Submitted by Soulless Zombie on Wed, 03/20/2002 - 22:58
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Season One will run from Febuary 6th to June 6th.
Due to a upgrade gone wrong all data was lost an thus all post have had to be re-posted so here they are...
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Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Tempest
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2002 2:45 pm
Tempest left his apartment. Tired of being indoors he decided to take a walk and hopefully it would relieve some of his pent up aggressions.
*Some hours later*
The police siren roared and the red and blue lights illuminated the building as the police passed on their way to some emergency. Still Tempest stared at the building searching its darkened recesses and still he could see nothing, but he felt it.
Tempest approached the half-built building stepping over debris as he neared the as yet unfinished doorway. It seemed like it was to be an apartment or maybe a small office building of some sort. The presence seemed to move towards Tempest once he had entered the building but then it began to fade away as if it was leaving, or perhaps running from him.
After a few minutes of searching the building for whatever power it was he has sensed he felt it again, stronger. He was nearing it. By now he was nearly on the semi complete roof. He passed through a few more rooms before reaching the plywood stairs that would lead him to the roof.
Tempest pushed through the plastic sheet that served as a temporary door and left it to blow in the night breeze. Tempest scanned his immediate view but could see no one so he circled around until he found what he was looking for. Tempest crouched against the roof entrance well as he studied the man standing staring down at the street.
His looks belied the power that he seemingly contained. Tempest approached the man with caution and silence. When Tempest was only a few feet away from the man, he spoke.
“Don’t suppose you’re just here for the view?”
The man spun to face Tempest with a blurring speed, and even as the last few words left Tempest the man's fist connected with his chest and sent Tempest reeling. Luckily Tempest managed to keep his balance and was able to dodge the next few blows. Tempest staggered backwards to avoid the next assault.
As Tempest backed away, the man stared at him as if he recognized him.
“You!” he shouted at Tempest.
Tempest straightened his back and his sword appeared in his hands as he stepped back from the man.
“What are you talking about?”
“Last time you screwed everything up, I almost had her. Things will be different this time.”
As Tempest looked at the man he remembered the six months he spent hunting the infamous Valerian, he had failed to kill him but had managed to save a young girl... Jade the woman he had met in Tash's apartment.
“If you try to stop me this time, I will kill you,” Valerian said. He then ran towards and edge of the building and jumped off. By the time Tempest was at the edge Valerian was long out of sight.
Tempest looked up at the moon, it was nearly dawn and he still needed to get some rest for tomorrow.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:03 am
Tash lounged in the airport arrivals area, watching the faces that emerged from the early morning St. Louis flight. Finally she spotted the tall, sandy-haired man walking down the ramp. True to form, he was attempting to chat up the air stewardess at the exit. She waved to him, and he sauntered over to her.
“Tash,” he beamed. “So good to see you!” The New Zealand accent was still strong even after several years living in the States. He tried to envelop her in a hug, but she stepped back out of reach. She knew how his hugs usually went.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice, Ian,” she said. She turned and began to walk toward the baggage carousels, forcing Ian to fall into step beside her.
“No problem, sweets. Anything for you, you know that.” He gave her bum a squeeze as he spoke, but at her look he quickly let go. He sighed. “It’s always all business with you, isn’t it?”
Tash shook her head and gave a small laugh. “You haven’t changed at all in the last couple of years. Come on, we have a lot to do in a short time.”
*****
Passers by barely noticed the white van with a telecommunications logo parked next to a junction box in Pasadena. The blond technician seemed intent on his work, fiddling around inside the box for a while, then retreating to his van, cables snaking from the box to the van’s interior. By lunchtime the junction box was sealed again and the van had gone.
A short time later that same van was stopped not far from a particular house in a quiet street. For a time nothing appeared to be happening. If someone had chanced to be standing within a couple of feet of the van they may have noticed after a while a slit opening in the side of the van facing the house. Some loud music started up with a heavy beat. Had there happened to be another keen observer standing beside the house, they may have noticed a small puff of powdered brick form a small cloud around a minute hole in the wall. A long drum riff covered the small sound it made. A few bars into the music the van slowly drove away.
*****
Tash opened the door when she heard Ian’s voice answer her query. He walked into the room and picked up the shirt he’d left over the back of a chair. He smiled laconically as he removed the blue shirt with the telecommunications company logo on it and changed back into his own shirt. “All done,” he said.
Tash smiled in relief. “Was there much?”
Ian rolled his head to relieve a crick in his neck. “I managed to bypass all the back to base systems, so any silent alarms will go nowhere. I’ve also faked the heartbeat, so there’ll be no reason for any suspicion there. The bypass is activated remotely.” He fished a small device from the bag he was carrying and laid it on the coffee table. “Just push this button and the bypass system cuts in.”
He sat down as Tash handed him a glass of whisky. He beamed at her, “You remembered…”
She dodged the hand that tried to grab her own and sat on the other couch. “Well, it’s not your usual brand, I’m afraid. Thanks again for doing this on such short notice. I’d rather not be going in there tonight but that’s the deadline, so that’s what I have to deal with.” She took a swallow of her own water. “What else was there?”
Ian’s voice became ever more animated as he described his art. “You’re lucky I’ve got a mate here in L.A. – I would have had a bit more trouble without his van. I used the millimetre-band microwave scanner to check for the control box. You know the one, it’s great for metal, and it scans to within one mil. The box showed up looking like it was armoured, which was perfect for me. Meant I could use the fine discarding sabot shot to penetrate the box, but once inside the fragments wouldn’t go beyond the box’s interior. Should have made a nice mess in there. You could trip any sensor you want in that place and I guarantee nothing’s going to go off.”
Tash frowned, “Wouldn’t somebody have heard the noise of that?”
Ian smirked, “No. What do you take me for? I used the old pounding drumbeat trick to disguise the noise. I couldn’t see any actual guards at the joint, and there was nobody outside. Inside, they probably wouldn’t have heard it anyway, but the music would have drowned it out. It’s pretty quiet. You know I’ve done this a million times before. Trust me.”
Tash sighed. Everyone seemed to want her to trust them these days. It wasn’t something that came easily to her. She shifted slightly on the couch. “OK, so I don’t need to worry about the electronic security any more.” She grinned, “That makes me feel a lot better, I must say.”
Valerian - After Dark
Jadyn
Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:09 am
Post subject: Valerian - After Dark
*A couple of hours before dawn*
Despite the classier look and feel of its surroundings, the air around After Dark still carried the faint, fetid stench of garbage mixed with smog, a smell most had come to associate with L.A...
Valerian's patrician features were expressionless as he left the comfort of his hired car, having instructed his chauffeur to wait in the shadowy recesses of a nearby alley. Dawn wasn't far away and he wanted the man nearby when he left the club. Valerian realised that he didn't have the luxury of time to waste, the earlier encounter with the swordsman had, if nothing else, reinforced that. His plan had to be put into action sooner than he anticipated, which explained this last minute visit to Eriantha.
The vampire cast a look over a few guests leaving the club, disgust evident in his eyes as a young man lurched against him, as if drunk. He knew though, that the youth's inebriated state was not due to an overidulgence in alcohol. Far from it...
Valerian flung the offender aside, totally ignoring the shouts of protests that followed him as he made his way towards the entrance.
The club was dimly lit, with music as dark as the decor. The night was winding down as the sunrise approached, but here and there Valerian could see a few people lingering in hope of further entertainment. Eriantha wasn't in sight. However, a couple of her proteges were and one approached him - the girl was nervous, obviously overwhelmed by his presence.
"C-can I help you?"
Valerian looked down at her. The tight, red satin corset flattered her curvy figure and gave her skin a rosy tinge that seemed almost human. He raised an aristocratic eyebrow as he lightly trailed a finger down her cheek... Understanding dawned in the young whore's eyes without him having to speak a word but she stood frozen to the spot, helpless against the hypnotic power of his gaze.
"Ahhh Valerian..." The smooth sound of her voice distracted him from his seduction of the young vampiress. "I see that time has had little effect on your charms... "
Eriantha was smiling faintly as the great vampire turned to face her. A flick of her hand had her protege scurrying away as she glided towards him, arms outstretched in a manner that was graciously affectionate.
Valerian said little as he allowed Eriantha to lead him into her private parlour. There was no question that she would be the one to serve him, just as there'd been no question about it when her sire, Faschior, had been around. He'd stated his preference for Eriantha's company since his first visit many years back and his esteemed status usually guaranteed that his demands were always met.
"So my lord..." Having ensured that he was comfortable, she was now curious about the reasons behind Valerian's visit. "What brings you to Los Angeles?"
"Since when did I need to have a reason to seek the pleasure of your company?" Valerian's tone held a note of amusement as he drew Eriantha down onto his lap.
Eriantha stretched with feline grace as she pressed herself against him. She moved slightly, fitting her soft curves to him and sighed gently as she drew his arm around her, guiding his hand to the laces of her bodice. Her lips sucked gently on his earlobe, her hands lingered in practised caresses over his body...
Valerian groaned aloud at the illicit sensations Eriantha was causing. Her skill as a courtesan was, in his opinion, far superior to any other woman, human or otherwise... With the exception of his brief time with Rose, Valerian could not recall a time when a female had pleasured him so.
Perhaps that was why he felt a certain affection for Eriantha, despite her sharing her sire's ridiculous notions about humans and blooddrinkers coexisting in harmony, an idealism Valerian found laughable to the extreme... After all, one should not see one's food as being one's equal.
Eriantha sighed in ecstasy as Valerian recipocrated under her expert ministrations although she was still wondering why he was here. As much as he enjoyed the pleasure of her body, Valerian would not come to L.A without valid reason. However, all that did not matter... Both vampires closed their eyes as time temporarily ceased to exist, all that mattered was each other's touch...
*********************************
A slow sensuous smile crept across Eriantha face as she slowly disentangled herself from Valerian. He always made their meeting memorable, that was for certain... She stretched out slowly... rubbing herself against him. "So why are you really here in L.A?" she said as her hands trailed across his chest.
"Well cherie," Valerian replied, "you could say I'm about to aid you in your goal in... how did Faschior phrase it... bringing the world of the day together with the world of the night?"
"Oh?" Eriantha could not keep the surprise from showing on her face. Valerian had never shown an interest in her or her mentor's mission before. In fact, he had often been sarcastically insulting at the idea of treating humans as if they were anywhere near his level of intellectual or physical superiority.
Valerian drew a sharp breath as Eriantha's nails scratched lightly over his flesh. He smiled inwardly, "Some very powerful things are gathering in the city, objects and people. I have an interest in observing them... Some of them may interest you as well, should you care to look." He couldn't give her too much, he knew, but what he had said should pique her interest...
"Am I suppose to guess where to look, my lord?" Sweeping her long, dark hair back, Eriantha assumed an expression of boredom as she admired their bodies in the flickering candlelight. She'd learned over the years never to appear too eager with Valerian, for he had a sadistic fetish of making others grovel.
Valerian let the silence drag on, a little reticence now would be more convincing. "They seem to be gathering around Poplar Avenue. A little time spent there could be very profitable."
"Although I would love to stay," Valerian swept his gaze down the magnificence of her body, "dawn is very close..."
Eriantha nodded as she slid off the bed and donned a satin cloak. Use to his theatrical antics, she barely blinked as Valerian dissipated into a cloud of smoke and materialised behind her, fully clothed.
She touched a finger to the sculpted perfection of his cheek before gesturing to a thick wooden panel. "My private entrance and exit. That door will lead you straight to the surface, where I'm sure your driver is waiting." A soft smile touched the vampiress' lips. "Don't make me wait for years again before our next meeting my lord. I'd be desolate if deprived of your company for that long..."
As Valerian disappeared out the doorway into the lightening sky, Eriantha lay back against a mountain of soft feather pillows, finally allowing herself to ponder over what her lover had said. *Poplar Avenue... I do believe that's where my darling Victor resides. Or at least, that's where my sources have placed him... Perhaps then, it is time for me to pay my shining prince a visit. Just to see if he has knowledge of an object that could serve to unite the worlds of day and night...*
*********************************
The limousine sped away from After Dark just as the first rays of sun peeked over the horizon. Valerian settled against the soft leather, shielded by darkened windows. Despite his weariness, the vampire was well-pleased with the outcome of the night's efforts. Eriantha's attempt at disinterest had been good but one did not survive thousands of years without learning to see beyond the surface.
He was certain that his petit diabolique plaisir would put the pieces together and identify Jade as the link between nightwalkers and humanity. Once she did, it was almost guaranteed that he would have her support in converting that stubborn child of his to darkness...
Valerian paused in his thoughts as the limo slowed smoothly to a stop. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed his driver and teleported himself into the confines of his lair.
Valerian closed his eyes. "And should Eriantha's sublime powers of persuasion fail?" He smiled as he submitted to the slumber that overwhelmed each time night gave way to dawn, "Ah well... Jade might not listen to Eriantha, but Tristan Barrington is a different story..."
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:26 am
Sorrow walked down the street to XY. He'd spent the morning practising his martial arts and felt quite relaxed at the moment. He took a deep breath as he reached the door wondering if Jade would quiz him about this morning. He had left before she had woken up and he hadn't left a note.
Kate was flicking through one of the order books. Suddenly she sensed a familiar presence approaching the shop. Without looking up she said to Jade, "I think you have a visitor.” Moments later Sorrow walked in through the front door. Jade looked at Kate quizzically as she walked towards Sorrow to greet him. Kate closed the book as a group of young girls approached the counter.
"Hey you..." Jade said softly, smiling up at Sorrow. She'd been a little surprised when she didn't find him in the apartment this morning but hadn't had the time to dwell on it since she'd already been late for work.
"Hey.” He leaned down to kiss her briefly, "Miss me?" Sorrow glanced briefly towards Kate serving the girls then his attention returned to Jade.
She grinned impishly and winked as she responded "That depends..." Jade's eyes, however, were slightly curious as she searched Sorrow's expression for an indication about how he felt towards Kate. She remembered from the conversation between herself and Kate that things hadn’t exactly gone smoothly the first time Tristan and Kate had met.
Taking him by the hand, she led Sorrow to the back of the store where they had a modicum of privacy. Checking to see that Kate was out of earshot, she asked quietly, "Catherine told me yesterday that she was a member of the Inner Circle in the Coven of Sindell..."
"…And that she is in conflict with an elder of the same organisation. What time did she tell you?"
"After you left the store... Why?"
"I was a little hard on her yesterday. I was just wondering if it was before or after I prompted her."
Jade turned back to see Kate watching them, the customers she'd been
serving had made their purchases and left the store. She spoke quickly. "Tris... I like her. And I think she can be trusted. There's no doubt that it'll be to our advantage to have her on our side when we deal with the Cloch Cosan. She seems to know a lot about the crystals..."
Jade sensed Sorrow's doubts. Glancing again at XY's counter, Jade said, "Kate, could you join us for a minute?"
Kate wandered over to the back of the shop where Sorrow and Jade stood. She knew they had been talking about her by their hushed voices and constant glances in her direction. *Sometimes you don't need to be psychic to figure things out,* she thought. "So, what's wrong?" she asked cheerfully.
"Nothing's actually "wrong”," Jade smiled at Kate before glancing a little apprehensively at Sorrow who was watching the witch with an unreadable expression, "I just thought the three of us could sit down for a chat. Maybe clear the air a little?” She gestured at the empty store. "Not like we've got anything else to occupy ourselves at the moment..."
Kate raised her eyebrow a little suspiciously. She had passed the first day off as just bad luck - to get TWO people interrogating her in the same day was unfortunate, but she was beginning to wonder if every day at XY would begin with some kind of confrontation.
Sorrow saw Kate's raised eyebrow and laughed softly. "I promise I won't bite this time." He still had an amused look on his face as the three of them moved to sit down.
There was a bit of an awkward silence as Kate looked warily from Jade to Sorrow then back again. Since Sorrow was evidently not going to start the ball rolling, Jade cleared her throat and took the plunge.
"Since the Coven of Sindell is involved in the Gathering of the Shards, I think that Kate should be included in tonight's plans." She held up a hand as Kate opened her mouth to ask a question. "I'll explain the details of that later. Right now, if we're going to be working together, I think it'll be for the best if the both of you," Jade nodded at Sorrow and Kate, "work out any problems you might have with each other."
Kate shrugged, glancing at Sorrow. He still made her feel uncomfortable and she wasn't entirely sure if it had anything to do with their previous encounter. "Well?" She said questioningly. Gaining no response she continued, "I'm sorry I 'brushed' past your psychic block. But really," she continued with a smirk. "You are infuriatingly silent and non-verbal!"
Sorrow let the silence drag out, a gleam in his eye. "The brush wasn't really the problem. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday too, but you have to admit it's odd to find a witch of your talent working as a clairvoyant in a magic shop.”
"That's exactly what I thought when Kate first applied for the job." Jade cut in. "But Tris, she's explained to us about her past and why she's lying low, and I guess bills still have to be paid," she grinned, "whether you're a 'Grand High Witch' or not?"
Kate smiled, "I tend to try and avoid Roald Dahl comparisons if I can, I think it's something to do with killing children... it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.” She paused for a moment, “But I appreciate the sentiment,” she added hastily.
Sorrow looked at the two women. "Hey I've apologised, but I have a suspicious mind and an interrogative manner. It comes with the territory."
Jade sighed in relief. "So we're all ok with one another?" She reached across to take Kate's hand. "It's not just because of what we're going to do tonight that I want this problem solved...It's also because you and I are working together, and besides Tash, Matthias and Sorrow, you're one of the few people whom I've met in L.A that I really get along with."
Kate looked at Jade, then at Sorrow. She had never expected to find allies in L.A, never mind someone who might just turn out to be a friend. She smiled again.
"So, what's the deal with tonight?"
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Natasha Brookes
Tue Apr 02, 2002 11:11 pm
Tash was sure she'd regret this. She was riding to XY a bit early for their meeting tonight, and Ian had insisted he come along. He was gripping her around the waist and Tash felt not at all happy with that, especially now that Ian had consumed a couple of whiskies. She had certainly much preferred being in this situation with Victor. The thought of him brought a smile to her lips, but it quickly turned to a frown as she remembered exactly where he'd be ending up tonight.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled up outside XY and told Ian to get off the bike. She fixed him with her best glare. "Now remember, behave yourself in there, OK?" Ian put on a face of purest innocence at which Tash snorted and shook her head. She wanted to be sure that Jade had been able to find four crystals of about the right size and colour, and she also wanted to see that Kate was up to speed on tonight's business.
She pushed open the door to XY and scanned the room quickly as she stepped inside. There were a multitude of customers browsing, and Jade was pretty busy helping them. Kate seemed to be at the back of the shop. Ian trailed in behind her and visibly straightened his back as he noticed the two women working there. Ian flashed one of his most disarming grins at the lovely redhead, but she turned back to finish her task.
Jade motioned that she'd be over as soon as she was done. She cast a curious glance at the man beside Tash as she helped carry purchases to the counter. While Jade finished with her current batch of customers, Tash nodded to Kate, who was busy restocking some shelves on the back wall. Once the sales had been rung up, Jade turned to Tash and smiled. "Hey! You're early... I thought we were suppose to meet at six?"
The tinkling of the door chime signalled the customers leaving, and Tash answered her query. "Yeah, I wanted to drop by and see how you'd gone with finding those stones for me." She turned her head to Ian, "Ian, this is Jade, who owns XY. Jade, Ian is a specialist in security I've called in for tonight."
Ian bowed slightly and grinned at Jade, "It's a real pleasure to meet you, Jade." He couldn't help himself. His eyes raked the delicious Asian woman from head to toe and back again, taking in her flawless skin and dusky beauty.
Jade raised an eyebrow, somewhat taken back at the stranger's frank appraisal. "I wish I could say the same... Although if you paid as much attention to your security protocols and procedures as you just did to my cleavage, I'm sure you're every bit the competent expert Tash claims you are."
Tash glared at Ian, who responded with an ingenuous shrug. Tash turned to Jade, "You'll have to forgive him. He thinks he's God's gift to women. But he really does know security systems, he's the best I've ever seen." Tash felt a small wash of emotion from the store room, and looked back to see Sorrow standing in the doorway. The black in his aura was muted a little, and the bright pink of amusement suffused it. Tash couldn't hide her own amusement, "Hello, Sorrow, I think you should meet Ian, too."
"Yes I imagine I should," Sorrow walked over to the counter, the faintest of smiles on his face. He offered his hand to Ian. "Good to meet you Ian. Have you been in town long?" Sorrow could smell the faint scent of alcohol and his eyes briefly drifted questioningly towards Tash.
Tash sensed Sorrow's disapproval, and rolled her eyes. She knew damn well that if she hadn't fed Ian a couple of whiskies, he'd have been in the nearest pub downing several dozen. She watched to see how Ian would react to 'the boyfriend'. Ian sized up Sorrow, and apparently decided it was too much trouble. He shook Sorrow's hand warmly and said, "No, just got in. Sorrow, eh? Strange name."
"Perhaps, but it's one that suits my past." He turned more fully towards Tash, "I've got the fakes for the switch. Jade has got a lot of stuff back there so they weren't hard to find." Sorrow was still smiling as he essentially dismissed Ian’s presence.
"Great," said Tash. "I was a bit worried that with the tight deadline we wouldn't get everything together in time. I'm beginning to think it might even work." Feeling ignored, Ian wandered towards the back of the shop where the redhead was still stacking shelves. He was ever optimistic.
Kate had been absently restocking the bookshelf, she hadn't really noticed Ian until it was too late. He leaned across her, smiling inanely.
Ian tried to keep his best seductive smile on his face but he was getting bad vibes from this one, too. So far, only the air stewardess had been nice. Still, no harm in trying he decided. "Name's Ian. Who might you be, lovely lady?”
Kate rolled her eyes at his line. Ian leaned in a little closer forcing Kate to take a step back into the shelf. She hit her head on the back in her haste. "Ouch" she cried, rubbing her head. Ian pulled her towards him. Kate kept her hand between them, pushing him away. "I don't think so..." she said.
Tash looked up, aware of Kate's distress. "Ian," she warned. Ian looked back at Tash. He'd heard that tone before. Facing back to the redhead, he took a step back and smiled ruefully, "Sorry, love, I forget myself sometimes when in the presence of such beauty." The redhead glared at him, and Ian sighed as he left her to her shelves. *And I thought LA girls were supposed to be hot to trot!* Tash seemed to be engrossed in conversation with that Sorrow guy and the gorgeous Jade. The redhead was studiously ignoring him. *Hmm, I'm sure I saw a pub across the road. Tash won't mind if I nip in for a quick one.*
"I'm afraid I have some errands to run," Sorrow gave Jade a quick kiss on the cheek, "I’ll be back around sixish..."
Just then, the door chimed again several times in succession and a fresh batch of shoppers came into XY. Jade smiled at Sorrow. "Ok, I'll see you later. The rate the customers are descending upon us, I doubt Kate and I will have a free moment before closing." She nodded absently to Tash. "Got to get back to work, we'll talk in a bit..."
Kate placed the last items on the shelf and picked up the empty box, wandering back over to the counter. She noticed Ian skulking around near the door. *Good,* she thought, *far enough away so as not to be a nuisance, hopefully.* She turned her attention to Tash. Sorrow brushed past her on his way to the door. "Hmm, nice friend you have there, Natasha."
Tash took Kate to the quiet tarot corner, so they wouldn’t be overheard by any of the customers still in the shop. "I'm sorry about Ian. I didn't want to bring him here, I knew what would happen. But we might need him later on when we all meet. He's already disabled the security around the house." Tash turned to Kate, "Has Jade filled you in on tonight at all?"
Kate nodded, "Most of it, but I was curious as to what exactly you would need me to do."
Tash shrugged, "To be honest, the final details aren't really worked out yet, but the basic idea is that I'll be going into the house in Pasadena with the fake crystals, to swap them for the real ones. They're in a magic dead zone, so they don't give off any sign of power at all." Kate opened her mouth, but Tash shook her head, "No, I don't know how the dead zone was created. Apparently no magic will work inside it, though, and it extends about 100 feet in a radius from the house. You'll be there with me, as a backup outside that zone in case the shit hits the fan. I think Daye will be there, too.”
At Kate's puzzled look, Tash explained, "Another witch. I'll need both of you to keep an eye out for any trouble that might come from outside the house, and stop it getting to me. I'll have to deal with the house itself. As I said before, Ian's taken care of the electronic security for me." Tash took a deep breath. She didn't think she'd left anything major out of that postage stamp explanation.
Kate sighed also, this 'plan' sounded very vague at best. From what Sorrow and Jade had told her earlier and now Tash, she had the impression that nobody knew what was going to happen that night. She was also worried about what would happen if they succeeded, would they be able to handle having possession of all nine shards? She nervously ran her hands through her hair, sighing again. "Okay, I'm in, although I must admit I'm a bit worried about how vague this entire 'plan' seems. We are going to come face to face with some very dangerous people. Considering people will be risking their lives I really think we should be specific about what we are going to be doing."
Tash winced. Kate's words brought home once more the knowledge of what Victor was planning for the Beazor end of this party. Each time she thought about it, a knot grew in the pit of her stomach. She swallowed the fear, and answered Kate, "The specifics will be gone through at six tonight, here. Everyone involved should be meeting here. I've tried to cover as many angles as possible at Pasadena, given the short time I've had. I went last night to have a quick scout around. There don't seem to be any guards, at least." She held Kate's eye, "It'll be dangerous, and if you don't want to do it, I quite understand. Not to mention that we'll have four undampened crystals to contend with if we're successful. Are you sure about this?"
Kate nodded. She was certain. Whatever the risks she knew the crystals would be better off in their possession than with this Kain. Kate noticed that Tash seemed a little troubled. She frowned, "Is something wrong?"
Tash gave a nervous laugh. "Just worried, is all." She paused a moment. Jade was still tied up serving an array of people at the counter. *XY’s unusually crowded tonight...* "Kate," Tash began, "assuming we're both still OK tomorrow, I'm feeling strong enough to try to free those memories of yours if you're still interested."
Kate also glanced at Jade then turning back to Tash she nodded again. "I'm interested." She hesitated for a moment then continued, "but let’s just see how tonight goes first..." She grimaced inwardly, her tone had sounded more ominous than she had intended. She held Tash's gaze for a moment longer then looked away. She frowned and looked beyond Tash. "Umm, Tash..." she said inquiringly, directing her towards where Ian had last been standing.
Tash looked around the shop. It wasn't that big. Tash replayed the sounds she'd heard and counted the number of times she’d heard the door. Sorrow and the customers accounted for all the ones she’d heard. *Damn, Ian must have slipped out one of those times. And I know exactly where he is...*
Tash grimaced, "That silly bugger's gone to Bob's for a drink, I'll bet." She looked out the window. "And it'll be dark soon, too. I'd better go rescue him before he tries to pick up the wrong kind of girl." At Kate's enquiring glance, Tash said, "No, he doesn't really know exactly what I do, though I think he suspects that not all monsters are myths. But he certainly doesn't know enough to protect himself. I'll get back here by six, if I can."
Jade had come over to join them, and overheard Tash’s last few sentences. She looked concerned. Ian may have been a terrible sleaze, but Bob's wasn't a place for the unwary. "Hurry back, Tash."
Tash flashed Jade a smile, "You'll hardly notice I've gone." With that Tash swept out the door, leaving Kate and Jade to finish up the day's business.
Pay Back
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2002 11:23 pm
Post subject: Pay Back
**********JEM’S CRYPT**********
Jem had been around her crypt not sleeping all day.
“You’re not going alone!” Chris shouted at her. “It took three of us last time and one of us is now a nice pile of dust!”
“Ebony, you can say her name,” Jem paused. “She was stupid, only thought of the kill not how safe she was.”
“And you’re doing the same.”
“Fine, I won’t go alone.” Chris let out a sigh of relief. “I’ll take two lackeys,” she finished off.
“Jem!”
“I’m going on my own, I have business to sort out with that hunter and you’re not coming with me!”
As soon as the sun had set, Jem grabbed her sword, gun and two lackeys and left for XY. They walked through the cemetery and streets and eventually to the shop XY.
“You stay here, until I say.” She told her minions as she began to open the door.
********** MEANWHILE AT XY***********
It’d been a terribly busy day at XY. As she shut the door behind the last customer, Jade turned and smiled wearily at Kate, who’d thrown herself onto a chair and rested her head on the store counter once the final sale had been rung up.
It was almost dark... Stealing a look at her watch, Jade realised with a start that it was almost six. Although XY usually closed at five, the influx of late afternoon shoppers had left them little choice but to keep the store open.
“Crazy day huh?” she smiled at the red-haired woman who rolled her eyes in response. “Did you notice how almost all our customers today bought crystals or ingredients for wards and protective spells?” Jade sank down on the floor, a couple of feet away from Kate. “I overheard several people whispering about seeing blood on the moon last night. I didn’t see it, but I think it’s got everyone a little freaked...”
“Hmmm,” sighed Kate, remembering the previous night, “who could blame them, living in this city is enough to freak anyone out. And that’s without prophetic portents being bandied around!”
*Was that my imagination or did Kate seem to look a little guilty at my mentioning of the blood on the moon?* Jade glanced at Kate speculatively. Then, stretching to relieve the tension between her shoulder blades, she said lightly, “Tristan mentioned something last night about a strange phenomenon, an indication of serious trouble ahead. You’re the clairvoyant here. What does your crystal ball say?” Jade’s impish smile removed any indication of malice or sarcasm from her last remark.
Kate grinned a little. “Well, scrying is never an accurate form of prediction. Like anything else, it is all open to interpretation.” She sighed again, easing away her unrest, “Let’s face it. With all these Shards scattered about the place, it is hardly surprising that it should begin to affect the elements.”
*Hmmm, why do I get the feeling that Kate knows more about it then she’s letting on? She looked truly unhappy for a moment...* Jade decided not to push the issue for now. *Guess she’ll talk about it when she wants to...*
Grimacing a little at her aching feet Jade stood up, made her way behind the counter and started printing out the day’s sales receipts. “I wonder what’s keeping the guys, they really should be here by now.” She looked at her watch nervously.
Just then Jem opened the door, her weapons hidden under her coat. She started to look at a few of the items near the door before she glanced across XY to see two women near the cash register. She skimmed her eyes cross the rest of the shop to see if she could see the hunter, but no one else was there.
Both Kate and Jade turned in surprise to look at the woman standing at the entrance. Jade’s expression turned into one of mild annoyance as she said aloud, “I’m sorry, but like the sign on the door says, we’re closed for the day. Perhaps you’d like to come back tomorrow? We’re open from 10am...”
Jade frowned as the woman continued to look around the store, like she hadn’t heard a word said. She was dressed in what Jade called “typical Goth fashion” - black leather, silver studs, loads of make-up - which was pretty common among some of XY’s regulars but there was something slightly different about her.
Taking a step closer, Jade repeated, “Excuse me, I said we’re clo...” Her voiced trailed off as she suddenly came to a halt.
Kate stood up sharply. She went to stop Jade but was too late, Jade had already approached the vampiress.
The familiar scent of death... old death... was unmistakable and easily recognised through its mask of perfume. *Vampire. Even a half-ling like myself should have seen it immediately, which I would have, if I’d been a little more focused.* Jade cursed herself for her slip up.
Kate caught her by the arm and pulled her back warily, her eyes not leaving the vampire for a minute. “What are you doing?” she whispered. Every muscle tensed in her body, ready for whatever might ensue...
“Wasn’t paying attention. Didn’t realise what she was till now,” Jade muttered under her breath.
“What am I?” asked Jem grinning wickedly. Suddenly the door opened and two other vampires walked in. “Just in time for the party boys.”
“What you are,” said Jade defiantly, “is unwelcome. I don’t serve your kind in my shop. So, although I bear you no personal ill-will, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave.” Jade’s calm voice belied the licks of apprehension she felt in her stomach. She scanned the two other fiends who had just arrived and felt a sudden flash of recognition as her gaze fell on the one that towered a head above the others. *Damn it! It’s the vamp from the park!*
The taller vamp leaned forward to whisper in Jem’s ear, “Jem, I don’t think we should be having any kind of party here.” He paused, Jem spun, turning to face her minion. “And why would that be?” She turned back again to face the two women. “She’s the one,” he said pointing at Jade, “she’s that witch we saw in the park.”
“Witch?” said Jem reaching into her pocket for her gun.
“Witch?” Kate echoed, giving Jade a questioning look.
Jade shrugged indifferently and muttered, “Owning a magic shop has had certain educational elements. I’m not totally ignorant about the craft.”
Kate narrowed her eyes, focusing on the gun Jem was removing from her pocket. “Just what do you want from us?” she inquired.
“Well,” Jem paused to think, “I want you dead. I never liked vampire hunters.” She paused again, “I’m looking for someone.”
“We’re not vampire hunters.” Jade paused to glance at Kate. “Well... I’m not anyway. That night in the park, was an... aberration of sorts. Your boys here,” she gestured at the duo of fiends with a realistic look of disdain on her face, “came charging right at me, poised to attack. What was I supposed to do? Let them chew on my jugular?” *Damn, I can’t use the same spell here... Not without setting the whole of XY on fire and putting Kate and myself at risk too.* Jade swallowed hard, determined to hide her growing nerves behind a mask of bravado.
Kate looked worriedly at Jade, she’d obviously had a run in with these ‘people’ before. Kate could feel sense Jade was growing nervous. Kate still focused on Jem’s gun, she was pointing it at them now, her hand on the trigger. “Just whom are you looking for?” asked Kate again, stalling for time.
“A woman ‘bout so tall,” she signalled the height of the hunter, “short black hair, I’m sure you know the one.” Jem sighed. “God, how many times do I have to say this? Tell me where she is and you’ll both live.” She added. The other vamps surrounded the two women, weapons at the ready. “Spill.”
Kate and Jade both instantly recognised the description as belonging to Natasha. *So this was the band of vampires who attacked Tash,* thought Kate remembering the night in the alley when she and Luc had found her barely conscious. The group of vampires had passed very close to where they had been shielding her. Thinking hard, Kate recalled the sight of the vampiress that now stood before them. Her long dark hair, her distinctive clothing, it was definitely the same woman who had led the deadly gang in their hunt of Tash.
Kate stole a questioning glance at Jade - was she ready? They would have to make a move at some point...
A shuttered look had come over Jade’s eyes and she nodded imperceptibly at Kate’s unspoken question. She too knew that Kate and she stood a better chance of getting out alive if they took the offensive.
The vampires seemed a little edgy, their guns were aimed steadily at Kate and Jade.
”Oboedi, Oboedi et absite!” cried Kate suddenly, throwing her right hand up towards the vampires.
A ripple surged through the air from Kate, forcing the three vampires to be repelled backwards. The two lackeys hit a nearby bookcase and Jem flew into the back wall. The impact forced them to drop their weapons.
Jem stood up and brushed herself off. “Ouch! That hurt!” She wandered forward, looking for her gun which had gone underneath a still standing bookcase. “Suppose I’ve always got two more,” she said, morphing her face into that of the demon. Jem ran forward, she was really angry now. She kicked the witch hard in the stomach. The lackeys got up coming forward too, game faces on.
Kate doubled up in pain, falling to the floor. She reached her hand towards one of the guns that lay on the floor, "Venire," she whispered, and the gun rolled across the floor to her hand. She held it up towards them, "I'm sure this won't kill you but it sure as hell will hurt"
She discharged a couple of rounds at the vamps, the bullets ripped though their flesh, slowing their advance, but not causing them much pain.
Jade helped pull Kate from the floor. The two of them stood back to back as the fiends started to circle them, their gunshot wounds already healing.
Jade's hands were steady, her eyes watchful, as she waited for the right moment to strike out. "Wing Chun... Just another Wing Chun session at the Martial Arts Centre..." She didn't dare allow herself to think of it as anything else, for fear of losing her focus. The tallest vampire struck first, coming towards Jade, forcing her and Kate to separate.
She dodged his ham-sized fists easily enough, ducking under his arm to punch him hard in the rib cage. He let out a grunt and stumbled, knocking the vampire next to him off balance. Jade's eyes darkened in fury as the both of them crashed against a wooden shelf, smashing it beyond repair.
Jem approached the witch once again, pulling her sword out of it sheath underneath her coat. “Now you pay.”
Kate backed away slightly as the vampiress stalked towards her. She lunged at her with the sword and Kate ducked to one side, avoiding the blow. The blade struck the counter, lodging itself there. Kate used the small break to recompose herself - she held her hand towards Jem again, her aura grew darker as she summoned up deeper magiks, "Vertex equito!" she voiced firmly.
Suddenly a growing wind blew around the room, small at first but then stronger, gathering force. Kate grabbed Jade, pulling her behind herself, as the gust of wind blew the vamps back against the shelves again.
Kate turned to Jade, "I hope you have insurance."
Jade turned to Kate, "Man, this is really going to drive up my premiums!" She pulled Jem's sword out of the counter and held it poised for action. The vamps were already picking themselves up from the floor and making their way towards them.
Jem kicked out again at the witch. “Now, why did you do that? It only makes me more angry.” The minions started to run towards the two women, they still had a few spare weapons left. Jem gave one of them a look and he threw her a knife, she caught it by the right end and came even closer.
Kate was ready this time, she easily dodged Jem's kick and squinted her eyes, repelling Jem backwards again. "Why can't you damn vampires take a hint!" she cried. "You are not welcome here, what will it take? And I don't care if you are the unholy damned, sister, that outfit with those shoes - never gonna work!"
Kate picked up a shard of wood that had broken from one of the shattered bookshelves. As one of Jem's lackeys made a run at her she plunged it deep into his heart and he turned to dust. Now Jem looked really pissed off.
The vampiress grabbed a nearby chair and flung it at Kate. It missed, probably because Jem was too angry to aim straight, and crashed into the shop’s tarot corner. Frustrated beyond belief, Jem swung out, sending a cabinet of porcelain items shattering to the floor and upending several table lamps, plunging XY into semi-darkness.
