0 comments/ 16490 views/ 2 favorites Nightshade Ch. 01 By: bella_de_los_muertos Hello -- I am the author behind the Nightshade series. I started this story on a site I own, and posted it here at literotica because I enjoy all the stories I've read so far, and wanted to see how mine held up. I started posting this in the literotica forums, then decided to submit my work for the random site readers to enjoy. I have been writing a long time now (this is 1st time at literotica though). Please be patient as the story unfolds. I'm always open to suggestions and comments, and am welcome to new ideas. -Chao- Bell_ Da_La_Muertos Welcome to the town of Nightshade! * Arrive human . . .you may leave as something else entirely . . . It never ceased to amaze her. The way the crowd seemed to open up and part just like the red sea whenever she walked into a room. For others, it seemed, the people merely went about as they pleased -jostling, and bumping into one another to move around, while the music played. But for her, for her they parted. It filled her with a sense of confidence, perhaps even a little smugness in knowing that she could control the crowd when others could not. They bowed over her hand when she greeted them, kissing her knuckles like they would royalty. It didn't matter that the club belonged to what her family referred to as the New Age crowd, the Goths, the punks, the rebels and the deviants of society's misunderstood youth. To her, they were friends she could count on in a moment's notice. A single word from her lips and they throw them selves at her feet to be her stepping stool or, should she command it, to do anything at her whim. In their minds, she was supreme, ruler in a land of states united with no royalty in control. She was their goddess, their priestess, the only thing standing between them and eternal damnation in the afterlife. She was death incarnate - Dama Oscura. From her position in the balcony of the old plantation house, Bella Reece sighed and rolled her eyes at the woman entering the room below. She never made it easy, this one. True her family had protected De La Muertos (The Dead People) for over nine hundred years each descendant of De La Muertos was protected by a descendant of the Reece family. As was her blood right, she had sworn to protect this woman above all others at all costs. Again, Bella rolled her eyes. The current lady in charge was going to be the death of her yet. Sighing as the cries and murmurs of adoration poured from the revved up crowd, she lifted a hand and pushed back a curly lock and eyed the room a third time. ~Sage you in position?~ She asked her sister along their familiar mental connection, glancing around the room for her twin. Just when she started to feel panic, she spotted the woman in the rafters, her dark red hair piled messily atop her head. ~Check that, sis. Got the room in my scope.~ She answered back, the clicking sound of her camera faint due to the noise from the crowd below. Bella smiled, shaking her head ruefully as she noted Sage's outfit matched her own. Sage LOVED playing the part of a twin. Even down to the matching clothes, jewelry, and hairstyles. Sometimes their own parents had trouble telling them apart. Despite the childhood habit of simplifying their wardrobe by dressing alike, tonight they each had minute differences. Whereas Bella was comfortable in a black ribbed tank-top, jeans and boots -- Sage preferred a spaghetti strap top, leather pants, and boots with narrow stiletto like heels. Similar, yet different. Different . . . but three times as deadly. ~Dylan?~ She sent along to her second in command. ~Cool as a cucumber, Red. All the others are in place.~ The man answered back, his dark brown eyes glanced up at the 2nd floor balcony from his position beside the throne platform, looking for all the world like he half expected the crowd to break into frenzy at any time. At a movement near the ground floor patio doors, he reached for the gun holstered at his hip even as he screamed "GUN! GET DOWN!" "DYLAN!" Bella screamed, a split second after the bullet struck her in the shoulder, her body sliding over the railing even as she spotted Dylan on his back beside the dais. The last thing she saw was the beautiful dark stained hardwood floors rushing up to meet her. * * 4 Days Later....... "Goddamnedmotherfuckinshit." She muttered as her eyes opened, the pain shooting through her like a whiplash of lightening. "You kiss your mother with that mouth?" A deep voice asked moments before it's owner entered the room. Dante Savage smirked smugly as he set the tray of medical supplies on the nightstand, his teeth white against his sun kissed tan. His long black hair was pulled to the nape of his neck with a strand of leather, the ends weighted down by a single silver bead. "Hers is worse than mine. She dated sailors in her youth." Bella laughed, immediately wincing against the follow-up of pain. "Yeah I know. I used to be one of them, remember?" Giving her his typical bad boy grin, Dante sat on the edge of the bed and, lifting a pair of shiny surgical scissors, removed the gauze covering her shoulder wound. He sighed when her body stiffened and shifted from his hand when it moved to cover the bullet hole. "You know it's the only way, Bella." "I'll be fine." She winced and found herself pushed back against the pillows when she tried to lift herself. "Bull shit." He said, pinning her with her forearm against her throat as his free hand hovered over the bullet wound. The air in the empty space between hand and body seemed to vibrate like heat rising off hot asphalt as Bella screamed, a thin trail of blood washing down her arm. She cursed him in Romanian, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and half a dozen ancient languages she'd been taught since a child. Her screams turned to a deep moan of pain, Dante's face harsh with concentration as he focused on his task. Then, with a wet pop like a cork from a bottle, the bullet burst from her shoulder and into the palm of his hand. He was grateful a split second later when she passed out. "How is she?" Dante glanced over his shoulder at Bella's twin, like always finding the little differences that always told him in the past which twin he was dealing with. He would know Sage among a million identical women, her scent of apple blossom perfume alone making his glands do a funny flip flop that he'd never looked at too closely till now. Angered at his line of thoughts, he lashed out, blaming her and her ability to seduce any man - living, dead, or undead - with thoughts of paradise. "Why weren't you scanning the area?" He snapped, his temper and tone unknowingly driving pain through her heart like a knife. "I had, I did, I was.... I mean... I never even saw it coming." For her the admission was telling, her precognitive skills were among the most valued assets of the De La Muertos team. "I didn't intend on her getting shot, Dante. You know that." "She doesn't know Dylan is dead, Sage. And I, for one, am grateful the De La Muertos has called a council meeting and requires my presence." He finished taping off the gauze on Bella's shoulder, silently packing up his supplies and steeling himself. Like always whenever he saw her, Sage's beauty struck him somewhere below the belt and hummed to life. Five hundred years of intense meditation and training prevented any outward signs of his distress, physical or otherwise. His eyes took in her pale creamy skin and waist length dark red curls, her emerald eyes reminding him of the Irish hillsides his mother often talked about. "Why do you hate me, Dante?" Sage asked weakly, her spirit broken by the death of their brother and her sister's near death. Their parents had only been gone two years ago this may, and Dante was nearly the only family they had left. It scraped her raw to think that she and she alone would be the cause of the slow demise of their family. In more ways than one. "You're my friend, my brother, what did I ever do to make you hate me?" She followed him into the bathroom adjoining his bedroom, leaning against the hallway doorframe with her arms wrapped tight around her waist. She knew when he was angry like this he required space and solitude. But she persisted, needing to know, craving to know the reason he despised her so. If she could fix it by leaving, she would pack her bags. If it was her attitude, she would become the moderate citizen. If it were.... "I am NOT your brother, Sage. I'm more than six times your age and a vampire on top of it. Don't make me remind you of your promise to Dominique." Dante snapped, tossing in her mother's name as a shield, watching out of the corner of his eye as she leaned against the doorjamb, wondering if her close proximity was a deliberate attempt to annoy him. Once the supplies were returned to the medicine cabinet, he shut the door, half expecting her to have left. He was startled to realize she moved to stand right behind him, a stormy if-looks-could-kill-you'd-be-ash-by-now crossing her face. "You arrogant bastard. Don't you DARE bring up my mother's name! YOU were the reason she was where she was when she died. She was leaving my father for you, and when the Laroux family couldn't stand to have their precious Dominique fall for one of the undead.... you took it into your own hands and started a feud." Sage gasped, her hands wrapping around the wrist of the hand threatening to crush her windpipe as Dante's hand slammed her body into the bathroom door. Her head smacked almost violently against the door and her hair fell from its already loose pins, the dark red mass falling over his arm like a cascade of silk. Bright blue eyes the color of ice replaced the dark pools of midnight blue that were his norm. Her heels kicked against the door as her toes dragged the tile floor. Her eyes widened in fear as Dante leaned in close, the warmth of his breath hitting her face in hot bursts as his chest heaved in anger. "You stupid brat! It wasn't your mother we were fighting over... it was YOU!" He spat, seconds before his mouth ground down on hers and his body surrounded her. He expected fear, he expected temper, he expected hate, he expected her to fight. And she did. Sage feared she would never get enough, after that first taste of Dante's lips on hers. Her temper flashed, angry that in all these years she had known him he had never, not once, even hinted at his feelings for her. She hated her parents for making them both suffer, for pushing a stupid death-bed-promise onto her NEVER to be in a room alone with him. She felt need to give in and instead fought it with every fiber of her being. She was tired of being the reclusive passive one, despite her wild child reputation. Dante barely managed to suppress a moan as her hands fisted in his hair, dislodging the leather tie so the strands caressed her hands. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he nearly collapsed at the erotic feel of her body so perfectly matched to his. Growling as if it were he, not she, who were Laroux, he deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her waist, carrying her into the bedroom. "Well. Well. Well. Wouldn't the Council just LOVE to see this little party?" Spoke an ominous voice from the doorway. TO BE CONTINUED . . . Nightshade Ch. 01 It was another quiet night. Crystal Roy, a 21 year old living alone, was a beautiful, bored young woman. Her blonde hair fell to just past her shoulders. Her 34D breasts were contained by a tank top and her shaved pussy was hidden by panties. She was only 5'4" but she possessed nice legs too. Crystal's brown eyes reflected her boredom. Normally she was out several nights a week. She was a sex addict always looking for someone to fuck. Guys or girls. Lately though she was on sort of a string of bad luck. She couldn't find anyone who could keep up with her. So she had been staying home the last several days. Crystal was also an intelligent young woman but she loved to act as someone with average intelligence. She scored more that way. It was sort of a game, a game of which she was a master. Still, it couldn't keep her from becoming bored. With a sigh, she put down the book she was reading and headed to the kitchen. Flicking on the light, Crystal proceeded to make a cup of tea. Among her obsessions was a love of Japanese culture and an interest in mystic things. She believed in people's auras and the like. Once her tea was done, the blonde sat at the kitchen table and took a sip. She thought about what to do. Ultimately she decided to go to bed after her tea. It usually had a calming, relaxing effect and there was nothing else to do anyway. Crystal thought it odd that she hadn't masturbated yet. It had been several days since she had sex and ordinarily by now she would desperately need to cum. Several times. Thinking about it though, the blonde realized about half the time she went without sex for a long period of time she did not in fact masturbate. Other times she did so several times a day. Shrugging, she finished her tea and climbed into bed. The next night was the same. Crystal was bored out of her mind, smoking a cigarette. Just as she was about to text someone, there was a crash as something burst through her bedroom window. Crystal sat up in shock. Avoiding the broken glass, she looked out the window. The night was silent. Turning back, she investigated the thing lying on her floor. It definitely wasn't human though it was shaped like one. The face was handsome and Crystal determined the creature was male. His skin was gray and he had long black hair. He also possessed wings, which were long and black. He wore armour, which was also black. There was a hole in his chest where blood seeped out. It was red like a human's. She didn't know what this was but she had to help him. Crystal managed to remove the armour on his body. The creature's anatomy still appeared human. His chest was muscular though he was not bulky and his abdomen was defined as well. Kind of sexy looking even if he was a...whatever he was. Crystal dressed the wound and wrapped bandages around it. With great effort, she carefully moved him to her bed. He must have lost a fair amount of blood for he did not wake up. The blonde swept up the broken glass. She needed a new window but this creature would have to wake up first. Hopefully he spoke English though perhaps that was too much to hope for. Horny and curious, Crystal pulled his pants down to his knees. Whatever this was had a huge cock. It was a darker gray than the rest of him and at least 8 or 9 inches. And it wasn't even erect. Pulling his pants back up, Crystal went downstairs to the living room. After a heavy masturbation session she fell asleep curled up on the couch. Awakened by by the sound of movement and a dull thud on the floor, Crystal guessed her visitor was up. Slipping her panties on, she made her way up to her bedroom. The creature was out of bed and just pulling himself up from the floor. She guessed he fell. Noticing her instantly, he looked at her. His eyes were red set in gold rather than white. "Who...are you?" he asked in perfect English. His voice held a noble-sounding accent. "My name is Crystal. You crashed through my window and I treated your wound," Crystal replied. "Thank you...I am called Ravenshadow. I apologize...for the damage," he said. The young woman helped him back to his bed. It was clear from his delayed speech he was still injured. Crystal laid him down and sat near him. "What are you?" she asked. "Most humans would probably label me a demon. I am not...I am a demigod, an embodiment of darkness. Also an...elite warrior, a noble of House Nightshade. That is the simplest explanation," Ravenshadow answered. "What happened to you?" "I came to find a demon. It had attacked a forest inhabited by Elves. We fought and I killed it. This wound was from carelessness; the demon was...powerful," the demigod replied. He seemed tired and needed more rest. "You should sleep some more, Lord Ravenshadow. If you need anything just call for me," Crystal said. He nodded and soon drifted to sleep. His breathing was slow but there seemed to be no problem. Crystal got changed and headed back to the living room. She had no idea what to do. If Ravenshadow couldn't heal himself she didn't know how to. And what should she do if someone came looking for him? Surely House Nightshade was trying to find him. If someone from his House did come it would probably be best to let him go. On top of all this, Crystal was wondering how she could get him to have sex with her! There was something else too. How would she recognize someone from House Nightshade? Ravenshadow said he was a demigod, which would explain his appearance. But did the others look like that? Or maybe they were human? There were just too many questions. Crystal was definitely in over her head. She would have to ask more questions if the demigod woke up again. In the meantime, she would also have to try not to think about his big cock. In the shower, Crystal thought of what to do today. She couldn't possibly leave her house with Ravenshadow here. As much as she wanted a hard fucking or her pussy eaten like there was no tomorrow, the blonde couldn't abandon him. Until Ravenshadow was better, she would take care of him. Turning off the water, Crystal toweled off and got dressed. She wore denim cutoff shorts and a thin yellow sweater over a black blouse. Proceeding to the kitchen, the blonde figured her "guest" could use some food. She set about making some tea and preparing some food. Not wanting to wake him, she set the plate and cup of tea on the nightstand. Later she would come back to change his bandages. Before leaving, Crystal glanced at Ravenshadow's armour, strewn across the floor. Deciding he may not appreciate it, the young woman straightened out the plate and guards. The armour now stood up against the far wall. Done in her room for now, Crystal grabbed her phone to find out about replacing the window. She once again went to the living room so she wouldn't disturb the demigod. Sometime in the afternoon, Crystal was reading on the couch when there was a knock at the door. Hoping it was someone who could be easily turned away, she went to the front door. Opening revealed a girl with a hood over her head. Not unusual as it was raining. She was Crystal's height, with a fair complexion and rich green eyes. The girl was slender with a smaller waist and chest than Crystal. "May I help you?" Crystal asked. "Yes. I have come to see Lord Ravenshadow. May I come in?" the girl inquired. "Umm...I don't know. But I guess you must know him," the blonde replied hesitantly. "My name is Kayleigh. I am an Elf, sent to be Lord Ravenshadow's caretaker. He knows me," Kayleigh explained. "I really don't know about this." "I suppose you wish to protect him from someone who could be a threat in his weakened state. Go ask him about me then," the Elf said. Crystal nodded and went upstairs. That Kayleigh girl sure was pretty. She hoped the Elf was who she said she was. If she had to stay with them, Crystal may be able to play it into a nice seduction. That or Kayleigh could give her an idea of how to get banged by Ravenshadow. Putting her horny thoughts on hold, she entered her room. The plate was empty and so was the teacup. The demigod was awake, watching her as she came closer. "Kayleigh is here," Ravenshadow said. "Yeah. How'd you know?" Crystal asked. "I can sense her. Will you permit her to enter?" "Of course. At the very least I need help taking care of you. Be right back," the blonde replied. She went back downstairs and opened the door again. "I'm so sorry. Please come in. I just wanted to make sure he was safe." "That's fine Crystal. Lord Ravenshadow will appreciate your concern," Kayleigh said as she stepped inside. She removed her hood and cloak, revealing upswept ears and long red hair. The Elf wore a silk shirt and a skirt that revealed her shapely legs. Her feet were clad in elegant sandals with a pointed heel. Crystal didn't expect human clothing but she guessed it made travel through the city easier. Still, Kayleigh was very beautiful. Crystal led her up the stairs to her room. Once inside, she went over to Ravenshadow and slowly removed his bandages. Kayleigh inspected his wound and sighed softly. Her hands glowed and the wound closed slightly but that was all. "Forgive me Lord Ravenshadow. The demon's powers were great to inflict such a wound. My healing magic won't take effect," the Elf maiden apologized. "It is my own fault. I was careless when I faced it," the demigod replied. "You can stay as long as you need to," Crystal told him. "And you, Kayleigh. But I will need my window repaired soon." "Not a problem," Kayleigh assured her. She waved a hand and the glass shards took their place in the window form. The Elf's lips formed words that were inaudible. Crystal watched the glass reform and stand perfectly repaired in the window frame. Recovering her senses, she wrapped fresh bandages around Ravenshadow's chest. It didn't seem necessary but it would help if he started bleeding again. This done, she went back downstairs to fix the demigod more food. Kayleigh materialized beside the blonde woman and began helping her. The Elf had removed her shoes and was now barefoot. "Lord Ravenshadow ordered me to help you with whatever you need. He is very grateful. Oh and I removed my shoes so that I can move more quickly around your home," Kayleigh explained in response to Crystal's questioning look. "Oh. Well thank you. I guess I should thank him too," Crystal replied. She took the plate of food and walked up the stairs. In her room, she set the plate on the nightstand. "Thank you for your gratitude," she said softly. "Not at all...most humans would have tried to kill me. Which would have ended badly for them. Fortunately I was able to avoid that. I will find a way to repay you," Ravenshadow replied. In the evening, Crystal was back in the living room. Ravenshadow was asleep again and Kayleigh had been set up in the guest room. The Elf had wanted to stay with Ravenshadow, but Crystal had persuaded her not to. Part of it was she was ordered to do as the blonde said. Another was probably that Kayleigh realized she would be more comfortable sleeping in a bed and not on the floor. That seemed like a strange name for an Elf. Of course, a name like Ravenshadow seemed strange too in a way. Maybe they were names used for humans for the sake of easy pronunciation. Normally Crystal wouldn't give it much thought. But the intellectual part of her was very curious. She made a mental note to ask Kayleigh the next day. Along with several other questions. Stripping off all her clothes, Crystal laid back on the couch. One hand played with her breasts while the other was rubbing her clit rapidly. The young woman had a lot of pent up sexual frustration still. As long as she didn't wake anyone up, Crystal figured it was fine. Even if one of them woke up, as long as she could get off she didn't care. She squeezed her breast hard and slipped two fingers into her pussy. Instead of thrusting them in and out, Crystal repeatedly bent them in a "come here" gesture. It felt very good in her sexually deprived pussy. After awhile she switched to thrusting them hard. She began moaning, biting her lip to keep quiet. The blonde sat up as she put her whole hand in and began riding it. Her breathing was coming heavily and her eyes began to glaze over. Suddenly she felt a warm tongue on her clit and looked down. Kayleigh was kneeling in front of Crystal, licking her clit. The Elf was naked and fully concentrated on her task. Gently she removed Crystal's arm, replacing it with her tongue. She was licking expertly, better than Crystal had ever come across. Placing her lips around the human's clit, Kayleigh began sucking as she licked. Crystal moaned loudly, gasping as the Elf ate her out. Kayleigh thrust her tongue in and out of Crystal's pussy. Eventually the blonde came from the tongue fucking. Kayleigh licked up the cum and stood up. "That was pretty good," Crystal breathed. "I was told to assist you in anything you needed. Elves are attuned to nature and we can sense sexual desire. Sex is something we practice for various reasons. Some of us take human lovers and others become lovers to members of House Nightshade," Kayleigh explained. "Have you had sex with Lord Ravenshadow?" the young woman asked. "No. But as a caretaker of his I will likely be promised to him later," Kayleigh answered. "Interesting. Well let's see how good you are," Crystal declared. She grabbed Kayleigh's hand