zynniah walked quickly to meet them. “Wonderful.” She said, offering a rare tease of praise.

The human woman looked up at them. Her lip trembled and her cheeks shone from her tears. “What do you want with me, demons?!”

Zynniah smiled. “I want you to entertain us. Do you think you can do that?”

”No! Father who art in Heaven, have mercy on my soul and-“

“You’re rather religious for a whore.” Zynniah noted flatly. “Catholic? Or perhaps protestant?” The woman continued praying. Zynniah sighed and one of her followers stepped forward to kick the young woman in the mouth. She cried out, but she finally stopped praying. “I’ve been around for a long time,” Zynniah informed her. “And I can assure you, the only god this planet has is me.”

The woman met Zynniah’s eyes again, blood dribbling from her lips. Then she spat at Zynniah’s feet.

Zynniah didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled and waved her hand. ”Gather her up.” She commanded. “The entertainment begins shortly.”