Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Tears started to fall against my own determination to fight them off.

"Thank you Joseph.. It's good to see you are alive as well." Rising from the table, it was hard for the both of us. Having changed, having holes in my memory, but I knew there were a few times in my mind I could recall how happy we were.

"How.. I mean.." Flushing, it was hard to ask the questions. The questions we both had in our minds had to be burning holes wanting to be answered.

"How did you make it out of there alive?" The trembling was in my voice, I couldn't stop it. Was he better off alive? Looking at him now, knowing the reactions others would have to him, it was unthinkable for me to even hug him! And i was his damned wife! he had to be hurting inside more than I could possibly dream of.

Turning my face away, I tried to get some control over myself. "Why are you staying here joseph?!" My eyes closed a moment, trying to hold in check the urge to cry. "After all that has happened. .. to you.. to me.. The others.. Because of what I started, many have died. Why did you come here, knowing what will happen?" I had hopes inside, he could heal and be whole again, but not while with me on this stupid quest.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

"Alive?" He asked stupidly. "I'm not sure if I did. I don't remember much about where we were. I remember flames, lots of flames. Burning into me. I remember losing consciousness to the pain. I remember a few other things. I remember a man. I remember what he did to our son,...."

He sighed. "I don't know much else until the following day. I was somewhere, a morgue, perhaps? I'm not sure. I was so, hungry, I could smell their blood in their veins. I could hear their hearts pounding with fear. After that, it was a lot of wandering. I faded between life and death many times. Sometimes, I thought I was mad, sometimes, I thought I was in Hell.

"I was like that for a while. Weeks, months, I'm not sure. I remember spots of time, mostly of me killing. And then, Vladamir found me. He took me to a small pocket of druids in England. It took him a while to find it. I was nearly dead when we got there. I don't remember much until I woke up there. They all knew who I was. They said I'd been there a while. That was a few weeks ago."

"Since then, revenge held me together. Until I got to Mongrel's. And then,...You." He gave a faint smile, although he wasn't sure if she was even looking at him. He couldn't blame her if she wasn't. "I knew you were in the area, alive. So I followed you. As for why I'm here, Aria, it's simple. This is all I have left. Without this, I'm dead. This is all that keep me from hurling myself at him. This,...hope. Hope of life."

"Besides, what happened to me,....Aria,...must be a thousand times worse for you. Because, Aria, nothing can ever bring him back, and we'll never be able to experience that miracle again. That's why I'm here, my love. Because of our pain. Yours and mine. No matter what else happens, who else dies, our pain will always be there, a burden for all time. But at least we can share it, no?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Tensing up, I didn't want to hear this! I didn't want to think about it.

"Micheal." My heart hurt, my head hurt, my body went into a self defensive stance. He was taken and gone, and Joseph was right, I'd never have another son.. never. And even if I did, nothing could replace him.


"He stole my identity from me, keeping me alive as a joke. With no past history, I am as lost as you are Joseph. I remember little and what I do recall is so painful.. so miserable.. its unbearable." I moved from him, too tired to stand even though just having fed myself. Sitting down, I rested my head in my arms and tried to get some control back. Revenge was sweet, I just hoped I got it in the end of all of this.

"What hope is there in pain? There is nothing that will make any of this right, not until it is over." He was right, I would never feel another baby inside, witness his first steps, his first words. never see my son grown into a man and content. I blocked it out, or tried to do so, not wanting to crumble now.. When it was over, then I would fall into that hole of pain, but not yet. I had to be strong.

"we'll win in the end, just have faith in that.." i couldn't speak much more now, too choked up to do so.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

"I never said there was hope in pain. But I know your pain. And I share it. And what if we do win? Aria, what if we do? WIll it change anything? Will you have changed, will I? Will it make the pain stop? Trust me, it doesn't."

He stood up, shaking ever so slightly. "Aria, the past isn't what makes us. I've been alive a long time, I've done many things. Some I'm proud of, many more that I'm not. It's what we do know, and what we plan for the future that makes us who we are. Be happy you're alive. That you can help things. It's all you need to know."

