#PartSix

[livingfast04]

Monster Au? - Part 5

partone parttwo partthree partfour II partsix TW: Panic attacks, references to past/current child abuse, a little bit of body horror (as always), mentions of disordered eating. ---

Steve whines loud and distressed even with his Mama cooing into his hair, his sides hurt- and he wants Dad too. But Dad isn’t here- and it’s not safe. 

She’s running her fingers through his hair, he knows she’s trying to calm him into shifting down, making himself his shapeless form. He can’t he’s not supposed to be and, and everything hurts- and- 

“Shhh, come on Baby. It’s okay, just relax it’s okay. Mama’s right here.” She clicks, and Steve pressed his face harder against her stomach, tucking his legs up. Mama dragged her fingers through his hair, cooing and talking softly. 

The door cracked open, and another body joined them on the bed. Steve curled towards his Dad like he was the sun. Big hands pressed against his skin- “Hey Bubba, deep breaths.” And Steve listened, sucked in a sharp breath, hard enough to start coughing. If Steve had thought his sides had hurt before they burned now, he whined, the noise scraping across a throat that wasn’t used to making any kind of noise.  Mama crooned, and Dad just, Dad just rubbed circles against his skin, over the edges of his spine. Over the scarring over road burns on his back. Down each visible knot of his bones, the way his skin was pulled taunt over a frame that it wasn’t built for. Steve sobbed, his body wrung out, exhausted despite the hours of actual sleep he had gotten for the first time in probably years.

Everything hurt, and he just wanted it to stop. 

His ears were ringing, and his head hurt, Steve choked on a sob. A hand cupped the back of his head, curling through his hair, Dad- Steve whined, pressing into the touch, craving the soft affection, deprived and desperate. Please, please- he warbled, pressing his face further against his Mama’s stomach. 

They were talking, he could tell, not that he could hear them, or understand them even if he wanted to. Everything was supposed to be safe, and now it wasn’t- and the house was violated- and he just wanted everything to be normal. 

Steve didn’t want to be like this, didn’t want to live like this. Maybe, maybe if he was human it wouldn't hurt so much, the isolation, and lashing out. He let out a soft cry, his lungs rattling at the force of his distress. He felt like someone had shoved him against something too hot, too warm. 

Lips were pressed against his ear, and Steve wished, wished he could understand- before.

Fingers closed around the back of his neck, pressure. It was, scruffed. His mind went empty, his mouth opened soundlessly. His Mama was still running her hands through his hair, lengthening hair, curling down his neck a little more, over his face. His body falling limp under the gentle pressure of his Dad’s big hands on the back of his neck. Ears still ringing, but the comfort was pleasant and- and, and familiar.  Steve was a frantic child, anxious and nervous. He cried easily, which wasn't that un-normal for young shapeshifters, dependent on parents, and gathered pack, Cubs were normally shuffled away for years before anyone outside of a close knit group would ever see them.

It was harder for Steve when he was really small, carried a lot, scruffed when tears and panic couldn’t be quelled with words. If the body and mind were distressed enough, it would calm, a simple level of pressure around the back of his neck.

Steve cooed, the first comfort noise he’d let out in months. It soothed over the rough treatment of his throat, he cooed again, letting out a soft click, relaxing down against the bed. His fingers curling and uncurling.

His body relaxed for the first time in months, slipping shapeless and more monsterish. Steve hummed, shifting his face against the warmth of his parents and blinked sluggishly. 

Mind pleasantly quiet. It was just as easy to fall asleep as it had been last night, fuzzy around the edges, calm. Empty of anxiety. Sure Steve knows logically he was about to have several uncomfortable conversations with his parents, and the anxiety was going to come back. And Everything would be bad, because the Party- Pack, was going to be so fucking upset with him. Steve would be lucky if they even wanted anything to do with him ever again- 

But, his Dad gave his neck another gentle squeeze. 

It was fine right now, it was fine, and it would continue to be fine because his parents were here, and they’d make sure it was fine. ---

It had been three weeks since anyone had seen Steve. 

Robin had been inconsolable. Eddie wasn’t fairing much better. 

The Harrington’s where staying in town indefinitely apparently, their fancy as hell car seen around town. Eddie only really knows all of this because the Kids won’t stop bitching about how they won’t leave so they can go back to the house. No matter how many times someone tells them that they can’t go back. 

Shit, Eddie had to bodily remove Dustin from the Hopper-Byer’s house for being a dick to Hopper for no reason. Loud and angry, yelling about how they can’t just lose their spot, and why did they even leave, it was theirs. 

Eddie doesn’t think that any of the kids get that Hopper could have been murdered in that house. That they didn’t see just how not human the Harrington’s had appeared. Almost half feral and more than ready to kill for their baby.

He glances at the group of adults sitting around the small table in the kitchen. Their voices were low, but- Eddie makes eye contact with Wayne, who stares back at him for a long moment before jerking his head in the most come here motion Eddie’s seen his uncle make to this date. He’s quiet, moving in the room, at least of all the whole group in the living room goes back up in arms over something that isn’t an easy fix. 

Joyce’s mouth snaps shut the second she catches sight of him, and Eddie rolls his eyes a little, sinking down slightly to rest his arms over the back of his uncle's chair. “Yeah Pops?” Eddie stares at Hopper over the top of Wayne’s head. Wayne grunts, lifting his head slightly, just slightly- to look up at him. “How’s Harrington doin’?” There’s a tone in his voice, rough but also defiant. Hopper growls, the noise quiet, but enough that his displeasure at Wayne’s question is known. Eddie snorts softly. 

His Uncle was older than probably anyone in this town. Wayne wasn’t even a part of “The Pack” not really, and he was only here because Eddie asked him to be. Well, because Hopper wanted another opinion on what to do about the whole “Harrington Family, and House” Situation. And Murray had been very loud in his displeasure at their actions. 

The Human had yelled loud enough that the whole house had been set off. Ranting on about laws, and how they could literally face so many legal issues due to their actions against Steve. The Harrington’s had a lot of power. A lot. 

Hopper had yelled back, it ended with Murray shouting about how they didn’t even know what kind of Creature- Supernatural Steve even was. And depending on that, there would be fucking hell to pay.

They all wanted to go back into the house, the kids were just being shits about it.

Eddie twisted his head to the side, he unfocussed on the boy’s in the living room. For a moment, he was a little overwhelmed by the almost sudden silence, but latched on to what he remembered Steve’s heartbeat sounding like. It was a steady thump against his ears. 

A little fast, but given that the boy was almost always anxious- it was a good sound. Some of the tension in his shoulders he didn’t even realize was there soothed out. Eddie hadn’t given himself the chance, or even the thought of checking in on Steve. Anger burning under his skin, but now- 

He slumped forwards a bit more. “Sounds good. Better,” He ran his tongue over his teeth, pushing flat against the sharpness of his canines. Eddie works his jaw, thinking over, focusing a little more on the faint thump. “It’s better than I remember it being.” 

Which really doesn’t say anything, Eddie focused in when Steve was dying, and clearly he’s been dying this entire time. So yeah, Steve’s heart beat is incredibly strong compared to what it had been three weeks ago. “Why’d ya wanna know Pops?” Wayne for all his years, and for all he puts up with Eddie, always makes that face when Eddie mimics some of Wayne’s accent. 

Or maybe he made that face because he doesn’t want to share with the rest of the table. “I just remember the Elder Harrington Boys bein’ rather cruel pair in School. Worried about the boy s’all.” Eddie blinked at his Uncle but nodded, that made sense. Part of him curled guilt, hot, angry. 

Steve felt so outcasted, so desperate for affection- that he possibly put himself in danger by calling for his parents. Steve’s heart gives a soft thump against his ears, if he focuses enough he feels like he should be able to hear the younger boy’s laugh. Ghost over his ears, make them twitch. 

Eddie’s chest feels empty when he realizes he can’t even really remember what it sounded like. Can’t remember the last time he heard it. 

“Could mean nothing,” He shrugs, making eye contact with Hopper across the table. “I mean, he might be, fine. Or the steady heartbeat is because we aren’t stressing him out so badly he’s self isolating.” Eddie’s not bitter. Not really, he can’t be mad at Hop, this isn’t his fault, and it’s certainly not Eddie’s. Sure it’s a group collaborative effort that they apparently all banded together to accidentally try and kill Steve-

All the blame isn’t going to fall on one person, no matter what Dustin wants to think. Steve was dying. From what they have gathered, Steve’s of course some kind of Supernatural. What kind, they really don’t fucking know. He’s not a Witch, they are all far too human for that.

Something a little less human, from the sounds, to the reactions- the noise Steve made when his mother opened that door. The clicking- Steve had hidden himself away to die, like a cat does when they know it's time. And they were going to let him. Because they were too caught up in thinking Steve was human. Eddie was too angry to even think about the fact that Steve smelled so distinctly like death- and sickness. Too used to the scent clinging to him- to his skin, to his blood, to his heart. 

“I still don’t see why we can’t approach the Harrington’s.” Joyce’s voice is quiet, she’s human enough to get away with not knowing everything the rest of them do. Eddie’s kind of jealous of the Witches in their group, they aren’t as torn up about the loss of the House as the rest of them are. But he’s grinding his teeth flat every time they try and offer what they think is an easy and viable solution.

Hopper makes a grunt-like noise, “It’s not that easy Joy. The Harrington’s have every right to kill me if I even get close to the house.” Hopper takes a deep breath, “And I’d let him.” It’s there, that point. They know, they’ve failed Steve. And it seems only a handful of people really want to accept that fact. 

It took Hopper a little, he’s still rougher about it, gruff and very Chief-like about it. But Eddie thinks he gets that just Hopper realizing he’s failed Steve. 

However Eddie has to hear “Friends don’t tell Lies” one more fucking time about Steve not telling them he was supernatural. He was going to start biting people. Better yet! Maybe actually sacrifice something to a higher power. Just to the kids to shut the fuck up. Better, better yet! Eddie might just kill Mike, just because. 

They sit in silence for a long moment.

Eddie stares at his hands, curled over the back of his uncle's chair. At the adults trying to pick apart the situation. “What, what if we didn’t bother with the house right now. Sure, it would be nice to go back.” Not really, Eddie can almost still smell the ghost of the depression that coated the surface of everything the second you left the communal living areas. “But, I-” Everyone is just looking at him. “I’d rather be talking to Steve again, than go back to that house. It’s not like we, you, don’t have space.” The Byers-Hopper house was more than big enough, they didn’t need all the extra rooms of the Harrington house, they didn’t need the room, not really. Eddie taps his lips with his shortened fangs.

