The Dark Fairy King

As nightfall descended, the darkness didn't bring weariness. It only fueled me. The day had been spent swatting away that annoying human, chasing off that meddling Devran, and indulging in some much-needed people-watching.

Now, it was time for real food.

I stood, poised in the glistening moonlight, ready to hunt. It has to be menacing—a challenge. It can't be some dainty pixie I could kill with my eyes closed. Too easy. It shouldn't be a mage with questionable powers, too unpredictable. I can't take on a fairy queen, too powerful.

I need something dark, evil, and predictable. A villain, in other words.

Yet, I cannot feed on my own kind. That's just creepy, even to me—and that's saying something, coming from a Dark Fairy. Besides, killing my own? That would definitely attract unwanted attention. It's futile too. Nothing seems to kill us, maybe except pure light magic, or so I've heard. Anyway, that's the prize of being a superior species.

If you're wondering why I target villains, the answer is simple: I believe that, maybe, after killing enough of them, I can find some solace. Redemption, perhaps, for being born a Dark Fairy.

I really hate being a Dark Fairy. I did not choose this. I hate that my survival hinges on feeding off the essence of others. But if it's necessary, that's what I must do. So, I am predatory. I get that. But I can choose not to be a monster—by feeding on monsters.

Yes, I admit, I'm picky. But fortunately, the dark woods I call home are vast enough to accommodate my particular tastes.

I dropped down from the apple tree, landing soundlessly in the fog below. My eyes locked onto the still lake before me, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the dark water.

Curly black hair framed my face, and my grey eyes glinted slightly lighter in the dimness. A fleeting thought about vanity crossed my mind, but then my stomach growled.

Right. Vanity could wait. Right now, I need sustenance.

Up ahead, there he was again—the same meddling human. Was he lost? Or had he returned? I had chased him away hours ago, yet here he stood. But it wasn't just him.

I wasn't interested in that meddling human. I was interested in what lurked behind him.

Now, that's a suitable prey. A creature that checks all my boxes.

A lone female vampire trailed behind him, stalking him with hungry intent. Her eyes glimmered with the promise of a feast. I needed to act fast.

The air turned colder, thick with the tension that always precedes a hunt. Shadows from the trees stretched longer, cloaking the ground beneath me. It wasn't my first hunt, after all. The fear of my prey only made it more satisfying.

I materialized before the vampire, a shadow made flesh. Her eyes widened. Her breath hitched in her throat as she turned to face me. The human walked on, blissfully unaware.

"Well, well. Hello, vampire," I drawled, my voice dripping with mock calm.

She froze, tension radiating from her like an electric current. A low growl rumbled in her chest, fangs gleaming in the pale moonlight.

"And who might you be?" she hissed, her voice a dangerous rasp. "Dark Fairy. There's plenty to hunt in these woods. Let me go."

"Why would I do that?" I asked smoothly. "Would a fisherman release his catch just because it asked nicely? No. That's not how it works."

"Veravos…" she hissed, recognition flashing in her eyes. "So, it's you."

"Well, well. It seems my reputation precedes me," I smirked, my lips curling but my eyes cold. "But you, vampire, have nothing to offer me."

"Humans are fair game," she insisted, narrowing her eyes.

"Wait, are you actually trying to save him?" She laughed bitterly, like the idea was absurd. I stood still, focusing entirely on her, while she glanced back at the human. Her mistake.

"I am no savior," I said, my voice as cold as the night. "Just a predator who feeds on others of my kind. And you, my dear, are in my woods."

The tension in the air thickened. Her body stiffened as the weight of my words settled on her. Yes, now she gets it.

The vampire was on the menu.

I summoned the dark mists, letting them twist and coil into her form. Her shadow stretched, then sucked inward with a sickening pull. She let out a chilling scream, her eyes glowing like embers in the moonlight. The terror in them was palpable, and I relished every second of it.

The dark energy surged through her, draining her life force, a delicious rush that flowed into me. With each passing moment, I felt her strength fading, her body weakening. She struggled, but it was futile.

Dinner is dinner, after all.

The vampire collapsed, shriveled and brittle, like a desiccated corpse, before she disintegrated into the night.

With a flick of my wrist, I bent the air to my will, vanishing into the shadows, my hunger sated and my satisfaction complete.