He walked over to her, reaching into a pocket and drawing forth the ring of metal he couldn't see. "And when it's over, will things go back to the way they were? Will you love me? Or will we move on into the future? And if so, will our paths cross?"

He dropped the ring onto the floor before her. "It was a miracle lost. But you shouldn't lose hope. You'll live for a long time, and sometimes miracles can happen twice."

He turned, and moved off into another room, closing the door behind him. He wasn't sure where he was, but he was alone. He sat down against a wall, closed his eyes, and wondered what future he had, if any.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Glancing down at the floor, I spotted a ring. Bending down and lifting it back up to inspect it, it took only moments to realize it was my wedding ring.

How did he get it? Why was it off of my hand? I had nothing in my memory to indicate why it was off? I knew where he went and rose from the chair, following silently to the door. My hand rested against it a moment, wondering if I should go in and ask these questions? Answer his?

I had no answers, being unwhole, I didn't know what would happen and when. I had no idea what was in the past but bits and pieces. Did it matter? Yes, it did. How else was I going to remember why I loved him before all of this?

A tear streaked down my cheek again and I wiped it away. If there was a future, I'd come to that when it got here. But for now, I had to deal with the current. Putting the ring into my pocket, I glanced down at my hand. The ring was glowing a soft blue/green again. Was it trying to help me heal? Or warding off painful thoughts? Perhaps neither, maybe it was a warning? I wished Lance was here at that moment to ask him what it meant, for I was but guessing.

"You should speak with Kat when she returns Joseph.. See if she can help you." I spoke softly to the door, but I knew he could hear me. "As for the rest... we'll have to wait until this is over.." I wanted to tell him I loved him still, but not knowing anything but a few little scenes in my head, feelings didn't come in much where anyone was concerned.. Only micheal was a known. I was married to Joseph, I knew that.. With a promise I couldn't recall clearly, but I felt nothing inside. I had to love him to marry him, didn't I? Vampires don't usually marry at all. This was all baffling, but I would find the answers before the end of all this.

Then I could speak to him of our future.

"Thank you.. for being here." I rested my hand against the door, knowing little else could be said and moved off to sit outside the back door. Alone. As usual. I was always alone it seemed.. Ever since that damned trip.

 

[poohlive]

The cave smelled of molded rugs and carpets. It clung in the air, like the smell itself were physical, and each intake of breath held goblets of mold that couldn't be breathed, but rather swallowed. The dark overwhelmed them, but a faint light grew from around each body, reflecting off the stalactites and stalagmites that hung out of the cave like crooked teeth unable to break loose.
Mongrel moved on, trying not to let the dark or the stench get to him. Pitch black all around held more than just regular blindness for them. It was a sickness in this cave. No natural light could penetrate this far down. The cave itself had been bewitched long ago, by that cunt of a fortune teller no doubt. The darkness itself were a weapon, warding off all who tried to enter.
It attacked the light each of his party were radiating out. Every few steps a shadow would linger longer than it should have, breaking the laws of both light and physics. A shadow, like a claw, would lash out. One man cried, his entire chest ripped open, as if by some feral demon. The wound exploded in blisters and black pus crawled out.
Such good magic.
Mongrel drew out his hand against the dark, muttering a few words under his breath. The darkness did not attack again.
They traveled further and further down. The ground beneath them became more and more unsteady. For a time, it turned into an old rock bed, where thousands of years ago a stream must have once flowed, but now there were only smooth rocks and faint traces of green algae.
Mongrel's phone rang.
He answered it, the static loud and popping in his ears. He held it back for a moment.
"Hun Darkam!!"
The phone crackled one last time, and then came in crystal clear, as if the person on the other line were just down the street.
"Vladimir? Is this good news? I do hope you have the head of a ring bearer to bring to me..."
At the end of the cave, where they neared, a single green light shone out like a beacon. Mongrel's eyes grew wide a unsatisfied lust, and he began to walk faster.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

"But my Lord, if I removed his head, he wouldn't be a ring-bearer, would he? Sadly, my liege, the others got to him before I could. By the sounds of it, I'd say they were going after you. Of coure, I doubt if it was all of them, and it didn't sound like they had Lance with them...So I doubt they would have been a problem."

