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Light and Dark Ch. 01

By: OliviaLaVue



I'm rooting around my bag to look for my rain jacket as Professor James mucks his way through the grasses over to me. I give him a wave as I shrug on my jacket, flipping the hood up to protect my face from the drizzle that's started.

"Iris!" Professor James gives me his trademark goofy grin as he pushes his glasses up his nose. He's carrying a box full of the samples all of my biology classmates have collected. Studying this wetland has been an exciting opportunity for me to dip my toe into what it would be like to be an ecologist. 

"Iris, this is..." Professor James' face falls as he realizes that he cannot remember the name of the guy that's standing beside him. I hadn't noticed him before.

"Ash," he supplies his name softly, his dark eyes locking with mine.

Rain falls onto his chiseled face and his mussed black hair. His dark grey T-shirt is pulled taught over his muscles. He's not bulky, but lithe and strong. He gives off an aura of pent up energy, like it is all he can do to stand still.

He proffers a hand as his dark eyes assess me. I shake his hand, which is surprisingly hot considering his complete lack of appropriate autumn clothing. His eyes travel slowly, leisurely, from my toes up to my face. He smiles slowly, unashamed at being caught checking me out. My mouth drops open a little, and he winks. He's cocky. I chastise myself for being so easily flustered by a playboy suddenly appearing in the middle of my academic day.

I clear my throat, finally remembering myself. "Iris," I mumble, letting go of his hand as if it's burned me. 

It's been a long time since I've been with anyone. I've only been with one guy since my high school boyfriend. I met him at my best friend Claire's party. He was good looking, and bookish to boot, but he was so full of himself that he only wanted to hear his own voice. After a few months, I realized that I deserved better. I swore off cocky boys. 

Professor James pulls me back into the present. "Iris, will you let Ash shadow you? He's thinking about switching majors so he's 'sitting in," here he pauses to let his air quotes have their full impact, "on our class today. Not a lot of sitting today though!" Professor James starts chuckling at his own joke, and I crack a small smile in response. He starts ambling away before I can say anything.

I turn, with mixed feelings, to Ash. He's still looking at me with an inappropriate intensity, and I want to tell him that he's supposed to be studying our natural environment, not me. He smiles, and I flush, feeling like he can read my mind. But, he is easy on the eyes. His skin is caramel colored, and briefly I wonder about his heritage.

"So, Iris, what are we doing?" He shifts closer, not even pausing as he invades my personal space, his shoulder brushing mine as he examines the samples of dirt that I'm carrying. 

"Well," I hate how my voice is cracking, "We're collecting samples."

"Yes, I've gotten that far." His eyes are mirthful. As I blush again, I realize that I'm in trouble. Nice boys, you want nice boys. With my mantra playing in my mind, I smile back frostily, not letting it touch my eyes. He seems to cool off a little, tilting his head to the side. "Sorry," he murmurs contritely, "but I really am curious. Have you guys been doing this all quarter?"

Now I'm on solid ground. "Yeah, we've been coming out here every two weeks. We're partnered with a wildlife preserve. It's really cool, actually." I find myself smiling stupidly as I look at my dirt samples. This kind of class was what I had always dreamed of. I had always loved being out in nature, and I hoped that this kind of coursework would blossom into a career someday. 

Ash is studying me again, and I suddenly become embarrassed at my own enthusiasm. "Sorry," I apologize, "I get really fired up about this kind of stuff."

He shrugs, his muscles rippling fluidly, his gaze casually assessing, heating my body up. "Passion is sexy," is all he replies, his voice husky and smooth.

I'm too surprised to answer him, and, unable to look at him anymore, I drop down to my haunches. I gesture for him to follow suit without looking at him. I feel sparks of electricity sizzle between us as he slides down beside me, his bare arm brushing up against mine. He suddenly strikes me as a predator, or a warrior, coiled and lying in wait in the brush for his prey. His eyes shift over to me as the silence stretches between us. Heat travels down my body, intensifying in my belly. I worry my lower lip, frankly admiring his stark features: his eyes are almost black but flecked with silver, giving him an almost inhuman, ethereal quality, and the lines of his face are sharp and defined. He definitely does not look like a college student. He doesn't have an ounce of softness in his face or on his body. He leans in a little, and I find myself breathing shallowly, feeling paralyzed, like we are suspended as the misty air between us grows warmer and fuller. I smell a sharp, hot scent in the air around him.

"You are so much more than I expected," his voice is heated, sensual- too sexy for an 8:00 AM ecology expedition. His voice breaks the spell between us, and I shake my head, feeling dazed. 

I'm caught on what he's just said. More than he expected? "Sorry? Did Professor James talk me up?" I'm lightly joking and I'm also hopeful, since distant alarm bells are going off in my mind. Why would he be expecting something from someone he's just met? 

"Yes, he did, actually," he murmurs, his foot shifting in the grass to touch mine. I don't doubt that Professor James talked about me, but I am left with the uneasy feeling that I am somehow at a disadvantage in this strange, sexy, and combative dance I'm sensing between us. 

I shake my head again, looking away from him. I can't concentrate when I'm looking at him. I push my fingers into the loamy dirt that I've been collecting, letting the feeling of the fertile ground comfort me. Touching the earth has always had a magical effect on me- I feel as though I can trace a network of teeming life, like a thousand golden threads are expanding out from where my fingers touch the ground. I get lost in that network now, sensing out how alive the wet dirt is, all of the life that is dying and being reborn beneath the surface. I've never talked about how I feel when I touch natural things. Anyone in my family or circle of friends would think I'd gone full on hippy hocus-pocus. But I need the calming feel of the ground now. I take a steadying breath, closing my eyes momentarily. I don't think I've ever experienced five minutes more charged than this.

When I reopen my eyes, I find that Ash is watching me carefully, a strange expression on his face. I ignore him, ready to commit to dancing around whatever is happening between this man and I. "Did Professor James give you some equipment?" I avoid looking directly at him. I'm all business now. I've sworn off the bad boys. 

It's the end of the two hours, and the rest of the class, Ash, and I are all standing in a semi-circle around Professor James as he preps us for next week's class. Ash is keeping up his habit of standing uncomfortably close, right behind me, and I feel the hairs stand on the back of my neck as his hot breath tickles me. Some of the other girls in my class are sneaking not-so-surreptitious glances at him, and I feel bizarrely smug, even though it was just a coincidence that Professor James assigned me to show him the ropes. 

As Professor James dismisses us I suddenly feel awkward. Do I say goodbye? I decide to just head to my car. I don't really know him, anyway.

Disappointment nags at me as I move through the grasses towards the road. Then, it evaporates as I hear the grass rustle beside me, and I don't even have to look to know that it's him.

I look up shyly, only to meet his secretive, sexy smile. "Did you drive out from downtown?" His innocuous question doesn't do much to belay the sinful look in his eyes. You would think he was asking me about something else. I feel myself heat for the thousandth time. 

"Yeah. Why, do you need a ride?" The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. What are you doing?

He smiles slowly, and it isn't quite like dawn breaking, but more like... a panther that's just had a good meal. I shiver. I don't even know this guy. I should know better than giving strange, good-looking men rides. Well, you can't take it back now.

"That would be great, thanks." He slips his hands in his pockets as he moves sinuously beside me. The way he moves is so fluid, it's uncanny. "You really love doing this," he adds, out of nowhere, gesturing to the field around us. 

"Yeah," I respond, unsure of whether or not he's really interested. "I just love being outside, getting my hands dirty." I shrug.

He glances at me with amusement. "I bet you do."

Embarrassment floods me, and I suddenly feel annoyed. "So, what, you're just out sampling all the majors or something?" My voice is a little sharper than I intend. 

He grins, his dark eyes dancing. "I always like to sample things before I make a commitment. Don't you?"

I realize that I've led us to my car on autopilot. I throw open the door, simultaneously humiliated and turned on by his double-speak. I sit in my seat with a huff, and I make him wait a second before I reach over and unlock the door. He sits next to me, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. "I'm just teasing you. Like I said, I think passion is sexy. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about that." His voice suddenly becomes firm and serious, and I don't know what is entendre and what isn't at this point. I bite my lip, turning on my engine and the heater so that the windows can defrost a little. We sit in tense silence as the gentle purr of the heater comes to life. 

"Hey," his voice is hushed. I don't look at him.

"Hey," he repeats, and I'm startled by his fingers turning my chin in his direction. Without warning, hot lips are pressed against my own, and the sharp, hot smell is back, hitting the back of my throat as his soft lips slide against mine, his tongue seeking entrance. My mouth opens in a moan and he presses into me further, his hand reaching around to hold the back of my neck, keeping my lips against his. Heat coils in my belly, and I squeeze my thighs together as I feel myself growing wet. He tastes smoky and forbidden, and I gasp as he nips my lower lip, his fingers curling in my hair. He pulls slightly, tilting my neck back as he deepens the kiss. 

"Iris." The way he murmurs my name against my skin is sinful, and that strange feeling of him having the upper hand returns to me.

"Stop, stop," I gasp, pulling back. I can't think. 

His face hovers just beyond mine, his hand still hot against the back of my neck. I push a palm against his chest, and I can feel his hard body underneath his rain-dampened T-Shirt. 

"You're wet," I comment stupidly, trying to gather myself. This is crazy! You just met him!

"So are you," he returns, and he quirks an eyebrow at me, grinning slowly. He brazenly reaches forward and sweeps a wet lock of my hair off of my face, leaving electric tingles where he's touched me. We're both breathing hard from our kiss, and it takes all of my self-control to sit back in my seat. How did I allow myself to get so swept up? 

I glance over to the sinful, wet man sitting in the seat beside me, and his smoldering, smug look reminds me of how I was seduced. Well, he can wipe that look off of his face. He isn't getting anywhere further with me. I'll drop him off, and then I'll wash my hands of him and his muscled body. He hasn't moved; he's just sitting still, as if I'm a doe that won't be scared off if he waits long enough. He looks unnatural in my humble car, with his face that is both rugged and regal, his silvery eyes glimmering darkly. His mouth and his eyes promise dirty things. He smiles again under my inspection, a slow, predatorial smirk, and his regal quality dissolves into a pure animal desire that inspires an answering surge of heat in my body. How many women does he work his charms on? I grimace at him and aggressively throw my Volvo into drive. "Where to?" I'm terse.