Murray, who was surprisingly silent, for all that Eddie knows about the human. “No one in this house is getting back into the Harrington’s Home.” His voice was dry, but strangely firm. Lacking its regular holier than thou’ tone, Eddie stared at him for a long moment. “Legally or otherwise. The Harrington brood are mean, and vicious. With or without the high paid lawyers. Digging I can do to figure out what kind of Monster I’m working with here, but there’s not enough dirt I can dig up for that Shitshow. Not if I want to get out of it with my life, and I am rather attached to my life.” 

Hopper snorts, and Joyce laughs. Both noises are a little bitter. But at this point in these people's lives, after what Eddie has seen, they are a little entitled to bitterness. His tongue is heavy, anger is coating his teeth he can’t stand it- and his gums itch. “Russians of various origins, but unknown Supernatural is the line?” Joyce’s tone was teasing, but also sharper. Eddie wouldn’t want to do anything like that either. They’d already tested the limits, especially Steve’s limits.

Murray scoffed, “Yes, because Russians are all distinctly the same, they want to kill me. Supernatural? With unknown origins, I didn’t sign up for that shit. Not outside crossing dimensions.” No one said anything for a moment, and Eddie shifted. Listening to the thump of Steve’s pulse a little more. It was a faint noise from the distance, and sure. Eddie would never be able to actually track it. Not like this. 

But it was nice to actually feel like he could still listen to it. Eddie doesn’t want to say how many nights he spent listening to it before going to bed. He works his jaw again, grinding his teeth together. Wayne shot him a look, and he paused. Right, he ducked his head, bangs falling in his face to hide behind. Eddie picked at the wood on the back of the chair, running his bitten down nails over the chipping gloss on the chair.

Wayne taps his leg, and Eddie draws his attention back up. “Buckley’s too-” His uncle works his jaw, Eddie can tell his teeth never touch. “Hysterical,” Eddie snorts, just slightly, the drawl of his voice, and the way Wayne shapes it around his teeth. “about it’all.” Eyes are on his skin, and it feels like they are trying to worm their ways into his skin. “But Eds, Steve might, might- letya around.” 

He gives a slow nod, Wayne’s not asking in a way back into the house, he’s telling Eddie this in a make sure Steve’s going to be okay when his parents leave, way. Not alone and dying without anyone knowing, way. Eddie wouldn’t even let any of these people in this house use that against him. Not against Steve, not in this way- never in any way actually. Imprinting is special. And Steve probably knows Eddie’s imprinted on him anyway. Supernatural and all, even if he’s never actually acted like he’s imprinted on Steve. 

A mistake, a mistake that Eddie desperately needs to rectify. To fix. Un-fuck up. “Imprinted.” Murray says, and Eddie hisses, low at the tone. The bald man tends to have a rather crashness, when it comes down to it. And while Eddie appreciates it, he doesn’t in this sense. “That could work.” Eddie gnashes his teeth, standing up, Wayne makes an aggressive, displeased noise. Clearly whatever Murray is implying wasn’t what his uncle was going to talk about.

Murray looks unphased, but Hopper’s tensed, and so has Joyce. The fucking Russian guy that hangs around hasn’t said a word, and he doesn’t now. He smells distinctly Wolvish too- but Eddie’s never paid him mind, he is now. Threat- threat. 

“That, could get you back in the house.” Eddie snarled, and so did Wayne. Tension was heavy, and the living room had gone silent. He could care fucking less, what the hell was wrong with this man. His teeth itched. “Like Hell-” Wayne’s tone was sharp, smoother-

“How fucking dare you.” Eddie would apologize for cutting his Uncle off later- “I know you get off on riling people up, and generally just being a fucking prick. But jacking off to this? Playing with it? I’ll rip your throat out with my teeth.” It’s not a threat, it's a promise. The older man pales, and Eddie grins, he knows he looks half feral, knows he looks like he can follow up on this request. And it’s, it’s so good. 

Maybe, maybe, the feeling of regret will show up later, mixed in with the heavy coat of guilt, and bitterness, and anger, that already coats his bones. But right now, now Eddie’s protecting something sacred. Do not touch. 

“Never, like hell. I would never do that. Using someone else. What is wrong with-” “Munson.” Hopper’s voice is sharp, low. Eddie curled his lips back further. “No ones going to ask anyone to do that.” Eddie watches the wolf cut his eyes over to Murray, who jerks his gaze away, embarrassment written in his features. Good. His teeth itch, and so does his skin- blood pooled on his tongue. Wayne was on his feet now, slower, and he tried not to think too hard about how his uncle positioned himself in front of him. 

Eddie snapped his jaw, teeth clicking together hard enough they rattled in his skull. Pain flaring across the roof of his mouth and over his jaw. Eddie hisses at Hopper, knows that the other probably thought about it, knows that they all probably have.

“You could get us back in the house?” Mike’s voice is high, loud- Eddie’s going to kill him. He snaps his head around to stare at the teenager, Hopper Growls lower- maybe he’s now realizing just what Murray set loose in his house. Wayne answers the noise sharply with his own snarl. Eddie’s old man is sharp, and protective without question.

“You could have done that this entire time, and you haven’t? What the fuck Eddie.” Baby Wheeler’s voice is accusing, angry- and Eddie isn’t dealing with this. 

Dustin is by his side, looking at him with almost the same expression, and all the kids are poised for a fight- And Eddie hates being like this, but he’s also not doing this- not like this. He spins on his heel, and pushes past the kids, shoving Mike a little harder than he needs to, as he moves past.

The doorknob is frigid under his touch, and he slams it behind him. Eddie climbs into his van and waits for Wayne to follow him out. Doesn’t remember the drive back to the Trailer, doesn’t remember any of it.

Eddie’s not sure if he wants to. All of this is just bad. IT's bad, and he's so fucking angry it's not even funny. How- how. Wayne doesn't say anything to him

--- I lied about part 5, I procrastinated literally all of my work because I didn't want to do anything for a long weekend. Nothing was done, not for anything. I also didn't post, or work on anything for ao3, shocker. I was going to have this posted like hours ago, but my laptop died in the middle of class... which was fun. This part is also not my favorite of the parts if Imma be honest. I hate Dialogue, so much- and there's so much dialogue. You know, this has like an actual title... but I'm also a Long Title enjoyer. So for now I'll just stick to Monster Au? Because it works. At least for now. If it ever goes up on ao3, which it probably will; it'll be under that title. I'd like to actually post a Steddie One-shot that stays a one-shot. *cries over 138k words* (And yes I'm going to keep pushing this link because that fic is my motherfuckin baby-) Anyway, I'm going to go see if I can get a few hours of sleep. That would be nice. I again, ask, where the hell did all of you come from???? You are all incredibly sweet. <3 (I Think this is all who asked to be tagged? I think? They also messed up halfway through making this- so I might have fucked something up possibly) @theghostinmymachine @sadcanadianwinter @failedstarsandgoldenclouds @a-huge-nerdy-nerd @bisexualdisastersworld @intergalactic-president-awesome @vampireinthesun @estrellami-1 @raysreads @knightofthieves @sassysleeplord @gezell-igg @ledleaf @haluton @h0n3y-dw @thegingerrapunzel @finalmoondragon @warrior-616 @lexyvey @thesuninyaface @whalesharksart @two-faced-biatch @plasticcrotches

[bootstraptema]

(со страницы Partsix / Магазин / Шаблоны Bootstrap | BootstrapТема)

[echoweil]

your icon keeps confusing me i think its me. videogame renas unite

my pfp is an evil version of yours, one rena two different states of mind

[erextmoved]

🍒

what im thinkimg is those videos on the internet from buzzfeed or smthn that sealed yr fate . if u didnt watch those tho then idk what it is. maybe the gay fairy

[ilan]

🚫 you're the only one ill let call me out in the future ok

of course anything for you rhea. you literally have a jojo url. also > joji fan

[hopearcana]

🦩

🎶

[ubashaaa-archived]

✒️ haii

[edenbdb]

Punishment: Summons Part 6

Dhark: Dhark entered into his room, his leathers ripped in places and black oily lesser blood was staining him and making him smell like five fucking cupcake stores had exploded in his face. But he had slaughtered the motherfuckers that had him stinking up his room with the sickly sweet stench. Oh he’d slaughtered them well and good before he popped them back to the Omega. He dropped his weapons on the desk in his room and started cleaning them, wiping the steels of his blades and making sure they were sharp. He had already let Fritz know he needed a Chosen, and specifically asked for the one named Eden, that one that had serviced him just a few nights ago. He wasn’t hungry per say, but he needed to blow off some steam and calm down. And for the past few years, nothing had done the trick like that female had. Besides, he wanted to see her reaction to him being stained black with blood and stinking like a nursery hit with an acute case of diarrhea. @Eden_BDB

Eden: [It has been a few days since I returned to the Sanctuary after my summons for the sire Dhark. Mine sisters had been worried for me when I sat woolgathering about those few days together. It was the first time that a Brother has requested my presence not only for blood sustenance. Though it may have been my moment of pure bravado to take a chance that I initiated the encounter.

I shivered in my robes looking out into the fountains as I remember those first few moments that led to hours and hours of unexpectant pleasure. None I had ever experienced before and now wondered to myself if I would ever experience again. That summons had been an anomaly. The Brothers could call on anyone.

Suddenly someone was calling my name as I looked up, I saw the Directrix coming towards me.]

“Eden, you have been summoned to the Brotherhood Manse. Go at once.” [She states as she approached me. I wondered who had summoned me and in foolish hope wondered if it was /him/.]

Who summoned me? [I pondered.]

“I know not, and would never question. Just go and do not fail us.”

[I nodded and made my way to the fountains to the only entrance left from the Sanctuary and the Otherside, arriving at the doors to the Manse as I opened the vestibule doors and awaited my entry.]