He looked down at his fingers. "Unless, of course, you just let them grab Aria and run away again. I'm sure you know the kind of trouble they could cause if they knew what the hell they were supposed to do. I'm sorry to have failed you in this way, my liege. And I so nearly had him. I almost actually met the bastard before they swooped down on him. Annoying things, you know."

"But, since it was just something to get rid of me a while, you're probably not that annoyed. What else would you have of me, my master? Follow them along and keep tabs on them? Or perhaps something else?"

 

[poohlive]

A sick and crueld smile came to Mongrel's lips when he heard that they hadn't met up with Lance yet. He thought of the time when they finally would, the moment grasped against that fate.
Soon, oh so soon.
Damn, now he had to do something with this one. Mongrel didn't really want him to follow the bearers, because he didn't give a shit about them and their pathetic plans. At this point, with Lance on his sde, they could steal into his mansion and take the eastern wing for all he cared.
The eerie green light grew brighter and brither as they came, pulsing off of the enclosed walls as if it were waiting for them.
"The old woman," Mongrel said, as if in a dream state. The call had been crystal clear, but his mind was obviously somewhere else. His own eyes reflected the glowing green coming up before them.
"The witch, the cunt. The one they seek. The one they seek... make sure they do not find her."
His voice grew deeper, resonating the green gem that now showed him just what he needed to see. A priceless artifact that he wished he had known about sooner.
"Don't follow them, don't stop them. Just kill the witch, the gyspsy cunt. If she helps them, we might all be lost."
They all reached the end of the cave, stopping at a small shrine cut into the pure limestone, holding up a gem that flared out its green light with absolute purity.
Mongrel pointed to one of his men to touch it. The man cowered, but took a step forward and clasped his hand around the jewel.
The green jem caught hold of him. He opened his mouth for a screwm, but it was silent. His face twisted into a hideous pained expression, as the green light travelled up his arm. It infected him, and everyone knew that he was already dying.
They knew because the jewel told him.
It told you anything if you looked long enough.
"Where is the page?" Mongrel licked his lips.
"Far..." The man, in unbearable pain, formed the words not from his own control, but the gems.
"Where??"
"Rosita... It's near Rosita."
"I need to know. Who has it? Where is it?"
"South.... South..."
The body dropped. His eyes were gone, the empty sockets staring back at them with a cruel sort of smile that stayed on his lips until he turned to ash right in front of them.
Mongrel pointed to the next man, who tried with all of his might not to run from that cavern screaming for his life.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

I could hear the shower running, could smell the soap she was using, most likely bodywash.
I sat quietly, waiting for her to open the bathroom door and walk into the room.
When she finally did, she froze, looking across the room at me with wide eyes.
I smiled, standing.
"No reason to be afraid, pretty," i said, calmly. "I'm not here to hurt you in any way."
She inhaled deeply, raising her hands in front of her as if she intended to push me away should I come closer.
She was young, possibly no older than twenty, and her blonde hair appeared brown in its current state, wet to the point of dripping and hanging loosely down her back, water being caught in the towel wrapped around her.
I locked eyes with her, softening my voice and smiling still. "Calm..."
One word, and her hands lowered slowly to her sides, her breathing becoming more even.
The young were far too succeptible, far too easy to manipulate.
I moved slowly toward her, watching as she eyed me back, not showing the slightest sign of becoming defensive again. Already I had her trust.
"I only want one thing," I explained, and her hands raised, unfolding the corner of her towel and letting it fall to the floor.
I smiled, eyeing her young body, her trim figure, then looked her in the eye again, recieving a smile now.
I hooked one hand gently behind her neck, pulling her to me, and leaned forward, whispering in her ear. "No, not that."
Minutes later, she was sleeping, resting on the bed, probably unaware that anything had taken place. I guessed that in the morning, she'd be confused by the marks on her neck.
I reached the cabin again in a few minutes, moving quickly up to the door and through it. When I entered, the place seemed empty, but I guessed that kieth was here somewhere, and I doubted that Joseph had wandered far, if he'd left at all.
I left the rooms behind closed doors unexplored and headed back outside, rounding the building for lack of better things to do. i could sleep on the plane again if I got tired. Truth was, I wasn't feeling tired at all after the short rest I'd gotten on the flight here.
When I reached the back, I saw Aria sitting alone there, looking extremely upset.
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to mind my own business. They're family, I thought. But I'm supposed to be a part of all this. And what effects her, well...
I walked up to her, kneeling down to see her at eye level.
"Aria," I began. "What's wrong? Are you going to be alright?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