"385 Franklin Ave, over by Angelio's coffee." His voice is both silky and composed, and it reminds me of the feeling of his demanding fingers in my hair. I breathe deeply, trying to reign in my body's reactions. I've never responded this strongly to anyone. 

I startle as his words sink in. I glance at him sharply as I make my way towards the freeway. "That's right by my apartment!" Oh, good going, Iris, tell the hot stranger where you live. It seems like I've lost all sense of self-preservation.

"A happy coincidence." He smiles again, rolling his shoulders back as he settles into his seat. Something in his tone makes my alarm bells go off again, even though he's right- it is a coincidence- but I'm not convinced it's a happy one. Maybe more like a damning coincidence.

"You lived there long?" I definitely would have noticed him on the street if I had seen him. Anyone would. 

"No," he answers, and it sounds like he's privy to a joke that I'm not a part of. "Not long at all." I glance over at him again, trying to read his face, but he just looks back at me placidly, his gaze impenetrable, slightly challenging. I suddenly get the sense that he could be very scary if he wanted to be. 

I shudder a little, gripping the steering wheel and facing forward. Where did that come from? 

"You?" His velvety voice breaks me out of my irrational feelings. 

"A year." I had lived with Claire before that, but when my studies became more serious I had decided to get a space of my own.

"Alone?" I glance at him again. He seems surprised.

"What's it to you?" My voice is shaky again. Jesus, Iris, don't project stalker on this guy. He puts his hands up in a placating gesture, shrugging. 

"I was just curious. You have total privacy. That's nice, right?"

I set my lips into a hard line. "Right." Scary, too, I add silently. 

"So how long have you been interested in ecology?" He changes topics abruptly, and his question surprises me a little. He struck me as a playboy that wouldn't actually be interested in me. 

I shrug. "I've always loved being outdoors. I love handling plants. I worked at a nursery in high school. It's just so...invigorating." I stop before I get too carried away with my nerdy passion for plants. 

He nods slowly. "That makes a lot of sense," he finally says cryptically, not elaborating. 

I glance at him. "How does that make sense?"

He looks thoughtful. "We have a sacred connection with the earth. You may be more in tune with that than others, especially since we've built these concrete fortresses between us and the natural world." He gestures towards the window and our urban backdrop. 

Ok. This guy is full of surprises. "I wouldn't have pegged you as the mother nature type."

"Don't let appearances deceive you, Iris." I look at him as I pull onto Franklin Ave, and I'm startled by the seriousness in his eyes. 

"Do you want to deceive me?" The question pops out. It doesn't even make sense- there's nothing between us, no room for deceit.

His eyes darken. "I want a lot of things." He pauses, tilting his head to the side. "But right now, no, I don't think so. Right now I want to follow you up to your apartment."

I turn towards him in shock as I park the car. "You are not coming to my apartment."

Before I can react, he reaches over and takes my chin between his fingers, turning my face towards his. He leans in fluidly, panther like, ensnaring me with the sinful intention in his eyes. His thumb brushes against my lower lip, and they part as I exhale, suddenly feeling an electric pull thrum between us. My body heats in anticipation, and my belly clenches as he leans forward. His kiss is hard and demanding, and his fingers holding my chin brook no escape. He has me captured. He moves forward in his seat, and I hear the click of my own seatbelt as he unbuckles me. His hands fall to my hips, scooting me towards the innermost edge of my seat. His tongue snakes into my mouth, and I moan, desire settling hot and heavy in my belly. The fission between us overflows as his fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me towards him and tilting my head back as he consumes me, breathes fire into my lungs. His teeth scrape against the soft skin of my inner lip, and suddenly I don't care about my reservations, my suspicions, or my hang-ups. I reach out to touch him, grasping his muscled shoulders, and he groans. The sound of him makes me wet, and his hand trails down my body, his thumbs skirting down the side of my breasts. In answer I rake my fingers over the back of his dampened T-shirt.

"We both want this, Iris," his voice is deep with want as he breaks the kiss, his dark eyes hovering before mine. I notice that they aren't quite black, but flecked with almost inhuman silvery colors. 

I gasp as he cups my breast, feeling its heft, and he looks at me with frank desire. "Don't you feel this?" He pinches my nipple through my sweater, and I gasp. He pinches harder, and sharp pain flares and combines with the pleasure I'm feeling, making my lower belly clench with heat. I feel a whisper of anxiety that I can't trust him, that he can't touch a woman he's just met with roughness, but I'm too turned on, too turned on to push him away.

"Feel how much I need you," he releases my nipple, his hot breath whispering against the shell of my ear, and he takes my hand and guides it to his jeans. I jerk back as I feel the outline of his arousal, but he holds my wrist against him and shifts his hips into my palm. The hard, hot look he gives me is challenging and demanding. "Invite me in, Iris."

Swallowing, mouth dry, I have enough sense to shake my head no. I won't be swept away by him. He holds my gaze, waiting for me to change my mind. His look is not imploring, but the flat, demanding look of someone who is accustomed to getting his way. I don't know how I find the strength to shake my head again. His mouth flattens into a hard line, and his look is full of dark promise. 

"Fine," his voice is clipped and restrained, but when he raises the back of my hand to kiss it, a surprisingly old-fashioned gesture, his lips are sensual, and I shiver. He opens the car door, and just before he leaves his fingers trace the side of my face. "I'll see you soon," he murmurs, his tone still strained and full of lust.

As the car door shuts behind him, I sag in my seat, breathing hard. I can still smell him in the hot air of the car, and I breathe it in, shuddering.

I know, I know, no mad hot sex yet. But I promise you that it's cumming in the second installment ;) Kisses, Olivia.

Light and Dark Ch. 02



Warlocks, werewolves, banshees, ah Demons. I pulled the book from the shelf and sat down at the massive mahogany desk. It was amazing how many books you could find on evil. People tend to dismiss them as lunatic rantings but they were usually true. An individual person is smarter than the society to which he belongs. Well I at least would like to believe that. Most humans weren't ready to accept what happens in the shadows. Blissfully ignorant, they continue on with their lives. 

I flipped on the desk light and opened the book. This particular book I purchased from a gypsy clan in Romania. They had been happy to have me with them for a few days to help them vanquish a Grimlock who was blinding their children. In return they helped me with my empathic powers. Gypsies are really good with empathy. Chances are if you've ever gone to a psychic, palm/tarot card reader, or a crystal ball reader it was a gypsy. 

Flipping through the pages, I looked at every demon. Nothing. Well this was something new. I flipped to the index page and scanned for water demons. Four. I turned to those specific pages. None of them resembled the lady I saw. Hum. Maybe she was a water spirit. I rose and walked back over to the booked clad wall. The clock in the downstairs hallway chimed four. Damn! Sunrise would be in a half an hour. 

I ran down the front staircase and headed right. "Open!" I yelled at the altar room door. The doors slid open and I jumped over the threshold. Potions. I needed a good all-purpose vanquishing potion. I opened the glass china cabinet again and looked to the back this time. I've been trying to work on keeping as many potions handy as possible. You never know what you might be facing and having to go to the store for herbs, then brew the potion wasted precious time. Toward the back in black glass bottles were a few that were stronger than the three I has used earlier with the fire starters, so I grabbed four. I turned and walked to the weapons chest. I grabbed an athame, strapped it to my calf and headed back out the doors and to the hall closet. I decided I should wear the long pea coat, it would be a little nippy out and I really hated being cold. Gun? What the hell, I slid the shoulder harness on quickly, then the jacket. With the potion bottles in my pockets I stood at the door. I really hope this is enough. 

I centered myself and concentrated on the man in my vision. I reached my mind out and felt his. Good, nothing has happened yet. I focused on his location and with a swirl of wind I was there. I was standing on the dock looking up at shore. The fisherman was walking down the dock and heading to his boat when I appeared. I glanced quickly at the water and found that the bubbles were starting to form. Crap. 

The man I was here to protect brought me back to the present by yelling at me, "Why are you here?" But the last half faded out as he saw what was going on in the water. I turned toward the fisherman but he was already at my side. 

The bubbles became more frequent and then came the lady. I reached out with one arm holding back the fisherman and with the other grabbed one of the potion bottles out of my pocket. Just as she was crowning the surface I threw the bottle. It cracked on the surface and water exploded everywhere. The fisherman and I were both thrown back onto the dock. I jumped up quickly, glanced at the fisherman who was unconscious and was ready when I saw the woman rising through the water as if nothing had happened. Oh crap. I grabbed two more bottles and swung them both at the creature. Her eyes opened and caught a glimpse of the potions heading toward her. With one wave of her trident she sent them both flying back at me. 

"Shield!" I held up my hand and a blue light of a shield formed a square in front of me as I kneeled to avoid the bottles and keep her in my line of sight. 

The bottles hit the shield and the force threw me back on my butt. Damn those are strong. The lady was rising out of the water and stepped out onto the dock. I jumped up as fast as I could, but she was already standing above the man with her trident. I called for her trident and directed it into the water. She turned toward me and opened her arms. This was defiantly not good. A wave of water surrounded me and I was trapped. I couldn't move. I tried to teleport, but that was blocked too. Great. 

She held up her hand the trident came to her and she shoved it into the chest of the fisherman. Blood trickled down his chest and onto the weather beaten wood of the dock. His eyes opened as he regained consciousness and he tried to shove her off. His eyes, they were black. My god he was a vampire. What the hell was going on? Why did I receive a vision to save a vampire? Better yet what was she doing killing a vampire? 

She surrounded him in the same manner I was trapped and started to speak in a language I didn't understand. A green glow started to surround the man as his soul was sucked into the trident and then the body turned to dust. Her hands gripped the trident as hard as she could and she then absorbed the man's soul into herself. The only thing worse that dying is having your soul sent to the void. It is a horrible place where everything ceases to exist. Even for a vampire, I would not have ever wished that on someone or thing. I wanted to move, to call for his soul. 