and led her up to the guest bedroom. Laying on the bed, she gestured for the Elf to join her. Kayleigh crawled onto the bed and kissed Crystal. The kiss was soft and tender yet passionate. Leaving her lips, Kayleigh travelled down to Crystal's breasts. Her soft pink lips trailed kisses along the large mounds before her tongue made its way across every inch. She then licked the human's nipples, tongue circling around and around each one. Crystal sighed in pleasure as she stroked Kayleigh's long red hair. Kayleigh continued her exploration by licking all along her lover's arms and stomach. Crystal was quite pleased. Most of her lovers just fucked her nice and hard. But it was nice to take it easy for the sake of pleasure. She laid back and waited for what was next. Kayleigh kissed along Crystal's inner thigh and let her tongue travel over the blonde's leg, slowly moving down. Kayleigh's tongue ran up and down Crystal's leg. Soft moans escaped the young human's lips as she revelled in the pleasure she received. The Elf lifted her lover's leg in her hands. She licked down the leg and along the arch of Crystal's foot. She then proceeded to suck on each toe slowly. After this Kayleigh licked up and down from Crystal's heel back up to her toes. She kissed the toes after a few minutes of licking along the sole. Letting Crystal's leg fall, Kayleigh adjusted her position. Lowering her pussy to Crystal's, the Elf began to grind them together. The blonde rubbed her pussy against Kayleigh's as well, pulling her down and giving her a passionate kiss. Kayleigh kissed back and soon they were making out heavily as their pussies continued to rub together. Crystal pushed her tongue into her lover's mouth, who received it eagerly. Their tongues played and danced in a long kiss. The two lovers then held each others' hips, grinding hard together at a faster pace. Kayleigh started moaning along with Crystal. The blonde wasn't exactly sure but she guessed the Elf was close to cumming. Kayleigh threw her head back and screamed loudly. Her orgasm was amplified by Crystal heavily rubbing their clits together. As soon as Kayleigh's orgasm subsided, Crystal's erupted through her. The blonde screamed just as Kayleigh had. After it was over, she panted heavily, her breathing hard. Kayleigh laid next to her lover, running a hand along the human's body. "Stay with me tonight," the Elf whispered as she nibbled on Crystal's ear. "Sure. Better than sleeping alone," Crystal replied. Kayleigh fell asleep with her head on Crystal's breast. The blonde fell asleep soon after, dreaming of Lord Ravenshadow. ***** In the next chapter...Crystal has sex with Lord Ravenshadow and maybe Kayleigh gets similarly lucky among other things. Please comment your thoughts and any suggestions for chapter two. Nightshade Ch. 02 Welcome to Nightshade . . . Death is just a speed bump because the dead never stay dead. [Location: Dante's House] Amused indeed, Rosemund focused her gaze upon her wayward champion. His ebon eyes glittered with something akin to mirth after his little speech. The lithe drape of his body rested hip and shoulder againstthe doorframe, effectively blocking it from entry or exit. Rosemund lifted her hands to clap ever so slightly. The soft jingle of her bangle styled bracelets teased upon the air. A whisper of fabric as she stared over the lovely and rather interesting scene placed before them. A lithe leg moved forward sending her gown rustling faintly. The material flickered between bronze and a deep green, stiff taffeta that draped in perfect folds about her eternally lithe form. Thin sandals graced over her feet, manicured and smoothed until they were flawless. Golden eyes stared from beneath a fringe of deep black lashes and thick kohl lining. A predator's eyes and dangerous for the wisdom reflected within for Rosemund was more dangerous than anything birthed of the mortal womb. Her hands fell to her sides leaving delicate fingers draped gracefully to contrast with the deep rich hues of the tightly corseted gown. "Tis amusing Vane, though not worth such mirth..." Her voice was cold, cool. Each word was accented carefully, as if she thought over each syllable before giving it life. A spell caster's voice and one suiting to the enchantress turned seer. Her deep red lips touched upon an expression to make mockery of a smile. She moved forward, the air a cool breeze about her, hinting at the scent of lilies and the midnight hour. Cinnamon colored hair was swept back, caught upwards into a messy coif with a pair of bronzed chopsticks. "Though I doubt they care about the mating habits of the few..." She arched an eyebrow at Dante. "No matter how inappropriate they may be..." She ignored the woman in his arms. She was of little note, nothing more than an apprentice seer. A mortal, no matter how well trained could not match her centuries of knowledge. Rosemund was not blinded by all things, though immortal life had made her cold. She was one of the fae folk, sidhe, and they were known well for their aloof ways. No council controlled them, nor could any rule those of the High Court but that of their own chosen royals. "If you would like to continue...." She gestured slightly again sending her gold and burnished wood bracelets to singing with the motion. "Tis nothing that does not occur outside the high courts..." The cold man at her side looked bemused. His race was unidentifiable. Tall as she was he was bulkier, his skin dark. Not in the way of human skin, but more black in the way of a dog's fur. In the dim lighting it seemed to shimmer, rippling from blue to violet. His hair drank in light, not reflecting but remaining an eternal matte darkness. The high court's killer, favored arm of the dark queen, and protector of the few privileged; which included the woman at his side who just happened to be niece to the queen. Vane moved slowly with leisure and yet each motion was predatory. A cruel flex, like a cat reminding an owner of its claws... * * The fever had set in. Chills wracked her body. Her muscles ached with each movement and breath. Bella had been through it before, but never had she been so aware of the pain. She drifted in and out of consciousness, managing to hold onto wakefulness for another five minutes before the blackness of slumber crept in. And when it did . . . . she dreamed . . . . ~Bella . . . Bella . . . Bella . . . ~ Who was he? She knew his voice as intimately as she knew herself. That deep tone that sent chills of dread down her spine even as it heated her blood. Feather light, no more fleeting than a kiss of wind, she felt his touch on her face, across her forehead, over her neck and shoulders. There was knowledge in that touch, the touch of a lover, the touch of someone concerned for her well being. ~My phantom lover . . . where are you?~ She knew he had saved her, dragged her from the house of death to Dante. He had saved her life, staunching the flow of blood from her shoulder with strips of cotton, torn from his own shirt. She knew he had known the moment he touched her she was not Laroux. She had not been blessed with the same genes that their mother had passed on to her sibling Sage. She had enhansed abilities, true, but even those paled in comparison to her twin. So why had he not chosen her? Her phantom lover. The one who touched and caressed, even as he assessed the damage to her worn body. ~Because it is you i have searched for... my ma belle . . .I will not rest untill i see you again.~ Her body trembled beneath his phantom touch, his bayou accent imprinted in her mind so she would know the voice anywhere. ~Sleep . . . sleep ma belle sleep deep and awake rested. Stay safe until i come for you. ~ Bella sighed in her sleep, her body relaxing and unknowing of the growing chaos down the hall . . . * * Dante dropped Sage so suddenly she almost lost her balance, but was quickly righted and pushed behind him protectively. When she would have side stepped, he moved in front of her as if sheilding her from the couple's view. ~Do not think to interfere here, Cherie. No matter what, and do as I say when i say it.~ His voice in her mind sent licks of fire along her skin, even as it roused her anger and led it to the forefront of her mind. She knew the reputation that followed her name like a title, and the lowly station she had been born from. But her family was a proud one and although they held no true title or station save El Guardián De Los Muertos. Her father was half american, half spanish . . . a human with psychic abilities. Her mother, a child of the Laroux, born a native of Nightshade all her life. She knew that Rosemund did not hold contempt against the Laroux . . . it was the HUMAN side Sage's family that the woman seemed to detest. Feeling Dante's hand tighten on hers behind his back returned her to the present. "Greetings, my lady." He deliberately removed all emotion from his voice, the flat monotone subserviant as was expected of one of his station, but enough inflection on the end bordered on rudeness. "To what do we owe a visit from my lady and her champion?" Dante asked, shooting a glance at Vane. Seeing the man bite back a grin from behind his lady's back eased Dante's misgivings about the man slightly. He knew Sage and he were friends, but exactly how close had yet to be determined. Rosemund arched a brow as Dante thrust the woman behind him. The motion was very male, enough so that her gaze was drawn for a moment mockingly to the tiny slip of a human. Golden eyes danced and flashed with a pale mirth. Her lips did not twitch into anything as mundane and dull as a smile. Instead she touched her fingertips to the rippling surface of her guardian's arm. He did not move, nor give visible sign that her touch stilled anything, yet something passed between her golden swirling gaze and his dark fathomless stare that seemed to leech the tension from the room. Finally a soft smile graced her lips, a faint showing of teeth. The motion allowed for the true weight of her hair to be seen. It was the hinted length of them that marked her High Court, sidhe, and one of the royal circle. A moment passed, then another, before at last she turned to Dante. Her attention flickering over his form as if interested in the bulk of him and not just that which council entertained; for Rosemund, like all sidhe, was a sexual creature. Cold and indifferent perhaps,but her every movement bespoke the seductive whisper of a siren's call. She was lovely in pure physical form, but there was something more, something that glimmered beneath her flesh, a part that shone and drew the mind to curiosities unknown. Vane moved faintly, pulling her silent stare away. His hand light upon her cheek. They touched, not for sexual need, but for comfort finding it in the shared glow of one another. His hand moved away for the spell and lure of something unknown had been broken. Her tongue teased along her lips, wetting them and drawing attention to their ruby fullness. It was the mix breed's growl that caused her to shake her head slightly. He was right; this was not the time for such antics. Council had a mission for them. Her eyes lowered, falling behind heavy ebony veils as she thought over the wording presented to them by her Queen. Words of a mere mortal, or Other, could be danced and slipped around. Queen Cerridwen was rather talented at eliminating all chances of dancing through a loop hole. Rosemund stepped forward, allowing Vane to slip behind her. A sign she did not feel in danger from the vampire. He obeyed council and they would have his head on a platter should any harm come to a princess of faerie. Her head tilted slightly, showing the proud line of her jaw and length of neck. A subtle dig, but then she danced in such subtleties. For a moment she remained silent after his greeting almost drinking in the richness of his words, or perhaps weighing her own before gifting them upon him. "Council sends me to fetch you and attend to your wounded..." That he mocked her did not surprise her. The High Court was not loved, rarely did outsiders view the marvels of faerie, nor touch the shimmering flesh of the sidhe. She could understand the bitterness harbored in his soul. "Le gaspillage pas le temps, pour une fois sont seulement mes services offerts*" {{Waste not time, for I only offer my services once}} The French flowed from her tongue, lilting and sweet in inflection. A deception, for there was little sweet about the woman before them. Regal bearing and royal lineage marked her path. A cold cunning, accented by a deadly skill with the blade and the mightier weapon of her tongue. Vane moved forward. Slowly for his lithe grace allowed for the flowing of his body. His skin shimmered with each motion tricking the eye into seeing a rainbow of colors dancing over the smooth skin of the tall champion. Cloaked in an unbuttoned dress shirt and tight leather pants it was clear the man was chosen not only for his skill with the blade. Built in the way so few are, his muscles shimmered and flexed. Not veined or repulsive he was lithe almost sinuous. His legs firm and ass prime for a groping. Soft leather boots clasped up his calves to nearly his knees, their polish scuffed and marked as that of a swordsman. His hand was proffered, in the way of the warriors of old. His gaze clear, rippling from mercurial silver to ebon black, shimmering with a hint of mischief and more cunning than the vampire could hope to achieve. "Greetings, I have heard much of you... Hopefully some of it is not true, and the rest... No one could be that bad..." Vane teased softly. His mouth gaped in a wolfish grin. Again his gaze fastened on Sage, almost as if relaying that she was indeed safe. Rosemund, after all was said and done, was under a geas not to lay a hand upon any protected by the council unless for fear of her life. Sage growled at Rosemund's words, the scent of lust and desire heavy in the air, easy for a Laroux to scent. Her gaze flicked once to Vane in anger, silently berating him for chosing one of the highborn over one of his own kind. He may not have been of her direct bloodline, but he was still of la familia. Silently, she rubbed a small circle on Dante's back, apologising for the fact that she could not control her actions as well as he. "Reece is down the hall." Dante responded, ignoring the woman's snubs. Training and discipline kept him in good stead, bringing his once raging pulse under control to where even the two laroux could not detect it. without taking his gaze from the pair before him, he glanced over his shoulder at sage, his eyes normally midnight blue, flaring to the color of ice. Hot passion flared in their depths, a heat burning and smoldering within them that she could practically feel burning her from the inside out. No.. they weren't done with each other. They had unfinished business that he had every intention of finishing and be damned anyone who dared interrupt them a second time. "Aller maintenant mon petit chiot, préparer votre soeur pour les invités." {{Go now my little pup, prepare your sister for guests.}} He said without inflection. But his mind, oh his mind tortured her, dared her to reveal the images he was flooding her brain with. Erotic passion, relentless and hot couplings, lust and orgasm heaped upon orgasm. ~There are benefits to having a lover that is 500 years old, cherie.~ Sage nodded once, her temper for a change appearing leashed and under control. Something Rosemund had never seen of her before. With all the class she could muster, that which she thought her body contained at that moment, she raised her chin and exited the room. Only when her back was to the others did she smile, knowing that Dante's eyes followed her till she was out of site. Something sure to drive the rude little sidhe absolutely bonkers till her head wanted to explode. ~You're deliberately provoking her wrath, Dante. Stop being a tcheue poule {{chicken ass}} and dismiss the witch so we can finish what you started.~ Only once she was safely in her sibling's room did Sage collapse against the bedroom door and rub her hands over her aching brests, wimpering as she replayed the images Dante had forced into her thoughts. Thoughts of him sucking from her chest as a pup might, trailing his incisors over her neck even as his hand tunneled between her legs and had her screaming and pulsing alive. She closed her eyes and could almost feel his fangs sinking into her throat even as his fingers would dive deep and then . . . ~If you do not stop your wayward thoughts, cherie, I will have a raging hard-on and that woman you detest so much will believe it is her doing and will encite her to press her suit.~ He cought her wayward thought to such actions and grinned as he listened to Rosemund and the council updates she brought with her after the attack. ~Though it would please me to see you ripping her spine out and beating her over the head with it like a club . . . i do not relish the fallout it would bring. Save such energies for when i have you in my arms, and in my bed, ma cherie~ Sage did in that one moment something that was completely and utterly out of character. She giggled, then laughed. Blinking at the unfamiliar sound, she shook her head to clear her thoughts and went to properly dress her sister in preparation for guests. * * He hated them. He hunted them. Deep down he knew eventually he would, and could, kill them all. They taunted him with their confidence, their ability to be unafraid. As the light of the bayou wanned and the shades of night crawled over the town, he studied and searched, looking for his next victim. For hours he sat and studied, watched and waited till at last the truth dawned in his mind as brilliantly as daylight. There was no one. No one that would satisfy the killing rage deep inside him. It was her and her alone who could end it, make it go away till at last he was at peace. "Bella." The word fell from his lips like a lover's caress. Seductive as the thought that he would now choose one of them, not for his true plans, but as a sign that she would one day be his. He was a ghost, a phantom in the night, unseen among those who walked in the light of the shops and streetlamps. They would come to fear him, these people, fear him and recognise their foolishness in believing they were safe in the light. He was everywhere, as insubstantial as mist and twice as consuming. He would become one of them, befriend them and kill them. He shuddered in pleasure at the thought of the blood of the innocents caressing his flesh like warm rain. But her . . . no. For her he would save something special indeed. Her death was his life, his breath, his very heartbeat. Soon he would feel hers in the palm of his hand as he choked the life from her witch's eyes. He was, in that single moment, god above all. * * Dante would have been crushed, Sage as well, no doubt; to learn that Rosemund had no interest sexual or otherwise in the male before her. They were tools, used and disposed of with the same breath and need of their usefulness. Rosemund was not one for attachments beyond family and even at that it was an iffy thing. One did not attach themselves to family, when they were likely to have you assassinated. Her golden eyes flickered between the two, knowing a conversation was passing. It was not one of her gifts to read the minds of others, but she could read body language well enough. "Tell your female she has aught to worry about... The male specimens in the High Court are far prettier..." Her gaze trailed lower as if eying his package. "Perhaps not as well endowed...." She shrugged faintly, nonplussed at the display before her. Coldness was part and parcel of sidhe life and more importantly immortality. Vane shifted slightly, unable to help himself, as he waited for the vampire to strike his charge. The blow would never land, Laroux and Sidhe blood mingled nicely in him and he was both fast and strong. Delicate as Rose appeared, she could put her hand through a car door without wincing; he was much stronger than the woman. Dark eyes flickered over Dante, a warming rested in those ever changing orbs. No matter how much a pull the woman was, no matter how irritable and abrasive, Rosemund was not to be touched. "Council sent Princess Rosemund, niece to Queen Cerridwen of the High Court of faerie to assist with the injured woman's needs... Her tongue is sharp but her touch is soothing..." Vane assured Dante even as his charge tilted her head slightly, looking way too sweet, and far too innocent. Then again none knew if the Princess indulged in the casual sex of the High Court. Most sidhe did, but even for the elite of faerie Rosemund was aloof. Many claimed she was simply devoted to her father, more than any child should be, some said she was her mother's creature. Both powerful sidhe, pure of blood and lineage; both able to trace their bloodlines back to great Celtic Kings. "Gwnelan mo angen at adnabod 'r 'n ddiau achlysuron atom yn gadael addef*" {{They do not need to know the true reasons for us leaving home}} The lilting language of her ancestors and no doubt of her birth times flowed gracefully from her lips. Gold eyes swirled to deep green to touch again bronze as she focused on the dark shimmering companion. Her head tilted, sending earrings to jingling faintly in sweet music to each movement. Her body remained relaxed, calm, and steady. Her posturing gave nothing of the meaning of her words away. The tone did remain curt for all the beauty of the language itself. "'i ewyllysia mo bod amlygedig at 'm cega huchelder‡" Vane's head dipped low as if posturing for subservience. He did not slump and his bow was crisp. The words were clipped, heavily accented by his heritage. A more modern creature he had learned the Celtic lexicon for necessity. Half breeds were as reviled as royals and far more easily slain. It took a great deal to kill a sidhe, but half breeds had more loop holes. Not that any spoke of them outside the High Courts. Like a dysfunctional family they abused, bloodied, and killed one another but would not stand for outsiders stepping in. Dante turned his thoughts and eyes from Sage's departing form and focused on the pair before him. Protocol and dicipline held him in good stead. He cared not what the woman thought of him or his principals. He answered to those higher than his station because it was polite. But when all was said and done, he was a man apart, a soldier cursed into a life of soltitude both by choice and by inadverntant actions of fate. Not once in five hundred years had he ever taken anything for himself, had he ever put his heart before duty and honor, justice and integrity, before vows of servitude and loyalty. His eyebrow quirked upward at her words, uncaring whether she wanted him or not. It wouldn't change his feelings for Sage nor the outcome, so why worry. His eyes shot briefly to her companion,noting the raw tension running through the man's body. If the boy expected a fight he would get one, but on Dante's terms and not in his house with Bella wounded down the hall. Crossing his arms, Dante gave them his most level stare and got down to business. Nightshade Ch. 02 In Nightshade I told the story of how my roommate introduced me to interracial sex. The story continues about my relationship with Lee, a married black man, my college roommate, Karen, and her boyfriend, Jerome. I never asked Lee about his marital status. I was pretty sure that he was married to a white woman and I KNOW he was having sex with other girls besides me. Normally that would have infuriated me, but then normally I would never have dated a married man. I was beginning to do a number of things I never thought I'd do. I didn't call Lee because I was always afraid his wife would answer, but when he called me I was always willing to meet him somewhere. Being Karen's roommate, I was getting looks and smiles in class from both guys and girls. Karen was openly bi with a notorious sexual appetite, and everyone assumed that I was much more than just the girl who shared her dorm room. They assumed that we were lovers and that I was the same way Karen was when it came to promiscuity. I was not, of course. Karen assured me I was always welcome to join in whenever she was having sex, which was just about every night. She always licked her lips when I came out of the shower, but she never pressed the issue. The temptation was always there; simmering. I shared Biology 101 with a guy named Brad, who I knew was dating a long haired blonde because I'd seen them making out before class. He pulled me aside one day and asked for a