"Yes, my liege."

He answered softly. He was about to ask the obvious question when he heard it, heard the man speaking. Mongrel hadn't hung up, or even kept him from hearing. Either he wasn't paying enough attention, or he trusted Vlad more than he should.

"Master, how am I to find this woman? Could you tell me where she is?"

Rosita,....South. He committed the words to memory. A quick in and out assassination job. He'd have to hurry if he wanted to join Mongrel at the right time. It wouldn't do to be late when his master got control of the last page. He had to be there, sharing as many victories as he could with the man, there to be of any service needed.

After all, if Vladamir was around when Mongrel was happy, a connection might be made. Besides, a good servant is always there to praise his master when his master succeeds.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

She went off as Aria suggested and found her way to a small business still open at this hour.. A car rental place with a nice young man inside. She smiled as she entered, pretending interest in a 'flashy' car.
Luring him outside and inside a sports car, she made her move. Shifting slightly in her seat, her borrowed dress opened a little and caught his attention. She made little small talk and flirted openly, hoping she was doing it right?
It didn't take long for her to woe his mind into relaxing and letting her do her deed. Her lips fastened onto his neck, suckling and teasing him with her limited knowledge. Hands roamed each other, moans filled the car as well. She allowed his hand to wander under her dress and between her thighs as her teeth sank into his neck. She fed quickly, remembering that she had to leave him alive. As his fingers toyed with her sex, his climax hit over him and she broke contact with his throat. Leaning back, she ordered him to sleep and forget, vacating the car quickly and walking her way back to the small house over three miles away.
She smiled as she walked, liking his reaction to her. Instead of revulsion, he found her appealing. Perhaps now feeding would be much easier? And the blood much sweeter? Not having to feed on drunken bums in alley ways would be a vast improvement in her dietary needs.
Entering the quiet home, she sat down and channel surfed.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I heard him before he rounded the side of the house but didn't say much. Inside my head was swimming with the last few images of my son as he died. It hurt, stung deeply inside. I wanted to lash out at someone but knew it would do no good. I could have torn into Joseph for reminding me, but it had been my own fault. He should have never been with me in the first place!

I'd like to torment Mongrel for hours and make him beg for death, but I knew that wouldn't be possible either. So I was left alone with the rage, blame and hurt. I wouldn't.. Couldn't go to Joseph for any consolation to this, no amount of comfort would replace micheal, nor maggie. I was going to do as I had done before and shelve it all away for another time and place.

"Aria..." "What's wrong? Are you going to be alright?" His voice was soothing and soft, genuine concern for me. I wanted to laugh at him for being so caring when in all possibilities he could die because of my stupid curiousity.. And another part of me wanted to cry and beg forgiveness for being so stupid!

