Wednesday, February 22, 2017

4.26 Lost in the Dark


Kimberly leaned against her daughter's bedroom door. Squeezing her eyes shut she tried to blot out the sounds of her daughter's terrified screams.

"Mommy don't leave me" Phoebe's pitiful pleas for her to come back almost broke her resolve as she began to open the door to go back inside.

"Honey she needs to learn to sleep on her own" Everett said coming alongside her drawn by his daughter's pleas. Her screams were painful to bear.

"I just want to hold her" Kimberly cried leaning into him seeking comfort "tell her she has nothing to fear."

"I know" Everett soothed pulling her close "I want to do the same thing."

"Then why are we out here listening to our baby cry? Pleading for us to come to her?" Kimberly demanded hands curled into fists pounding his chest.


Everett stilled her hands as he looked deep into her eyes. It wasn't a new thought for either one of them. Neither of them knew why their daughter had been having night terrors. They didn't know of any creature that could or would torment a child like that. His breath caught in his throat as he asked "could it be an IF?"

"She doesn't have one" Kimberly sniffed drying her eyes "my family have banned those vile things from their homes." She took a deep breath turning towards their daughter's door "it's something else. I can feel her fear. It's real..."

Everett put a a hand on her shoulder squeezing tight "I believe you."

She reached up taking his hand "what are we going to do?"

"I don't know. At least not yet" he kissed the top of her head "we'll figure it out though."

They both stared at the closed impassive door. Beyond that door was their little girl. Their daughter was being hurt by forces unknown. Leaning his ear against the door Everett sighed "I think she fell asleep." He ran his tongue along his bottom lip "do you think you can connect with her while she's asleep?"

"You mean see what she's dreaming about?" Kimberly asked "I..I don't know. I've never tried that before."

***


"Dark. So dark" Kimberly mumbled clutching at Everett's supporting arms. She felt him guide her towards something unseen. Nothing was real. Only the darkness. She shivered as a child called to her.

"Mommy" Phoebe cried in the distance "I don't like it here."

"Baby where are you?" Kimberly called disoriented in the darkness. 

"Over here mommy" Phoebe cried out to her "hurry mommy. The darkness is coming to get me."

"I'm coming sweetie" Kimberly called out hoping her voice would calm the panic rising in her daughter's voice. She turned in the direction she thought Phoebe's voice was coming from.  She stumbled in the darkness. Falling head over heals like a ball bouncing down a flight of stairs. Moaning she lay in the dark, disoriented, breathing hard. She hadn't heard Phoebe's voice in a while. How long? She wasn't sure. She wasn't sure what was real anymore. Her anchor to the outside world was tenuous at best. She felt trapped. Scared. Lost.

"Phoebe say something" she pleaded in the dark "let mommy know you're alright." Silence greeted her plea. The darkness felt oppressive pressing in around her like a living presence. "Phoebe" she screamed into the darkening void.


A rustling stirred the air around her. A light breeze blew her hair around her face and shoulders. A sound like laughter rolled around her. Directionless. Ominous. Coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"You don't belong here" a voice spoke loud in her ears. The warm breath of the unseen being brushed across her skin raising prickles of fear.

"Who are you?" Kimberly asked her voice cracking "what are you?"

"I am the darkness" a cruel laugh cackled around her "I am the nightmare. I am fear. Darkness is my domain."

Dark wispy tentacles reached out to her. Pulling her deeper into the darkness. Panic settled in around her as she tried to fight off the persistent tentacles drawing her deeper and deeper into the darkness. 

"What do you want with my daughter?" she shouted into the void hoping the darkness would respond.

"Who said I wanted her?" a voice in the darkness responded "maybe I want you. Maybe I'm lonely."

"No" Kimberly screamed as the tentacles squeezed her tight cutting off her air. Her lungs began to burn as her oxygen depleted and she began to suffocate.

***


"Kimberly" Everett shook her limp body "Kimberly wake up. Please baby wake up."

He had felt her body go stiff in his arms. The wheezing hiss as the air inside her was being squeezed out of her. Not breathing. Not moving. Limp.

He held her body to his chest rocking slowly back and forth. Pleading with her to wake up "come on baby please" he pleaded "please open your eyes. I need you. Don't go. Not like this." 

Guilt knifed through him. He shouldn't have asked her to connect with Phoebe. Not when she had never done it before. He should have stopped her. It had been too risky. It was his fault she was dead. Just like his parents death had been his fault. 

A low keening filled the air. All the guilt, the grief, and loss he was feeling came pouring out. He had nothing. Nothing left to hold on to. A shrill angry cry reached his ears through the walls taking moments for Everett to realize who and what it was. A baby. No doubt awakened by it's need to feed or have it's dirty diaper changed. Maybe it just needed the reassurance of a human touch. A baby?


Everett stirred. The cries meant something to him. He hadn't lost everything. He still had his son. Kissing Kimberly's forehead he carefully laid her body on the couch folding her hands across her chest. He moved towards his sons room taking one last glance back towards his wife's still silent body.

Opening the baby's room he quickly cared for the infants needs aware he had left it too long. The red purplish face screwed up in anguish as his cries turned to deep hiccuping. Soothing the baby in his arms his mind wandered to what he was going to do. How was he going to raise his children without their mother by his side?

He couldn't imagine a bleaker future than the one staring him in the face. "I'm sorry" he murmured swaying from side to side cradling his small son in his arms. "I don't know what to do" he said taking a deep shuddery breath forcing the tears back. He needed to think. He needed help. The silence of the house emphasized his lack of support.