She must have sensed my torment, because she was walking over to me. She was dressed scantly in a toga type outfit. Both of her arms were clad with gold bands and her hair was braided with seaweed. She held out the trident toward me, but spoke first, "You silly little witch. You cannot stop what has been set in motion. We will have our revenge and we will return to our rightful thrones." With that she threw her arms in the air and water filled through the boards of the dock and carried her back to the ocean. The wave of water dropped to my feet and I could move again. I dropped to my knees and then remembered the vampire. I got up and ran to the pile of dust. I tried to get a vision or, well I was hoping for anything to explain what had just happened. Nothing. I waved his ashes into the wind, "I am sorry." God I was going to have to talk to Nicklas, if he didn't already know, about this. Boy this day is starting off well. 

-----------------

When I finally teleported myself back home it was going on six o'clock. I had to be at the library to open in an hour. That didn't leave me much time to clean up. I was sopping wet and I was pretty sure I was going to have a bruise on my butt the size of a Buick. I went up the stairs to my bedroom. I walked directly into the bathroom and stripped. I carefully hid the athame and last potion bottle in my adjoining closet as I just didn't have time to get to my altar room, I knew I would stay there and try to figure this out. My housekeeper would be here at eight and I didn't need her questions.

I hopped in for a quick shower. The hot water felt good and I let the water take with it the negative energies that the battle had caused. I had lost an innocent, I think, and I was no closer to finding out who that woman was. My mind was racing and I felt exhausted. I got out of the shower and toweled off. This was going to be a long day. I dressed quickly in a dark green skirt with matching jacket and a silk ivory shirt. The library wasn't very formal, but it made a better impression on people if you looked decent. I might have been going overboard, but I figured what the heck! I braided my hair quickly and let it hang down my back. I sat at the vanity and looked at myself in the mirror. I was attractive. My long brown hair, when worn down, accentuated my high cheekbones. I looked as though I was born a Grecian, even though my mother was Scottish and my father hailed from Essex. I was tan, lean and muscular. But then I had to be athletic. Couldn't fight the forces of evil if you had to stop and catch your breath. I had a perfect body, but I did have to work to keep it up. I practiced yoga three times a week and took a karate class on Thursday nights. Well I only actually get to go every once in a while. Demons aren't very cooperative with schedules. My eyes were my favorite feature. I had my father's same vivacious green eyes. They were the perfect shade of emerald. I sighed and slipped on my dark brown sling backs. 

I headed out of the bathroom and into my bedroom. Mrs. Cooper would wander why my bed hadn't been slept in. I walked over to it and turned down the sheets. I tried to scrunch them up a bit and then headed down the back stairs to the kitchen. I picked up the phone on the wall and dialed Rodger. He was a co-worker who owed me a favor. He answered the phone quickly. "Hello?" His voice was clear as a bell and then I remembered he hardly ever slept. "Good Morning Rodger." He paused briefly then perked up, "Alexis! Good Morning. What can I do for you?" He was always so cheerful. He was an older man with a potbelly with hair that was white and full. He looked like Santa Claus. "Rodger I need a favor." He chimed right in, "Sure. What?" I just kept going, "I need you to open the library. I have something that just came up and I am going to be about an hour late." I tried to sound as desperate as possible and it must have worked. He answered with out hesitation. "Sure! I'll be there in fifteen minutes." "Thank you Rodger." He hung up and I did the same. Good. Now I can get this over with before I have time to change my mind. 

I walked to the hall closet and grabbed my long brown pea coat. It was mid- December, and quite chilly out. Although it had yet to snow, the wind chill made up for it. I wrapped the coat around me and buttoned it all the way up. I grabbed my gloves and was ready. I opened my mind and focused on Nicklas's house. I was outside his main doors instantly and just as fast his guards were almost on top of me. I threw up a force field and they hit it and fell back. Evil can sense good and likewise with me. I can feel their aura, as I'm sure it works similar for them. I was hoping this was why I was being attacked. 

Keeping it up I spoke, "I am here to see Nicklas." 

They stood, shook themselves off and walked slowly toward me. Taller, barrel chests and mean faced, they just looked horrible. I didn't recognize either of them. Which was probably a good thing, but I had known most of the vampires that worked in and around Nicklas's houses. He must have gotten new guards, which then made me wonder what had happened to the others. 

One of them spoke with a thick southern drawl. "We know who you are witch! He's busy. Now leave." 

They started to walk a little slower upon approaching the blue shield that separated us. I looked up to both of them only to find them black-eyed, close to the blue line that separated us and started to claw through my barrier with their long bony fingers. You know, I would love to have one day where I could go with out using magic. Better yet, one day where I didn't have to deal with pricks like this. 

"If you know who I am, then you know you're going to lose this fight." My voice was dry. 

They were really starting to piss me off. It seems as thought I have a very short temper. I've been told this in the past, but am unable to understand why people would think this. I react to situations, maybe a bit hastily, but I react accordingly. 

The same southern boy spoke again, "We know what to expect from you." 

They kept walking toward me, eyes gleaming black. Great. What a day. Leave it to Nicklas to use men who kill first and ask questions never, to be guarding his door. They jumped to attack; I dropped the shield and froze them in mid air. "Ha! Weren't expecting that were you!" 

I walked under them, up the four stairs to the entrance and knocked on the door. Why, I don't know, I wasn't really feeling like another fight. Everything in me was telling me to just give up, go to the library and email Nicklas. I sighed to myself, I don't think there was ever a day that went by when Nicklas and I were dating that some sort of fight didn't ensue because of our relationship. His clan leaders all opposed it, quite openly in fact. It was unheard of for a Master to date a mortal, let alone a High Priestess. Not that the coven didn't disapprove, but they supported me. I think Madison was the only one who encouraged me completely. Hum... Vampires, demons and so forth weren't exactly known for their docile nature, but Nicklas was different. Or so I thought. 

I was brought back to my current situation by the door opening and a tall, skinny man answered. He was Nicklas's right hand man, Charles. He handled all the affairs of the business and was one of the most brilliant businessmen I'd ever met. He greeted me warmly, yet I could feel his distain at my presence. "Alexis. Please come in." 

I stepped over the threshold and into the house. It was just as large as mine, but Nicklas's had one of the few century homes that remained in the area. Over three hundred years old and it looked spectacular. Although when you have unlimited funds, anything is possible. Plus this was only one of seven 'major' homes he had across the continent. Charles held his hand out to me and I shook it. 

He glanced out the door and smiled, "I see you've met the help." 

I smiled back at him and took my hand back nicely. "Yeah. Great conservationists. They should be okay in a few minutes." 

He laughed and shook his head. "It is hard to find good help these days." 

He led me to the closed doors of the conference room. This room, I assume had been the parlor, but Nicklas had turned it into a state of the art conference room, complete with all of the audio visual equipment necessary to run his business from here if he had to. I know he held his weekly meetings with his head clan members. He had a little hierarchy that seemed to be working well for him. Honestly I wasn't sure why he was still here. His headquarters were in Toronto and the only reason why he had even bought the house was because I lived near here. 

"May I take your jacket?" Charles touched my sleeve and I could feel his curiosity as to why I was here. 

When the 'dark side' found out who I was and where I came from, hell broke loose. An uprising started and Charles had asked Nicklas not to have me here anymore, not that I was ever in his homes. It was more of an out of sight thing. He agreed and took care of the rebels. I didn't want to know what 'took care of' meant, but I'm sure it wasn't anything I would want to know. 

I slid my hands into the pockets. "No thank you, this won't take long. Is he in a meeting?" 

He nodded, "Of sorts" and opened the doors. 

On the other side, Nicklas was sitting at the head of the enormous oak table. To his left another body guard and to his right was Mona. Mona was one of the only female vampires that he had ever given a 'status' in the clan. Most female vampires were only out for sex and power and he felt that it was distasteful. Amazing, I know, but Nicklas truly was a gentleman. Master or not, he had manners. As for Mona, I knew they had a history together and I had always been curious as to what it was, but I didn't ask. I was afraid of what the answer would be. When the man you're dating is over eight hundred years old, he's going to have a long list of past lovers. I didn't want to know. Mona was almost as old as he, but I knew he hadn't sired her. I wasn't quite sure what her place was in his entourage, but, again, that wasn't my business. She was very mother like to the rest of them and very protective of him. So naturally she hated me. 

Upon my entry to the room, the muscle man was up, heading toward me with Mona right behind. Dear god! This was getting tiring, plus I wasn't wearing the right shoes for defending myself. The sling backs were going to take a beating. If I was going to have to go through this any time I needed to speak with Nicklas, maybe I should reconsider talking to him at all. I threw my arms up and trapped each of them in a force field bubble. Holding them there, I looked to Nicklas. He was still sitting, arms across his chest. "Nicklas, How about you call them off. I'm only here to pass on some information."

He didn't move, but spoke, "Now you want to talk?" his face was blank, but I could feel his anger. 

"Dammit! I'm here as a professional courtesy to you. Besides you came to me last night."

Mona turned in her bubble and spoke to Nicklas, "Is that where you were last night!" 

Well now, maybe I had underestimated their relationship. Nicklas of course ignored her, and I turned my attention back to holding the bubbles. They were trying to claw their way out of the force fields and it was clawing at my powers. I wasn't going to be able to hold them up there much longer. 

Nicklas had uncrossed his arms and threw them into the table. "A professional courtesy? From you?" 

He was quite upset with me. Part of me didn't blame him, but part of me was getting tired of his macho facade. 

I stepped out of my heels, to get a better stance and I was ready to fight now, "Fine!" 

I dropped the force field bubbles and they started at me. I turned to the bodyguard first. He was the closet to me now. I concentrated only on him and flicked my hands at him. He froze in mid air. Containing my excitement I turned just in time to see Mona's fist hit me across the face. I stumbled backwards but found my ground. I could taste blood. She had split my lip in the bottom corner. Now I was really upset. I put up a force field, as she was about to hit me again. Her fist hit the blue light and threw her back against the wall to the right. I wiped the blood off my mouth and quickly healed myself. Damn that hurt. She was up again and launched at me. Well at least she was persistent. Nicklas wouldn't have expected less. 