"Yeah.. In time. I just keep seeing ghosts is all. It is very unnerving and hard to deal with.. ya know?" My hands fisted up tightly, one rubbing over the other but roughly, trying to ease tensions.
I glanced up at Christian and scooted over a little, "want to sit?" I stared back at the ground a moment, trying to figure out what to do other than what I was doing? I didn't want to wait a second longer, I needed desperately to go to France, get answers. See this thing through and finally at rest. Each passing hour, minute, lead Mongrel closer to victory and us further in a hole.

"I keep seeing my son's face as he died, wishing I could just erase it all again." I snorted a little, knowing that was not possible. And even if it were, not knowing was just as bad as knowing. I turned my head a little and gazed at Christian again. He looked so young, but the aging showed in his eyes, he knew loss as well as I did.

"And I keep thinking maybe if Mongrel has all these god like powers, nothing bad will happen and we can just go back to our lives as we want them to be, but I know that's not going to happen either. You never did tell me what you think of all this?" I finally stopped having a one sided conversation, realizing I was talking non-stop and not giving him a chance to reply to anything. And I found I was interested in his thoughts, perhaps it would distract from my own troubles?

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

Seeing ghosts, she'd said, and I thought I understood, but I doubted it was the same. It seemed to me as if one of her ghosts had walked into the cabin a short while ago.
And she requested my opinion.
I shrugged.
It was easier just listening, but if she wanted to hear my thoughts...
"Well, I don't really know what I think just yet," I replied. "It's all just sort of fallen in my lap. If you think aout it, this time a week ago, I was pretty much incapacitated, unable to stand or even move. My side was torn to shreds, bad enough I'm lucky I survived the shotgun blast that had done the damage. All I knew then was..."
I trailed off. I wasn't going to talk about Kayla, I decided, not just then at least. I'd stopped to help with her peace of mind, not to claim my own.
"Now, I'm with people I've never met before, my faith on trial and quickly losing its edge, and yet, I'm still here, preparing to fight an enemy I cannot understand, nor even identify."
I glanced down to the ring on my finger, wondering if it were feeding my intuitions, keeping me from turning away and just leaving. Sacrifice. That had to be Kayla, didn't it? I'd lost her, and the ring had deemed me worthy in her death's wake.
"I imagine, it'll all become clearer in time. I just hope we've got that time, and the sttrength we need," I said, then smiled at her, this one a mildly genuine smile, though not out of joy.
"I know you've lost a lot, Aria, more than I could possibly have imagined. But the truth is this: For one reason or another, you've survived it all, and apparently, that wasn't some small feat. Might I venture into my own past and say that, perhaps, the Goddess looks upon you with a kind eye?"
I hadn't reached back into my roots (my human roots) in a long time. They didn't feel right, nor did the words that fell from my tongue. Perhaps it was merely that my life had changed, and religion had no place in this new life. Maybe it was that I spoke of faith, and had so little to give the words weight. Either way, it made no difference. The words were for her, an attempt at making her feel better, and hopefully making her realize that she did have someone here whom she hadn't wronged or lost, someone who was ready to know her without being some shadow from her past, creeping up behind her, haunting her.
"Perhaps you and I should talk more," I suggested. "Not just now. The others might be back by now, and we need to get out of here. But in general. I know none of you, only A.B., and she and I... You had a family here once. I merely suggesting that the addition of a distant cousin might be in both of our best interests." I smiled again, standing, then reached down, offering to help her up with one hand.
"Come, let's see if the others are ready yet."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"No one is blood related here Christian, just a small clan of members.. And you are more than welcome into it." I smiled, standing with his assistance. He did have a point there. Either fate, luck, or a higher being kept me alive through all of this. For a purpose. I just hoped I could fill that purpose and see it done.

"The other's I hope are back." He had a valid point, we needed to get out of here and pronto.

"You lost someone, I can see it in your eyes. And AB? Newly aquainted aren't you?" I gave him a little smile, feeling a little better about all of this, but still uneased. "I think we should talk again." I gave his hand a little squeeze and moved inside ahead of him. I had nothing here to pack, but I had best find Keith and see if he was coming with us or not? He reminded me of a warrior, much like Ray and Joseph. Always watching and observing, rarely speaking. He didn't know how to trust us, or his purpose yet, but I hoped to put him at ease and help him fit in. Kat was welcoming AB without much trouble, but Christian might be harder to crack and relax.