Kate caught a glimpse of Jade as she tackled Jem's remaining lackey. Jade was making swift progress. She held the sword expertly, fending off the vampire’s advances. Finally she took a swing and severed one of the vampire’s arms off. Kate threw her the ‘stake’ she still held in her hand. Jade caught it and while the vampire was still reeling from the loss of a limb, she drove it into his heart.
Jade went back to stand next to Kate. Jem looked about nervously. She brushed the dust of her fellow comrades from her jacket.
"Hey, what is it with the fashion police anyway, I am making a statement here,” she gestured to her clothes, “something to the tune of, 'I'm gonna kill you now'."
Jade stepped forward, "I don't know that one but if you hum the first few bars I might be able to join in for the chorus."
Jem looked around, her minions had been dusted and she too would be, if she stayed around any longer. “Well, as much as I would love to stay around and chat, I should be going.” She ran for the shop’s exit, dodging the broken planks of wood and the various stock items that littered the floor.
“I’ll be seeing you around!” she shouted as she slammed the door closed.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Talhu
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2002 11:44 pm
Talhu was standing just down the street from the entrance to XY. He wanted a second chance to convince Kate to help him, and figured that this was the best chance he would get at speaking to her alone. It was getting pretty late now, way past normal closing hours. Finally he had seen a couple of vamps, one which he instantly recognised as Black Jem and a couple of her cronies, enter the shop. He decided to keep his distance on this one, he didn’t really want another run in with Jem, not so soon. There was a lot of commotion inside the shop. He hesitated for a while, deliberating whether to make his presence known. By the time he had convinced himself to go and help Jem came limping out of the front door. She looked furious as she started in the direction of her crypt.
He waited a moment. About ten minutes later Kate stepped out into the street and looked around cautiously before walking off into the night. *What was she up to now?* thought Talhu.
He decided to follow her. She walked quickly for about three blocks. She stopped at a public phone-box and stepped inside.
Kate hadn’t wanted to leave XY so soon after Jem had left but she needed to use the telephone - the one in the shop had been damaged in the fight with the vampire so she had to venture out to find a public phone. Kate dialled in the number and waited for Luc to pick up at the other end. She drummed her fingers nervously against the handset. She hadn’t wanted to put so much distance between herself and XY but the nearest phone box had been vandalised so she’d had to move on. Finally Luc picked up the phone. They spoke for a minute. Luc sounded worried about the vampire attack and the fact that Kate was now outside and alone.
“Stay where you are and I’ll come get you on my way to XY, do you hear that Kate? Stay where you are!”
Kate reluctantly gave her agreement, she didn’t really want to have to wait there in the street for Luc but it was better than walking the three lonely blocks back to the shop. She said goodbye and then hung up the phone.
Kate stood outside the phone-box; she looked around as if she was waiting for somebody. Talhu decided to take a chance and started to walk slowly towards her. She never noticed him until he was right behind her and he spoke. "Good evening."
Kate hadn't seen Talhu approaching her and so his announcement made her jump. She frowned, seeing who it was, "What do you want?" she asked irritably. *Gee, if it wasn’t vampires it was energy sucking demons…*
Talhu put on an expression that was somewhere between being hurt and being apologetic. "I wanted to apologise for my behaviour yesterday. I allowed my haste to secure my own life cloud my judgement."
Kate lit a cigarette as he spoke. She inhaled deeply and looked at Talhu. His aura looked traumatised in some way, different from the previous day. She shrugged, his face looked sympathetic but she couldn't tell if it was an act or not. She had the feeling this guy was a good liar at the best of times. "Survival is an instinct, it can make people do irrational things."
"Demons as well," he said. "More so, perhaps, since we tend to be longer lived. The more life you have behind you, the less you want to lose it." He extended a hand, not expecting her to take it. "Will you forgive me my rashness?"
Kate dropped her cigarette stub and crushed it under her foot, stamping out the glowing embers. She still wasn't convinced Talhu was on the level but she decided it wouldn't hurt to accept his apology. She looked into his eyes, they looked so sincere. She took his warm hand in hers, "Okay, I suppose we could call a truce. You are not my enemy after all."
To say that he was shocked was an understatement. She had actually accepted his apology. In all of the times he’d done something like this, not once had that ever happened. "Thank you," he said, the surprise in his voice showing through. "You have no idea what this means to me." Just then four figures emerged from the shadows.
Kate could tell they were members of the Coven. She immediately dropped Talhu's hand, glancing at him suspiciously.
"We have come to take you with us, Catherine," one of the male witches said. Kate recognised him as Larous, one of the witches that had observed her court trial back in England. She knew the other three too - Jason, Merrick and Thalia.
Thalia stepped forward, "Come with us Catherine, it is useless to fight. We will win in the end."
Kate turned to Talhu, a glint of animosity in her eye. "What a coincidence...I suppose you know nothing about this right?"
Talhu looked at Kate, the witches, then back at Kate. "No, I don't," he said. A hand crept inside his suit. One dagger was gone, but he still had the other. It was tempting to run away, but he actually found himself wanting Kate to trust him. *In for a penny, in for a pound.* His menacing smile suddenly appeared as he stepped between the woman and Catherine. "Four against one hardly seems sporting of you."
Kate watched Talhu with a mixture of surprise and wary suspicion. Thalia took a step backwards from Talhu but Larous stepped forwards. He held his hand out aggressively and a ball of light began to grow in his palm. He held it towards them ready to thrust it in their direction. Kate recognised the Orb of Paralysis. In a spilt second she grabbed Talhu by the jacket, and pulled him backwards. She cast her arms up into the air. "Contege Veneficium!" she cried.
Suddenly a protective wall of energy surrounded herself and Talhu. The Orb of Paralysis slammed into it, causing the wall to shudder. Larous fired another orb into the shield. The wall shuddered again, flickering slightly. "You cannot stay in there forever!" cried Larous in anger.
Talhu was shocked again when Kate drew him back and cast the spell. It was almost too much for him to handle. Part of him wanted to deny that Kate could actually be helping him. He pulled out his dagger as he heard Larous taunt them. *Malor, please continue to look after this fool as you have in the past.* In one fluid motion, he first slipped from Kate's arms then spun her around in front of him. He raised the dagger to her throat while wrapping his free arm around her waist. "Care to explain to whoever you're working for how you can bring back a corpse?"
Kate gasped as Talhu grabbed her, her concentration was shattered and the shield fell down around them.
Larous dropped the orb that had been growing in his hand. It burned out as it hit the ground. "Y-you can't do this!" he stammered impotently. His three conspirators looked equally shocked.
Jason stepped forward hesitantly, "You're bluffing...you wouldn't..."
The momentary distraction was all Talhu needed. They were probably working for Serapis and he might have been able to get himself and Kate away by continuing the threat. Only then Serapis would know that Talhu was working against them. The Machiavellian logic the demon subscribed to led to only one possible conclusion: all four of them must die. He released Kate's waist, and summoned what power he had. The arm shot out at Larous and he yelled "Incendi virum!" While Larous burst into flames he ran towards Jason intent on treating the witch as a fish.
Kate gasped for air as Talhu released his hold on her and thrust her to the ground as he leapt towards Jason and drove his dagger into his gut, pulling it up to his throat. Kate gasped in horror as Larous burned on the ground. His voice howled out down the empty street as his flesh burned from his bones. Kate felt physically sick. She staggered to her feet, clutching her stomach. Jason dropped to the ground coughing blood as his guts spilled out onto the street. Thalia glanced at Kate before running for her life down an alley, as Talhu moved towards Merrick.
Talhu didn't bother to pull the dagger from Jason's body right away. He instead ran to Merrick as Merrick began trying to cast a spell. After achieving physical contact, he felt the witch's life drain from his body. Looking around, he saw that the fourth one had escaped and Kate was not looking too well. Looking at the carnage, he said the first thing that came to mind. "I've seen worse." As he walked over to Jason's body to retrieve the bloody dagger, he began to talk to Kate again. "If you think this carnage is bad, you should have seen what it was like during the first Crusade. Messy."
Kate stumbled towards him, starring in horror at the bloody mess of death that surrounded them. "Y-you've seen worse?" she cried in horror, "You've seen WORSE?!" She had to lean against the side of the wall to steady herself. Her head was spinning; she had never seen such a brutal display of violence in her life.
Once Talhu wiped the dagger clean on Jason's clothes, he began to walk over to Kate. "Yes. This does not even begin to compare to a small battle." His smile had been gone the entire time. "Then again, I forget that no human alive today has seen what I have." *Thank you, Malor, for your protection,* he thought. "You've never had to kill, have you?"
Kate's breathing was heavy as she struggled to some to terms with what had happened. "That has got nothing to do with this!" she cried defensively. Inside she knew the agony of the truth, *Yes she had killed.* She looked around again at the three dead bodies at her feet, their faces twisted in agony. She turned away, nausea rising inside; she held her head in her hands, "Oh God...”
"It was self-defence," Talhu said. "Either us or them." He hated humans, but knew enough about them to know how to at least pretend to be good. Walking up to Kate, he started to put an arm around her in an attempt to comfort her.
Kate abruptly escaped his touch. She backed away from him, rising anger in her voice. "Self-defence is not gutting somebody! Self-defence is NOT burning the flesh off someone or draining their life essence! These people were not going to kill either of us, they were never trained to kill anyone! Talhu stood and took a step towards her. "Don't come near me!" cried Kate hysterically, "Do not pretend that you did..." she gestured around herself "...any of this to help ME! You did this to save your own hide."
"One of them escaped, Catherine. Do you know what that means?" He glared at her. "It means that assuming they were working for the coven - and I can't imagine who else they would be - our 'friend' now knows that I am an enemy. If saving my own hide was all that I was interested in, I could have let them take you."
"Let them take me? YOU were the only one who put my life in any danger! I'm very sorry that you didn't have the pleasure of killing Thalia, no doubt you would have discovered some new inventive method of butchery to end her life by! It must grieve you painfully that she escaped your clutches."
Suddenly a car pulled up the street. Luc got out; he looked at the scene in front of him. "What the hell..??" he began. He saw the blood coating Talhu's suit and shirt. He held Kate in his arms protectively. He recognised the witches who were dead on the ground. "The Coven, Kate..." she was trembling fiercely, he held her tightly, turning to Talhu. "And who might you be?”
Talhu adjusted his tie, suddenly realising that he would need to change. "They call me Pravus Veneficus," he said. "Though Catherine will probably tell you that my real name is Talhu. As you can see, some men from the Coven came to take her. They met with an.... unfortunate accident." For once, he fought down his trademark smile. "And just who might you be?"
"My name is Luc Aeterus" he looked at Kate who still trembled in his arms. He glanced down at the horrible contorted bodies on the floor, knowing Kate was incapable of such brutality he guessed it must have been the work of this Talhu. He was at a loss what to do, "You have saved the life of my love, for that I am grateful to you Mr Veneficus."
"No," whispered Kate, "you cannot give your gratitude to this thing."
"The way you talk, you make it sound like I'm Al Capone," Talhu said to Kate. "Or that creature in your mythology. Lucifuge, or Lucifer, whatever his name is."
Luc looked from Talhu back to Kate, "Just what is going on here?" he asked suspiciously. "Kate?" He looked back at Talhu, "How do you two know each other?"
Talhu smiled at last. "We met yesterday and have a mutual enemy. Surely she's told you about Serapis."
"Of course I know about Serapis,” Luc’s voice took on an irritated tone. “How are you involved in all this?"
"One of us - Serapis or myself - is going to die. Especially after tonight. Being a threat to him is not exactly a position to be envied."
Luc gazed at Kate; she had finally calmed down. "Well I wish you well Mr Veneficus, I think you will need all the luck you can get if you face Serapis. Talhu looked at the bodies on the ground. "There is no need to worry about them,” said Luc, "Serapis will send his followers out to retrieve their bodies, which is one reason why we should leave this place immediately."
"I agree," Talhu said stepping towards them. "Of course, it would probably be better if one of them had not got away. He'll probably want Kate dead after tonight as well." Then he stared Kate directly in the eyes. "You know what we both need to do. Do you finally have the courage to do it?"
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Victor
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 2:50 pm
*****February 16th around noon....
Paul actually liked the smell of blood. Good thing since the smell of it hung around the Beazor complex like a thick perfume. He got odd looks when he went out on the town because it clung to him. Imperceptively unnerving people and they could not figure out why.
As he approached the door to Kain's office, he could smell it strongly...with the tangy scent of ...bile, was it? He knocked once as was expected and when he heard his Master beckon him to enter, he went in quietly.
Kain stood there in a bloodied black apron, his shirt sleeves rolled up and thick yellow kitchen gloves on his hands. The front of the apron was glistening with thick red juices.
On his desk wrapped in plastic was somthing small and pink. Paul could just discern a small tennis shoe poking out from the end of the bundle. Kain apparently saw some question on Paul's usually neutral face.
"I have been reading entrails, Paul. The old ways weren't as primitive as you might think. You can see some interesting things in spots and lesions on the entrails of a kid. Tonight for example, I sense that something precious will be lost. Of course, these signs and portents speak of something larger as well, but for now I want to concentrate on the immediate dangers."
Paul was all about action. His arm had been treated by one of Kain's witches and it felt better already. Except for the thick black scales that were appearing on his shoulder, it was as good as new. He nodded, and headed out to take care of moving the valuables around and alert the guards.
Back in Kain's office a black cloud coalesced into a tall dark form. Kain knelt before it, "Aetolus, I have placed my forces into readiness, but the signs speak of a cuckoo. An infiltrator. Could it be one of our soldiers?"
Aetolus looked down on Kain, "This ragtag 'army' of yours is full of those that would betray us for something as paltry as gold. They fail to see the grand purpose to which we aspire. You can be trusted only because you fear me. But others cannot be trusted until they know I am here. When they fear me as you fear me, then and only then can their co-operation be assured. Our prizes are vulnerable. I will see to their safekeeping."
Kain was humble, but disagreed, "My lord, the shards are safe from the others. They cannot find them and no one knows of their hiding place. How can they be in danger?"
Aetolus raised an eyebrow at Kain's insolence, "Do you wish to be forced into the form of a housecat for the next century?"
Kain crouched lower, "No my lord."
"Then you will heed my will and do my bidding. Tell me where the shards are hidden, and then you shall once again bask in my acceptance of your miserable self."
------------
******late afternoon
A shadowy figure approached the house in Pasadena. As it moved into the yard, it assumed a more or less human form. It seemed to be having touble keeping itself together as it was streaming vaporous trails. It appeared to have coalesced itself by the time it reached the door. The young man in the dark suit rang the intercom.
A voice on the other end asked, "Who is it?"
The young man leaned down and said, "I am Thomas Jude of the school board. I have been sent to get a status report on your two girls' home schooling."
There was a long pause. "Move back a step and look up into the camera," said the intercom.
The man did as he was instructed, and soon a buzzing sound came from the door. "Come in, Mr. Jude," said the voice.
The man stepped into the home, and closed the door. And he did not exit from the home. Even many hours later.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 4:09 pm
Tash let her eyes adjust to the gloom inside Bob’s Bar. The sun had just dipped below the horizon and the bar would soon be filling with more of its less desirable clientele. She spotted Ian in a corner booth, laughing with a couple of girls. A frightening number of empty glasses littered the table.
Bob saw her and gave a guilty start. An image of Black Jem came to Tash, and she knew Bob had told the vampiress whatever he knew about her. She shrugged. It was inevitable. Tash was almost relieved. She felt far more comfortable with old, familiar dangers than the new ones posed by the Cloch Cosan.
She pushed her way through the tables until she reached the booth. Ian beamed up at her, “Tash, darlin’,” he slurred, “come and join the party!”
Tash reeled from the waft of whisky from Ian. She gave a tight smile to the two girls as she sat next to Ian. “Actually, Ian, it’s really time we left here, you know.”
Ian waved a hand deprecatingly. “No, no, just got started…have you met my two new friends? This one’s Vicky, and this one’s Sarah, or was it the other way around? Doesn’t matter – they’re much more friendly than your friends…” Ian gave a broad wink to the two in question, who both giggled as though he’d said something incredibly witty. Tash sighed and rolled her eyes. *Damn him.*
She tugged at his arm, “Look, I’d love to have a drink with you, and I will soon. But there’s something I have to do tonight, and you really shouldn’t drink in this particular bar. There are nicer ones…” She started to rise, still holding his arm.
Ian leered at her. “Ah, my ever frosty Tash. Why would you never succumb to my charms?” He grabbed at her and pulled her back into the booth. Tash let herself be dragged back rather than create a scene. “Stay here a while.” He tried to nuzzle her neck, but she shot him a look that would freeze blood.
“Ian, we really should try a different bar. This one’s not the best.” Once more she rose, and this time Ian slid out from the booth and attempted to stand with her. He held onto the edge of the table for a moment, then straightened. He looked back at the two girls still in the booth and beckoned to them. They giggled and shook their heads. They were waiting for the vampires to arrive and didn’t want to leave with a mere human.
Tash pulled him away, “I’m sure there’ll be other girls in the next bar. C’mon.” Tash steered Ian through the tables. More patrons had filled the place while Tash had been cajoling Ian, and she noticed one or two black auras among them. She finally reached the door and led Ian into the gloom outside.
A few steps from the bar he stopped. “Tash, darlin’. I gotta pee…. Now.” He pulled free from her grasp and wove towards the entrance of the alleyway nearby. Tash crossed her arms and faced the street, exasperated. *He’d better have one hell of a hangover tomorrow. He deserves it.*
Then she felt a sudden chill from behind her. An impression of evil. She turned in time to see a vampire approach Ian from the far side of the alley. It was wearing its feeding face and seemed delighted to find such an easy mark so early in the night. As the vampire drew close to Ian, he finally seemed to register its presence. He looked up just as Tash ran into the vampire, bearing it to the ground.
The vampire hadn’t seen Tash coming and was momentarily taken by surprise, but recovered quickly. It tried to grab her shoulders, happy to transfer its meal hopes to her, but Tash already had a stake out and slammed it home. She fell to the ground as the vampire disintegrated beneath her. She rolled to her feet in an instant, alert for any more vampires, but this one must have been a loner. She could sense no others nearby.
Ian had fallen to the ground, his trousers tangled around him. He craned his head up and said, “What the hell was that? Where did he go?”
Tash glanced at him, then away, blushing. “Sort yourself out, first,” she said. “Don’t worry about him, he’s gone now.”
Ian fumbled with his zipper, then attempted to regain a standing position. He managed, with the aid of a wall and Tash’s arm. She glanced at her watch. It was already six o’clock. *Damn, I’ll have to bring him with me. Maybe he’ll just pass out. I can only hope.*
Lover's Tiff
Kate drove the car. She wanted an excuse not to look directly at Luc. She concentrated on the road, they were near XY now. She stole a quick glance at Luc. His expression was hostile and distant, almost angry. Finally he spoke.
“What did he mean Catherine?” the words were cold and accusing.
Catherine continued to stare at the road ahead of her, she finally pulled the car up out front the shop. She was about to get out of the car when Luc stopped her.
“Catherine, this Talhu, what did he mean, “will you have the courage to do what needs to be done?”
Kate climbed out of the car absently brushing at a few splashes of blood on her shirt, “I don’t want to talk about this now,” she said flatly.
“No I bet you don’t,” said Luc coolly as he followed her.
Kate stopped a few feet from XY. “And just what is that supposed to mean?”
“You tell me, I’m not the one who has been hanging around with demons and vampires since I came to LA.”
Kate scowled angrily, “This isn’t the time or place Luc!”
She was about to enter the shop when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Talhu. Tristan. Jake. Matthias. Who are all these people?”
“Ahh,” said Kate in sudden realisation, “don’t you mean ‘who are all these men?’ Admit it, it’s not the fact that they are demons or vampires that annoys you, it’s the fact that they are men isn’t it? After all this time, you still don’t trust me do you? You think that because I had an affair with you behind Logan’s back that I will do it again right?”
Luc looked slightly embarrassed. Kate stood with her hands on her hips waiting for an answer. Receiving none, she began to walk into the shop again but Luc stopped her again. He spoke softly, pleadingly, “Catherine…”
Kate was angry at his tone but she bit her tongue, looking towards XY. “We’re late,” she said finally, “and since I don’t exactly feel like having this out with you here in the street…” she let her voice trail off. “We’ll discuss this later. Right now we have more important things to worry about.”
With that she led the way back into XY…
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Alaric only brought two other demons with him and hoped they would be all he needed. Each of them was armed with a crossbow and had orders that if he put his hands up or came under attack they were to shoot Jem in the heart. He was dressed differently this time, now in black jeans, black shirt, and a black leather jacket in an attempt to make himself less visible.
Jem was in a bad state, the witch had done a lot of damage but it would all heal quickly, one of the advantages of being a vampire. She hadn’t fed in a while and was getting hungry so she went outside into the night to find an easy victim.
As Jem left the crypt, Alaric was surprised at the way she looked. It was obvious that she had been in a fight. He was immediatly interested in the details of the battle, though it was more of a scientific interest than anything else. It was the fight that was important, not the victor. He walked towards the vampire. "Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to be Black Jem, would you?"
“Why do you want her?” Jem asked grumpily.
"I wish to discuss a certain... arrangement with her," Alaric said. "One made in the early morning."
She sighed *Oh god.* “Arrangement?”
"With another demon." He looked her right in the eyes. "You are Jem, arn't you?"
“What do you want?” she asked again, sighing and trying to avoid the question. “’Cause I’m in no mood to fight a big unfriendly demon like you.”
Alaric decided to take that as confirmation. "I'm here to renegotiate the arrangement. We have more important things to worry about than a couple of demon hunters."
“Ah…that.” Jem said looking towards the black night sky and rolling her eyes. “More important things?" She asked bringing her eyes to the level of the demon in front of her again.
"Yes. Much more important." His voice remained calm and steady, but lowered to a whisper. "I happen to aware of a rather... powerful person... in town who is on the verge of gaining absolute power. With his dislike for vampires, you probably do not want to distract us from our work."
“No, I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said a slight grin on her face. “It’s just…Talhu was there, pissed outside my crypt which I really didn’t appreciate and these hunters I want dead. I don’t have the time.”
Alaric laughed to himself. "Pravus had some... problems. However, perhaps we can be of mutual benefit to each other. Just understand that now is not the time to go after your hunters."
“What would that be?” she quizzed, a little intrigued.
"You are a Master Vampire with a number of minions," Alaric said. "This gives you some manpower we may need at a later time. Or it could be help in interrogation that we seek, or information gathering. The important thing however is that we are prepared to help you later if you will pledge your support to us now."
She laughed to herself, “You think I would fight for you? Be your lackey?”
"Pravus is one of my allies, and from what he said of your arrangement, when he fails to kill your hunters - and he will, since there are more important things on his mind - you will try to kill him. That will make you his enemy, and mine by extention."
Jem was a little worried after that comment but wouldn’t show it “Well then I’ll just have to take you both on,” she replied quickly.
"You have a great deal of courage - I'll give you that much. However, if you are determined to fight us, we may as well begin now." Alaric turned, and called out something in the language of the demons he brought with him. The two came foward with their weapons trained on Jem. "I am prepared to order them to stand down for single combat between us. Of course, we don't have to fight but if you are determined to do so...."
Jem really didn’t want another fight tonight, not after the last one she’d just had. She sighed. “What do I do?” Jem asked grumpily.
"For right now?" Alaric said. "Wait patiently. Eventually, Pravus or myself will contact you. If we need your help, when all of this is over, the three of us will look for your hunters and go our seperate ways afterwords. Does that arrangement sound reasonable?"
“I can’t trust you,” she paused. “I don’t trust anyone. How do I know you’ll go through with your part of the bargain? And it might help if I knew my job.”
"You don't know that I'll go through with my end." He turned to his demons and ordered them to stand down. "However, considering your alternative you don't have much choice, do you? As for your job... we arn't completley sure yet. The group you need to be on gaurd for is the Coven of Sindell."
*Shit!* Jem had heard of this coven before and never liked the sound of them. She sighed again. “Witches, just what I need.” She paused, “My alternative? I do have a couple, got a nice sized gang in there.” She pointed to the two crypts behind her. “Good with weapons they are. They like to kill or Talhu can bugger off and do his own thing for all I care, but these hunters I want dead and not later, now.”
Alaric considered her words carefully. The last thing he needed was a vampire gang to mess up his plans, especially by killing one of his men. Besides, any heirarchical organization implied certain obligations that ran both ways. "Very well. At the very least, I want your gaurantee of Talhu's saftey. Neither you nor your gang will attempt to kill him."
“You can’t promise me your part of the deal so no can do. If Talhu pisses me off real bad for not going through with the bargain then you got a dead demon.”
"Your position is understandable," Alaric said. Then he moved. He first punched Jem in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain, then kicked her legs from under her. When she was down on her knees, he delivered a final uppercut to her face, putting her on her back. "Understandable, but untenable."
Jem groaned in pain “Ok, ok,” she coughed and sat up, “he’ll live.” She paused considering if it was wise to say what she was thinking or not, “Just to let you know I’m not yours or anyone’s lackey, it’s not something I do.” She stood up, her limp even worse now.
"Acceptable. My primary concern was to make sure that my own allies are protected." He considered whether or not to say anything else, then decided that droping a broad hint was called for. Granted, the Order was viewed as little more than an Illuminati for demon conspiracy theorists, but it could still add much. "Just remember that if you change your mind, you will have gained as an enemy the Order of Valor." With the words spoken, Alaric motioned to his two demons to follow him and left.
“Great!” Jem said to herself as the demon left.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Unwilling to continue her survey of the damage done to XY, Jade closed her eyes and rested her head gingerly on the countertop. Although her insurance would cover most of the repairs, the sight of all her hard work crumbling (literally in some cases!) was almost more than she could bear...
Despite her repeated warnings and pleas, Kate had left a few minutes earlier in search of a public phone to call Lucien. Jade's eyes opened and strayed worriedly again to the store's entrance as she awaited her friend's return. The idea of Kate wandering around alone after dark was crazy but she'd insisted that Jade stay in the shop in case the others turned up. *So much for punctuality!* Jade thought drolly as she stood up. *Damn... I guess I should get started on clearing up what I can of this mess!*
Sorrow stepped into the semi-darkness of XY and took in the almost complete destruction of the shop. He moved quickly through the devastation to Jade's side and embraced her fiercely. "Are you all right?"
"I am, now that you're here..." She clung on for a moment, then kissed him and stepped back. "It was a bad one." Jade gave him a watery smile as she gestured around her. "8.5 on the Richter Scale... We've named her Earthquake Jem..."
He wasn't willing to let her go quite yet. Taking Jade's hand in his, he glanced over her, checking for any visible wounds. When he spoke, his eyes were warm though his voice was cold. "Who did this?"
"A vampire, female, calls herself Jem. She's the leader of the Black Veins Gang... I know because I recognised one of her lackeys - he was among the vamps that Matthias and I ran into the other night at the park." She frowned as she remembered what else had been said. "Jem was looking for Tash... Kate told me later on that Tash killed the gang's other chief. I presume Jem's out for vengeance..."
"Vengeance? She doesn't know the meaning of the word." Sorrow's voice held not the simple warmth Jade had come to love nor the icy cold she had heard when he fought but a simmering rage that promised nothing but ruin and death. Sorrow shook himself and the anger faded like frost on a sunlight day. Smiling gently at her he took Jade in his arms and kissed her.
Heaving an inward sigh, Jade allowed herself to be comforted. This was turning out to be an awful day and she still had the attack at the Beazor to get through. "Tris," she said, "I'm scared... I'm really scared. It's almost as if this is an omen of what's to come later."
Jade hesistated a fraction before she continued. "If... If, by some chance, I don't come out of this alive..." Her voiced trailed off as she looked at Sorrow, tears glimmering at the corner of her eyes.
Sorrow reached up and gently brushed her tears away with his thumb. "It's going to be fine, we're going to survive this." He dipped his head and kissed her softly again.
Pulling back a little Sorrow looked deep into Jade's eyes. "Prophecies, omens and premonitions are self-fulfilling Jade. This," he said as he motioned around the shop, "is just one of the problems of living in L.A. No one was hurt this time and the rest is insured. We chalk it up to experience, look to make the place more secure and hunt down the the vamps that did it. We put the message out and soon enough, this won't happen again."
"As for the complex tonight, I won't say it won't be dangerous because it will be, and people are going to get hurt. We just do our best to make sure it's them instead of us."
Sorrow smiled at Jade. "And our best has been good enough so far..." His face turned serious. "Jade, I'm going to have to use magic tonight, quite a lot I think..."
She cupped his face in her palms, worriedly searching his features, seeing the remnants of exhaustion in his eyes. "You haven't had the time to regain your strength after all the exertion you put yourself through last night, when you tried to bind the Shard. Isn't there some other way you can get through tonight? Without magic?"
She rushed on, without waiting for him to answer. "What if the worst of the backlash hits you while you're still there? I might not be able to help you Tris..." Jade's fingers clutched desperately at Sorrow's shirt.
"I can function under the worst of it if I have to. I don't see how we can do without magic, it doesn't matter how tough we are physically, sheer numbers are going to get us if what Victor has said is anything to go by. I just don't see any other way... Tash can deal with most things that come her way but she's going to need magical back up - that means Kate, so I'm it for the complex."
Jade rested her head on Sorrow's shoulder as she deliberated over his words - she knew that he spoke the truth, but it still didn't make the whole thing go down any easier. Still, it was not going to be the last time the two of them were going to come face to face with danger and it wouldn't do to be falling apart every time something threatened their well-being.
Tracing a finger down the strong line of his jaw, Jade looked up at Sorrow and nodded her understanding. She stepped back from him and slipped a silver chain over her head. The rose pendant on it seemed to glow softly in the darkness of the shop...
"This belonged to my mother, I've worn it since I was a little girl... It's not exactly a magical item but it's the one thing I've kept close to my heart every day of my life, which in itself offers a degree of protection." Jade deliberately avoided Sorrow's gaze as she attached the chain around his neck. "Wear it for me tonight, under your shirt, if you're worried about anyone making a crack about you and feminine jewellery..."
"Why would I be worried, wearing my lady's favour..." Sorrow's entire demeanour held a whimsical amusement. "Thank you..."
Sorrow drew Jade to him and held her close. They let the silence surround them, comfortable in each others' presence. As the shop door opened, Sorrow whispered "I love you..."
Meeting at XY
Victor walked to XY from Poplar Avenue. He had dropped off Tash's bike earlier and felt that few hours of peaceful reflection would be helpful before giving himself up to Kain. His side trip to Bibliophile on the way back from the airport added the last ally to the attack. It was almost dark by the time he could see the small aromatherapy shop across from Bob's bar.
Daye left Bibliophile a little before six and made her way quickly over to XY. Victor had come by to let her know that everyone would be meeting there to group up for the big showdown in Pasadena that night. She had a full pouch of necessary spell components, her staff and a gun (just to be on the safe side.) She felt a bit like the mystical equivalent of Rambo as she stepped into the small aromatherapy shop. She glanced around, noting that the shop appeared a bit worse for wear, apparently there had already been a bit of excitement here today. She saw that there were a few other people there as well.
Tash dragged Ian across the road to XY. She'd just noticed the door closing and thought she recognised Daye. She opened the door and gaped at the mess inside. Jade was being comforted by Sorrow. They were surrounded by assorted debris. Daye looked to have just arrived - she was surveying the damage in much the same way as Tash was now. "What the hell happened here?"
Victor hung back down the street and watched as the players assembled. *One bomb and this mission is off.* *Shut up.* Then he realized which voice was speaking. *Great, achieve realization then trundle off to die. This night is going to suck.* He wandered into XY and was shocked to see the interior trashed. "What the hell happened here?"
Sorrow was about to speak when Victor arrived behind Tash, "One at a time people, please. There was a vampire attack, her name was Jem and she was the leader of the Black Veins. It seems Kate and Jade fought them off but this was the result." He motioned at the destruction surrounding them. Tash could see his aura the mixture of black and red had turned it a deep, deep crimson...
Tash scowled. "That bitch..." She turned to Jade, "Are you OK? What about Kate, where is she?"
Matthias’ voice came from the back room as he entered, "She's fine, for now. But she isn't our concern right now. Kain and the Shards are more important."
The door opened, and Kate and Luc walked into the shop. There seemed to be some tension between them. *Lovers' tiff?* thought Tash.
Tempest parked the car out side XY and as he stepped in the door of the shop the car beeped and the doors locked at the simple press of a button. "So what’s going on?"
“That is the last one," said Victor. But he was thinking, *what a group. We will be lucky to pull this off.* *And lucky to all survive.* "Everyone know where they are going? Any questions? I have a few..." he said, looking at the silent faces. "Sorrow, did you arrange the arms deal?"
“No questions but everyone going to the complex needs one of these..." Sorrow held out a number of quartz crystals on chains.
"What are these?" asked Victor.
Sorrow replied, "I won't have time to discriminate tonight, we don't want anyone going to friendly fire."
Jade tentatively fingered the small crystal Sorrow handed to her. "A protective ward?"
"Something like that."
Jade nodded and carefully slipped the crystal chain over her neck.
Matthias stepped forward, "Seems great minds think alike. I have these for everyone as well. He produced a handful of small dried leaves. These will stop most toxins, venoms and poisons. But they are only good once."
Ian had staggered off to a chair at the back of the shop and was now snoring loudly. Tash twined one of her hands with Victor's, trying to reassure them both. She turned to Sorrow and asked, "Where are the fakes you said you had for me?"
Daye watched everyone interacting without saying a word. Of this motley crew, the only ones she knew were Victor, Tash, and surprisingly Kate and Luc. She walked over to where Tash and Victor were and stood there.
Tempest looked impatient, "We good to go now guys?"
"I’ll just get the fakes, they’re out back," Sorrow stepped into the darkened storeroom at the back of the shop and returned a few minutes later with four crystals. "Here you go Tash. They should fit the description I was given." Sorrow handed the wrapped crystals to Tash with a smile.
Tash smiled in return, "Thanks, Sorrow." Jade handed Tash a small pouch and she carefully placed the four crystals inside, then fastened the pouch under her jacket. She squeezed Victor's hand tighter. She was terrified for him, knowing what he was about to face.
Victor placed his hand warmly on Tempest's shoulder, "We are almost ready. We have only a few things to cover. Afterwards...when the dust has cleared, meet at Bibliophile. That will be the rally point. Tempest and I have to go now, so we don't arrive with the rest of the group at the Beazor. It will seem less suspicious if we arrive together...and alone." He turned to Tempest, "Ready to hunt again, friend?"
"OK then. Let’s get the hell out of here."
Tash faced Victor and kissed him, "Good luck... be careful." She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat.
Victor didn't know what to say, so he hugged her hard. "I am doing this because I have to. But I will return for you...only for you." He kissed her deeply with all of his being and then turned to leave, slouching under the burden of the task he had left to perform.
Tempest shoved the door open and walked out waiting for Victor to follow. When he did, Tempest unlocked the car and put the top down. "Ready to go?"
Victor sat in the car silently. He had resolved to do this, and would need to compose himself for the role he was about to play. He sat up straight and assumed the mantle of confidence he wished to project. "Yep."
The tires screeched as Tempest hammered the accelerator, and they were slammed into their seats by the force. "See, that wasn't so hard was it?" said Tempest over the blaring radio...
Tash watched Victor go, biting her lip to stop the tears she felt welling up. After a moment, she felt composed enough to turn back to the rest of the group. "Kate, Luc, Daye, we'll be going to Pasadena. Ian gave me these to use." Tash handed around some small radio devices. "I'll be the one inside, since your magic won't work in the house, and stealth works better if there's only one. We'll be able to communicate with these, but please don't talk to me unless there's something vital I need to know. There's not been much preparation time, so something's bound to go wrong. If it does, I'll need you guys to deal with it."
Kate looked up, "The dead zone's about 100 feet radius, you said?" Tash nodded, and Kate continued, "So we'll need to stay that far away, then."
Sorrow turned to Jade and Matthias. "We'd best get moving. We don't want to give them too much of a lead." The others nodded and stepped out of the shop. Sorrow led them to the limo he had hired that afternoon.
Tash looked around. Ian was still snoring. *Fine, he can stay there.* Kate, Luc and Daye were adjusting their headsets. "Well, I guess it's time we went to pay a house call."
Attack on the Beazor
Victor and Tempest pulled into the Beazor parking lot. The crowd outside was restless as if they could sense the impending carnage. They exited the car, and Victor jumped as the car beeped loudly. * That won't do, have to look composed! *
Tempest was wired, "So you ready? Not to late to back out."
They approached the front gate, and Victor grinned as he recognized the familiar Troll managing the entrance. Victor cut to the front of the line, and warmed up his charm on the Troll. "Remember me? This is my much more aggressive and angry friend," he said.
Tempest extending his arm as if to greet the troll with a friendly handshake but instead as the troll loomed over him a sword appeared in is hand and he drove it into the troll’s stomach. The troll staggered backwards, fresh gore flowing from the gap in its belly. Tempest stepped forward whipping the sword into the creature's neck removing a large part of its throat and spewing cartilage, flesh and yet more blood across the already stained pavement.
Unexpectedly the Troll's vampire partner tackled Tempest pinning him on the ground. Tempest looked up at the Vampires gaping jaw just as Victor noticed a stake lying on a shelf near the door. * For gatecrasher's I guess * He picked it up and jammed it firmly into the vampire's back.
"Don't ruin that suit, it's expensive," he said to Tempest as he held a hand to help him up.
They entered the club, with Victor waving in the mob staring at the dead troll in front of the Complex. The throng behind them followed them like a parade announcing their entrance into the club. They were met at the wide staircase leading down to the club floor by security demons that looked mean enough to eat nails and shit staples.
"We are here to see your boss. He is expecting us," announced Victor.
Tempest looked barely restrained as he tried to simultaneously watch the hundreds of people behind him and the nearly 1000 others in the club. "I can wait here, while you go get him," said Victor coolly. One of the goons broke ranks and strolled towards the back corridors that led to Kain's office. "Run, asshole!" shouted Tempest, "I don't have all night!"