Beverly was with Adam at the castle having been relocated there for better security after the failed assignation attempt on Adam's life. Heath had gone back to Midnight Hollow under heavy armed security as a potential target. Who did that leave? Peter? Maybe the patriarch of the family could help him. At least give him some ideas of the forces he was dealing with. Kimberly gave her life for their daughter. He wouldn't let that sacrifice be in vain. He was going to save their daughter.

***


Adam pierced his senior guard with a cold hard glare. "What do you mean he doesn't have a security detail attached to him?" Adam demanded his anger bubbling to the surface. "He's my son. He's a target just as much as I am." He stood moving around his desk. His agitation keeping him from standing or sitting still. "He's the heir" Adam hissed at the man who had no doubt done all he could to prevent the attack on him

"Sir" the werewolf rose from his chair "your son is capable of protecting himself. He has the power over life and death in this hands. My guards are afraid of him."

"That's utter nonsense" Adam shook his head. His heart beat within his chest a steady staccato beat. There was a dull residual ache where the stake had penetrated his chest "if it weren't for Keenan, my son, I wouldn't be here today."

Rubbing his chin his trusted guard nodded "I am aware of that. However people are afraid of what he might be capable of." He made hand dampening motions to keep Adam from flying into a rage "I will see what I can do. I ask you though what good is a security detail if the guards are too afraid of the person they are protecting?"

As much as he hated to admit it the guard had a point. His son was capable of protecting himself. Had survived this long without security protection. He let his silence tell of his displeasure. "I want my son to be allowed inside the castle walls to see me. Whenever he wants." He could see this did not sit well with the man "he's my son" Adam emphasized "Keenan is not a threat to my life."


"I'll make the arrangements" the guard nodded "he'll be allowed inside the castle from this time forward."

"Which leads me to my next request" Adam smirked seeing the man fidget uncomfortably before him "my wife and I would like to return to our home."

"You are home" the guard emphasized "it was a mistake to allow you to live outside the castle walls."

"Yet it was inside these very walls I was attacked" Adam pointed out to the obvious chagrin of the werewolf.

"Your place is inside the castle" the werewolf grumbled "no ruler has lived outside the castle walls."
Crossing his arms Adam prepared to argue his case when the door of his office was thrown open. 

"Alanon" Adam acknowledged the powerful mage "what brings you here?"

"Eyes sliding towards the guard before addressing Adam "forgive my intrusion" he bowed deeply before continuing "I have important things to discuss with you."

Turning to Adam the senior guard bowed "I will see to what we discussed."

Adam inclined his head in acknowledgment despite the fact that nothing had changed except for the lifting of the banishment of Keenan from the castle walls. "What's so important that it couldn't wait?" he challenged Alanon.

***


"The body of elders have convened" Alanon said without preamble "it's not good."

Adam knew the elders of the other supernatural clans were meeting and had been behind closed doors for over a week. "What have they decided?" this could be the moment he became the ex-ruler of Moonlight Falls. The prospect was not that bad. He hadn't wanted the position to begin with. Hadn't wanted to become a vampire much less a ruler. 

Alanon gave him a slight smile a small matter of lifting the corners of his mouth for a brief moment before saying "essentially they back you a hundred percent as ruler of Moonlight Falls. They don't want Serafino or anyone else in that position." He paused looking away from the other man he had come to consider a friend "they don't want Keenan to be heir."

"He's my son" Adam objected "he's the heir. A vampire."

Shaking his head Alanon sighed. He knew this would not be easy especially not the next part of what he had to apprise his ruler, his friend of. "They won't except him as heir. He's too powerful. The vampires have rejected him as part of their community. He's an outcast. He will not be accepted. I'm sorry."

Adam stared at his friend his most trusted adviser. "No I won't accept that" he shook his head sitting in his chair "I won't. I can't." He dragged his fingers through his short hair.

"Beverly is past the age of bearing children," Alanon pointed out feeling like he was rubbing salt in an open wound. "The elders won't take no as answer. You must do this."


Lifting his head his hair standing at odd angels "I'd be better off dead." He stared at his hands numbness spreading through his body. Nausea twisted his intestines causing his stomach to rumble inside him. "I can't do this. I can't hurt her like this. She's my wife. She's stuck by me through all of this." He slammed his fist onto the desk causing several items to crash to the floor.

Alanon glanced at him with understanding. He had waited for centuries to finally have his love by his side. Fortunately for him he could retain his position without needing an heir. Adam needed an heir because of fear. Fear that any man would become corrupt with absolute power. An heir would keep any one man from becoming too powerful. They had learned from past experience "I'm sorry they won't budge on this point" he stirred uneasily in his seat.

"I'll step down" Adam said "I won't be ruler anymore."

"Adam please" Alanon was afraid this would be his reaction "don't do anything rash. The people need you. They trust you. You give them hope."

"I can't do what they want" Adam shook his head "what choice do I have?"

"I did manage one concession" Alanon said looking Adam in the eyes "you're not going to like it."

Straightening in his chair Adam closed his eyes "no" he snapped "impossible."


"Be reasonable" Alanon entreated him "they don't expect you to abandon your wife or get a divorce. They're willing to wait until she lives out her normal lifespan."

Live out her lifespan. Those words were a bucket of cold water being poured over his head. It was a fact. Beverly would die while he lived on. He hadn't wanted to face that fact. He had seen the devastation Jean's death had on his father's life. A simple flu virus and she was gone. His father was a shadow of what he once was. That's not the future Adam wanted for himself. It was the one he had accepted by remaining with Beverly. Now that was being brutally changed. He was going to be expected to replace her. Produce another acceptable heir the elders could approve.