favor. "I'm so fucking hard right now it's driving me crazy," he said to me. "Can I get you to give me a blowjob?" I was stunned. I barely knew the guy and he thought he could walk up and ask me that? I would have punched him in the nose if the offer wasn't percolating in my mind and sounding hotter by the second. I certainly wasn't the kind of girl to give a guy a casual blow job. Or was I? "Brad, we've got to be in class in ten minutes," I said. "We don't have time for that." "It'll only take me five," he said. "Please? I'm so horny right now." With that he opened the door to a lecture room I knew wasn't going to be used for a couple of hours. He stepped inside and looked at me. I don't know why, but I stepped in and locked the door. Something about it all was wildly erotic. I was on my knees in seconds. Brad wasted no time in pulling his pants down and offering out his cock. My conscience was asking me what the hell I was doing, but my libido was urging me to go for it. I didn't hesitate. If I had, I probably would have run out of there. I just leaned forward and took his dick into my mouth. My hand encircled his hot shaft and I began to stroke him. Brad was right. That thing was hard as a damn rock. I could taste pre-cum almost immediately. I felt like a total slut, on my knees in the lecture room, sucking off a guy I barely knew, but I KNEW I would masturbate to this image that night. Brad's hands were on my head as I sucked him. He whispered how good I was and how great it felt. I just wanted him to cum so we wouldn't be late for class. He did have a nice cock. I loved the way it felt in my mouth; so hot and hard. I was really beginning to enjoy sucking. I began to understand how Karen could enjoy it as much as she did. Brad didn't take longer than just a few minutes. I felt him tense and then begin to cum. As he did, I pulled back so that I held just the tip in my mouth. That way there was room in my mouth for his cum, and I could swallow it without spilling. I stroked him with my hand as he pumped streams of hot cum into my mouth. When he was finished, I made sure to get every drop from his softening cock. I stood up just as he finished fastening his pants. "Thanks, Nikki. You were great," he said. He gave me a quick hug and left. I waited a moment and stepped out as well. The taste of his cum was still in my mouth as I went to class. From then on I carried breath mints in my purse. I HAD to tell Karen about it when I got back to the dorm. She gave me a big hug and congratulated me on coming out of my shell. I should have felt ashamed, but I felt like I had overcome a milestone. I was becoming less like me and more like Karen, but I was enjoying every second of it. That night I didn't have a date. Jerome came over, so I lay on top of my bed in my sleep shirt and toyed with my clit as he pounded Karen's pussy hard. She left her door ajar so I could hear them better, and I left mine slightly open as well. The memories of the day and the sounds of the night combined to give me a very nice orgasm. I never inserted when I masturbated, but as I listened to them I began to wish I had a cock inside me, even if it was latex. I decided it was time for me to buy a vibe. What would it hurt? After all, Lee was pounding me senseless at least once a week. I heard Jerome grunt as he came inside Karen. I couldn't help but envy her at that moment. For as much as I was beginning to enjoy the taste of cum, there was nothing quite like having a big cock erupt inside you. I figured that Jerome was big; maybe not as big as Lee, but then who was? I knew Karen must be in Heaven right now. "Nikki, can you come here please?" I heard her call from her room. I didn't stop to question why she would be calling me. I simply stood up and walked into her room. She was lying on her back with Jerome beside her on the bed. They were both naked. From the look of Jerome naked, his cock was almost as large as Lee's was. Karen had her hand over her exposed pussy. I could see a little seepage near her red painted nails. "Jerome came inside me and I forgot to take my pill," she said. "Could you lick his cum out of me?" My jaw dropped open. I'd seen Karen naked before but this was NOT something I was into. Even though I knew she was bi, I certainly was not. I started to stammer out a response and she asked again, "Pretty please, Nikki? I'd do it for you." I was still hesitant. After all, Jerome was right there, watching. She pulled her hand away and I could see his creamy load oozing at the opening to her freshly shaved pussy. I had no desire to lick her pussy, but the cum DID look inviting. I finally let out a sigh and climbed up on the bed. I tried to not think about the implications of what I was doing. I was helping a friend to not become pregnant, which was a noble thing, right? I put my mouth on her pussy and began to lap up the cum. His cum tasted stronger that Lee's, or even Brad's. Even though it was mixed with Karen's juices I thought I could distinguish between the flavors on my tongue. Karen pulled her legs back as I plunged my tongue deeper and deeper into her hot pussy. The taste of Jerome's cum got weaker and the taste of Karen's juices got stronger. I soon moved to her clit and was licking her eagerly. I'm not totally sure at what point I made the transition, but she was squirming under me and I wanted to make her cum. I forgot that Jerome was even there until I heard him beginning to stroke his dick. I sat up on my knees and licked my lips for them both. Karen's fingers pulled her labia apart wanting more, but I had no intention of stopping. I pulled off the sleep shirt and tossed it aside and continued to lick my roommate's pussy. Karen moaned under me and began to thrash around. I couldn't see Jerome, but he had climbed off the bed. I jumped when I felt his mouth on my pussy, but I didn't try to stop him. Karen was about to explode and I was getting hotter by the second. I felt Jerome's tongue invading my pussy and swirling over my clit. Whatever he did to me, I did to Karen. I felt her gripping my hands as she came. Jerome was still licking me so I really didn't move. I just chewed on her labia for a moment while she cooled down, and I began again. I felt Jerome pull away and an instant later his thick cock pressed to my opening. I was on my knees with my face buried in Karen's pussy when I heard Karen say, "Give it to her, Baby." With that my body was impaled on Jerome's hard cock. I moaned as I felt an intense wave of pressure and pleasure as my pussy muscles were stretched over Jerome's cock. Maybe he wasn't quite as big as Lee, but he wasn't much smaller. His hands gripped my hips and I could feel his strong fingers gripping me tightly. He pulled back slowly. I could feel the vacuum sucking at my guts as he pulled that oversized cock back past the tightly clinging muscles. He and slammed into me hard. I was already so wet his thick cock slide easily along my inner walls and his pelvis slammed against my ass. It wasn't quite so easy for me. I almost cried out from the intensity of how he stretched me, but Lee had made me get accustomed to having my small pussy hammered by big black cocks. Karen came once more and then she pulled me up on top of her. I kissed her deeply, letting her taste her own juices as Jerome pounded into my pussy from behind. I think I came three times before I heard him say he was going to cum. When he pulled out, I rolled over and lay with my head against Karen's. We both had our mouths open and our tongues out as he came in our mouths and all over our faces. I kept my eyes closed as his warm seed splashed over my face. It was positively erotic. Before I opened my eyes, Karen started to lick the cum off my face. I opened my eyes and licked the cum off hers as well. I understood then why Karen was bi. That was the hottest sex ever. Two nights later, Lee came over to spend the evening with me in our dorm room. Jerome was over as well. Lee and Jerome were getting to be good friends, so the four of us got along very well. Of course, Karen had give Lee a very detailed description of what we had done together. I was so embarrassed I think my face was actually hot enough to ignite a match. Far from being upset, Lee was as proud as could be of me for coming out of my shell. He said I was leaving my little girl innocence behind and becoming a real woman. He thanked Karen and Jerome for helping me grow. It was a strange feeling, but I began to feel proud of the way I had acted; as if I was liberating myself from some age old tyranny. Karen put on some music, took me by the hand and said, "Come on, Nikki, let's dance for the guys." Of course with Karen, that meant a strip tease. I let her pull me up to stand in front of the sofa as the two men moved to sit a respectable distance from each other. After all, they had all seen me naked, both men had fucked me and both men were there to have sex with us. So Karen and I began to dance to the slow beat of the music. It was hotter to strip each other, so that's what we did. Karen wanted to put on a very erotic show, so when we were both topless and in panties only she pulled me to her and kissed me deeply. I put my arms around her and we rubbed our bodies together while the guys squirmed uncomfortably. I felt Karen's hand slide into my panties and begin to rub my clit. I reached down and did the same for her. It was a strange feeling, slow dancing with my roommate and caressing her clit, but her touch sent the same tingles over my body as any man's did. I figured that sex was sex, and it could be exciting no matter who it was with. I pulled her panties down and off with my teeth, which immediately had both our guys stroking. Suddenly I found myself on my knees, facing Karen's pussy. I leaned forward and gave her a long, slow lick. I heard her moan and felt her body react. I was intending for that to be the end of our show and for Jerome to take over licking her, but the whole scene was such a turn on that I licked her again; and then again. As Karen continued to move to slow beat of the music, mostly from the waist up, I plunged my tongue into her and began to suck on her clit. My hands slowly caressed her ass as I continued to lick her honey pot. She was undeniably turned on. I can't say that the flavor of her sex was the finest thing I ever tasted, but it was certainly a treat on my tongue. Maybe it was because I was so turned on myself, but for whatever reason I think I was enjoying going down on Karen as much as she was enjoying being munched on by her slutty redheaded roommate. Karen gripped my hair and gave a soft cry out, then her body tensed. I knew she was about to cum but I wasn't going anywhere. I sucked on her clit and slide two fingers into her pussy as she lost control. Her climax was very intense. I can't say that she gushed, but she was very, VERY wet. It was not only incredibly erotic; it made me feel like I was a great lover to make her cum so intensely. When I looked hack at the guys, they were both naked and erect. Karen and I went to them, knelt down and began to suck on their very large, very hard black cocks. They didn't need any more foreplay though. Lee put his arms under my armpits and pulled me up to his lap. I thought we were going to go into the bedroom, but at this point nobody seemed to see any reason to. Karen climbed on top of Jerome and we began to ride the two dicks in unison. Lee's cock felt like steel inside me as we began. Karen wasted no time in mounting Jerome, so to keep up with her I had to begin to ride Lee immediately without taking a moment to let my body get used to his size. It wasn't as uncomfortable at first as I thought it would be, though. My pussy was dripping so much the inside of my thighs were wet all the way to my knees. This was yet another first for me; synchronized fucking. Both Jerome and Lee felt up my breasts as we rode them. Then Jerome reached over to rub my clit. Lee rubbed Karen's clit. Karen and I kissed, and I lost it. I came so hard I thought I was going to black out. I cried out so loud I'm sure the people down the hall heard me. Karen came as well, or if she didn't, she made a damn good show of it to keep us in sync. It didn't take long before I felt Lee's cock throbbing inside me. He usually didn't take too long the first time, but after that I knew I was going to have a marathon fuck later. The guys were talking together, timing their climax. I was thinking what an erotic movie this would make, though there's NO WAY I was going to ever allow anyone to take pictures or movies of me naked. I looked at the two guys as Karen and I rode them. They were obviously enjoying themselves. "Okay girls, on your knees," Jerome said. We weren't in perfect unison as we climbed off the men, but we held each others hand and went to our knees with our mouths open. Lee and Jerome stood up and we sucked them as they stroked their thick cocks. "Hold it in your mouths," Jerome said as he came. I had to swallow twice. Lee came a LOT. I nearly swallowed a third time, but I could tell he was finished so I pulled back until he was out of my mouth with just the erupting tip between my lips. My mouth was full. The men sat back on the sofa and just looked at us. We stood on our knees, dutifully holding their cum in our mouths. "Now kiss and share it," Jerome said. We didn't even consider not doing it. We leaned in and locked our mouths together. I breathed through my nose as my tongue played with Karen's. The hot cum was mixed with our saliva and blended together so that when Jerome finally gave us the order to swallow, we each drank cum from both men. "What a team," Jerome said. "Crazy Karen and Naughty Nikki." Lee agreed wholeheartedly. Afterward, nobody got dressed. There wasn't really any point to it, since we'd all been naked together. All three of them gave me encouragement and praise for how hot I had become. My father would have given me a hundred lashes with the belt every day until he retired had he seen me. However, I was no longer under his roof and his rules no longer applied. So long as I kept my scholarships up if he cut off my funds I could survive with a part time job. Besides. I knew Lee would help me out if I asked him too. It wasn't because he loved me. Love had nothing to do with it. I was someone he could come and fuck any time he wanted it, and I was certainly not going to tell his wife. We basically just hung out for the next half hour or so, giving the guys a chance to recharge. When I went to use the bathroom I returned to hear them whispering amongst each other. Naturally I thought they were talking about me because they stopped as I approached. I didn't say anything, though. I figured they were just talking about how they had got the somewhat innocent freshman out of her shell. It didn't matter to me. It was time for bed, and that meant it was time for "Naughty Nikki" to get fucked by her favorite black stud, Lee. We began with me on my back and Lee down between my legs, licking me. It felt incredible, as it always did. The sensation of his tongue sliding over my clit and probing my inner walls had me on the verge of climax in record time. He introduced a finger to my ass, as he liked to do sometime. When I was about to climax, he pushed a second finger into me. I felt my anal muscle stretched uncomfortably and I said, "No, Lee. Stop that, please?" I was too close to a climax to protest very much. I came seconds later, bucking against him as he worked the two fingers into my ass. After my climax he eased his fingers back out of my ass and lay on his back near the side of the bed. I knew what he wanted, so I climbed up and slowly lowered myself down on his impressive 11" kidney scraper. He tugged at my nipples and then pulled me down to lay on top of him. His left arm was around my waist, holding me tightly as he slowly drove up into me. I heard the drawer to the nightstand open, but I didn't think much of it. We used lubricant whenever Lee fucked my boobs, which was something we both enjoyed. I lay on top of him and ground my breasts against his chest as he continued to push his cock up into me. I jumped when I felt him push two well lubricated fingers into my ass. "No, don't," I said in protest. He slapped my ass with his free hand. "Behave," he said. Behave? Riding his dick while he shoved his fingers up my ass was behaving? I reached my hand back to his. He pushed it away and spanked me again, harder this time. "Be good, Nikki. I don't want to have to spank you." I gave up and put my hands on his shoulders as he worked both fingers in my ass. It wasn't really so bad. It was a little more intense and a little more uncomfortable than one finger, but I could deal with it. I let out a sigh and tried to keep myself relaxed as Lee continued. He pulled his fingers out and then replaced them. Suddenly there was a third finger being pressed into my ass. This was more than just play. "Lee, no," I whimpered, thinking about just how big he was. "God no!" I could never handle that. I felt him pulling out of me and then he rolled me face down on the bed. "Just relax, Nikki," he said as he leaned over me and kissed me on the base of the neck. "It's time you learned to take a good fuck in the ass." "No, Lee, please," I whimpered. "You're way...WAY too big for that." One thing I'd always liked about Lee was that he wasn't one to take no for an answer. He had already decided that tonight was the night he was going to fuck me in the ass. That's all there was too it. I protested and still he worked those three fingers around in my ass. I reached for his hand and he spanked me, then he returned to holding me down with that hand while the other remained in my ass. He wasn't going to rape me. He didn't have to. When his will met mine my will buckled. I let out a deep sigh and brought my hands up to grip the end of the mattress. This was going to hurt like hell. I tried to relax, but there's only so much relaxing you can do when you know you're about to have 11" of cock shoved up your ass. I wished now that Lee was a hell of a lot smaller, but this is the man and the cock I had chosen to fuck. Now I was going to pay the penance for being such a slut. I felt him move between my legs. I'm sure I was shaking. He had coated his cock with lubricant to make the insertion easier. I could feel the cool slickness as he pressed it between my cheeks and began to put pressure against my asshole. No way this thing was going to fit. He increased the pressure and then stopped. He had a lot of pressure against my asshole, but it was not yielding. He didn't move for a moment. I clenched at first and then began to relax a bit when I figured out it wasn't going in. Suddenly Lee gave a hard thrust. I felt the head of his cock invade my ass. I screamed! Nightshade Ch. 02 I don't remember ever feeling anything that hurt as much as that did. "Get it out, get it out," I whimpered. There were tears in my eyes. Lee reached around and began to rub my clit. He spoke in a very calm, reassuring way that everything was going to be all right; that the rough part was over. His fingers on my clit felt damn good, and I was thankful for that. I relaxed for just an instant and... 'UUUUGH!" I cried out again as he drive it another few inches into me. I gripped the edge of the mattress and my fingers were white. "Okay, it's coming out," Lee said. He slowly began to ease it back out of my ass. I relaxed my muscles as much as I could. Lee pulled back until just the tip was in my ass. And then... "Oooooooohhhhhhhhhh. GAAAAAWD!" I screamed out again as he slammed at least half of it into my ass. I saw stars. Lee's fingers worked on my clit and I guess the endorphins in my system worked on the pain to convert it into pleasure. It only worked somewhat. When you have a cock the size of Lee's in your ass, it hurts. Period. He began to work it back and forth in my ass, going a little deeper with each thrust. I couldn't believe I was actually giving my anal virginity to the biggest cock I had ever seen. It took a full 20 minutes for Lee to work his entire cock into my ass. His fingers on my clit drove my passion over the edge and yet it still hurt after I came. It didn't hurt as much as it did originally, but each thrust was a new stabbing pain in my ass. I could see Jerome and Karen in the doorway. I had no idea how long they'd been there, but I suspected they'd seen the whole show. Lee rolled me over on him. He was now on his back and I was on mine, my back to his chest. He pulled my legs wide apart as he fucked my throbbing ass. I saw Jerome coming over and at first it didn't even dawn on me what was about to happen. Karen climbed onto the bed, straddled my face and rubbed her pussy against my mouth. I couldn't see anything but her ass. I slid my tongue into her pussy and began to lick her, glad to have ANYTHING to take my mind off the pain in my ass. She was facing the foot of the bed. Lee and I were at the head. She reached down and pulled my legs back. I presumed it was so Jerome could have a good view of Lee's cock in my ass. I was wrong. Jerome climbed on to the bed, knelt between my legs and pushed his cock into my pussy. My small body was being double penetrated by two very large cocks. I screamed into Karen's pussy, but I still don't know if they were screams of pain or passion. Both were intense. The pain did begin to ease, though. The erotic passion continued. I came three, maybe four times in a row. Almost every time the men moved I came. Before long Jerome was slamming his hard cock into my pussy, fucking me roughly. I could hear him and Karen kissing as my mouth, pussy and ass were being used by my friends. The pressure inside me was tremendous. I could feel the hugged black cocks rubbing together inside me. It felt like my body would rip apart at any second. Karen rode my face and came several times as I licked her, but she never moved from my face until the men were ready to cum. Jerome eased out of me first, and then Lee finally took his cock out of my ass. I could tell that he left it gaping open after his withdrawal. They put me in the middle of the bed on my back and knelt above me. Jerome pointed his dick into my mouth and began to cum. After filling my mouth with cum, he finished on my tits. Lee came over my tits and belly. I lay there drenched in their cum, wet from sweat, and in an orgasmic haze. Karen leaned down and licked the cum off my body, sharing some of it with me but swallowing most of it herself. My ass was on fire! I was almost afraid to move. They all told me how great I was, and how far I'd come. It was as if being a cum slut was a merit badge and I had to overcome incredible obstacles to earn it. Everyone said goodnight. Jerome and Karen went back to Karen's room. I could hear the abuse the bedsprings and Karen's body was taking, but I was too tired to care. I staged to the bathroom and then went back to bed. Lee pulled me into a spoon position and told me I was great. He didn't say he loved me. Lee wasn't one to lie. I lay there in his arms and closed my eyes. I woke up at about 3:30, on my stomach with Lee sliding his cock again into my ass. By now my ass was so sore it hurt even more than the first time, but I was too tired to fight it. I lay under him and whimpered as he pounded my ass. He finally came in my ass at about 4:45. It hurt like hell from the first thrust to the last. I'm sure it never dawned on him to ask me if I could take it. He simply rolled me over and fucked me like he always did; only this time he rolled me onto my stomach and fucked me up the ass. I was with him, and that was all the permission he would ever need. He was going to fuck me any time he wanted, any place he wanted, and any way he wanted. Not only would Lee have that permission, but also Jerome and very soon Karen. I was no longer Daddy's little girl. I was a slut. Just like my roommate. Nightshade Ch. 02 "You know that Bella Reece is a protector of De Los Muertos. One of those chosen to protect the heirs of the court themselves, as has been their family's right by blood for over nine centuries." Walking to his right, his black turtleneck and leather pants contrasting against the soft sea blue tile of the bathroom. He reached out and retrieved the small bullet that he had pulled from Bella's shoulder. "The assassin was good. Leaving no trace as to their whereabouts, no calling card, no threat as to who his intended victim was. Bella was on the recieving end of the bullet, true . . . but had he actually wanted her dead, he would not have aimed for a spot as unvital as her shoulder." He dropped the small