The demon broke into a jog at his urging, not wanting to test the mettle of the man who dropped the door guards.
--------------------------------
The limo pulled up to the curb and Jade and Sorrow got out. He moved towards the entrance, exuding an easy menace as he went. No one noticed as Matthias slid from the driver's side door and glide towards the entrance. A Taekarn Demon stood at the doorway, blocking the surging crowds' entrance.
Sorrow paused before the pack and looked within himself. He touched the core of old dark magic and brought it slowly to the surface. The easy menace became something colder and harder, The crowd drew away from Sorrow and Jade as the night suddenly seemed that much more dangerous...
Sorrow felt the pain slip into his mind but tonight he welcomed it, he let it mold his thoughts in dangerous directions. They walked towards the doorman, and Sorrow focused the darkness he felt upon it. Their entrance was uncontested...
--------------------------------
Victor waited patiently, lifting a drink for himself and Tempest from a passing waitress. He sipped his in quiet arrogance while he waited. When he saw the big man himself, Kain enter the club, he knew it was time to put on the show.
Kain approached them and looked down at them both. "You have something for me, I believe."
Tempest threw his drink to the ground and began climbing the steps. Victor moved up the stairs as well, wanting this over with quickly, "Here he is, Kain, just as I promised."
"WHAT? You mutherfucker!" raged Tempest, turning on Victor, "I'm going to kill you!"
Victor took that as his cue to try to dash back down the stairs as Tempest lunged at Victor but was restrained by the Vamps guarding Kain. The guards were quick to restrain Victor as well.
Kain showed rare glee, "Gentlemen, I feel as if it is my birthday! Throw them in the Pit! Together!"
The guards dragged Victor towards the pit in the center of the arena. Inside, a huge gorilla was stomping the remains of some victim into the sawdust. Victor tumbled roughly over the side as he was thrown and hit with a thud. The gorilla pounded its chest, roared and charged Victor
The Vampires holding Tempest's arms wretched him towards the pit after a few steps Tempest had had enough he swung his left arm upwards his elbow connecting with the jaw of one of the vampires he felt it shatter under the force of the blow.
As the broken jawed Vampire staggered back Tempest used his now free arm to smash into the other vampires face, as it connected the cartilage and bone of the creatures nose were warped and shatter.
As the second vampire hit the floor blood gorging from its nose the other ran forward screaming, Tempest sidestepped and managed to catch the vampires right forearm he bent it downwards snapping the join it and threw the vampire into the gathering crowd, hoping to buy some time to finish off the other vamp.
Tempest turned to face the other vamp that was now advancing. Not waiting for an attack this time Tempest moved forward and threw another punch, this one only knocked the vamp back. It again leapt at Tempest slashing his shoulder with a large knife he had somehow brought to bear. Tempest caught the vampire's arm as he attempted to slash again. He flipped the vampire onto his back then summoned and drove his sword into the creature's jugular decapitating it and leaving only a pile of dust where it’s body once was.
The Gorilla slammed Victor hard with its bony shoulder and Victor grabbed one of its massive forearms and pulled hard. He heard a popping noise as the shoulder unsocketed. The Gorilla screamed in anger and pain and slapped Victor off to the side with its other arm.
Victor barely had time to roll before the Gorilla smashed into the spot where Victor had been.
Victor came to his feet, and stood braced for the charge. The hairy beast ran full force towards Victor. Victor grabbed a handful of Fur, and rolled with the massive charge guiding the pointed crown of the beast's head at the reinforced Concrete wall.
There was a sickening Crack as the brains of the beast spattered among the other blood and gore stains there. Victor punched the carcass off his legs, and held himself still while the demons and vampires with rifles filed in to take him away.
Tempest ran forward to the pit trying to see what happened to victor. However as he neared the pit another of Kain's goon Vamps tackled him from behind. As they hit the ground Tempest spun onto his back and rolled again to his feet just in time to see the vampire's boot coming from the floor towards his chest. He grabbed the foot and twisted popping the joint. Tempest grabbed his sword from the ground. He faced the vampire as it attempted to stand but could not and with one quick slash of the blade decapitated the vampire and spewing ashes into the bellowing crowd around him.
--------------------------------
The Taekarn had motioned them towards the floor manager as a commotion erupted near the pit. Sorrow gave an unconcerned glance as Victor was thrown into the pit and as Tempest traded blows with a couple of vampires.
Sorrow stopped suddenly. *Damn!* He saw the man the demon had motioned towards and realised it was the same guy that had attempted to steal Lethe from his hotel room. Sorrow steered Jade and himself towards an empty table instead. He nodded towards the manager, "Recognise him? I think we just moved to plan B..." Jade inclined her head, indicating her understanding, her hand tightening on the lethal ornamental dagger she wore underneath her loose jacket.
--------------------------------
Tempest again moved towards the pit throwing people to the ground and occasionally leveling a blow at someone who didn't get out of the way quick enough. But when Tempest reached the pit and looked down threw the chain link fence he saw nothing but a dead Ape and the expected gore.
Tempest turned away from the pit only to catch a fist in the jaw he flew back crashing into the crowd, and he rolled to his feet the hulk that had nearly knocked his head off again came crashing through the crowd. Tempest looked up and this time was able to dodge the blow, however the creature connected with some hapless patron sending him flying. The creature bellowed furiously and removed two spikes from its back. It wielded them like clubs swinging madly as it closed in on Tempest.
Tempest barely managed to summon his sword in time to catch the first blow, the bone club bounced off the sword. The creature again bellowed as it threw its full weight at Tempest who only managed to escape by ducking then rolling between the hulk's legs.
He came up behind the creature and managed to plunge his sword through its back, into its spine, and felt the sword wedge the vertebrae apart. The creature screamed in rage but could only struggle helplessly on the ground as Tempest moved to its neck for the kill. Tempest slammed his sword to the hilt into the creature's massive neck decapitating the nine-foot hulk.
--------------------------------
In the dark corridors beneath the Beazor, Victor was led by a tight cadre of heavily armed guards down rows of cages full of beasts natural and supernatural. Their growls and snarls made the hellish circus seem even more unnatural than it already was. They rounded a corner, and entered a long black shaft leading down. * Deep into the belly of the beast * thought Victor.
The guards shoved him roughly past an iron door, and clamped it shut firmly. Victor was alone and in the dark when a deep resonate voice spoke to him, "You were foolish to deal with me, Victor. Your scheme might have worked, and your patsy might have killed me had I not prepared for your coming. His sword is interesting; I have watched it appear in his hand dozens of times. It might have caught me unawares."
Victor had to fight to control his anger. If he gave way to his emotions now, he would have nothing left to resist Kain with later.
--------------------------------
Sorrow took a deep breath and let it out slowly. As he did so, his shields dropped. He gave Jade a reassuring smile as he let the sound of the complex wash over him. *Not as many demons as I had expected, a lot of vamps though, and a lot of humans too...*
He heard something odd then; an absence of sound, they were localised, almost as if they represented beings rather than more understandable words. Sorrow gathered power - he hoped Kain's magic security didn't match the rest of the complex's capabilities.
The temperature in the building started to drop for real as Sorrow invoked Maxwell's Demon and meddled with the local thermodynamics. A few hot spots started to appear in the building, local temperature fluctuations began to runaway exponentially.
Sorrow couldn't hold the spell for long... he didn't have that kind of power anymore, but suddenly, fires flared throughout the complex. Screams arose from a couple of demons who’d caught fire. As the victims of Sorrow's insidious arson stumbled around blindly in fear, the more excitable patrons began to panic.
--------------------------------
Tempest moved away from the creature's corpse, he was tired of Kain and was hoping to end this with him in his office. The crowd was large but had mostly retreated from where he stood. He moved towards the Stairs that led up to Kain's office.
When he neared them he saw the Vampires that had no participated in taking him and Victor to the pit waiting at the head of the stairs, they moved towards him clearing through the crowd as they came.
One caught fire as he entered the clearings edge; a few patrons near him erupted into flames as well, sending the crowd rolling backwards. Tempest looked up facing three of the largest Vamps he had seen in what he considered a particularly long life. He removed his Jacket and threw it to the ground then dropped his sword on top of it.
Tempest decided he was going to have some fun this time. The lead vampire cracked his knuckles and grinned, as he did Tempest moved forward and slammed a fist into his jaw sending him back a few feet, the vampire counter attacked by aiming a punch at Tempests chest.
However Tempest was quick enough to grab the vampire's fist before he could make contact, with a quick movement Tempest had had broken the vampires wrist he did he also slammed his elbow into the Vamps jaw sending teeth and blood flying. Tempest used the creature's broken wrist to fling him into an on-coming vampire sending them both into the crowd.
Now there was only one vampire left to deal with. Tempest spun around looking for the creature but as he did it somehow came up behind him putting him into a full nelson, Tempest struggled but the Vampires strength and leverage allowed him to maintain his hold.
The creature threw Tempest to the ground, Tempest barely managed to roll out of the way of the creatures foot as it smashed into the floor where he head was only seconds ago. Tempest got to his feet only to have the creatures fist slam into his already wounded shoulder, Tempest jerked as the pain tore threw him, but didn't let it stop him from slamming his foot down into the vamps knee buckling it and forcing the vamp to the ground. Tempest stood above the creature sword in hand and slashed the sword through the creature's thick neck sending a cloud of dust into the air.
--------------------------------
Victor's eyes sparked with colored lights in the darkness as a hammer-like blow to his face made him reel backwards. The voice was relentless; "You would not have prepared so bold an attack if you didn't know anything. Where are the Shards?"
"You must know…you always knew everything before anyone else. That was why you were valuable to me back then." Victor felt a chitinous plate in his side crack when a fearsome force pounded him over and over with each interrogation.
"Where are the Shards, Victor? Betray all of your friends to me. You know…I can feel it!" Victor took the beating, knowing that there was no way he could harm Kain. He had nothing for Victor to work with. No form, no substance, no soul.
Victor was beginning to feel his limbs losing rigidity…the chitin that supported them was riddled with hairline cracks and fractures. When a voice he had hoped to not hear spoke to him * it will stop if you tell him *
Victor shouted "Never!" as much to himself as to his assailant.
Victor was beaten repeatedly as the deep voice asked over and over where the Shards might be. The inner voice begged and pleaded with him to give in. But Victor held onto his secrets. Then a glow came forth in the darkness. He could see the sinister light shining from Kain's hand.
"See this Victor? You know what it is, don't you? It has been a long time, hasn't it? You struggled with your soul back then and you struggle with it now. But this," said Kain as he held the Thessalan Orb for Victor to see from his blurry eyes, "is a pure soul. This is an honest to God Angelic soul, in fact. The soul of a martyr."
"I have kept this for years. Just for you. I knew that sooner or later I would need something you could not resist."
--------------------------------
Sorrow felt the backlash build, the torment had moved from simple pain to a burning fire along his veins. He took Jades hand in his own "I love you" and watched as her eyes darken in response. * I love you too. *
Sorrow fed his power on the pain, started a dangerous cycle that could kill him if he was not both careful and lucky. He let the pain build… He would need so much for what he was about to do. Jade's face was white as Sorrow held her hand in a death grip.
Despite the mass confusion and the chaos, some of the fiends had evidently realised who was responsible for the destruction around them. They had moved in, circling ominously around the couple, cautiously looking for a safe inlet to attack and kill. Jade cast another anxious look at Sorrow; there was no way he was ready to fight... Every muscle in her body was tensed as she guided Sorrow so that their backs were against a wall.
Jade’s eyes darted from left to right, taking in the increasing throng of demons and vampires around them. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to hold them off for long, there were too many of them and her combat capabilities were limited as it is. She could only try to fend them off till Tristan managed to accomplish whatever he was attempting to do.
A deep guttural roar drew her attention to her extreme left. A Fyral demon launched itself at Jade, only to meet the sharp silver end of the dagger she’d whipped out from her jacket. Withdrawing the blade from its neck, she kicked it back against a trio of vampires, sending the four fiends spiraling into the fighting pit. Jade then turned to face the two Kailiff demons towering over her, their eyes glowing menacingly in the half-light.
She feigned before spinning around and smashing her foot into the right demon’s face. Its counterpart, however, managed to get a grip around her neck and struggle as she might, Jade couldn’t break free. * Damn, the bastard’s strong! *
She caught Sorrow’s eye and choked out, “Hurry Tris, I’m not sure how much longer I can do this!” The fiends around them, sensing a weak link seemed to multiply in number as they pressed closer.
Sorrow listened to the complex, the crystals they all wore sang to him and he knew he wouldn't harm their bearers. Concentrating, he picked out the few magic users in the complex and carefully loosed his power in short focused bursts.
This was not the profligate waste he had dealt to the beasts. The viridian fire blazed out from the ceiling like the rays of the sun and ashes drifted where hearts once beat...
--------------------------------
Victor felt his heart leap. A hunger deep inside him, something that transcended his inner dialogue rumbled with yearning for the soul in the crystal. Kain could sense it too; he withdrew the orb from Victor and spoke from the eerie glowing circle. "Where are the shards?" he asked simply.
Victor knew this was the moment he had been waiting for. "Why should I tell you? You will kill me anyway," he began.
Kain's laugh was terrible, "No, Victor I think that having you betray your friends will torture you more than I ever could. Tell me."
Victor lowered his head; he fought down the urge to tell the truth to this evil demon. "The Shards are safe in the hands of the Fae. They will keep them from you until there are none of them left. Which should be far longer than you will survive to collect them."
Victor imagined that Matthias would think twice about saving him, but he had thought this much through. Matthias could easily evade the brutish thugs that Kain could bring to bear. Kain's methods were even less effective than the crude efforts the human seekers of power had employed millennia ago.
Kain was outraged. Kain kicked Victor several times before another voice halted him, "Stop. He is lying."
A dark figure entered the pale circle from the orb. "This one is trying to deceive you. I need no powers to know he is playing you for a fool"
Then Victor cringed as a bright light burst into the room. Matthias stood there in full Fae regalia shimmering in the darkness.
"You will not betray my faith in you, Victor. The Fae shall protect you!" he pronounced.
Matthias reached for Victor even as Kain and the dark figure attempted to stop him. As Victor and Matthias' fingertips touched, Victor poured his essence into the Fae, and evaporated.
--------------------------------
Tempest finally stood at the top of the stairs. He looked quickly at Kain’s office then out at the bloodshed of the arena floor. The crowed seemed to have enjoyed the violence, though quite a few had managed to escape the floor and the doors hung open; one of them broken from its hinges. The crowd again seemed to writhe but this time fire was arching from the ceiling and coming down on a few individuals, killing those around them. Smoke was rising from some of the bodies and the crowd was running about madly as Tempest turned and faced the door.
He kicked the door and it buckled and flew back a few feet, Tempest stepped over it and entered the hall. The two rooms on either side were empty so only two others remained: Kain’s office and the “Staff Lounge” (as the sign on the door indicated).
Tempest swung the door open to the Lounge as he entered the room. There were two demons in the room. The first immediately to the right of the door met a quick death as Tempest’s blade deftly removed his head and freeing it to roll across the floor to land between the other's legs.
It looked up, its red eyes flaring, as it recognized the man in the doorway. It was the man Kain had sent him to kill only a few days ago. He had failed the first time but clearly didn't intend to repeat his mistake. He immediately stood and ran at Tempest.
Tempest was prepared and managed to duck the blow that leveled the doorframe and most of the wall connected to it. Tempest slashed across the demons chest.
The calm of battle washed over Tempest. The pain of the cuts, slashes and bruises that covered his body faded away leaving the violence that seemed so pure and clean. It drove him. It wove through his body like his blood. It controlled him. Violence became his mind and death became his soul.
The creature again came at him but he barely noticed the blow it dealt to his stomach instead he drove his sword threw the creatures shoulder he barely felt the blood that ran down his arms and covered his hands and chest.
The creature screamed as Tempest ripped the blade out leaving one arm dangling only from a few bits of flesh and skin. The creature stood, blood streaming from it’s wound. It tore its arm off from the remaining tendrils and brandished it as a weapon.
Tempest dodged the creature's blow and looked back to see the creature's dismembered arm slam into the wall where he seconds ago stood. He rolled behind the creature, slicing it across the side as he rolled. He stood as the creature turned. He kicked out its knee and it fell to its knees screaming in rage. Tempest raised his sword and brought it down through the neck between the shoulder blades and down through most of the creature's abdomen.
Tempest left the room, blood dripping from his hands; his shirt and pants were soaked with foul gore and fluid. He entered the hall and faced the door to Kain's office; cold seemingly echoed forth from the room and chilled Tempest to the bone.
--------------------------------
Kain and the dark man landed on the floor where Victor had been. They both evaporated into swirls of smoke and reformed into fearsome beasts. Matthias gave them a mischievous grin, and stamped his foot down hard on the orb darkening the room.
* Damn you! * The thought came unbidden to his mind.
*What now? It's an iron door, * he thought back.
* Try it. I give you power. *
Matthias was game for the challenge, although a tinge of fear passed through him as he prepared to be burned by the iron. When he touched the door he felt nothing--until a fearsome force slammed him face first onto the cold hard surface.
"The dark does not frighten us, Fae. Does it scare you?" The voices were very close.
Matthias melted through the surface as he might any wooden door. * I could get to like this, * he thought.
* I hope you do * came the sinister suggestion.
Matthias felt as if he was torn in two directions. The urge to flee was strong, but so was the urge to join the two coalescing forms behind him. Flight won as he dashed down the dark corridor to the safety of the crowd above.
As he rounded the corner, he passed his lithe fingers through the locks of the cages that lined the approach to the pit opening them in series as he passed. The beasts lunged into the narrow passage, and hurled themselves at the two figures on his heels.
Matthias skipped lightly up onto the ledge of the pit, as a shower of blood and bone and gore erupted from the archway below. He tipped his hat to the two shadowy forms and melted into the crowd, blending himself with the mishmash of forms alive, and dead and undead in the crowd.
--------------------------------
Sorrow's world had been reduced to sound and pain. Everything else had been all but burned away. The fire bolts ceased and Sorrow slumped onto the table. Jade wrapped her arms around him and held him protectively close. The immediate danger seemed to have been temporarily avoided but she knew they were far from home free. Slowly Sorrow's shudders subsided, he could hear the silences beginning to move upwards. "We need to get out of here."
Jade helped Sorrow to his feet and all but dragged him towards the nearest fire exit. Sorrow heard the strangest theme then, a strange mix of inhuman harmonics and unearthly melody. "They're out." He whispered.
Pasadena
Cian limped his way out of the darkness and into the lights of the hardware store's parking lot. He surveyed the handful of vehicles that rested idly on the worn asphalt. A black ford F-350 XLT super heavy truck caught his attention. It looked to have received substantial upgrades to its suspension. *Perfect.*
A young man of average height and a dark complexion exited the hardware store and made his way to the black truck, gripping a small package of screws in his right hand. He reached the truck and produced a set of keys from his pocket. He opened the truck's door and entered his vehicle.
Cian covered the distance between himself and the dark man in a series of rapid, soundless strides. He closed his hand over the dark man's throat and dragged him out of the truck. He twisted his wrist and the man's neck broke with a dry snap. Cian let his victim drop to the cold pavement and retrieved the keys from the floor of the cab, where they had been dropped. He closed the truck’s door and locked it. Viciously he kicked the body under the truck, where it was hidden from the lights, and entered the hardware store.
Later, the bulk of the black truck turned off the main road and pulled up in front of an unremarkable gas station.
*****
Tash led the way to the house in Pasadena on her bike. Daye, Kate and Luc were following in Luc's car.
Daye was glad to get into the car with Luc and Kate. It gave her a chance to renew her acquaintance with the other witches. "So, Kate, I don't suppose you remember me?" Daye said when they settled in the car.
Kate turned to look at the other witch sitting in the back seat. There was something familiar about her and she felt sure they had met before. She simply couldn't remember where or when. "I don't, I'm sorry," Kate replied.
Daye smiled ruefully. "It's all right. It's not like we were best friends or anything. I work for the Watchers’ Council."
Kate remembered suddenly. "We met at the Coven house in London, right? When Baldur was called back?"
"Yes," Daye nodded. "That was it. I came to see the Coven, because Baldur was trying to convince me to join you. I thought the Coven's rules were too restrictive, so I decided not to. I went back to the Watchers’ London house, and Baldur came from time to time to coach and guide me. Now, I have been assigned to L.A. to watch for any unusual activity. I thought this qualified."
"I would say so," Kate laughed softly. "When this is all over, assuming we are all still semi-intact, we should sit down and talk. I would love to know how you got involved in this mess."
They covered the half-hour journey easily, and Tash stopped a couple of blocks from the house. As she got off the bike, Luc pulled up behind. The junction box was on this corner. Tash pulled out the remote device that Ian had given her and pressed the button. A little green light flashed twice, which Tash hoped meant that it had worked.
She looked back at the three clambering out of Luc's car. "You guys ready?" At their nervous nods, Tash continued. "Space yourselves out around the house, but make sure you stay outside the dead zone. I imagine you'll be able to feel it." As they moved out, Tash walked to the street she'd parked in the night before.
Tash knelt in the same narrow footway she’d used last night. She swept the binoculars over the house. All seemed quiet. The only light on was in the lounge room, from a lamp. The glow from a TV cast blue flickering lights through the partially opened drapes.
Tash packed away the binoculars and stood, brushing the dirt from her pants. She moved purposefully across the street keeping to the dark areas, and into the grounds of the house. *Perfect,* she thought as she spotted the French doors at the back of the house. *Now’s where we find out how well Ian did his job.*
Peering through the glass doors, she could see no movement inside. Just the flickering light from the television. Now she was close, she could hear the sound of it dully through the glass. She inspected the lock on the door and pulled out the appropriate pick. A few seconds later there was the softest ‘snick’ as the lock disengaged. Tash carefully slid the door open the minimum amount necessary and slipped into the darkened dining/kitchen area. No alarms. *So far, so good…*
The door slid shut behind her smoothly, making no noise as it closed. Tash held her breath for a moment, getting the feel of the house. Apart from the TV it was quiet. Very quiet. She felt a prickle at the nape of her neck. Something wasn’t right here.
She sent out mental feelers. There were two girls, asleep in a room up the hallway. The lounge room contained a presence, but it wasn’t human. Not even vaguely. Tash shivered. Canned laughter spilled from the TV as Tash padded carefully towards the door that separated the lounge room from the kitchen. Dropping prone, she peered into the room from floor level. Even if someone were looking at the doorway, they would be unlikely to see her at that height.
Her eyes roved the entire room. The only thing that looked like a person was the one in the wheelchair. It was facing the TV, so the person’s face was turned three-quarters away from Tash. She didn’t need to get closer to know that whoever was in that chair was near death. The aura flickered fitfully, dully. There was something else there, too. An evil presence, the one she’d felt, permeated the area around the wheelchair.
As Tash watched, a black smoke or mist issued from the body in the chair. In moments it had started to take shape. She muttered into her mike, “Shit, there is a guard after all… And somehow it sensed me here.”
*****
The screech of rubber on asphalt could be heard even inside the house. Seconds later the source of the disturbance, a heavily laden black pick up, swung recklessly around a corner and into view. Its headlights illuminated Luc. Luc raised his arms and pointed hard to the right. The truck swerved sharply, but still only managed to miss him my centimeters. Cian drove his foot hard on the brake. The truck continued to move about a hundred feet and then came to an abrupt halt. *Thank Christ for anti-lock brakes.*
Daye pulled a few components from the pouch on her belt and said a few words, envisioning in her mind the tank of the pickup. She manipulated the forces at her command to cause the gasoline in the tank to turn into water. *That should slow him down.*
"Tash," Daye whispered into her headset. "Do you need backup?"
Cian forced open his right-side door and fired blindly. *Witches, right and back. Keep their heads down, keep them scared.* Cian brought his other gun to bear on Luc and opened fire.
Kate turned to face the other two witches. She saw the bullets as they exploded from the gun barrel. She gathered Luc and Daye behind her, casting her arm in front of her body. “Defende me abi mei hosti!” she cried. For the second time that night she formed a protective shield that arched around the three comrades. Luc held her hand and Kate drew from his strength to reinforce the spell. Even so the strain to keep the shield strong was immense. Even this far from the dead zone she could still feel its presence, but she also knew that she was the strongest so she had to be the one to maintain these spells.
Cian's bullets struck the barrier and fell harmlessly to the ground. He mentally dismissed them and returned his weapons to their holsters.
Luc turned to face the truck and his expression grew dark and focused. He thrust his palm forward, directing a ball of energy at the driver.
*Witch, spell, truck chock full of accelerants.* Cian stood his ground, knowing full well that as soon as the magic blast struck the truck he would be engulfed in the ensuing explosion. An explosion he could not hope to survive. The blast moved mere feet from the warlock, and promptly ceased to exist. *I am the luckiest bastard...*
Cian moved quickly to the back of his truck and took hold of the massive propane tank there. He effortlessly ripped it free of the cords that had secured it and heaved it at Luc.
*****
Tash heard Daye's question, and muttered back, "No, not yet. Hang on."
Not wanting to wake the children if possible Tash rejected her first impulse, which was to draw her gun. Instead, she pulled a long knife from a wrist sheath and bounced to her feet. She charged into the room as the demon began to solidify into the form of a man. She slashed at him, but the knife passed harmlessly through his neck. She’d been expecting resistance, so she was momentarily off-stride as the demon back-handed her, sending her sprawling across the room.
She grunted as she landed, and managed to comment, “He seems insubstantial, but can certainly hit hard enough…” She tried again. Maybe he just hadn’t fully formed in time for her first strike. He looked solid enough now. The knife once more passed as if through air, but this time Tash was prepared for it and managed to avoid the counter-blow from the demon. “Shit! I can’t hurt this thing!”
She danced backward into the kitchen as the demon advanced on her. It looked as though he was slow enough to avoid, at least. But then he rushed her in a blur of speed and the force of the impact sent Tash through the glass doors. Splinters and fragments of glass showered everywhere.
Tash rolled over and struggled to her feet. The shadowy form was moving towards her still. The headset had been knocked off, though she still had her knife. *For all the good that’ll do me.* Blood dripped off her from multiple cuts. She was sure there was a big gash on the back of her head, but right now she didn’t have time to investigate it.
As the demon started another rush she turned and ran, hoping to lure it beyond the magic-free zone. *I just hope magic will slow this thing down.* She felt it moving up behind her, getting closer. Just as she reached the boundary of the property Tash felt something like claws rake her back. The force once more knocked her to the ground, and she rolled over to see the shadow in the form of a large bear.
As it reared back for another strike, Tash scrambled to her feet and kept running, the demon not far behind. She could see Kate, a look of horror on her face. *She’s going to love me, giving her such a nice present.* Tash hoped Kate was still outside the dead zone as she reached her, the demon hot on her trail.
*****
Kate saw the object as it flew through the air towards Luc. “Conquiesco!” she cried. Suddenly the object stopped in mid-air.
Luc took a step back, stealing a curious glance at Kate. *She had never been able to do that before!* he thought.
Suddenly Kate saw Tash running from the direction of the house, being pursued closely by some sort of shadow demon. “Oh boy…” she mumbled.
“Kate, I need your help here," Tash gasped. Right now adrenaline was keeping her going, but she knew she'd be paying for all this blood loss soon enough. She ran past Kate, hoping the wiccan had enough time to at least protect herself before the demon reached her. Beyond Kate, Tash slowed as she finally took in the scene around her.
Daye watched in horror as the tank flew towards Luc. Then stared in wide eyed amazement as Kate held the object in complete stillness in the air. As the shadow demon passed by, Kate’s concentration was completely shut down, and the tank continued on its journey. Daye cast a force of air to blow the tank back at the mystery man. "Damn, who is this asshole?" she muttered.
Cian caught the propane tank in the chest and twisted, redirecting the tank's inertia and launching it at the front of the house. The tank crashed through the front windows of the house, bending aside and shattering their frames. It landed heavily in the room beyond. A soft hissing filled the air as propane leaked from the numerous ruptures the tank’s recent flight had opened in it.
Cian ignored his newly broken ribs, grabbed a can of gas from the back of the disabled truck, pulled his skeen dhu free, and charged the witches. Before the spellcasters could react, Cian had brought the gas can to Daye's head, knocking her roughly aside, and had drawn his knife through the middle of Luc's chest.
*Like Valour's minion carved out his passage, Till he faced the slave, Which never shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops.* The vampire cut through the soft plastic of the gas can and, in a sharp motion, emptied its contents on the stunned witches.
Daye felt the gasoline burning her nostrils and eyes as the crazy vamp splashed it on her. She glanced around and noticed a fire hydrant not far from where she stood. She used her telekinesis to remove the cap on the hydrant and direct the spray of water to wash the gas from them.
*Forget this,* Daye thought. *I am not just going to sit back and respond to his attacks. She turned her staff on the vampire, directing a dart of light at his face, hoping to blind and incapacitate him.
The shadow beast stopped as it faced Kate, its teeth flashing in the darkness. Suddenly it turned into a swirling mass and reshaped itself into the form of a man. Kate telekinetically propelled several objects from the surrounding area towards the demon. She realised her error as the ‘man’ shifted form again and the objects passed right through him.
"Magic!" Tash yelled, "You can't hurt it physically. Use magic." Tash was torn. Daye and Luc were struggling with the vampire, and now she'd brought the demon out. She'd hoped to have three witches fighting it, but now there was only one. *Kate's strong, I'm sure she can deal with it. She has to.* Tash knew she still had her job to do.
She slipped out of the melee and ran back to the house. She knew she had to work quickly. *That crazy vamp will be blowing up this house next, I’d lay good money on it.* As she reached the house, she could hear crying from the children’s room. *Poor little tykes… but first things first.*
She returned to the lounge room and approached the wheelchair. The woman sitting in it looked fine, but the aura told Tash that she was fading rapidly. Tash knelt next to the chair and started to remove one glove, ready to get what information she could quickly.
Just as Tash was pulling at the glove, the woman opened her eyes slightly. “The girls…” She gripped Tash’s arm and stared with eyes already starting to glaze. “Please, look after my girls…”
Tash patted the woman’s arm with her free hand. She received a name – Yvonne. She looked Yvonne in the eye and said, “I promise to do everything to keep them safe. But I’m here looking for something.”
Yvonne relaxed a little at Tash’s reassurance. “The wheelchair…” she whispered. “In the wheelchair…” She pointed at the arm of the chair.
Her grip tightened again, and her eyes grew wide. “Don’t ever fall in love with a demon,” she said. “No matter how much he says he loves you, he can never let go of his true nature. Look what happened to me….” Yvonne’s head lolled forward as her eyes grew dull again, for the last time.
Tash felt a cold knot settle in the pit of her stomach, whether from Yvonne’s words or her death she couldn’t tell. She peeled Yvonne’s fingers from her arm and spent a few moments searching the arm of the chair. Sure enough, there was a small compartment, just large enough to contain the four lacklustre lumps of coloured crystal nestled within. She pulled out the pouch with the substitute crystals and compared them. *Close enough.* Tash fumbled with the two sets of crystals for a short while, then closed the compartment again.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered to Yvonne as she pulled the body from the wheelchair and laid it gently on the floor. She could smell the gas filling the room from the tank the vampire had thrown through the window. The cries from the girls’ room were growing louder and more hysterical.
Tash wheeled the chair to the kitchen and followed the passageway to the girls’ room. They were huddled on one of the beds together in their nightdresses, howling hysterically. They both had shoulder-length brunette hair and looked to be about eight years old. Tash knelt in the doorway, mindful that she was running out of time.
*****
The bolt of light struck Cian squarely in the face. He promptly lost his sight. In a completely reactive motion, Cian directed a fist in the direction of were he had last seen the staff-wielding witch. He hit his mark, but imperfectly, only glancing the girl's throat with his smallest knuckle. Daye collapsed, gasping. Cian turned and ran in the direction of the derelict truck. His sight returned by minute degrees as he ran. *I've already lost too much time on these witches. I must accomplish my original purpose, then I'll see about killing them.*
Cian paused at the truck and removed the caps of six gas cans. The vampire took up three cans in each hand and charged at the house, dousing its plaster and woodwork liberally with gas. All the while blinking back the tears that had formed in his damaged eyes and glaring through the stars he saw.
Kate took a courageous step towards the demon. Her curiosity was raised. *He is a shape shifter, but not in any ordinary sense, not by any means,* she thought. She took a few steps to the left, slowly circling the creature.
Suddenly he spoke. “You have what is mine.” Kate continued to circle the beast. “Give what is mine back to me…”
Kate halted her path. “The crystals are not yours to control, you shall never have them, not while we live.”
“As you wish,” snapped the demon.
The demon began to shift again, its form becoming smoke-like. Kate took several steps back.
"I think we might need to work together on this," Kate said to Luc and Daye over the headset. They both turned to glance in her direction, noticing the demon she was facing. Together they focused, attempting to link their energies. Kate held the three together and drawing on their combined energy she began to chant, quietly at first.
“I banish thee, I banish thee to the dark place…” her voice grew louder as the spell began to take shape. “Hear me now! Hear me Osiris! Obey my desire, obey my wish! I call upon thee, we call thee, grant us our wish!”
The demon took the form of a bear and charged at them, Kate stepped back to avoid its blows. He slashed out again, this time its long claws caught her across the arm. She recoiled in pain as the blood began to flow through her shirt. Luc moved to help her but Daye held him back - they had to maintain their concentration. Kate quickly regained her focus.
“As I will it! So shall it be!!” As Kate finished the spell sparks began to gather around the demon, surrounding and engulfing it completely.
“NOW!” cried Kate, “Take it now!”
There was a high pitched whine, followed by a bright flash of light that spread forth from the demon, casting its glow for nearly thirty feet. Kate, Daye and Luc shielded their eyes from the brilliance of the light. Suddenly the light began to contract in on itself, rushing back into the demon, until all the light had disappeared along with the demon.
As the spell took effect Kate fell to the ground. She held her head in pain, she could hear her blood pounding loudly in her ears…
*****
Back in the house, Tash tried to exude an aura of calm. “Girls, we have to leave this place. There was a bad man here. He’s gone now, but he might come back.” One of the girls seemed to be trying to control her sobs of terror. Tash frowned. She’d seen identical twins before, but they’d never had such perfectly matched auras. *No time now, I’ll worry about that later.*
The calmer girl looked at Tash with deep sea-green eyes. Tash blinked. It felt as though the girl had looked right through her. *Cassy.* The name came to her clearly. The girl turned to her sister and said through her sniffles, “Let’s go with the lady, Celia.”
Celia was still howling. Tash stood and moved into the room. “I’m sorry to rush you, girls. We really need to be leaving now.” She looked at Cassy. “Can you help me with Celia?”
Cassy nodded, tears streaking her face. “Mummy’s dead, isn’t she?”
Tash tried to keep her face calm. “I’m afraid so. She asked me to look after you and Celia. I can’t do that unless you come with me right now.”
Celia’s sobs continued unabated. Tash lifted her up, wincing at the pain in her clawed back. Celia hung on tightly to her sister’s hand as Tash carried her out to the kitchen and placed her in the wheelchair.
“Cassy, do you want to ride in the chair with Celia?” Cassy started to shake her head, then looked at her sister. Celia’s face was contorted with terror. Cassy climbed up next to her and cradled Celia as Tash trotted as fast as she could, pushing the wheelchair over the broken glass and out of the house.
She pushed the girls to the front of the house and slowed to evaluate the situation. She saw the flash as the demon disappeared. *Fantastic timing, guys, thanks.* Then she noticed the vampire at the front of the house, dousing it from a fuel can. She cursed having lost the headset as she raced as fast as she could to get the girls around the vampire and towards the others. She caught Daye's eye and gestured frantically. Tash let go of the wheelchair and the girls, giving them a push towards the witches, and turned to face the vampire.
Daye caught the wheelchair as it came flying out of Tash's hands. She turned to Kate and Luc, pushing it towards them. "Take the girls to the car and take off," she shouted. "I will stay to make sure Tash gets out and then catch a ride back with her. We'll meet back at Bibliophile in a bit."
Kate nodded in affirmation. She didn’t want to leave Daye and Tash to face the vampire alone but they didn’t have any choice, they had to get the children out of there and fast. Kate knelt down beside the wheelchair. She took Celia’s hand in hers in an attempt to soothe the sobbing child. Celia wiped at her tears and wrapped her arms intuitively around Kate’s neck. Kate lifted her up as Luc hoisted Cassy up into his strong arms and carried them quickly towards the car. She hoped they could make the block and a half in time.
Daye watched them leave, turning back just in time to see the vamp tossing a lighter at the house.
*Woman approaching, no time for that now.* Cian began to run away from the house, leaving a trail of gas from the open gas can he carried with him as he went. He produced a zippo from his pocket. The lighter had been in Cian's jacket when he had taken it. *Easy come, easy go.* Cian flicked the lighter open and dropped it to the trail of gas he had left behind him. The vampire sprinted another couple of feet and dove into a prone position, covering his head with his hands.
Tash felt time slow as she tried to intercept the vampire. He finished making the trail of gas and she watched helplessly as the flame dropped as though in slow motion. She was almost hypnotised by the simple beauty of the flame, its deadly potential. Realising she was too late, she frantically changed direction and threw herself to the ground, facing away from the house.
The gas burst into flames where the lighter's minute flame struck it. The fire quickly consumed the gas nearest it and moved down the trail, until it made contact with the house, which subsequently became a pillar of flame. The temperature inside the house rose into the hundreds.
The moisture evaporated from Yvonne's flesh, and the heat reduced her to little more than blackened carbon. The propane tank exploded. Fire engulfed the inside of the house and forced its walls apart, sending fragments of them several hundred yards in every direction.
Shrapnel first raked over Cian, Tash and Daye, ripping bloody grooves through their flesh. Then fragments caught up with Kate and Luc, who were still fleeing with the girls. The blast knocked them down, shrapnel digging into their backs.