"You have questions about what is to be done, haven't you? I wish I could recall clearly enough to answer them all for you, but when Lance returns, he'll have all the finer details of how this works and the purpose of us ring bearers." I sat again at the table, wishing I had a coke.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He got up, opening teh door, moving back into the room and standing in it, facing the exit of the cabin. Lance,....in his mind, the word burned. That name, that face....Lance was the source of all his troubles. The others trusted him too easilly, and that man acted like he was the only one in the world who knew shit.

And yet, until he and Kat had met, he'd been a killer, hunting down vampires without emotion. And now he was their glorious sage? Bullshit. Without him, Aria never would have gotten far enough, everything would have stayed buried, beyond Mongrel.

If Lance ever returned to the Family, Joseph would kill him. He would kill him as many times as it took before he could finally rid the earth of that cursed man, and send him to the pits of Hell where he belonged.

He sat down, staring blankly ahead with unseeing eyes. What must the other feel, to see him like this, here? How did Aria feel? She hadn't even touched him. He disgusted them, probably. Twisted, torn flesh. He would speak with Kat, see if she could help. He wondered if she could. Even just his sight would be welcome. Or for his tearducts to heal, to be able to cry, to let out the hurt that built inside him, his wife so close, and yet at a distance so great he wondered if they would ever be together again.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I sighed a bit looking to Ray with a bit of regret, I hated rushing a meal it didn't allow me to regain full energy and I had used alot in helping Anna. We got back to the cabin and I noticed Aria and Christian. I could sense Joseph here too and my insides churned a bit at the hate I had heard in his voice when he had spoken to me. What could I do to atone for what I had done to him?? Perhaps I could help with his physical pain?? I sighed again deeply.........I felt incredible shame as a healer to have caused someone I cared about such emotional anguish. A slight blush crossed my cheeks as Ray walked by me his eyes and slight grin showing his approval of the quick way I had accomplished my hunt. (Perhaps when all of this is over?) I thought to myself then in the same instant a sudden image of Lance flashed into my mind and the darkness in me stirred slightly. I sat down on the couch hoping no one had noticed my sudden weak knees and waited for the others to show. With a gentle smile at Christian I offered him a seat next to me, "Care to join me wingsib?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He moved his head up, turning it slightly to one side as he listened to Kat eneter and sit. He thought for a moment about talking to her now, but decided that it would be better after they had gotten where they were going, and had a little more time to deal with it.

 

[poohlive]

The green grew brighter, filled their vision with its hypnotically addicting glow. Mongrel closed his eyes, and he could still see the green through his lids, it burned into him, more than just sight would allow.
"The old woman?" Mongrel's voice was faint, he heard something far off, a distant voice. For a moment he thought he had moved to close to the gem, and now it was working its evil twisted magic on him, but then he noticed the phone still in his hand.
"The old woman?" The man touching the jewel convulsed over and over again. Mongrel noticed the man twitching in almost unimaginable ways, but the gem, which didn't seem to be embedded into the rock at all, just on a shelf, never moved.
How odd.
"The old woman," the man convulsed the words out, "She's finding the seventh. The seal's almost broken. She knows this, but can't tell them. It's almost over, she knows this, but they don't trust it. They still don't trust themselves. Too weak, not in strength, but in mind... You will win if they never choose to fight."
One final earth shattering thrust, and the man's neck broke. Mongrel growled at him, and kicked the now dust that became the rest of his body.
Damnit, he didn't care about the witch or her old prophecies. He looked back at the jewel, and the green once more caught his eye. It grabbed him with an unseen hand, and made him see what he didn't want.
"No," the word died in his throat, as a picture came into his head and vanished.
"France," He said into the telephone, his voice not faint, but gurgled. It was as if he were trying to talk with a mouthful of rocks. He looked away from the jewel, but couldn't get the green out of his vision.
"She's in France," He knew more, more than he ever wanted to know, about her, her power. The ringbearers... he knelt down on the floor, coughing.
The phone dropped, and his magical tendencies broke the unnatural connection from it to the outside world. In a fit of green smoke, it blew up when it touched the ground.
Mongrel tore off a piece of his shirt, wrapping it around his eyes, so he could see no more.
"Another one," He order, pointing in the general direction of the jewel. This time, there was a volunteer. The addicting glow was getting to everyone else in the cave, they all wanted to touch it.. to feel its power...
To die in it's wamth.
Mongrel coughed up blood, and waiting with tentative ears for ths location.