slug into Vane's outstretched hand for the man to study, his voice dropping an octive, the only sign of the chaotic anger bubling beneath the surface. "He/she was testing her." His lip curled to expose the incisors that had lowered at the thought of tearing the assassin apart barehanded. "It was a test to see if she was truely her sister's twin. Sage is half Laroux, whereas Bella is human. The shooter wanted to see if the bullet would have any effect on her." Dante's eyes went from midnight, to ice blue, to crimson red as his anger spiked. "This was no wayward bullet. It was ment for Bella and for Bella alone." Dante closed his eyes briefly and rolled his shoulders as if slucing water from his back. "Come. Down the hall is Bella's room. She is in need of aid." Without waiting to see if the pair would folow, Dante turned and started down the hallway. Dante's comments earned a look from Rosemund that most would label as bemused. Her eyebrow lifted ever so slightly and lips twitched to pull into a faint smile. This one had a bit of bite. Most vampires, or any of the others, were more than happy to cower at her feet and pant just to touch the hem of her robes. No doubt they sought to plunge an iron dagger into her fair gleaming golden flesh, but that was another story for another day long in the coming. "I was not born yesterday..." Rosemund stated. Her cold gaze flickered over the room even as she looked to Vane. The bullet was held with ease, marking it as not something fatal to sidhe blood. Vane's gaze was intent upon the projectile unit. His studious gaze focused purely on the threat. Dante's assessment was true; there were many ways to kill a laroux and a human. Both required tactics a bit more ruthless than a strike to the shoulder. The bodyguard shifted slightly, looking for a moment concerned for his charge. Cerridwen would have him drawn, quartered, his entrails strung over the great hall of faerie, before at last granting him death if anything happened to her niece. It made Vane nervous that such a skilled assassin would be near. "If his target was for Bella..." He sighed softly, shaking his thick mass of hair. It sent the ebony tresses tumbling about his chiseled features. Longer than most wore it, his hair came only to his waist, not allowed the floor length tresses of the pure-born sidhe. His silver eyes rest on Rose as she examined the bullet, debating on the best course of healing for the woman to herself. "It would be best if the Princess avoided contact with either woman. There would be a great falling out should anything happen to one of the heirs of faerie..." Technology, it was the worst enemy of the fae. Rose turned at Dante's tired words. Her gaze flickered with compassion for a moment before settling to a hard cold air. "Lead the way..." As her voice slipped past her lips Dante was already turning. One silent feet she moved. The soft jingle of her adornments became mere whispers upon the wind. A haunting effect for the ethereal beauty holding an angel's glow to her lithe body, her pristine features cold and distanced. She had decided the course of treatment while the men spoke of protection and their duties. As they stepped into the room with Bella the sidhe woman appeared different. Somehow she seemed gentler, calmer, and holding an air of soothing. Her eyes were no longer cold metallic pools, but instead shifting golds, autumn greens, and bronzes from the changing trees. Her skin smelled of sunshine and fall rain. Each step lent itself a tinkling sound, gentle as the spring storms and drawing to mind the rebirth of life. Glamour and not glamour, Rosemund appeared as nature would have intended her to be without the harsher lessons of life riding hard upon her back. Quietly she sank to kneel at Bella's bed side. Her gaze gentle and flickering upwards at the woman, awaiting a reaction or sign that she would accept the healing offered by a member of the High Court and one who did not answer to their council or De Los Muertos... Hearing the tinkling, Bella woke, groggily opening her eyes and wincing as she moved to sit up on the bed. Instantly Sage was at her side. pressing her sister back into the bed. While the others had traveled the hallways, Sage had dressed bella in a form fitting silk pajama pants and matching shirt - spagetti strapped so as to not interfere too badly with her injury or her bandages. The crimson silk cascaded over her curvs like water, clinging to her form in a seductive way that was highly unlike the woman in the bed. Even now, her training kicking in as she bit back the pain and made not a sound as her bandages were checked. Like always, her mind turned from herself to more important matters. "What happened to the Highborn?" She demanded, her tongue thick in her mouth and her voice husky from her deep sleep. She swallowed and murmured her thanks as Sage retrieved a glass of water from the nightstand and pressed the straw to her lips. "What of the Highborn? Dama Oscura?" She asked again, her voice back to normal, but with an underlying weariness to the tone. Judging from the look the woman shot her companion, Bella considered it a confirmation of what she had already guessed. Her head dropped back deep into the pillows, her wealth of dark red hair falling about her in a mussed up mass that lent her an air of softness the others had never witnessed from the Rosemund was not without sympathy despite the growing opinions about her. Her voice was soft, losing the carefully pronounced words for the more pleasing accent of her homelands. Her hands were gentle as they removed the bandage. Even surgical tape was sticky, but it seemed to slip off with the lightest touch of her fingertips. Sidhe magic was useful and when used correctly left no residue. "Shh, you need to rest..." Rosemund spoke softly as he examined the wound. Her fingers soft, barely applying pressure to the edges as she examined the flesh for infection. Spells would have to be altered if infection set in and tried to spread. It would take more time and energy. At last pleased that the woman's healing would at least be neat and clean the sidhe turned to look upon Dante and Sage. Variables and she was not sure how they would react to her way of healing. "Vane... If you would please see Mr. Savage and Ms. Reece to the other chambers while I heal her..." Rosemund spoke softly but firmly. Her gaze turned to focus upon Dante. Would his age prove that he knew enough of faerie to know that she would slit her own throat before breaking oath? "I vow no harm shall come to her by my doing... But spells are delicate things, like spider webs..." Her words were chosen carefully. To vow no harm would be overstating, for then she would be bound to protect Bella. Conditions were set to be met. Her attention then turned upon the woman lying so still and helpless in the bed. Slowly rose shifted, drawing the soft material of her gown with her as it rippled about her frame. The sidhe were made for the current fashions, for her frame was slender carrying not an ounce of fat, perfectly lithe and tall. She appeared almost fragile, yet the coolness of her features hinted at hardiness not found in most beings. "Will you accept my healing? " Rose asked Bella softly. Her hand lifted to smooth through the tangled mess of soft red hair. Few had hair of that color, even in the High Court, where one was just as likely to have aqua colored hair as brown. The flame color fascinated her. At last Rosemund met Bella's gaze softly. "I can get council to send another healer if you wish it... But my ways heal cleaner.." "I am not normally one to trust strangers," Bella replied, "but i will accept your help if it will get me out of bed faster." Shooting a telling glance at Sage and Dante, she pointed a finger at them as if scolding a child. "If you two dont take care of things till I'm better I'm going to hunt you down like a pack of hell hounds. I want to know every detail about the shooting and what hapened to the Highborn." Absently Bella rubbed her shoulder in small circles, her tensing muscles protesting against the pain from the wound. sulkily, she sat back, prepared to let the strange woman heal her on the terms it would aid in a speedy recovery to get her out of being bed bound. Even if her wound was only half healed because of it, she would find SOME way to get back to work. * * Sage stormed out of the guest bedroom and stomped down the hundred or so feet of the hallway to the main bathroom, slamming the door behind her out of sheer frustration and fear. She had never seen her sibling - older than her by three minutes - in such a weakened state. In many ways it drove home her own mortality and the fact that being half Laroux and half human ment an uncertain future of her own. Would she age and die as humans did? Or would she live forever and watch, tormented, as her sister and friends aged along with her. Sage bit her clenched fist, praying that it would hold back the scream building in her throat. "You should remember to shut both doors next time you wish privacy." Dante remarked as he entered the bathroom through his bedroom's entrance, the smile on his face freezing as he cought the blatant fear and grief on Sage's face. Instantly he was at her side, jerking her to face him and, as expected, seeing the feelings vanished as if a mask had dropped into place. His anger rising, he shook her, the flash of temper in her emerald eyes a satisfying reaction when weighed against her earlier brooding look. "Never do that." He snapped. "Never hide yourself from me as if i was some damned courtisean who looks down on human emotions and actions." "I'm not human, damnit." Sage shot back, twisting her arms in a natural femanine movement that instantly gained her release. "Bella is human and i'm Laroux and i dont know what the fuck I'll do without her if she dies." Dante sighed, his pale hand lifting to push back a strand of hair that had fallen over her face. His hand slid through her hair to cup the nape of her neck, bringing her forehead against his, her skin warm where his was not. "It will be all right cherie. I can not predict the future," he smirked, "that was not the gift i was born with. But i do know that in the end, no matter what happens, I will be there with you ma douce amie . Till the stars burns out and the universe goes black, I will be with you." Softly he pressed his lips to hers in a comforting kiss, even as he ignored the raging demands his body produced the moment she was anywhere in the vacinity. Sage had other ideas. She opened her mouth to deepen the kiss even as she pressed her body to his. It didnt matter that she had to rise up on tip-toe a little to accomplish it. She was not short for a woman, and he was taller than most men she knew. Still, her heart fluttered when she parted his lips with her tongue and got the true result she desired. She gasped as Dante moaned against her lips, his arms wrapping around her and lifting till her legs could wrap around his waist, even as he backed her against the door. "Weren't we here earlier?" Sage managed to gasp out when his mouth had trailed to her neck in teasing little bites. She shuddered when he licked her skin and absently muttered something that sounded like "Stronger every time..." before capturing her lips again in a deep kiss that had her head spinning. Dante held her tightly against him, her tongue in his mouth, her legs around his waist, the buldge in his pants against the heat of her that he could feel even through her leather pants and his slacks. Summoning his powers, he mentally wished away their clothes and tumbled them both into his bed. He nearly lost it when she abruptly rolled them and nuzzled his neck beneath his chin, licking and nibbling her way down his chest and lower. Quickly sensing her intent he grabbed her and pulled, pinning her beneath him. He was that close. Pinning her wrists above her head with one hand, his free hand trailed over her chest and stomach, lighting little fires within her that caused her to undulate against him. When his hand finally found the wet heat it had been searching for, she screamed his name and hit a climax so intense it was unexpected. It startled him. It shattered him. It made him feel like a god. "Again. Do it again." he managed through gritted teeth as positioned himself and slid deep inside her. There was no time for finesse, no time for foreplay - hell their entire life together had been foreplay - no time for anything more than to ensure her pleasure before taking his own. No sooner did that thought stop, than he felt the orgasm push up from his toes and whiplash through him like a lightening blot as she thrashed and met him thrust for thrust, caught up in her own release. His last rational thought was being grateful the room was so far down the hall, before he moaned deep, groaned out her name as his back arched and he spilled himself in side her in a wet burst that sent her over the edge again. When he came back to his senses, he looked down, realizing Sage had fallen far too quiet. "Sage?" He smiled, thinking her merely relaxed. No responce. "Sage?" Worried now, he released her hands and, with great regret, pulled his lower body from hers. "Wake up ma douce amie . Sage wake up!" He let out a relieved breath when her chest moved and her eyes fluttered open. For all eternity he would remember that moment. Her eyes, normally green, now an iridescent lunar blue with passion, made his throat tighten and his chest constrict. He watched her eyes shut and a dreamy smile cross her face as she stretched like a well fed feline - or in her case wolf - and hummed in satisfaction. Then those long thick black lashes of hers lifted and she laid eyes on once more, speaking words that etched themselves in his heart, his very soul. "My Dante . . . my love. . . ." * * The woman's bristling manner brought to mind that of a hedgehog. All spines and prickliness until you reached their soft belly. A soft almost dreamy laugh escaped her lips. It was the type of laugh expected of fairy tale princesses, or great heroines, not some pretty woman sitting on the edge of one's sick bed. Her golden eyes focused upon Bella with a sort of gentle humor. "A wise manner no doubt... If it assures you any, I am Rosemund nic Ionthe..." Her voice was rich, lilting, drawing one to a land far away and long ago. Rich in knowledge and holding an inner wealth of confidence her voice also spoke volumes about the mirth she concealed. "I am a court trained healer... They sent you one of the best this time... Now Anwyld..." She whispered the soft endearment before her hand brushed lightly over the wound. Her eyes remained open staring as she called upon the magic housed in the body of every sidhe. "Lay still... It may hurt, but I can see you are a fierce warrior...I am here, on this journey with you and I have vowed your safety in my hands..." Rosemund spoke slowly as she wrapped the healing web about them. Each of the elements was pulled into her, distraction caused her glamour to indeed fall away. What Dante and Sage had seen of beauty was left dulled and tarnished by the shining creature holding to Bella. Her skin glowed, rich and burnished gold flickered to a strange eerie bronze before rippling with the light of budding trees. Softly her voice whispered in the back of Bella's mind, warming and heating her blood. It would hurt, but it was mild for all the enchantments Rosemund wrapped around them both. Her hand was almost pure light as she touched the wound before melding their flesh together. A gentle press of her palm to cover Bella's wound. Slowly her hand seemed to sink through the woman's body pausing at the base of the entry. From there her spell started to work. Had Rosemund not been sympathetic, this healing could have been cruel and painful beyond all measures. She was merciful when it suited her. The healing took moments, for the sidhe royal it seemed an eternity. Holding the two spells at once was distracting and nearly painful. Still, her features were serene and unmarked by strain as she released Bella from her hold. Only a small freckling scar remained from the jagged hole in her body. "It will be tender for a day or so..." Rosemund spoke absently before rising. Quickly Vane, who had returned after it was clear Sage and Dante needed privacy, came to her side wrapping and arm around her waist to keep her from falling. His eyes held a great deal of reproof for pushing herself to the extent she did. Just speeding up the recovery would have satisfied the council, not that Rosemund was answerable to them anyways. It was rather the opposite at times. Wisely the man held his tongue. Instead he supported the wearily swaying Princess with a stout sort of integrity.... Moving her arm, Bella winced against the stiffness of the freshly healed wound, knowing it would be so for a day or two. Such was the price of healing. Absently she fingered the scar, adding it to the many others she had obtained over the years. From what she had surmised, from looking at the calendar on the wall, she had been in and out of consciousness, wracked with fever for four days. She knew she would not be on top form, and would still be expected to rest for a few days yet, but at least now she could leave Dante's and return to her own house in the bayou. "My many thanks, m'lady. It is indeed an honor to be healed by one of the sidhe." She paused, meeting the woman's gaze levelly and praying she offended no one with her next statement. "I know that due to my humanity, I am not held in high favour with those in constant contact with the high courts and the council. I know that because of my parantage i am an outcast, so . . . " Confusion and genuine interest crossed her features even as she swung her legs to the other side of the bed to try and stand and test her strength. "Why send a great healer for a mere human? This i do not understand at all. Perhaps while you are explaining that you can tell me the real reason why you are here." Rosemund watched her measure the mobility of her arm and the tenderness. It would fade swiftly and in truth often times the scars did as well. She could not vouch for it, healing half breeds and humans were a foreign thing for her. Vane's hands were gentle, amazingly so for how she vexed him, as he helped her settle in a chair. Her hands plucked at her gown forcing the drape and fold of the rich cloth to trace perfectly down her long legs. Her dark skinned bodyguard shifted then, to take presence near her in attempt to keep her safe. Bella's question amused them both. Vane's eyes sparkled and danced with flecks of silver as the woman's words washed over them. She was trying for politeness, or at least as much as she could manage. That she had been through a traumatic event made Rosemund and Vane a bit more understanding. Uncertain of what the high strung royal's response would be the guard turned to her with a soft word. "Highness..." It was enough to warn her that this situation demanded care. "Always impatient... I think that is a mark of the race..." Absently she ran her fingers through Vane's long hair. The touch of her faintly glowing flesh along his silken tresses caused the guard to groan and move closer. It was not a sexual or demeaning touch, simply an offering of comfort. Humans placed too much and yet not enough in the touch. A faint smile trailed along Rosemund's lips as she continued to speak. Nightshade Ch. 02 "The High Court is known for its lack of adoration to the humans, but we are not completely ntolerant... You are not special, do not think that I say this from meanness.." Rosemund ignored the faint pressure of Vane's hand along her fair flesh, seemingly uncaring that smudges of purple would later mark where he had touched her. "I only speak so to clarify... We were sent here by the High Court for your council among other things... You were wounded in the line of duty and I offered my services" When Bella moved to stand Rosemund nudged Vane to go assist her. "canfod a 'm yn iacháu ydy mo 'n guriedig at brysia*" ((See that my healing is not wasted to impatience)) The command was implicit in her voice. Quickly the dark haired sidhe moved to offer a polite and respectful bow to Bella. "Lady..." His voice was dark, rumbling, seeming to almost be on the verge of a growl. This woman could be a marked danger to his ward, but at the same time she was a protector like him. With such he could afford to be respectful, at least in privacy. "My reasons are my own and not my own... You know of the sidhe, but do not know how heirs are chosen..." Rosemund breathed softly. A race to the throne, to prove fertility and the first of her cousins or herself to accomplish this lived. The rest became targets for the winner to have disposed of. It happened often in their world, fertility was everything, for children were rare in faerie and far rarer among the sidhe... Nightshade Ch. 03 My many thanks to hex_nalun and Rosemund_deBurg for corroborating with me on this. You guys rock!!! ******************** "So... the Sword has ordered me here... A town called Nightshade..." The young man's voice trailed off a bit. His short golden brown hair rustled a little in the breeze as he stepped out of the car. Not much could be told about him at a glance. The man appeared to be in his late 20s. He wore dark sunglasses and a fine suit. A soft Spanish accent wisped on his voice as he glanced around, looking for someone. A small moonstone amulet rested over his tie. It glinted slightly as he moved. "Ciro Tarrago." A well built man, obviously a bodyguard of some kind, stood next to another black tinted car, waiting. Though he seemed to know the man's name he made no effort to move towards him. "Yes?" The Spaniard asked as he walked over to the bodyguard. The bodyguard stood motionless as he waited for something. Moving slightly, Ciro gestures to the bodyguard, producing a small sigil. The Bodyguard nodded slightly and opened the car door. "I'm glad you could make it Master Tarrago. You've heard of our situation here?" The bodyguard asked softly. "Yes, I have heard, I am also aware of the recent failure. The De La Muertos and the Reece family will now be on guard because your men do not know how to kill. Because of these failures, I was asked to oversee a few things myself." Ciro replied softly. He carried a long parcel, holding it carefully under his arm. "There is a hotel not too far from here. I would rather walk, if you don't mind. I would say to tell the others that I am here, but they undoubtedly know already." He continued as he turned away from the street lamp and began walking down the road. The moonstone amulet he wore seemed to flicker softly as he moved. Ciro walked slowly, enjoying the change of pace. He smiled softly as he removed his sunglasses, tucking them neatly into the front pocket of his jacket. One of the few pleasure he still had the liberty to take on his own were these slow walks. His storm cloud silver eyes shimmered in the evening light. He took a moment to enjoy the night air. Yes... this would be the battleground. Not just this road, but also perhaps all of Nightshade. But not now, now it was just a road and he was just a traveler. Turning slightly, Ciro decided that a slow walk through the nearby park would perhaps give him a moment to catch up on recent events. Though he had only arrived in Nightshade this evening, his shadow had moved before him, watching and listening. The park would be a good place for it to find him. In the dimming light, Ciro easily stood at around 5'10" but he always seemed just an inch taller than he really was. Carrying the parcel under his arm, he started making his way towards the park. The cool evening air felt good. With practiced hands, Ciro quickly removed his jacket, draping it over the parcel he carried. Under his jacket, he wore a soft, silk shirt. Ciro took a minute to cuff his sleeves back to his elbows before continuing. The light fabric did little to hide his athletic build. He was slim, toned, and from what could be told by the soft light, had the body of a swimmer or a fencer perhaps. ** Bella jerked backward out of reflex, her hand going to the surface of the bed for balance. The movement caused her waist length braid of dark red hair to slide over her shoulder and rest against the scooped neckline of her spaghetti-strap pajama shirt. The red silk looked like living blood on her form, the color picking up the peaches and cream complexion of her skin. "My many thanks for the offer of assistance, but as you can see I can manage just fine on my own." Inwardly her body crawled