As she fell Kate tried to protect Celia, but the force crushed her hand between Celia’s head and the bitumen. Kate felt the bones in her hand give way, and a cracking noise came from Celia’s head as it hit the road. Pain streaked up her back like fire as shrapnel pounded into her. Kate kept one arm and most of her body around Celia, and used the other arm to protect her own head.
Luc was also hurled to the ground by the blast and lost his grip on Cassy. He grunted as he hit the ground, all the air pushed from his lungs, and frantically lunged to catch Cassy before she fell. He managed to stop her slamming into the road at the expense of a shattered elbow, but then the shrapnel hit. A large chunk caught Cassy on the side of the face as smaller fragments buried themselves in Luc’s body.
Dragging herself up, Kate cradled Celia’s head carefully. The girl was unconscious. Luc was also struggling to rise, one arm held awkwardly. Cassy’s face was a mess of blood and bone, but at least she was still breathing. Kate looked back. Tash and Daye were both starting to rise. The vampire was closer to the house, still on the ground. She knew she had to get these girls to hospital quickly, though. She and Luc carried the girls to the car and laid them carefully on the back seat.
Tash felt darkness washing over her, and fought it away. *Not yet, have to get away…* Right now her back was numb, but as she rose to her feet pain lanced through her. She forced herself upright and saw Daye also getting to her feet slowly. Blood streamed from dozens of wounds on Daye’s chest and face. Tash grimaced, *Daye must have been facing the house when it went.*
Tash stumbled towards Daye, then remembered the vampire. She turned to look where he’d been. He’d been closer to the house and the blast, but was already up and moving away. Tash didn’t have the will to go after him. She didn’t think she’d be able to do anything but get herself killed right now, anyway.
Daye grabbed her arm and pulled her away, “Come on,” she said to Tash. “We’d better get out of here.” Tash strained to hear her. It sounded like Daye was at the bottom of a well. *Loud bang…*
Tash and Daye staggered down the road. Through pain-filled vision Tash could see Luc’s car pull away. *Thank God. I hope they’re all OK.* They reached the bike and Daye looked at Tash worriedly. “Can you still ride?” she asked.
Tash nodded. She’d make sure she could. Daye clambered on the back of the bike, wincing. Tash gasped in pain as she twisted her back to get on. She was feeling light-headed. Doing her best to stay in the here and now, Tash started the bike and rode. Sirens could be heard faintly in the distance.
Luc’s car had pulled ahead, and suddenly Tash felt power jolt through her from the pouch at her waist. *Gods…the kids. Of course.* A few blocks from the carnage, Tash stopped the bike, unsure how much longer she could hang on. Daye touched her arm, and Tash smiled her reassurance. “It’s OK, I just need a moment to get myself together.”
Daye placed her hands lightly on Tash's shoulders, tightly gripping her staff in her lap. She drew on the last reserves of her magic to send a flow of warmth and healing into Tash's battered body. "Just a little to get us where we have to go," Daye mumbled. Then she closed her eyes and sent her consciousness deep within, breathing rhythmically and hanging tightly on to Tash as she slipped into a trancelike state to heal herself a bit.
Daye’s magic helped ease the worst of the pain. Tash took a deep breath, and tried to find her calm centre. Slowly she banished all thoughts from her mind, shutting out the combined voices of the crystals, ignoring the remaining pain in her body. And shutting out Yvonne’s words that had been running through her head. “Don’t ever fall in love with a demon … he can never let go of his true nature.”
Breathing deeply once more, even that small voice receded and finally Tash felt she could make it home without crashing.
Matthias and Victor - Together Again
Matthias strolled out of the Beazor in a casual manner. He was with a group of revelers who had been enjoying the show from the upper balcony. When the fire began to drip from the ceiling they just picked up their things and walked to the nearest exit. Good citizens were always good cover.
Once out in the clear night air, he trailed the group down the street a ways, sharing handshakes and hugs from the amorous and quite drunk crew. By the time they parted company, Matthias' pockets were bulging from the wallets, jewelry and car keys he had liberated.
He strolled out down the street. He had never felt more energetic. He felt like he might be able to fly with a mere thought. * You can you know. Fly. It's not like you need a spell or anything. Try it! *
Matthias shrugged. Since he was here, might as well go for it. He stepped up into the air, and was soon soaring over the buildings and highways. The smoke from the Beazor and the sirens of the fire trucks carried through the air. Matthias could feel himself laughing. This was effortless, like walking. Flying always seemed so much trouble before.
As he swooped down over a convertible driving down the street, he dropped flatly into the passengers seat. The young woman driving was startled enough to jerk the wheel, and Matthias lifted her out of the car before it plowed headlong into a stout tree in the median. He set her down, and tipped an imaginary hat to her.
"So sorry to have startled you, miss." He said with false formality.
She stared at him and stammered, "W-w-w-ho are you?"
"I am Peter Pan, my dear Wendy, and I am here to take you to Never-Never Land" was his quick reply.
She looked incredulous, but as Matthias knew from long experience, all humans want desperately to believe. "Really?" she asked.
"Of course, let me show you my magic pixie dust!" With a flourish he sprinkled her with sparkles that make her glow like a lightning bug. "Come fly with me!"
He grabbed her hand and took off with her in tow. She grabbed his arm at first, but was soon following his lead as he held her hand through turns and dips and dives. "You really are Peter Pan!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, and I need your help," he said to her as they drifted hand-in-hand over the park. "Tinkerbell is in trouble. She needs someone to believe in her. If you clap your hands she might recover."
The woman looked worried, the hook was set. "I want to help!" she said.
"Good!" he exclaimed, "Clap for Tinkerbell!"
As soon as she let go of his hand she fell. He winced as she bounced off tree limbs before disappearing beneath the leafy cover.
"Silly girl. Peter Pan was a character from a book." He said to no one in particular.
Deep inside him something sinister laughed along.
Matthias soon got bored with flying and decided to have some fun walking though bank vaults and scrambling the contents of the safe deposit boxes, but soon that too got boring. * You are just beginning to tap the potential with you. Cut loose! Do some damage! * the demon within him urged.
* No. * thought Matthias, * this is too easy. It's no fun. *
* I can make it harder if you really want me to. We know where the shards are, we could get them and take them back to the Fae. Then you'd be free to do as you will! *
Matthias was silent, but flew to the park where the huge oak tree grew. He stood on the hill overlooking the green expanses below and looked at the ancient tree. He had sat here for hours and listened to the stories it told. But now it was silent. It refused to talk to him, or to surrender the parcel he had left for it to keep for him.
*This is not natural. So it is not me * he thought. Suddenly his body was racked with pain. He could feel the heat of the otherness inside him moving. He could feel it rising in his throat. His body was trying to rid itself of the corruption.
As the feeling reached his throat, he could feel something solidifying, and pushing itself out. A foot and then a leg popped out of his mouth. As his body was racked with retching he soon regurgitated another leg, and had half of Victor's body hanging out of his distorted mouth.
His body gave one last spasm and dropped Victor on the grass. Matthias fell back his mouth and throat raw and bleeding. His breath came in ragged gasps. Victor was still. But the demon's breaths were shallow and listless. *He must be nearly dead * thought Matthias.
Ignoring the pain he felt he crawled to where Victor lay, and placed his hands on his chest. Golden energies enveloped them both. The ancient oak soon glowed as well, tapping into its well of energies stored from centuries of being in the same place. Matthias sat back. Victor's breath was even and steady. His body would need more healing, but the worst was past.
Matthias sat and reflected on this strange creature. He could feel the memories left behind by their merger, and could distinctly feel the distrust he felt for Matthias. * For good reason, Victor. I nearly destroyed everything we worked for, * he thought.
Victor lay there oblivious to Matthias. Matthias lifted Victor into a fireman's carry and walked toward Bibliophile to meet the others. *We have been distracted, you and I, * he thought. * We have work to do, and there is a long time until the light comes again. *
Black Rose
Jade and Sorrow were buffeted by the crowd as they exited the complex. People were screaming and in the distance the sound of sirens could be heard. Sorrow's pain had receded for the moment and he could see at least a little. Freed of the need to guide him, Jade could concentrate on keeping him moving towards the limo.
They collapsed into the limo as the first fire trucks arrived. In the confusion that followed, the limo pulled away unseen. "Don't think the Imitrex is going to help tonight..." Sorrow was trying to keep his tone light but it was obvious that he was in a lot of pain. An involuntary moan ripped through his gritted teeth as a wave of pain rushed through him. As it receded, he looked towards Jade. "Are you all right?"
She choked back a laughing sob. "Yes champ, I'm in better shape than you are." Jade smoothed Sorrow's damp hair back from his forehead. "I love you..." She cradled his head gently against her and kissed him. As she did, she noticed something glowing dimly under Sorrow's shirt.
*My necklace!* Jade gasped in shock as she saw it. The crimson red of the rose pendant had darkened until it appeared to be almost black - a sure sign of the amount of pain its wearer was in. She clasped it tightly in one hand and laid the other on Sorrow's forehead, as if to infuse him with some of her strength. Almost sub-consciously, Jade whispered the words she'd read numerous times in her journal, penned by her mother in their native tongue and designed to soothe and comfort.
The sudden jolt of pain that shot through her shocked her, causing her to cry out and loosen the grip she had on the necklace. It was as if it had been a link between her and Sorrow, for she'd felt an inkling of the kind of agony he was going through from the backlash.
His pain suddenly eased a little... " What?" Sorrow's eyes focused slowly on Jade. He took a breath. "That's a really bad idea. You don't want to share what I'm going through right now." He grimaced again and slowly took her hand. "Though, if you're willing, I could borrow a little of your strength."
Jade wasn't too sure what exactly he meant by "borrowing" her strength but she was willing to give anything a shot to help ease the pain Sorrow was in. She cupped his face with her free hand and smiled. "You actually need to ask?"
Sorrow drew Jade onto his lap. "I really don't deserve you." He wrapped his arms around her body as he rested his head against hers.
Sorrow slowed his breathing and Jade felt a sudden urge to match it. For a few moments, there was nothing and then, as they sat there in silence breathing together, Jade felt a slight tugging. It continued then Jade shivered briefly and whatever had connected them unravelled slowly... drifting away into nothing. Jade felt an ache all over, the sort of weariness of body that comes with fighting off a mild cold... Sorrow turned, briefly tasted her lips. "Thankyou..."
Jade gave him a small smile. "You're welcome my love... Now rest, we'll be at Bibliophile in a couple of minutes." She glanced at the rose pendant, noted that its colour was hovering somewhere along a burgandy and accepted that while Sorrow was far from pain-free, there wasn't much else she could do for him.
He nodded, closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift as the limo sped through the night...
Hospital Healing
Kate and Luc watched from a distance as Cassy and Celia were immobilised, strapped securely to a couple of gurneys and rushed down the hospital corridors towards an intensive care unit. They waited a few moments longer and suddenly they felt the dead zone lift like a curtain.
Kate sighed in relief. As soon as they had made physical contact with the girls they had both guessed that the dead zone was created by the twins rather than the house in Pasadena. Once in the car Kate had tried to use her healing powers on them but with no luck, which was why they had brought them directly to the nearest hospital.
Luc ushered Kate into an empty room, sitting her down on the bed. Kate held her injured hand in her good one. The damage wasn’t as bad now. As soon as some distance had been put between herself and the twins her usual self-healing powers had kicked in. The bones had begun to reform, and she could almost move her fingers, but there was still a lot of bruising and swelling. Her back was bleeding profusely, and a thin stream of blood flowed down from a gash across her forehead. Luc placed his good hand on her shoulder comfortingly. Slowly he began to remove her bloody shirt, peeling the ruined fabric from her back. Kate grimaced; she had never felt such physical pain in all her life.
Luc moved his warm hands over Kate’s bare back. Her injuries were extensive but slowly he was able to remove her pain. He held his hands over her wounds, a yellow light surrounding them. Slowly the pieces of shrapnel that were imbedded in her flesh resurfaced. Kate cried out, squeezing the bed sheet in her good hand.
Luc concentrated more, moving his hands just above the surface. It was a slow process (healing was a difficult art for a witch with limited powers like his) but eventually all the shrapnel appeared to the surface, then the open lacerations began to heal over. The flesh remoulded itself, the severed muscle weaving together, and in a few more minutes there was no physical sign that any damage had taken place. He sighed in relief, holding his head; he was getting a really bad migraine from all the extra concentration he had used. He stumbled over to the sink and returned to Kate with a wet towel. Carefully he began to clean the dried blood from her flawless skin. Kate caught his hand as he moved to wipe the blood from her face.
“Luc, stop, let me help you now.”
Luc looked into her eyes; she looked stronger, more like her usual self. The wound on her head was slowly healing itself. He nodded, removing his long coat and wrapping it around her naked shoulders.
Kate unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it back. First she wanted to sort out his arm. She’d seen him fall and heard the sickening noise of his bone shattering. She cleared her thoughts and closed her eyes, holding the arm in her hands. The light that grew around her was much brighter and intense than the one Luc had been able to summon. It only took about five minutes for her to completely restore his arm to perfect health. She switched her attention to his back. This took her a little longer but Luc knew that the healing she would perform would be of a far more superior quality than his own had been. He didn’t even feel any pain as she removed the various projectiles from his flesh.
“So, how do you feel?” asked Kate tenderly once she had finished.
Luc rolled his shoulders back as the feeling returned to his aching muscles. “Pretty fantastic actually, although my ego is feeling a little bruised right now…” He paused for a moment, “I wish I had…”
Kate stopped him from continuing. “Don’t…sometimes it’s only moments like this that makes this gift worth having.”
She sighed again looking at her watch but it had been damaged in the explosion. The glass had cracked and the time still read 7:24pm, the exact time that she had been knocked to the ground by the blast. She shuddered again. *I hope Natasha and Daye made it out of there okay…* she thought worriedly. She pulled her ruined shirt back on; it was either that or walk around the hospital half-naked. Luc began to get dressed too.
Suddenly an elderly nurse came into the room. She took one look at the disarranged bed sheets and the half dressed couple sitting upon it and drew her own conclusions. “What are you two doing in here? Don’t you people have any respect?”
Kate hastily jumped from the bed; Luc wrapped his coat back around her, covering her blood stained clothes. The old woman practically chased them out of the door.
“And next time get a hotel room!” she shouted after them.
The nurse walked over to the bed. She was just straightening things out when she noticed dozens of tiny pieces of shrapnel scattered on the sheets. She held them up to the light, *What..??* Then she noticed the bloody towel that had fallen to the floor. She rushed back to the corridor, searching frantically for the couple but they had seemingly vanished.
They hurried down the corridor. Luc pulled Kate into a waiting area.
“We should probably head back to Bibliophile, the others must be wondering what’s happened to us,” said Luc, he looked at a clock on the wall, the time was now nearly 8:55pm.
“Not yet” said Kate.
“They may need our help, if they are injured too…”
“Please Luc, I have to see them first…”
****
They stood on the other side of a glass panel; Celia and Cassy were still both unconscious. A slow intravenous drip flowed down into their arms. The rhythmic beep of the electrocardiograph machine could be heard even in the corridor, as could the slow whoosh of the respiratory support. A nurse sat at the bedside, making marks on a chart.
Kate placed her fingers against the glass, Luc took her other hand in his, squeezing it gently.
“Kate they are in good hands. You know there is nothing either of us can do for them.”
“I know,” she paused “I know! It’s just, they…” her voice trailed off. “We should have been able to protect them better.”
“We were lucky to get out of there alive ourselves.”
They stayed for another five minutes then Luc led Kate away. Moments later they were back on the road headed towards Bibliophile. *But only God knows what we’ll find there,* thought Kate grimly.
The Stones of Bishamon
The night air blew through Kate’s hair as they sped down the freeway. It felt good, it helped her forget her feelings of guilt and regret, it made her forget about how much she had failed Cassy and Celia. Luc geared down as they re-joined the main road, they were about ten minutes away from the commercial centre where the Bibliophile was located. Kate frowned into the darkness as they drove on. Suddenly she felt a swimming dread pierce her heart.
*Bring us together and we shall give you the world…*
Kate shook her head clear. She turned to Luc, suddenly remembering their telephone conversation earlier that night. “Did you get those things I asked for?”
Luc nodded towards the glove box, not taking his eyes off the road. Kate opened the small compartment and sighed in relief, withdrawing a small engraved box. She opened the lid and smiled.
“I could have used this a while ago, it was fortunate you brought it with you.”
Luc smiled, “Stones of Bishamon, never leave home without them.”
“I’m hoping…I’m hoping” she repeated firmly “that we won’t need them, but with four shards you cannot be too certain. The effects of one are powerful enough. I almost…they are strong, and especially here, there seems to be a hotbed of supernatural activity in this area.”
“You’re not joking! And I thought Romania was bad. I tell you the New World must be the new Old World this year. Personally I think it’s for the irony.” Kate looked at him, puzzled. “Well, when a place is called “The City of Angels” every demon in a sixty mile radius wants to prove them wrong.”
Kate smiled, he was trying to cheer her up, she knew that. But with the remainder of the night still ahead of them Kate was finding it difficult to think of anything but the Shards. She didn’t want to lose control; she didn’t want to be drawn into their web of lies. That was why she had asked Luc to bring the Stones of Bishamon. They were the very same that the coven had used to ward off the effects of the shards long enough for them to perform the dispossession rites. Kate had used them plenty of times in the past; she knew the ritual well. She ran her hand across the lid of the box as she closed it tight.
Luc glanced at her. “Is the ritual difficult to perform?”
“No, it has to be simple, you can’t exactly hang around when you are dealing with the Shards. You draw a pentagram around them and call the five Stones of Bishamon at each point of the pentagram. The spell then creates a tight barrier that contains the effects of the shards. It should buy us some time, long enough to figure out what to do with them, hopefully.”
They slowed down as they pulled onto Kara Street, and finally halted outside the Bibliophile. *Time to find out how successful we’ve been,* thought Kate as she stepped out of the car, clutching the wooden box in her hands.
Insanity
Inside the pouch on Tash’s waist, the four crystals nestled closely together. They pulsed with power. Ghenna’s yellow glow mingled with the blue of Stygia, the purple of Styx and Malbolgia’s red. Reunited, they were so much stronger than four individual crystals. And they sensed two vulnerable minds nearby. Tired, damaged vessels that were ripe for influence….
*****
Tash found her mind wandering as she rode through the streets from Pasadena. For some reason she couldn’t stop thinking about the crystals. Antenora had promised her she could rid the world of the monsters if she gathered them all. It had been the thought of Victor that had rescued her from that foolish precipice. She knew the lies the crystals told – surely she could remember that and ignore their whispers.
*I love Victor.* If she could hold onto that thought, she’d be safe.
”…No matter how much he says he loves you, he can never let go of his true nature…” Yvonne’s words still rang in her head.
Tash shook her head. *No, he does love me. I know, I’ve felt it from him.*
*Maybe he’s disguising his feelings. He’s been around a long time, charming humans. He’s very good at it.*
Tash felt herself wavering. Her head was ringing from the loss of blood and she was having trouble seeing straight. She narrowly avoided a car as she ran through a red light. Horns blared behind her as she sped on. She could feel Daye behind her, still and quiet.
Her thoughts conflicted with each other. Part of her wanted to believe in the love between her and Victor, but another part of her was growing stronger. It knew love was all a pretence. That it wouldn’t really matter to her if something happened to Victor, not in the long run. And the world could be rid of all the monsters. It was so easy, so simple. Why hadn’t she believed it before?
*I already have four, and Daye’s in no state to resist me. And I know where the other five pieces are. The others will all be gathering at Bibliophile. I can wait, make sure everyone’s there first. They’ll never suspect me until it’s too late. I could shoot them all. And they’ll all be hurt, anyway. They’ll be slow, unable to fight back in time. Hmm, I might have to keep Matthias alive – I don’t know where he’s hidden his two.* . A warm glow of satisfaction spread through her at the thought of carrying out this plan.
*But these are my friends.*
*Doesn’t matter if it helps me rid the world of the vampires. Haven’t I always wanted that? I’ve always despised my compassionate nature. It always gets me hurt in the end. It’s time I did away with it.*
*It’s what makes me who I am, it makes me strong. Without compassion, I’m no better than the monsters I hunt.*
Tash’s head was hurting. Pressure was building up inside that made her feel it would explode. She struggled to hold onto sanity. *Where are these thoughts of betrayal coming from? They aren’t mine.*
*It would be so easy. Just think, no more vampires. No more monsters. The streets would be safe for little boys like Patrick.*
The bike swerved erratically across the lanes. Tash was barely able to see now, lights streaming past her in a blur. She thought she was still headed towards Bibliophile, but couldn’t be sure. Her back felt as though it was on fire. The pounding in her head became lances of pain behind her eyes.
Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of Patrick. Victor had understood. Victor….. *I love Victor. He loves me. Hold onto that thought, girl.*
*He’s a monster, too, remember. I know what he’s done. I’ve seen it, I’ve felt it. I know how much he enjoyed the evil. It’s his nature. He’s lying to me – he doesn’t love me. How could he?*
*No, he’s different now. He can feel love. He does feel love. And if I kill all my friends, I’ll become just as much a monster as he once was. I’ll be just like the vampires that killed Pat.*
*Victor’s a demon. He can’t possibly love me. He’s not capable of love. Remember Yvonne? She loved a demon. It put her in a wheelchair. Do I want that to happen to me?*
Tash’s shoulders sagged, defeated. *No, I don’t…*
*Then I know what I have to do. Rid the world of monsters. I only need the other five crystals….*
only in her dreams
As usual when Daye slipped into any kind of trance, she removed her thoughts from the present and envisioned herself in the place and time of greatest peace in her life. She was lying in the sweet green field beside Ryan’s cabin, watching him collect herbs and flowers as he sang to her about the ancient lands of his home plane. She could feel the warm sun on her face and smell the scents of the living, growing land all around. Daye was utterly at peace and she could feel, off in the distance, her body beginning to heal and regain strength. She gave herself up completely to the fantasy, believing in all that surrounded her.
As Daye lay among the tall stalks of grass and the wildflowers, she noticed a strange dark cloud moving slowly across the sky from the mountains. She tried to push it out of her mind, but the cloud continued to encroach on the lovely day, drawing more and more of her attention. Daye found her eyes drawn to it and she couldn’t look away. As it grew closer, it looked less like a cloud and more like a swarm of insects or birds of some sort. Daye was beginning to hear a faint, hypnotic buzzing off in the distance. She was so focused on the approaching creatures that she failed to notice Ryan was frozen in place, a dawning horror on his face. Daye turned to him when she heard his sharp cry of pain.
Ryan stood still a few feet away, the dark figures from the distance had somehow come close enough to touch him. The swarm surrounded her love, covering him slowly from head to toe. Ryan was screaming, a high pitched shriek the likes of which Daye had never heard. He was calling her name and yelling over and over, “Why?!”
Daye glanced down at herself and was completely unsurprised to see the stream of dark creatures coming from her outspread palms and attacking Ryan. She could feel his agony reverberating back through the stream and flowing through her body. It was exhilarating and strangely erotic, like a twisted form of the pleasure she felt when his body touched hers during lovemaking. Daye felt the wicked smile twisting her lips and the shudders of delight that rocked her frame as he fell writhing to the ground. She rode the highs of his torment, reveling in her own power and his pain.
At last, Ryan lost consciousness, and Daye let the spell drop. She strode over to him, panting from her efforts. Ryan’s body had reverted to its night form and Daye realized that somehow darkness had fallen. He lay at her feet, his skin was burnished gold, but there were deep, jagged wounds all over his body. Black, shimmery blood oozed out of the wounds, and his silvery eyes were open and staring blindly up at her.
Daye leaned down and swiped a finger down his chest, catching a smear of his blood on her fingertip. She brought the blood to her lips and lapped at it like a starved cat, practically purring at the salty sweet taste. “You are delicious, my pet,” Daye whispered, drawing closer to Ryan. His breath came in shallow rasps and she could just make out his whispered words.
“Why?” he said. “Why? I love you. Why?”
Daye laughed delightedly. She turned from Ryan and headed for the Council house, skipping like a giddy schoolgirl.
*************************************************************
Daye found herself standing over her teacher, Baldur. His blonde hair hung in wet, lank ropes down around his shoulders. The hair was matted with blood and sweat. His eyes were cold and angry as he stared up at her. Daye gripped a ceremonial athame in her hand, coated with dried blood. She leaned forward and drew the blade across his body from his shoulder, down his chest and stomach, creating a deep cut that oozed more blood.
“Tell me, Baldur,” Daye’s voice was a sultry rasp. “Do you want me?”
Baldur sneered at her. “Let me go free, Amanda, and I’ll show you what I want with you.”
“You are a fine man,” Daye brushed up against him. Her clothes were red leather, tight and covered in blood, Baldur’s and others. “I could do a lot with a man like you. If you’d agree, we could work together. There is no limit to the power we could achieve if you would teach me. Teach me the secrets of the Coven, Baldur. I will make it worth your while.”
Daye straddled Baldur’s waist. She rubbed against him, delighting in the revulsion on his face.
“I would never work with you, Amanda,” Baldur replied.
“Then I will have to try harder to convince you,” Daye said, moving away from him towards a wall of whips, a delighted smile curling her lips.
*************************************************************
Daye stood in front of a massive pit. In each corner, one of her friends could be found. They were strapped, chained or tied to various chairs, tables and walls. A large group of wicked looking demons milled around, some poked or prodded at the victims, and the occasional scream rent the air from time to time. Daye watched everything with a grin on her face. She felt, rather than heard, the approach from her left. She smiled when she felt the cold, hard grip on her shoulder. Daye turned her face and looked up into the golden face beside her.
“Night Walker,” she purred. “What do you think?”
“I think you are doing very well,” he replied. Night Walker moved his hand to the back of her neck, squeezing painfully. “Soon, we will have a very unique army at our disposal. With the Shards and the Nether Arch, we can remake the world. We will rule, a King and Queen of Pain and Pleasure.”
Daye laughed softly. She watched the hunger and delight playing across Night Walker’s features, highlighting the cruel scar on his face. She leaned back into his body and felt his grip tighten even more. He brought his other arm up to pull her body against his, but Daye twisted and slipped out of his grasp.
“Later,” Daye admonished. “I will bring some of my more stubborn friends. We can try to convince them together to cooperate.”
“Yes,” he grinned. “The redhead witch and the sweet, dark vampire hunter. That will be delicious. The more they fight, the better it is.”
Daye nodded, heading down into the pit and grabbing a hot branding iron from one of the fires as she approached Victor, who writhed under the ministrations of another demon.
*************************************************************
Daye awoke from the trance just as they arrived at Bibliophile. She felt full of fear and anger in full measure. Her wounds felt much better, but her heart rate was elevated and she was in full adrenalin alert. She was filled with the urge to do serious violence to someone. Daye tried to get herself under control, drawing deep, cooling breaths and trying, unsuccessfully to find her center.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Victor's unconciousness was not oblivion. Dreams terrible and painful wracked his conciousness. And dreams for someone who does not dream are terrifying...
The plains of Gr'nath were broken, black and swept with winds that stung the flesh and made you want to squint. Victor could feel his skin and eyes burn from the acidic mist in the air. Victor could see the Demon Vrithetek standing before an army of shadowy beasts arrayed in ranks and poised to charge through the transport-ring.
Its voice carried over the crowd, "Our leader Aetolis has gathered us to fight, and fight we shall! When the ring is opened we shall charge back into our homeland and retake that we were denied! Your commanders, Kain, Horgamat, Frenveer and Jormagundr will direct you to the battles. Follow them to victory!"
Victor suddenly felt cold as the light from the ring sprang into the sky and the army moved as one into the light...
****************
Victor cowered in the shade of the swamp with Tash and shivered at the cold that reached into his bones. The monitors flew overhead and the sounds of armies tramping through the marsh came at them from all sides. Tash gripped his hand and squeezed. The signal. They broke cover and ran, Tash firing at the closest soldiers. Victor watched as the bullets passed through them harmlessly.
They managed to get some luck as they hopped over some moist ground. The ground was too saturated to support the 400-plus pounds of the battle fiends. It did not slow the shadows, however, they were close enough for Victor to feel the dread that they radiated among humans.
Victor and Tash cleared the trees and broke into a full run, while behind them the beasts morphed into great cat-like forms and ran them down. Tash was ripped to shreds as they others held Victor helpless and forced him to watch. Soon Vrithetek stood over him. "You can never escape me. My allies are legion, your allies are annoyances. Come home, Victor. We've missed you."
****************
Victor was trapped in the Thessalan orb. He could feel the energies of the beings around him, but he could not see anything. Then a will...a voice...came to him. "I command you. You cannot resist. You will become part of me"
Victor was swept into a maelstrom of force. He could feel his essence being dismantled and dissolved. He was being eaten by Vrithetek. His last thought was, * I wonder what I taste like? *
********************
Victor opened one eye (the other flat out refused to work). He was moving only because someone was carrying him. Matthias? He wasn't sure. He had survived, but the fire of pain that had awakened as well was telling him in no uncertain terms he would not be happy about it.
The slimy ichor that served as his internal fluids was leaking all over the back of his rescuer. Victor hoped that he wouldn't mind, whoever he was.
Each step was a new experience in pain, but Victor knew he couldn't walk on his own. His arms and legs were practically useless from the abuse that had been heaped on them. His chitin could barely support his apparent weight much less his actual weight.
His rescuer laid Victor on top of a dumpster and Victor could finally see it was Matthias. "Good! You are conscious at last," said Matthias, "You can give me some company. I don't have to tell you that you weigh a ton. Good thing I can still draw on the strength of the earth."
Matthias rubbed his feet, "But the pavement isn't all that happy about yielding to me, and is letting me know."
Victor wanted to laugh, but was afraid he would pass out again. He wasn't prepared for another experience. Once every 2000 years was more than enough. "The Beazor?" he managed to sound intelligible.
"Fire," said Matthias.
"And you?" asked Victor. Simple words were less painful.
"I'll be okay, but remind me never to let you in again. That was somewhat unpleasant. Interesting, but not a 'let's-do-this-again' experience. How about you?"
Victor's answer was simple, "Pain. But I can feel all my limbs so I will recover."
"Fair enough," said Matthias, "Time to get back to Bibliophile. Long walk unless you can fly..." His voice trailed off.
Victor could remember the thrill and the pain that Matthias felt from their brief time together. The darkness inside of him was still laughing. * You are next, soul-boy *
* Never again. I will force you out one day. *
* Then what will you have left? *
Victor wasn't sure which was worse, a soul that asked tough questions or a corruption that did.
Blood Dreams
A cool, refreshing breeze caressed Jade's face as she wandered out to the balcony. Music - velvety and soothing - played softly behind her...
She sensed rather than heard Sorrow approach. His hand brushed her arm and Jade smiled to herself as his voice sounded in her ear.
"Dance with me darling..."
Sorrow's arms circled Jade's slim waist as she turned around, the hunger in his eyes making them burn like twin emeralds. They raked over her body, resplendent in a deep red, skin tight gown that showed off every curve to perfection. Her skin gleamed like an illuminated pearl against the plunging neckline, fiery gemstones glittered around her throat. He'd never seen her look so sensual, so beautiful...
Jade threw back her head and laughed aloud as Sorrow twirled her back into the ballroom. She leaned against him, revelling in the feel of his muscular body pressed against hers as he spun her around expertly to the music.
As they took to the center of the dance floor, the tempo of the music changed. Sorrow stood behind Jade, pulling her tight against his body. Her blood surged in time to the music and they began to dance... A small audience gathered and watched in silent admiration as they whirled to the hot tango rhythm... Their movements were fluid, yet every step spoke of a mating ritual that was almost primitive in nature.
Sorrow backed Jade across the dance floor in time to the music. They reached the edge and they turned, Sorrow trailed his hands down her body, then slipped his arm around her waist and lowered her in a graceful dip. Jade abandoned herself to the sensuous music, her skin was aflame as Sorrow spun her away from him. His eyes showed cruel desire as they met hers, then he pulled her to him again.
Their heartbeats seemed to accelerate to match the music's building crescendo... As Sorrow's nails bit into the bare flesh of her shoulders, Jade's gasp of shocked pleasure was swallowed by a possessive kiss. The room's onlookers seemed to disappear... All that remained was the heat of his kiss... the depth of his eyes... and the sharp taste of him on her tongue...
The music died off and the soft lilt of a waltz took over where the tango's driving beat ended. Jade and Sorrow remained locked in each other's arms, seemingly oblivious to the other dancers that started to drift back onto the dance floor...
Finally, he lifted his head. Reaching up, Sorrow touched his lower lip and stared at the blood that was smeared on his thumb. Gazing down, he met Jade's eyes as she licked her lips, unable to look away from the gleaming white of her smile. Her incisors had lengthened into lethally sharp points, her lips slightly stained with the blood she'd drawn from him...
"It's time, my love..." She whispered, her eyes never wavering from his as she flicked her tongue out to lick away the blood on his thumb.
Sorrow jerked from Jade's embrace, his face going dead white. He raised his arms to push her back and she caught his wrists, "It's me, love..." as she closed the distance between them.
Rooted to the spot, Sorrow gasped as Jade stretched up to place her lips on his unyielding neck. He wrapped his arms around her as the sharp points sank into his throat. Moments later, she lowered him to the floor... His eyes focused on nothing as she leaned over him, "Wait for me..."
As Sorrow collapsed, those nearest them turned towards him and Jade. The surprise on their faces slowly changed to disbelief as they took in the sight of Jade, blood dripping from her fangs. She stood there, letting them look their fill and slowly ran her tongue over her lower lip, before smiling in delicious abandon... As her eyes swept across the room, an unmistakable evil shining in their depths, panic started to set in.
Jade gestured with her left hand and a cool wind blew through the ballroom, the main doors slammed shut with an ominous click... Several men shouted as they struggled futilely to reopen them...
A blur of speed brought her before one of them and she smiled coquettishly at him as he gaped at her. "The party isn't over yet..." A viperish lunge brought her fangs to his throat but she'd barely fed before she twisted her head, ripping it out. She ran a finger across the base of her neck, picking up a little of the blood that had splattered there. Sucking it slowly from her fingers, she asked, "Who's next?"
Mass hysteria broke out as she turned back towards the crowd, her beautiful face deadly calm. A mere flick of a finger, however, had a blanket of silence fall across the room...
Jade spun around very slowly, taking in the paralysed forms of an entire roomful of people. *Humans... Such simple creatures to control if you know how.* The rush of power she felt at that was incredible... Never before had she felt so liberated, so satisfied. And to think she'd had it in her all this time!
Jade smiled, almost benignly, as she came to a stop in front of an attractive, middle-aged woman. "Now now," she said playfully, "why the glum face? Isn't tonight's little soiree suppose to be the party of the year?" She moved in closer, "I just love your gown." Her hands brushed against the ivory silk appreciatively, heedless of the trembling body beneath. Suddenly, with one powerful motion, she ripped the fabric from the woman's frame, leaving her frozen in place, totally naked.
Those who were able averted their eyes, making Jade laugh. "Such modesty?" She mocked as she trailed a finger between the valley of the woman's breasts. Her mouth was moving in silent prayer, her eyes rolling back as terror threatened to overwhelm. Jade seemed oblivious to the woman's fear as she continued her leisurely exploration. "Such soft, smooth skin too. It's no wonder you carry off pastel colors so well." The pointed end of a fingernail sliced open the woman's arm from shoulder to wrist, causing a river of hot blood to gush forth.
The woman's screams were soon reduced to choked whimpers... "Oh, by the way, I am most impartial. I promise you that each and every one of you will get your turn." Jade announced with a smile as she stepped away from the dying woman and debated her next victim.
True to her word, by the time Jade left the ballroom an hour later, not one of the 60 guests remained alive. The floor's carpet had long since become a crimson sea of blood... those that had been left till the very end had all gone mad from the tormented, agonised screams of those she'd tortured and killed first.
Jade returned to Sorrow and pressed her bloodstained lips to his. "Wake up darling... It's time we left."
She helped him stand and gestured idly with her hand. An oval shimmered into existence before the couple; a window to another place... It showed a bedroom draped in rich dark velvets, opulent and luxurious. They stepped through, leaving behind them the hellhole that Jade had created. She couldn't help but look back, smiling at she did at the stench of suffering and violent death...
***************************
Within the darkened confines of a mansion set high above the city, someone else smiled. As he opened his eyes, Valerian's expression was one of extreme content. The exhaustion he felt was practically negligible... he would, after all, be revived once he'd fed enough. Nothing would have been too great a price for what he'd accomplished tonight. Even if it'd only been in the virtual world of Jade's dreams, at least he'd been able to let her experience the extent of the power she had within her.
Or rather... the power she would have once she gave in to her dark side...
The Offer
The bloodshed of the battle didn't disturb Talhu that much. He had been telling the truth when he told Kate that he had seen worse. When you fought at places such as Antitem and Tetobergerwald, serving in the army to evade demon hunters, you eventually got desensitized to the violence. What disturbed Talhu by the time he got home was the realization that his other shirts had been left in the first motel after leaving Daye. Even in the bad parts of town, walking around in a bloody suit tended to draw attention.
After turning on the lights to the motel, it was only a mild surprise to see Alaric waiting for him. His manner of dress was different than usual. "Ah, Pravus," he said, standing up from the chair. "At last you return. Black Jem is no longer any concern of yours. Did you take my advice?"
Talhu nodded. "Why didn't you tell me about the attack beforehand?"
"My apologies. It was necessary for Kate to believe that you had at most only the vaugest idea of what would happen - a trust building measure between the two of you. By the way, how did it go?" Talhu described the events in gory detail, mentioning in the end the fact that he was without a clean shirt. Alaric pulled off his trenchoat and handed it to Talhu, along with a wad of money. "Take this - you need to get new clothes. It will hardly do for you to draw attention to yourself by walking down the street in a bloody suit."
The orange demon started to leave after doing this, then turned back to Talhu. "By the way, Pravus. My organization has heard rumors that you once tried to claim the Cloch Cosan. If you don't mind my asking, what were you going to use it to obtain?"