Speaking of him. He was still sitting in his chair. Just watching. What the hell was he trying to prove? I wandered how far he would let this go on before he did something. I knew I could vanquish them, but they might take me out with them and that wasn't in my plans for the day. Mona. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught her jumping at the force field again. Right before she was about to hit me, I waved a chair at her. It caught her off guard and it hit her in the torso taking her down. She grunted and I knew I had hurt her. She turned over to face me and this time her eyes were black. Great she had been holding back before. Fine I won't hold back either. I looked back quickly at the frozen guard. He was still frozen, but just incase I put a force field around him. Mona was on her feet and ready to jump. She spoke, "I won't let you get away with that." 

I hadn't ever noticed the Scottish accent before. Hum. She was snarling at me. This was going to get interesting. I jumped up onto the table and she followed. I didn't have a game plan, but what the heck. I teleported behind her and shoved her with all of my power. She flew across the room and smashed into the other wall. She slid down, stumbled and stood. 

I looked around the room for any options. Again, I looked to Nicklas. Nothing. The wanker still hadn't moved. Why I had come here unarmed, I'll never know, and then I had an idea. I held my arm extended outward and used my hand to focus my empathy on the frozen vampire. I had only tried this once before with a fear conjuring demon and it had worked giving me his powers temporarily. A black mist started to form around the vampire and found it's way to my hand. I could feel the vampire's strength flow over me in a black cloud of cold. Mona jumped at me again; I stepped forward and caught her in mid air, grabbing her by the throat. I focused all of the borrowed strength on her. She was clawing at my arm. Frighten now, her eyes turned back to brown and she was whining. 

Nicklas was out of his chair and on the table next to me. "Okay, you win. Let her go."




Light and Dark Ch. 02



The strength of the vampire was flowing fully through me. 

I could feel the need to feed and I had a strong urge to kill, not necessarily Mona, but just to kill. For the first time I could feel Nicklas's connection to this vampire. It was like he was only borrowing from Nicklas. The power was riding me too strong and I wasn't prepared to take it on. I broke the connection and Mona fell to her knees on the table. Nicklas went to her side made sure she was okay and when she nodded he pointed to the frozen bodyguard. "Him too." 

I hadn't realized that I had been able to keep the force field around him. That had never happened before. I waved my hand at him and he fell to the ground, not moving. Nicklas hopped off of the table and over to the vampire on the floor. I guess he was still alive; I just must have drained his powers, again another first. 

See what I mean?! Every time I was with Nicklas, my powers were all screwed up. Nicklas spoke, "Leave us!"

I realized that Charles had watched the whole thing from the door. He walked over to the bodyguard, threw him over his shoulder like a sack of flour and helped Mona out of the room, closing the door behind him. Nicklas stood facing the door. I hopped off of the table and assessed my jacket. The sleeve was torn to shreds and my arm was bleeding pretty badly underneath it. Funny. It doesn't hurt. I unbuttoned the coat and started to take it off as Nicklas turned around. "What the hell was that?" 

I pulled the coat off the rest of the way and looked up at him. He was serious. 

"I'd say that was you trying to prove that you're the Master. I get it. You're the leader here, but next time I come here to share information with you, I don't want the welcoming committee. How far would you have let that go on?" I looked back down at my arm. "Crap." 

She had clawed through most of skin and muscle and I could see bone in some spots. I imagined that this is what shoving your arm in a meat grinder would produce. It was quite disgusting. Why doesn't it hurt? Maybe I was in shock, but I knew it had more to do with the power I had borrowed from the vampire. I closed my eyes and focused on the wounds. I let the blue healing light rise in me and I focused it on the wounds. Slowly my arm started to piece itself back together. I flexed my hand. Good as new. I looked back up at Nicklas. He was staring at me. Just staring. 

"What? I have healed myself in front of you before." 

He didn't speak, but instead walked back to his chair and sat down. "What did you need to tell me?" 

He looked exhausted sitting there. I really wanted to read his mind, but I kept my distance. I found my shoes and put them back on. I don't know why but I always feel more apt to handle things when wearing shoes. I liked to think that is why I owned so many pairs. I picked up the chair I had sent into Mona and pushed it back into the table. I decided to keep my distance, so I held on to it. From here I could feel his anger, but also I was picking up on something else. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. What was wrong with him? 

I didn't want to deal with this right now, so I just answered his question. "I came to tell you that one of your people was killed this morning and before you start, it wasn't me. He was in my vision and I was there to save him, but..." My thoughts trailed back to the scene for a moment. What was she talking about revenge for? Had he killed some one she knew? 

I must have paused for too long because Nicklas started in, "You didn't save him because he was a vampire?" 

He stood. He was right in front of me and I was a bit taken aback by his stature. He was tall, yes, but when he projected his power out, he was a giant. I took a step back. I should have guessed he would want to get into it again. 

"No. I couldn't," and I stressed that part, "save him because I was being held back. Now look. He was in my vision, so obviously he was the one who needed to be saved, vampire or not. I don't get the head crushing, searing pain visions just for kicks." Boy he really knew how to push my buttons. 

He opened his mouth to speak, but I kept going. "I came here to tell you personally that I was sorry that I didn't get the job done, but you obviously can't deal with us, so I apologize for heeding to your rules. I will just email next time." I turned back toward the doors to the room and the chair where I had thrown my jacket. 

Nicklas was right in front of me. He was fast. I reached around him and grabbed my jacket. "Alexis, look." 

I put my jacket on and interrupted him, "No, you look. I'm tired of this. It's hard enough to deal with my stuff, let alone worrying about how I'm going to tell you that I didn't save one of your men, that I didn't have enough power to stop it from happening. I am sorry that I hurt you. I really am, but I don't enjoy being attacked, when I'm following your rules." I buttoned my jacket and pulled the gloves out of the pocket I had shoved them in. 

He reached out and touched my arm, "Alexis, I'm sorry." 

I looked up at him. His eyes were so beautiful. You could lose yourself in them and not worry about ever coming out. 

I hugged myself, "I'm sorry too. Now I have to go change before I go to work." 

He called my name again, but I teleported myself back to my hallway. Great. I hung my shredded jacket back in the closet and grabbed another one. I headed toward the kitchen and the garage. No time for tea this morning. I would have to catch some at the library. The clock struck at a quarter till eight. "Time's up." I chimed as I walked out the side door that led to the garage. I had told Rodger I was going to be an hour late and I was right. 

I paused at the top of the three stairs leading to the garage floor. The hummer really needed to be washed. I descended the stairs and went to the key box on the wall. The mustang it was. I was seriously debating on whether or not to purchase a smaller suv for the winter driving. I hated driving the Hummer everywhere. It commanded such a presence that people often snickered as I drove by. Not that the mustang didn't either but those looks I could take. 

I put the Mustang in gear, hit the garage door button and backed out. The sun was shining brightly against the dew that had formed a blanket over the ground. I headed down the driveway and pushed the gate button inside my car. The gate popped open and I started the ten-minute drive to the library. It was a beautiful drive down the coast. The view was breathtaking. Cool blue waves crashing into the foamy surface of the water. The lobster boats were hard at work checking their colored buoys that dotted the surface with rainbow colors. Even the flocks of birds were an addition to the astuteness. It was a great place to live and the view picked my spirits up. 

I pulled into the parking lot and then into my assigned spot. I opened the door and walked down the hallway past the kitchenette and found Rodger sitting at his desk up front. "Thank you very much Rodger." 

He stood and turned toward me. He smiled immediately and walked over to me. "You're more than welcome. Only a few regulars, but it should pick up soon." 

I smiled back at him and thanked him again. He walked back over to his desk and grabbed his jacket. "The Bopsy Twins should be in soon." 

I laughed and waved good-bye to him. He was right; my two co-workers would be in shortly. I walked over to my desk and settled down. I entered the password for my computer. The screen flashed WELCOME and the drives started to hum. I clicked on the Internet button and was instantly connected to the world. I logged on to the European Network. This database held more information about demons and other magical things than my study wall could hold. I entered in the search information and pushed enter. If there were anything on the Lady from the sea, this site would have it. The search returned five results. Only one of them caught my eye. I clicked on the link and opened the page. Watchtower of the Element Water popped up on the screen. It couldn't be. The element water? How was it possible that an element could become corporeal and kill? 

I read the page: It is fabled to be that when the ancient ones were creating the world, they gave of them selves into the world. Earth, fire, water and air. These four elements became the basis of all creation. It is also said that out of the elements came the watchtowers for which a Wiccan circle is called. In the ancient days they were as humans, given the strength to be the keeper of their element. When they realized their power they began to abuse the laws. They were defeated and banished from their thrones.. They were to live in and as their element for the rest of time..." I gulped. This was not good news. I printed the page and reached for my telephone. No I couldn't call Europe from here, it would have to wait until I was at home. I filed the page in my drawer and shut off my computer. If the lady was really the keeper of water and she really had been released... this was just too much to process right now. 

I stood and stretched my arms. I heard back door open with Beatrice and Fanny walking through. "Good Morning Ladies." I mustered the happiest tone that I could. 

"Good morning dear!" They both chimed back in unison. It was nine o'clock. Business would start to pick up now. The three regulars would be coming through the door, plus, there would be a few drop-ins. 

I walked over to the return cart. "Ladies, I am going to go file these returns." I don't think they were paying attention. They were engrossed in a conversation about Fanny's geraniums. I wanted to keep myself busy. 

About two hours later I had finished with the returns and was walking down the main isle. The smell of books is just perfect, the older the better. They have a smell that seams to be supportive and reassuring. A smell that says, "Not to worry. We've been here this long, our words will always be remembered." I had to laugh at myself; sometimes I was the biggest dork. 

I heard Beatrice's voice echo over the shelves. "Alexis! There's a delivery here for you!" She could hardly contain herself. 

I could feel the excitement in her voice so I headed down the aisle to the main desk. On the counter was a crystal vase containing a dozen calla lilies. It was astounding. I paused and took out the card. 

"What kind of flowers are these dear? They almost look like a lily. They are quite beautiful." Beatrice was trying to nose her way around to read the card. 

I smiled. "They are calla lilies." I opened the card. 

Beatrice turned to Fanny, "I bet they're from that nice young man she used to see." 