beneath her skin. Only with Dante, Dylan, and her father had she been able to stomach their touch. It was a hold over from her childhood when she had been kidnapped and ransomed in an attempt to kill her mother. She could still feel the hands tugging her backward against the hard body, her little feet kicking and her fingers clawing at the arm that held her. There was a reason Bella Reece never used a gun. She had already felt it's cool steel against her temple when the kidnapper had threatened to end her life. It was then, at the age of five, that she had not only witnessed her first murder and death, but vowed never to be scared again. Her current actions had nothing to do with Vane. It was just an automatic reflex that happened when she felt at a disadvantage. And, like it had happened since the first anniversary of her kidnapping, her spine straightened and training took over. "Nothing personal or anything. Training habit." She shot Vane a look that he would understand. Keep your back to the corner and the whole room, and its occupants, in sight. It was an old ingrained habit any warrior knew. Silently stalking to her closet, Bella opened the door and stepped inside, reaching to make sure her dagger was within throwing distance. After pausing a second to make sure no one would follow, she donned black leather pants and a low cut dark blue halter top, she raised her arms carefully and tied the thin straps around her neck, beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead by the time she was finished. As she walked back into the room, she prepared herself for the typical scolding she was sure to get from the healer. Silently she sat down on the bed and reached for her boots, slowly lacing the boot before fastening the buckle over the strings. "Before you start, " Bella said politely, picking up a small black backpack/purse. "I am just going for a slow walk around the park. I've been in this house for four days and i would actually like to eat something edible. Dante is the best swordsman on the south coast, but he cant cook worth a damn." ** The soft moonlight was calming, peaceful, it made Ciro's hair glow like aged gold as he made his way through the old gates that lead to the park. It let Ciro forget about the troubles and work that lay before him. He hummed a soft song to himself as he walked. His steps were leisurely and slow. Everything seemed so quiet to him. Sighing softly, he slowly lowered his guard. No here would know who he was, and keeping up wards and enchantments always drained him greatly. Sore muscles ached softly as he made his way over to a bench to sit and rest. He leaned back to gaze into the endless sky. "So beautiful..." He whispered softly to himself as he closed his eyes. Darkness gave him visions of a woman in black with hair that held flame captive. "You don't expect me to believe that you brought me out here to show me a girl you found, do you, mi poca sombra?" (my shadow) He asked softly as he felt the darkness of the night moving around him. ** Rosemund looked at her calmly, unmoved by the woman's stubborn nature. Humans were like that; odd really. Their determination to prove that they were not frail and fleeting creatures always fascinated the Sidhe. Like the scampering and struggles of mice drew the attention of other predators. To bad the Sidhe had stopped eating humans centuries ago. The stupid pact had been put in place and they now had to abide by playing by the rules. The De Los Muertos had married into the Sidhe royal family generations prior, lending them the ties to the royal court that they needed to bind the Sidhe to their laws. An annoyance really, since only the beauty and charm of faerie remained in their blood; leaving them without the abilities of the Sidhe and the durability. "Scold you? Hardly, if you wish to exhaust yourself and send your body back to the sick bed and Mr. Savage's foul cooking for a fortnight then please do so at your leisure..." Rosemund had no intentions of healing her again. Exhaustion for humans could be solved by sleep and food. They were such simple creatures, but then Rosemund expected nothing less of those with such fleeting lives. A soft sigh escaped the Sidhe royal as she rose to her feet. No longer swaying her glamor had been put back into place. Still unearthly beautiful she no longer glowed the beautiful golden and bronze color. Her hair was simply gold with brown highlights instead of being the slumbering autumnal earth. Even her eyes seemed less, only their changing and swirling colors made her different from human eyes. Part of the compact, no fae wandering with their beings unshielded by glamor; it wasn't fair to the weak willed humans who were easily seduced. "However, I did vow to Mr. Savage that no harm would come to you of my hand... So if you don't mind I will accompany you... I have yet to eat and I am sure you know well of places to dine that will not disturb my sense of cleanliness..." Her careful placement of words had slipped back as she moved into her cold disdain. A mask to hide what she was feeling and one long used to protect her from cousins who would kill her with a smile and a kiss. Duels for Rosemund were not unheard of and beneath her dress were many scars dotting down her slender form, shaping into what would seem an intricate pattern. Her healing magic could indeed be used for harm and it made her a feared member of the faerie court. After her fifth duel all involved mortality being invoked. It kept the abuse to her body down. Now, all Rosemund worried for were the stealth and shadows assassination attempts. Rosemund could see the woman's nervousness in being touched. She was curious, wondering indeed what caused such wariness. Still she was too well mannered to ask or pry. That was something humans did not the Sidhe. Instead she walked towards Bella. Her lips curving into her best semblance of a wry and bemused grin as she offered her arm. "My balance has not fully recovered from healing you... Keeping glamor and walking would prove a challenge, if you would do me the honor of assisting me? Vane will keep us safe..." She ignored Vane's look of approval, as if he just realized that his mistress was neither vapid nor cold as she pretended. His dark eyes warmed slightly in approval as he looked over the two women. Perhaps Cerridwen had reasons why this niece out of her many was her favored. Still the dark man shifted, moving smoothly and silently as a shadow. His sleek form glinting slightly as he stalked forward to open the door for both ladies... Bella could do no other than concede to Rose's request, at least not without seeming ruder than she had already been. Pushing her long braid over her shoulder, she grabbed her pack and moved to the woman's side. Silently holding up her left forearm for support, Sage followed Vane out of the room and down the hall before stopping. "Hey Dante!" She called through the door. "Don't make my sister late for guard duty. She has to be there in three hours." Bella took Rose's hand upon her arm again, and continued following Vane out the front door, unable to help noticing the difference between the three of them. Vane seemed like a wild thing in a man's body, barely leashed and controlable. He seemed to glide as she did, on the balls of her feet as if ready for an assault out of any and all directions. The woman . . . Bella studied Rose and envied everything she presented to the outside world. Class, grace, proper manners, eloquence and a grace she would have loved to bottle and sell on the internet. Inwardly she sighed to herself, knowing that such things were only bestowed on those with the cash to pay for it, or the blue blood of the higher born clans and families of the town. Her mother had had that. There was not a person alive in this town who didnt know of the dancer Dominique Vasquez-Reece. Born of the leader of the Laroux family had helped her ease her way through the private school all higher born children of Nightshade attended. She graduated at the top of her class and had gone off to college at Yale, graduating there in the top five percent, even with a dance scollarship. Sage had that grace, that poise, that calmness about her at times that made her heart ache with loniless for their mother. Abruptly, Bella dropped her arm from under Rose's hand. She stood straight and tall, her form outlined on one side by the nearby streetlights, and by the dark of the City park on the other. Her hand began to tremble, and she flattened her hand against her leg, her free hand clutching the strap of the pack like it was a life line. "I must give you my apologies, milady." She spouted suddenly, her mother's lessons in courtly manners beginning to roll through her head. She stood straight and formal, her hand crossing over to her left shoulder and laying flat across her chest as if giving the Pledge of Allegiance. "But here is where our paths must depart. I owe you a debt for healing me, and will be grateful to return it should there need be. I . . . I had promised to visit some comrades once i had recovered. I fear it is not a place one of the Sidhe would prefer to frequent due to its location deep within the waters of the bayou. I shall remain at Dante's for a fortnight till things have settled with the De Los Muertos. Should you have need of me you will find me there. Or through Dante and Sage." Even as she spoke, her legs carried her step by step, backward into the waiting shadows, sliding her pack over her head, the single strap's buckles fastening with a snap over her chest. ~ Go...Go....Go...GO! GO! GO! ~ Her mind fairly shouted inside her head. Her breathing hitched and she spun, taking her leave before the panic attack could hit her hard. Once out of sight she ran, her training kicking in as she ran through the woods, leaping over boulders and fallen tree trunks, her mind forcing her body to it's limits as it screamed silently within her. It was that realization that she ran from. Death. She had nearly died. Died in the same way as her mother had, as her father and step-mother had died two years ago. As her uncles and aunts had died a year ago. Someone was out for Laroux blood. But not any Laroux . . . those of the the Reece family. She had always been the strong one, the older sibling, the protector, the teacher, the center of the family when all else tried to break them apart. Now . . . now she ran. She ran from her own mortality and the thought that there was actually someone with the ability to escape her, the ability to kill her. If they could kill her, take her out, then the remaining members of her family, of the Laroux clan were sitting targets. She didn't know how long she ran, but eventually she stopped, in the middle of the path with her breath wheezing and her shoulder aching, as she braced her hands on her knees and attempted to breathe naturally. She had just gotten her breath under control when a voice whispered maliciously from the darkness. "Bella . . . Bella Reece. . . come out and play Bella. You know you want to." Her head snapped up as her hand darted into the pack at her back, bringing out what looked like a long black flashlight the length of her hand. With a casual flick of her wrist, it extended into a staff made of black metal. Carved into the surface were light gray runes in the ancient language. Runes of strength, runes of concentration, runes of balance, and runes of protection and power. She knew she was at a disadvantage because of her wounded shoulder, but it wouldn't be the first time she had been caught unawares and she recovered quickly. "What have you of me?" She asked formally, challenging whatever called to her from the shadows. Her hands tightened on the staff as a demon took shape, seeming to bleed from the shadows like a parasite from a corpse. "Aramenel." She sneered. "Reece." It answered back, the deep voice sounding like gravel to her ears. "I've come to finish what i started." "You couldn't take me even if i were a corpse." She said, stepping light on the balls of her feet. "You know it's illegal for you to be in the park at night. What would your master Maddox say if he found you slinking around among the humans, breaking the treaty he signed just a week ago?" "You talk too much." HE spat, his eyes flashing a glowing red before raising his clawed hands and leaping at her. Like most demons, his body was mainly muscle and shrouded in a long black cloak. His hands were bony and curved slightly, the claws stained with the blood of countless victims and kills. This one had fought for position and rank, and thought to gain a place in the Maddox army should he take out a Black Guardian. Bella was the best, the best of the best, and there were few that she knew who could take her in battle. Dante was one. Sage, obviously, the other. "Ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light?" Aramenel hissed, his long snake like tongue flicking against his leathery skin. "Now why would i want to dance with myself?" She taunted, bracing herself for his attack. She didn't have long to wait. ** "But... who is she?" Ciro continued softly. The shadows told him many things. She was neither Laroux nor De La Muertos, so why was she at the plantation house? The shadows also had a name for her, Bella... "Here? Now?" Ciro managed to hear as he turned to see two figures some distance off. He could feel it, danger, and death. His shadow whispered of death. In the dim park's light, his moonstone amulet began to glow. A flickering of a flame at first, but as he focused on the two, the crystal pulsed malevolently with hate and anger. One word echoed and laughed through his mind, Sidhe... The Fey folk that he hated with a passion that scoured his heart. Quickly snatching up his parcel and jacket he made his way towards the two. In the dim light he could make them out barely. His silver eyes were slitted against the silhouetting darkness as he moved. One was a woman, the other, a demon. Muscles, tight and toned as woven steel moved under white cotton and black silk as Ciro wove quickly towards them. His body moved like softened clay, mixing and melding with the darkness. He had no fear of repercussions from using a bit of power here. The moon gave him strength and the darkness gave him speed, there was no one to see him. Blending with shadows, he moved without a sound. He stopped, standing in darkness. Shadows arched up and bent to shroud him from sight as he neared the two. His silver eyes widened as he saw her... the girl from the vision. Letting the adrenaline ease the tension he felt in his muscles, he straightening up a bit as he pushed back the veil of shadows that kept him hidden. "Find your prey elsewhere, foul beast. I will not let you harm her." Ciro spoke as he approached. His hand rested on the parcel under his jacket where a hint of steel shone forth. Ciro's Spanish accent curled around his words, but hidden behind his voice was another, hidden behind his voice was the voice of his shadow. The shadow's voice was soft and strong. It echoed Ciro's words but had a deep Bayou accent that seemed to soak every word through. It was though it was the voice of Nightshade itself, an echo of the land that lay hidden behind the mysterious young man. ~Bella... my ma Bella... I have found you...~ Words that whisper softly through the wind, spoken by shadows and nothing more. From deep within the bowels of the city park's clock tower, a long clear loud tone struck and echoed through the evening sky. Again and again it sounded, nine . . . ten . . . eleven . . . twelve . . . It happened fast. The man spoke, Bella turned to look, and the Seere Demon slammed hard into her chest - the force knocking her back thirty feet to land at the stranger's feet. "Thanks for giving them the heads up." Bella spat, standing and twisting the pole in her hands at the middle, blades erupting out of the end of her staff with a swish of metal. Aramenel turns to the leader of the cronies and orders the attack. "I want you to rip that bitches heart out. I want to delivered to me in a doggy back. I want payback. Bitch!" Nightshade Ch. 03 "All talk no show." Bella taunted with a sneer, noting the growing thickness of shadows around her. She kept the stranger in her peripheral vision, unknowing her thoughts were transmitting themselves clear as if she had been speaking. ~Don't know. Don't trust. One of Aramenel's? Or my attacker from the house? But the voice . . . the voice . . i know that voice from somewhere. Damn, Aramenel is a strong demon but he brought the pack with him this time. Hope this guy can take care of himself, cause i wont have time to.~ Bella glanced at the man, the cold disdain in her eyes opposite to her thoughts. ~ Pity too. Hottie with an accent. Waste of good eye candy.~ "How long has it been, Aramenel?" She asked, moving into position. "It doesn't matter how long it was. Because I am here to extract my revenge." Aramenel stated as he straightened his pose and cracked his neck. "Bring it on demon-dog." Bella taunted, one side of her lips quirking into a dark smile. Rushing head long into the fray, she whipped her staff about and twirled, dodged, and fought her way through the Seere Demons, her blade whistling through the air with deadly accuracy. Her movements were fluid as water, her body leaping to a nearby fence and balancing on the top rung of the fence with a balance a ballerina would envy. She grinned, sweeping her arm, the blade of her staff slicing off claws and hands, ears and arms, feet and legs. using her staff to pole vault over the small group, Bella landed on her feet and surveyed the chaos around her. "Daragon! Rip her chest out and bring me her heart!" Aramenel ordered the demon to his left. "Very well master." The 5 foot demon answered in a low raspy voice as it tossed of a cloak to reveal a scythe with a 3 ft. long blade. "Its my turn now." The creature continued is his deep raspy voice, The creature took a flying leap at the fence taking one quick smooth slice at the bottom cutting it off at the ground and reversing his attack just as quickly towards Bella. Bringing up her staff, she blocked the blow and swung, pinwheeling the staff and launching Daragon beyond her a few feet. She slammed her bootheel into his back and knocked a few nearby Seeres to their backs with a swipe of her staff. "That all you got?" She faked a yawn. "And here i thought Maddox trained his lapdogs better." She said with a smile, leaning comfortably on her staff. Daragon lept high and flipped in mid-air, his feet pushing against the the head of one of the demons and launching himself back at Bella. He flew back and flung miniature scythes, very similar to ninja stars, at her and flipped over her head, landing just behind her. His strong demon arms lifted and swung his scythe in front of her, attempting to trip her with the blunt end of the blade. Ducking and rolling, Bella dodged the small scythes and as she stood, slammed down her staff, pinning the Seere weapon to the asphalt before glancing up. When their eyes met, she grinned, gave a little air kiss, then head butted him hard. As he stumbled black, her fist shot out and jammed his nose into his brain and killed him instantly. She backed away from the body, watching the other waiting Seeres circle her with talons outstretched. Again that dark little smile crossed her face, knowing the fun was just about to begin. "You've gotten better since or last encounter." Aramenel stated sarcastically. "And I see you have brought a friend with you this time. Have you told him about how most people seem to wind up dead when they hang with you?" Amanenel taunted as he gave an evil laugh and glanced at a handful of the nearby demons who dissolved into the shadows on the ground and reappeared behind Ciro. "I love it when history repeats itself." Aramenel spoke as he continued with his evil laugh. Ciro watched her, enthralled by Bella's deadly grace and beauty. Her curt words and disdainful glare felt like knives as they cut through the air. Perhaps he had made a mistake coming here, perhaps his shadow meant to warn him of her, not attract him to her. Ciro did not intend to have his words give the Demon an opening to strike at the girl. However, now was not the time to feel regret, now was the time to act. Visions that he did not yet understand flashed through his mind's eye. Visions of war, visions of slaughter. Instantly he knew the name of his foes, Seeres... "History cannot repeat what it has never seen before... You laugh as though you have won. Tell me, how do you plan to win when you are outnumbered?" Ciro asked as his grip tightened around the parcel he carried. Ciro had little experience encountering Demons, but hoped that the gifts he had received earlier in the night would be enough. Shadows whispered warnings to him as the demons appeared behind him. His body moves with darkling grace as the parcel he carried shredded its paper husk. Twin sheaths and a parrying dagger fell to the ground as the paper flitted to the ground around them. The moonlight glistened off of twin-borne rapiers of black iron, one in each hand. "Let us dance, a whirlwind's stride." Ciro smiled coldly as he listened to the voices of twilight within him. He spoke not to the demons, but to the shadows, inviting them to lift free. He knew the cost he would have to pay for interfering and was willing to pay it. ~Bella... ma bella... watch me... know me... I am shadow... I am death...~ The shadows whispered softly to her as they lifted free from the ground to entwine the young man and his blades. Seeres rushed at him from the darkness behind him. Cold iron blades bit and hewn as his steps turned him into a whirlwind of shadow and steel. Several of the Seeres stumbled back, able to avoid the first of the whirlwind blades. Bodies fell like cut grass before the black iron blades. Hacked limbs and mangled corpses spewed blood across the park lawn. Though his swords were meant to pierce, honed shadow taught them how to slice as he wielded them against the demons. Ciro kept a cold, collected silence about him as he fought. Of those that realized what they faced, something rare happened, a glimmer of fear sparked amongst them. But that fear was weighed against the fear they had of Aramenel and they rushed in to fight, dashing towards openings and lunging at Ciro. Twin-borne blades of unforged iron swirled with dangerous passion. Pivoting in place, the dark blades that sung around Ciro sliced through limb and core. His weight easily shifted from ball to heel as he spun and lunged, thrusting his blade through the neck of a Seere, silencing the gurgled screams of pain. His grace did not match Bella's though. There was something dangerously inhuman about it. Something forged and honed in dreams and nightmares. Unlike Bella's staff, the blades he used bore no runes. His strength and grace was different from hers. Nothing but the white shirt and dress pants he wore was there to protect him. His strength seemed to come from his own arms. But, no.... Something was there, guiding his steps. Something dangerous and unseen that strengthened him and protected him. Simple iron could never be that sharp or fast. There was a hidden magic to his dance. Whatever it was, it began to greatly disturb the demons. It was a magic they had never encountered the likes of before. Death screams echoed, and blood splattered as the swords sought out the inhuman impurity around him. As the dance slowed to a turning finish, only corpses lay in the wake of the black iron maelstrom. Sweat beaded and dripped from Ciro's brow as he turned back to the fight between Bella and Aramenel. Aramenel gasped as the two cut his legion down to a mere three remaining, yet wounded, soldiers. "THIS ISN'T OVER BITCH!" He screamed, black smoke rising to encase the group before it dispersed. "You always were a chicken, Aramenel!" She called out into the night, knowing the demon would hear her final words, the dissipating smoke leaving the lane empty save for Bella and the stranger. Her skin glistened seemed to glow under the streetlights, the fine sheen of sweat on her skin a testament to her training and stamina, despite the fact her shoulder throbbed like a bitch and a half. Her chest heaved, but not labored, with deep breaths, the adrenaline of the fight still in her. She stood with demon blood on her boots, her weapon and clothes, her hair having long since fallen from her braid to lay in a waist length mussed mass of dark red curls. Her halter top clung to her skin and molded every curve from the tie at her neck, to the low riding waistband of her leather pants. She lifted her freehand to push her sweat slicked hair out of her eyes, her shirt riding up to reveal small intricate tattoos encircling her belly button. She glanced over her shoulder at the stranger, then turned completely when noting the bodies at his feet. His eyes met hers briefly, and nodded her approval with a little flirty quirk of her lips - still unaware that her thoughts were projecting themselves telepathically. ~Damn. Hottie with an accent who can fight too? Yep. There goes my libido.