Dhark: Dhark looked up as there was a knocking on his door. He willed the wooden thing open, making sure to not be gentle, but not tear the thing off it hinges either. He was clearly agitated though the female doggen on the other side didn’t seem all that bothered by it. Could be she was just used to his mood being shifty after a night of patrolling the streets. On the other side of the door, he could smell Eden had accompanied the doggen and it wasn’t a moment too soon at all. He was getting sick of waiting while twiddling blades between his fingers. “Leave us, and shut the door after you. I don’t want to be disturbed until I leave this room”, he said shortly without even looking up. Many of his weapons were on display tonight, some freshly cleaned, others tainted with the black substance that was lesser blood. The sweet smell of baby powder was filling the room since Dhark hadn’t bothered to shower or leave anything in laundry. He wanted Eden to know exactly what he had been doing all night and see her reaction to him. The female doggen bowed and stepped aside to give room for Eden to enter the room, followed by the doggen closing the door as she had been instructed to.

Eden: [I could hear the low growl from just outside the door and as I watch the doggen not even flinch at his reaction. I was to take that fortitude of the doggen’s behavior into my own. He willed the door closed behind me … hearing the reverberation of the door as it echoed. 

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves as I remembered his instruction from when I was here last, I pulled at my ties on my robe and let the silk fall on my shoulders and arms and folded over a nearby chair and then stood by the door as I awaited his orders as I stood there naked mostly except fishnet stockings.

I could smell a sickly sweet smell that could only be from our enemies as I recalled the aroma during my times down at the clinic to feed an injured warrior. So the scent was familiar to me as I looked around the room and awaited his next instruction. He left his weapons out on his dresser and tables and I could see the black substance which I have also seen on their clothing when they were defending our race. It bothered me not. It made me proud to serve a warrior who risks his life to protect us all.

I finally looked up to see him watching me and wondered what he was thinking. I met his eyes and observed his reactions.]

Dhark: Dhark looked to the Chosen as the door was closed, watching her reactions quite closely, observing her like a predator does its prey. The weapons and smell didn’t seem to bother her one little bit as she just dropped her robe and placed it over the back of a chair. He let out a growl of approval as he stood up from his own seat, his tight leathers making him seem even bigger than he already was. He walked towards the Chosen, his eyes wandering over her naked body, surprised by the fishnet stockings, as he slowly started taking off his leather jacket and shirt, leaving his black-soaked leather pants on to contain the hard-on he was feeling pressing against his pants. 

He walked to the Chosen, his hands immediately finding her hips and in a quick movement, he pulled her closer to him. He let out an approving growl, seeing her lack of reaction to his stained clothing and even the smell of their enemies. She was well-trained, that was for sure, and she had even remembered that he had requested her to disrobe whenever she was in his room. “You’re so quiet, Chosen Eden”, he said and looked into her eyes, hunger and desire burning in his own. He indeed was planning very sinister things in his mind, though he wasn’t sure whether or not the Chosen would be able to see that.

Eden: [His gaze warmed my body from the inside out, regardless of the fact that I stood naked in his bed chambers. I watched as he removed his shirt and I searched for any wounds quickly but he seemed unhurt and I felt surprisingly relieved. I understood what he did daily and knew that injuries were part of it all … yet, I felt comfort knowing he was healthy and strong.

His large warm hands rested on my hips and his low growl sent shivers through me. Though he smelled of the sickly sweet, as he drew closer to me I could scent his natural smell of spice and musk. Heavenly through sweeter. His baritone voice whispered over my skin as he wondered why I was quiet.]

How are you this evening, sire? [I asked as I looked up at him from my place. My arms raised as I placed them on his forearms and felt his warm skin beneath my fingers. I could see his eyes fill with lust that I have now recognized with a hint of darkness beneath them. I licked my suddenly dry lips in anticipation.]

Dhark: Dhark watched the female closely, enjoying the sigh of her licking her lips. She was already wanting him, which he was far from displeased with. He smirked as she asked him how he was and wrapped his arms around her tighter. He caressed her hair softly and looked at her. “Worked up and very tense, my little Chosen”, he said and looked into her eyes. He leaned down and softly ran his tongue over her lips. “Dry lips? You should tell me, so I can make them nice and wet” he said and pulled his face away teasingly. “Do you know that you’re tasty, little Chosen?”, he asked with a chuckle following closely behind it all. “Like a little strawberry dipped in chocolate, ready to be bitten into.”

Eden: [I felt his tongue over my lips and felt bereft when it was gone just as quickly as it appeared, I barely suppressed a whimper. I could feel my cheeks warm as his compliment of being tasty.]

You taste good too. [I replied, hoping he would give me more of a taste by kissing me. It was dangerous that I have come to crave him. The Brothers were not known to take mates, though things were changing. But I knew that I could not give myself over to hope, he could choose another one of us just as easily … perhaps one with more experience than myself. I need to enjoy these few moments with him and try not to indulge in these feelings that he was evoking with his sweet remarks and gestures. I needed to try to really try and focus on my duty to provide the Brother with his needs while learning from the experiences.] 

Please bite me then.

Dhark: Dhark let out a deep chuckle as he heard Eden’s request to bite her. It almost sounded like a challenge to him. He let his hands wander over her, his nails grazing her skin. “Hoh? Already asking me to do something to you? What a brave little Chosen you are, making requests of a Brother”, he asked and lowered his head to keep it only inches away from hers, his brown eyes observing her face closely. 

“A Brother who has been out killing lessers all night, and called upon you to help him relax, and you’re making bold requests. What a naughty little Chosen you are, my little Eden” he said with his silky smooth voice, as he caressed her naked body with his arms tight enough for her not to be able to escape his embrace easily. “What do you have to say for yourself, little Chosen?”

Eden: [I drop my eyes at his reprimand. He was right, it was not my place to ask for anything.] My apologies, sire. I did not mean to offend. Please forgive me.

[I could watch him breath in and out as he listened to my response to his inquiry. His chest lifting and settling with each breath. I concentrated on each rise and fall to temper my lust and hoped he wouldn’t send me away and request another.]

Dhark: Dhark stayed silent a while after Eden had given her apology, begging for him to forgive her. He slid his right hand up and caressed her cheek softly with the back of his fingers, studying her curiously. He was playing with her, giving her mixed signals and drawing her into his twisted games, just because he wanted to see her suffer and squirm. He was indeed a sick fuck. 

“Tell me something, my naughty little Chosen” he said, lowering his voice to little more than a purr. “Did you think about me while in the Sanctuary?” he asked as his left hand sought to her thighs, caressing upwards and inwards towards her nethers. “Did you practice what I taught you in your solitude?” Eden: [I felt the warm fingers on my face and leaned towards it welcoming the contact. My face pinkened when he asked if I had thought of him. I frequently go back to our first night together. It had only been a few days … and during those days my thoughts were bombarded with my memories of that night. I was so consumed with them that my sisters often had to repeat themselves and get my attention as I was often lost in my thoughts.]

I have ...

[My cheeks reddened even more as his next question caught me off guard. Practice? I remembered how his hand guided my own as I explored myself with my own touch. It felt awkward at first As upbringing taught us that females didn’t touch themselves in this manner. Our breeding would never allow such proclivity much less under the protection of the Scribe Virgin in her Sanctuary. I admitted as much to him as I told him that he had not practiced.]

Dhark: Dhark’s eyes almost shined when Eden leaned into his caressing hand, enjoying the attention while admitting she had thought of him. He had already begun to invade her when she was secluded from him. His blood was rushing in his veins as the thoughts of her being distracted by the mere thought of him got the male all kinds of excited. 

When the Chosen openly admitted skittishly she hadn’t practiced Dhark enjoyed the increasingly red cheeks she was sporting. He leaned backwards, letting his silvery eyes rest on hers as a sadistic smirk spread over his face. “You didn’t?” he asked, keeping his voice smooth and calm, almost chillingly so. He slowly led the female to a corner of his room, past the bloody weapons and clothes he had left on his table. 

“How will you ever become a proper ehros if you don’t practice and train your body?” he asked as he walked to a closet, opening it and revealing a collection of whips, feathers, collars, gags and leather-cuffs, making sure to turn Eden, so she had a perfect view of the many tools. “Like a warrior training his fighting, so he can face the lessers and win, you need to train your body for pleasure, so you don’t pass out after only a small amount of pleasure, little Chosen” he purred into her ear while tightening his grip around her. “Now what should we use to punish you, hmm? A leather whip, maybe? Or perhaps you’re ticklish, so a feather is more suited while you’re blindfolded and tied to the bedposts” Dhark gave Eden’s left breast a squeeze, digging his nails into her skin as his tongue trailed up behind her ear. “Thoughts, my little disobedient ehros?”

Eden: [His voice became more reprimanding as he revealed his displeasure and I was led to a corner of his room that I had never noticed before. As he opened the double doors, he revealed a collection of instruments I had never seen before. I stood slightly paralyzed as he told me that I was to be punished for something I was not informed to practice. I held my tongue as he mentioned a whip and decided it was his prerogative to punish me even though I had no idea that it was his desire in the first place.

Instantly my wayward thoughts ceased as pain radiated from my breast as nails were dug into my skin. I winced and kept my gasp from escaping my biting my lips. I tried to breath in through my nose to keep from calling out. The fear that had started when the doors open increased as my heart beat faster … wondering if the Brother would hurt me. Surely, he would not … the #Primale would be furious if I ended up in the clinic. But then I knew that Dhark would ask for another Chosen to take my place. 

I wondered again, if my infatuation with the male stemmed from being wanted at all by a male … or being wanted by him specifically. My daily thoughts these past few nights were filled with his strong visage, his voice, his body, his touch, his words … he had become my obsession in such a short period of time. I knew my time with him would be fleeting.]

Whatever you wish, sire.

Dhark: Dhark watched Eden’s reaction closely, noticing her heavier breathing as he applied his nails to her skin. She was in pain, but bearing through it as she had always been bred and instructed to do. It made him almost shiver with joy, especially as she gave that damned standard answer, she gave whenever he asked her a question. He kept on fondling her breast as he looked over his toys, purring against the back of Eden’s ear as he let the seconds stretch themselves to minutes. Tightening his arms around her, Dhark leaned in and nipped at her ear. “Hmmm, maybe I should lean you over my knee and use my hand for today, and then train you for the night and through the day” he purred out, loosening the grip on Eden’s breast. “But I’ll have to leave marks on you for not practising your craft. Warriors have to train and practice their craft, so you should too.”