"They're asking the impossible" Adam blinked back tears "I can't just stop loving someone just because they aren't around anymore."

"You can't live in a vacuum either" Alanon kept his voice calm "just think about it. You don't have to do anything now. You have time."

Adam gave him a scathing look that would have sent others running towards the door. "I don't want to think about it. The whole idea is repulsive."

"I know" Alanon stood laying a gentle hand on Adam's shoulder "I'm sorry. I wish things were different."

Nodding Adam stared blankly at the far wall seething inside. The future was bad enough to contemplate without Beverly by his side. How would it be to have someone else by his side? Would he be able to love someone else?

Standing he opened his office door. As expected several guards were stationed nearby. Grimly he ignored their expressionless faces as he proceeded down the hall towards his living quarters. He needed to see his wife. Hear her voice. Feel her in his arms.

***



Beverly didn't need to be told something was wrong to know it. One look at Adam's pale face and smoldering eyes was enough to confirm her suspicions. She moved towards him without a word passing between them. Wrapping her arms around him her face pressed against his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her slim body. He brought a hand up to caress her hair more grey then red now. He cupped her face between his hands. Searching her face noting the lines in her once porcelain skin, "do you ever regret not becoming a vampire?"

She gazed steadily into his brown eyes lighter now from the soft vampiric glow that hadn't been there when they first met. "No" she shook her head "I was a vampire once. I couldn't...I wasn't strong enough." She bit her bottom lip remembering the taste of blood as it flowed down her throat while she drained the life's blood from her own son. She couldn't take that risk again. "I'm sorry" she mumbled turning away.

"No" Adam held her against him "that wasn't your fault. I wish things had been different. I wish we could have grown old together."

"What happened?" she asked bringing her hands up stroking his cheek.

"Nothing" he mumbled turning from her scrutiny.

"I know that isn't true" she took his hand guiding him to the couch "tell me."


An hour later she leaned into him silent "I guess that it's then" she murmured softly "you'll remarry once I'm gone."

"I won't" he said firmly "I'll resign. I'll drink IF blood. I'll..."

"You'll do no such thing" she shook her head at him "The people need you. Your family needs you." Taking his hand she squeezed it tight "your dad needs you."

"I don't want to go on without you" his lips quivered from the emotions he was trying to hold back.

"Things change" she said maintaining eye contact with him "I love you. I will love you until the end of time. That won't change regardless of who your with in this time." Tenderly she brought her lips to his. Caressing him with hers feeling the jagged edges of his fangs. A sure indicator of his inner turmoil "I want you to be happy. I want you to find love again. Forever is a long time to be alone"

"So you think I should remarry. Start a new family" Adam asked squeezing her tight as if he were afraid she'd vanish.

"I don't want you to be alone" she snuggled into him "I see the pain Peter is in. He misses Jean so much."


"Jean was the love of his live as you are mine" Adam murmured kissing her softly "he hates knowing he'll never grow old. That everyone and everything he knows will be gone while he remains."

"I don't want that for you" Beverly said turning in his arms "I want you to find love again. I want you to find happiness after I'm gone." She looked up at him "promise me you'll try. For me."

Adam stared deep into her ageless green eyes. For a moment he saw their life together. All the good and all the bad times. All the tiny things that formed the fabric of their lives together. He didn't want to lose that. Lose her. He couldn't imagine a life without her. He could see the half worried half pleading look in her eyes as she stared up at him. He opened his mouth to argue instead he said "I don't want to." The disappointment in her eyes filled him with anguish "I'm sorry" he murmured.

Gently she wiped a stray tear from his eyes "I understand. I'd feel the same as you if I were in you shoes." Tenderly she placed her lips to his "what we have is wonderful. It can't last forever though. You once said you'd do anything for me. Now's your chance to prove it. Do this for me? Give me the peace of mine that you'll fall in love again."

He bowed his head unable to endure her emerald gaze. "I love you. Always will." He lifted his eyes 
"I don't know if I can do this even for you. All I can do is try. That's the best I can do."

"Then that's all I'll ask for" she caressed his cheek "I love you so much."

"I love you too" he sighed pulling her close capturing her lips with his, a hungry passionate kiss full of impending loss and love. She was his life. His body ached knowing there time was growing shorter with each passing day.


Monday, February 13, 2017

4.25 The Power Within


Keenan shrugged off the well meaning hands and whispered words of encouragement. It was all so meaningless. If his dad died all their well meaning words were for nothing. He looked up as the door opened and his Grandpa Peter walked into the room. Lines etched into his face were all Keenan needed to know to see how bad things were. His father was dying. He would be made ruler of Moonlight Falls. He swallowed over the hole in his stomach. He wasn't ready. He didn't want the title or the responsibility. He should have had years before this fell upon his shoulders.

He felt the hand on the back of his shoulder. He wanted to scream at whoever it was to leave him alone. He didn't want to hear anymore well meaning words. "Son" Peter's voice intruded upon his dark thoughts.

"What?" he growled without turning.

"Come with me," Peter said exerting pressure on his back.

Turning Keenan glared at the faces in various stages of disbelief and grief. Everyone his family. Each one important to him. Each devastated by the tragic events. He shouldn't be angry at them but he was. He was angry at everyone.


Silently he followed Peter from the room. Crossing his arms he tried to brace himself for the news. The blow that would leave a hole in his heart forever. "Is my father dead?" he asked his voice even to his ears cold, angry, heartless.

"Not yet" a familiar voice assured him.

His head jerked up "what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help" Quinn said stepping forward.