Fanny agreed and went back to her work. I didn't want to read the card out here, so I picked up the vase and carried it with the card over to my desk. The phone rang and Beatrice's attention shifted. I sat the vase on my desk and opened the card. Dinner, six o'clock. I smiled to myself. Nicklas. I sat in my chair and faced the vase. They were my favorite and he knew how much they meant to me. 

When I was small, my father used to put them in my room to remind me of my mother and calm me down at night. The long, thick green stalks leading into the brilliant white cups always left me in awe. I closed the card and placed it in my desk. I had to admire his boldness, plus I really wanted to get rid of the tension between us. I picked up the phone and dialed Madison's cell. 

She answered after two rings. "So did you two kiss and make up?" 

I laughed, way to go Madison. Start right in, why don't you. "No. I had a vision and had to go again, but that is not why I am calling. I wanted to know if you wanted to go to the gym, instead of yoga?" 

She laughed, "Frustrated are ya?" 

I smiled and leaned back in my chair. "No, He sent me flowers as a peace offering and asked me out to dinner." 

She didn't answer right away and I knew she was trying to think. "What would he need to give you a peace offering for?" 

Ah. She figured it out. "Well there was an altercation at his place this morning. I'll tell you about it if you go to the gym with me." 

I had peaked her interests and her voice showed it. "I can be there in 30." 

She hung up the phone and I placed mine back in it's cradle. I left my desk and headed over to where Fanny was still standing. "Fanny I am going to cut out early today if that is okay?" 

She turned toward me, "Not at all dear. You have a good day." 

I smiled at her. If only she knew. I grabbed my coat from the closet and headed out the back door to my car. I would be at the gym in about twenty minutes, which would give me ten to change and be ready for Madison's questions. I put the car in drive and headed out of the parking lot to the gym. If I ran for an hour, weight trained and showered I could be home by two o'clock and could call the coven. Plus I was looking forward to dinner. It had been so long since we went out together. I just wasn't sure if I was ready for what this might mean for us. I was still trying to convince myself that I didn't need him in my life and our relationship had only been convenient. I really wanted to stay at home, in my sweats and do some more research. I had a feeling that what was happening was going to be significant to the world. Again, I was right at the core. Some families had a treasured recipe that was passed down through the ages. My family passed down a continuous charge to save the world. 

I pulled into the gym's parking lot and found a space rather quickly. I hopped out of the car, remembering my purse, and headed for the entrance. A busty blonde named Brandi greeted me as I walked in. "Good afternoon Miss Dominick." I smiled at her and walked toward the turn styles leading to the locker rooms. The stairs were in the middle of the complex and the entire building had an 'open' concept. I descended the two flights of stairs and walked past the basketball courts and into the women's locker room. Locker 254 was reserved for my own personal use. I loved having one here, because I had the platinum membership. They would wash my clothes, fold them neatly, place them back in my locker and make sure I had a clean hand towel. I never had to worry about lugging around a smelly gym bag. 

I changed quickly. Running pants, sports bra, tank top, white ankle socks and white Nike cross trainers. I sat on the bench and awaited Madison. I didn't have to wait long, as I heard her yelling for me as she walked through the door, "Alexis, You sure are fast! 

I need to get me one of those fancy cars." 

I smiled and turned on the bench to face her. She turned the corner and walked down the isle to her locker #213. "So are you going to tell me what happened now, or do you need to run first?" 

I crossed my legs and sighed, "Well I had a vision and when I got there to save the innocent... Well he turned out vampire. Not that it mattered, I had the vision for a reason, but I think that I was more upset that I couldn't save him." I looked up at Madison. She had almost finished changing, donning almost the exact outfit that I was, except she chose colors, green and purple to be exact. 

She started on her shoes and back on me. "So that was it? He invited you to dinner because you couldn't save one of his men?" 

I shook my head. "No. I went to his house to tell him what happened, just like he asked me to do if I had anything to do with a vanquish and one of his body guard and Mona attacked me. He did nothing and just let them have their way, but, well I almost killed Mona and I damn near drained the guard. She tore most of my arm off, it was a huge bit of drama." 

Madison's face had dropped, "He let them attack you?" 

I stood and we started to walk out of the locker room, "Yeah. It wasn't until I was strangling Mona that he jumped in." 

She laughed, "I bet that felt good." 

I smiled and we headed up the three floors to the track. "Yeah, I suppose it did." 

"So tell me what happened with this vision." 

I felt a little awkward telling her about my failed save, but it helped to talk to some one objective to the situation. "I thought it was a water demon, but she didn't respond well to my vanquishing potions. Plus she said something about 'We'. So I am assuming that there are more. Plus when I looked it up online I came up with the elements." 

Madison started to stretch her legs and I followed suit. "So do think this could be serious?" She stood up straight and started on her arms. 

"I'm not sure. I am going to call the coven when I get home." 

She nodded and we started to jog around the track. After a vigorous run and many more inquisitions from the peanut gallery, we both decided to skip the weights and head for the sauna. "You're thinking of ways to back out of going to dinner with him." 

I smiled and tightened my towel around my chest. I wasn't uncomfortable with my body, but this was a gym and Americans are very nosey when comes to critiquing others bodies. "Well, now who's the psychic?" 

She did the same with her towel and we both lay out on the cedar planks. "Call me gifted!" She started laughing and the other two girls in the sauna gave us a disgusted look. Can't please everyone. Besides up until Madison's laughing we were almost at a whisper. 

"I don't know how to feel anymore." I exhaled and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Your not supposed to know how to feel, you're just supposed to do it. Go out with him tonight. You're always complaining you don't have anyone around and he is right there." She was getting a bit irritated with me. 

"I know. Besides, I have the perfect dress." 

She looked up at me, "How do you know you'll need to be all schnazy?" 

Now was my turn to laugh, "Has he ever given you the impression that he was frugal?"

She answered right away, "Nope. In that case, order dessert. After the ten miles we just ran, you can afford the calories." 

I put my head back against the cedar plank and let the heat push any negativity out of me. I'll shower here and then head home to call the coven. This day might actually have a nice ending.

---------

I opened the door leading to my kitchen and walked in. Mrs. Cooper was working over the stove. She was wearing her usual black work dress, black shoes and this time she had chosen a bright pink apron. Her hair was pulled back into a tightly wound knot. She reminded me of pictures I had seen of Mrs. Claus. Jolly and round with her glasses on the tip of her nose. I had thought briefly about introducing her to Rodger, but then quickly changed my mind. She was clad in yellow rubber gloves, scrubbing and humming happily while she cleaned the stove. 

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Cooper." I walked toward the door leading to the dining room and paused. 

She answered with out looking up. "Good afternoon dear! Did you have a good day at the library?" She kept right on scrubbing. 

I laughed. She was an old time lady. Set in her cleaning ways and etiquette. I adored her. "Yes Mrs. Cooper I did. I have a few hours of work to do. Would you mind terribly taking a message if anyone rings for me?" 

Her head popped up from the stove and she turned her attention to the counter. With a large swoop she sprayed the counter and hooked the trigger in her apron's belt. "Not at all dear. I should be wrapped up here shortly anyways." 

I put my hand on the swinging door to the dining room. "I am most grateful." 

I pushed open the door and walked through the dining room. I paused by the massive oak table. This had been my great grandfather's present to his bride. He carved and stained it himself and the painstaking effort he put in showed. It stood waist high and was at least four inches thick. He had chosen to carve a Celtic design as a border on the top, stained it dark and then glazed it. It had ten matching benches of the same design and stain. Truly beautiful. I had had it shipped from the castle in London. I only spent a few weeks out of the year there anymore, so I wanted the heritage with me. It comforted me to know that even though I was alone, I had them here with me in spirit. 




Light and Dark Ch. 02



I really should throw a dinner party. I had never entertained guests in this house. It had been eight years since I purchased it. Things one says one should do, somehow never become a priority. I walked out the opposing entrance into the hallway, behind the staircase and into my library. I walked over to the desk, took my suit jacket off, laying it over the back of the chair and sat down. I needed to figure this out. I really needed to know what I was going to do, better yet, what was going to happen next. I pushed one of the four buttons on a panel that was at the top of my desk. A flat panel monitor popped up out to the right of me and from under my desk a panel holding a keyboard slid out. I pushed a second button and the computer flashed to life. A moment later I was logging on to the Internet. I need to do some research and phone the coven. 

I picked up the phone in the other corner of the desk, dialed zero and asked for an international operator. After a brief discussion and listing of numbers the phone started to ring. 

"Alexis!" The voice on the other side answered without hesitation. It was Barbara; she had practically raised me as her granddaughter after my father passed and honestly it was her I missed the most. 

"Hello Barbara! I hope I haven't rung you too late." Even though it was only three o'clock here, with the time change it was eight p.m. there. 

"Nonsense my dear! How have you been?" She chuckled. Barbara was telepathic and already knew the answer to what she had asked. 

"What do you think I am dealing with?" I started straight into the topic. 

"To speak the truth, we are not quite sure. The coven met earlier today to discuss the force we were feeling erupting from the universe." Her voice took on a serious tone, "Alexis, we're not sure what is coming, but we know it is old and evil. Please come home so we can work this out as a full coven." 

I sighed. I knew I was stronger when we worked together. Thirteen is always stronger than one, but I felt like I had a purpose in being here. 

"Honey it's okay. You have your father's will and spirit. He would have wanted to work on his own too." 

I felt an overwhelming rush of sorrow flow over me. I fought back the tears that came to my eyes. I missed my father so much. 

"Alexis?" 

I realized I had been silent for quite a while. "I'm sorry. I appreciate your offer." I wiped my eyes with a tissue. "I just feel such a connection here." 

She answered me with another question. "Is it to the land dear or could it be to a person?"

I swallowed. I really hadn't even thought of Nicklas. Was he a factor for me? 

"You will dear. Take your time." 

I smiled. "I do really enjoy our conversations. I never have to worry how I am going to say something." 

She started to laugh. "My dear child! We don't even really need to speak at all. Remember, your powers are a gift..." 

I interrupted, "... that must be exercised daily." 

We both laughed. "I do miss all of you. Please tell everyone I said hello." I was feeling less apt to handle any situation. 

"I will dear. You take care of yourself. We are only a teleport away." 