*Why should you want to know?* Talhu thought. He had to consider his words carefully. Alaric seemed to know everything that was going on. How much power and influence he had, Talhu did not know. Answering the question seemed prudent to him, however, given the amount that he had shown in the past. "What anyone else would want. To go home."
"Ah, yes. And tell me, Pravus, what do you expect to find when you get home?" Talhu was silent on this point. "You must know by now that the Cloch will not give you what you want. I heard about Paris - and yet not heard about anybody coming as close as you did without some indication of wrongness."
He considered what Alaric said. The orange demon continued. "It has been how many centuries that you have been here? Yet you continue to cling to a hope you know to be worthless - out of fear of being robbed of any purpose in life." Talhu said nothing, though somewhere in his subconscious he knew that Alaric was speaking the truth. "You don't need to fear that, Pravus. I can give you a new purpose."
"Really," he replied, finally speaking. "Tell me more." The two demons began to talk through the night.
Back At Bibliophile
Jade jerked awake, spots of perspiration beading on her forehead. Her hands were icy as she glanced around, assuring herself that she and Tris were still in the limousine outside Bibliophile... Barely 30 minutes had passed since they'd arrived. *I don't even remember dozing off...*
Sorrow stirred and looked at her, the pain he was feeling reflected in his eyes, "What's wrong?"
Because she wasn't sure she was able to speak, Jade just shook her head and kissed his cheek before opening the limo door and sliding out. She fumbled for her cigarettes and lit one with trembling fingers as she mentally replayed the dream in her head, the wisps of smoke curling around her like thin grey fingers in the semi-darkness of night.
***************
Matthias plodded step by step along the street. The various people out in the crisp night air stared at the strange sight of him carrying Victor over his shoulders. A few offered to help, but Matthias just smiled at them, and winked. Moments after he had passed, they forgot what they had seen.
He rounded the corner onto the street where Bibliophile was situated. *Home stretch,* thought Matthias. *Then I can rest my poor feet. *
***************
Jade continued to pace, repeatedly looking at her watch as she did so. Time seemed to be crawling by, each second longer than the next. There was no telling how long it would take the others to get back. "Or if," she thought darkly, "all of us will make it back at all!"
*Bloodshed... Torture... Agony... Massacre...*
Jade's vision blurred for a moment as horrific images flashed through her mind's eye. She shook her head, as if to clear it, and forced herself to concentrate on the issue at hand. There were more important things to deal with right now, like how the bringing together of four crystals was going to affect each of them, assuming, of course, that all had gone according to plan.
The sound of an approaching motorcycle interrupted her brooding and Jade stubbed out her cigarette as she looked up...
***************
Matthias could hear a motorcycle approaching. His sensitivity perked up and he could feel evil and pain. Like a terrifying freight train barreling down on him. He broke into a jog, ignoring the pain in his legs and feet. He had to be there to receive her... comfort her. He was sure it would mean all the difference to her and her fate.
He kicked at the door, sending it banging open, and ran to the back of the cafe where they were planning to meet. He roughly dropped Victor into the booth and turned to see where she was.
Sorrow got out of the limo and looked towards Jade. "Someone is in a hurry..." he rasped. He leant against the car for a moment, breathing shallowly, "Shall we join them?"
Matthias watched as Sorrow then Jade left the limo out front. The two were obviously very weakened as they leaned on each other and walked to the broken door. He could hear the engine of the bike revving higher. He could hear the lines from MacBeth running through his mind:
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks!
***************
As she rode up the street towards Bibliophile, Tash could see Sorrow and Jade entering the shop. *Perfect.* The bike’s motor sputtered to a stop. Tash couldn’t believe she’d actually made it back to Bibliophile alive. She felt Daye start awake behind her, and dismount. Tash moved slowly, trying to minimise the agony to her back. Each small motion caused a river of fire through her, and she felt dizzy.
Daye touched her arm and looked at Tash, concerned. But Tash shook her head and motioned towards the door of Bibliophile. “You can heal me in a minute. Let’s get inside first.”
As Daye nodded and walked towards the door, Tash’s mouth curled into a sly smile behind her.
The door to Bibliophile was standing ajar, its lock broken. Daye entered, and Tash slipped the HK out of its holster and held it loosely by her side as she followed. She struggled to stay upright, but she knew what she had to do.
*It’s the only way to finish my job. Kill all the monsters. All of them…*
*Including Victor?* *Including Victor.*
Tash paused in the doorway, leaning against the jamb for support. Her knees wanted to buckle, but she was resolved. She surveyed the room, briefly.
Daye, Sorrow and Jade were in the front of the shop. Jade looked tired, but unharmed. Sorrow looked near collapse. Daye had healed some of her own wounds, but was looking very distracted and jittery.
Matthias was further back, and Tash couldn't see Victor. She could sense him, though, his pain cutting through her own hurt.
Matthias was the most immediate danger to her. She didn't dare kill him, since she didn't know where his crystals were, but he had to be slowed down.
*This is Matthias...*
*I won't kill him - not yet.*
Tash raised the gun and pointed it at her friend and mentor. She started to squeeze the trigger....
Matthias raised his hand and tried to throw out some protection. He was trying to protect her as well.
Victor lay in his pain and felt more than saw the events around him. *Stay down, this should be good.* *No. All the more reason to rise.*
Tash fired, but the bullet merely smashed into the wall behind Matthias. *Damn, I have to be committed to this. Try harder! It's the only way.*
She resettled her aim - the world seemed to be in slow motion. This bullet wouldn't miss....
Victor twitched at the sound of the shot. He tried to rise, but he could not muster the strength. He tried to pull himself out of the confining booth, but he could not grip the slick vinyl. He threw himself off the side of the seat and knocked the table aside. He raised an arm to Tash and pleaded to her, "Fight it!"
Daye started at the sound of the gun fire. She turned towards the sound and shook her head at the sight of Tash standing nearby with her gun pointed at her friend Matthias. Daye had been briefly introduced to him at XY earlier and she couldn’t imagine why Tash would be attacking him now. Daye was feeling a bit disoriented still, though, so she gripped her staff with two hands and stood ready as events continued to unfold before her.
Again Tash began to squeeze the trigger, then she spotted Victor struggling to rise from a booth behind Matthias.
She froze, the trigger on a hair. *I love him, and he loves me.... Hold onto that.*
Slowly she relaxed her finger, releasing the trigger. Almost in a daze, she clicked on the safety then held the gun out by its barrel. "Someone take this, quick!"
Jade moved quickly and was by Tash's side almost before she'd finished speaking. She reached out cautiously, taking the gun in a firm grasp, sliding it out of her friend's hand. The internal conflict Tash had been feeling just a few seconds earlier had played across her face clearly enough. Jade wasn't taking any chances, just in case Tash's inner demons took control again. She tossed the weapon to Sorrow, who caught it deftly, before turning back to Tash and wrapping an arm around her waist.
"You're hurt pretty bad," she said gently, "Hold on to me, we'll get you inside, with Victor, and see if we can start patching everyone up." Jade figured that Tash would be less likely to succumb to the powers of the Shards if she had Victor beside her... He seemed to be the only one able to get through when the crystals had her in their thrall.
Tash shuddered at Jade's touch. She had thought the pain in her back and head couldn't get any worse, but she'd been wrong. She murmured weakly, "I'm sorry..." before her legs finally gave way and she slid into Jade's grasp, all her weight bearing on Jade's slight frame.
Jade's knees buckled slightly but she held firm, grasping Tash closer to her as Matthias and Daye rushed forward. Together, the three of them carried the unconscious Tash in and laid her out on the table next to Victor's booth.
Matthias lifted Victor back into the seat so they could reach each other across the space. He moved the table so that Victor's extended hand could be held by Tash.
Daye came out of her fugue at the sight of Tash collapsing from pain and fatigue. The healer and caretaker within her took over and she followed the others as they took care to move her new friend inside.
Sorrow moved aside, unloading the gun as he went, sliding out the clip and clearing the chamber. He stumbled to a booth and gathered himself. Jade's eyes were clouded with worry as she made her way over to Sorrow, slipping in next to him. The pendant had turned blackish again, his pain was evidently getting worse. She knew he was utterly exhausted and wasn't sure how much more he'd be able to take.
The pain was making it difficult for Sorrow to hold his shields, the clear harmony of four crystals rang through the room and Sorrow knew the first touch of real fear that night. *They might get us all.* He desperately tried to shut himself off from them as their seductive siren song wrapped itself around his pain-wracked mind.
"We need to shield them somehow, otherwise we are lost." He wanted so much to just let it all go, to take what they offered, it would be so easy.
Sorrow lapsed into silence as he sank into the pain, trying to use it to ward off the sense of absolute peace that hung, tempting, just out of reach in the pouch at Tash's waist.
Matthias removed the pouch from Tash's waist and paused for a moment holding it dangling from his hand. Tash struggled weakly as she felt fingers removing the crystals from her waist. "No, they're mine..." Then the darkness overtook her again and she sank back into her semi-stupor.
Daye laid her hands upon Tash and concentrated, blocking everything else from her mind as she let her own power and warmth flow from her hands into Tash’s body, healing the hurts she found there.
Matthias seemed lost in thought as the voices spoke to him. Then he remembered the oak from the park...
Matthias stepped back from the table, and found a place far from the others. He pulled out some chalk, drew a circle around himself and murmured a brief incantation.
"The spell I work must be made in rhyme,
This is for your protection, as much as for mine.
The call is of the shards is strong.
I don't want them to call out wrong
to you at an inopportune time."
The circle glowed briefly, then the chalk disappeared. Matthias seated himself on the floor and began to meditate. He was drained, his feet hurt and he wasn't sure how long he could resist these malicious little voices. But each crystal he damped would be one less to fight as he went along.
The sudden soft light caught Jade's attention and she offered up a silent prayer that Matthias would have the strength to complete the ward on all four Shards. She sensed their presence - evil permeated the air - but, unlike Lethe, they seemed to have little effect on her.
Her friends, however, were obviously susceptible... Jade looked over to where Daye was tending to Tash and Victor and then to Sorrow who was resting his head on her lap. She touched his forehead gently. *Please, don't give in to the pain. Don't listen to the Shards, whatever they promise you. Stay with me my love. Please.*
***************
Kate pushed open the broken door to the Bibliophile. *So, things have already gone wrong,* she thought grimly as she crossed the threshold, Luc following closely. She gasped as she observed the scene inside the shop. Things were much worse than she had expected. Suddenly Kate felt a whistling breeze push through her.
*Remember us? Remember all we can give you? The answers...*
Kate felt the power of the Shards flow through her body rapidly, powerful, strong, alluring. She had prepared herself for the effects of the Shards but even so, the power of four was amazing. She grasped the box containing the Stones of Bishamon tighter in her hands as she fought to regain her balance. It took her a moment, then she took a step forward. It was overwhelming, crushing, the whispering was loud like rushing water, pressing against her mind.
As Kate re-composed herself, she looked around the room, she was at a loss where to begin. She suddenly noticed the bullet hole in the wall and Tash's gun dismantled on the table, "What on Earth has been going on?" she inquired.
"Too much to explain right now." Jade took in the state of Kate's clothes, which were ripped and covered in dark red stains. The coppery, pungent smell of blood assailed Jade's nostrils and she fought to suppress a shudder as dark visions threatened to overwhelm her once again. She could almost taste it, tangy on her tongue, as she recalled the rush of power it gave her.
Knowing the extent of Kate's psychic powers, Jade reigned in her thoughts before Kate started reading them like an open book. She scanned the couple - despite their dismal appearance, they seemed to be in relative good health.
"Daye and I could use a hand, she's doing all she can for Tash and Victor but there's a lot of damage to repair between the two of them... And since I'm no healer, Tristan's been in a pretty bad way but I haven't been able to do much for him..." Jade gestured rather helplessly at Sorrow.
In the booth, Victor could sense how weak Tash's own unique life force was. Daye, despite her own injuries, was valiantly trying to restore her. Her grip on his hand was steady, but very, very weak.
Victor gathered what he could of his power and passed his fingers into her hand, touching the part of her that he loved.
* Be strong my love. I am by your side. *
Tash could feel the hard table beneath her, and the warmth of Victor's hand in hers. She felt his strength, and his pain. The crystals battered at her mind still, but somehow she felt more able to resist them. The thoughts no longer felt like her own.
Then she felt a new strength flow into her. Victor's thought came to her and she smiled through her torment. *I know. It was only the thought of you that saved me.*
Daye was pleased to feel Victor’s strength bolstering Tash. It made healing her much easier. Yet, as she worked, she felt a deep loneliness gathering within her. The shards had attempted to undermine her faith in the love she had experienced with Ryan, but despite that, seeing Tash and Victor so close made her mourn anew for what she herself had lost. Daye concentrated on mending Tash, but in the back of her mind all her thoughts were consumed with the grief she had known.
Kate observed the scene once more, she was glad Victor had been able to temporarily remove the threat on Tash's life, she needed to concentrate on removing the threat of the shards. While everyone seemed to be calming in response to them, she realised it was only a matter of time before they tried a new way of entering their thoughts.
Matthias lowered the ring long enough to let in Kate, but he quickly raised it again. He whispered to her, "We cannot trust the others. We can barely trust ourselves. How do we use those rocks of yours?"
Kate nodded solemnly, "It's fairly simple," she said picking up the piece of chalk Matthias himself had used to draw his circle.
She allowed her fingers to travel around its perimeter until she found the most northern point within. She held the chalk over the smooth wooden floor and slowly drew her lines, strong and firmly. Eventually she completed the form of a pentagram. Kate gathered the Shards in her hands and placed them in the center. Then she removed the five Stones of Bishamon from the box, placing each one at a point on the pentagram.
"The Stones will draw energy into the circle to counteract the effects of the Shards. It works on a one way energy flow, in but not out." She cleared her mind and focused, loosening the tension in her body, after a while she continued. "Okay, you can remove the ring now."
Matthias nodded and dropped the protection. Then he stepped gingerly out of the circle, being careful to avoid the chalk lines. Kate also stepped out of the circle, although she knelt at the very edge. She leant in closely, holding her arms above the center, her hands facing downwards and began to chant...
"Draw in the Power
Draw in the Light, To restrain the Harmful, To keep back the Night.
To Contain the Potent, I bid you Revive.
And call on thee Bishamon, The Power of Five."
Kate held her position over the pentagram. There was a crackling sound like electricity around the five Stones of Bishamon, then white light ran along the points of the pentagram, converging into one around the four glowing Shards.
The light suddenly shot up into an arc, forming a force field around them. There was also a rushing intake of energy from the outside that forced Kate to stumble back. The arc glowed with an intense light, strong and bright.
Jade winced and shielded her eyes from the sudden burst of light that pierced through Bibliophile's gloom. It was as if someone had flicked a switch. The evil shriek she'd felt since Tash arrived at the cafe had all but disappeared, leaving only a soft, indecipherable murmur in its wake. She felt Sorrow relax considerably and sighed in relief.
A soft groan from the next table indicated that both Tash and Victor had felt the change too. Jade caught Daye's eye as she went about her healing and asked quietly, "Don't suppose you need any help?"
Daye smiled and shook her head. "No, I've got this. Stay with him," she nodded at Sorrow, "I think he needs you more right now than these two do."
Daye continued her efforts at healing Tash. The damage done to her had been extensive. She had several broken bones and lacerations, as well as some serious internal injuries. Daye slowly let her energy and power flow through all the areas of Tash’s body. She knit bones, envisioning the parts repairing and growing together. She pictured each broken piece as whole and slowly they were. Daye felt the energy ebbing from her own body and knew when Tash was as whole as she could make her. Exhausted, she stepped away from Tash and glanced around for a chair, falling into it. She was physically and mentally exhausted, her body bruised and sore. She glanced around the room, noting that Matthias and Kate seemed to finally be getting the Shards under control. Daye could no longer feel them tickling at the edge of her consciousness. She looked long and hard at everyone around her and realized that somehow, by some miracle, everyone had survived. So, despite how she felt, Daye felt her lips curve into a satisfied, delighted smile.
Tash felt an enormous pressure ease as the flash of light penetrated her darkness. Her head felt clearer. She could feel the healing energy coming from Daye, and knew that although she was far from strong she was much better.
Then the memory of the past hour came back to her. *Oh, God, I was going to kill everyone.* She felt an incredible shame well up. *How could I let myself get that badly drawn in?* She gripped Victor's hand tightly as she felt hot tears of shame seep from the corners of her eyes.
* Not you. It was something outside of you, something controlling you. You were weakened, but considering what you have been through, it was remarkable you were strong enough to resist at all. *
Victor had never felt so close to her as he did now. They were here, and they had succeeded. He was content to relax if only for a moment. His troubled dreams seemed miles away, and his soul was whole and content.
* And that’s when I come through the clearest, isn't it? Listen to the chorus. Far away to be sure, but they sing beautifully don't they? *
Through the connection they still had, Tash felt Victor's despair at that last voice. *My love, I'm here for you, always.* Tash knew it wasn't much, but it was all she had to offer. Herself.
Sorrow raised his head; the actinic glow from Kate's spell had faded somewhat. He looked around Bibliophile. *Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it?*
Recovery
Tash raised her head. The room didn't spin. *This is an improvement.* Daye's efforts had eased most of her hurts, but she figured she'd be pretty stiff for several days.
Victor seemed to be listening to the others around him from the end of a long tunnel. He could hear Matthias saying he had to stay, and the others were feeling a need to return to their homes to recover. *Home,* thought Victor, *I have never wanted to go home.* But as he thought about the building at Poplar Avenue he had that same warm feeling he had felt that first day in LA. * Maybe 'home' isn't in Gr'Nath any more.*
Victor was lying on the bench at Tash’s side, his hand clasped firmly in hers. She could feel the impression of broken bones beneath her fingers, and knew that the glamour was trying to replicate the damage to Victor's chitin. *You could have been killed, you crazy fool,* she thought through the link that connected them still.
Victor smiled inside.*It seems worse than it is. The worst part is not being able to stand. But it was worth it. If Matthias had not sold the tale, it would have been close to disastrous.* He could feel her questions mounting. *It went more or less as planned. Except for Tempest. I lost track of him in the chaos. I told Kain that I had given the crystals to the Lords of the Fae and Matthias provided the proof. But there was one thing that terrifies me more than those crystals. Kain has a superior, and he is here in LA.*
*Hmm, and there's another one somewhere around, too. It was in the house...* Tash's thoughts became muddled as she recalled Yvonne and the girls.
*Children?* Victor felt the fleeting thought. *And you care for them? What sort of evil was Kain doing there in Pasadena?*
Tash had to remind herself that Victor didn't have much experience with human emotion. *It wasn't the girls' fault they were caught up in this. Who else would protect them if not me? Their mother had just been killed. I still don't know if they're OK.* Tash slid to the edge of the table to find Kate and ask her about the girls, but she saw Matthias first.
Herself pointing her gun at Matthias, meaning to shoot him...
She bit her lip. "Matthias..." she started.
Matthias looked up and saw Tash's distress. Knowing the cause, he moved to the table and knelt beside her. Taking her free hand in his, he said, "I know you well enough to know that you would never miss at that range, if you really meant to hit me."
Tash still felt horribly guilty. "But part of me did want to...I was going to try to get them all." She shuddered at the memory of how powerful just four of the stones had been.
Matthias squeezed her hand gently. "I'm just glad you got through it. Not everyone would have been able to hang on as long as you did." Matthias felt a profound relief rising within him. For a moment he'd been so frightened that he'd lost Tash.
Tash smiled wanly. It wasn't often she could hear Matthias' thoughts, but that one had jumped out at her. "I thought I'd lost me, too." The night wasn't over yet, though. "Help me with Victor? We need to get him home."
Matthias and Tash managed to get him off the bench but it wasn't until Jade lent a hand that they managed to carry him outside to the limo. "Sorry. I feel so useless like this," Victor said. It was humbling to be such a dead weight...literally. Once he was inside and laid out on the seat he waited for Tash to get inside. He could still feel the stirrings of her emotions, but the clarity of her thoughts was gone. Victor felt very alone.
*You always have me,* and the laughter was very cruel.
Tash winced at every step. Though she no longer thought she'd pass out, her back felt as though she'd been beaten with a large bat. *At least it's no longer bleeding.* She looked at her bike, parked outside Bibliophile. Then at the limo, with Victor lying on the seat. She had to stay with him. *Damn it.* She gestured to Matthias, and the bike. He nodded. Relieved, Tash eased herself beside Victor as Matthias wheeled the bike back inside with him.
Tash gently stroked Victor's head, trying to make sense of what she was picking up from him. "You're not alone. I'm always here for you, my love. Even when we're apart."
Victor smiled weakly. He knew in his heart that she would always be with him. But that didn't make him not be afraid of the dark. "Good to have you near to me, anyways," he said.
Outside in the street Matthias braced himself for the task of damping the crystals. It would be well into the next day before he had them all quieted. Then there was the arduous task of placing them in safe places throughout the city. He shook his head sadly. *All of this came from us trusting the humans with magic, and look at the trust they have placed in me. I cannot falter or weaken. As long as I am deserving of their trust I may still be able to end this threat forever.*
Matthias pulled out a small metal tine from his jacket. It vibrated slightly in the cool breeze. The tone was clear and high. "Soon," whispered Matthias. And carefully placed the fork back into his jacket. He rolled up his sleeves and mopped his brow with a frilly hanky. "Back to work," he said to himself.
Though none of them were exactly in peak form, between Tash, Sorrow and Jade they managed to lug Victor up the two flights of stairs to Tash's apartment. Once Victor was safely, if not comfortably, placed on the bed Jade and Sorrow took their leave.
Nobody spoke. They were all too exhausted. As Jade passed through the living room she paused and placed Tash's gun on the coffee table. Tash grimaced, then smiled her thanks at Jade as she turned to leave.
Making her way back to Victor, Tash passed by the bathroom door. *No, I don't want to know.* She could assess her own damage later. Right now, Victor was in desperate need of attention. She peeled off her gloves and decided they were so torn that she really had to buy new ones. She repressed a shudder - she hated breaking in new gloves. Throwing them to the floor, she knelt beside Victor and removed his clothing as gently as she could.
Victor winced as she peeled off the clothing. Where the glamour lied about blood, Victor knew it was drenched in sticky ichor. "Better burn those. They will get ripe pretty quick, I can tell you," he warned.
Victor was able to turn his body slightly enough to allow her to pull off his shirt and pants. Then as he lay there naked on her bed, he flopped a limp hand on hers, "I told you I would come back."
"Only barely, by the looks of it." She leaned forward for a long kiss. "I was so scared," she whispered. "They almost convinced me not to love you. If it hadn't been for you, and how I feel..." A single tear hung from her eye for a moment before splashing onto Victor's cheek.
Victor could not cry. His burning red eyes were not designed for it. But the salty tear streamed warmly down his cheek, and he felt it was an echo of the tears he wished he could shed. "I knew your love could conquer any evil. It has already done it once," he said.
"Deep in the Beazor I kept holding onto the love you have given me. More than the fate of the world, it was you and my friends that I knew I could never betray. Your love was the strength I needed to resist the temptation."
Tash let her eyes show her response to Victor, then closed them to find her centre. She was becoming quite used to doing this now, and was quickly able to reach the point where she could break through the glamour. She hissed at the extent of the damage to his exoskeleton. Fissures ran along the length of his thorax - for want of a better word - and none of his limbs had escaped unscathed. There were literally hundreds of cracks. Gathering the oozing slime in her hands, she began to fill them, starting with the largest.
Though she tried to work both quickly and gently, Tash knew she was hurting him. After what seemed like hours, but her bedside clock told her was only fifteen minutes, she'd finished the front half. "I'm afraid you'll have to turn over, love. I need to polyfiller your back now..."
"Make sure you give it a good sanding and an extra coat of wax!" he joked back. Despite all the pain, he was feeling better. The ichor was beginning to thicken in place, and he could feel some rigidity returning to his hands and arms.
Grinning at his good humour, despite his evident pain, Tash helped roll him over so she could start on his back.
As Tash smoothed over the damage, the process sped up, the even coating of slime making his chitin resume a more or less regular surface. She was working on his legs when a huge chunk came loose in her hands. He looked back at her holding the black semi-translucent piece of his shell.
"It’s okay, I think that is where I am shedding some," he said. "Remember when my leg was broken a few days ago? As my body repairs itself I grow a new shell to replace the damaged sections. Unfortunately, damage this extensive means I will likely have to shed all of my armor."
"But won't that leave you vulnerable?" Tash worried.
"I will be vulnerable for a week or so while the new armor hardens. Hmm. The way things are going I might have to get a spell or something so I am not seriously threatened by Mrs. White downstairs."
She continued working, but she was beginning to get tired and her control was slipping slightly. Victor's form began to flash between demon and human. The times she couldn't see through the glamour, she got visions....
A gorilla screamed and charged Victor.
The Orb shone in front of him. It contained everything he ever wanted. All he had to do was talk...
He offered Matthias power beyond imagining, and all he wanted to do was play with it. He had no respect. Peter Pan, indeed!
Vrithetek's rage as the Orb shattered beneath Matthias' heel. A primal scream roared in his head as he watched his redemption vanish into powder.
The ancient oak was silent. It has rejected him. There was nothing redeeming within him any more. His connection to Gaia was severed. This was not what he had imagined when this started.
Tash did her best to ignore the snippets that invaded her mind, but realised that Victor had faced far more than a simple beating. *The soul of a martyr. Doesn't he know he already has one?*
She smoothed the last of the ichor and sat back, checking that she hadn't missed anything. "I think you're done. How are you feeling?" she asked, the exhaustion sounding in her voice.
*...he already has one.* The thought echoed through Victor. He shuddered. He had not thought of the merits of his own soul. *And it would be lovely to consume wouldn't it? You could do it you know. You always could.*
Victor began to shake with fear. His dreams, the visions he had while unconscious. He could see the dream as a horrible omen. He rolled over onto his back, "Promise me you will never let me lose sight of the importance of my soul. Promise me!"
Tash's eyes opened wide. She'd never seen Victor this terrified. She cradled his head in her lap, trying to erase his fear with her touch. "Just remember that I love you. Hold onto that."
Victor felt something ugly crawl with disgust deep inside him into the dark. "Yes, I will hold on that."
Tash ignored the cramp in her back and held onto him, just enjoying the closeness. They were both still alive, and together. Nothing else mattered right now.
Our Man Ian
Ian was awake for a few minutes before he opened his eyes. He cracked one eye open and looked at a fuzzy pair of K-Swiss tennis shoes. The thought crossed his mind that he wasn't at home because he didn't own any K-Swiss tennis shoes. Then he vaguely remembered being at a bar where there were sexy women who kind of liked him. He was sure of it. Then a voice over him said "Dude! Come here! I think this guy is dead!"
A second pair of shoes appeared in his limited vision. "Kick him to be sure," said a second voice. Ian chose that moment to move. He groaned and then rolled to a more or les upright position. Something was dangling in his face. He casually brushed it aside and heard something heavy hit the floor.
The four shoes were attached to two kids who had to be about 15 years old. They were dressed in street style, and they were obviously looting this place. Ian surveyed the damaged shop. *They did a thorough job of it.* "Beat it, kids. I might have to kick your arses," he said. He wondered if the belch that followed that statement lessened its impact.
The kids looked as if they might laugh for a second, then waved their hands at him in dismissal and walked out through the broken window. Ian stood unsteadily and looked around. He wondered if this might be that shop with the hot Asian woman with the muscly boyfriend.
The place was dark and it looked as though there wasn't anyone here. No notes, and (unfortunately) no breath mints or chewing gum. Ian licked his dry lips and wandered out onto the street to get his bearings. His watch said it wasn't quite midnight yet, so the bars were open. Looking around, he saw a familiar place across the street. Bob’s Bar. *I wonder if those chicks are still there.*
Ian’s path across the street was less than straight, but he arrived at the door eventually. As he opened it with exaggerated balance, he noticed that the clientele had changed. *Skin problems must be common around here,* he thought. He spotted Cherry (or was it Julie...Cindy?)...one of the girls from earlier in the evening. There were two other guys standing next to her. One of them was kissing her neck.
Undaunted, Ian approached her. "Remember me? I've forgotten your name, why don't you join me for a drink and we can start up where we left off."
The woman's eyes were glazing over, and her mouth was moving but no sound was coming out. Ian squinted at her "Sorry? Didn't catch that: 'Hel..something'? Helen? "
The other man with her grabbed Ian by the arm. "Move on pal, she's got a date."
Ian looked the vamp in the eye, and dangled precariously where the big man was holding him. "You don't know me, 'pal', I could really hurt you!"
There was a glint in the big man’s eye and he pulled Ian upright before brushing Ian's jacket straight again. "Sorry dude, I didn't know," he apologised.
The big man's behaviour made his vampire friend release the girl. "What the hell, Mark. You backin' down?"
Mark shrugged, "He could hurt me," he said.
The other vampire looked confused. "You could squeeze that guy like a zit!"
Ian focused his attention on the other vamp, "Oh yeah, who do you think you are?"
The vampire's eyes widened. "I...I...don't know..." he said.
"See? You're nobody! " Ian went to point him in the chest but missed. He staggered close enough to the vampire to see the blood on his mouth, "And you have bad gums" Ian quipped.
Ian took the girl by the hand, and lifted her around his shoulders. Leaning together, they went to the bar. Ian sat her on a stool, and ordered a whisky for both of them. The girl began to sob, her head on the bar. Ian patted her on the back and told her it would be okay. She looked at his grinning face, blood streaming down her neck, and she believed him, totally.
As they were sitting there a large black man stepped up to Ian. He spun Ian around on his stool and buried his fangs in Ian's neck. Ian pushed him off. "Hey guy! I don't swing that way! If you do, that’s okay...but you need to find another man."
The black vampire looked sheepish and wandered back to another booth where he placed his arm around the man there. Bob rang a bell behind the bar. "No feeding on the paying customers! You know the rules! Next vampire that tries that gets the holy water!" Just for effect, Bob held up the super soaker he kept behind the bar.
Ian finished his drink (and a couple more for the road) then stood, thanked the bartender with a generous tip and headed out the door. The girl he had saved made a feeble attempt to follow, but was too weak. Ian blew her a kiss. "Toottle-oo, I'll see you around!"
Ian wandered down the street through a blur of people and lights. A homeless person asked him for change. Ian said, "Get a job!" and wandered away, not knowing how he had changed the man's life.
He spotted a motorcycle parked outside a coffee bar. *That looks like Tash's bike,* he thought. And as he got closer, he saw a man and a woman sniffing the leather seat. *Wow, this is a strange town,* he thought as he approached.
"Beat it! That's my friend's bike!" he said. The man turned to leave, but the woman was reluctant to let him go.
"What are you going to do about it?" she asked.
Ian looked inside the closed shop. He didn't see Tash, but saw strange lights coming from the back of the shop. He looked back at the woman. "Imagine the worst thing that could happen, and that’s what I'll do!" he threatened.
Her eyes got very wide and she began to shake. She dropped to her knees, "Please! No, not that!" she pleaded.
The man ran, and the woman remained on the street begging. * Well, I'll say this for LA, the people are certainly all talk and no action!* Ian thought to himself.
He walked into Bibliophile and wandered around. He watched Matthias chanting in a circle of light over a crystal. *These crazy Californian religions...* thought Ian. Not finding Tash, he wandered back outside.
He stared at the motorcycle for a long time before deciding it would be okay if he rode it. If Tash didn't know he was drunk, she wouldn't mind too much. Besides, he could charm her into forgiving him. Ian grinned at that. He knew she wanted him, it was the timing that was always wrong. He knew if he caught her at the right time she’d give in.
Ian climbed onto the bike and seeing that the keys were missing, hotwired it. She'd forgive him for that if he fixed it...maybe he’d put some cool stuff in it. GPS or a homing beacon or something.
Ian was several streets away when he realized he had no idea where he was. He tried to focus on the buildings but they were going by too fast. Some jerk on the road wouldn't get out of his way, so Ian told him to "Fuck himself" and he pulled right over. As Ian got into less and less familiar places, he decided to pull over and ask for directions. The late hour meant that the streets were mostly empty. He spotted a pillar of smoke not far away. *People are always hanging around fires,* he thought. So he headed that direction.
As he pulled up to the burning building he noticed that the people were strange looking. He could see horns, and fangs and claws everywhere. *Must be a Goth club or something.* He pulled up to a crowd that was gathering around a stretch limo. "Hey can someone give me a hand.?"
Thirty-five eyes turned to face him. “I need to know how to get to Poplar avenue." he announced.
The laughter was raucous. "Come this way, pal, we'll get you there!"
Ian could hear someone inside giving instructions to the mob, "...and leave nothing alive inside." The window rolled up and the limo pulled away. The crowd migrated to a collection of SUV, Pickup trucks and Harleys and took to the road. Ian felt like he had landed in a scene from "The Road Warrior" as they rolled at breakneck speed down the empty streets.
As they pulled up in front of the brownstone, Ian parked Tash's bike and stepped up to address the crowd that was doing doughnuts and peeling wheels, brandishing weapons in the street.
"Thanks you guys! It’s been great to ride with you all! Have fun on the open road!" he shouted over the din.
The activity stopped like someone had pulled the plug. A big green guy saluted Ian, and gave a wagon-train wave to the others and they rode off in the direction of the rising sun.
Ian muttered to himself, "What a great bunch of guys...". He grunted and pushed the bike up the stairs. *How does Tash do this every day?* he wondered. He reached her apartment and knocked on the door.
Tash muttered and groaned as the knocking on the door continued. She had slid down from her sitting position and was now lying with her arms around Victor. "Can't a girl get a full nights' sleep around here?" she complained as she struggled up.
Ian, standing in the hallway, pounded relentlessly. *I know she's home. I know she doesn't have a life anyway.*
She carefully extricated herself from Victor's embrace and made her way slowly and stiffly to the door. "OK, OK, I'm coming. Who is it?" she called.
"Iannnn," he slurred. He coughed once, "Ian, I have your bike."
Tash's heart stopped. *Oh, my God.* She hurriedly opened the door, anxious to check that it was still in one piece.
Ian stood there leaning against the bike. It looked to be all in one piece. "Sorry for the wires, I'll fix that in the morning. You gotta love me, though, right?"
Tash opened her mouth with one of her usual cutting retorts, then stopped, slightly puzzled. "Yeah, I do..." She held the door open and stepped back, "Why don't you come on in? You'll catch your death out there."
Ian grinned. Looking in the apartment he didn't see any sign of that tall handsome guy, Victor. *Maybe the time is right...* he thought.
He pushed the bike into the lounge, and propped it on its stand. "You would not believe the night I've had. I must be lucky tonight!"
Tash ran her fingers lightly up his arm, "You certainly must be..." She sighed, "It's like I've never looked at you properly before." A small voice in the back of her head was trying to gain her attention, but Tash was too focused on how fantastic Ian looked to notice.
Ian could not believe the turn of events. *She looks hot tonight, even with the cuts and bruises.* He put an arm around her and used his best line, "Give me some sugar, baby."
Tash blushed at his thought. She couldn't believe that someone as dashing and handsome as Ian would think she was hot. She ignored the nagging voice screaming distantly that something was wrong and pressed herself against him to deliver the kiss of his life. Just as her lips were about to reach his, she paused. "What's that on your forehead?"
Ian raised a hand to his head and felt the dent that was there. "Don't know. Hold that thought..." He let go of Tash and headed down the hall to the bathroom. He looked at his forehead and just over his eye was a pentagonal shape. It was pressed into his flesh and had left a red mark. He splashed some cold water on it and rubbed it furiously.
Tash appeared in the doorway of the bathroom, leaning in as sultry a manner as she could manage against the frame. "Don't leave me waiting too long," she purred.
In a few minutes it wasn't gone, but it was at least the same color red as the rest of his forehead. He padded it with a towel, and turned to see Tash. "Where were we honey?" he asked.
Tash straightened and blinked. *Ugh.* She couldn't believe what had just happened. She eyed Ian suspiciously. "What the Hell did you just do to me?"
"Hey, I didn't do anything." he said defensively, "You were just coming on to ME!"
Victor’s voice came out from the bedroom "Tash? Are you okay?"
Fire flashed in Tash's eyes. She took one step forward and slammed a short punch into Ian's stomach. As he doubled over, her other fist smashed into his face, sending him reeling backwards and into the bathtub. She stood over him, her hands on her hips. "You did something to make me," she grimaced, "want you." She grabbed his hair and pulled his head up. "What was that mark? What did you do to me?"
Ian turned slowly green, and made a gagging noise. Tash was sure he was going to blow and stepped out of the way just in time.
"Waaaaguh!" Ian spewed the night’s adventure all down the front of himself.
Tash made a disgusted noise and pushed Ian fully into the bathtub before turning on the taps. Cold water only....
He looked so pathetic with drool on his chin and his forehead with a red mark, Tash just threw up her hands and closed the door. She was fuming as she returned to the bedroom.
Victor was rolled on his side. He was obviously in pain, "Did I hear Ian?"
Tash snorted. "Maybe for the last time if he ever tries that again," the anger in her voice still coming through. She felt humiliated, dirty. “Ugh, I wanted to kiss Ian. Good God...”
Victor rolled back. "It’s not like he saved the world or anything. What made you want to do that?"
Tash's back hurt like Hell but she was too angry to sit down, so she paced instead. "He, I, there was this mark, and he said.... and I .... Ugh!"
“So where is he now? In the bathroom? He sounded drunk. I say leave him there. You can confront him in the morning when he's slept it off."
Tash continued to pace, but slower. "Maybe if I'm lucky he'll drown." She stopped her pacing and looked at Victor. "It was weird, there was some mark on his head, and when he first showed up I felt normal, then he said something and I came over all ... strange. Then he rubbed at it and now I just want to kill him."
Victor listened and wondered about the mark but dismissed it, "Maybe you were just tired. Its been a long night and we have both been through a lot. Noting serious happened. I'd say it was lucky he didn't get hurt...or worse."