Eden: [I felt like my heart was trying to beat itself outside my body as fear began to take hold. I knew he would never hurt me in the sense of me landing in the infirmary but I had no frame of reference for this scenario. Regardless, I knew I still wanted to be in the room with him. 

Whether it was the anticipation of something new and perhaps dangerous or the intoxicating knowledge of what I already experienced. My adrenaline was running on part fear, excitement and suspense. I could feel my body shudder as I heard his words about giving me a spanking and  leaving marks. My mind knew that I should be appalled but yet I think my body was reacting completely differently.]

Dhark: Dhark took a loud deep inhale as Eden was reacting to his touches and words. Was she actually getting excited at the promise of him punishing her with his own hand? Oh, what a lovely little female she was. “My my, aren’t we smelling awfully nice,” he remarked and reached into the closet, picking out a black leather collar with a long silver chain attached. He slowly placed the collar around Eden’s neck, being very gentle and careful to not get any hair caught between her skin and the leather. He then gave the chain a few tugs, just letting her feel the sensation of being at his mercy. “Let’s get to it, my naughty little ehros” he said and started walking towards the bed, prepared to yank the chain if he had to. “It’s time for your punishment.”

Eden: [Dhark placed a leather collar covering my neck and it felt odd at first but somehow felt comforting as well. That was unexpected but before I could contemplate anymore … I felt a pull towards his luxurious bed. Then to hear the word “punishment” again … I could feel my heart jump again, but surely he wouldn’t hurt me more than I could handle. He would have to answer to the Primale. Leading the way, he sat down on the bed still taller than me still standing. I watched him curiously as my body hummed quietly in anticipation of what could possibly come next.]

Dhark: He led her back to the bed, pulling softly on the leash, all to get her used to the sensation of him being in complete control. He sat down on the bed and pulled Eden closer, stroking her naked body with his fingertips. “You’ve been a naughty little ehros, kitten. Can’t have you not listening to me, now can we?” he almost purred out as he smirked maliciously at her. “Are you ready to receive your punishment?” he asked before he tied the end of the leash to the bedpost. He then used his hands to guide Eden’s body to lay on her stomach across his lap, her rear slightly raised. His left hand was caressing her face as his right stroked over her waist to her lower back before reaching her backside, resting there for a short while. He licked his lips before he spoke again. “What a bad little kitten you are,'' he said softly before he lifted his palm into the air and smacked it against her skin, letting the pain settle before he raised his palm again. “Such a bad kitten you’ve been, isn’t that right?” Eden: [The pain was expected as I tried to relax. It hurts and I try to wriggle away from the blows. I have to concentrate to handle the pain and my mind empties as I absorb the sensations. He continued to spank me in a rhythmic pattern, but then started to caress and  fondle me between the slaps. So as the pain subsided a warmth filled my backside causing the feeling of pain to be replaced with unexpected pleasure. Strange. I would not have thought such a thing was possible.

He hits me again and again and deep inside I want him to stop, but I knew it would be failing the Chosen and at the same time … I don’t want to give him satisfaction. Odd. My body is humming from the slaps but each one he caresses me gently and it burns as he strokes me round and round and down. My mind cannot keep up and it starts to drift.]

Dhark: Dhark couldn’t help but smirk as Eden seemed to try and wiggle away. He clenched her chain, keeping her in place as he let more force run through his palm. “Ah ah ah, kitten,” he teased, his voice smooth as silk as he caressed her rear after yet another slap. “Bad girls get punished,” he noted before he let his lips close to her ear, purring softly. “Only good little kittens get to please the Brotherhood and fulfill their role” he whispered. As the Chosen started settling and accepting her spanking more, he eased up, letting his fingers caress her rear and knead her back-cheeks as he pulled at her chain to get her attention. “Now then, apologize to me, your master, kitten” he said in his soft voice, his stare intense and burning with possessive malice, chaining the Chosen in his mind and trapping her in the cage of his messed up mind games. “Apologize and maybe I’ll forgive you and continue training you to be a better ehros. You want that, don’t you, kitten?” Eden: [The pain was excruciating at first. It was difficult not to squirm and move about to avoid the slaps. Then when he mentions Chosen’s sworn duties, I concentrated and made myself not move. I did not want to shame myself and the others if I did not obey. 

Eventually the pain subsided and became a warmth that I was not expecting. But then as he pulled me up to look at him … I could feel him trying to adjure my mind to obey. At first, it was disconcerting I tried to fight back but again I remembered his warning and automatically apologized as he commanded. His eyes were a s dark as night and contained no empathy or feeling. It was disconcerting and I had to calm my breathing to keep from being frightened of the unknown.

Dhark: Dhark let the chosen get a hold of her breathing, allowing her mind a short break. He could tell she was battling her own fear, his deliberate dangling her duties in front of her working magic as he ensnared her further. He grabbed hold of her chain, but didn’t pull at it, he simply held it in his hand, letting it go lax. His other hand caressed her hair softly as he observed her closely. He put on a warmer front as he inched closer, lightly grasping the back of her neck and pulled her in for a deep kiss, holding himself back to keep the kiss as soft as possible. After pulling back, he looked to the Chosen, his eyes warm, yet still as calculating as ever. “Now there’s a good girl,” he hummed with a smile on his face. His hand drifted from her neck, caressing her skin softly. His fingertips danced her her collarbone as he pulled her into his lap, his left hand still holding her chain loosely as his right found her right breast. He cupped his prize and kneaded into her flesh, softly, in a gentle massage. He would periodically let his index-finger flick her nipple as he continued to hum into her ear, his chest softly vibrating as he spoke in a low gentle tone of voice. “I am simply trying to teach you, kitten.” He let go of her chain with his left hand and instead let it rest on her thigh, sneaking inwards towards her opening, slowly, teasingly. “You want to be able to please the Brotherhood as an ehros, don’t you?” 

Eden: [I could hear my heartbeat pound in my chest as I struggled to breath but then as I felt his lips against mine in a chaste kiss and hearing his praise affected in a way that has never happened before. I felt whole somehow … how strange. Contentment warmed through me as he touched and pressed into my body and with every swipe of his hand sent electricity inside me in sparks. His low murmurs or reassurance starts to calm my nerves and my body becomes more and more laxed.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed his touches and his sey low voice as he spoke to me as he continued to slowly caress my body and commit every action to memory as I don’t know when it will ever happen again. The Brotherhood could do what they wished … but we all knew that the King was more modern and the #Primal followed his lead as he freed us from the #Sanctuary, but we are still devoted to our traditions and slowly growing into our individuality. 

Those thoughts slowly leave my mind and could no longer hold a thought … all I can do now is feel, an ache rises in me again as it climbs to heights that are all still new and I had no idea how to overcome them. I start to pant as my breathing becomes shallow.

Dhark: Dhark smirks as he can hear the Chosen react to his teasing voice, his fingers squeezing and massaging her rear thoroughly giving her sweet sweet pleasure. With a sudden movement, he gives her another hard spank, watching her skin react and go red from the impact as he smirks. His left hand keeps softly caressing the top of her head and down along her luscious locks of hair.   Dhark re-arranged the Chosen, sitting her upright in his lap, making her face outwards into the room rather than her facing him, her legs spread wide as she straddled him. He wrapped the length of chain from her collar around her torso, right under her breasts, binding her arms to her sides. “Well then, since you didn’t practice, I’ll just have to teach you all over again, kitten” he said as he ran his sharp fingernails over her collarbone. He was ready to completely devour his prey. Eden: [I could feel my pulse against the collar at my throat. It pulsed rapidly as I tried to take a cleansing breath to slow down my excitement or was it fear? I wasn’t sure. Ever since I stepped into his room a few days ago … everything had been a mix of both, excitement, fear … then there was the pleasure and longing. I needed to get a handle on my emotions. I knew it was one sided. For all I knew, another one of my sisters could have been in his chambers. 

We never spoke really about our encounters with the Brotherhood, the instances with the trainees and soldiers were normally monitored by another Brother or the medical staff as we normally only provided blood for those males to heal … nothing more.

I wondered to myself for the thousandth time why I stepped into his shower and dropped my robe. I knew I wanted to feel and be wanted … even if it was just for a night. But now? I was in over my head and I knew it. I can’t fall in love with him. It would just mean heartache for me. I just needed to enjoy the time we spent together and hope it would carry through in my nights alone when someone else I’m sure would take my place. I needed to remember that. As well as … staying in the moment.]

Yes, Sir.

[saintsnsinnersbdb]

Awakening: Trouble with a Capital T Part 6

Written by @ShadowsTwins, @MedicinaeMedic and @ChosenTalia.

Talia: Another week passed where I had been consistently drugged and beaten by the dealer Rhett had given me to. I took the violence in utter silence. My cries the first days had only made it worse. 

Broken jaw 

Broken ribs

Swollen nose

More needles.

They were making me more dependent on them. I had seen it in movies, but I had given up. I didn’t fight anything anymore. 

I was woken from a brief nap by being dragged up by my hair. Despite the pain I stayed quiet.

“Time to sell that ass of yours. You’ll be nice or I’ll fucking kill you.” He pressed the barrel of a gun to the side of my head and released the safety to prove his point. 

I wished he would. 

I was shoved toward a shower and told to clean up, prepare. My “client” would be here in ten minutes. And I needed to scream for him. 

After a shower I was given a skimpy white negligee and nothing more. I was supposed to look like an alluring virgin. Maybe it would work. I laid down on the bed and awaited my fate. I never imagined my first time would be like this, I always imagined it would be with my mate, someone I would love and cherish. Not this. 

A silent sob wracked my decimated body. Soon the door opened and in stepped a male, mid forties and wearing way too much cologne. 

“You’re even prettier than your picture Little One.” He mused as he walked closer and moved hair from my face. 

He removed his clothes and the bed dipped as he got in next to me. I could feel his sex against my side. I wanted to hurl. 

“No. Don’t touch me.” I weakly shoved at him.

“I paid for you. Now lay back and take it.” He spread my legs and moved himself between them. 

“No!” My voice was more forceful this time. I brought my legs up and pushed him away.

Something snapped in him. He backhanded next hard enough to make me see stars. Fuck. I yelped. As he changed from the slap to punching me, I felt the bones of my eye socket fracture. My eye was already swelling.