I longed for the company. "Thank you. Blessed Be." 

"Blessed Be" She answered and then hung up. 

I held the phone in my hand for a moment, just feeling the connection fade. I yearned for my family. I needed to feel loved again. The computer screen brought me back from my thoughts. It was flashing. I clicked the mouse and the browser window opened. Search for creation of the elements. A German website translation popped up first. I clicked on the page and scrolled down to the element of water. A phrase caught my eye, "I am flowing, I am flowing, from here to there, from there to here, moving endlessly. Constant motion is my aim, constant renewal my way. My purpose is SHAPING, CREATION, ACTION in a formative way. I will not be quite because standing still is the end. Do not hold me back, do not stop me." 

Great. I pulled out a notepad and scrolled up to the first listing of the elements. At the top of the paper I wrote, "Fire" and then the bold words in the statement, "Sun, Life, Power." Under that I wrote "Water" and it's bold, "Shaping, Creation, Action." Next was "Earth: Light, Love, Creation." Last I wrote, "Air: Life, Spirit, Strength." I opened the front page and read what was typed; "This is all of creation: The four elements are the whole and the whole is mirrored of the elements. They stand for Creation itself. In the material plain they are the physical basis for life and at the same time they have the power of the most terrible destruction." The Lady in the Water had said, they. Was she talking about all of the elements and better yet what did she mean by returning to their rightful thrones? If she conjured herself onto the material plain, why was she killing? Hum. This just keeps getting better and better. 

There was a knock on the door. "Yes?" I continued with my writing while the door opened. A warm wave washed over me. Nicklas. He was trying to make peace. I smiled and looked to the door. He was leaning up against the doorway, arms folded across his chest. He was wearing a black suit sharply tailored to his frame. Underneath he chose a brilliant dark blue shirt with a metallic gold tie. He had pulled his hair back to the nape of his neck again, but it was full and wavy. He looked great. 

"Your early." I said and turned back to the notepad. 

"Only by fifteen minutes." He stayed in the doorway. 

Was it really a quarter till six already? I looked at the clock on the far wall. Indeed it was. I turned off the computer and put the notepad in the top drawer of the desk. 

The computer lowered into the desk as I spoke, "I'll be ready in ten." 

I stood and walked toward the door. He didn't move but smiled at me. I knew he wanted to talk, but I wanted to get ready. 

"I loved the lilies." 

He kept the smile and stood up straight. "A peace offering. They shouldn't have attacked you." 

He was baiting me to question his motives, but I didn't bite. He moved and waved me through the door. 

"Ten minutes, I promise." I walked out the door and headed upstairs to change. Could I afford to be going to dinner right now? I really should be concentrating on the current situation. I walked into my bedroom and then into my closet. 

Madison's words echoed in my head, Stop it. Go out with him tonight. You're always complaining you don't have anyone around and he is right there. Fine! 

I walked to the far corner of my closet were I kept a few formal dresses. I chose a stunning black strapless dress. It had slits up both thighs and hugged my body in just the right places. Nicklas would love it, perfect. I slipped out of my day clothes and quickly pulled this one up. Zipping it was almost a problem, but I managed. I started to unbraid my hair, it had completely dried since the shower at the gym and it looked better down anyways, plus now it would be wavy. I freshened my barely there makeup, and headed for my jewelry chest. A gold drop necklace with matching earrings fit nicely. Now grab my black sling-backs and I was heading down the stairs. Ten minutes exactly. 

When I turned to walk down the stairs, I caught Nicklas staring up at me. If he had opened his mouth, his jaw would have dropped. I sensed the change in his breathing immediately. It was a nice compliment I thought. He had seen me dressed up before, but this time I had dressed up specifically for him and he knew it. I reached the bottom of the stairs and he took my hand and kissed it lightly. "You look radiant." 

I felt myself blush. I can't imagine why he could still make me blush, but what the heck. "You look decent yourself." I brushed off his shoulders and straightened his jacket.

"Would you care to accompany me?" He held out his arm and I slid mine through his.

He led me out my front door to a car waiting for us at the bottom of the entranceway. He opened the passenger side door for me, I slid in and he waited for me to pull my dress in before shutting the door. While I waited for him to get in the driver's side I looked around the car. It was a new BMW Sedan, completely furnished inside. He had a bigger obsession with cars than I, but I felt I had a better selection. I laughed to myself, I was competing again. We, as humans, seemed to be more interested in competition than in being grateful for what we have. 

My thoughts went to the Lady of the water and the other three elements. I haven't had any run-ins with them, yet, but if I was as helpless to them as I was to the water, then maybe I should go back to London and regroup. I would have the twelve of them to help me and here I had myself. It was tempting. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear Nicklas talking to me. He touched my arm and instinctively I surrounded myself with a force field. "Well now, that wasn't quite the answer I had hoped for." 

I pushed the hair back from my face. I turned toward him. "I'm sorry. I was in my own little world." I forced a smile and continued, "Now what were you saying?" I took a deep breath and centered myself. 

He just smiled and dropped the subject as he turned the car on, put it into drive and headed down the driveway. We sat in silence while he pulled out of the drive and onto the road heading away from town. He put his hand on mine and I held it in my lap. I felt his aura reaching out to me. I love when he shared his warmth with me and this felt like a warm feeling tickling my hand. I leaned back in the seat and opened myself to him. I felt him wash over me like a deep breath of steamy air. His aura filled my mind and calmed me. I let him see what I was thinking. I let him feel the vision I had and everything that I had seen and felt at the dock and everything I was feeling and trying to decipher in my head. Not that that was ever a good idea but I figured he wanted in so he would just have to deal with all of the things I think about at one time.

He pulled back and I felt the warmth slowly fade. I was suddenly chilled. He spoke slowly and delivered his words with care. "I'm sorry I accused you of not trying to save my man. I only feel what is happening on one side and..." 

"You don't have to apologize. I was there, I was the one who didn't save him." My thoughts drifted back to the scene. I settled back in the seat and turned my attention out to the setting sun. 

"You couldn't." His voice was soft and he focused it on me. 

I appreciated the sentiment, but right now I didn't want him to be the supportive figure in my life right now. I was trying to get past him. 

The car slowed. "I can take you back." His voice was still soft but there was an edge on it that hadn't been there before. He had read my thoughts. Crap. I was trying to smooth things over between us. 

I put both hands around his in my lap. "No. Let's go out." 

He smiled and hit the accelerator. "We'll be in Portland in ten minutes."



Light and Dark Ch. 03



Thanks for reading everyone! I really appreciate the comments and critiques. I'm still trying to find an editor so I apologize for the errors. I know there isn't any sex yet but I promise a good show soon...

------- 

We pulled up to the restaurant. I had heard of it from Bernice and Fanny many times before. They said it was the newest four-star restaurant here in the United States. "To die for!" I believe were the exact words they used. As for why we were here, it wasn't because it was expensive it was because Nicklas loved to eat, well that and he loved when people catered to him. After four hundred years of being the Master of North America, he had rather gotten used to having people jump when he told them to. The eating though, was the one human trait he had worked to regain and he had done it with much success.

As he pulled up to the valet curb, a short young kid clad in a red suit, ran up to my door and opened it. Nicklas hopped out of the car and walked around at a human pace. He really did try to tone down his powers out in public, but I found it quite odd in the ways he chose to walk. It looked like he was trying to walk slow, but his movements were too planned. I started to get up when Nicklas held out his hand for me. I took his hand and he pulled me up with out effort. He never held back on his strength though. The valet gave us a ticket and headed for the car. I slid my arm through Nicklas's and he led me to the entrance. The door was opened from inside and we stepped in. I knew why he picked this restaurant the minute the air hit me. Warm and inviting, it almost had the smell of some far off destination. I could pick out cinnamon, Creole seasonings and citrus. Fresh. It was a beautiful setup. Blues, reds and gold littered the pallet. 

The maitre de welcomed us with a French accent. "Good evening, do you have a reservation?" 

"McManus." 

The man perked up at the mention of his last name. Nicklas was known in North America for his business. You know, the corner coffee shop, and although he was quite wealthy on his own, the added fame of the business gave him just a bit more 'human' power. Well that and it was a great cover.

"Ah!" He grabbed two menus and ushered us away. 

I looked up at Nicklas, he was very proud of his choice, so I kissed him on the cheek.

He looked down at me with his blue eyes as we walked to our table. "What was that for?"

" For tonight." It came out as a whisper but he heard me and the smile that encased his face was beautiful.

The man stopped at a very romantic booth set for two, secluded from most of the restaurant by yards of crimson and gold draped fabric. On one of the place settings was a single calla lily. The man motioned me in, I slid in and he handed me a menu. Nicklas slid about a foot from me and took the other menu from the man. "I'll send your waiter right over." He hurried away. I picked up the lily and held it in my hand. I was instantly at ease. 

"So, what do you think?" I turned to look at Nicklas. He had slid one arm on top of the booth's seat and the other hand was lying purposely on his menu. He was turned ever so slightly, facing me, already knowing my answer. 

"I would have to say that it is incredible but then I wouldn't have expected anything less." 

A sly little smile enveloped his face and he leaned in closer to me. "Do you forgive me?"

Wanker. He was trying to smooth over the earlier attack. I wasn't mad at him for what had happened, well at least not any more. I was just a tad curious as to why he let it go on as long as it did. "You didn't attack me. So why would you need to be forgiven?" 

He pulled back a bit, but didn't lose the smile. "Are we going to keep playing this game that we have going on, or can we relax for awhile?" 

He was irritated with me and I was starting to feel the same. I wasn't mad at him and he knew it, so what was he trying to prove here? 

"I'm really not upset and I'm not interested in playing any games." I placed my menu down on the table and folded my hands in my lap. I could feel another fight coming and I knew he was going to bring up the earlier one we hadn't finished. Thankfully, the waiter popped up just as Nicklas was about to respond. "Good evening! How are you tonight?" 

I looked up and smiled at the waiter, "Wonderful, and you?" The waiter, who was wearing one of the whitest shirts I have ever seen, was a bit taken aback by my response. "Fine, thank you. May I bring you something to drink?" 