"How can you help?" he demanded. He could feel his walls crumbling around him. Her words were like a life preserver to a drowning man. At what cost? Would his dad want this woman's help? Who was she?


Quinn watched the conflicting emotions flit across his face. Saw how young he was. Knew how difficult this was for him. "I wish I could do more," she said locking her eyes with his "I can't interfere..."

"Then what good are you?" he shouted taking a menacing step forward fangs growing as his anger burned within him.

"I have options for you" she said unmoved by his display of vampiric fury.

"Options?" he hissed eyes glowing as he circled her.

"Keenan listen to her" Peter advised his tone calm, even, persuasive "she can help."


Snorting Keenan demanded "what are those options?"

"Yes tell the boy his options" Silver sneered "while your explaining it to him Adam will be dead."

"Silver you shouldn't be here" Quinn shouted her voice like thunder.

Ignoring her Silver directed his attention to his son "I can save him. I want to save him."

"At what cost?" Peter demanded coming alongside Keenan.

"Why must you assume there's a cost?" Silver inquired "can't I do something out of the kindness of my heart?"

"No" Peter shouted for the first time losing his cool "there's always a cost. What's in it for you?"

"I want what's mine" Silver screamed dropping all pretenses.

"He's not yours" Quinn asserted.

"So you'd rather see him die than let me have him" Silver let his words drip with scorn and self righteous indignation. "What about you son? Are you ready for daddy to die?"


"Think about what your dad wants" Peter advised.

Whirling around Keenan shouted "what about what I want?"

Silver gave Quinn a smirk as if to say I win. "We have a deal?" Silver asked staring at the boy.

Keenan turned his back on Peter facing the slimy two faced creature that had tormented his family multiple times. He wanted to except the deal. Anything to keep his dad alive. He couldn't. He couldn't save his dad's life only to have him hate him later. To be a great leader was being able to make difficult decisions. The unpopular decisions. The decisions that hurt even when you knew they were for the best. "No" Keenan shook his head "dad would rather be dead than be with you." He gulped in a huge breath of air holding it. Although he knew what he said was true it felt like he was sentencing his father to death.

"You'll regret this" Silver screamed "I won't give up...I'll..."


"You'll what?" Peter asked putting a comforting hand on his grandson's shoulder. Squeezing tightly "Adam will be gone. What else can you do?"

Keenan could hear the pain, the sorrow and grief in his grandfather's voice. He never realized how close Peter had been to Adam, growing closer after the death of Grandma Jean.

"I will destroy everything you hold dear" Silver directed his venomous words to Keenan. "You'll have no one to blame but yourself. One by one your family will perish."

"Leave my family out of this" Keenan shouted mustering what strength he had "they've done nothing to you."

"Nothing but stand in my way" Silver shook his head "they turned my son against me. I'll turn them against you. You've chosen your fate." He laughed turning to Quinn "someone disobeyed orders. The amulet's power has been broken."


Rushing towards him Quinn grabbed his arm "I won't let you take him."

"You can't stop me" Silver shoved her aside.

"Watch me," she said exerting a temporary field around Silver freezing him in place. "Go to your father" she directed Keenan.

"And do what?" Keenan demanded.

"You have Silver's DNA. His ability is yours. Tap into it." The power drain was immense as she struggle to contain Silver "that power comes from me. This vile creature is part me."


Keenan's eyes grew wide. He wondered if he had that kind of power in him. Was it that energy he sensed within him that terrified him? There were so many questions he wanted to ask but to delay meant giving Silver the chance to escape.

Turning he ran towards the infirmary. Trusting that Quinn would delay Silver long enough for him to do whatever he needed to do. He didn't know why he could trust her. He just felt he could. She was in a sense his grandmother if her claim to be genetically related to Silver was correct. This power running through him wasn't something to be feared after all.

He crashed into the closed door into his father's room. The security guards stepped aside allowing him access. The doctor shook his head laying a hand on Keenan's shoulder "I'm sorry. We did all we could."

All they could. The words echoed in his head. How many times had he heard those words in some TV show or movie? He knew those words were meant to comfort him. They just sounded so ominous. So final. His dad was losing the fight to live.

He approached the bed noting the amulet had been removed. The horrific wound in his chest was hidden behind sterile bandages. This was his dad. This shell was all he had left. When the breath went out of him the shell too would be gone.


Cautiously he put his hand out over the wound. Closing his eyes he blotted out the sounds of the doctors and nurses shuffling around him. The commotion outside the door. Quinn? Silver? He'd better hurry.

He could feel the energy within him building. He tried not to worry what was happening or what he was about to do. He simply let it flow through him becoming him. The door opened letting the chaos into the quiet hospital room. He could feel Quinn's approval. Silver's outrage. Another presence comforting and familiar "dad?" he said "don't go. It's not time. There's still so much left for me to learn."

"Son" Adam's voice startled him.

"Dad" Keenan cried "don't go. I need you." He waited for a response but none came. He cried out louder "I don't know what to do. Tell me what to do." He felt like a child lost and afraid. He tried to focus but the chaos around him prevented it.

"Hurry son" Adam's voice loud and clear in his head "concentrate on me. Blot out everything else. The noise. The people. The only thing that matters is us. Do you feel the energy? The power?"


"I feel it" Keenan acknowledged "what do I do with it?"

"Release it" Adam told him.

"Release it where?" Keenan balked at the idea of sending it pulsating into his father's body "it could kill you."

"I'm already dead" Adam told him "I can see into your mind that I'm needed here but I can't stay without the energy you can give me."