This couldn’t be how I lost my virginity. Some dirty drug den. Even if I wasn’t worthy of being a chosen or even respected I deserved to not be a whore. I could learn to live a normal life.

The fight that ensued was brutal. He gripped my thighs and tried to spread my legs again I could feel the bruises on my thighs form. Was he a vampire? Shit this hurt and the drugs in my system did little to dull the pain now. 

Everything hurt. 

Panic. I had to fight. I shoved off the bed and started attacking him. Biting, scratching. I don’t see his movement or what he has in his hand until it’s too late. 

He shoved a knife into my stomach and twisted it. Everything stopped moving. He stabbed me. I took a deep breath and started to fall.

No. If I stopped now I would be raped and killed. I needed to die with at least a little dignity. I stumbled out of the bedroom holding the knife still. Blood bubbled from my mouth. 

“Fuck.”  The dealer growled and yanked my arm. 

I finally pulled the knife from my body and slashed at him. I caught him and several people reacted. I was bleeding faster. I wouldn’t last long, I had to get away. I wildly slashed at the men who advanced before I backed out one of the doors and took off running. 

Glass from the street sliced into my feet as I ran into the downtown area through the alleyways. I was filthy and injured. The blood would be an easy trail to follow. I didn’t realize I was behind Zero Sum when I collapsed against the wall, leaving a trail of blood as I slid down next to a pile of trash. 

My body started to feel lighter as I bled out. “I’m so sorry” I whispered to the Scribe, pain had broken me. Physical, mental, spiritual I was done. I welcomed death.

Trez: {I was helping one of the bartenders with the trash bags. When the door open to the back the first thing that hit me was the smell of blood and it was very strong. 

I drop the bags and went looking to see if someone was back here. I stop in my tracks when I see who it was. Just to make sure it was her I pulled my cell out of my pocket and check the picture I had. It was her it’s Talia. 

I dialed Manny number and told him to get over here now. I called my girls to bring me the first aid kit.

I put some gauze on the wound on your stomach as we waited for Manny to get here.}

Manny: [I was sitting at my desk looking over some papers when my cell rang. I answered it, as I listen to what Trez was telling me I had gotten up and was grabbing things that I needed to put in the med van. 

After I hang up with Trez, I ran out to the van and headed for the club.

Once I reach there, I threw open the back doors.] 

Bring her inside here Trez.

Talia: My body was completely limp as I was picked up. I couldn’t feel anything except the weightlessness, and the cold. I was on the verge of embracing death’s peaceful touch. Just a little further.

My body didn’t move. Slowly more and more shut down. I couldn’t lift my eyes or my body. I could hear voices, but I didn’t respond. 

I didn’t want them to save me. Couldn’t they let me have this?  I didn’t deserve their attempts. I begged for the light to claim me and take me to the ever after.

Trez: {I pick Talia up, place her on the table and step back so that Manny can do his work. 

I told the others to head inside and that they could go home early. 

I stood by in case Manny need a hand and a vein.}

Manny: [I started to work in Talia wound on her stomach. I did the surgery on her stomach to stop the bleeding. 

Once I was finish with the surgery, I walk over to Trez to tell him that I was taking her back to the Manson. 

He said that he would drive us back since I had to keep an eye on Talia vitals and make sure she pulled through this.]

Talia: The cold spread through my body. I could faintly hear the beep and whir of machines.  I was breaking all over again. I didn’t want this, did I? Did I deserve it? 

There was a spike in the monitor. Someone yelled “she’s dying.”

Then it all went dark. 

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep ...

[evangeline-bdb]

Interesting: Secrets Revealed Part 6

*My shift at #IronMask was like any other night. The rats without tails were in their various corners or hidden behind curtains in their semi-private booths doing Scribe knows what from making out, fooling around or even full-on sex to taking any range of drug paraphernalia. 

The #Shadows ran a lucrative business of alcohol, girls, bookie and drugs. What was most surprising is how they treated their employees. Better than any human I had ever worked for. Ever. It was refreshing. 

I was dressed in the uniform black. In a soft cotton short sleeve v-neck and a part of black jeans and some boots. I began filling drink requests as the patrons sat at the bar and the waitresses needed their orders. It was early in the night since I had the first shift so I would be off in just a few hours since it was just a weekday and not a busy weekend. The flow of the night was pretty uneventful until from the corner of my eye, I could see very large men … wait most likely males come through the club and beeline to the VIP area. Dropped in leather and I could tell the bulk of their upper bodies were weapons. Mostly likely the infamous #Brotherhood. Interesting.

It was about 10:00 pm in the evening and I wondered what they were doing frequenting a nightclub. I wondered if perhaps the rumors /were/ true that they no longer really protected the race due to their dwindling numbers and spent their time at clubs … that didn’t sound right. I watched from the corner of my eye and they instead went straight to the backroom to the office instead of getting a table and having drinks.

Now … that’s more interesting … were the #Shadows in league with the. #Brotherhood? The #Shadows would be quite the ally … with their unique gifts. Soon enough … the night got busier that I never saw them leave … but that didn’t mean they didn’t use the back exit as so few do. About 2:00 am, my early shift ended and I could go back to the recon of my target.

Once I left the club, I dematerialized to the roof of the target’s home and could feel him inside with his doggen. Then just after 2:30am, the blackout Bentley reversed out the garage and began its journey back to downtown Caldwell, where I dematerialized every few hundred feet from rooftop to trees and towers as I followed him to a nondescript building that had no sign but looked like a strange garage within an alleyway and not that big where two regular guys stood around. Interesting.

I dematerialized down the street as I watch my target take out something from his pocket and showed the men and entered the building. I took my ponytail down and ran my fingers through my hair a few times, loosen my v-neck a bit by pulling it down and revealing the assets a little more and made my way to the guards, hoping it wouldn’t be any trouble getting past them.*

[bellarahgony]

Nightmares Part Six

Written with @IfOnly4MyNallas.

Bella: *I woke up from my nap with Nalla with a start. Nalla was snoring lightly beside me hugging her baby dragon Rhage had given her concentrating on her face as if she was trying really hard to grow.

I wiped the sweat from my brow and realized that these nightmares were getting out of control. Zsadist was worried about me. I he needed all his concentration out on the field. I’d never forgive myself if I ever became a distraction for him causing him to be hurt.

I picked up my phone and texted Mary to see if she wanted to have some coffee or hot chocolate with me in the library. It was time to talk to someone about these dreams. 

Zsadist: Wrath had allowed me to cut back on my hours, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t have things to do. Tonight, I was on rotation, but I had nothing scheduled for after that, no training of, or driving the trainees home, no one-on-one sessions, and no sparring with any of the other males of the manse. Tonight I would actually be able to come home after fighting, put my young to bed, and see my shellan before she fell asleep. This was going to be a first in a very long time.

I took care in strapping on my gear. It was something I did almost every night, but I was methodical about it. Mary has said that my OCD tendencies spark from all the past trauma in my life. Now, my brain wants to control anything it can, right down to where and how all my weapons are strapped onto my body. A slight smile crossed my features as I thought about all that Mary had helped me with, over the years. She made me realize why I did a lot of the things I did, and it made me come to grips with who I was and who I wanted to be. She made me face things I didn’t want to, and head on. It took a while, but I was in such a better place now, then I had been for over two centuries. Well, recently I had been having some issues, but I was still better off than I had been a decade ago. I could only hope that once Bella spoke to Mary, Mary could do the same for her. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, and it wouldn’t happen overnight, but if anyone could help Bella with what she was going through, it would be Mary.

Bella: *It was almost time for Last Meal by the time Mary and I were done talking. We spent hours in the library talking about those weeks I had been kidnapped those many years ago. Mary went down the hall and stairs and straight into the kitchen. She apparently wanted to see if could get away with baking cookies for Rhage before Fritz catches her.

I shook my head and the image of my head of Fritz keeping track of Mary will preparing the rest of Last Meal. For such an older doggen, he could still multitask like a young vampire. I head towards the playroom where Beth was watching the kids and see if Nalla needed to change clothing before Last Meal.

Walking into the playroom, I witness Nalla just as she flicked some blue paint at LW with Beth laughing at their antics. My head fell back in laughter as I pulled my phone out to take a picture. Nalla was covered in all sorts of colors. “Mama!!” she yells with a big grin. “How beautiful, baby.” I commented as she proudly showed me her artwork. Beth hands me a towel I could wrap around her so I wouldn't get paint on myself and we said our quick see you laters as we retreated to our suites to get the kids cleaned up for dinner.

As I gave Nalla a bath, I thought about Mary’s suggestion to perhaps start training with the trainees. At least in self defense. She thought that if I could defend myself that I would feel more powerful and more confident. Then perhaps in my dreams a different outcome would manifest. Nalla was singing and playing with the bubbles as my mind wondered about how Z would react.*

Zsadist: It had been one of the craziest nights I had experienced in a while. I had been paired with Phury and it was as if we had walked into a hive of lessers. We barely had time to call for backup before the action got rough. There were about twelve of them, and the two of us. Thankfully, Phury and I knew how to work as a team. We may not have been raised together, and may have lived a lifetime apart, but we were twins to our marrow. He zigged and I zagged. We were Yin and Yang when it came down to fighting. I was lean and fast. He had strength and power. Together we were virtually unstoppable. But, twelve were just a couple too many for the two of us to handle. We were warriors, we weren’t stupid. We knew when to call for backup and tonight was that night.

JM and Q were the two that showed up in an instant. As much of a hothead as Q was, I respected him. He was almost as scrappy as I used to be. And, JM was the one that saw the fight as a whole and plotted it out before he jumped in. Between the four of us, we had the situation under control in about 15 minutes.

It’s amazing how fast things can happen. A battle that seems almost insurmountable can be won in the blink of an eye. Yet, when it comes to battles of another nature, like the mind, they can take years, sometimes decades to barely gain a footing.

At the end of the fight, Phury called for Butch to run cleanup. As soon as Butch’s feet touched the ground, I was gone, dematted back to the manse. I could do my debrief tomorrow. Tonight, I was going to see my shellan and my young to bed.

*****

It took me all of ten minutes to scrub the lesser blood off my body down in the training center. I never took this shit to my quarters. I kept anything to do with the lessers as far away from my family as possible. It was kinda like church and state. There was work and there was life. It wasn’t so long ago that my life was encapsulated by fighting. Now, I had my life with Bella and Nalla. If it weren’t for them…

I quickly tossed my soiled clothes into the laundry room, on the way by, and raced up two sets of stairs to my bed chambers. As I slowly opened the door and walked in, I called out, “Bella?”