The meddling human returned, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw me standing over the shriveled vampire. My eyes gleamed—cold, unblinking, gray as stone—as they met his.

"You monster! What have you done to her?" he shouted, horrified and clueless.

Seriously? You were about to be drained dry, and I'm the monster?

But fine. Reputation matters.

"You severely underestimate my patience, human," I said, stepping toward him.

I watched goosebumps ripple across his pale skin. His face drained of color. Good. Fear suits him.

"Need I remind you?" I said lowly, each word deliberate. "I am a Dark Fairy. It's night. I'm starving."

The shadows cast by the poison apple trees stretched longer, curling toward him like knives.

He raised his sword—shaking—but the moment he gripped it, it crumbled into sand.

"That's it? That's all you brought?" I snorted. His horror deepened. I took my time.

"Let me tell you why no human returns from these woods," I whispered. "Because none live long enough to tell the tale. And I will be your education."

He looked like a deer caught in a thousand moonlit traps.

I tilted my head. "Ah. This is where you run."

He bolted.

Of course, I didn't give chase. Too much effort. Let the human run off, for all I cared. I had more important matters to attend to, like… feeding on monsters. Or napping. Both were equally satisfying.

I stepped out of the woods, the cool night air tinged with the scent of damp earth, and into the darkened field. My gaze lingered on the distant silhouettes of the Love Fairy Kingdom and the Light Fairy Kingdom, their glowing outlines barely visible against the night sky.

I couldn't help but wonder what the night looked like from those castles—until my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar presence.

Devran.

I silently hoped he'd pass by, oblivious to my position. But, of course, that was wishful thinking.

I slipped behind my favorite tree, settling into the shadows, the rough bark pressing into my back. I barely had time to take a breath before I sensed him drawing closer.

Great. He found me.

"Killing villains for dinner again?" Devran's voice sliced through the night air, too smug, too knowing.

I didn't answer immediately, my patience already fraying at the edges. "You again," I muttered, irritation creeping into my voice.

"Look at these kingdoms and beyond, Veravos," he continued, unfazed. "They'll be ours one day. The Light Fairy Kingdom and the Love Fairy Kingdom. You could have a Love Fairy on Monday, a Light Fairy on Tuesday... maybe even a human on Wednesday. So much food for us."

Oh great, here he goes again, preaching to me about indulgence.

"What about February 30th?" I asked, hoping to throw him off.

He faltered, and I seized the moment to slip away before he could catch on.

"There is no February 30th!" he yelled after me, his voice tinged with mock outrage.

I smirked—he wasn't as dense as I'd first thought.

"Veravos, feeding only on villains is so limited. You could have so much more," he pressed, his voice rising with that all-too-familiar persistence.

Yes, I heard you the first time, Devran.

"I have a code, a moral one," I responded, voice steady. "We're already predators; we don't need to be monsters too. We should be able to change our fates."

Devran's laughter echoed around me, a mocking sound that grated on my nerves.

"Now, Veravos, that's why no one takes you seriously." His grin was as infuriating as ever.

"Oh my, did you miss the vampire?" I said, cutting through his words with a cold edge. "Is this what it's about? A crush?"

I tried to turn this on him.

"No, you misunderstood," he replied in an annoyed tone.

Oh, it's working.

"Well, she's shriveled up and faded. I'm a Dark Fairy. So are you. No need to get sentimental."

A heavy silence settled between us.

Devran's smirk turned into a sneer. "I know what you're doing, Veravos. You're stubborn, and Queen Judorah is not going to like this. Join us... or fight against us."

I didn't flinch, even as the temperature dropped around us.

"Careful now, Devran," I warned, my voice dripping with menace. "It's nighttime, and you're in my woods."

Devran gave me a final, lingering look before stepping back, retreating into the shadows.

Now that Devran was gone—hopefully forever—I could finally soak in the quiet moonlight.

Then, in the distance, movement caught my eye. A group of Love Fairies, flitting toward the Light Kingdom.

The Light Fairy Kingdom guards even seemed to be waving at them excitedly.

I narrowed my eyes.

What the hell is going on? The Light Kingdom had always kept a closed-door policy. Since when did they start welcoming Love Fairies like old friends?

Suspicious.