Tash shook her head in disbelief. She sometimes had to remind herself that Victor wasn't human, and wasn't always going to react as a human male would in such circumstances. "Nothing serious... only by the merest of chances. This could have become incredibly bad, you know."
Victor closed his eyes and spoke, "But it didn't. Let’s be thankful that nothing more bad happened tonight."
She knelt by the bed and took Victor's hand in hers. "Victor, whatever it was, I wasn't in control. It was like a spell, or something. But if Ian hadn't blurred that mark, I would have... you know..." She blushed and bent her head.
Victor smiled, "I trust you. I love you. And I will always forgive you. If you say it wasn't you and you weren't in control, that’s all I need to know."
Tash nodded wordlessly. But she didn't feel any better.
Ian sat in the tub and let the water run over him. He felt drained and his stomach still hurt. But somewhere deep inside him he felt good. He had done something tonight that made him feel good about himself. But damned if he could remember what that was..
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Valerian's limousine was parked in shadow as he watched the crowd from the theatre slowly disperse. His eyes flickered from one person to the next, looking for just the right one to satisfy his hunger...
His gaze alighted on an Asian couple walking slowly away from the building. *Ahhh, perfect.* He watched them a little while longer, then motioned to the driver. The limo moved slowly away, past the couple and turned down another street about a block away. He got out and waited in the shadows for his meal to pass by...
Valerian waited until they were almost past before stepping out in front of them. The woman's scream died on her lips as his gaze locked on hers. Valerian's hand shot out and gripped the man's throat before he could speak. Behind Valerian the limosine pulled up. "Get in." The woman opened the door and slid into the vehicle.
The man's hands were scrabbling at the steel bar masquerading as Valerian's arm. His struggles became more frantic as Valerian's demon rose to the surface and he was slowly drawn towards the needle sharp fangs. The nightwalker slipped behind his victim. His left arm controlled the man's head, drawing it to one side, exposing the neck while his right hand held him tightly. Valerian's eyes closed as his mouth descended slowly towards the frantically pulsing vein.
Almost delicately, he pierced the jugular, let the dark blood well up slowly to the surface. His tongue lapped at the blood for a moment, then his mouth clamped on the wound and Valerian began to feed in earnest.
His victim for the night was young and full of life, his blood was hot, burning and heady. Valerian drank his fill before he finally raised his head. He glanced at the lifeless form in his arms before absently setting it down on the pavement. The man had served his purpose, it was the other half of the couple that held Valerian's interest...
He walked over to where the limousine was waiting and got in. The woman was in the far corner, facing straight ahead, her eyes staring blankly into space. The flesh revealed by her evening gown was covered in goose pimples. Valerian made a tut-tutting sound at the base of his throat as he reached over to draw her shawl over her shoulders.
As he settled into the soft leather of the seat, the limousine drove away. He took the woman's hand and slowly spread the fingers, pressing her hand into the leather. He moved his lips closer to her neck. She shivered as his breath teased the sensitive flesh. "I promise you this will be the most amazing night of yor life." He nuzzled at her neck, nipping the flesh as his hand slowly caressed her. Her hands slowly kneaded the seat as he continued his attentions. She gave a soft cry of pleasure when his fangs slipped into her throat. Valerian drew her blood for a few seconds than lapped at the wound, cleaning it. Her eyes were dilated in pleasure when Valerian drew away.
"Please..." She said as she pressed herself against him.
"Don't worry, that was just a taste, tonight will be exquisite my dear..."
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Jade helped Sorrow into the guestroom, he was moaning softly in pain, barely aware of his surroundings. Terribly worried, she bit her lip while laying him down, smoothing back his hair as she did so. The agony he was suffering from the backlash did not seem to be abating, if anything, it seemed to have increased ten-fold...
As he settled into the bed, Sorrow cried out once then was still. His breathing was fast and shallow and the occasional growl of pain spilled from his mouth. At a loss as to what else she could do to ease him, Jade slipped under the covers next to Sorrow and wrapped her arms around him, praying that her physical proximity would offer some semblance of comfort, if not relief.
Sorrow's body was burning hot. Yet, he shivered constantly, wracked by pain or chills, she couldn't tell. His arms suddenly clamped around her and pressed her close as he began to mumble incoherently... Lost in the pain, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, Sorrow began to dream...
An old man lies upon the dry earth his lifeblood draining out of his torn throat while his son is slowly stalked by the wolf responsible.
A young man moves stealthily through the darkness. Ahead of him is the long lonely howl of a wolf...
He sits in a tower casting crumbs upon the windowsill, a raven glides in to feast upon his charity...
The field of thorns nestles amongst the meadows, before it stands a supplicant. His hand rests upon the head of a coal black wolf and on his shoulder perches a raven, it's iridescent black feathers contrasting with the snowy white of his robes...
The supplicant's robes are stained a rich red by the blood that runs from his torn and tender flesh, behind him a raven struggles piteously amidst the thorns while by his side the wolf walks on unimpeded...
He follows the wolf beneath an unmarred cerulean blue sky, wielding an effulgent silver blade to cleave a path through thorn bushes. The finger length thorns have ripped his clothes to rags and he bleeds from a hundred cuts.
A drop of blood falls to the dusty earth to be eagerly soaked up, as more blood flows to dampen the ground, thorns suddenly bloom into crimson roses filling the plains from horizon to horizon...
Within a circle of rosebushes a wolf turns at bay, it tests the boundaries constantly and the soft petals are not the only part of the rose to run red...
His blade cuts down the bushes trapping the wolf yet as he does so it turns upon him, as he lies there his body torn by the wolf's fangs, the raven's calls seem all the closer...
Above the wounded body of its mate, a wolf bares its fangs at the darkness and growls a warning...
He rises from his stupor and surrounded by the heady scent of roses seeks to find his way free of the thorns, following the faint calls of the raven for what could be an eternity...
Reaching the edge of thorns at last, he falls for the final time and as his blood seeps into the ground a raven flutters down to the now silent body and begins to feast.
After Bibliophile Part 1
****Bibliophile****
Kate closed the lid of the box containing the shards and the active Stones of Bishamon with finality. “That should hold for a short while. Let’s get home and set things back up there.”
Everyone else had already left Bibliophile for Popular Avenue. Realising that a commercial book store, even one run by the Watcher’s Council, was not the best place to begin dampening the shards Matthias had suggested re-locating the containment spell at Kate’s home in Birch Street. Daye decided she was probably best off staying behind and clearing up the shop – not wanting to incur Mrs Wylding’s curiosity that anything concerning the Council had occurred there after hours. She had already begun to remove the chalk lines from the floor. Luc returned from the outside, holding the door open.
“Okay are we ready to go?”
Kate nodded and picked up the box which hummed with a slight energy charge. The Stones of Bishamon would maintain the containment of the shards for at least forty minutes after being removed from the circle. That would be more than enough time to get back home and re-install the ritual. Luc took Kate’s hand in his, squeezing it in gentle consolation, Matthias following close behind. Moments later they were speeding down the road again…
****Birch Street****
Kate was already re-installing the shards back into the Circle of Containment, but only three this time. Matthias was preparing himself to begin the dampening of the Shard of Malbolgia. He sat on the floor of the attic room, his eyes closed in concentration, his breathing slow and rhythmic…
Kate finished her chanting once more. The same white light ran along the points of the pentagram converging into one, this time around only three Shards. The rushing intake of energy was stronger this time. It threw Kate clear off her feet and into the wall at the other side of the room.
Luc rushed to her side and helped her up. “What happened?”
Kate rubbed the back of her head with slight embarrassment. “Guess I forgot to channel less power, I was still working on the four shard ratio. I must have over estimated.”
Luc held her close. “Matthias, can you cope on your own for a moment?”
Matthias nodded, still maintaining his concentration. Luc led Kate downstairs to the bedroom.
“Luc!” Kate exclaimed in quiet indignation, “Matthias will need us to help him, he’s weakened – there is no way he can dampen all four shards on his own…”
“Kate, slow down for a moment and look at yourself! You need a change of clothes and some sleep.”
“I feel fine,” she cried emphatically. “I feel stronger than I ever have before!”
Luc looked uncomfortable. “That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. You should be completely drained, exhausted by now, but you’re fine. I know you have always had more power than I have, but I know what you are capable of – and tonight, you exceeded that by about a mile!”
Kate looked conflicted; she had no explanations for Luc that would ease his concern. “What do you want me to tell you? I know, I know that my powers have increased, I don’t know for certain why only I, I’ve felt this way ever since that night…”
“Janus,” said Luc angrily. He sighed and sat down on the bed. “When will that woman leave us alone?”
Kate sat next to him and brushed his hair from his face. “I don’t think we will ever be free from her, not completely. As for what has happened to my powers, all I can do is try to control them as best I can. I don’t know what else I can do…”
Luc held her tightly, wrapping his arms around her stiff, bloody clothes. He laid a brief kiss upon her lips…
“I want you to rest now, promise me you’ll get some sleep.” Kate nodded. “Good. I’ll go see if Matthias needs any help. I’ll wake you later okay? There’s no need for you to be setting alarms and the like, I want you to get some quality rest.”
“Okay, okay!” laughed Kate at his repeated insistence. “I promise I will sleep!”
Luc nodded and closed the door behind him as he left the room, making his way up to the attic. Kate removed her ruined clothing, dropping it into the waste paper basket, and then crawled beneath the sheets and closed her eyes.
After Bibliophile Part 2
Matthias slowly came out of his trance state for the second time that morning. It was now approaching 9am. He had been up all night dampening the shards and was beginning to feel the strain, despite the fact that Luc had been using energy transference to maintain his strength. With Malbolgia and Stygia sufficiently contained that just left two more – Ghenna and Styx - to deal with. They both remained in the Circle of Bishamon, buzzing lightly in a quiet resonance.
As the morning sun began to grow brighter and flood the small attic room Luc suggested that they both take a short break before proceeding further. They stumbled down into the kitchen where Luc made them both steaming cups of tea. They sat together in silence for a moment, finally Luc spoke.
“So, I gather you are one of the Fae?” he asked awkwardly.
“That is correct,” confirmed Matthias with a grin as he sipped his tea.
“Kate speaks very highly of you,” Luc blurted out the words almost without thinking, but Matthias didn’t seem to mind the slight accusation that lay in his tone.
“Praise indeed, she is a very charming girl.” He placed his hand reassuringly upon Luc’s shoulder. “You are a lucky man but why do you doubt her heart?” Luc looked confused. “It is obvious that she is very much in love with you. Why do you find that so hard to believe?”
Luc sighed resolutely, “Sometimes I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“I understand. The truth is often the hardest reality to accept, even if it is what we want to believe. Perhaps if you could tell me, I might be able to help you.”
Luc cleared his throat and began, “I was in love with her the moment I first laid eyes on her, and we waited so long to be together. Then I got re-assigned and when I returned she had married someone else. I don’t want to sound like I blame her for that. I know what Logan, t-that was her husband, I know that if he had decided that he wanted Kate he wouldn’t have stopped pursuing her until she gave in.”
Luc grew distant, “He was like that. He had her trapped and I knew when I finally saw her again that she was going to die. Not straight away because she was so strong, but sooner or later that fire, that passionate spirit that I loved so much would burn out.” He closed his eyes painfully, a flood of emotions playing over his face.
“So I, I gave in to her once more and I went against everything that I believed in. I believed that marriage was sacred and as much as I loved her I figured…well I figured that she had made her choice. But when I saw her…Maybe that’s when I began to doubt my faith in her. She betrayed her marriage vows with me and as much as I hated Logan for taking her from me, I pitied him too.”
He sighed, releasing a heavy burden that had lain silent for so many months. “Then she had to run away to America and I couldn’t help but feel like I couldn’t trust her, that I didn’t trust her. It wasn’t helped any when I found out that she came over here with a vampire and that she worked in that hell hole Bob’s, and now she works for Jade who seems a pleasant enough girl but…”
“You don’t have to worry about Jade,” said Matthias hastily. “She does have a vampire side to her, I felt it the moment I met her, but she also has a good heart and she is loyal to her friends.” His voice seemed to catch in his throat for a moment there, for a second it seemed like he was going to say more then he just shook his head resolutely. “It’s nothing…really, you have nothing to fear from Jade.”
Luc nodded reluctantly, “What is really difficult to understand is how she can be so naive as to think that this demon Talhu is actually going to help her…I just can’t help but feel that there is something else, something she isn’t telling me.” He quickly related to Matthias the events of the previous night and the reasons for their being in L.A. and the difficulties with their Coven in England.
“Well you have certainly had your fair share of problems…”
Suddenly he noticed Kate standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She still looked pretty exhausted. She had pulled her hair back from her face and was dressed simply in a vest and a pair of slacks. He was unsure of just how long she had been standing there listening, but from the hurt expression on her face Matthias guessed she had pretty much heard everything they had discussed.
“I thought you were going to wake me up?” she said insouciantly to Luc as she sat down beside him. Luc and Matthias exchanged glances and Kate watched them, a frown growing upon her face. “What’s going on?”
“Kate…” said Matthias gently, placing his hand on hers, “Luc has told me about why you are here in L.A. He’s also informed me of your acquaintance with the demon Talhu.”
Kate shot Luc an angry glare, removing her hand from Matthias’. “And what? I’m intrigued to hear your diagnosis. Luc here seems to think I am some brazen hussy who gets her kicks from hanging around with the demonic underworld.”
“Kate!” said Luc defensively.
Matthias laid his hands openly out to them both. “Regardless of what problems the two of you have been through this is more important! Kate, Talhu is evil, conscientiously so. He isn’t someone you want to get involved with.”
“Look it’s not like we are dating! He sought ME out! He followed me from XY! Trust me, he isn’t someone I am planning on forming a lasting friendship with!” She looked at Luc and Matthias; their faces were both serious. “You both must think I am bloody stupid! Of course he is evil! News flash! He’s a demon!”
“Kate, this is no time to be flippant, he is a very dangerous demon who just happens to hate all humanity. He may act concerned but believe me he would double cross you as soon as look at you.”
“Just how do you know him?” asked Kate with suspicion. She got the impression Matthias was holding something back, something big. Despite the obviously large amount of trust Tash placed in Matthias, to Kate he was still a Fae and in her experience that meant he was as untrustworthy as any demon.
Matthias regarded Kate’s expression coolly, her distrust flickering across her face. “You only have my word that you can trust me, but perhaps if I tell you a little more about myself that might improve your opinion of me. I have been secretive and it was for the best, but you have proved your worth and loyalty and so now I think I can trust you with the truth.”
Matthias took a deep breath before explaining to the bewildered pair his relationship with Tash. How he had raised her and taught her to look after herself. How he had distanced himself from the Fae in order to perform his paternal task. He also related the events in 1981 – and his various encounters with the demon Talhu.
“I don’t know how he came to this dimension – or for what purpose. I only know that for many centuries his only goal was to return home and he didn’t care what happened in the process. He literally nearly destroyed this world in his greatest attempt to return home. Which is why you want to avoid him at all costs. If he has an agenda he won’t let anything or anyone get in his way.”
“But that’s what I don’t understand,” said Kate, “he helped me, he saved my life…”
“Then ask yourself ‘why?’. If he saved your life then it only means that it serves his purpose for you to be alive.” Matthias gripped her hand tightly. “Trust me on this one; if you deal with him be very careful. One of his more ‘endearing’ qualities is that while he may keep to his word he is very literal. If you leave him a loophole he will almost certainly take advantage of it!”
“Believe me, I have no intention in working alongside some monster whose nickname happens to be ‘Evil Wizard!’” Kate looked up at the clock, it was now almost 10:35am. She rose to her feet. “I think we have wasted enough time, Matthias, if you feel ready to continue…”
Matthias nodded and followed Kate as she led the way back up to the attic and the remaining two shards…
Alaric's LA Headquarters (morning-noon)
They had spoken through the night on various issues. In the end, Alaric had revealed everything about the Order of Valor to Talhu and offered him the position of becoming his heir. Having taken care to destroy what little purpose remained to Talhu's life beforehand, the other demon had little choice but to accept. So by the time morning arrived Talhu found himself sitting in a car and being driven to Alaric's local headquarters.
The trip had taken them through the bad parts of LA, where Alaric pointed out an old warehouse that the Order owned. "This isn't our main base, but your working out of here may be prudent eventually. Trust me on this."
Passing by there, they continued in to the more sparesly populated areas of the city. Eventually they reached a house flying an American flag and flanked by two azalia bushes. Aside from the fact that a demon lived at the house, it was indistinguishable from the others on the block. When Alaric pulled in to the garage and shut the door, he handed a set of keys to Talhu. "Use these to get in the back; I will take a passageway from the garage to the basement. Your human appearance will help our facade greatly. Should any of the neighbors ask about you, you just moved here and are detective Joseph Russel of the LAPD."
Alaric was out of the car and moving before he could respond. Talhu sighed, got out, then walked towards the house. Fortunately, none of the neighbors were outside. He let himself in the back and locked the door after entering. He was placed in the kitchen, which was somewhat small but normal looking. Moving through the house he next entered a dining room and living room. The door to the basement opened and Alaric beckoned for him to follow.
It turned out that only the first floor looked normal. He later learned that the second floor of the house contained in one room a number of books on demonology and magic - a storehouse of knowledge set up specifically to ensure that even if the Five were destroyed, at least some of their knowledge could be passed on. The basement contained a bed and a table covered with papers and a telephone. It looked as though a second bed had been hastily set up. A few chairs were also present, all of them rather luxurious. After sitting down in one, Talhu broke the silence. "So, you said in the ride over that we had much to discuss."
"Of course," Alaric replied, sitting across from him. "There is a great deal you must become familiar with to take over. You must remember that our goal is a simple one: to make demons and vampires stronger. The way to do this is, in accord with nature, through conflict. Our most current goal is a conflict with the Coven of Sindell and Catherine Wiccham."
"Wait. If our goal is to make demons and vampires stronger, why are we manipulating humans to fight one another?"
"Like all species, humans have their ways they survive. First is their tendancy to produce, on occasion, exceptional individuals. Second, they tend to breed like rabbits. By forcing those in the first category to destroy themselves we temper them for later use in making our kind stronger."
"And in the conflict you predict coming between demons and vampires on the one hand, and humans on the other? Ragnarok, as you called it?"
Alaric gave a smile. "We also have to track these exceptional individuals to make use of them. So long as they are kept in conflict with each other, they can be exterminated one at a time when that day comes. In any event, whoever wins that conflict will be the stronger - as it should be."
The phone rang. He put it on speaker to answer, "Yes?" A female voice described a conflict they had heard about at the Beazor complex, giving descriptions of several of the attackers. He thanked her, then hung up.
"This is something of a shock," he said. How the had his network missed that coming? It wasn't that he didn't approve of the killing or was displeased at not having to intervene to make the fight happen. This was just one of those things that he wished the Order's information network picked up on. "Let this be a lesson: our resources for gathering intelligence may be large, but they are not infallible or omniscient." They continued to talk until noon, when Alaric finally ushered Talhu out of the place to go get some new clothes.
The Morning After Bibliophile...
Sunlight on Sorrow's face finally woke him early that morning from sleep. *Though pain wracked nightmares hardly constitutes sleep...* he thought tiredly.
The pain was still there, a fierce burning along every nerve. Sorrow knew it would be another day or two before it faded but he couldn't afford to wait that long. He felt the warmth of another body pressed against him and the pain receded. He turned carefully in Jade's arms and looked at the woman he had put through such torment. Her eyes were open and filled with enough worry to break Sorrow's heart. "Hi..."
"Morning Sleeping Beauty..." Jade gave him a small, tremulous smile as she searched his face anxiously for any sign of the agonising pain that had twisted Sorrow's features while he'd slept. His troubled slumber and incoherent mumbling had wrenched at her but she'd been at a loss as to what to do to ease his suffering. It was apparent though that there were no permanent after effects. Shadows smudged the areas under his eyes but Jade could see that his eyes were clear and sharp.
She pressed closer to him and kissed Sorrow softly, putting aside her own troubles for the moment. His nightmares hadn't been the only thing keeping her awake... Jade had yet to come to terms with her own dreams and what they could mean...
She looked no less exhausted than he felt. *She's been awake all night.* He returned her kiss and ran his hand in circles at the base of her spine. "The worst is over, I think. Though you might be nursing me for another couple of days yet." He tried for a smile as he said it, but it didn't quite come.
He looked at her in silence. "What is it?" He realised he wasn't the only reason sleep had not come to her last night.
"Mmmm... Does that mean you want to play Doctor?" Jade quipped, flashing Sorrow a grin. "Just as well XY's not exactly in the state for business... Which means I get to play hooky." In a bid to distract him, Jade ran her hands down Sorrow's chest, drawing her nails lightly over the smooth skin at his stomach.
*I can't tell him yet. The dream. Not now. He won't be able to deal with it now...*
Sorrow flinched as Jade's nails set off a burst of pain in his chest. He slowly released a breath then looked at Jade's concerned face. Lightly kissing her and running a hand down her spine, "So long as you don't do that again...."
A few gentle caresses later Sorrow realised he'd been inadvertently diverted. *Well, she'll tell me in her own time...* He kissed Jade, then drew back a little. "You don't have to go anywhere? Insurance and such?"
"It'll wait. Right now, my main priority would be you." Jade knew her attempt to avoid the topic hadn't fooled Sorrow for a minute and was grateful that he didn't press the issue. "Is there anything you need?"
"Other than you? I think a little food might be in order and then more rest for both of us..." Jade was visibly wilting, sleep would do them both good...
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Tash woke slowly. After she’d heard the tap go off in the bathroom and knew Ian wasn’t going to drown, she had undressed and got into bed properly, trying not to jostle Victor too much. Now as she struggled to wake she remembered shreds of the dream she’d been having.
*That face again…* She shuddered as she recalled the vampire’s features once more. Why was she dreaming about this now? It made a change from her usual dreams of her family, but was somehow more disturbing.
She sat up and looked at Victor. He never slept, but he seemed to have entered one of his meditative states. No doubt it helped him to deal with the pain while his chitin rebuilt itself. Moving carefully, Tash slipped off the bed and found some clothes for herself, including her backup pair of gloves to replace the ruined ones that still lay on the floor where she’d dropped them.
Her quiet movements didn’t seem to have disturbed Victor, for which she was thankful. She gazed at him for a long moment before gently closing the bedroom door behind her.
She paused outside the bathroom but decided that she desperately needed coffee before dealing with Ian. She was still furious with him, even though he obviously hadn’t known he had been using some sort of magical talisman. Some things just defied rational thought, and Tash’s rage over this wasn’t going to evaporate overnight.
After she’d fortified herself with a cup of strong, black coffee, Tash returned to the bathroom and squared her shoulders before opening the door.
Ian lay half in and half out of the bathtub, his legs hooked uncomfortably over the side. It seemed he’d tried to climb out last night with limited success. He was snoring audibly, and a sour smell hung about the room.
Tash wrinkled her nose in disgust and took a couple of steps into the room to slap Ian’s leg. “Wake up, Ian. Time to get up.”
Ian’s snores cut off abruptly and his head jerked upwards, narrowly missing the tap. “Wha…?” he mumbled. One eye opened blearily and noticed Tash through the stabs of painful light. He lay his head back down for a moment and tried to recall last night through the pounding in his skull. He remembered meeting a couple of nice girls at the bar while Tash and her friends all met at that shop, but after that it all seemed to vanish into mist.
He tried raising his head again, and this time managed to crack open both eyes. Focusing them wasn’t going to happen just yet, however. He picked the sharper of the two images of Tash and spoke to it, “How’d I get here?”
Tash sighed. Somehow she’d just known that Ian wouldn’t remember last night’s events and deprive her of an excuse to yell at him, or better yet to hit him again. On the other hand, the idea that Ian had no memory of her behaviour towards him was very comforting. She had a feeling he’d become unbearable otherwise.
“Never mind how you got here, you have a plane to catch, remember?” Tash was never so happy as now that Ian lived a long way from L.A. She grabbed an arm and heaved Ian to a sitting position. He looked queasy for a moment, but he’d been getting hangovers for years now and was well practiced at coping.
“Get yourself showered and dressed, and I’ll call a cab to take you to the airport,” Tash told him as she left the room. “I’ll bring your bag in for you.”
Ian’s forehead creased in a puzzled frown as Tash returned with his clothes. “But I don’t have a flight back today,” he began.
“You do now.” The bathroom door shut with finality behind Tash.
Ian sat for a moment, then shrugged and began to strip off his sodden, stinking clothes and ran the shower.
By the time Ian emerged from the bathroom some twenty minutes later, Tash had booked both a flight and a cab for him. She found it hard to look him in the eye this morning, and for once Ian seemed reluctant to employ his usual banter with her. Maybe it was just because he was hung over.
He seemed a little surprised at the cab. “You can’t take me on the bike?” he queried. He turned to the object in question as he spoke, and noticed the wires hanging loose. “Someone’s hotwired it!”
Tash gave him a look. Realisation dawned on him, “Was it me?” He put a hand to his head. He felt as though someone with a very large hammer was playing a tattoo on his skull. “I’m sorry, Tash, I don’t remember anything about last night.” At her continued silence, he peered at her again, “Did I do something to piss you off?”
Tash rolled her eyes. She was trying to stay mad at him, but he was so pathetic and helpless that she was finding it impossible. “Well, sort of. But no real damage was done, so let’s forget about it, OK?”
Ian frowned. “I wish I could remember what it was so I could forget…” He looked at the bike. “At the very least, I can fix the bike up good as new. I’ve got time for that.”
Tash shook her head in exasperation. “If you must,” she said. She even went to the kitchen and poured a glass of water for him. Ian tried for a smile as she handed it to him, but at the look on her face it died half-formed.
He turned to the bike instead. After a few moments, he asked, “How did you go yesterday, anyway? You’re still alive, so not a complete disaster then?”
Tash sat on the couch to wait for Ian to finish his work. “The alarms didn’t go off, at least. But a … guard … was there that I hadn’t seen the day before. He caused a few problems. But on the whole, it kind of went OK.” To herself she thought, *Except for the dead woman and the destroyed house, and the two girls who have God knows what damage, and except for the fact that I nearly tried to kill everyone afterwards. Yeah, it went perfectly…*
She continued, “Thanks for helping out on such short notice. I do appreciate that.”
Ian shrugged, then regretted it as his neck muscles protested. “Hey, I owed you one. I’m just sorry if I did anything to upset you afterwards. I got a little drunk, I’m afraid.”
On the couch, Tash snorted. “You always get ‘a little drunk’ Ian. You’d think I’d learn. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to punch you out.”
Ian stopped his work and looked across at her. “That’s what I don’t get. Usually you laugh it off, ‘cause you’ve managed to thump me one. What was so different this time that you’re so mad at me?”
Tash felt cold anger grip her again. “Never mind,” she muttered. At Ian’s clear thought she blushed. “No, nothing happened. And it’s never going to, got it?”
Ian said nothing, but turned back to the bike. “Well, this is as good as new, now.” He stood, holding onto the bike for support.
Tash stood also, grabbing Ian’s bag and thrusting it at him. “Good. Thanks. Your cab should be here by now. Thanks again, but it’s time to go. You can get breakfast at the airport.”
Ian was puzzled by Tash’s brusqueness. This was so unlike her, even when he had overstepped the bounds. “I’m sorry for whatever I did. I wish I could make it up to you.”
Tash just shook her head. “It wasn’t really your fault. I know that. But I’m still annoyed. So it’s best if you go, now.” She opened the door for him.
Ian smiled ruefully, “Well, next time you need a security expert, you know where to find me.”
“Bye, Ian.”
Tash closed the door with a sigh of relief. *Poor Ian, it wasn’t really his fault. But just the thought of him and me...* She shivered, *Ugh!*
Making Plans
The prolonged honk of a car horn had Jade's eyes fluttering open... Sunlight poured in through the bedroom window, allowing her bleary senses to make out that it was probably early afternoon on an unseasonably warm day for the month of February. She turned around carefully to see Sorrow sleeping soundly beside her and touched his cheek gently. He stirred but didn't wake, so she decided to leave him to rest and slipped out of his arms, making her way to the shower...
Fifteen minutes later, Jade was towelling her hair dry as she savoured a hot cup of coffee. The hot bath had refreshed her and she felt inexplicably alert and calm. Putting it down to relief that the whole Beazor and Pasadena ordeal was finally over, she lit a cigarette and settled down on the couch to read the newspaper...
Sorrow awoke to the sound of the shower running he lay there just dozing until it shut off. When the scent of a cigarette drifted into the bedroom he decided it was time to get up. He grabbed a robe and headed for the bathroom, poking his head round the corner "Those things will kill you, you know..." Before Jade could reply he ducked into the bathroom and ran the shower.
Jade rolled her eyes then went back to her reading. As she leafed idly through the pages, a small byline caught her eye.
Black Magic a Growing Concern Among Parents, and she quickly scanned through the article.
"What is this nonsense?!" Jade cried as she flung the paper aside. *Great... Just what I need... As if it isn't bad enough that XY's practically been torn to pieces... All I need is a self-righteous, narrow-minded reporter breathing down my neck and accusing me of leading L.A.'s youths astray. God...*
*****
Tash sat by the bed, watching Victor breathe. Since Ian had left, she’d spent most of the morning just sitting here. Victor had emerged from his meditations just a few minutes ago, and now that he was ‘awake’ Tash was happier about leaving him alone for a little while.
Tash gently brushed Victor's face with her gloved fingertips. "I have to go see Jade and Sorrow. Make sure they're OK..."
Victor held her hand briefly and smiled. "You know I'll be fine. I promise not to go anywhere," he quipped.
Tash bent down and kissed him. She wanted to linger, but tore herself away and murmured, "I'll be back before you know I've gone, love." She turned and left, hoping that Jade and Sorrow weren't going to be too busy for visitors.
*****
Sorrow stepped out the shower and wrapped his robe around himself. He stepped out into the living room and looked at Jade, smiling he bent down and brushed his lips against her ear "Morning..."
When she didn't respond, he raised an enquiring eyebrow. "What's wrong?" Jade's answer, however, was interrupted by a knock and Tash's "hello" from the other side of front door. She gestured to the newspaper, then got up to let Tash in.
"Hey, Jade," Tash greeted her friend. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
Jade opened the door wide in response, so Tash entered. She noticed Sorrow still in his robe and smiled a greeting to him. He looked like he'd been dragged backwards through a combine harvester. "Just checking to see how you guys were faring... not too well, I take it," she said.
"Well better than last night" Sorrow placed two pills from the bottle he'd taken from the bathroom and headed to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "So to what do we owe this pleasure?"
Tash moved to Jade's couch and sat gingerly. Her back was still incredibly stiff. *Not surprising,* she thought, remembering the horrific scarring she'd seen in the mirror that morning. "Well, mainly to see that you were both still in one piece. And to deal with the problem of the visitor to your shop last night." Tash scowled as she recalled the state XY had been in.
Jade's face mirrored her friend's annoyance as she brought over a cup of coffee and placed it in front of Tash. "She sure as hell picked the wrong shop to trash. Thanks to her, XY's now being labelled as a damn wicca weirdo warzone..."
Picking up the newspaper, she smoothed it out to the article she'd been reading. "This sort of publicity is the last thing XY needs right now. It's the last thing any of us need, with this entire Nether Arch matter hanging over our heads."
"Well I was going to look into your visitor sometime today, thought Bob's Bar would be a good place to start for a little info." He looked towards Tash questioningly.
Tash laughed softly, "Oh, you don't need Bob... I know exactly where her crypt is." She looked up at Sorrow. "But she has a lot of minions. More than just one of us can handle." There was no question in Tash's mind that Sorrow was keen to get to Jem.
Jade looked slightly worried as she glanced from one to the other. "Are you both sure you're up to this? After last night?"
Tash grimaced ruefully, "Well, maybe not straight away, I'll admit. I'm in no condition to fight for a couple of days, at least. Mind you, at least I can move. Victor's flat out in my bed at the moment."
"Yes, a little reconnaissance might be in order though." He looked at Jade. "I'll be fine. I've no intention of going up against vamps any time soon." He smiled, "You can even come along, if you like, to keep us out of trouble." Walking over to Jade, he sat down next to her and gave her a hug.
Tash sighed, "I have to find Kate today, too. I promised her I'd help with her memories. Maybe if we check out the graveyard now, while there's still plenty of light, then I can visit her later." Tash knew this was too soon for hunting vampires, but she had to do something to keep her mind off how close she had come last night to killing everyone.
She stood, “Just give me a minute to let Victor know where I’m going. I’ll be straight back, ready to go.”
Requiem
Serapis watched as the dead bodies of Jason, Merrick and Larous were set alight. The smoke from the three fires curled up into the gradually lightening sky. He turned his back and returned to where Thalia stood. He ushered her back into the house. The sound of mumbled chanting began to fade into the distance. Faintly, he could hear that someone was ringing for the dead.
Thalia trembled in fear as Serapis led her inside. He had taken the news of her failure well until now, but she knew it wouldn’t last. Serapis was always more frightening when he was silent.
Inside the house a vast amount of work was going on. Lots of people were studying various star charts, others were making marks on a giant map of LA. Serapis motioned for Thalia to take a seat at one of the tables so she did, looking around nervously. Suddenly several of the more powerful witches in the gathering surrounded the chair on which she sat. Serapis began to speak.
“I do remember clearly stating that no one was to make a move on Catherine without my prior consent.” He turned to Thalia, “So what makes you so special that you can blatantly disregard my orders and think you can get away with it?”
Thalia fidgeted on the chair nervously. Suddenly Serapis raised his hand, bringing it down to bear across her face. The impact nearly knocked her clean off the chair. She held the side of her face in stunned pain. Thalia began to speak but her voice caught in her throat and she stuttered uncontrollably in fear.
“I-I-I’m sorry, w-w-we f-f-found out Kate was working at a nearby magic shop. We de-de-decided to f-f-f-follow her, and when w-w-we saw her there, w-w-we just th-th-thought…”
“You just thought you would ruin TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF PLANNING!” He grabbed her and shook her violently by the shoulders. “Do you realise just how much rests upon this enterprise? DO YOU?? “
Thalia shook her head ‘no’. She looked terrified. “Please sir, I will do anything! Please, forgive me!”
Serapis paced the small space in front of her chair. “Not only did you blatantly disobey my orders, placing our entire venture in jeopardy but also you managed to get three of our most loyal brethren killed in the process!”
“We would have succeeded if it wasn’t for that demon who was with her!” blurted out Thalia in her defence.
Serapis spun around to face her. “What demon?” he asked curiously.
“I-I-I don’t know what he was, h-he looked like a human, but, but when he touched Merrick, I don’t know, it was like he sucked the life right out of him.”
“Talhu…” muttered Serapis under his breath. He leaned against the table in an attempt to control his burning rage. Suddenly he whirled around, facing one of his followers. His eyes were filled with a void blackness that looked…evil. He screamed out in frustrated anger and a ball of fire shot from his outstretched hand at the unsuspecting wiccan, who screamed out in agony as his body was consumed by the flames. The other witches took a step back, watching in fear as their 'brother' rapidly burned away until all that remained was a pile of black ash...
“Is it too much to ask for a little loyalty? When will people learn that to cross me is to ask for death?” He sighed, releasing his anger. “Very well. People!” He addressed the entire room. “We have a problem, thanks to the rash actions of a few of our fellow brethren we shall have to bring our plans forward.” He paced again. “We cannot wait any longer. This…failure means that Kate may already have fled LA. But we must be optimistic, she has friends here, comrades. They are her weakness.”
“What about this demon? Talhu did you call him?” queried a male witch from the back of the room.
“He is not our problem at this moment. We shall deal with HIM later. Besides you all know his name now, you will be immune to his powers. Talhu may look human but he is the most misanthropic creature that walks this Earth. He certainly won’t endanger his life to save a human.” *It is strange that he should this time, I wonder what he is up to?*
“W-w-what about me?” asked Thalia meekly.
Serapis nodded to his minions. “Take her down to the basement, throw her in with Inanna. I’ll decide what to do with her later.”
The two wiccans grabbed Thalia from her chair and led her away while Serapis continued to explain his plans in detail to the rest of the gathering…
daye meets drew
Daye let out a long sigh, sweeping the last remnants of the night’s events into a dust pan and throwing them into a trash bag. It had been around one when the last of her friends left for their respective homes. She had spent two hours cleaning up the shop and getting rid of all the evidence of the action that had gone down there. The last thing Daye needed was for Mrs. Wyldling to come in and find the place a mess or anything out of the ordinary. Daye did not need the council to send out an investigative team to check into her actions here in L.A. She did not want some Watcher stuffed shirts trying to tell her how to do her job. As long as the evil lurking in this city was kept at bay, Daye felt her methods were justified.
Daye glanced at the elegant grandfather clock in the corner of the shop, noticing that it was already after 3 a.m. She could go home and sleep a couple of hours, but she had promised to open the shop in the morning, so it seemed kind of pointless. There was a perfectly good sofa in the back she could catch a nap on. That way Daye would be able to open the shop at 7, as per Mrs. Wyldling’s instructions. Daye double checked that the doors were locked up, turned out the lights and made her way to the back room. She lay down on the sofa, covered up with the throw and fell almost immediately into a deep, healing sleep.
************************************************************************
Daye awoke a few hours later, feeling much better than she had the night before. She had healed most of her injuries during the trance and the rest had replenished her magical reserves. She felt almost human. A bit to eat and a cup of tea would restore her completely.
Daye went out to the front of the store to get everything ready to open the shop. She put coffee on to boil and began to unpack the pastries and baked goods that the bakery across town delivered each morning. She set up the displays, wiped down the tables and set up the chairs. Then she opened the shutters, unlocked the door, and flipped the sign in the window to open. The early morning rush started around 8, and the two waitress/clerks that worked part-time for the shop came in around 7:30, so Daye had the place pretty much to herself for about a half hour. She gathered some herbs (ginseng, nettles, gotu kola, yerba mate, citrus peels, and peppermint) and put them into one of the tea pots to steep. Then she chose a couple of pastries and sat down at one of the tables to read the paper.