"I don't want to hurt you" Keenan shouted "what if this is just the beginning? What if by using the power I received from Silver will it turn me into a monster?"


"It won't" Adam assured him" you're my son. You're stronger than you think."

"What if I'm not?" Keenan cried "what if I let this power corrupt me?"

"You stood up to Silver" Adam said "you refused to let him save me. You kept him from getting what he wanted. You overcame your own desires to keep me alive than giving into Silver's demands. I'm so very proud of you." Adam sighed sounding resigned "I have to go. I love you son."

"You can't go" Keenan called out to him again and again receiving on response. He could feel the energy sizzling within him. He pressed his hand down on Adam's chest ignoring the doctor telling him his dad was gone. That was lie. He had just been talking to him. He wasn't gone. He couldn't be gone. He needed him.

He was thrown backwards by the sudden release of energy. He lay for a moment dazed on the floor. What just happened? Struggling to sit up Keenan found everyone standing around Adam's bedside. 
"Did it work?" he choked out the words his throat raspy and dry.


Quinn knelt beside him "I knew you could do it."

"Do what?" he asked confused.

"You tapped into your power" Quinn said helping him up "be careful how you use it."

Before he could ask  her any questions she was gone. Keenan took a couple of wobbly steps towards his father's bed. The doctors and nurses seemed to be scurrying around like rats in a maze. "What did you do to him?" one doctor demanded sounding belligerent.

"I don't..." he raised a hand only to have the man flinch from his touch. "I won't hurt you" despite his assurances the man continued to look at him with fear and distrust. Gazing around the room he found a guard coming towards him. "Come with me" the angry unfriendly voice commanded. With a final glance at his father Keenan turned to follow the guard to the waiting room.

***


Keenan sat alone staring into the fire. It was difficult to believe it had been four weeks since Serafino had tried to have his dad assassinated. His methods weren't likely to engender him with the influential families in Moonlight Falls. Using a group of drugged inexperienced vampires to carry out his commission had left a sour taste in several people's mouths. Even the ones who supported Serafino and his views were running for cover.

Sighing Keenan sat back watching the flickering flames. He should be happy his dad was alive. He glanced down at his hands shivering despite the warmth of the fire. What was he? People who had known him all his life avoided him now. It was like everyone was afraid to be too close to him.

He wore gloves to ease their minds that he couldn't touch them. That he wouldn't hurt them. It did little to reassure them. If he was able to restore someone back to life than he could take that life as well. Had this circumstance been what Silver wanted all along?

"Is this seat taken?" a soft feminine voice asked.

Without glancing up Keenan nodded keeping his eyes focused on the fire.


"How's your dad?" she asked her voice gentle, her eyes on the fire.

Keenan made a noncommittal grunt before looking in her direction. "Why are you talking to me?" he asked.

"I know how you feel" she moved her shoulders in a self deprecating shrug.

"How could you know how I feel?" he demanded "people I've known all my life avoid me. Won't talk to me. Walk across the street when they see me coming. There's no possible way you could know how I feel."

"That's where you're wrong" she tossed her long hair over her shoulder. Light from the fire made her tears glisten on her cheeks "my own brother kicked me out of the only home I've ever known."


That statement caught Keenan's attention. His eyes narrowed taking in her appearance "Why?" he asked looking into her beautiful face and for the first time noticing the sadness in her eyes.

"I'm different" she moved a long green leg stretching it out in front of her pointing towards the spots that traveled up and down it "those aren't normal elven markings."

Without thinking Keenan gently touched her skin "what are they?" he asked gently caressing her skin.

"No one knows" she sighed heart beating fast. All her senses centered on his touch. She made an indistinct sound.

Keenan jerked his hand away realizing at that moment what he was doing. "I'm sorry" he mumbled "I didn't think I..." he got up and stumbled for the door.

***


Breathing deeply gulping in the cool night air Keenan knew he should go back inside let Tommy know he was leaving. He couldn't face seeing her again. A slight smile graced his lips at the thought of her. He didn't even know her name yet he knew he'd never forget her. What were those spots? Were they significant? Why would her brother kick her out of her home? Was it just because she had markings that couldn't be explained by normal Elven lore? Had she been born that way? Had the spots appeared over time? Something within him was compelling him to find out.

"I thought I'd find you out here" a soft voice said beside him.

"You were looking for me?" he didn't know why but that thought gave him a warm fuzzy feeling deep within him.



She looked away brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You left so suddenly I was worried about you" she placed a hand on his forearm "why'd you leave?"

"I..." he glanced down at her hand "I don't know." He moved his eyes from her hand to her eyes "I don't know your name."

"Lydia" she said with a smile patting his arm.

It felt like he had been bestowed with a rare precious gift "thank you." A radiant smile spread across his face adding a twinkle to his eyes "why aren't you afraid of me like everyone else?"

"I'm not like everyone else" she giggled "neither one of us are what we appear to be."

Nodding he put a hand out and gently urged her to walk with him. It was strange to be out without a horde of guards watching protectively around him. None of his normal werewolf guards wanted to be anywhere near him.

***


Tommy paced the floor waiting for Keenan to come home. Glancing at the time he groaned wondering for the hundredth time if he should call someone. Keenan had never been out this late before usually it was him waiting up for Tommy to return from one of his dates with Velvet. Tommy threw himself into a chair trying to convince himself that he had nothing to worry about. Keenan could take care of himself.

He jumped up as the door opened and Keenan walked in a goofy grin on his normally serious face. 
"Where have you been?" Tommy demanded sounding more like his mother than he ever wanted to be.

"Walking" was the non informative response.