He broke eye contact with me and looked at Nicklas. He glanced quickly at me and then back to the waiter. Before he could order, however, I took over. I wasn't going to spend the whole night in this wonderful restaurant regretting that I had come here. I concentrated on the room and flicked my hands. Everything slowed and stopped. I turned to Nicklas, who was immune to that power and started on my rant. 

"Now, before you order anything and we start this night out, I want you to know that I am NOT upset. I agreed to come out with you because you asked. I have no underlying motives and I would hope the same from you." His face had dropped to a surprised look and I kept going. "I want to enjoy this dinner and the company. So if you want to enjoy it with me, I suggest Bordeaux." 

With that I flicked my hands again and the restaurant jolted back to life. Nicklas smiled, shook his head and ordered Mouton Rothschild 2000 Pauillac. A good choice on his part and the waiter nodded and scurried away. There was a brief silence, where I settled down into the softness of the booth and then Nicklas spoke. 

"You really have become a bit more forward and don't take it as an insult, I am just... impressed." I smiled at his comment. He was right. 

It wasn't too long ago when I would bite my tongue, but with a little help from Madison and me realizing how unhappy I was, I've started taking little steps forward. It is amazing how liberated one can feel by just telling others how they feel. I had bottled everything up for so long and now I was learning not to. It was tiring at times and a bit emotional, but I hope for the best! "I realized I was unhappy, so I fixing the problems." 

He smiled again and returned to his previous position. I kept my hands in my lap but turned slightly to face him. "Have you found your happiness?" 

His question was simple but I would be lying if I said answering it would be easy. I looked at him, studied his face and tried to read what was on the outside of him. He was being sincere, so I answered honestly. Not that I could have lied. He would have known.

"I am working on it." 

I looked down at my hands. His question had bothered me and now I was a bit uneasy as to why he had asked me out. I don't know why I felt uneasy, but I did. Maybe I was beginning to move him out of my mind. Maybe I was beginning to move on and somehow it bothered me. 

"Alexis." His voice was low and he had focused it on me. I took a deep breath and looked back toward him. 

"Yeah?" He dropped the arm that was resting on the top, down onto the seat and he held his hand open for me. He knew I felt uneasy and I realized that he had been reading me again. I could be mad about it, but I brushed it off. I paused only briefly and slowly I brought mine out of my lap and placed it in his. He gently squeezed it and just let them rest there. No powers, no reading. This was different, almost nice. The waiter popped back in with the decanted bottle and poured two glasses for us. He glanced at both of us, unsure of where to start, which almost made me laugh and then settled on Nicklas. "Would you care to order?" 

Nicklas left his hand with mine and turned his attention to the waiter, "I'll have your filet, very rare and the lady will have the Waldorf." 

He nodded his head and scampered off to put in the order. 

I started this time, "Guessed I wanted a salad?" 

He turned back to me, "I didn't have to guess." 

I smiled and picked up my wine glass. He was right. I loved that salad. Apples, walnuts, raisins and lettuce, it was just an intriguing salad. I turned my attention to the wine. It had a fine, deep color, almost black with a purple-violet tint. The taste was, full with intense flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry and spice with a hint of cinnamon, a truly wonderful wine. I set my glass back on the table and was about to sit back when I felt the cold chill run down my spine. I grabbed the table and whispered Nicklas's name. He turned to me, saw what was about to happen and grabbed both of my hands. I squeezed his as I felt the heat in my toes and then it shot up my spine, straight into my head. 

I instantly felt the cold earth at my feet. I looked around and saw two women praying in the middle of the woods. They were witches, but not of any coven I was familiar with. The full moon was high in the sky and they were giving thanks to the Lady. Just as they were about to blow out the candles they had surrounding the circle, the flames erupted creating a circle of fire around them. Out of the fire stepped a man clad in the same toga as the Lady of the Water. He wielded the fire in the palm of his hand and used it to vanquish one of the witches instantly. I felt her pain blistering all over my skin and heard her scream in my soul. I fell to my knees. The fire circle disappeared and the remaining witch tried to use her power on him but he reflected it. A trembling started beneath the ground and up raised a woman wearing the same clothing. In her hand she carried a scepter of wood topped with crystal. The witch tried to run, but the ground beneath her fell and swallowed her with out a trace. I could feel the earth pressing up against her chest. She was being crushed. Then there was nothing. 

My senses returned to me. Nicklas was still holding my hands. I drew a deep breath. "What time is it?" He was afraid to let go of my hands because I was shaking, quite noticeably in fact but he turned one of them over, looked at his watch and replied, "It is six forty-five." I sighed and looked up. "Good." I pulled my hands away and reached for the water glass. I nearly shook the water out of the glass and onto the entire table but I forced myself to steady. I was burning up. I pulled out a few of the ice cubes and rubbed them on my forehead. I suddenly remembered her skin, my skin being on fire. I looked all over my exposed skin. Nothing at all. I let out huge sigh. 

I sensed Nicklas about to speak and I started first. "In the woods, some where near, at midnight there will be two witches. Fire and Earth make their appearances." 

He wasted no time in responding, "Alexis, this will make three of the elements. Are you going to try to save the witches?" 

I looked at him. His face was blank, so I wasn't exactly sure if he was telling me not to go, or if he was going to be supportive. I was about to speak when the waiter brought our dinner. "Here you are. Let me know if there is anything else you need." 

I stopped him before he walked away. "Please bring me a larger glass of water." He went to leave as a huge heat wave hit me and I called for him again. He turned and I spouted out, "A pitcher. The biggest pitcher of water that you have." 

He nodded, hopped away and was back in seconds with a larger glass and the pitcher. 

"Thank you." 

I picked it up and drank all of the liquid that was available. The ice would be next. Am I on fire? I seriously feel like I am on fire. I was glad I hadn't spoken that out loud. How ridiculous. I took the ice out of the glass and started to rub it over my arms. As Nicklas's voice brought me out of my head, "Are you okay?"

I shrugged as I rubbed what was left of the ice over my chest. "I have no idea. If I bust into flames, then no, otherwise I am having one hell of a heat flash."

He reached out to touch my arm but I pulled myself a bit over, "Please don't." 

I tried to keep my voice as non-upset as I could and it worked. 

He nodded and spoke, "Are you going to try to save them?"

I had forgotten that he had previously asked me the same question a few seconds ago. Well if I wasn't on fire then I was going to... Okay I didn't say that out loud but I should have. I poured another glass of water, downed it and then answered, "I have to try to save them." 

He put his napkin on the table; "I am going with you then." His tone said he was final and I didn't mind if he came. He was ready to move. 

I grabbed his arm. "No. Eat. We have a few hours till midnight anyway." 

He relaxed back into the booth. "Are you sure?" He was waiting for my answer. 

"I am." 

I picked up the glass with the remaining ice and began chewing on it. We sat in silence. He chewing on his steak and myself working on all the ice we had at the table. 

When he pulled up to my front door we were arguing. "Nicklas please! I don't want to hear it. I am going." I opened the front door and walked through. 

He was at my heals. "You're not even going to consider that this might kill you?" 

I turned, catching him off guard. "This is nothing. I am going to heal myself right now and then I am going to go try to save those two ladies." 

While he was finishing his dinner, I felt like I was spontaneously combusting. The heat from the vision was permeating through me and blisters started to cover my body. It had been an interesting situation. I quickly stopped time in the restaurant and we headed out the front. Avoiding the valet was a challenge but I managed. We had to stop at a gas station on the way back to buy me a bag of ice though. This is the worst wounding I think I've ever received, but then again burns are always the worst. 

"Alexis, please." He was actually pleading with me.

I was already walking up the stairs to my room to shower. I stopped at the top and looked down at him just standing there. I had to help. I didn't have plan of action yet, but I had three hours to make one. I'll be damned if he was going to pull this knight in shining armor stuff now. 

"I am going and will be perfectly capable of taking care of myself." 

I put a deep note on the last part and I meant it. I didn't want his macho crap getting in my way. I turned back around and felt his hand on my arm. Jesus he was fast. I didn't turn back to face him, I just spoke. "I am receiving these visions for a reason. I couldn't save your man, but this time I might be able to help and that is a chance I have to take. It is what I was born to do." 

I heard him sigh and he dropped his hand. I walked down the hallway to my room. The pain from the burns was worsening. Where he had just touched my arm felt like the skin had been ripped off. I stripped as fast as I could and ran into my bathroom. I hopped into the shower and turned the water on cold and had to hold back the scream. Damn the pressure from the shower head was too strong. The pulsing water sent waves of pain through my body. I turned off the shower and got out. I walked over to the bathtub and started drawing the cold water there. When it was half full, I stepped in. The water wrapped itself around me. It felt wonderful. I concentrated on my breathing and focused on my skin. I let the blue healing light flow from my body. In a matter of minutes I was fine. I stayed in the tub for just a moment longer and as I was about to stand, there was a knock at the bathroom door. "Yeah?" 

Nicklas walked in and stopped the minute he saw I was in the tub and nude. He had changed his clothes. Hum. I know he didn't have any clothes here, so he either carried a spare set in his car or he had flown to his house. He was wearing his duster, tank top and leather jeans again. Must be comfortable. He walked to the tub and kneeled down. "Are you feeling better?" 

I looked up at him. His eyes hadn't moved from mine since he walked through the door. Was he embarrassed to see me naked? He had seen me naked many times before and it didn't bother him then. I stood and he followed me up. The water felt wonderful running down my body. I let all of my negativity flow down with it. "I am fine, thank you." 

He didn't move, just kept his eyes locked with mine. "You don't have to be strong by yourself." 

He brought his hand up to my chin as I answered, "I know." 

The sight of the girl burning flashed through my mind; "Their fear and pain is still in my head." 

He ran his hand through my hair and let it rest on the back of my neck. I looked up at him. He spoke first, "I..." 

There was so much coming from him right now that I was almost worried about what he was going to tell me. I was very interested in what he was about to say, but he cut off his own sentence and pulled his emotions back. "If you think you might want more help, I have people waiting." 

He had gone home to change. Damn, that meant his clan knew what was happening. I wasn't sure how to feel about that. "I'll be waiting for you downstairs." 