 

[poohlive]

The swiss alps met him head on. Cold winds and chilling conditions only fueled the demon blood now pumping through his heart. God, he felt so good. He felt like him old self.
Like the Lance who was destined to destroy the curse of vampire, not defend it.
Weren't those the days. Back when his tatoo of the black sun burned into his body invisioned solace and insolitude. An outsider in a world of outsiders, who destined himself only to that of blood spilling to the ground.
Thoughts of help and good had been subdued. Parts of them were there, but every time they arose, the darkened rune twisted its black magics and they fell short of doing any damage.
He ran like a blur, making his way towards them.
He smelled them, smelled their magic, their scent that grew off of them. The darkened rune made him see that which he never could. He could see them.
He was hundreds of miles away, and he could fucking see them.
"I'm coming," He panted, his breath hard on the unbending wind, that seemed determined to stop him, but he never missed a step.
Nearby, a woman cried, unsure why, but wanting to be held by her husband. A cow gave birth to a stillborn calf, and her milk curdled for weeks afterward.
He bore a trail of omens past him as he ran, unending to his fate.
To all their fates.
God only kills the ones he loves...




Keith had finished his tuna fish sandwich, and came back to the living room, where most of the others had now gathered. He paused in mid stride, looking to see the outsider had come back in.
Biting his lower lip to say anything, Keith instead sat down beside A.B.
"Hi," He said, watching her flip through the channels as if she were going to find something interesting, "We've never been formally introduced. I'm Keith."
He didn't know how to do much, but just would wait and make small talk until everyone was ready to leave, or do whatever it was they were all going to do, he still wasn't sure about the matter.
They were going to leave, but talks had turned to something else, so he didn't know.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

She glanced at the man sitting beside her and smiled at him, she had always liked cops. "Hi Keith, I am Annabelle. Just call me AB for short." She held out her hand to him to shake it. She switched off the tv and put down the remote. She couldn't understand anything said anyway with everyone on it speaking a language she didn't know. The guy with no face scared her a little, not because of his looks or the damage done to him, she could look past that.. It was his demeanor. He seemed to be a ticking timebomb ready to explode with his wrath.
She hadn't paid much attention to Christian and Aria talking or what was said either, didn't seem important to her to listen in. And who was Lance again? Her eyes scanned the room, as if watching some soap opera on tv for the first time and trying to decipher it all to make sense. She should just give that idea up.
"Everyone seems on edge don't they?" She whispered to Keith. They all did, pacing, staring, the hard looks on their faces.


Aria

"Great, we're all back here. We need to grab our things and get going." Rising from the table, I pushed the lid back onto one of Ray's crates and felt some of the tension leave my body.
"Thanks for hurrying guys, I know it's hard to do that at times.. Once we see the witch we can slow down a little." I gave them all an appologetic look, feeling bad for rushing them all out the door.

Grabbing a crate and carrying it out, I helped to get what was needed loaded into the rental. "Keith, are you coming with us?" I asked just inside the door.