"Walking?" Tommy said voice rising in indignation "do you know how late it is?"

Keenan stared blankly at him a moment before a giggle escaped "do you hear yourself?" he asked grinning at his friend "you sound like my dad."


"Well I..." Tommy groped for something witty to say. Coming up empty he shrugged "I was worried about you."

"You're the only one who is" Keenan said somewhat bitterly.

"You know that isn't true" Tommy protested "your family cares about you. Don't shut them out."

"That's easier said then done" Keenan muttered "It's not like the guards will let me anywhere near them."

"I know. I'm sorry" Tommy put a hand on Keenan's shoulder giving him a reassuring squeeze "it'll get better. They're just scared."


"Yeah they're scared of me" Keenan mumbled dropping morosely into a chair "they look at me like I did this. I'd never hurt anyone much less my dad. Never."

"You saved his life" Tommy pointed out "no matter what happens you have that. That has to mean something."

Leaning forward Keenan rubbed his eyes "I guess. It's just really hard to see people I've known all my life look at me with so much fear and hatred. They know me. Watched me grow up."

"Give them time" Tommy urged "they're still reeling from the assassination attempt on your father. 
You'll see things will change once things settle down."

"You think so?" he asked looking up at Tommy's concerned face.


"I do" Tommy said confidently "now tell me all about your evening with Lydia."

"You're just changing the subject" Keenan protested.

"Of course I am" Tommy smiled innocently "I'm curious. Lydia is pretty and seems really into you. Come on tell me something."

Keenan glanced away embarrassed by Tommy's unabashed curiosity. He could feel his cheeks heating up as he remembered how soft her skin felt beneath his fingertips. He could sense Tommy watching him. Standing up he moved towards his bedroom door "wouldn't you like to know" he laughed opening his door "I'm going to bed."

"Hey" Tommy shouted following him "I deserve more than that. After all the worrying I did waiting up for you to come home."


Whistling softly Keenan shook his head as he shut his bedroom door. He knew Tommy wouldn't let a simple closed door stop him. No sooner had he stripped out of his clothes Keenan looked up as his door banged open.

"My eyes" Tommy slapped a hand across his eyes dramatically stumbling around as if he had been suddenly struck blind "dude you need some sun."

"Dude I'm a vampire" Keenan shook his head "I'm supposed to be pale."

"Maybe your kids will get their mother's skin tone...green" he laughed at the half exasperated half angry look Keenan gave him "well you do like her don't you?"

"Yeah but that doesn't mean I'm already planning my life with her" Keenan said moving towards the bed "I barely know her much less want to have kids with her. Now get out and let me get some sleep."

Moving towards the door Tommy turned off the light "I'll just ask Velvet for the information I seek."

"You do that" Keenan closed his eyes a smile upon his face confidant that Lydia would no more confide in her roommate than he had in Tommy.



Wednesday, February 1, 2017

4.24 Assassination Attempt


The guard carrying Adam stumbled and fell. Adam's body sprawled on the floor. The senior guard crawled over to Adam's inert body. His fingers fumbled for a pulse. His hands came back slicked with blood. "Get the castle doctor. Now" he commanded one of his underlings.

"Yes sir," one of them mumbled dragging their eyes from their fallen ruler.

Standing the senior guard growled at the confused group of scared young vampires. "Take them to the dungeons" he stepped aside as the doctor was escorted inside along with several nurses. He found the trusted mage Alanon standing against the far wall. Waving him over he asked "can you do anything for him?"

Shaking his head Alanon said "no all we can hope is the surgeon can remove the stake. It missed his heart so there's hope."

Nodding the burly werewolf digested the mages assessment "come with me," the werewolf commanded.

Dragging his eyes from his friend Alanon followed the guard "where are we going?" he asked as they took the stairs down towards the dungeon.


"I need you to take a look at the ones responsible for this travesty" the guard explained.

Standing in front of the cell Alanon was surprised who many of the vampires were. "What am I looking for?" he asked confusion coloring his words.

"I'd rather not say. I want your unbiased opinion" the guard said

Nodding Alanon focused his attention on the imprisoned vampires. All from prominent families many of which had been long time supporters of Adam. Why would they attack him? He had never considered any of these young men as dangerous or capable of killing someone. He shivered as they stared back at him with blank uncomprehending eyes. Something was terribly wrong. It felt as if they weren't really there. "Are they drugged?" he asked "they seem to be in a daze or under a spell." He added the last hesitantly. Who among his kind was powerful enough to cast such a spell? Who would want Adam dead? Would one of his people be working for Serafino without his knowledge? 

Rubbing his chin with his one good hand the senior guard nodded "that's what I'm thinking too." Turning he leaned heavily against the wall.

"You're hurt" Alanon exclaimed upon seeing the blood left on the wall from the man's wound.


"My wounds are inconsequential compared to the esteemed one" the guard retorted pushing off the wall.

"Don't neglect yourself" Alanon insisted "we need your expertise to safeguard the castle."

"Once I ensure against further attack I will report to the infirmary" the man snarled. Nodding towards the prisoners "can you tell who put these children up to this attack?"

"It will take time," Alanon said regretfully "I will see what I can find out. Can you have one of them brought to me?"

"Which one?" he growled disliking the idea.

"That one" Alanon pointed "the one who staked the esteemed one." He watched as the bewildered youngster stared at his bloodied hands "give me an hour to set things up."

"You'll have him" the werewolf agreed "after your finished I will interrogate him."


***



Smiling Tommy lifted the faeries hand placing a soft kiss on the back "it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance" he smirked.