~ She chuckled. ~Down girl. You don't even know who he is.~ Out loud she said: "I am in your debt sir." She spoke formally, her hand fisting itself over her left shoulder as she bowed from the waist slightly. "I am Bella Reece, Black Guardian and one of the protectors of the Highborn of the De Los Muertos. Might I have your name sir, so I may know whom to send my thanks for aid in this tussle." Her eyes met his but took in everything, the shape of his body, his foreign looks, his accent when he spoke to defend her. Everything about him screamed lethal and dangerous, to both her enemies and her libido. Never one to make a first move, always cautious, Bella straightened herself and tilted her head questioningly, a cute curiosity of a look that softened her features and made her seem more approachable. She wondered to herself if he were like the vain courtiers she had had as lovers over the years, who prided themselves on their virility, but were loathsome to publicly acknowledge knowing her beyond friendship. Realizing her thoughts had gone to the passionless people she now borderline despised, Bella shook herself slightly and brought herself back to the present. "And who on earth do you have waiting in the shadows? I heard his voice in my head before. I thought i was merely dreaming." Reaching down to clean the blood from her staff on one of the cloaks of the Seere corpses, she awaited his answers. "You do not dream..." Ciro spoke softly. The Spanish accent seemed to barb his words as he turned his moon-silver gaze towards her. As their eyes met, she could feel the silvery light of his pouring into her, through her. It sought something, and sought it with rage and passion. He did not want to believe what he had heard... Reece.... He was torn, unsure of what to say or do. She was a Reece, terrible through and through. So why was she fighting demons? Why did his shadow not tell him? "I am Ciro, Ciro Tarrago. You should mind your thoughts, Ms. Reece, they betray you. I can hear them as clearly as I hear you." Ciro spoke softly as he turned to retrieve his jacket and the remains of the parcel. As he moved, again his muscles pulled like woven steel beneath his white dress shirt as it clung lightly to his damp body. His soft aged golden hair rustled slightly in the breeze, not a strand had fallen from place despite the sweat that beaded on his brow. His cuffed sleeves held tight to his biceps just above the elbow, showing his sun-kissed skin. He felt completely betrayed by his own shadow. Why was he lead to one of those who would have him dead in a heartbeat? Why was he so compelled to interfere on her behalf just now? Ciro longed to look back at her. She was beautiful. He could not deny that he longed to feel the gentle brush of her hair or the gentle touch of her hand. All of her beauty was natural, he could see the magic that laced around her. One of the 'gifts' his cursed eyes gave him. Ciro couldn't believe the thoughts that ran through his mind. Not once had he felt this attraction before. It caught him off guard. He didn't understand. He usually didn't when the shadows spoke. Kneeling on the bloodied grass, Ciro lifted his jacket and the remains of the parcel. He slowly stood, his back turned to Bella. As he did, his shadow peeled away from him. It took on a life of its own as it stood next to him. He turned to face her again, both of them did. "As for my shadows, no one waits for me within them. My shadows are as real as I am. When they speak, they speak with a voice we want to hear. It is nothing to take interest in, Ms. Reece. Just a trick the Sidhe wouldn't even take a second glance at... " Ciro replied, softly. His silver eyes seemed to soften as he spoke. The sharp chill of battle had left them, leaving them warm and oddly inviting. Ciro could suddenly feel the aches of his muscles again as the spells around him dissipated. Stammering softly, he stumbled and fell to a knee. The parcel he held along with his jacket spilled to the ground again as he caught himself. The two black-iron rapiers lay amongst the scabbards that were made for them. Alongside them lay a strange dagger. Ciro held himself painfully as his muscles reminded him that he had not had decent sleep in days, nor any food for nearly a day as well. Bella felt a chill crawl up her spine as his gaze bored into hers, followed on it's heels by an intense whiplash of lust that took all her training to bank down. Twisting her hand, her staff returned to it's smaller size, and although she sensed no threat from the man, he was still a stranger and so she kept her weapon in hand. It was his words that froze her in her tracks. "My thoughts?" She blinked, shock registering on her face. "But . . . I'm not telepathic with anyone I am not blood related to." Her hands tightened on her weapon momentarily when his shadow seemed to peel itself form his body. He was what the Black Guardians had loosely termed a Shadow Warrior. How could this be? They were rumored to be lead by the Righteous Sword, the very people she was sworn to protect De Los Muertos from. Her gaze studied his unfamiliar looks, again feeling that blast of hunger in her belly. The urge to run her fingers over his brow and ease the weariness that seemed so put up on him shocked her. Her gasp was audible when he stumbled and she leapt forward, managing to slide her shoulder under his arm and take a good portion of his weight. Her long red tresses brushed over his arm as she felt it slide around her shoulders. Her emerald colored eyes met his, her throat tightening and causing her to clear her throat before speaking. "You fought valiantly Tarrago." She muttered softly, her gaze darting over his face questioningly before darting down to stare at his lips once, then returning north again. "I have friends here that can give you a room for the night if you desire it. You defended me and for that I owe you a debt of both honor and gratitude." Her lush curves pressed against his side as her left arm wrapped around his back, her cold body seemed to relish the warmth of his and somehow feel alive for the first time since she was a child. She hid her shock, wondering what that meant. She was human, a live, not vampire, but yet her body never seemed warm to her. To others she was normal and vitally alive, but inside, where it counted, she was frozen in a world of the dead and dying. "What say you Tarrago? Maybe by allowing you shelter for the night i can begin to repay the debt i owe you." Her skin was flushed from the fight, her lips the lightest of pinks until she licked them habitually, the luscious curve and dip of her lips turning a normal shade of red. She stared into his eyes, and for one panicked moment, drowned in his silver gaze. ** When Dante woke, he was sure of two things: a great deal of time had passed, and Sage was nowhere to be found. He pushed away the black sheet covering him and, naked, strode through the house looking for her. Thanks to his vampire senses, he knew both she and the others were not in the house. Nor had Bella returned. He was just turning to return to his room to dress when the front doorknob twisted. Thankful for the ability to see in the dark as if it were clear as daylight, Dante darted beside the solid English oak door and waited, moments later he heard the lock snick and the door opened, a tall form in a cloak entering the house and shutting the door behind them. Seeing as how he was in the corner between the door and the wall, the stranger didn't see him as he jumped into attack, rolling and struggling to stay on top. His breath whooshed out of him as a knee landed in his gut, the jab enough to ease up on his strength and allow the bugler time to grab a knife and point it dangerously close to his favorite protruding part. Dante's breath heaved in his chest as he froze, then let a stream of curses roll from his tongue in Cajun French that did nothing but earn him a poke with the knife. "Damnit Sage," he spat out, easing back. "You could have castrated me with that thing." Sitting on the floor, he rubbed his hands over his face and glared at the woman he had just spent the better part of the last few hours fucking into exhaustion. Which, apparently said he was getting old considering she had enough strength to leave the house. "Which reminds me," He snapped as she stood, pushing back her cloak and picking a bag up off the floor. "Where the hell were you. I woke and you were gone." Sage's eyes snapped with temper. "Don't take that tone with me Dante. I'm not some wayward child you can order about. For your information I went to get some clothes, some groceries, and to do what my sister asked me to. " She turned and glared over her shoulder. "Which i would have done if someone hadn't fallen asleep on me around round six of the fuck-fest." She snapped, deliberately trying to hurt him. She wasn't used to the urge to ride herself into a pleasured oblivion, add that to the pent up need for him that she'd harbored for years and it made her bitchy. She gasped when he jerked her around and pushed her against the living room wall. Dante's temper snapped. Five hundred plus years of training went out the door whenever she was around. He pushed her against the wall and crushed his mouth to hers, allowing her to see the full reign of his passion and his temper that she had only barely tasted throughout the night. The need to rend and tear and just take, take, take had burst through him as if a dam had been broken. He was always one of honor, one of protocol, one of caring and concern. Not tonight, he thought absently as his hands tossed her cloak on the ground, as they practically tore the thin strapped top from her body, barring her breasts for his hungry mouth. Her hands fisted in his hair as he sucked her nipple into his mouth, relishing the near scream she gave when his free hand ripped aside her thong and leather miniskirt and he thrust himself deep in her wet folds. Again and again he pounded into her, his hungry angry mouth trailing up to her throat and snipping angrily there. "Next time leave a note where you're going or take me with you." He snapped, his teeth sending shoots of fire along her skin that seemed to pool in her body and around the shaft pounding relentlessly in and out of her. "I belong to no man, nor follow any he dictates." She snapped even as she bit down hard on his shoulder as an orgasm unexpectedly rocked through her. "You will not find me as easy to set aside, ma Cherie . . " He growled out, seconds before his incisors sank into the jugular at her neck. Dying. She had to be dying from an overload of passion. She could hardly believe the loud whimpering moan erupting from her throat actually belonged to her, the sound repeated again and again as he grabbed her leg and thrust himself into her over and over again. She rocked her hips against his, sliding down over him for every return upward thrust, her hands buried in his long midnight hair as she gasped out his name. Colors burst behind her closed eyelids when his teeth sank into her neck, the shock of intense pain turning into immediate pleasure so intense she thought she would never survive the aftermath. Nightshade Ch. 03 "Scream for me, ma Cherie." He ordered roughly, his breath choppy as his hips began to pick up speed and piston against her, the wetness of her folds sliding around him with a loud wet sucking sound as his hips smacked over and over against hers. "Scream for meee!" He bit out, burying his face in her neck as he felt the orgasm blast up from his toes and roar through him like a freight train, his body hunched over hers as if to bury himself deep in her womb. "DANTEEEEEEEEEEEE!" She screamed as the orgasm hit them both, their powers manifesting in a mutual scream so loud that it cracked the windows in their frames. Her body convulsed around his, milking his shaft of its seed even as he grunted with each blast that burst inside her. When they returned to awareness, Dante lifted his head and stared deep into her eyes, her chest heaving just as hard as his was. Wrapping his arms around her, he picked up her other leg and wrapped it around his waist and strode down the hall to his bedroom. feeling the shuddering aftershocks that went through her as his cock moved inside her with every stride. Once beside the bed, he leaned down and pulled back the covers before sitting down with her still wrapped around him, her arms snaking around his neck as she rose and fell with the help of his hands, bringing themselves to another slow and endless climax that had them both gasping for air when it was done. Keeping himself lodged deep inside her, Dante lay back on the bed, one hand buried in her long red hair, the other tight on the curve of her ass to hold her in place. "Sage?" He asked, the blood pounding in his body finally lowering to a manageable level. "Hmmm?" she responded sleepily, rubbing her face against his chest before settling her ear over his heartbeat. "Next time you leave like that . . . don't bother with the underwear. You'll run out of 'em in a week." He chuckled sleepily as she giggled and her fist lightly socked him in the shoulder, the fingers opening and sliding to rest over the right side of his chest. Waving a hand, he telekinetically relocked the door in the living room, shut and locked the bedroom door, and pulled the covers over them. TO BE CONTINUED... Nightshade Ch. 04 My many thanks to hex_nalun and Rosemund_deBurg for corroborating with me on this. You guys rock!!! ************************************* Ciro felt as though he could hardly breathe. The lush curves that pressed up against him, her strong arm as she leaned into him supporting him in his weakness, the long soft crimson hair that spilled down over his arm. It was almost too much. Years and years of painful training, the long trip here, all of the aches and stiffness seemed to fade as she held him. Ciro had for so long locked himself away in darkness and shadow that the desire he now felt frightened him a bit. Her touch kindled the gentle warmth of twilight within him. It billowed up within him, easing fatigue and pain. From within him, it flowed and ebbed through his arm and down into Bella. Ciro could feel his darkness begin to invade her, seeking to comfort her. Ciro turned to look at her, unable to warn her of the magic that was being woven between them. His lips parted slightly as he took deep, labored breaths. Ciro was shocked that he had to keep himself from leaning in, to keep from letting desires he had never known take him. He could only imagine how her lips would burn against his. His storm cloud silver eyes gazed deeply into her eyes of green. Bella could feel the dangerous magic that lurked deep within them. It was the power to shape and forge living shadow, the power to make nightmares real. But even more was hidden past the deepening silver and those were powers she could barely feel. Something colder and sharper than the darkness she saw lay hidden, something that could not be seen. ~...Bella... be careful, ma Bella...~ The shadow figure whispered to her softly as it kneeled down, picking up the swords and jacket. It looked up at her with the same silver eyes Ciro had before it wisped away in a swirl of darkness, taking the jacket and parcel with it. The words soaked through with a deep bayou accent lingered softly around her, warning her and teasing her. They would not reveal what she should be weary of, but she knew that it spoke of what was hidden deep within Ciro's eyes of silver. "Thank you... Ms. Reece... I would partake of your hospitality, but I have not eaten yet today. Is there someplace we could go first to get something to eat?" Ciro asked softly, letting her help him to his feet again. As Ciro leaned against Bella for support, she could feel the taunt, woven muscles press against her side as they remained hidden beneath his shirt. "And please, call me Ciro..." He smiled to her softly as she supported him. He knew that he would have to face her as an enemy... but right now, he didn't care. The Righteous Sword would not contact him for a few more days at least as they watched for an opening. Perhaps by then he could find a way to keep her from the coming nightmare.... The nightmare that he was to bring. Bella stiffened a little, feeling the power eminating from within him. It was subtle, like a telepath's "push" on a person's mind to test their mental blocks. There was something dark and mysterious about him, and something he was hiding. Suddenly feeling foolish for acting like a girl, and not the hard hearted woman she had been trained to be, she induced formality back into her tone. "There are various resteraunts to enjoy on Main Street." Her eyes glanced up at him as they began the slow walk out of the park and back into the more populated portion of town. Suddenly she stopped, sliding her collapsed staff back into her pack and led him to the nearest tree, a little ways off the path. Cursing under her breath at the nightly group of Black Guardian patrol, she pulled a long black scarf out of her pack and swiftly wrapped up her flame hued hair, knowing it would be like a beacon in the darkness. She pulled him close, wrapping her arms around him and up over his back as if they were lovers embracing and glanced over his shoulder, her stomach doing a little flip as she was lined up against him from head to toe, the latter of which she had to stand on to see over his shoulder. "Don't say a word." She whispered. "I know you're a Shadow Warrior, or rather thats what we call your type here. Just play along and maybe they won't notice us. If they do, don't say anything..... or let your shade talk for you, with his accent they'd think you're local. Otherwise they'll know you're an outsider. It's a toss up as to which is worse." Her hope of not being discovered dropped a notch when she saw the man leading the patrol. Holden Knox. She should have known. Only he would have the skill to take over her nightly patrol while she was on med leave. Unaware her thoughts were projecting themselves again, she planned out and rejected possible scenarios and outcomes should they be discovered, her brain seeking and processing and storing the information at a highly rapid rate. In the end she came to two conclusions. Holden would get jealous that she had been near another man when she constantly turned down any male's affections, especially Holden's. Which meant acting her ass of like she hadn't done since college. Or . . . Holden would recognize him as a shadow warrior and have him carted off to NSPD and arrested then executed as a terrorist against the De Los Muertos. "Ciro . . ." She whispered, her voice softening slightly on his name. "Pray they don't see us. 'Cause either way we're screwed." "You've heard of us... and you still worry that patrol will see us?" Ciro rested against her shoulder as she held him tightly. Placing his arms around her in turn, he wisped something softly. Pressing up against Bella, the aching pain faded enough for him to command the shadows around them. "I have strength enough... don't move... don't speak... don't think..." Ciro warned softly as the shadows around them wove up, pulling them both warmly against the tree. Bella could feel Ciro's warmth as the shadows pressed him up against her. The length of his body gently pinning hers back against the tree. The shadow wove around them as they vanished into the tree's shadow. She could feel his cheek press lightly against her neck as he pulled closer. Ciro didn't have much energy to waste, and the smaller the shadow, the easier it would be to hide them. Knowing that Bella's thoughts would betray their hiding place, Ciro let his lips gently caress the base of her neck, along her shoulder. He kissed her softly, hoping that it would be enough of a distraction that her thoughts of Holden would fade. Now if Holden had the ability to find them, they would at least be convincing enough lovers. Ciro could taste the sweat that beaded on Bella's soft skin as he held her, but he couldn't let himself be distracted... not yet. Pulling at the moonlight and shadows, like a puppeteer pulls at a marionette's strings, Ciro reached with his shadows. Bella could feel the darkness stirring within Ciro as she was trapped between him and the tree. For being tired and weary, Ciro was still able to hold her against the tree. Bella could feel his tired muscles respond to his command as her hands draped over his back. Suddenly a man appeared on the path a few yards away from them. His dark skin and bright clothes seemed to shine in the moonlight, instantly catching Holden's attention. With broken Cajun, the man shouted and swore at them, drawing a gun, and running off into the park. Ciro pressed lightly against Bella, his lips curled into a soft smile a he continued his light kiss. He knew that Holden would give chase and he knew that he would never be able to catch the conjured shadow before it got far enough into the park to vanish. Pressing her forehead against Ciro's shoulder, she pressed her right hand directly over his heart and let her energy flow into him. It was an old talent, one she had seen her father and mother had often shared at times through out her lifetime. Though no matter how many times her parents had shared theirs with another, to heal, to calm, to save, Bella had never been able to tap into another like her parent's could. Just merely give and never receive. So she assumed it was a fluke talent her parents shared. Now, now she could use her parent's gift and help when it was most needed. Feeding him energy, hoping he didn't sense it, she closed her eyes as his body pressed into hers, as his lips caressed her neck, she smirked inwardly at his verbal command. If he ever got to know her, he would know that asking her not to think would literally be like asking her not to breathe. "Holden's abilities are pyrokinesis and mild telekinesis." She whispered, her brain clouding and drifting the further down her neck his lips went. Never one to give herself away meaninglessly, Bella wondered whether she'd have the strength to slap him when it was all over. She smirked, probably not. She knew her thoughts were telegraphing themselves to him, but knew they wouldn't with Holden's group. In her entire lifetime of living in Nightshade, she never knew any outside of blood relatives that could read her thoughts. She didn't notice when Holden's party took up the chase. Her right hand was too busy sending Ciro energy, while the other wrapped around his back. Her body seemed to throb and pulse as he leaned against her, a faint tingling starting in her toes and humming along her skin till she wondered if the earth was quaking. Her body shifted slightly, just once. Twice. Three times. Where was her training? had it abandoned her? She could feel the hard trunk of the tree behind her, and the muscled hardness of Ciro's legs as he pressed against her. His pulse beat against the palm of her hand and as they were finally alone, shrouded in shadows, Bella sensed she had given enough of her energy. Her hand flexed as the power feed was cut off, her healing touch removed, and her hand of its own accord trailed down his chest and stomach to rest on his waist, her free hand on his other side. His face was still against her neck, hers was still on his shoulder, His arms still around her. But oh, every other second her head would tilt at each touch of his lips. ~God help me if he bites me. My knees would go out.