Daye was reading an article on the coming of the comet, and some strange events that the doomsday cults claimed signified the end of the world, when the bell above the door jangled. She glanced up, setting her tea cup down, to see a handsome young man enter the shop. He had the look of a student or perhaps a young teacher. He was dressed in jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt, and was wearing a light jacket to ward off the morning chill. The man had chestnut brown hair that was haphazardly pushed away from his face. On the bridge of his nose rested a pair of wire framed glasses. He entered the shop, and smiled shyly at Daye as she frankly perused his appearance.
Daye stood up from her little table and approached the man. From her seat he had appeared very unassuming, of average height and build. However, up close he was quite a bit taller than she thought and very broad shouldered. The man was also really attractive. His eyes, behind the glasses, were a startling crystal blue, with a mischievous twinkle to them. Daye found herself smiling despite herself as he shifted self consciously under her gaze.
“Can I help you?” Daye asked.
“Uh…I’m looking for some books,” the man’s voice was mellow and hesitant.
Daye nodded, grinning a bit wider. “Well, then, I suppose a bookshop is a good place to be.”
“A friend recommended this shop,” the man replied. He seemed a bit embarrassed by her light teasing. “He said you carry an eclectic stock and have an extensive collection of books on spiritualism and the like. I’m looking for 'Shaman’s Light' and 'The Paths We Choose' by Elliot Reigns.”
Daye allowed her surprise to show on her face. The two books the man needed were extensive treatises on the shamanistic paths of different African tribes and were rare volumes since they dealt with the subject matter in a very subjective light. Reigns had been a Watcher assigned to research the magic in that particular area of the Savannah and he had published his findings despite pressure from the council not to. Daye was far from the first person to go rogue. Sometimes she thought the council was entirely too strict and controlling. Many of the council members, particularly the younger ones, were finding it harder and harder to abide by the council dictates.
“Those are eclectic selections,” Daye conceded. “Why do you need them? If you don’t mind my asking,” she quickly added.
“I am doing my graduate thesis on the rise of occultism in recent years, and I am actually interested in finding out more about the author. There isn’t much information about him and he is rather reclusive,” the man said. “I am trying to find out when he himself became interested in shamanism and what happened to him after he wrote the books. Everything I have read suggests that Mr. Reigns himself continued to pursue the things he had been introduced to in Africa. I think that this rise in spiritualism and the ‘hysteria’ involved is fascinating.”
*A student, I thought so,* Daye thought to herself. *And a cute one too. Although I get the feeling he doesn’t actually believe in the things he’s researching. Hmmm, a normal guy. Who would have thought that species still existed.*
“Well, I actually do have the books, but I don’t know if they will be much help to you,” Daye said. “They go into a lot of detail about the work Elliot did in Africa, but after that there is no mention of what he did or planned to do. Elliot felt it would be best to let the works stand on their own, to make them more reliable. It didn’t work out quite that way.”
“You sound almost as if you know the man,” the young man said.
*Oops, now I’ve done it,* Daye thought. *How do I explain this one?*
“Actually, I have met him,” Daye replied. “He was teaching at the Academy I attended.”
“In England?” the man asked. “I thought you might be English, although sometimes your accent sounds more Irish.”
“You’re right on both counts,” Daye laughed softly. “I was born on the Isle, but I moved to England quite a few years ago. Funny, very few people pick up the lilt in my voice. I’m impressed.”
“So am I,” the man smiled back at her. Daye caught her breath at how attractive that smile made him. *If this were a hundred years ago, I think I would be swooning,* she thought. “My name is Drew Langley. Would you sit down and have a cup of coffee with me?”
Daye was surprised and thrilled by the invitation. “Sure, Drew. I’d like that. I can tell you what I remember about Elliot. Maybe it will help you.”
“Maybe,” Drew followed her to the counter as Daye refilled her tea and poured him a cup of coffee. They took the cups back to Daye’s table and sat down.
“Oh, and I’m D…I mean, Amanda,” Daye said. “Amanda Blaise.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amanda,” Drew said, taking her hand in his and squeezing it softly. Daye felt warmth spread through her from the place where their hands met. She settled back in the chair and they began to talk animatedly about Elliot, the bookshop, their lives, and everything else that came to mind.
A new shopping trip
After leaving Alaric's base, Talhu decided to visit two seperate clothing stores. At the first one he bought a single suit so that he could quickly change out of his bloody clothes afterwards. The big difference in his appearance was that the blue shirt and tie were gone. These had been replaced with a red tie and black shirt, which allowed him to appear slightly more menacing than before.
It was in the second store that things got interesting. He was with the salesman for a while, and had been picking out several suits, when a young woman entered the store. She wandered around for a while, then located him. "Pravus?" she asked. When Talhu nodded, she continued. "We've got a small problem at work I need to talk to you about."
Although he didn't know who she was, he figured that she had to work for Alaric. "Excuse me for a few minutes," he said to the salesman and lead her aside where nobody could hear. "What is the problem?"
She reached in to her jacket, and handed him a piece of paper. "This is an article from a newsletter called Speaking Out. It's mostly conspiracy theories for demons, but they do get something right on occassion. We're wondering if you can remark on this article."
He read it through once, laughed to himself, then read through it again a second time. It was a conspiracy theory, all right. "The author is right," he said softly. "I don't have the kind of influence this cover-up needs." The cover-up was beyond the scope of the Order's power as well. They simply did not hold influence over either the LAPD or the Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMA. "Do you think the article is true?"
"That there's a cover-up going on? Well, it would explain why the news only briefly mentioned the first death." She took the article back. "It's also possible that the police really did scrap their files on you, and that FEMA took the bodies. Thank you, Pravus."
She left immediatly after that. Something had disturbed her. Talhu could see that. He would make a point to ask Alaric about it later, see what he thought. For the moment, he went back to the salesman. "I apologize for that. Now, let's get back to buisness."
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Tash paused before leaving her apartment and checked that all her weapons were in place. She had rung Kate and they’d decided to meet back at Tash’s flat later that afternoon. Kate had told her about Cassy and Celia. Tash felt a stab of guilt. She’d promised Yvonne she’d take care of them and now they were on life support.
She glanced back at the door to the bedroom. She hated to leave Victor alone, but he’d assured her he would be fine. He was starting to be able to move a little, at least. *OK, let’s get this show on the road,* she thought as she opened the door and walked across to Jade’s apartment.
At the knock on the door Sorrow stood settled Hizashi more comfortably and opened the door. "Hi Tash. Jade feels we can be trusted out by ourselves, so she's headed down to XY to take stock of the damage, inform the insurance guys and that sort of thing. So where are we heading off to?"
Tash absorbed the information that Jade wouldn't be coming. *Maybe this will give me a chance to find out what makes Sorrow tick,* she thought as she eyed the black overlay in his aura. She smiled and said, "Well, if there's only two of us, shall we take the bike? It's not far, but it's quicker to ride than walk."
"Sure." He smiled, realising Tash knew far less about him than he knew of her. *This should be an interesting trip.*
Minutes later they were riding towards the cemetery. Sorrow was holding on but being very careful where he put his hands. Tash grinned to herself. *Just as well. He'd be in a world of trouble otherwise.*
During the day, the cemetery seemed far less forbidding than it did at night. Tash parked the bike and said, "Do you want to head straight for the crypt? Or scout around first?"
"Let's scout around a little first. I'd like to see what else is here. Cemeteries have this annoying tendency to hold more than just vampires." Sorrow wondered if Tash was testing him a little. He shrugged. It didn't matter - he knew Tash had been doing this far longer than he had. If she wanted to test him it was her prerogative.
Sorrow relaxed the constraints on his senses. Graveyards weren't his favourite place to hunt, they masked the telltale scent of a vampire. Still it might give him clues as to what else was around.
As they passed gravestones, Tash idly noted the engravings on them. She spied the headstone of one boy. All it had was the name and the dates. Born 1972. Died 1984. “Twelve years old when he died.” Tash sighed audibly.
Sorrow glanced at her quizzically and she said, "You know, these things never tell you the story. How people lived, who they were. All it tells you is that some kid died somehow before he had a chance to grow up." Her eyes grew distant. "It doesn't seem right. There should be more."
Sorrow kept his laugh soft, "Somehow I don't think they could fit even a twelve year old's life story on just one gravestone." He looked at her. *Sentimentality? Seems out of character.* He shook him self. A couple of reports on file plus a few brief meetings weren't enough to know someone. "They're just markers for those that remain, somewhere for them to come and remember what was. They tell no story because they do not need to." Sorrow's eyes saw something other than the gravestone before them.
Tash shook herself from her own reverie as she felt Sorrow's thoughts drift to horror and loss. Not unlike her own memories of her family. She touched his arm lightly with her gloved hand. "We remember them. And we fight for them. You've lost people to the vampires, haven't you?"
"To fight them you need to give up so much. I don't think anyone would do it without having lost someone." Sorrow looked up towards the sky, eyes closed. Returning his gaze to Tash he said, "You wonder how many die each night because you missed a vamp. You try so hard not to become a monster too but you do. You move in their world, night becomes your natural time...No, if you haven't lost someone you wouldn't do this."
Tash shivered at Sorrow's words. He was right. She'd been doing this for so long she no longer knew what life would be like as a normal person. "You're right. Look at me. I've finally fallen in love, and was it with a human? No. And look at you..." Tash let her voice trail off. *He doesn't seem to know, remember? Hell I'm not sure myself.* She silently chastised herself for her slip.
She gazed at him for a moment. "Sorrow," she began, then paused, unsure whether she should continue. *Oh, hell, when have I ever been bashful?* "Sorrow, I know it's painful, but what do you remember about when your family was killed? Were you there?" She felt the pain and added, "Don't answer if you really don't want to talk about it."
Sorrow tilted his head to a position she had seen too many times to count. He pushed down his collar to reveal the faint scars of a vampire bite. "I was twelve when my family was attacked. The vamp that did it drained me too." He covered the scar, straightening his collar. "Beyond that there is little to tell. I was in coma for a while..." he trailed off.
Tash tightened her grip on his arm, wishing she could offer more comfort. But she sensed there was something Sorrow wasn't telling her. Some vague memory that tugged at Sorrow but maybe he couldn't quite recall. She resisted the urge to rip off a glove and invade his mind. *No, that's not what I do.* She feared that more had gone on than a simple feeding, though. *But he's not a vampire. What, then?*
"Twelve," she murmured. "And when you woke from the coma?"
"Oh, you know. The usual. Martial arts, magic, vows of eternal, undying vengeance..." He smiled as he said it, trying to lighten the tone. He couldn't miss the tension in her voice and posture. "Tash, what is it? You obviously want to ask something. What is it?"
Tash sighed. *OK, he asked for it.* "You know when I first met you I said something about vampire connections? I can read auras. Vampire auras show up as black. Pure black. That's how I track them - that, and the scent of evil."
She drew a deep breath before continuing. "I knew something was up with Jade because there are flecks of black in her aura. That's how I found out about Valerian." She looked Sorrow in the eye. "Your aura shows quite a lot of black, Sorrow. I don't know exactly what it means, because you're obviously still mostly human. But something has happened to you..."
He was glad he had let his senses loose because he wouldn't have believed a word of it otherwise. Tash had spoken the truth as she saw it though, and Sorrow had no reply.
"Mostly human...Mostly human." The concept that he wasn't quite human didn't worry Sorrow. The rituals of D'Nethk'Quan had stripped him of that a long time ago. It was the vampire that he couldn't comprehend...
"No vampire has laid a fang on me since that first attack... So what are you saying Tash? I can stand in full sun. I've never drunk blood in my life. I'm fairly certain if you stuck a stake through my heart I wouldn't turn to dust..."
Tash was feeling frustrated. She barely understood herself what might be going on with Sorrow. "All I can think of is that something must have happened when you slipped into that coma. I've never known black to mean anything other than vampires. I'm sorry, but that's the truth. I was reluctant to bring it up because I had a feeling you didn't know."
She shook her head and frowned. A thought occurred to her. "I've been having dreams lately, reminding me of something I'd forgotten...have you ever dreamed about that night and something was there you didn't recall at the time?"
He looked at her then glanced down at the gloves. "You're a touch sensitive aren't you? Psychometrist?" He smiled. It would be the easiest thing in the world for her to peel off a glove... "Why don't you take off one of those gloves, Tash, and satisfy your curiosity..."
Tash stopped breathing for a moment. It could answer all her questions. And Sorrow’s. She looked up at him. “Are you sure you want to do this? It could be very disturbing, especially if my suspicions are correct. Never mind my curiosity – do you really want to know?” She held up a hand, poised to draw the glove off. Her eyes questioned his resolve. “And I can’t control this – I will probably get images from throughout your life.”
Sorrow glanced around. "I doubt a graveyard is the best place for this especially if you get flashes of my life." He looked down suddenly uncertain... "Let’s finish this, and I'll need to explain a few things first...the last psychic who tried to read me when I was in a state similar to this didn't stop screaming for quite a while." He looked serious for a moment, "But I really can't avoid this can I? It's not like I can ignore it now that I know."
Tash lowered her hand. "All right, later. But don't worry about me. I've seen some powerful stuff recently and coped. I'm more worried about you..." She gestured at the path ahead of them. "Lead on, MacDuff."
Sorrow let the previously unnoticed tension drain from his body. He glanced around the graveyard then he moved off, eyes darting from place to place. They moved around the graveyard, checking sight lines and ambush sites. Having given the area a thorough scan they returned to Tash's bike.
"Hmmm I take it Victor is still at your place?" At Tash's nod he frowned. "This could take a while. I have an apartment. Why don't we head there?"
Tash raised her eyebrows, but said, "All right. Give me directions as we go."
Soon they were riding through one of the more affluent areas of town. Sorrow pointed to an apartment block and Tash parked the bike. She gazed around. "You've done all right for yourself, then," she remarked.
A flash of pain crossed Sorrow's features, "You could say that." He walked to the door and keyed the entry code. As he stepped within he turned and bowed to Tash, a mischievous grin on his face. "Enter freely of your own will and leave some of the happiness you bring." He smirked a little at Tash's look and walked over to the elevator. As they rode up to the fourth floor he said, "Sorry, but I just had to do that once."
Tash shook her head and laughed, "So long as you absolutely had to, I guess that's OK." When they reached the flat, Tash was taken aback to find it completely bare. She looked at Sorrow in surprise. "And here I was thinking you stayed at Jade's place just for the company.”
"My stuff is still in London. It's being packed and shipped across for me." He gestured around the extremely spacious apartment, "So I'm having this place remodelled." He turned to Tash, "Well make yourself at home."
Tash shrugged, "Sure..." she said as she settled herself on the floor cross-legged. She craned her neck up to look at Sorrow. "Care to join me? The seat's quite comfortable, really," she said with a straight face.
He smiled as he settled in front of Tash. "So, explanations first." He took a deep breath, *No point hiding this from her.*
"You're heard that I'm D'Nethk'Quan, but I doubt you have any idea what that means. Essentially it's a ritual of power that grants a great deal of physical power at the expense of magical ability. In essence, I can use magic but doing so causes me a great deal of pain. I have used a lot of magic just recently and right now I'm in the middle of the worst backlash I've experienced in over a year, and that's after a night’s rest...basically how much physical sensation transfers when you do your readings? I'm asking because as I said, the last time a psychic attempted this while I was anywhere near this level they didn't stop screaming for a while."
"From objects I just get visions. From people I tend to get the experience more fully. But since you're not psychic yourself it won't be too bad. And I'm tougher than I look. As I said, don't worry about me...I worry about you." Tash carefully peeled off her gloves and laid them beside her on the floor. She sat with her hands resting palm up on her knees. "Are you sure about this?"
Sorrow nodded, resolve in his eyes. Tash continued, "All right, then. I want you to meditate. This works best if you have a clear mind. Empty it of all thoughts. I generally pick up on whatever is strongest, so if you focus on the attack I might get something." She breathed once, deeply. "And then we'll see what we see..."
She watched as Sorrow's eyes closed and his breathing became more regular. His position mirrored Tash's. She closed her own eyes and reached that calm place at her core. Then she reached out and grasped Sorrow's hands in her own.
Hearing of Jen's death. No! It can't be....
Gunfire ripped through the night...A vampire stands before a young woman as she fires again and again.
*One more down,* he thinks as Hizashi slices through yet another vampire, creating a cloud of dust.
He held his breath as a glowing blade emerged from its final polishing...
There is a crack as a rib breaks under the vampire’s fist, speaking on a rising wave of horror emerald fire is called into existence and the vampire is consumed.
A blistering wave of agony that flows like the tide, rising and falling back, rising and falling back, it goes on and on and on.
Sitting in the circle of candles, waiting to start the ritual. He won't come out of this the same person. But it's something he has to do.
In a darkened bookshop hidden away in the back streets of Oxford he feels a rising excitement as he reads the pages before him.
Soft sheets in the night and the feel of the warm redhead beside him. He trailed a hand up a long elegant thigh and kissed lips as sweet as strawberries.
He looked down at the boy lying snivelling on the floor with blood streaming from his nose. It felt so good to see his tormentor beaten down.
A sharp pain pierced his neck. A blissful lassitude overcame him. With the world fading slowly away there was the taste of blood on his lips...warm...coppery, it was the whole of his existence. His hands gripped the wrist pressed against his lips and he sucked the glorious blood into his mouth, gulping it down with feverish intensity... His heart started to stutter and a dark presence grew within...A voice in the darkness "Enough!" and a blow strikes the wrist away...
The visions faded, and Tash pulled back from Sorrow's touch. Her eyes fluttered open and she felt her heart pounding. "OK, that was intense," she gasped. She looked across at Sorrow. Perspiration drenched his brow. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah fine..." as he reached behind him and drew Hizashi...
Tash's eyes grew wide as she sensed Sorrow's intentions. "No!" she cried as she launched herself at him. Since they were both sitting, she collected him in the chest and he tumbled backwards with Tash following. The sword clattered on the floor.
"Sorrow, don't be a fool. Whatever you are, you can walk in the sun!" Tash desperately tried to get through the confusion in Sorrow's mind. She became acutely aware that she was lying on top of him, and started to sit up.
As Tash moved her weight off him Sorrow twisted violently. His forearm caught her in the midriff and as she gasped for breath he pushed her off him. He scrambled back away from Tash, breathing heavily. He looked wildly around for his blade then grabbed for it.
Tash was picking up a jumble of impressions from Sorrow. She had no idea what he would do next. She ignored the pain in her stomach and tried again, speaking as calmly as she could manage. "Sorrow, listen to me. I know it hurts. I felt it, too. But you're still the same person. Please, don't do anything rash."
Sorrow reached Hizashi and standing up he whipped the blade through the air between them. "It hurts..." His laugh was harsh, almost hysterical...
Tash stayed on the ground. She didn't want to stand and present a threat - Sorrow was delicately balanced. She maintained the calm facade, and wished she could project it into Sorrow. *I could with Vrithetek....* "Sorrow - Tristan. Breathe." She let her voice take on a dreamy quality, and hoped it would be enough. "Think about what you're doing. There's no point in you hurting either of us. It's done. You know. Nothing's going to change that."
She kept her eyes on Sorrow. He was standing still, swaying slightly. His eyes were wild, almost glowing. She could feel the rage and hurt at boiling point inside him. *How the hell do I calm him down?* "Tristan, think about Jade. I know you love her, and she loves you. Dearly. When I went crazy yesterday, it was the thought of Victor that anchored me. Use Jade as your anchor."
"Oh yes, my half vampire lover. The woman who calls to something in my very soul...We know what she calls to now don't we..." The rage seemed to build in his voice. His pupils were lost in a sea of green and slowly, oh so slowly, his canines extended to sharp points.
Tash winced. She'd been reluctant to mention Jade for the very reason that Sorrow knew her nature, but she had been getting desperate. Now she stared wide-eyed as Sorrow's face started to change subtly. *Oh, God, please don't make me have to stake him.*
She shifted slightly on the floor, staying down, but drawing her legs up to her chest and sitting up more than lying down. Sorrow held the sword on her as she moved, so she kept her movements slow and steady. *You stupid, stupid woman. You can't help but meddle, can you?*
She extended a hand to Sorrow. "Tristan, whatever this is, you've already lived with it for over a decade. And you're still a human. You aren't a vampire. Please, put the sword down. Talk to me...”
Her words seemed to reach Sorrow and Hizashi clattered to the floor. Wrapping his arms around himself he moaned, "Oh God, I've spent more than a decade trying to kill everything that I am." Collapsing to the floor Sorrow began to beat his fists against the bare concrete. After a few blows, with his knuckles raw and bleeding he fell silent, occasional sobs escaping from his lips.
Tash crawled to Sorrow and wrapped her arms around him, careful to keep her bare hands away from him as he began to sob. He flinched when she first touched him, then clung to her as the rage and pain found an outlet. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
Sorrow wept as Tash gently rocked him. Eventually he calmed down. His mind clear, he looked up at Tash..."I need some time. I'm not sure when I'll be back..." He wiped the tears from his eyes. "If Jade asks you, say nothing more than I'll be back when I can..." Getting up he went to his fallen sword and slipped it back into its sheath.
"I will not say thanks, Natasha, for right now I have none to give." The pain was still there in his voice but he had it under control.
Tash looked at his eyes, which were normal again. He seemed much calmer, though there was still a vast turmoil within him. She felt he was past the point of danger, at least. She nodded, "I understand. Take your time. But know that there are people who care about you who are willing to help. You don't have to face this alone."
Sorrow Aftermath
Tash sat on her bike outside Sorrow's apartment building. She was shaking uncontrollably. Adrenaline had taken over for a while, but now she had time to think about what she’d seen – and felt – in the vision.
*He’s been turned. But somehow not quite. Oh, God….* She put her head in her hands and tried to shake the memory of feeling the blood coursing down her throat. *His throat.* She could still taste the metallic, coppery flavour. She tried to fight down the nausea that rose, but the past half hour had been just too traumatic. She scrambled off the bike barely in time…
A few moments of heaving later, she wiped her mouth as she thought wryly, *Well, at least I can’t taste blood any more.* The shaking had subsided somewhat, though. She mounted her bike again and rested a few minutes more, her thoughts whirling.
*What the Hell is he?* Tash wondered if she would regret not staking him then and there. But she couldn’t. *He’s not a vampire. Not yet….* Tash didn’t want to think down that path. That one day she may have to deal with Sorrow as a vampire. She’d had to stake vampires she’d known as people before, and they were always the worst. They haunted her. She kept reminding herself that she was only killing the thing that had killed those people, but it was still hard.
Eventually she forced herself to start the bike and head for home. But she couldn’t stop her mind from going over and over the same ground. *Sorrow’s a vampire. Maybe. Partly. God, I think I’d want to kill myself, too….*
She felt nauseated, horrified, angry and guilty all at once. The rational part of her told her that he needed to know. Knowing about it meant he could deal with it. But the guilt kept nagging at her. She’d almost forced this on him.
*He wanted it.*
*But you told him about his aura first, didn’t you?*
Screwing up her face in frustration, Tash almost passed the front of her building. She screeched to a halt, leaving a rubber trail on the road. Muttering imprecations to herself, she dragged the bike up the stairs to her apartment.
*****
Victor lay on the bed and watched the small spider spinning its web. He had been watching it for hours. It was mesmerizing to think of the mechanism in its tiny brain that held all that complex mathematics and geometry. *Not unlike mine,* he thought, *but mine has exceeded its design. Love? Caring? Concern? These were never programmed into me.*
He watched a fruit fly buzz into the waiting trap. It stuck to the fiber. It thrashed as the spider clambered up the string to its capture. In moments it was over, and the spider spun the dying fly into a cocoon.
*Just like me. So complex. So deadly.*
*So pathetic. Why would you sacrifice yourself for them? They'd do this much to you themselves, if they knew what you were.*
*No, they would not. Look at how they have accepted the darkness of the others. Jade, Sorrow, even Matthias and his secrets. They are focused on a higher ideal.*
*Phbbbblt! They are distracted from you because there are bigger baddies around. When this is over they will all turn on you.*
Victor lay there in his thoughts. *Some of them might, but not Natasha. She will always be there for me.*
*She might only be keeping you for the power you possess. Mighty useful to her, don't you think?*
Victor started to get mad until he heard the familiar sound of rubber tyres on the stairway. *This isn't over.*
He had managed to get into an upright position on the side of the bed when Tash finally entered the room.
Tash dumped the bike in the lounge room and quickly swished water around her mouth to flush out the sour taste remaining. Her thoughts kept going in circles. She was still so focused internally as she walked into the bedroom that she barely registered that Victor was sitting.
He held out his arms like a child to its mother, and smiled.
Tash looked up distractedly. She blinked, then frowned. "You're moving..." The invitation of his open arms was too much to resist, and she knelt in front of him and let him enfold her in his embrace.
Victor may have been smiling on the outside, but inside he was full of turmoil. Why was Tash so sullen? What were those bruises on her arms from? He scanned her body for wounds. "You’ve been in a fight. Doesn't smell like vampires..." *Or did it?*
Tash made a noise that was half laugh, half sob. "No, not vampires...." She breathed deeply. Much as she wanted - needed - to tell Victor what had happened, she didn't want to break Sorrow's trust. "I saw something today, something really disturbing. But it was a vision. I can't tell you...I have to leave that to the person it involved."
She drew back a little and gazed at Victor, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. "I hope you understand. I wish I could tell you about it..."
"Not if it hurts you to keep it, my love. These visions may have to pass through you like a bullet or an arrow. They will hurt, but they will leave an open sore that will heal, rather than a festering one that might kill you. If you think it is best, then keep the secrets, but do not let them eat you alive."
He hugged her tighter and longed to keep her safe, but he knew that his injuries made him less of a protector, and more of a burden. If he could accelerate the healing, it might help...but even Matthias had no answers for his alien physiology. Only time would heal his wounds. And hers.
Tash basked in the warmth and love from Victor. "Just hold me," she whispered. "Hold me forever."
*Until she turns to dust like all mortals. Could you eat her and spare her the agony of a long painful life with you?*
*Shut up!*
"As long as I can, my love..."
Trashed
Jade slipped on her sunglasses as she walked out of the apartment building. She'd taken advantage of the day's wonderful weather and dressed in a off-shoulder summer peasant top, slim-fitting capri pants and pretty, strappy sandals. She rummaged through a roomy straw bag, checking that she'd brought all the documents needed to file for the insurance claim and mentally ticked off a list of plausible reasons she could give the insurance company for the damage done to the shop.
*My store got smashed to pieces by a vampiress who's hunting my neighbour, whom I met and befriended because we're involved in preventing an apocalypse... Hmmm, why do I get a feeling that won't work?*
Shaking her head ruefully, Jade turned into the street that led to XY, deciding that it'd be prudent to assess the state of the shop again before she made a police report and filed her insurance claim. After all, she hadn't had much time (nor had she been in the state of mind) to do so the night before.
The street was almost deserted. Jade stepped gingerly into XY's interior, ignoring the curious gawks and stares from two passers-by as she weaved her way towards the storeroom at the back. *Thank god I had the sense to barricade that with a steel door and lock! Don't think anyone could break in there unless they had a damn chainsaw!* She glanced down at the various dents and scratches on the door. *Not that they didn't try...*
Jade dug the key out of her bag and after several tries, finally managed to unlock the storeroom. She flicked on the light and heaved a sigh of relief as she saw that the collection of crystals, herbs and other magic ingredients that she kept there remained untouched. She slipped several pure Angelite and Celestite crystals into her bag, thinking that they might aid Sorrow in recovering from the backlash. Remembering her own troubled dreams, Jade added a few Amethysts and Bloodstones to her stash as well.
*I should get Kate or Matthias to cast a repelling ward on the door while I get XY back up and running. Don't want to risk any of this falling into the wrong hands... Especially after that damn newspaper article...* She grimaced and locked the storeroom.
Jade surveyed XY once more before she left... And though she'd mentally prepared herself to face the damage, being surrounded by its absolute destruction proved to be more trying that she'd expected. The front door hung drunkenly on its hinges, most of the store's window was scattered all over the pavement and from what she could see, everything that hadn't been ruined during the fight with Jem had been stolen during the night. The thought of having to rebuild everything seemed terribly daunting, and she wasn't so sure her finances would allow her to, even if the insurance company came through.
Jade's anger suddenly overwhelmed her. "Goddamn it to hell!" She kicked out against what remained of the store counter, causing it to splinter and fall over with a sickening "crack". Since venting it made her feel a little better, Jade's hand reached out to grab whatever was on the floor to fling against the wall and closed around a small mirror-like object. Its familiar pentagonal shape and the light reflecting from it made her pause in her tirade just long enough to take a closer look.
Jade stared at the charm amulet she held. It was unmarred and had managed to survive the devastation of the rest of the shop. Ironic that it was almost worthless, just another one of the many trinkets XY sold, one that claimed to empower its wearer with the ability to make things go exactly the way he wanted them to. *Hah, if only life was so easy!*
A bitter laugh escaped Jade's lips but she closed her hand around the amulet. *A little memento, just in case XY never manages to re-open... At least I'll have a piece of it to remember it by...* Her breathing became laboured rasps as she stifled the urge to let loose the hysteria that clawed at her throat...
Anderson Attack
Jade wasn't too sure how long she sat there in the middle of XY, among the debris. Finally, when she felt a little more composed, Jade pushed herself to her feet and dusted herself off. A noise from the shop front had her looking up. She eyed the man standing at the door suspiciously. He was tall, thin, with shifty eyes and lank blonde hair.
"Yes? Is there something you want?" Jade's tone was brusque... She wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
The man looked somewhat dazed, as if he was lost. "Huh? Wha-" He snapped to attention, his facial expression shifting abruptly to become vaguely menacing. "You'd be Jadyn Lee? The proprietor?" The stranger leered at her, the sly look on his narrow face reminding her of a weasel...
"Who wants to know?" Jade glared at him, her simmering temper beginning to reach boiling point once again.
"My name is Harold Anderson. I'm a..."
Jade's eyes hardened to black chips of coal as she spat, "A reporter! I read your byline this morning Mr Anderson. Pardon me when I say that your style of writing isn't exactly to my liking!"
His thin lips twisted into a sneer. "I didn't print anything that wasn't the truth Ms Lee. And we live in a free country, I'm entitled to express my theories about your establishment's background. And about you too, if I choose to do so."
"I wouldn't quite classify libel as a form of freedom of expression Mr Anderson. However, I can understand if your lack of moral and professional ethics allow you to do so. You're free to write anything you please but I'd watch it if I were you. A law suit for defamation of character wouldn't do your lack-luster career any good, would it?" Her sugary smile belied the sarcasm in her tone.
"Now as you can see, I have a great deal of work to do so I'll take my leave. I would appreciate it if you took yourself off my property as well." Jade stalked past the reporter, hissed venomously when he grabbed hold of her arm. "Take your hand away Anderson. Or I swear to god I'll hurt you..." She swung around, made to sweep off the offending grasp and bit back a yelp of pain when his fingers vised even tighter into her flesh.
His sour breath hit her straight in the face as he leaned closer. "Bitch! Don't you every threaten me! I know your type... Your hocus-pocus bullshit is always a cover-up for something more sinister. Especially so in your case... Oh yes Ms Lee, I've done my homework. I have my sources. I know more about you then you think!"
Jade froze at the reporter's words, cold slicing down her spine. *What does he mean he knows?! He couldn't possibly have found out about my parentage. Could he?* Swallowing the tickle of fear in her throat, she yanked her arm free and was stunned at the vicious red marks imprinted on her skin. Outwardly, however, Jade schooled her features into a look of well-bred disdain. "I have no idea what you're talking about. And I'm afraid, Mr Anderson, I'm going to have to add assault and harassment to that list I'm compiling for my lawyer. Now, leave!" Her uninjured hand swept in the direction of the door.
He moved so quickly, Jade barely had the time to dodge the fist he aimed at her face. She did not, however, anticipate the kick he targeted at her back and gasped as the impact of it sent her careening into the shop wall.
Jade whirled around, instinctively assuming a combative stance as she prepared to defend herself from further attack but he was already upon her. She caught a glimpse of his eyes just before he backhanded her across her face, snapping her head sideways. The maniacal gleam in them frightened her as much as his abnormal strength. "What now bitch? Who's hurting who now?"
Pain shot through her body like a hot arrow as he grabbed her again, shaking her to punctuate each word. Jade struggled weakly but his hands felt like manacles around her arms. *Damn it, if this anything but demonic strength, I'll never shop at Armani again!*
Jade brought her knee up hard, only to have it deflected. The momentary release from his grip proved to be very temporary as he resumed position almost immediately, although this time, his hands were around her throat. She tried futilely to free herself but only succeeded in making pitiful little scratches around his wrists.
Jade's vision started to swim with gray as he tightened the hold around her windpipe. Her legs started to sag as she fought to remain conscious, the only reason she stayed upright was because his death hold had her pinned against the wall.
Suddenly, he released her and she collapsed, coughing and gulping in air. Jade scrabbled backwards, grabbing a broken beam of wood as she stood up. *I'll be damned if I let this asshole kill me without a fight!*
Her shaky effort however, didn't seem necessary for Harold Anderson simply stood there, his jaw slack as he stared in horror at his hands. Their eyes met and he stammered, "O-Oh my god... I never... How? I'm so sorr-"
His words were cut off as Jade brought the wooden pole down on his head. As he crashed to the floor unconscious, Jade seized her mobile phone and punched in 911. "Help me," she rasped when the line was connected, "please, I've been attacked... "
Once she was assured that help was on the way, Jade sank down onto the floor to wait, barely aware of the fact that her head and mouth were bleeding and that huge, ugly purple bruises were starting to form around her neck. In her hand was the wooden pole, poised to knock her assailant out again if he stirred before the police arrived...
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Sorrow barely heard Tash leave. He stood before the windows of the apartment and watched the city. He had no idea what he had intended to do when he had drawn Hizashi and despite his outward calm, his thoughts whirled and would not settle. The warmth of the sunlight reached him through the window and he knew that whatever had happened in his past that for now he was still human. He could not, however, forget the feeling of his canines descending as he had confronted Tash nor could he ignore the rage that lay just below the surface. It urged him to destroy, to let it loose in a orgy of violence that would end in nothing but his own apocalyptic death.
He looked down and gently ran his fingers over the broken skin of his knuckles. His fingertips picked up a faint trace of blood and he rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. *Blood.* The rage quietened at the thought. Blood would heal him he realised, it would chase away the pain that wracked his body even now. The vision came back to him, the taste of blood as it slipped down his throat, *Oh god!* His fangs had slipped out again, he wanted to feed. He whirled from the window, his body quivering with tension as he fought the need that rose up in him.
After an uncertain length of time Sorrow felt it recede but in fighting his unnatural hunger the rage had risen up again. He was lucky the apartment was empty for had anything remained within it he would have torn it apart. *Does Jade fight this every day, this need to destroy?* At the thought of Jade his hand rose unbidden to the almost healed mark at his throat. *Were we enthusiastic human lovers or vampires in the throes of passion? Had I known this then would I have used my fangs? Would she have welcomed them?* He knew the answer to the last. Jade hated vampires, perhaps she had come to terms with her own nature but he doubted she would accept the truth of his.
*And what is your nature? A hybrid of a hybrid. A demon inside a living body when all it should be able to possess is the dead. Do you even have a soul?* He had none of the weaknesses of a vampire. Sunlight, crosses, holy water, none harmed him. He did not have their strengths though, he had spent a life time seeking parity with them. *Oh....* His turmoil momentarily forgotten, Sorrow struggled to recall the strictures attached to the rituals he had undergone. *Human flesh...human spirit...was that my unwitting mistake...did it not hold because I am possessed by a demon?* A bitter laugh rang through the empty room, riding the edge of hysteria.
Laughter turned to sobs as Sorrow's brittle strength shattered. *Demon...Blood Drinker...Killer...* The epithets ran through his mind. The words of hate he had directed at his prey for the last 14 years. 'We try so hard not to become a monster too but we do.' The words he had spoken to Tash just hours before seemed so ironic now. He drew Hizashi again. Sorrow wiped his eyes then smeared blood and salt water along the perfect beauty of his glowing blade. He sat cross legged on the floor and laid the sword across his knees. He took a cloth and cleaned the blade then rising he emptied his mind and lost himself in the discipline of his arts.
Delving
The afternoon sun slanting through the window made a dappled pattern on the wall. Tash watched it absently as she rested on the bed next to Victor. They were sharing a warm silence.
Mostly Tash was trying not to think, but she kept wondering how Sorrow was coping. *How would I feel if I suddenly discovered I had been turned by a vampire?* She shivered. It had almost happened to her, she was sure. That dark-haired vampire with the deep black eyes. *Not well…* She lapsed back into her semi-meditative state, watching the pattern of light and shade on the wall and trying to prepare herself for Kate's arrival.
Kate stood outside the apartment building on Popular Avenue. It had only been four days since she had last stepped foot in the building although it felt like almost a lifetime had passed since she had first met Tash and Matthias and started working for Jade at XY. She was glad to have received Tash’s call earlier. It meant she had a valid excuse for getting out of the house. The tension between herself and Luc hadn’t dissipated, in fact if anything it had grown worse.
She sighed and stepped inside. As she crossed the threshold a tingling shiver ran down her spine causing her to shudder involuntarily. As she climbed the stairs that led to Tash's apartment she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that hung over her like the sword of Damocles. After a moment the feeling passed, and Kate shook herself before finishing the climb to Tash’s apartment – number 205. She sighed again and knocked on the door.
Tash stirred herself at the knock. She glanced at the time - almost 4 o'clock. *Perfect timing.* Tash brushed her lips gently over Victor's before rising smoothly from the bed. "That should be Kate. I don't know how long this will take, but I'll be straight back in here as soon as we're done."
Victor caught her hand as she moved to leave. "Be careful, Tash." He started to say more, but Tash laid her free hand over his mouth.