Velvet pulled her hand away. Skin tingling where his lips had grazed it. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Not once had her stomach somersaulted at the sound of her intended one. Not once had her body tingled in anticipation of his touch. Remotely she wondered if this was the way it was supposed to be between people. Was this the fabled love at first sight she had read so much about?

Her eyes were drawn to his lips. The way his tongue moved as he talked left her feeling weak and breathless. "So Velvet where do you come from?" the sound of his voice saying her name sent shivers all the way down to her toes.

With a mental shake she tore her eyes from his mouth and her thoughts of how those lips would feel caressing her skin. "Um what?" she mumbled as if waking from a trance.

"Where are you from?" he repeated "Keenan says it's a unusual for a bumble fairy to be away from their cluster."

She could feel his eyes upon her, curiosity shining bright. She felt her cheeks flush with heat under his scrutiny. She gave herself a little shake giving him a dramatic shrug "I guess you could say I ran away."

She could see the shock and dismay in all of their eyes as the group stared at her. "You can't go back" Keenan blurted out unable to contain his shock any longer.


"No I can't" she sighed as the sadness and loneliness settled around her like a large heavy cloak.

Grabbing her hand Tommy pulled her towards the dance floor "we're here to have fun. Let's dance." His infectious smile had her smiling up at him. "That's better" he grinned "I can't have my cute little bumble being sad."

"Don't call me that" her smile faded to a frown "my name's Velvet."

"So it is" Tommy laughed causing her lips to twitch "Velvet, sugar plum you've got to...." He looked up as a large hand fell across his shoulder. He found himself gazing into the no nonsense eyes of one of Keenan's guards.

"We have to leave. Now" the man said his words almost obscured by the low grumbling growl.

Tommy was forcefully pulled away from the beautiful bumble. "Your number" he shouted as he was pulled away from her "I need your number."

Velvet hurried after him unsure what she should do. The werewolves weren't taking any chances in letting anyone near the two young men she had been conversing with moments before. Her eyes were drawn to the TV as an emergency broadcast cut into the regular program. She gasped in shock as she absorbed the the awful news of the assignation attempt on Keenan's father. Turning in dismay she tried to find Tommy only to find that he and Keenan were gone. Numbly she sat down at their table staring blankly ahead. She hadn't known either boy for long but the place felt empty without their presence.

***


"What's happening?" Keenan asked after he had been ushered into the waiting vehicle. 

The men remained silent. Faces revealing little but a foreboding glower. "You will be appraised of the situation once we arrive at the castle," one of the guards said dismissing him.

"Is my father alright?" Keenan asked voice rising in alarm.

"You will be apprised of the situation at the castle young sir" the guard informed him.

Keenan looked down as a firm hand gripped his forearm. Glancing across at Tommy's worried face he frowned. "Do you know what's going on?" he asked.

"No more than you" Tommy muttered his voice low hoping to keep from attracting any undue attention them. "This isn't good. I've seen my father enough times in circumstances like these to know something bad has happened."



Digesting that bit of unwelcome information Keenan nodded. The werewolves were on high alert which meant the death threat was no longer just a threat. He leaned his forehead on the cool glass of the window watching the busy streets of Moonlight Falls pass by him. Was his father alive? Was he dead? Would he, an inexperienced eighteen year old be made supreme ruler over Moonlight Falls? He wasn't ready. He didn't know near enough to do the job his father did.

"Hey it's going to be alright" Tommy said giving his arm a firm shake.

He knew Tommy meant well. If this was a human world maybe his words would be true. For all he knew his life was about to end. At the very least be changed forever.

When the car stopped moving he followed the guards inside the castle walls. He and Tommy were escorted into an unfamiliar room. That in itself was ominous. Never had he been in the castle without being brought to his father's office. 

"Wait here" the guard ordered walking away leaving the two young men alone in an empty room.

***



A deep growl from behind them forced the newly engaged couple apart. "Excuse our intrusion. You must come with us. Now."

Kimberly felt Everett tense beside her. "Why?" he demanded putting a protective arm around her shoulders.

"This is not the place or the time to ask questions" the werewolf said unmoved by the humans belligerence.

"If you think we're coming with you just because you say so you have another thing coming" Everett tried to go around the man pulling Kimberly along with him.

"There has been an assignation attempt on the supreme one" the man grumbled clearly disliking providing the information in the open where anyone could hear "for your protection you must come with us."

Everett turned at the sudden loud gasp beside him. He caught Kimberly as she stumbled falling forward. Lifting her in his arms he followed the werewolves to the waiting car. Stopping he asked "what about my car?"



"We will send someone back for it" the guard said opening the door for them.

Resisting the urge to refuse Everett laid Kimberly on the backseat of the heavily armored car. Heart pounding in his chest his mind wandered back to when his parents had been ushered into a car from the castle. It was like the first time. This was how it began. He gasped as the car lurched forward. Cradling Kimberly's head in his lap careful to keep her from falling. He stroked her long soft hair frowning at the chalky whiteness of her complexion hoping the added stress wasn't doing her or the baby any harm. 

Kimberly moaned fighting to sit up "no no no" she cried out fighting off Everett's hands. "This is all wrong" she complained sitting up blinking rapidly "I'm sorry" she mumbled when she became fully aware of her surroundings "I can't reach him. I tried but I can't."

Wiping the large tears from her face Everett spoke gently "honey you haven't been able to contact Adam since he started wearing that amulet."

"Oh" she shook her head "I forgot."

Hugging her close Everett took a deep breath "where are we going?"


"To the castle" was the curt response.