~ She unknowingly thought as her body shifted against the hard planes of his. When his mouth stopped at the point where her throat met her shoulder, she shuddered and froze, wondering what would happen next. Ciro's lips stopped moving as he watched the park rush past him. For a moment, he was looking through the eyes of his shadow puppet. Turning, he could see Holden giving chase. He could feel the marionette stumble, trip. It was getting to far from him and his grasp on it was slipping. If Holden were to catch the marionette, he would know what he was up against. Suddenly, Ciro felt the marionette spring to revived life as it sprinted through the park. The puppeteer could feel soft fingers interlacing with his as he guided the marionette's strings. Ciro could feel the energy wash through him. It was strong, determined.... Bella... Her name suddenly raced through his mind as he realized whose hands were interlaced with his. He leaned closer, feeling her hand gently press against his chest over his heart. He kissed her again, a bit warmer this time, thankful for the much needed boost she was giving him. Good, the fool had no idea that he was chasing shadows. Diving low, the marionette lunged into tall bushes at the far end of the park and vanished. Ciro gasped for breath, as he pulled his lips away from Bella. The shroud of darkness that Ciro had pulled and woven around them began to fade as he focused on ending the spell. "Thank you..." Ciro spoke softly as he pushed back away from the tree and Bella. He could feel his chest tingling almost painfully. On his lips, he tasted energy that was not his. It was lighter, stronger, not the dark pull of shadows that he knew. He licked his lips slightly, still looking deeply into her green eyes. Yes, he could taste her vibrant energy. Somehow he could feel it inside of himself. Somehow, she had given him enough strength to hold the marionette together long enough to get the patrol to chase it deep into the park. He could taste it on his lips, across his chest, along his body where he had pressed up against her in the shadows. "They're gone, chasing shadows. And we should be moving as well." Ciro told her as he stumbled back a bit, still weary. His moonstone amulet pulsed almost painfully as it let its stored energy seep slowly back int Ciro. Oh... how his body ached now that Bella's warmth was no longer with him. He longed to feel her again, to taste her and consume her... No! What was he thinking? How could he possibly think of her like that at a time like this? She knew a bit of what he was capable of. She may know why he was here. She had to die, now... Ciro's eyes lightened and shimmered in the moonlight, they glistened with silver. But still... His shadow led him to her for a reason. If it were to kill, then he would have known by now. He knew her duties were the same as well. She knew he was weak, she knew he was dangerous. She had several chances to kill him already, why didn't she? Ciro's eyes softened again as the thoughts unspoken raced through his mind. He stumbled again, it had been a very long time since he had gone for so long with so little energy. His hands shot forwards, pushing against the tree on either side of Bella as he stumbled a bit. Bella cursed, catching him as he fell, her arms wrapping around his waist to help lift him against the tree again. She felt his warmth creep into her body with a pleasurable tingle, and reluctantly unwound her arms as she steadied him. Lifting a hand, she leaned in close and checked his pupils, managing just barely to ignore the beauty of his irises and instead check the pupils for poisoning and dilation. "You need bed. Now. If we got attacked again I donut think you'd make it." Silently she stuck her shoulder under his arm, wrapping hers around his waist and helping him walk slowly down the park path. Her curves brushed against his hard body with every step and she couldn't help picturing them entwined in a sweat slicked embrace over and over again. Absently she adjusted her arms as they walked, her arms shifting and flexing against his hard stomach with every breath, every step she took. She worked hard at keeping her mind away from the truth. He was a Shadow Warrior. True he didn't know who she was before the fight, and she wondered if had he known, what he would have done. Would he have fought and slain her like countless others have tried to do? None she knew personally save Dante and Sage could best her in battle. That was why she was a Black Guardian. Only the most hardened, ruthless, intelligent warriors,soldiers, and all around worst bad asses in nightshade became a Black Guardian. Bella glanced up at him, her heart instantly throbbing to the pattern of his beneath her arm. She hadn't seen anyone as handsome since meeting Dante. Her brothers were constantly called eye candy, but those were her brothers. Sighing slightly, she ignored the chill coursing through her as she walked the last block near the park to Dante's house. Leaning him against the wall by the door she reached into her bag and pulled out her keys, pausing and shooting him a wary look. "I sooooo hope you don't have anything against vampires. Or once again . . . we're screwed." ** Rosemund breathed a soft sigh. Her breath a faint thing as Bella withdrew from her touch and hand. Her glamor rippled, faintly casting a dull glow about her. Vane's warm bulk steadied her as he moved to wrap an arm about her waist. Her shimmering eyes focused on Bella, understanding laced beneath the arrogance of the Sidhe. No words were needed, for the mortal knew the debt given by the healing, knew the honor and cost of Sidhe magic. "Should I fetch her Highness?" The rumbling voice of her guard brushed along her delicate shell shaped ear. A warm breeze in the quickly cooling night to tease her flesh and elicit a faint shiver. Her tongue peeked from her lips, teasing along them as she sought her words. Rosemund knew the pain and fright the woman ran from; did she not currently do the same? "No, let her run... let her flee the death she sees if she can..." Rosemund spoke softly, allowing the night to hold their voices in its embrace. Her glowing eyes lifted to touch the starry sky. It soothed her, this quiet darkness. The embrace of a lover that wrapped and teased around her glowing flesh; a night that once she would have danced in the nude to for the simple joy of living. Things changed and times pressed onwards. Rosemund sighed softly as she turned her cheek into Vane's chest. His warmth and solid bulk soothed her. For all his youth, five centuries being a paltry sum to one who could not remember her birth year, he was steady and a comfortable fixture in her life. "Let us go fine something to eat..." She spoke at last, allowing humor and warmth to creep into her voice. "No doubt they can hear the rumbling of your empty stomach leagues away..." Her voice was enchanting, a delicate melody to play over the ear, when so open and friendly. Behind her eyes danced visions of shadows, demons bearing death, and fire rippling over a silver current. Some nights playing the oracle was harder than others, this was one such eve. Her visions would remain her own. The compact could be sealed without her blood and without her magic. The compact was written word and oath, a law binding the Sidhe to their conduct. Rosemund snorted, for many of the 'others' were not bound by the same laws and codes of her people. Faerie, for all its barbaric ways, was civilized. Together they walked a melding of rippling shadows and golden flesh. Rustling silk and soft cotton, they moved through the evening air with the casual ease of lovers. Things the sight could construe and yet be completely wronged in the first assumption. Lithe limbs moved in perfect accord, yet brought to the mind images of tangled bodies, sweat sleeked flesh, and rumpled bedding. Together they were fantasy brought to life, a promise of carnal bliss, and yet there was an innocence lingering between the touch of hands and the tender vulnerability in the woman's posturing. It was like this that they entered the diner. Rose's hands moving to shift the loose and heavy strands of her hair away from the delicate profile of her features while she settled herself at the simple table. The vinyl bench whooshed and sank under her slight weight, and the scuffed wooden table almost glowed as her soft flesh glided over the careworn surface. Ratted and fraying menus were eyed. Their pictures fading and the print smudged from age, still keen gazes could tell what was supposed to be featured. Quietly they ordered their meals, not caring about saturated fats, cholesterol, or nutritional content; sometimes it was good to be immortal... ** As Ciro stumbled into Bella's arms, the world around him went gray and cold. He had overestimated how much energy he still had... he had gravely overestimated. As she gazed into his eyes to check them, they darkened to the hue of tarnished steel. He could feel the darkness within himself reaching out to claim him. "No... not again... not the silence..." he whispered to himself almost deliriously as his vision faded. Ciro blinked. The pain was gone, but why? Spinning around, he saw it... the spirit bound to him. The spirit that gave its life so that he may fight on, this was its world. Every Shadow Warrior had one. A spirit bound to them in death in a world of darkness, hidden away. But not like this.... His silver eyes shimmered in the gray world as he turned, coming face to face with himself. Silver eyes shimmered in return as the shadow watched him. They were two sides of a looking glass. The gray world crumbled around him as he felt something press up under his arm and snake around his waist. It was warm, comforting, as it pulled him from the land of shadows. He could feel her... Bella. She was touching him, holding him, helping him to walk. Nightshade Ch. 04 Blinking slowly, he found that they were no longer in the park, but walking. He leaned gently against her, trying hard to support himself. His body ached as it moved, it ached in pain, and it ached longingly for Bella's touch. She was so strong... but then again, that was why they brought him here. Ciro shook his head slightly, forcing the thoughts far from his mind. She didn't know. She thought he was only a Shadow Warrior, and that was enough. Ciro found that he could hardly hear her as she spoke. He was too tired, too hungry. The only saving grace he had was the moon and shadows. He tugged at them for strength. Strength enough to stay awake, strength enough to stand while leaning against the wall, but not enough to talk. He nodded to Bella reassuringly as he heard her. Bella sighed in relief and unlocked the front door, immediately turning and wrapping her arms around Ciro, her breasts pushed against his chest as he slumped with growing fatigue. They half stumbled into the living room, closing the door with barely a snick, and making it to her bedroom with little sound made. All the while she whispered encouragements in his ear. "Seulement un peu supplémentaire et vous can support , mon amie." Thankful that both Dante and Sage's rooms were down the hall, Bella eased open her bedroom door and managed to shut the door behind her, Ciro's arm still over her shoulder and hers around his waist. She could feel his growing weariness as well as see it on his face. For someone so tanned, he was oddly pale, and the glazed look in his eyes worried her. Calling on her strength once more, she made it to the side of the bed, letting him fall to the surface with a grunt. Feeling a headache blossoming in her head, she grabbed a post-it note off the desk and wrote "Tired. Resting. Disturb me and i WILL kill you. Yes, I mean YOU." then stuck it on the outside of the door and locked it. She turned, met Ciro's gaze for one strong moment, knowing by doing this she was endangering not only herself, but the people in the house as well. Sighing, she stumbled into the closet and changed into a black t-shirt and matching silk boy-shorts, and crawled up beside him in the bed. Belatedly, as she had stuck the note on the door, she recalled her parent's warnings about giving the healing touch. The high and boundless energy at it's peak, followed almost immediately by a swift fall. Curling up on the side between him and the bedroom door, she lay on her side, her breath easing as the headache preceding the psychic blackout grew to it's peak. She lay a hand on his arm to get his attention, the exhaustion of the past few hours draining her still healing body of strength. "Do me a favor. Don't kill Dante or Sage. They'll keep you safe when i can not." And with that the blackness overtook her and she fell into a deep sleep, her hand still on his arm in comfort. Were it not for the exhaustion and pain that laced through his muscles, Ciro would have enjoyed the feeling of Bella catching him and pressing herself up against him. But now, he felt little but pain. It hurt to move, it hurt to breathe. This pain was not new to him. He had felt it often before when he pushed himself too far. It was something that he was known for amongst the Righteous Sword. To them, he was a Shadow of Destruction, not just to those he fought but to himself as well. The feared title of Shadoweave Nightmare was his and his alone. Very few amongst the Righteous Sword had ever seen someone with the title, fewer still knew what it meant. Ciro could hear Bella's soft French as the words swirled around his mind, caressing his weary thoughts. He felt himself falling to something soft. A bed... he had sorely missed the feel of sheets and a mattress. Long nights on trains followed by evenings resting in airplane seats made the comfort he felt now all the more pleasurable. His dress shirt and slacks weren't the most comfortable, but at this point he didn't care. His feet slipped from his dress shoes as he fell to the mattress. His eyes closed instinctively as he felt the soft mattress beneath him. He could feel her hand as she rested it gently on his arm. The warm pulse of her words filled his mind again as she spoke. He could feel that the exhaustion in her breath matched his as she held onto him in sleep. The gentle touch comforted him as he pulled a bit closer, wanting to feel her warmth among the comfort of the mattress, but unable to move. Ciro settled with her gentle hold on his arm. As sleep began to overtake him, he wondered if she knew of the comfort she brought him and if he brought her that comfort in return. "Hacer no preocuparse, my bello dama." Ciro whispered back softly. His mind was to far tired to speak anything other than his first language. Closing his eyes, Ciro was met swiftly by the calming darkness of sleep. ** Dante awoke with a start, his acute vampiric hearing and senses waking him the moment the key turned in the front lock. Silently sliding out from underneath Sage, he pushed the covers aside and reached for a pair of black karate pants then slipped down the hallway on silent feet. With his vampiric night vision he scanned the darkened house for intruders, pausing at Bella's door when he spotted the note. Quirking an eyebrow in amusement, his hand hovered over Bella's doorknob only a moment before the lock turned under his powers. Sticking his head inside the door, he stiffened, seeing another man lying, fully dressed, beside Bella. The man had the look of a surfer, with his blond hair and dark tan. But it was the mass of his build and the manor of his clothes that suggested otherwise. And Bella was draped over him in his sleep. Dante shook his head, wondering at his lover's sister. Bella never welcomed any man's touch. Rarely to even give aid when it was needed. But now his 'tite chatte' was sprawled over this stranger. He must have guessed she had done it unconsciously in her sleep, because otherwise she would never have brought a man home. Her leg was thrown over one of his, her stomach plastered to her his side while her left hand lay over the man's heart. Even without his vamp vision, Dante would have seen the faint pale greenish light emanating from Bella wherever she touched the other man. Faint green wisps of power that looked like tongues of mist slid over and into the man, making Dante worried for her health. Just as he would have stepped forward into the room, a shadow appeared out of nowhere, stepping between him and the bed. Dante glanced at the bed, then the shadow, his face void of all emotion and reaction though his insides were bursting with anger. "I will not wake them for fear of further hurting Bella." He told the shadow. "But i will expect her to seek me when she wakes." Dante silently removed her note from the door and placed it on the inside, then relocked it telekinetically. ** Ciro slept soundly as night passed in deep dreams. He could see her, the beautiful Bella. The dark mists of his dreamland lapped like waves on the shore of a long lost isle. El Isla de Soñar... His family's home for so long... The glistening noon sun sparkled off hot golden sand on the island of dreams, not far from the Spanish coast. Ciro breathed deeply, he could smell the salt in the air. He was home, and Bella was there with him, there in his dream. She lay on a beach chair on the shore of mists, sleeping peacefully. Ciro watched her for a moment. Never before had he seen anyone else on El Isla de Soñar, never before had he seen anyone else on the abandoned shores of his dreams... Seeing her here calmed and frightened him at the same time. She was here, how she was here, he did not know. But she had followed him into the only sanctuary he had, she had followed him into his dreams. His footsteps in the soft sand made no noise as the warm sun lingered in the sky. Ciro felt the quickening of his heart as he neared her. Desire stirred within him as he moved to sit alongside her. She slept soundly wearing a black t-shirt and silken shorts. As Ciro sat next to her, he ran his fingers gently along the side of her face. "Así bello my ángel de soñar." He spoke softly, lying down next to her. In the warm sun, Bella turned and held him gently. Her leg slid over his as she leaned close and pressed herself up against him. The soft beating of their hearts called out to one another as Bella's hand slid up, along his chest to listen to it beat. Ciro felt her warm body and the spark of desire kindled into flame. But desire and love were things he knew he could not have for his own. Breathing deeply, Ciro let the darkness within him wash over the flame. Feeling Bella against his side while he slept was more than enough... far more than he could ever ask. Looking to the sky, he could feel it. Someone was lurking near his fragile world of dreams. Ciro closed his eyes. Here, he did not have to worry about energy or weakness, here in the land of dreams his will was law. Shadows swirled and moved about the isle as they moved to intercept the lurker. They alone would be his connection to the waking world right now. Ciro closed his eyes to rest against Bella on the shores of El isla de soñar. They were safe for now, and needed rest. Bella had no idea of the passage of time, or how long she slept, but knew that her body had recharged enough for her aches and pains to be only a slight twinge. She sighed, the warmth of the sun beating pleasantly down on her as she lay in the beach chair. Her dark copper colored curls falling around her in a mussed up mess that looked strangely exotic. Yawning she stretched, her head swimming a little from lingering dizziness. She froze, her eyes snapping open and surveying her surroundings, the warmth of the sun stating that it was near noon, where the hour should be more closer to sunrise. She shifted to look and fell off the chair at spotting the man lying beside her. It was Ciro. Where were they, what was this place? She scrambled back in the sand, a low cry coming from her parted lips as her mind swirled and tried to make sense of it all. Where were they? Where was her family? Dylan, Sage, Dante . . . all gone and nowhere in site. Her mind swirled as she sat on the sand, wrapping her arms around her bent legs and buried her head against her knees. The tears went unfelt down her face, her mind bulging against the memories she'd buried so long ago . . . . the same memories that came out only in her nightmares . . . . She could feel the strength of his arm as it banded against her tiny neck, the arm bigger than her daddy's but softer like fur of her mother's litter-mates. She was proud she knew the word ment brother and sisters, because her grandfather had told her of it often. She loved grandpa and wondered where he was. He had been holding her in his lap a few moments before the hairy man had grabbed her. Her face scrunched as the man held her too tight, the force making her cry out as something snapped in her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her feet kicked against his thighs, but he didn't release her. Then she felt it. The cool kiss of metal against her temple, the hilt of the gun held in the hairy man's hand. No. . . it wasn't aimed at her head . . . MAMMA!!!! Ciro jolted awake at the cry. Every thought, every lingering memory echoed through his dream, shattering it. The sun and sand snapped away to the cool darkness of Bella's room. Ciro clenched his teeth together harshly to keep from shouting in pain as his world was ripped from him by Bella's painful memories. The waking world shattering away his sanctuary as he suddenly jolted awake. Bella's waking would be much more pleasant than his though. For her, the darkness clouded away the painful memory as the dark mist tides swell and wash around her as she sits in the sand. The mists hold and comfort her as they stir her to wake. She would soon find herself back in her warm bed, back in the safety of her home. Ciro lay still on the bed. The night had passed, and though he had slept well his harsh awakening had robbed him of the calm morning. Cold sweat beaded down from his brow as he tried to sit up, but the strain of the shattering dream kept him from moving. His golden hair was disheveled and strayed from place as Ciro forced himself to sit up. As he did, Bella's hand slid down across his lap. His breaths were heavy and labored as he tightly wrapped his arms around his stomach. He could still feel the sun... the warmth... As he sat, trying to wake completely, the shadows began to speak to him. They spoke in soft whispers that warned of the man who had opened the door and looked upon them. The man that he had felt while dreaming. Ciro leaned forward, his muscles stiff. Another pain echoed through him, hunger. His shirt was drenched through from cold sweat as he could still see Bella's dark memory all too clearly. He should have taken her from the Isle and dropped her off in another dream while she slept. He had given the warning to so many young Shadow Warriors that he had forgotten it himself. Cold sweat dripped down a few stray spikes of tarnished golden hair and splashed off of his dress slacks. He felt as though his mind had been ripped from him and shoved crudely back into place. Ciro's silver eyes shifted slightly from tarnished steel to softly polished silver as everything began to slowly fall back into place. He was alone, in the home of several of the Los Muertos's most powerful guardians. Ciro closed his eyes tightly as the aches of waking quickly faded. Why did he let her bring him here? Why? Questions flitted through his thoughts. As his body roused with the fading night he could feel her again. Her warm arm around his waist, her strong leg resting on his. As he felt her again, he looked down, she was waking as well. Bella's beautiful hair splayed out on the pillow she slept on. As he gazed at her waking form he felt the soft pull of desire and attraction again. It reminded him why he let her bring him here... Frowning slightly as she woke, Bella flinched against the pain she felt, the wrenching that pulled her back to wakefulness. The dreams that were a nightly haunting faded in her mind as nearby pain was pushed to the forefront. She snuggled closer to the warmth beside her, wanting it to invade her soul and heat her from the inside out. Never, she would never be that warm. Sensing another wave of pain, Bella woke, blinking, and finding herself draped around the strong muscular body of a man. Instantly she tensed, her gaze raising and looking into Ciro's silver orbs. Suddenly realizing how her body had wrapped itself around him as they slept, Bella glanced down, her hand inadvertently flexing against him despite her mind's order not to. Her gaze lifted, studying the sweat slicked hair, the pain in his features, the agony she knew was her cause. He had fought to protect her, and he had not healed properly. She moved on instinct, knowing only of one way to heal, and it was risky due to the untold levels of Ciro's own powers. Bella slid her body over his and sat up, straddling his waist as her hands roamed his body, the greenish light glowing faintly and replenishing him of the spent energy he had spent on her behalf. Her hands roamed over his abdomen near her thighs, sliding up over his chest and shoulders, down his arms. Her hands lifted, hovering over his face, the faint power stirring the air into a soft breeze. Again and again she repeated the procedure, the faint deep hours of sleep she had obtained replenishing her body and her abilities. At last, her skin slightly pale and her breathing rapid in her chest from more than just her use of power, Bella stared into his eyes, shifting as if to move aside. Ciro sighed softly as he felt Bella's hands moved over his clothes. He couldn't tell if it was the soft glow of faint green magic or if it was the warm feeling of her hands that eased his pain away. He could feel the blissful warmth of her legs as she rested against him, pressing her thighs against his waist. Though his clothes were uncomfortable to sleep in, they were becoming more uncomfortable as Bella tended to him. A deep sigh escaped his lips as cool, almost cold black mist seemed to seethe from him, mingling with Bella's energy. Ciro took her hands lightly in his. The act of sharing energy, strengthening one another, was one of the most intimate acts that the Shadow Kin could do short of lovemaking. It was a dance where essence would caress and soothe. Though he was unfamiliar with Bella's gentle movements, he could feel the energy that lapped through him from each caressing stroke. Now that her energy calmed him and the pain he had felt, the strength he regained from sleep stirred awake within him. It was now his turn to ease her pains as well. Letting his hands gently rub her soft skin, they began to work their way up along her arms. The cool black mist tingled as it seeped along her arms, warming as it flowed into her. Though cool to the touch, the mist like energy felt like it smoldered into passionate heat as it entered her. The heat wove deeper and deeper as though it was searching out the chill within her and blanketing it in warmth. The hidden power that the energy held was incredible as it poured into her under Ciro's gentle hands. Ciro's silver eyes never left Bella's eyes of green as he moved closer, gently rubbing his hands up, under her arms. Working slowly, Ciro watched her eyes carefully for displeasure. His hands moved to rest on her sides, just under her arms as the strange, warm energy pulsed and mingled sensually with hers. His hands slowed to a stop as he looked deeply into her eyes, waiting for her to tell him to stop or continue. Bella would have pulled away when the mist appeared, Ciro's hands on hers staying her when she would have fled. The man held within him more power than she had originally thought. Her her heart nearly beat right out of her chest when he sat upright, her legs still straddling his, and his hands brushed over her skin. That was when she felt it, the slow mingling of power to power mind to mind, dark and light mixing to burst in a brilliant shade of need that rolled through her like a freight train. When his hands stopped, she immediately unconsciously shifted, seeking more of his touch while her mind focused wholly on him. ~You have a wolf's eyes.