Bella: *I was still lost in my thoughts as Nalla said “Papa” and I realized that Zsadist had returned home. Relief washed through me as I could her his baritone voice echoed into the bathroom.* In here! *I responded as I finished rinsing Nalla’s hair from the shampoo as she continued to play with some bath toys. Z walked in and his beautiful citron eyes focused on me and he kissed my neck on both sides before giving me a kiss. Then he pulled a towel from the rack and opened it up for Nalla to snuggle in and dry off. I smiled as Nalla giggled as she shook her hair making all the water goes everywhere. Z teasingly scold her for the mess but smiles. I picked up another towel to dry off her hair as we both starting drying her off together and getting her ready for bed.

We had a routine, after a bath and brushing her teeth, Z and her laid in our mating bed to read a book until she fell asleep and he carried her to her nursery. I watched for a bit as I got myself for bed. I could hear their voices together, him reading and her babbling in baby talk with a few words here and there. Zsadist had come a long way since she was born and I’m forever grateful to the Virgin Scribe that our family was whole and healthy.

I wondered how to broach the subject that Mary had suggested. I wasn’t sure if Zsadist would take it as thought he could not protect me. Of course he could. Mary’s thought was that perhaps it would build my courage and confidence in myself. It was about me and my nightmares and what I needed to get rid of them.*

Zsadist: I can’t even tell you how good it felt to be able to do all this again. On nights that I actually made it home from work early enough to see my young to bed, this had been our routine. However, those nights had been few and far between for quite some time, so to be able to lie back, in my mated bed, and read to Nalla as she fought to stay awake, was like what I expect walking into The Fade must be like, pure fucking heaven. She cooed and babbled on, as if to respond to what I was reading, and every time I thought she was asleep, her eyes would pop back open and she would start all over. She didn’t realize that this wasn’t one of those rare nights that she would see her sire before bed. She had no way of knowing that tomorrow would be the same, and the night after that, and the night after that. She would take some time to get into this new routine.

Finally, after two books, both read twice, she finally knocked out hard. So, I quietly put the books down on the bedside table and slid my arms under her tiny frame. For a second, I thought she might wake up again, but she didn’t. She just rolled over in my arms, slinging one around my neck and started snoring again.

Gently, I walked her into the adjoining nursery and laid her down in her crib. I stole a few minutes to watch her sleep before heading back into Bella and my part of the suite.

“She’s out.” I let Bella know before walking over and wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her neck from behind. “So, how was your day, my Nalla?”

Bella: *I was just finishing up brushing my teeth when Zsadist came up behind me. I turned my head to kiss him sweetly as we greeted each other.* It was … productive.

Mary spent some time talking today. *I waited to see if he would respond. He stayed quiet as waited for me to continue. I turned around in his arms so I could look up at him and fully gage his reactions.*

She feels that perhaps the nightmares stem from my insecurities. Everyone has been so busy lately so it’s just been Nalla and me mostly. So we’re by ourselves most nights while you’re out in the field. *I shrugged, I didn’t want to make him feel guilty about doing his job. The Brothers were out there protecting the race … savings lives. They saved mine not too long ago. So I fully understood the importance of what he did each not personally.

I had no idea how Zsadist would take what she suggested next. I never wanted him to feel that he wasn’t enough to protect me or Nalla. I took a deep breath and quickly told him what we discussed.*

She thought perhaps I need to train in self defense. Learn how to protect myself. 

Zsadist: Once she turned, I leaned in and began to kiss down Bella’s neck as she spoke. I loved the way her head would ever-so-slightly lean toward me when I did that. I don’t know if she was even aware of it, but it was just one of those endearing things. However, when she mentioned being home alone all the time, I pulled back. This was something I was working on. I had already gone to Wrath about it, I had cut back on my hours, I was here now, and I planned on being here most every night from here on out. Was this a guilt trip? I know I haven’t been around, I’ve made a point to correct that. Is she upset that it took her nightmares to make me realize. Well, maybe so, but she also could’ve mentioned them to me. She could have spoken up long before. She didn’t have to suffer through all the nights she did and not told me there was a problem.

I knew that my thoughts were flying off the handle, but I already felt guilty enough. It was bearing down on everything and wearing my patience thin. I took a deep breath as I waited for the other shoe to drop. I had no idea what it would be, but I was expecting some long, drawn out night of this to escalate into, “You just haven’t taken my feelings into consideration, lately.” or maybe, “What about your young? Doesn’t she matter to you, at all.” I certainly wasn’t expecting what did come out of her mouth.

Instinctively, images of another Brother’s arms wrapped around Bella, as she tried to get herself free of him, flashed across my mind and I began to see red, pacing the tiled, bathroom floor like a caged tiger. There was no way in fuck this was going to happen! Absolutely, fucking, not!

Then memories of my conversations with Mary creeped in. Talk about trusting in oneself. I had the utmost respect for that woman, and if this was what she was recommending… Shit! I stopped and scrubbed my face with my hands. If this was what Bella needed, I needed to stand behind her...but, the training she would be doing would be with Payne, or Xhex, or even with the other female trainees. She would not be training with any of the males. I loved most of my brothers, but they were not laying a finger on my shellan! “Nalla, if that is going to be what makes you feel comfortable, better, and stops these nightmares from happening, then I’m good with it. But, I will have conditions.”

Bella: *I looked up at him and watch his expression stay tight and all emotion gone unless you paid attention. His citron eyes giving him away. Imperceptible. Barely. If his eyes had been midnight black … you could only see darkness at the surface. You had to look deeply.

I could see curiosity, anger, guilt? He seemed relieved. Which was odd. Not an expression that I was expecting. Anger. Disappointment in me maybe. As I looked into his citron eyes all I could see was concern now.* Conditions? Wait, you’re not angry? Or offended?

*I was pleased that he knew that I never doubted his ability with protecting me. I knew he would lay his life for me. Mary and I spoke about my fears about his doubts. Zsadist and I have come a long way since we came into each other's lives. I thought back at those weeks I spent in this very manse after being rescued. I had felt so guilty that I could stop from being near him when I knew he didn’t want anything intimate with me. My need to feed … I could still feel my surprise with finding him scrubbing his wrists raw … cleansing himself of unseen contamination.

My memories were jarred from the past and back into the present, as Z’s voice penetrated through my woolgathering.*

Zsadist: Angry? Offended? More like anger and guilt… at the fact that as much as I wanted to be, I couldn’t be by hers or Nalla’s side 24/7. There would be times in their lives when it was going to be up someone else to put their lives in front of my Nallas. That thought gutted me to the core. It was my responsibility to keep them safe from any kind of harm, however, it was also my duty to keep the race safe. I couldn’t do both, 100% of the time. So, as much as it did anger me, and yeah, maybe it offended me in some small part, I understood why this subject had come up.

The other thing was, after all my years of treatment with Mary, I had to remind myself that none of this was about me. This was all about Bella and her sense of security, and as much as I would like to be the knight in shining armor in her dreams, she has to be that for herself. I wanted her to be that for herself. I wanted her to feel that no matter what, she had the ability to stand on her own two feet.

Reaching back out and pulling her close again, I looked into her eyes. “Nalla, as much as I want you to trust that I will always be there to put myself in harms way to keep you safe, I know that in all actuality, I can’t be there, with you 24/7.” I pulled back just a tad, “That kills me, by the way!” Offering up a soft smile, I continued, “Also, after all my time with Mary, I understand that this isn’t about me. It has nothing to do with me. This is all about you, you and your ability to trust in yourself. I know that in here...” I put one palm on her chest, right above her heart, “is a warrior’s heart, and if you doing a little bit of training is what you need to believe that truth, then I’m all for it.”

Bella: *I knew this would be hard for Z. I can also understand it may get harder for him. Especially after my first bruise … I remembered what it was like for the boys at the beginning with they were pre-trans and after. It made me happy though to see them now. I guess I needed to talk to Xhex and Payne about seeing if they could make some time for me in their schedule. Cause sure as Dhund … none of the Brothers would ever consider it.*

Are you sure? Are you ready to possible see bruises on me? *Dame watching those eyes go from citron to obsidian in a blink of an eye was something else.* Baby, you know it will happen when I start sparring. I have to engage to learn. *I said slowly as I watched the blackness slowly disappear into the yellow I love after a few moments of contemplation.* Just know that it just means that I’m growing stronger … hopefully. Unless you want to teach me? *I asked knowing that he would no doubt refuse. He would never be able to strike me. I could however see him instructing me with the punching bag or something.*

Zsadist: At the mention of bruises, every single muscle in my body went rigid and fire sparked in my soul. The very thought that my Nalla was going to be marred in any way, shape, or form made me think twice about my compliance in the whole idea. How was I going to lie next to my shellan every single night, seeing these wounds all over her body, and just be okay with it? How was I going to handle her flinching at my touch? A low rumble radiated from my gut at the thought. Then I saw the look in her eyes. She needed this so fucking much. How could I say, “No?”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes to process everything that was running through my mind. I was going to have to make peace with this. Then she dropped the next bomb.

Me teach her?! Was she fucking mad?! I took a step back, held up my arms, and shook my head once. “Absolutely not! And don’t think of asking any of my Brothers. Training will be with Xhex, or better yet, Payne. You probably shouldn’t work with any of the female trainees. Most of them don’t know how to fight their way out of a wet paper bag yet, and you’d only get hurt.” I took a step back in and put my finger to Bella’s chin, “Can we agree on Xhex or Payne?”

Bella: *Smiles as I predicted his reaction correctly.* I was thinking of you teaching me techniques like a punching bag or something, Z. *Shakes my head knowing he would never be able to hit me in any form.*

But yes, I can agree with Xhex or Payne. I’m sure they both wouldn’t mind. *After a few moments of further contemplation his eyes finally returned to the beautiful citron. I knew it would be difficult for him to see me hurt in any way. I remembered once when he wouldn’t even let me dematerialize when I was pregnant before I was unable to. A bonded male always protects their mate regardless sometimes of the ridiculousness. I smile and give him a kiss.*

Try not to worry baby, ok? And let’s avoid watching any of my training sessions, shall we? *I suppressed an internal cringe at the thought of him watching me spar with Xhex or Payne. I highly doubt that he would ever strike a female but one was a symphath with her own set of hidden assets and the other was half deity also with her own special gifts.*

Zsadist: Leaning in, I returned her gentle kiss. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle all this. Saying I was okay with it and being okay with it was going to be two entirely different things. Right now, I could spit out the words. Living through it all was going to be next to impossible, though.