"What about our daughter?" Everett asked worried that Phoebe was vulnerable home alone with her great grandmother as her only protection.

"A car has been sent to the house" one of the men supplied "the esteemed one's wife and great granddaughter are in route to the castle as we speak."

Everett nodded leaning back in his seat arm around Kimberly. She looked up at him as tremors invaded his body. "Are you alright?" she asked him.

"I'm fine" he closed his eyes seeking a calm he didn't feel. He hated the idea of going to the castle under these circumstances. It brought back to many unpleasant memories. He looked down as someone took his hand. 

"It'll be ok" she said looking into his eyes strong and steady "I'm right here. I'm not leaving your side. Not for second."

***


Heath looked up from his desk with an insurmountable mountain of paperwork waiting for him to wade through. His office door was flung open by an impressive dour looking werewolf. Heath stood up with a feeling of foreboding heavy in the air around him.

"You're coming with me" the werewolf snarled.

"What? Why?" Heath shook his head waving at the paperwork on his desk "as you can see I'm swimming in work. I can't just drop everything to go with you."

The man's upper lip curled displaying the man's impressive canines "Have you not seen the news?" he snarled.

"No. I prefer to work in silence" Heath could feel dread weighing heavily on his chest. He switched on the ancient television set. The loud obnoxious voice of the anchor man filled the room. Standing outside the familiar building of the castle. "Our esteemed ruler has been taken to the infirmary after an attempted assignation. His condition is unknown at this time. Sources from inside the castle inform us the esteemed one's condition is critical. Stay tuned as we keep you up to date with what's happening live at the castle."


Stunned Heath fell into his chair. Ears ringing he brought his trembling hands to his face "how is he?" Heath asked his voice devoid of emotion. "How is my father?" he demanded of one of his father's trusted guards. 

"Not good" the man said his voice held an undertow of anger "you must come with me. Now."

Nodding Heath stood on numb wobbly legs. At any moment he felt as if he was about to fall. How could this be  happening? His father had always been bigger than life, invincible. Vaguely he was aware of the werewolf giving orders to his staff. The murmured condolences from his secretary and staff. Nodding he went through the motions wondering if he would ever be back in the post he didn't want. Would he still be the guy in charge of Midnight Hollow if his father died? 

Would Keenan be the next to sit on the throne? Would this spark the war Serafino was intent on starting? They needed his father's straight, clear headed thinking now more than ever. They couldn't have an inexperienced boy in charge not if they hoped to defeat Serafino. 

Exiting the building Heath said "I need to go by the house..."


"That won't be necessary" the guard grumbled.

"I'm not leaving without my family" Heath protested coming to a standstill on the sidewalk.

"Sir it's unwise to stand in the open like this" the werewolf urged him to move.

"I'm not going without my family" he repeated a definite stubborn edge in his voice. 

The guard took Heath's arm physically pulling him towards the car "we can discuss this in the vehicle out of the line of fire."


"Fire?" Heath choked on the word "you don't think I'm in danger do you?"

"You are the esteemed one's son" the guard gave him a stern stare "what do you think?"

It was a sobering thought. One that allowed the guard to guide him to the waiting car. A man opened the back door as Heath arrived. He was all but pushed into the vehicle. Righting himself in the backseat he looked up to find the calming light blue eyes of his husband gazing in concern at him. Unable to restrain himself he pulled Don into his arms. "They could have told me you were in here" he said "I was refusing to leave without you."

"Daddy is grandpa going to die?" Owen interrupted his eyes worried clinging to his older sister.

"I don't know," Heath sighed feeling the weight of needing to be calm to help his children cope through this difficult ordeal. "I hope not" he sighed dreading what was to come next.

***


As soon as Quinn arrived in her safe haven she could sense something had changed. Something terrible. A blow that could wreck the entire fabric of the dimension

"You should have let me have him," a malicious voice said behind her.

"Silver what have you done?" she demanded turning to face the vile creature.

Shrugging he leaned back on her couch a smile making his lips quiver. "I didn't do anything. If you had let me have him I would have protected him."

"He's not for you" she repeated hands clenching into fists.


"So you say" his eyes glittered behind his pale lashes.

"He's still very much in love with his wife," she told him.

Glaring at her Silver hissed "I could take care of that obstacle."

"You will not harm Adam's wife" Quinn snapped.

"He's bonded to me" Silver stuck his chin out jabbing a finger under her nose.


"His body. Not his mind is bonded to you," Quinn corrected.

"I can satisfy him in ways she never can," he continued lost in thought or lust "I remember every inch of his superb body. The way his heart beat in rhythm to my touch. What does she have to offer but a dried out wrinkled husk?"

Quinn shook her head knowing nothing she said would do any good to dissuade him. Silver would continued to want what he couldn't have.

"He's a young virile vampire. In the prime of his life," Silver continued eyes clouded and hazy "he needs someone like me by his side."

"He isn't yours" Quinn repeated as if she hoped this time she'd reach him with her words.


"What good is he to you if he's dead?" he asked "seal the bond. Make him mine for all of eternity."

"If I don't? she asked.

"Watch your precious dimension crumble around your ears" he took a step forward "you know I can save him. Give him to me. Save your dimension. I'll never bother you again."

She could do as he wished. He could save Adam's life where she couldn't directly step in and do it herself. Saving Adam's life would balance the teetering forces cascading into chaos. She had seen the future without Adam's influence. Without him the virus leading to horrible future mutations would be released. 

Silver gave her a knowing smile. He had her over a barrel and she knew it. She needed Adam to save the future. The dimension. Adam would be his. He could smell the sweet scent of victory.