~ She thought, deliberately sending her thoughts to him through the mind link she shared with no other save blood-kin. How such things were possible escaped her, so rather than worry, she merely accepted it and moved on. Her lips parted in a sigh of sorts as her body relaxed against him, her head dipping slightly as she stared at his mouth and licked her lips in anticipation. Her hair fell with that movement, the waist length strands sliding over her shoulder and caressing his forearm like living silk. Slowly, as if she had never before touched a man in such a way, her hands slid over his chest until her arms wound loosely around his neck, her hands buried in his blond hair. ~Why have the gods sent you to me?~ Bella thought at him. ~Are you punishment or reward?~ Her eyes closed and she shifted, the movement bringing her into closer contact with him from chest to hips. ~At this point, mi moreno salvador, I'm hopping for the latter.~ Slowly, her eyes on his, Bella leaned forward and paused, her lips a scant inch from his own. Ciro didn't know how to react to the lust that rippled through his body. He had never been a slave to desire, and until now had never known its intoxicating pull. Feeling her hands entwined with his dark golden hair he could now feel nothing else. His hands slid up over Bella's shoulders as his lips hovered dangerously close to hers. Slowly, he pressed against her, his lips barely grazing against hers in a soft kiss. His strong arms guided her past the kiss as he continued to press a little closer, his cheek brushed against hers as he moved his head to rest over her shoulder. Nightshade Ch. 04 Through their clothes, he could feel Bella's soft curves push back against his hard body as she shifted. A cool tingle spread over her as the twilight mist seeped through her clothes and flowed down along her body. The mist caressed her as it swirled down along her breasts, up against her stomach, and as it pooled and teased along her inner thighs and covered crotch. The mist knew nothing of clothes or restrain as it swirled and pooled around them. "My dear Bella, no god sent me to you. Twilight and shadow let me find you, and like a dream, I would comfort you." Ciro began moving his hands down along Bella's shoulders. Suddenly, he felt it. There was something in her that pushed his warming energy away. Ciro continued to press his hands against her shoulders as the passionate mist pooled and gathered against the unseen wall. "Bella... why do you refuse my touch?" Ciro asked softly as he let his soft words and warm breath caress her ear. Though he could guide his energy into her arms, something kept it from spreading. Something was keeping him from reaching deeply into her to fill her with the warm mist. The dark mist swirled against her, pushing against the barrier harder and harder like growing waves against a dam. His energy loomed like black storm clouds gathering on the horizon. He could let the mist caress her, but she rejected it. It kept his energy from easing her from within. Bella could feel the dark mist around her as her body rejected its warmth. "Fear and pain keep you locked away, binding you to them. I've seen the memory that plagues your sleep. Will you let me ease this pain and calm this fear?" Ciro asked softly as he rested against her. It was a powerful emotional barrier that was keeping him out. He had seen barriers like these before and he knew how to ease it away. Most recruits that the Righteous Sword found for their Shadow Warriors had these emotional barriers. These barriers were hard to understand, let alone detect. Ciro could feel it though. The force that kept Bella from accepting energy, the way his darkness sought to soothe her. Ciro had brought down many of these barriers, and he knew how to bring down the protective walls Bella had forged within her. Bella sighed as the mist caressed, swirled and pulsed with a life of its own. Her body seemed to throb and come alive, her hands clenching in Ciro's hair as his lips brushed hers, the barest of kisses that only left in its wake a yearning for more. She arched her body against his as his hands slid over her arms, the dark mist seeping into her as hers had him. His to comfort. Hers to heal. One light. One dark. Yet two were equally just as powerful. The illusion of pleasure was shattered when he spoke of pain and her barriers. Scared to deal with her inner personal demons,, her breath hitched and she attempted to jerk from his arms, his arms wrapping around her and holding her tight even as she pushed and tried to pry herself from his grip. It was his steady unflinching gaze meeting hers that stilled her. Her mind was chaos, a whirlwind of images and feelings - both nightmare and memory - that had plagued her for the last twenty one years. As a child of five she had had no knowledge of what happened to her, but every night for the last few weeks they had grown worse. And worse yet, was the feeling that another entity were directing her dreams. Almost as if they WANTED her to remember, to be afraid, to run. She stared at Ciro, a silent pleading in her eyes as she read the emotions in his eyes, what few she could see. Strength and conviction, honesty and genuine concern. The first two went with her like the air she breathed. The third she knew could be an illusion. The last, she had never had from anyone outside her family. He blinked once, but his mercury eyes held her gaze, her body relaxing against him little by little till her breathing calmed and her heartbeat slowed to normal. Silently, she allowed her eyes to drift closed, the long black lashes a pair of dark crescents on her cheeks. She sought inward, attempting to block out all sounds and thoughts, feelings and emotions. It was then, and only then, in that calm that she found her barriers. They had been so much a part of her that it was hard to push against them, much less drop them. Inwardly she could see a high endless wall of solid brick. It stretched into the darkness of her mind, showing no end in any direction . . . north, south, east, west. . . every way she looked there was no weakness. It occurred to her then that she had inherited her father's psychic abilities, the strong shields, the telepathy, the telekinesis . . . all of it had been passed on to her through her father's blood. But it was her mother's strength she summoned. Though she had never manifested into Laroux form in puberty, she still had the enhanced strength, speed, and flexibility of her wolf brethren. It was this that she called up on - not to break through the wall - but to chip away at it till a small hole appeared in her mind . . . one that let the memories out. One that let Ciro in. . . Ciro could feel the small chink that Bella had made for him. The black mist that had built up around her began to seep through the gap like water trickling from a dam. Feeling Bella's barriers slowly begin to give, Ciro knew that this would be his chance. As the mist breached the barrier, it began to eat away at the wall, widening the gap in the barrier. With control over the mist that took him years to master, he eased the pouring mist, keeping it from overtaking her like the deluge of a breaking dam. Without the control, the mist would have flooded into her with the crushing force of a nightmare. Using the mist, Ciro began to wash away the walls that Bella had hid behind for so long. Ciro smiled softly as he felt it. The darkness that had begun reawakening memories within her while she slept. The walls that protected Bella also kept her beautiful light out. It was this light that had begun to cast shadows within her, shadows that began to act on their own. Bella needed this, she need Ciro to find a way to reach her. The black mist flowed through her like a powerful current of water. From within, he could see the scars along the barrier that the nightmare had chipped away at. Painful glimmers seeped through these cracks. This was the cause of her dreams. ~Be strong... ma Bella...~ The shadows whispered to her as they pulsed and ebbed along the wall, taking it down bit by bit. With the force of an ever-flowing tide, they washed away the nightmare and darkness within her. Ciro's darkness consumed the growing darkness within her, leaving Bella with the beautiful light that her energy held captive. Through his hands, and only through his hands, the warm passionate mist seethed and smoldered into her. His hands moved down along her back, his palms pressing and gently massaging as they went. His fingers trailed down her spine as they pressed lightly against her through her shirt. Ciro's strong hands pressed down along her lower back before finding their way up to her shoulders again. He smiled softly as he massaged the passionately hot energy into Bella, letting it soak through her, soothing and caressing her from within. Bella was washed back with the dark tide, finding herself in Ciro's embrace again. His lips rested against her neck, comfortingly as they had in the park. His hands moved along her back in broad, gentle strokes. She could feel her mind freed from the walls. Ciro embraced her warmly, not wanting to let her slip into darkness again. ~I was never in darkness, it just felt like that because . . .~ Bella froze, realizing for the first time she was protecting telepathically. She could also read Ciro's thoughts. It was different than with Dylan and Sage, to whom she had blood ties to. This, this was similar, but private. She could almost see the pathway in the depths of her mind. Slowly, Bella leaned back as she was held within Ciro's embrace. Her hands framed his face, emerald green meeting the startling slash of silver head on, her body trembling as the mist sought every corner of her body, soul and mind. It was like a hot burst of lava inside her after years spent in arctic chill. Her heartbeat kicked a rapid thudding in her chest, as she leaned her forehead against his, she felt his own heartbeat quicken against her chest. It reminded her of their positions, their close proximity. She closed her eyes and sighed, her breath warm and sweet against his face. ~They will try to kill you, mi moreno salvador , and take your life merely for being in this town.~ Her lips hovered mere inches from his own, her mind reaching out to his. He was not of her blood, but then again neither had her father been when he too had been able to talk through their own private channel in their minds. Her eyes, when they met his once again were filled with curiosity, consideration, and conviction. ~Never have i asked something so much for myself~ Her mind whispered, filled with images of passion and strength, loyalty and truth. ~Take me and we take on the world. Otherwise . . . i will leave now and we will meet again and I will be forced to kill you against my will.~ She leaned in, her hands sliding down to loosely hold his neck as once again she leaned in, the scent that was uniquely hers drifting around him as the mist had to her. ~What say you Ciro Terrago, mi moreno salvador. Return back to the world as we know it? Or accept what has come and fight the world?~ "I came here because you felt you had a debt to repay, it is repaid." Ciro told her softly, not wanting to deal with the cold choice that lay before him. His shadow had betrayed him, leading him to a woman he would desire and love, but could never have. His eyes echoed of the painful choice he had to make, but he could see it in her eyes as well. She was offering to throw everything away for him. Her family, her duty, everything she had, she had so much more to lose than he had. But what he had to lose was control. Only the Righteous Sword knew how to bring him back from the black abyss of the shadows. If he lost himself to the darkness, could Bella handle it? He knew that she had no idea of what she asked of him. Who he was, how dangerous he could be. She never needed to know... Ciro took in Bella's scent. It was warm and inviting, full of life and hope. Hope... He had long since given up on hope. With Bella's hands loosely around his neck, Ciro lifted his to cradle the side of her face. He guided her into a gentle kiss, tasting her lips for the first time. As his lips caressed hers, Bella could feel the dark mist ease away, hidden again within Ciro. "My Bella, mi ángel, my world is death. I would protect you from it if I could. This world I have does not frighten me... As a shadow, this is the closest I've ever been to a woman, the closest I've ever known to compassion.... Let me show you the nightmare within... is this the dream you so desire?" Ciro asks as he continued to cradle the side of her face against his warm palm. Doubt filled his mind again, and Bella could see it. Ciro opened himself up to Bella, letting her see the dark despair that he harbored. For a moment, she let Ciro give her a taste of the darkness within him as his energy flooded into her, washing away the growing nightmares. Now he was going to let her go as deep as she dared. His mind unravels before her, a labyrinth of living shadows. The world inside his mind was cold. The only light that shone was the silver moonlight, shimmering off of nightmarish darkness. Screams of agony and fear echoed through the maze of shadows. And there... Bella could see it. Silver eyes where none should shine. Shadows that moved and rasped against the ground. It was a Nightmare, as real as she was. Real... the thought was frightening. Could this creature of shadows and illusion be real? The Nightmare hissed and turned to lunge. Dropping to the ground, shadows swirled violently in its wake. Wings of nightmare pitch darkened the skies as hungry fangs bared at Bella. Then, the Nightmare Dragon lunged.... Bella's body and soul may have been in the world of the living, but her mind was firmly buried in Ciro's mind. She saw everything, every memory both good and bad, his past, his fears and his nightmares. Bella was never one to turn down an opportunity as golden as this. Her mind simply became a sponge. Then they came. The shadows. The dark and the darker than dark that moved through him like a living breathing entity. Then it awoke. Focused on her. It took every ounce of her training and strength of will not to flinch. Fear burst though her like lightening, but she tapped it down. She fought monsters and worse day in and day out. Though fear may reside in her, and at times come from the nightmarish memories of her own past, she was never one to back down and recovered quickly. The Nightmare Dragon lunged, soaring toward her like a slash of ice cold chills up her side. Bella stood as if relaxed . . . her hand upheld, palm out, and merely waited . . . her eyes steady and open to face that which was within Ciro. And in the room two people sat, on the bed with bodies entwined in comfort, their minds connected, as the black mist and green light pulsed and writhed together like lovers . . . the next few minutes determining the fate of them both. The world of Nightmares glimmered silver as the world around her froze. The Dragon's silver eyes glimmered with hate and pain as it held fast in the air, inches from Bella. Talons of bladed twilight reached towards her, straining against the shadows. "This... this is the world I wanted you to see..." Ciro spoke softly as he stood behind her. She could feel the cold calculated mastery over his own darkness as he held frozen the Labyrinth of Nightmares around her. He wanted her to understand. Memories swirled like shadows around her. "I would not leave you alone, in this madness." He spoke softly as he walked past her, gently placing his hand on the dragon. The Nightmare rippled softly and vanished. The few memories that he let trickle through to her flitted around her like butterflies as she walked towards him, deeper into the labyrinth. Visions of pain and loss laced his thoughts as he watched the black butterflies flit around them. Many memories were held captive, each echoed of the sorrow that came with the strength of the shadow's embrace. Rigorous training bordering on torture strengthened the darkness within him. Training with sword and steel, each session was a fight to survive. Visions of torture, black scars cut deep into Ciro's tanned skin, chains and the cracks of a whip, curses and runes that only brought wracking pain, these were the visions of Ciro's past. Bella could see nothing of his childhood. There were no warm memories of family, only the swarm of black butterflies. Runes and rituals wrought by man's hand burned and scarred Ciro's soul, twisting him into something inhuman. The blurred memories showed the crackling of cruel magic as the Seekers of the Righteous Sword corrupted his body, changing it... many of the visions blurred away only to leave more questions. Suddenly a glint of gold caught Bella's eye as a single golden butterfly flitted forward to rest on her hands. As it did, she could make out the soft glisten of golden scales. Through the butterfly, Bella could see Ciro, cold and alone, holding himself tightly. Scars of magic faded into his skin as he sat alone. Pale moonlight streamed through a tinted window, glowing softly off his bare arms and back. The darkness in the room made things hard to make out, but every now and again she could see the glint of gold in the darkness. As quickly as the vision came, it left her as the golden butterfly disappeared into the shadows. "Know that this darkness... this cruelty lies within me. I would lie with you, and love you, ma bella, but understand, I can never be free... I can show you no more, less my memories betray me." The endless dark of the Labyrinth sprawled out before her as Ciro offered her his hand. Though he offered his hand invitingly, he barred the path any further. He no longer trusted himself or his memories. A soft sad smile rested on his face. His dark golden hair seemed to glow faintly in the swirling darkness that lay beyond him. Bella studied the swirling darkness around him, the nightmares and ears that plagued his existence and felt her heart ache in response. Tilting her head as if considering him and his offer, she looked down and raised her left hand palm up and waist high. Her palm sparkled as if a wielder's spark had embedded itself in her hand, her head tilted again; studying the spark like a child would a butterfly seen for the first time. Her brows drew together and the spark doubled, both of them leaping in her palm like Mexican jumping beans and multiplying till a ball of green mist the size of a soccer ball hovered around her hand. Her hand grabbed his before he could pull back, the power surging between them white hot yet burning neither. Immediately the mist spread and twisted around them both, pulling, nudging, till both were close as dancers. Bella held both her hands in his as his shadows and her mist seemed to twist and twine around each other like pups playing. Her right hand reached up and grabbed his shirt, pulling his face to hers close enough to feel the rapidness of her breaths. The light and darkness swirled together till it was a marble massed entity, the two so firmly entwined that neither seemed to begin or end without the other. Bella's lips hovered against his, drawing out the moment, the anticipation of that final touch and melding hovering just beneath her skin. Her left hand slid up his arm and over his shoulder to caress his neck, her right hand loosening on his shirt to pull him closer as her lips met his. Her body seemed to slide against his, fitting perfectly . . . her softness to his solid strength, her light to his dark. As she deepened the kiss slowly, the mist and shadows writhed and burst outward in a shower of purple sparks that light up the darkness around them like a beacon. And among it all, Bella's voice clear and true in his head, purity, truth, honesty, and trust that sent pleasurable chills darting up his spine. "Wake us Ciro. Wake us so we know this is neither dream nor nightmare . . . but life and living. So that we know this is the one thing they cannot take from us." Bella wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again; drawing him ever deeper under the passionate spell they seemed to weave upon each other. *** Rosemund was not a quiet task mistress, nor was she normally easy to get along with. Her word, her drive, and her position in the Sidhe court was her world. Vane had accepted such and so after their meal that she insisted they attend the council meeting being held that eve he simply bowed his head and accepted what his princess bid. That she would stubbornly go without him told him really there was no choice. Once within the mansion that served as headquarters for the De Los Muertos Rosemund had the call for Dante placed. There was much to discuss and the wolf women need not be involved. Despite the vampire's grogginess and grouchy tone he knew when it was best to obey. 'Good Boy' Rosemund found herself silently thinking. Dante's parents were mere babes when Rosemund was coming into her powers. He was a child to one who held the age she did. Indeed the conference waited until all managed to dress and ready themselves. All of the family would be there, including the one whose fate called her. Dignified Rose moved within the dining hall. Her smile gentle as she bowed her head "Dama... it is a pleasure to see you cousin..." The secret of their success and of the power behind the ruling family. They had indeed made a bargain with the very devil. A binding contract into the beauty and grace of the Sidhe, the powers of glamour and magic, but also their weaknesses. That they did not possess the longevity of the Sidhe was from the thinning of the blood.