Throwing my head back, I let out a hefty groan. “Me, watch? Seriously? There was no way in Dhund I was going to step foot in that gym while anyone was putting their hands on my shellan. Someone might end up hurt. The only female I ever dreamed of doing harm to was my mistress. However, I couldn’t promise that my instincts wouldn’t take over were I to witness any harm coming to Bella. I think I might just see red and lose all sense. “Bella, no need to worry about that. I won’t even be stepping foot downstairs on nights you are training.”

Reaching an arm around Bella’s waist, I pick her up and carry her off to our bed. “Now, less talk … “ I suggest as I drop her on the bed and lean in to indulge in my female.

[relatablewr1t1ng]

Part six of I remember you as you were.

[seraphinebdb]

The Left-Hand Path: Dark Angels Creation (Part 42) CROSSOVER Phoenix Rising from the Ashes (Part Six)

Sin: Her voice in my mind is a siren’s call. Even knowing I cannot enter my future, I find myself walking towards her, our eyes locked and my very soul reaching for her. Finally, knowing I dare not go further on the path I stop. Though I make no sound, my voice is clear and I know she hears me.

“How would you know of the choice I once made to avenge all I lost to a jealous god? What do you know of the love I lost and sought to balance the scales for?” 

There is a connection here. One I felt when I first saw her in that dark alley. And one strong enough that she is in a future that I would never have dreamed possible for myself.  I had seen her soul, seen the impossible in it and yet, it must be possible because souls do not lie. My eyes narrow, and again, I ask…

“How do you know of this? Who are you to walk the corridors of time and find me here? Who are you /to/ me?” @Seraphine_BDB

Seraphine: <My dreams have never led me to anywhere special. Mostly odd scenarios that I never remember when I wake up the next morning. Here … it felt strange and familiar all at the same time. I had no idea why I said those words to him, Sin. Maybe some sort of manifestation of my thoughts lately. I nonchalantly shrug.>

It’s just how I see you. You seem reserved and detached from the world … like you’re bored and just want to sleep. 

<Really odd. We only met for that one brief moment and somehow I was able to pick up his character … at least how I saw it. I started turning back, thinking I should probably wake up soon.>

Sin: *My eyes narrow at this assessment. However astute it may be, it is not one our meeting on a mortal plane would have given her the insight for. No, this only affirms a deeper connection than seems possible. It can only come from … our souls. And that is not possible. Soul connections only happen once and mine was made long, long before this vampire with her soul’s single lifetime was ever born. Regardless of how long her angelic blood stretches that single lifetime, her soul could /not/ have been in existence when I was mortal.*

Thirty-five thousand years is enough to cause even the hardiest of souls to develop, *pausing before continuing smoothly,* a level of ennui. Eventually, one has seen everything, done everything. There is nothing left to test it or bring it joy. I have one last challenge to fulfill and if the Fates had written my rest at the end of it, then I would not quibble with them. However, from the futures presented to me this night, that does not seem to be the case. The question seems to be will it darken endlessly, or will it find joy. You appear in the future that holds joy. Why do you suppose that is?

Seraphine: <Did he just say thirty-five thousand years. FML. He’s … ancient. Though one could not tell that his chiseled good looks have aged over 25, but his choice of words and demeanor does suggest someone older. I just can’t believe thirty-five thousand years older. How is that even possible? Vampires only live for so long … and angels … well I have no idea how long. That was one of the many reasons why I was looking for an angel. I hadn’t had a chance to ask #Lassiter too many questions yet. Considering his association with the #Brotherhood it made sense that his time was sparse. Rumors are the Scribe Virgin is also gone. Not sure what that means for the race or what’s going to happen. I shrug as I continue to walk away, trying to wake myself up from this odd dream.>

Be that as it may … when someone has nothing to live for … then tend to either find a way to sleep or make things more … interesting in dangerous ways. As to the Fates? You mean the ancient greek mythology about the three chicks who make your life good or crap and where one of them can even kill you? Surely that is a myth. We design our own destinies, don’t we with the decisions we make each day in and out?

<I wonder if there was such a thing as the Fates? Granted I was born in this millennia where technology and social media ruled and celebrities were worshiped instead of the Scribe Virgin. Was there ever a Scribe Virgin? Yes. My family always believed in her and asked for her guidance … though it often went unanswered. But wasn’t that the idea of “Gods” even with the humans. They believed in many different Gods and none ever answered directly. So were the Greek Gods any different? Did they exist as well?>

Me? Joy? Doubtful. My future doesn’t hold joy. Only unanswered questions and continuous running.

Sin: *A surprised laugh escapes me.* 

You don’t believe in the Fates? I assure you, they believe in YOU. *Striving to stop her from leaving me before I can understand how and why she is here, I put forth an argument.* 

The human myth of them is somewhat … garbled. As is so much of their understanding of things greater than themselves. I would not expect you to subscribe to such nonsense. The Fates do not ‘assign’ destinies. They merely put choices before us. We select one, which leads to more choices. The Creator subscribes to a ‘free will’ philosophy. Our destinies are determined by our choices. The two destinies I have been presented with here are the results of many millennia of my choices. And, *musing almost to myself* you appear to be part of one of them. The only one that holds great joy. For both of us. *Nodding towards the vision before us. The fact that her image is still there, standing beside my own and laughing while her soul has stepped from it to walk up the path towards me, tells me that perhaps she too has a choice to make. Perhaps the Fates want both of us to see what may be.* 

Tell me, battle angel, do you make a habit of walking between the worlds, seeking the corridors of future knowledge? For how else are you here with me? I cast the spell for myself alone, to seek guidance, and yet, here you are. Perhaps the Fates wish us both to see what may come to pass. Look there,*gesturing to future that shows us together,* does that show you a future with no joy? It does not show that to me. But I can show you one that does. *I hold my hand out to her.* Come with me and I will show you what lies down the right-hand path. Come and see the other destiny that is laid before me. Perhaps you may understand more about the choice that is laid before you.

Seraphine: <Damn, this dream is getting weirder and weirder. Looks like my conscious doesn’t want me to wake up yet, so I might as well enjoy it. I’ll forget most of it when I wake up anyway, like always.> 

I’m sure the Fates have better things to do than pay attention to me. Or clearly they like having me play mouse on this crap cat and mouse game I’m in. 

As for walking between the worlds, I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re just a dream. As to the Hogwarts spell, I’m sure it's  just my self conscious telling myself to stop falling asleep with the Harry Potter movie marathon on the tv.

<Seriously, that was probably what happened. Then again, if vampires and lycan exist … makes only sense witches and warlocks do too, right? But I know, /I/ didn’t cast a spell. This is just a really strange dream due to all the recent changes in my life. Finally finding #Lassiter, finally feeding and coming to find out that I have a few small powers of my own. Looking at his offered hand, I remember its just a dream … might as well see where this goes.> Sure.

<I take his hand and walk to another blurry dreamlike scene on the right of us on this path we found ourselves walking on.>

Sin: *As she takes my hand a frisson of electricity courses through me. Even here, when we are simply soul to soul, there is that connection. The Fates have stepped back from the fork in the path, watching us from afar. Clotho catches my eye and nods approvingly. I can hear her in my mind.*

‘Show her. For if you follow the right-hand path there is no joy for anyone, not you, not her, not in any of the worlds on any of the planes. You will become a benign despot, not for glory or power, for there will be no power greater than yours when all is done regardless of the path, but because control will ease the pain of the losses you will incur from the choice that leads you down the right-hand path. Losses that need not happen. This female is part of the left-hand path. She needs to make a choice as well. A choice to trust you when she trusts no one. A choice to hope. A choice to allow herself love when for so long she has only allowed herself existence. For if you have that hope, that clarity of her soul when your turn comes, the choice that leads to joy will become clear.’

*As so often is the case, Clotho’s words are mystic, yet one thing rings clear. This female must see the consequences of a future without joy.*

Look there. See me on a dark throne of flame. Most of those I hold dear are absent and the ones present are in chains. Blood drips from my sword and even though there are many around me, they are little better than slaves, cowering before what I have become. Balance that against the other. There is no joy here. There are no friends, no family, no love. There is no /you/ here. There is only death and darkness. That is the result of choosing not to trust, not to hope. It is the result of choosing not to love. And it would seem, my future… the future of all the worlds... will hang as much on your choice as on my own.

Seraphine: <Sin seemed to be listening to something or someone … maybe someone I couldn’t see. Dearest Scribe, this dream is really getting weird. So weird, that I felt electricity run through my arm as I placed my hand in his. It was nothing I have ever felt before. It felt … right. I need to hurry and wake up before this dream creates ideas on finding ways to touch the male if I ever see him in reality again.

Then as I see Sin on the other side of the image … it /is/ a dream! NFW there were two of these sexy males. The image was of him in all his warrior glory, sword dripping in blood surrounded by the slaves he described at his feet. It was disconcerting but powerful in a sense. But my choice? I was no one. Why would my choice be a factor? I said as much to him as we continued to walk down this dreamlike path past this first image of him in a war zone.>

Sin: You are part of my left-hand path, but not the right. Our souls call to one another. Else, why would you be here? There is a choice you must make, a choice that influences the choice I make and in doing so influences the future of all the worlds. *Pausing as I consider how to explain it, then deciding upon a simple mortal metaphor that I have heard used before.* 

Have you never heard of the ‘butterfly effect’? The idea that the air stirred by the wings of a butterfly can in the end result in a hurricane thousands of miles away?  Our choices are like that. No one is an island. The actions we take, the attitudes we display, affect others we have never met. If I become this…*gesturing to the tableau before us* I will condemn to an existence of servitude and fear not only all those that I have ever had contact with, but all those who exist everywhere. I will become closed to the emotions that keep me in sync with mortals, lose what humanity of soul that I have left, and in doing so become as a cold, uncaring god who cares not where he steps. I can only surmise that it is /your/ soul that somehow prevents this. If you choose to shut yourself off from love, from family, this is the future for all of us. You are not part of this future. I do not know if it is because your life ends or because you shut me out. I only know that if you do there is no happiness for anyone.  But if you open yourself to the possibilities, if you allow this thing between us, whatever it is, to come to grow, then there is hope for the left-hand path. There is hope for all of us.