"I know," she said. "Don't worry." She left the room, leaving the door open, and walked to the front door. "Who is it?" she called.
"It's Kate," she called back, fiddling with her fingers. She had to admit that she was a little nervous about this whole thing, but she was also desperate to remember. She could hear Tash turn the key in the lock and slowly the door opened.
Tash could feel Kate's anxiety, and had to admit to some of her own. There was some dull red in Kate's aura, too. Tash frowned slightly, *Anger? Upset? Won't help...* Tash tried to clear her mind of doubts, and smiled broadly, "Come in, Kate."
As Kate entered the room, Tash closed and locked the door behind her. She helped Kate with her jacket and said, "You know, I haven't had a chance to thank you for keeping that demon off my back last night." Tash smiled ruefully as she recalled the long scars on her back from the claws. "So to speak. The whole thing was pretty intense. How are you feeling today about it all?" Tash gestured to a couch.
Kate sat down on the couch, tucking her hands under her knees nervously. She still felt a little wrung out from the argument she'd just had with Luc. "Oh, as well as can be expected I suppose..."
She looked up at Tash who looked a little bruised and beaten up, and was moving stiffly too. Kate could feel something else too, an overriding sense of guilt. She looked a little worried, but at least if Tash was feeling guilty it must be a sign that she was no longer under the influence of the shards. Kate turned her head sharply towards the bedroom, hearing a slight moan in that direction. “How's Victor doing? He looked terribly ill last night..."
Tash grimaced. "He took a hell of a pounding. Even being a demon, I'm amazed he survived. He needs a bit of healing time yet, but he'll be OK. Eventually." Tash sighed. "I just hope it was worth it all. I guess we'll find out when we start working on Tempest's memories." Tash sat on the other couch. "Speaking of memories..."
"Yes, I suppose, if you are ready...we should probably get started. How do you want to go about this?"
Tash stretched her neck to loosen the kinks a little. She was still feeling the effects from her session with Sorrow earlier. *Let’s just hope this one goes better than his.*
"I'm sure you've learned how to meditate - to find your centre?" Kate nodded, so Tash continued, "I want you to do that, reach that calm inner place, and then I want you to start edging towards the events you remember surrounding Janus' death. Don't try to focus on them too hard, just kind of skirt around them. We'll take it from there." Tash felt the nervousness from Kate like a palpable thing. "You ready for this?"
Kate moved from the couch to the floor. Tash joined her and they sat, legs crossed facing each other. Kate closed her eyes and breathed out deeply, letting her conscious mind drift slightly. She breathed in deep again, this time letting her calm centre find an anchor. She lay her hands out, palms facing up, ready for Tash to make the connection. As she breathed out again she entered a meditative state, teetering on trance. She waited…
Tash stripped off her gloves and closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the core of her being. The place where emptiness resided. She pushed away the memory of her recent disaster with Sorrow. She could just feel Kate's mind on the edge of her consciousness. When they were both ready, Tash raised her hands and, still with her eyes closed, unerringly clasped Kate's hands in her own. A part of Tash wished that she'd dared to ask Victor to merge again. Right now, being able to control her 'gift' would be a handy thing. But she feared for her sanity. She hoped never to have to host Vrithetek again. She just hoped that having Kate think about the relevant memories would be enough to steer her visions...
Janus slashed at her with the knife. They struggled. Janus intoned, “Aut Vincere Aut Mori…”
A sharp pain as the knife entered her body - she had been distracted by something moving in the shadows. So sharp...
Another secret tryst with Luc, hiding from her husband...
As the visions began to come faster, Tash could feel some of her own memories welling up. Unsure why this should be, Tash could only put it down to Kate's own telepathic ability. She tried to maintain her position at the point of nothingness, but old memories slipped out unbidden.
Patrick's twisted body in a spreading pool of blood.
The sickening feeling as the knife slid into Janus' chest.
Stalking a vampire. This one seemed different. Older, more powerful. Time to be extra careful.
Pushing Janus' dead body over onto the floor. Surging pain in her body, the taste of blood filling her mouth...blackness...
Staring into the inky pools that were eyes. Drawing her in, drowning her in their depths.
Logan bursts into the bedroom to find her and Luc wrapped closely in each other's arms....the look of painful betrayal in his eyes.
The absolute darkness swallows up her body as she descends into a spiralling empty void...suddenly someone grabs her, pulling her up...the word "Murderer!" echoes around the tower room.
Her bleeding parents beseeching her, their dead arms held out to her, 'Why did you kill us, Tash?'
She finds the dead body of her husband, his eyes dull and staring...the awful fear...the guilt...she had done this to him.
Someone pressed the knife into her hand. The pain of her wounds had faded, the slashes closed. The door burst open...
Surrounded by children at school. They were calling her names, saying she was a freak. It was so unfair - it wasn't her fault they couldn't see the pretty colours.
Back to the darkness....this is where it all happened...the darkness, something happened here...
The visions slowed and stopped. Tash could feel the beginnings of a headache starting just behind her eyes. There was more, much more, but there seemed to be something in the way. She opened her eyes and pulled her hands from Kate's. Kate's breathing was a little fast and she looked very pale, but it seemed she was mostly all right. Just a bit overcome. *Hardly surprising,* thought Tash as she felt her own racing heartbeat.
"I'm sorry, there's still something blocking you. Without really attacking it, I don't think we can get through. And that would be dangerous." Tash couldn't help think, *But with Vrithetek in here, maybe.... No! That's too dangerous, too.*
Kate rose from the floor, stretching a little before helping Tash up. She felt a knot in her stomach from all those visions that had filled her mind...Tash and her parents, her brother. Her mind was swimming and she felt sick inside. "A mind block..." she said absently, a frown growing upon her forehead. "Then there was someone, something else...there is a possibility that I..." her voice trailed off. "Thank you," she said finally, and looked deep into Tash's eyes. "Thank you."
"Hey, it was nothing," Tash said weakly. She sat heavily back on the couch, pulling her gloves back on. Her own memory of her parents bothered her. That was the picture from her nightmares. That had never really happened... *Kate, this is about Kate.* She dragged her mind back to Kate's memories.
"I sensed someone else there, too. In the shadows. And there was a definite sense of the knife being placed in your hand afterwards..." Tash shrugged, "Whatever else, what you remember clearly shows the struggle - at the very least it has to be called self-defense."
Kate nodded. She felt some small consolation from Tash's words, although she would never feel completely at ease until she knew exactly what had transpired that night. She sighed tiredly, "It may be enough...to convince the Council at least."
Tash was concerned. This had obviously been preying on Kate's mind for some time, and she was still a long way from having all the answers. Something else had happened that night, something that Kate couldn't remember. It was in there, but it was walled off.
Tash sighed. "I'm sorry I couldn't find more for you. But sit down and rest for a while. Would you like something to eat? Drink?" She rose from the couch as she spoke. Not waiting for Kate's response, Tash rummaged around in the kitchen and found some sweet biscuits. "Coffee or tea? Or something stronger?" she asked.
Kate smiled, "You are a woman after my own heart Tash, I don't think I have ever needed a strong drink more than at this moment!"
Tash grinned, "Hope you like brandy..." She poured a couple of generous nips and carried them to the coffee table. Kate had settled on the couch and Tash perched next to her. "Get that down you, it'll take the edge off."
Tash followed her own advice and savoured the sharpness of the brandy as it slid down her throat. She tried not to dwell on the dark images she'd just witnessed, but they kept surfacing.
Kate relaxed as she drank. "Oh that's much better." She frowned a little, nursing the glass in her hands. "Tash, when we...when we connected I saw things...about your parents, your brother. I had no idea...I'm so sorry..."
Tash bit her lip. Seeing that boy’s gravestone earlier had shaken her – made her dwell on thoughts of Pat. Her voice was hoarse as she replied, "It was a long time ago. Vampires..." Tash gazed at the remnants of her drink before finishing it off. She looked up at Kate, "That's why I hunt them. They all have to die."
She placed her empty glass carefully on the small table. "That vision of my parents, though. That wasn't real. That was what I see in my nightmares. They're dead, but they're up and talking, asking why I killed them, or why I let it happen. I've never understood that." A tear slid down Tash's cheek and she slowly wiped it away.
"Matthias is my family." She turned her head towards the hallway to the bedrooms and smiled. "And Victor now, it seems."
Kate put her glass down on the table. She felt close to Tash in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. Impulsively she wrapped her arms around her in a comforting embrace. "It's okay," she soothed as she held her, rubbing her back. "I know...I never knew my parents, but...you can make a new family for yourself, if you have love…and I can tell, Victor loves you very much indeed.”
Tash let herself be held. It seemed these sessions always ended up with hugging and crying. *At least this time I’m not facing a suicidal homicidal maniac with a sword.*
"Thanks, Kate. I know he does." Tash pulled back. "You never knew your parents at all? Not even when you were little?"
"I don't remember...I think I was too young to remember. I know my mother died but my father...I think he left us before...before I was born. My aunt raised me, well she, I thought she was my aunt at the time. Then I joined the coven and they became my family, my brothers and sisters."
Tash winced. "And now they're hunting you. For something you didn't do. Life sucks, you know. At least Luc still believes in you and loves you." Tash managed not to blush as she mentioned Luc’s name. The visions from people always felt so … personal.
Kate smiled weakly, "I've hurt him a lot in the past, I wouldn't blame him if..." she looked down, tears welling up in her eyes this time. "Oh Tash! I don't think I could go on if, if I ever lost him..."
Now it was Tash's turn to comfort Kate. "From what I've seen of him, I don't think you're in any danger of losing him. He really cares for you." The two women clung to each other, sharing their losses and their fears silently.
Kate slowly opened her eyes. Through her tears she saw the time on a clock on the side table. 5:14pm. She suddenly ripped her body from Tash's, wiping anxiously at her tears. "Oh, oh I didn't realise. I should be getting back home. Matthias must still have one shard left to dampen...he might need my help and..." she looked pained for a moment, "Luc might be getting worried...after last night..."
Tash could feel Kate's pain as she mentioned Luc. "Kate, whatever it is, I'm sure it'll blow over. He does love you." She stood and helped Kate to her feet. "You OK for getting home?"
Kate forced another smile as she rose to her feet, picking up her jacket from the back of a chair. "I hope so, I just..." she sighed wearily, "it doesn't matter now..." she glanced at her watch again. "I really, really should be getting home now. It's okay, I think I'm going to walk. I could use the fresh air."
"If you're sure..."
Kate hugged Tash again. They parted and Kate opened the door to leave. She turned back one last time and squeezed Tash's hand in her own. "Thanks again, for everything."
Bad Feelings
Kate didn’t go straight home after leaving Tash’s apartment. Instead she walked to the park. The late evening sun had almost set behind the city skyline. A warm orange glow filtered down through the canopy of trees beneath which she sat. She leaned back against the trunk of the tree and watched the receding figure of a man who was walking his dog. She frowned, remembering the visions she had received of Tash and her family. She closed her eyes and she could still see the contorted body of a small boy laying in a pool of his own blood…
Kate blinked away the tears in her eyes. In that short time the sky had already grown dark. She looked at her watch, 7:22pm. *It can’t be!* she thought, *how long have I been sitting here?* She picked herself up, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. She quietly cursed herself for getting side-tracked like that. It would take her at least another half an hour to walk the distance to Birch Street and the sky was already dark, the sun having set a while ago. She just prayed that she didn’t bump into any of Bob’s regulars…
****BIRCH STREET****
The house was empty when Kate finally arrived. Matthias had left already she guessed and probably taken the shards to whatever hiding place he had stashed the other two. Kate walked into the living room, taking her jacket off. Luc was asleep on the sofa. He awoke as Kate entered the room. He glanced at the clock, it was almost 8:00pm. He sat up sleepily.
“Where have you been? I was worried, it was getting late…”
“Matthias has gone I see.”
Luc stood, a frown growing on his face. “Yes he left quite sometime ago. Where have you been all this time?” he repeated again.
“I-I needed to think…” her face looked paler than usual, her entire manner was nervous and on edge. Luc stood closer and tried to hold her but she pushed him away. “No, just…just leave me alone will you…?” Luc looked hurt and Kate bit her lip, regretful that her tone had been so harsh. They stood in an awkward silence for a moment; finally Kate turned and began to walk towards the staircase.
“Why are you acting like this?” Luc queried, he too bit his lip in remorse as his words formed a hurtful accusation. “Kate, if this is about this morning…”
Kate turned and looked at him, “It isn’t about this morning, it’s about everything. You think I don’t see it in your eyes? That look you give me, like everything isn’t quite right it’s like….it’s like I can’t avoid disappointing you no matter what I do…” She turned to go again but this time Luc laid his hand on her arm.
“Is it any wonder!?” he said quickly. “I-I feel like I hardly know you any more. I mean first…” his voice trailed of sadly, he shook his head in dismay. “…and then your magic, I mean every day you’re getting stronger and more so, it, it scares me…”
Kate frowned, trying to comprehend his words. “It scares you? I scare you?”
“I-I never said that,” he replied hastily, his grip on her arm tightening.
“It’s what you meant. You’re afraid of me, you’re afraid of something I can’t even control. It isn’t even my fault! And you stand there judging me…”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that it’s just I…ever since Logan and…”
“Yeah, I was wondering how long it would take you to bring his name up again.”
“No, wait you don’t understand!”
“I understand perfectly.” Luc tried again to hold her but she shrugged him away. “Just what kind of person do you think I am? Do you think I liked betraying my husband to be with you? I had to look him in the eyes every day for six months knowing what I was doing to him. Knowing that if he ever found out…that it would kill him. I thought the fact that I did all that to be with you might just mean something. I guess I was wrong.”
“Why does everything have to be so difficult all the time?” he asked sadly.
Kate turned to walk away finally but as she did she stopped and turned around to face him a final time. “You know? Despite all that we’ve been though, I would have done more. I would have endured anything to be with you, that’s how much you mean to me. Pretty stupid, huh?”
Luc looked down, ashamed. When he looked back up Kate had turned and walked away.
Back in the Suburbs (Night; Thursday)
Talhu finally reached the base again at evening, pulling the car in to the garage and entering through the back again. He found Alaric in the basement again, as was normal for him. When he later asked Alaric why he remained down there, he replied that it removed the chance of someone looking in through an open window and seeing him - an orange demon tended to stick out.
A few minutes later, Talhu decided to ask the question on his mind. "Had an interesting encounter while getting those suits. One of your... our... people approached me with an interesting article."
"The conspiracy magazine," Alaric said. "I assume that you figured our influence is not over human governments - the extent of it is a few informants in the police. They have confirmed that the saleswoman's case was quitely buried. FEMA's involvement cannot be confirmed, however."
"Any idea why this would happen?"
"Some, but you need not concern yourself with that now." The two sat down after that. "For right now, it is time to continue your training. Have you done any study of psychology?"
"Only what experience has taught me."
"You should do that," Alaric said. "When we go to set groups in conflict, our first task must be to determine the motivation of the various elements involved. This knowledge makes manipulation of events much more simple - and also makes it require less effort." Alaric then went on to describe some general things that he had learned from his own studies of psychology.
Night dragged on. At one point, Alaric picked up the phone and made four phone calls. All of them said the exact same thing: The other members of the Five had been called to LA for a meeting on Sunday. The two demons continued to talk in to the night again.
Warty Demons, Whining Devotion
Every evening, as the sun begins to set, the population of beings that make up the night start to come to life. One by one, they surface to feed, to terrorize, to plunder, to skulk among the shadows... The night of February 17th was no different...
Eriantha's eyes fluttered open just as the last rays of light disappeared over the horizon. A soft snore next to her ear reminded her that she had not spent her slumbering hours alone and she turned to look at the prone figure of the man she shared her bed with...
His breathing, slow and rhythmic, caused the silk of the sheet to rise and fall. She rolled him over and smoothed back his silky hair.
*He isn't more than a boy really, he looks no older than 18.* Eriantha couldn't help but brush back a lock of hair from the youth's forehead. *Such a pretty face, almost angelically sweet. Who would have thought it masked such a voracious and dark hunger?*
In the silence of the night she could hear the throbbing of his pulse as blood surged through his veins. She ran a cool hand across his throat and over his neck, smoothing over the pale skin. Her fingers danced around two red marks that blemished the flawless skin.
Eriantha remembered the taste of his blood, the rich viscosity of it as it flowed over her lips... Slowly, so as not to wake him, she knelt in closer and sank her fangs once more into his warm flesh and began to drink deeply.
The young boy began to stir so she clasped his body tighter in her hands in order to keep him still. The young boy was awake now and while he had enjoyed the rush of being fed from initially, he was beginning to panic now. Eriantha was still drinking heavily and was showing no signs of stopping. Surely she would not kill him? He could feel his life ebbing away with every strained beat of his heart...
Suddenly there was a knock on the door of the crypt. Eriantha dragged herself away from her feverish task, blood coating her lips, a thin trickle running down her chin.
The youth pulled away anxiously, holding his throat painfully. As the door opened he grabbed his clothes and ran out...
Totally unconscious about her nakedness, Eriantha slipped off the bed and stalked to a nearby chaise lounge, where she covered herself with a sumptuous silk wrap. Dabbing delicately at the blood that remained, she fastened her sharp gaze on the Lister demon that minced into the room.
"What have you learned?" Eriantha's voice was coolly imperious and deadly serious.
The demon's grey, wrinkly skin quivered as he bowed jerkily, his eyes lowered. "Not as much as we hoped, oh undying Mistress of the Night... Perhaps... If only you would be so gracious as to grant us more time..." His voice rose to a hopeful whine, which trailed off as Eriantha held up a finger. Flustered, the demon stammered, "Errm... Ahhh... Well... All we know right now, lovely Lady Eriantha, is that the apartment at Poplar houses a rather... odd bunch, one might say."
"Odd?" A smooth well-groomed eyebrow lifted.
"Why, yes my divinely dark temptress." The creature beamed, pleased that he'd avoided his mistress's wrath and obtained her undivided attention. "Very odd. Firstly, as you already know, the battle fiend Vrithetek resides there... We were, however, unable to determine if he resides alone. It appears that he's been seen in the company of a particular woman very often."
"What sort of woman? Mortal?" Eriantha's smooth forehead furrowed as she tried to stifle the small spurt of jealousy that flared within her. *Victor, cohabiting with a woman? A mortal woman at that? Could it be? It sounds almost too ludicrous to believe!*
The Lister demon bowed again. "We believe so, Your Dark Highness. The woman is black, goes by the name of Natasha and appears to be a vampire hunter, no less..."
Eriantha's face was unreadable - it wouldn't do for her to parade her emotions in front of an underling - but inside, she was a mass of disappointment. *Oh Victor, how could you? Bad enough you waste your affections on another woman, you had to pick a mortal... and a vampire hunter at that!*
Aloud, however, she demanded, "What of the others? Who else lives in the building?" *Valerian mentioned a gathering of power, a presence that might aid the fusion of the two worlds...*
"Oh Regally Restrained One..." The demon stepped nervously away from Eriantha. "Begging your pardon, oh Radiant One of the twilight, but the remaining occupants are a total bewilderment to us. There is a aged witch of little power, and the two others..."
The vampiress was becoming visibly impatient as she snapped. "What?"
"Well... They appear to be human..." His wart-covered hand trembled slightly and his voice squeaked with nerves, making it even more ingratiatingly high pitched.
"So do I, you imbecile! Until you irk me beyond reason!" Eriantha moved with a speed that contrasted sharply with her usual gliding movements. She grasped the demon around the throat and slammed it into the wall; her fangs gleamed lethally sharp in the darkness. "Are they mortal?"
"W-w-well, Your Gloriously Divine, Eternally Effulgent One..." Eriantha squeezed her hand tighter around his neck. "You can stop that now, just tell me what I need to know!"
"O-oh, thank you most merciful..."
Eriantha glared at him. The demon managed to rasp out a "No", its colourless eyes bulging as Eriantha applied more pressure to his throat.
"Are they vampires then? Speak, you bumbling baffoon!"
Tears pooled at the corners of the demon's eyes as he squeaked, "We cannot be sure... A sense of darkness hangs around them, the Asian woman especially. She's no ordinary mortal, we are sure of that!"
*Asian?* Eriantha's ears pricked up at that. She flung the Lister demon toward the doorway and waved him off absently, lost as she was in thought. *Asian... Hmmmm... *
It was not difficult to recall the scandal that had broken out among the nightwalkers over 20 years ago, when the great vampire Valerian had taken up with a mortal woman, an Asian mortal woman.
She smiled a little at that. *Ahhhh... Valerian... Who'd always seen humans as being an appallingly crass but necessary part of the food chain, had caused quite a furor when his devotion to... Rose, I believe her name was... became apparent.*
This definitely bore looking into. This time, however, she'd investigate it personally. "Never send a sniveling wart-covered demon to do a woman's job..." Eriantha thought, rolling her eyes as she swept across her chamber in search of garments appropriate for foraging into the world that stretched beyond After Dark...
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
The sun was setting as a police squad car pulled up at the entrance of the apartment building on Poplar. Jade, who was huddling within, jumped when the officer touched her lightly on the arm. "Do you need me to see you upstairs Ma'am?" She smiled shakily, tried to answer him and winced when the effort seared her raw, aching throat. She settled for shaking her head, absently fingering the dark bruises exposed by her summer top.
After less than half a dozen steps however, Jade regretted her decision. Her head had begun to spin and her legs felt barely capable of supporting her. The police officers at the station had wanted her to stay overnight in the hospital for observation but she'd adamantly refused. They'd been left with little choice but to treat her injuries, take her statement and then permit her to go home, promising that they'd be in touch in the next couple of days.
Jade grasped at the row of post boxes for support and lowered herself gingerly onto the building's front steps. She rested a while, her breathing evening out as her world stopped tilting back and forth. She wondered idly if Sorrow was home... longed for him to take her into his arms and hold her till the pain went away... Her thoughts drifted back to the man who'd attacked her and a frown creased her forehead.
Harold Anderson had been in total shock after he'd regained consciousness. He'd been almost docile and meek as he was arrested and read his rights, mumbling softly to himself all the while. He appeared to be bewildered as to why he'd attacked her, claiming that he'd only gone to XY to seek an interview with Jade as a follow-up to his previous article. Several of the officers had seemed really sceptical about that but Jade had overheard a couple of them talking about the possibility of schizophrenia. She could well believe them, for the limp, babbling man before her seemed totally unlike the one that had attacked her earlier on. He seemed so harmless...
That is, she thought him harmless until just before she'd left the station to go home. As Jade walked past the room where Anderson was being detained, he'd launched himself at the door, screaming obscenities about her being a demon tainting the world with her pretence at being human.
The incident had shaken Jade to the core. Even now, Anderson's words rang in her ears...
"Fucking demon bitch! You think I don't know what the fuck you are? You pretend to be human, but I see inside you... All the blackness inside you...Mark my words. You’ll be begging to die by the time I’m done with you!”
Stumbling as she got to her feet, Jade got up and made her way inside. She desperately wanted to get home, prayed that Tris would be there... How she made it up the stairs, she wasn't sure. Her awkward movements had caused the gash on her forehead to reopen and the further loss of blood was making her light-headed...
*Oh damn, I think I'm going to...* Jade's world did a slow, sick spin before she crumpled and everything went black...
*****
Tash sat in the darkening room, nursing her third brandy. Kate was long gone, and Victor had slipped back into a meditative state, trying to heal. Tash was left alone with her thoughts. They weren’t good company tonight.
A crash in the hallway startled her from her dark reverie. Frowning, she rose a little unsteadily and went to her door. Pressing her hand against the panel, she tried to sense anything beyond it, but all seemed quiet.
She fetched her gun and turned the key in the lock, opening the door carefully, ready to act if necessary. What she saw made her gasp. Jade was lying crumpled in the hallway. Tash quickly scanned the area, but determined nobody or nothing else was about. She ensured the safety was on then tucked the gun into her pants. She hated to do that, but it was better than going out there without it, under the circumstances.
She reached Jade and knelt beside her. "Oh, my God," she murmured to herself. Jade was battered and bruised with nasty purple welts on her throat and blood seeping from a gash in her forehead.
Tash spoke clearly, "Jade, can you hear me?"
Jade stirred groggily at Tash's voice, and Tash breathed a sigh of relief. *Only fainted, thank God.* She scanned Jade's aura - there were no bright red spikes, so probably nothing was broken. Jade was struggling to sit up, but Tash put a hand on her shoulder. "Easy, Jade, don't try to sit just yet. Let me get you inside."
Tash scooped Jade up in her arms, thankful that she was petite. Her sore back still screamed at her from the exertion, though. She carried Jade's limp form into her flat, kicked the door shut behind her and deposited Jade gently on one of the couches. She removed the gun and placed it on the coffee table. Jade was mumbling incoherently, her eyelids fluttering.
Tash covered the distance to the bathroom in a few quick strides, and returned with a damp cloth. She gently wiped the blood from Jade’s brow. The flow had mostly stopped, Tash was relieved to note. She went back to rinse the cloth, then popped her head in the bedroom to check Victor. He was lying still, apparently oblivious to the goings on in the lounge room. Tash envied him the calm day he’d been having, and carried the cloth back to Jade where she placed it over the semi-conscious woman’s forehead.
Jade's eyes opened slowly, "Tash? How... Tris..." Her voice was barely audible and it was evidently extremely painful for her to speak. She sat up gingerly with her friend's help and croaked, "Water... Please..."
Tash got her a glass and Jade nodded gratefully. After a couple of swallows, she tried again to talk. "Tash... Did Tris come back with you? Is he home? I..." Jade couldn't quite control the grimace of pain as she shifted. "It hurts to talk so I'd like to explain everything at one shot. And I kinda need Tris right now... Could you help me back to my apartment?"
Tash tried not to wince at Jade's words. "Um, Jade, Sorrow isn't back yet. He said to tell you he'd be back as soon as he could. I'm sorry, but I'm the best on offer at the moment."
Jade swallowed her disappointment and attempted to smile. "No need to apologise. You 'rescued' me well enough, I'm not complaining..."
After taking several more sips of water, she told Tash about what happened... Her going to XY, Anderson turning up, his attack on her... Recalling how it felt as he squeezed the life out of her, Jade's hands went instinctively to her throat. "It was frightening. I couldn't fight back, he was too strong. Demonically strong! I've never been so helpless. So much for my vampire strength, huh?"
Even caught up as she was in her tale, Jade didn’t miss the flicker of emotion that crossed Tash's face at her mention of her darker abilities. "I suspect he was possessed... Something was definitely pulling his strings. There were moments where he seemed totally harmless and weak. And bewildered... as if he didn't have a clue about what he was doing..."
Jade's hands trembled and she set the glass down on the coffee table. "I think he knows what I am Tash. What I can't figure out is how he knows..."
Tash sat on the floor in silence for a moment after Jade finished her recounting. "From what little I know, it sounds like it could be possession. Or maybe a spell?" Tash hazarded. "As to how he found out about you..." she shrugged. "Maybe he can read auras, too? Or someone may have told him..." A frown creased Tash's forehead. "How many people know for sure what you are, Jade?"
At the back of her mind, Tash felt relieved that Jade hadn't pressed her on Sorrow's whereabouts. She hated to leave Jade in the dark, especially when she was so in need of comfort, but Tash had to keep her promise to Sorrow.
"Tris, you, Victor, Matthias. I don't think I've told anyone else. Kate and Lucien have their suspicions I'm sure, but they don't know for sure... And... Valerian."
Jade mulled over the possibilities before she spoke again. "I don't think Anderson has any psychic or supernatural abilities. One of the police officers told me earlier that Anderson's hatred for anything to do with the occult is pretty well known. Apparently, he lost his wife and four-year-old son to some bogus cult group about two years back. She poisoned the child, then self-terminated. Part of this whole 'death is the ultimate experience' campaign preached by the cult leader. I remember reading about it when it happened. Some 150 people committed suicide that night."
Jade's face was pale as she imagined the horror of the scenario. "Anderson went a little crazy after that. He's been gunning for anything and everything even remotely related to the occult since. He doesn't care whether it's good or evil."
Exhausted by her monologue, Jade leaned back and closed her eyes.
Tash grimaced. She knew the type. She'd encountered such people more than once. But part of her understood. Their hatred of the occult mirrored her hatred of vampires. At least with declaring vengeance on all vampires she knew she was dealing with evil creatures only. That made it easier. *Well, until recently,* she thought, considering Jade's case and now Sorrow's. She sighed. She preferred it when her world had been black and white. Now it seemed everything was shades of grey.
She took Jade's hand in her own, "Well, however he found out, at least the police have him. He can't get to you from there." Tash decided not to mention that if Anderson had demonic strength then she wasn't sure they'd be able to hold him. "Maybe you should stay here tonight?" she suggested. *Then I can keep an eye on her. Keep her safe.*
"No, thanks. I'd rather rest at home. Tris'll worry if he doesn't find me when he gets back." At Tash's stricken face, Jade squeezed her hand lightly. "You all right? What happened at the cemetery today?"
Tash squeezed her eyes shut and blanked her face of all emotion. "Jade, I made a promise. To Sorrow. He'll tell you all about it when he gets back." She opened her eyes and looked at Jade's bewildered face. "And he will be back. I just don't know when."
"What? Is he all right? What happened? Why can't you tell me?!" Jade gripped Tash's hand as tightly as her depleted strength would allow. "Tash... Please... He hasn't recovered from the backlash. If he's in any danger, I've got to go to him!"
Tash felt Jade's pain and worry almost as a physical blow. She could no longer look at Jade's eyes. Closing her own, she said, "He asked me not to say anything. I can't break his trust." After a short pause she added, "For what it's worth, I think he'll be OK." *Liar.*
Opening her eyes, she continued, "Please, Jade. Don't ask me to go into it. It's something he has to tell you about."
"No..." For some reason, terror clawed at Jade's throat. Something inside told her that whatever happened was earth-shattering. Gravely so. Nothing else would make Sorrow stay away from her.
"No!" She repeated with more force. Jade knew that guilt was tearing Tash to pieces but she couldn't leave it alone, not when it concerned Tristan. "He's not OK. If it's bad enough that he walks out on me without an explanation, then he'll most definitely not be OK. If you won't tell me what happened, that's fine. I won't force you to break his trust. But tell me where I can find him. Where did he go? Tell me Tash, please..."
Tash sighed, and bowed her head. Looking up again, she replied, "To be perfectly honest, he could be anywhere by now. He had some stuff to think about." Tash hoped to God that thinking was all he was going to do. "He really needs to be alone right now."
She clasped Jade's hand. "I know you're worried. I would be too in your situation. But trust him. He'll be OK." She paused. She really wasn't sure how Sorrow would react to Jade when - if - he returned. But they could cross that bridge when they came to it. She smiled reassuringly at Jade and squeezed the hand she held. "You need to worry about yourself right now. I mean, look at you, you're a mess!" Tash grinned, trying to lighten the tone.
Jade bit her lip to keep the tears from forming. She knew that Tash would never tell her, even if she did know. Her word was her bond. Jade struggled against the urge to plead again, understanding that it'd be futile and would only serve to make things even more difficult. The last thing she wanted now was to strain the friendship she shared with Tash.
Taking a deep breath, Jade croaked, "I'll be fine with a bit of rest. It's mostly cuts and bruises, and a pretty nasty bump on my head. I'll just head on home. In case Tris..." Her voice broke and she swallowed audibly. "In case Tris calls."
Jade waved away Tash's protests and stood up, fighting back the nausea and giddiness that swamped her as she did so. "I'll be OK. Really. Vampire healing abilities and all, remember?"
*There it is again, that flicker in her eyes. Every time I've brought up my vampire side, Tash's barely managed to suppress a flinch. What's going on?!* Jade paused at the doorway. "Go get some rest. You don't look so hot yourself. I promise to call if I need anything, provided you do the same. OK?"
Tash put a hand on Jade's arm. "Maybe I should stay with you, just in case." *Just in case a demon-possessed lunatic comes after you...*
Jade shook her head adamantly. "No, really. I'll be fine. I will call later, all right? If I don't, I give you permission to break down my door."
Tash smiled ruefully, "If you insist...but if you so much as feel woozy, call me!" She frowned in worry as Jade closed the door then rested her head against the door panel. *What a mess...How is Sorrow going to react to Jade now? I wish I knew.*
After the door clicked shut and she was in the privacy of her own apartment, Jade let the tears flow. Tash’s words had hurt more than she had let on. He really needs to be alone right now.
"Tris," she whispered, "where are you?" She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. *Don't walk away or shut me out... I need you my love... And I know that you can feel that. I need you...I love you.*
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Night had fallen by the time Sorrow had completed the last slow graceful movement of his exercises. Hizashi and the glow of the lamps from the street below illuminated the room. Sorrow held the final stance, Hizashi's quivering tip the only evidence of the slow dissolution of the calm the exercises had brought. *I am a hunter. My prey are vampires. This changes nothing.* Sorrow sheathed his blade and walked out into the night.
People eddied around Sorrow as he stood and listened with supernatural hearing. He had used no power and so tonight the city did not sing to him. Instead he heard the pulsing rush of a thousand drums. Sorrow moved through the crowd searching for the stillness of undead flesh. Passing a darkened alley he heard the sound of a heart trying to pump blood that was no longer there. It was a sound he was now intimately familiar with. He turned into the alley and found the vampire and his meal.
He watched as a vampire sucked gently on the twin puncture wounds of the woman's neck. The woman was gasping weakly but pain and shock had stolen the fight from her and the vampire's strength had overwhelmed her. He could hear the heartbeat slowing as the blood was drained from her. Sorrow moved slightly and caught sight of the vampire's face. An expression of bliss showed as it drew the experience out. Memories rose unbidden in Sorrow's mind and he froze.
Finally the woman's heart, unable to pump what little blood remained in her body, began to stutter. Sorrow's inertia vanished as underlying rage merged with his need for vengeance and he finally attacked the vampire. A simple kick drove the vampire's fangs from the dying woman's body and before it could register the blow Sorrow was upon it.
A quick succession of strikes delivered to the groin, sternum and throat showed that while Sorrow's foe may have been undead it was still male. As the vampire collapsed onto the floor Sorrow reached down and grabbed the creature by the shoulders.
"Get up!" Sorrow threw the vampire into a nearby wall. Giving the vampire no respite Sorrow crossed to the vampire and dragged it upright again. Holding it against the wall with his left hand Sorrow delivered punch after punch with his right. Bones shattered under the force of Sorrow's attack and when he had reduced the left side of the vampire's ribcage to nothing but splinters, Sorrow flung his barely conscious victim into the centre of the alley.
Sorrow stood over the vampire. His face was a soundless snarl, the eyes consumed with green fire and Sorrow's vampiric heritage was again apparent. Sorrow kicked the vampire with sufficient force to lift it off the ground. The brutal kicks continued until the vampire was a mass of broken bones and torn flesh. One final kick left the creature sprawled like a rag doll by the side of the alley. Sorrow reached back and drew Hizashi.
"I said get up!" Sorrow drove his blade into the vampire's shoulder. The sickly sweet smell of charring flesh rose from the vampire, which began to moan. Seeing he would get no further reaction Sorrow withdrew his blade then pressed the tip into the puffed up flesh just beneath its eye. There was no reaction. The sheer awful brutality of Sorrow's attack had overcome the vampire's resilience and it had slipped into unconsciousness.
Sorrow looked down at the ruined form before him and with a simple shrug of his shoulders drove his sword through its heart. Turning away from the cloud of dust the vampire became, Sorrow returned his blade to its sheath and walked past the dead woman back into the night.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Eriantha purchased the card from the drugstore attendant. The young girl was barely older than she had been when she was embraced. Eriantha smiled at her, *Two school girls,* she thought.
She scribbled a note with a borrowed pen and slipped the card into its envelope before exiting the fluorescent lighting of the store and entering the night. She skipped merrily along the street in her designer red dress. She rather hoped that one of the lowlifes in the neighborhood would try to rape her. She hadn't had a good rape in a while.
She walked up Poplar Avenue brushing her fingertips along the iron fences and gates lining the street. She was feeling playful tonight. *It must be the moon,* she idly considered.
Looking into the sky at the full bright face she admired its cool grey light. It made her look so much more fragile than the low moody lights of the club. *I wonder if I could capture that effect?*
When she reached the door of the apartment building she was dismayed to find the front door locked. She paused, wondering whether to break the lock but finally decided to tuck the card into the letter slot there. She felt confident that some kind soul would deliver it.
**********
Mrs. White heard the letter flap clang loudly in the hall. She peeked out of the spyhole in her door, but didn't see anything. After trying to see for a few minutes, she cracked open her door and undid the chain to see the bright orange envelope on the floor in the atrium.
It was unsealed and had a single letter "V" on the front. Mrs. White casually looked around the hallway, and not seeing any of her exceedingly strange neighbors, she undid the flap and peered inside.
The card was a generic birthday card. It showed a cartoon of a cake with a single candle on the front. Inside was written an inscription in a flowing delicate and distinctly feminine hand. Mrs. White mused outloud (but very quietly so as not to bother anyone) "Happy B'Earth Day...What an odd thing to say!"
She padded lightly up the stairs and slipped the card under Victor's door. He had been spending a lot of time in that Tash girl's place. And while Mrs. White was far from a prude (she had been young once as well) she wasn't sure she really approved of those two getting together. He was such a nice clean professional sort, despite his apparent poor health. And she--well she was the kind of girl who was always in trouble. And rode a motorcycle at that! Mrs. White clicked her tounge at the thought.
She would have to invite that girl in for tea and maybe a quick talking-to. That sort never listened, *But it might ease my nerves,* she thought.
She walked back to her apartment, and closed the door.
A short while later she was in bed with her reading glasses on and a glass of water on the bedside table. She paused for a moment after reading the last sentence on that page for the third time. *Did I lock the door?*
She decided she had after all and finished the chapter before turning off the antique lamp on her bedside table. She slept peacefully and dreamed of orderly well behaved neighbors without a hint of scandal.
Woo Hoo! 300 Posts in the Game!