AB

Rising from the couch, she stood and waited. She had a few things to gather up in the bedroom from earlier but little else.
"Excuse me Keith." She moved around the edge of the room and into the bed room. Grabbing her own clothes, she quickly changed and carefully refolded Kat's gown. Her fingers traced over the material, a smile on her face. She'd never forget tonight or the dress, but now it was time to earn her stay. Tightening up her combat boots on her tiny feet, she straightened up her jeans and tshirt as best she could. Braiding her hair and grabbing her cloak, she was ready to go.
She moved back into the main room and sat back down on the couch. She was ready as ever..

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He redirected the pilot to land in France, thankful it was a closer destination. Then, he used his cell phone to make another call. A call to another cell phone. Joseph's. He was Mongrel's servant, and he would be loyal, but Mongrel hadn't told him not to say anything.

So, he'd tell Joseph everything. And if he told the ring bearers that was his business, and Vlad couldn't change that. But he could redirect Joseph and the others. Then they'd be more trouble to his master.

And he could get closer by dealing with them later, once they were at a suitable threat level

Joseph

Joseph stood up, ready to move outside and stand guard when his phone rang. He frowned, and reached for it. Pulling it up, he didn't answer it, but instead shoved it in Keith's direction.

"Vlad's calling." He said, letting go of the phone, not caring if the man answered or not. Or even if he bothered catching the phone. Of course, it was strong enough to take more than the fall to the floor, but Joe didn't care about that either.

He moved outside, gripping the hilt of his sword and moving several yards from the car to stand watch.

 

[poohlive]

Keith stood up, going to the back of the kitchen and grabbing what was left of his arsenal from the original threat made on Mongrel's mansion. All he had left were two handguns, and a submachine gun, with only one clip. He put them all on her person, going back into the room.
He didn't have anything else to carry. He left Australia with the clothes on his back and a prayer to find the right people. He had found them, all right.
His eyes lit up at the mention of Vladimir. He grabbed for the phone, but it slipped under his clumsy fingers and fell to the floor. He picked it up, hoping that the man with half a face wasn't playing some stupid cruel joke.
"Vlad?"
It was him!
"Vladimir? It's me, Keith. I can't believe it. How did you find us? We're near Mongrel's mansion, a few..."
Then he looked at the other vampires, and decided not to tell too much. They were moving, but they hadn't moved just yet.
He walked outside with the rest, the phone pressed clearly to his ear.
"I did just what you said. I want balls to the walls in on Mongrel's mansion. I saved Aria. It was cause of everything you taught me. I couldn't believe I did it, but I did. Thank you..."
He hesitated, unsure about the call itself, or why he was given the phone.
"Where are you? Do you need help? We're moving as we speak, we can come and help if you want."

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I gathered up what was left out of my things and helped the others carry the bags and few boxes to the car. I smiled at A.B as she passed by her obvious joy at herself now apparent to all. Turning I overheard a touch of Keiths conversation and without being obvious walked closer to Joseph. (I don't trust him......he shouldn't be telling anyone where we are or what we are doing...) I sent to Josephs mind. I kept up the appearance of being busy and waited for a response.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Moving from house to vehicle, I helped pack what was needing to go. My mind working over alot of things in my head, steps we needed to take to ensure safety and where to look next. The name Vlad drew me to a halt suddenly, stopping to stare at Keith for the longest moment.

"I know that name.. Don't I?" I was speaking more to myself than anyone else but I felt I should know that name and with the apprehension building inside at the mere mention of this person, it had to be bad.

I turned to Kat, seeing her tense a moment as well, "Who's phone is that? And who is Vlad?" I asked softly nearer to her, not wanting to be over heard on that damned phone. Trying to listen with one ear to Keith and hopefully an answer from Kat.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He felt a sharp pain in his head. He could tell what it was. It was Cat, trying to link telepathically. He rubbed at the back of his head, wishing he could rub the pain away. It had been a sharp pain as Cat shared her message. He almost wanted to tell her to stop, but he didn't care enough.

There was probably a reason it caused him pain. But he didn't know what it was, and didn't want to find out anything else was wrong with him. There was enough already.