 I will come to you, and you must choose.

Seraphine: This is insane. I’m no one. I can barely survive my choices … let alone effect others. I’m trying to living day by day here and not really thinking too far into the future.

I have a mad vampire and his goons chasing me around the globe for my blood in order to make me his own blood slave so he can walk out into the sun and take over the human world like he has over our race. Dealing with the vampire version of the mafia … I can’t get involved in whatever monarchy, autocracy or dictatorship you got going on here. I don’t need more crap on my ever growing plate of WTF. 

And choose what? Between running for the rest of my life or becoming a mindless slave? What the hell are you talking about?

This is just a dream anyways. You’re not really here, fuck, I’m not really here.

<I /really/ need to wake up now. This dream is getting really weird. I start whispering to myself.> 

Wake up now, wake up now, wake the fuck up.

Sin: *I turn to face you, dropping your hand, my face growing hard and dark, my voice stern.* 

This is no dream. Whoever pursues you in the mortal world is of no importance. They are no match for me, their resources puny, their powers anemic compared to mine and I will deal with them. *In this moment I choose to reveal what I am to her, to show her all of me. And to accept the impossible that I have seen in her soul.* 

I am a reaper, Death’s First, the most powerful reaper to ever exist and these future paths indicate that regardless of the choice I make, I will become much, much more. You have only to show me your pursuer’s face and his death is written, for I protect what is mine.  I know not your name in this mortal life, but I have seen your soul and viewed the impossible. I was not always a reaper. Once I was mortal and I knew you. You were mine then and you will be mine again. 

*Raising my hand to your face, I cup your jaw and hold it firmly, not a lover’s caress, but a king’s command. Fixing my dark eyes on your blue ones, I command.* I have seen your soul. Now see mine. You are as much angel as you are vampire. You have the power within you and I call it forth. See my soul and remember.

Seraphine: <I could feel my face warming under this touch as my heart beat faster and faster. His focus was so directed at me that I did not understand when my eyes began to unfocus and started seeing different colors and seeing a fuzzy scene with him and another woman in some sort of negotiation. It felt like deja vu … I began to panic and shake my head of the unwanted vision, pulling away from his hold and I pinch my arm to try and wake myself up from this crazy dream.

The visions came quickly as the scene changed … all of sudden I found myself standing in front of Sin wearing a mask? Oh wait, it's a Princess Jasmin veil with delicate chains and jewels. Odd. I was standing behind some male, but I could still see him clearly over the guy’s shoulder and as we locked eyes, I felt something deep inside.

The next scene was with that male, which apparently was my father, or hers - this was getting confusing. He is handing her a dagger and shows her/me a map of the city and how to get past the guards and into Sin’s rooms. I had feelings of hate and annoyance about this male. Apparently I am supposed to kill him to collect the bounty on his head and for my father to take over his kingdom.

The scene changed again and I found myself outside our tents, without the dagger, and searching for Sin. My feelings were conflicting … obeying my overbearing father and saving a man that made me feel like a female with just one look. I knew I couldn’t kill him. I found him in his bed and felt an urgent need to wake him. But before I could tell him my warning, I felt his strong hold around my neck startling me.

Quickly I could hear myself telling him that the male, my father, had planned to infiltrate the city and take his head for a bounty. Inside I could feel the stress of warning him but I knew I hated my father and only another reason to defy his order but I also felt the need to save this male who I barely knew. But in the back of my mind I knew I had to hurry and run and find a new life away from my father and live my own life before I was punished for my transgression.

Then Sin asked me to stay and talk with him. Why? I assumed he would want to immediately take action against the incoming attack and be rid of me, if not try to kill me as well for being his daughter. I was even more apprehensive when he called for food and drink. The vision continued of us on a balcony having dinner as if the world was going into chaos in the next few hours. Strange and yet it felt familiar and good. I felt comfortable taking off my veil and turned to him to tell him thank you for sparing my life but before I could the night quickly progressed into him taking me to bed. 

The images warmed me from the inside and out and I could feel myself getting wet and my muscles loosen as the moments flashed before me. In the next moment we were being mated. How strange that I would mate a male I barely knew. Wait not me, this female whose visions I was experiencing. 

Instantly I sit up in my bed and start feeling around me and touching my familiar comforter as I try to catch my breath. I’m hyperventilating as if I just ran 5 miles. Sweat drips down my neck and forehead and I uncover myself from the comforter and sheets to cool myself.>

What the fuck was that about? 

<I asked myself absently. Maybe meeting this Sin has created some sort of warning to my self-consciousness. I quickly realize that something has changed and I need to escape again. I know I just found Lassiter and even though I still want answers … I also needed to run again. Sin must be related to #Cyrehn. Perhaps he’s part of #Cyrehn’s world and I had seen him in one of the visions. That would explain the deja vu I felt. That had to be it. I quickly get up and start packing my bags and making arrangements to leave #Caldwell.>

Sin: NOOOOOO!  *It comes out a despairing roar as she dissolves beneath my hands. I had looked in her eyes, seen her memories revive. She saw us. I know she saw us. And she rejected what she had seen. Hot tears burn behind my eyes as a pain I have only known once before spears through me and I drop to my knees and shout angrily to the Creator.*

WHY? Why did you bring her back to me, only to let her leave me again? Why did you show me what I could be, could have… what WE could have, only to tear it from me? *Slumping back on my heels, head dropping, and asking again in a quiet, broken voice.* Why?

*I feel their presence as the Fates appear and kneel with me.* 

“Sin.”

*Clothos voice is before me and I lift my head to look bleakly into her compassionate dark eyes.* Why? 

*She stands, raising me to my feet with her. Lachesis and Atropos, at either side, rise with me. Lachesis places a hand on my shoulder and says kindly.*

“Because you had to know what could be. There is a price for the future. Are you willing to pay it?”

*Anger replaces the pain radiating from my eyes.* I would pay /any/ price to have her with me again. Any. She is more than my soulmate. She is my twin flame, the literal other half of my soul. Without her I am only half a man, and I have been half a man for far too long. The oblivion of the long sleep would be a kindness. How could you ask me that? You have watched me for 35,000 years. The three of you,  of all beings, understand the choice I made to become Death’s First, the despair and vengeance that drove me to bargain with Death for the chance to avenge her. How ... *Shifting my gaze between them.* Could /any/ of you ask me that? 

*Atropos, eyes me shrewdly.* 

“Would you choose vulnerability over power? You, the consummate general who unified rabble tribes into a nation, the king who conquered his world by force and diplomacy, by sword and guile, the human who chose vengeance over rebirth, who bargained with Death himself and then rebelled against him, you who would overthrow him and take his place … would you humble yourself? Would you choose to live for her rather than kill for her? Would you give up the ultimate power, the chance to order the worlds to your liking,  for her? Because that will be your choice, Sin.”

*Before I can answer, Clothos raises her hand to silence her sisters and begins sternly.* 

“Enough. You cannot say more. He has more than one choice to make and he must be able to discern the path each will lead him down. Sin.” 

*She raises her impassive gaze towards me as she continues.*

“What you were shown are the ends of the spectrum. They are not the only outcomes, just the most probable ones. There is a great deal in between, depending on your next actions, but, I will be honest with you, none lead you to joy but the left hand path. The only sureties are you will survive this conflict, whether you wish to or not, and that you will be irrevocably changed by it. You could gain everything you have ever desired or you could lose all that you have come to value.”

*Her eyes soften as she continues.*

“Your Ishtar … your Eve was not prepared to see the memories you invoked. When she died, her soul was not ready for ascension and it refused rebirth. She stayed in Elysia, simultaneously afraid for you and angry with you, for thousands of years. It was a sad and lonely existence, regardless of how kind the Keepers of Elyssia were to her. She watched what you became and feared you. And when the massacre of the Ancients finally broke through the hard, callous shell you had allowed to grow around you, she both wept and rejoiced that the man she had known still lived. There, she thought, was hope for you and so she agreed to move her soul on. The Creator, with his daughter’s help, devised a plan and enlisted us. We put the choices before the angel that sired her and the vampire that bore her, but I will admit, the choices we gave them kept circling them back to the Creator’s desired outcome -- that they would meet, love, and make a child. That child was to be the vessel for your Eve’s soul. Her existence in her current incarnation has been filled with betrayal and fear, a legacy from the sense of betrayal she felt by your refusal to join her in death and rebirth, and from her fear that you had become someone she could not love again. She must overcome these issues. She must choose to trust. Choose to love. She has her own journey to make if she is to find you.”

But why? *My eyebrow raises skeptically* Why would the Creator do this? Did I not take myself out of His concern when I chose Death? What is there for Him to gain by this effort? Why would he work with the Scribe Virgin to create a new life for my wife? To give me a second chance with her?

“I cannot tell you that. But know it is rare that the Creator is so adamant about an outcome and that should tell you of its importance, not just to yourself, but to all the worlds. I can only tell you that you must make your own decisions, your own choices and have faith that she will make the right ones as well.” Clothos reaches to rest her hand on my jaw and smiles sadly.* “And now it is time for you to return. You have been gone too long and your people need you. Return home now Sin. And do not attempt to see the possible futures again. For the time being, the Aetheric Plane is closed to you. Now go.”

*She steps back from me and the paths begin to fade from my sight. The grey mist swirls around me as my soul finds the bit of it I had left behind anchored to Declan and the body I had left seated before the brazier inhales sharply as I return fully. My eyes open expecting to see him keeping guard only to see the tall, stalwart figure of a Goddess of War keeping watch over me.*

Freya. 

#TBC

[ilan]

be nice

i really like virgos and i don’t mind scorpios so those are good but i think cancers are a plague upon the earth. we have a lot of signs in common actually but that’s not really a good thing. this is a solid 7/10 though you have too much cancer but you’re fine where it counts.

chart ratings

[arise]

omg what kind of doggie am i

HI :D 

I diagnose you with Belgian Sheepdog! 

[ratsonas]

normal/bug :)

hell yeah :D