He opened the door and walked out. I stood there for a moment just trying to calm myself, but I knew I was more upset with his inability to keep my matters out of his matters. I wanted my visions to be mine, not something he told his buddies about. Plus, I wanted to know what he was going to say. Who starts a sentence with as much feeling as he was putting out and then stops at 'I'? Well, I probably would, but dammit! 

When I felt as good as I thought I was going to get, I walked into my closet. The outfit from the previous encounter had been cleaned and Mrs. Cooper had hung it up in my workout clothing section. I dressed quickly, found the athame I had hid earlier and strapped it to my calf, pulling the pants over it to cover. I grabbed my black tennis shoes and a pair of socks, then headed for the bedroom. Would I need the sword? Probably not, I thought to my self as I put on the socks and shoes. Dressed, I stood and walked back into the closet to my vanity. I picked up my hairbrush, brushed my hair back into a ponytail and fastened it with a black scrunci. Okay. Here we go. 

I walked out of the bedroom and headed down the hallway to the stairs. Nicklas was sitting on the third step from the bottom. I trotted down and sat next to him. 

He turned to face me, "You ready?" 

I nodded but kept my stare at my shoes, "You know, we are going to have to talk at some point." I turned my face to his. 

He wasn't showing anything on his face, but his eyes were another story. "What is there to talk about?" 

He was going to play everything off and let me cop to it first. I was of course irritated with him, but I wasn't ready to talk yet either. Talk about us, meant I had to actually admit to myself how I felt and that I rarely did. I stood and started to walk to my altar room. 

"I know what this means to you, but will you at least pretend you heard my concerns?" 

I paused with my hand on my altar room door, "I heard your concerns. Although honestly I'm not sure why you even care." 

He stood and went to say something but again pulled back and that really pissed me off. "Fine, no talking then." I shoved open the doors and they slid to the sides. 

I walked over to my potions chest. "I thought those didn't work last time." Nicklas had walked over and stopped at the door. 

I had never invited him into my altar room before. It was my sacred space and was protected from evil, even Master vampires. He would need my permission for this one and I wasn't ready to give it to him. 

"They didn't, that's why I am going to make four stronger ones." 

This was going to be fun. I had never made a stronger potion than my all-purpose vanquishing one, so I was kind of excited and I think it showed as I walked around gathering herbs from the wall I had put shelves on specifically for them. 

"Like making potions?" Nicklas had picked up on my excitement. "

I enjoy expanding my potion knowledge with experimentation." I smiled at my comment and he started laughing. 




Light and Dark Ch. 03



I really liked to make potions when there was something bothering me. It helped me to focus and this was a great time to make them. We could joke around with each other, but we couldn't talk. We used to be able to talk and I think that is what bothered me the most. I brought the herbs to my potion table, complete with a gas burner. I placed a large cast iron cauldron over the burner and lit it. As soon as the blue flames encased the bottom of the pan I added some rainwater and salt, the two basic ingredients for every potion recipe. From the wall of herbs I started to add a pinch of each; Clove, Dragon's Blood, Frankincense and Sagebrush. I looked back to the wall to see if I had any St. John's Wort. I located the container and brought it over to me. I liked to add St. John's Wort to all of my potions as well, as it brought success. Ah hell, if I was experimenting then might as well add something else. I walked over to the wall, looked over the glass jars on the top shelf and found the one I was looking for and pulled it down. 

"What is that?" Nicklas sounded worried. 

"Well if the last ones didn't work at all, then maybe these will have a chance if I start fighting fire with fire." I walked back over to my boiling cauldron. From inside the cylinder container I pulled out its contents. I placed the root, Mandrake to be exact, down on the counter. I looked to Nicklas, "You might want to stand back a bit." 

He shook his head and walked away from the doors. I turned my attention to the Mandrake root and carefully broke off a small chunk from one end. I put the rest of the root back into its container and walked it back over to the wall. I walked back to the potion and picked up the Mandrake root. "Here goes nothing." 

I dropped the root into the potion and enclosed the cauldron with a bubble. Good thing too, cause the second it hit the potion the contents exploded and a thick white smoke started to billow out of the cauldron. 

Nicklas appeared at the door, "You okay?" 

I dropped the bubble and let the smoke dissipate into the air. "Fine, thanks." 

I turned off the burner and let it simmer as I walked over to my potion's chest for four empty bottles. I grabbed black bottles and a turkey baister. For what was I going to need the turkey baister you might ask, well let me tell you that it worked very well with getting the potions into the bottle. 

I put each of the bottle on the altar and grabbed my athame off of my altar. This was the worst part of potion making, I had to bless the potion with my blood. I sliced my hand open, let the blood drip into the cauldron, it poofed again and I healed my hand. I put the athame dowm, bottled the potion and corked them. I grabbed the potions and started to walk toward the door when I had and idea. I walked back to the potion chest and I grabbed one that conjured rain. I had an idea, we'll see if it works. I turned and headed out the doors for the hall closet, with Nicklas at my heels. 

I decided on a lightweight, yet warm, pullover with a front zipper pouch. I used it when I went skiing. The pocket was perfect for holding the potion bottles, not that I had ever exercised this utility before. It was amazing the things I had to take into account when I bought clothing. Not many asbestos suits out there that keep a lady's figure. The hall clock struck eleven thirty. "Okay half an hour and counting." 

I stood in the hallway and closed my eyes. I opened my mind and let it wander out to find the girls. I could feel them starting their ceremony. They were calling the lord and lady. I felt the peace that they brought wash over me. "Good, they haven't left the circle yet." 

I opened my eyes and looked to Nicklas. "Last chance to back out." 

He chuckled, "Not a chance." 

See what I mean, jokes but no real dialogue. I took his hand and focused on the girls. We were there, in the woods, instantly. The air was a bit nippy and it caught in my damp hair. A shiver ran down my spine. 

Nicklas turned and reached his mind out to me, "Are you okay?" 

I responded verbally, but almost at a whisper, "Yes. It is just a bit nippy out here." He nodded and I continued, "I can feel their power. It is coming from over there." I pointed to the direction and started walking very slowly. 

He stopped me. "You want to let me in on your plan?" 

I thought for a moment and then said, "Well the other potions didn't work last time, and so I'm not going to start from that. I was thinking that since they come here in a corporeal form, then I should be able to freeze them and then, well I haven't gotten that far yet, but I want you to take two of these." I handed him two of the potion bottles from my jacket pocket. "They should work for a few moments but they might recover quickly. I want you to be waiting above us. If I can't take them from down here, they won't be expecting you from above. Just steer clear if it gets thrown back at you. They are pretty potent. If all else fails I am thinking that running away is a good back up plan." 

He took the bottles and put them in his belt. "I won't let anything happen to you. The first sign you're in danger we're out of here." 

I looked up. Where was this concern when his goons were going to rip me apart? Better yet, where was this when I wanted to talk about our feelings. I brushed off the irritation that was about to surface and kept going, "All that matters is that those girls get out of here unharmed. What ever is happening revolves around the people they chose to kill. If something happens to me, then it will. The coven knows what is going on and they will be able to take over. The girls are the number one priority here. Promise me that you will do this." 

He nodded at me but showed his disapproval of my plan. Hey, at least I had a plan Mr. Guns Blazing. "Nicklas, I'm serious. If this is as bad as I've been finding, then the entire world is endangered. Promise me, that you will put them ahead of me." 

I put as much force and conviction into those words as I've ever been able to admit to myself and I was beginning to second guess not bringing more potions, swords, hell an Uzi even. He looked around and then focused on me. I stood up straight to meet his gaze. "I promise." 

His voice was low and he almost sounded depressed. Hey he wasn't the one going to get sucked into that little trident thingy. I could have taken the few seconds we had before midnight to clear the air, but I worked better under pressure. Hah! "Okay it's almost midnight. As soon as the flames explode that is when I'm moving in." I paused and looked up in the sky. "Are you going to be okay with the full moon?" 

I was starting to be even more worried about this situation. 

He laughed. "The full moon only shows my power by changing my skin color. It draws nothing from me. You should know that." I didn't know that. Hum. 

"There are a lot of things I don't know about you." Wow was I getting snippy. Okay so I had to get one thing out there. Well anyways it was time for me to try to kick some evil butt! I motioned for him to take off and I started toward the circle where the girls were. I saw them and I opened my mind to the circle. They were performing a full moon cleansing ritual. I looked at their faces. They weren't much younger than I. Closer to early twenties I would say, but not older. If things worked out my way, they would be around for the quarter century mark.

The flames from the candle started to burn higher. I pulled my mind out so as not to clue anyone in that I was there. I slowly walked forward and was between their circle and a tree twenty-foot back. There were so many trees around them I was worried about being able to maneuver myself. The flames erupted and out came the man of Fire. I threw my hands up and froze the area. It worked! Everything slowed down and stopped. I ran over to the girls, opened the circle and unfroze them. 

"Who are you!" They both screamed. 

"No time! Just run!" They stared at me for a moment, not sure what to think. I concentrated on them and moved them both out of the circle and placed them down into a clearing. "RUN!" They took the hint and started running. 

As I was about to turn around the flames started again. Shit! I really needed to work on that power. I turned and was standing face to face with Fire. 

"You are not the ones!" He shouted at me, conjured a fireball in his palm and tried to set me on fire. I encased myself in a protective blue cover and hit the ground. I knocked him out from under his feet and stood as fast as I could. The martial arts classes were starting to pay off. He was only down for a matter of seconds before I felt the earth start to quake. I hurled myself over the tree trunk alter that the girls had set up and rotated to face what I was up against. 

Once again I threw my hands in the air just as Earth began to rise from her domain. They faltered briefly and then stopped. I didn't have much time. I grabbed both of the bottles out of my pocket and launched them at the Elements. It was just in time, because as I hit the ground, the bottles exploded and time started again. Fire exploded into a ball of flames and then returned to his corporeal form, while Earth swallowed the bottle and let it erupt within. They both stood less than three meters from me. "Why do you fight us? You are not the ones we seek." 

I wanted answers. "Why are you here?" 

Earth moved her hand and a series of vines shot out from the trees above me and grabbed my wrists and ankles. This definitely isn't going well. They started to walk toward me and I could feel Nicklas. 

I opened my mind, "DON'T!" I almost shouted it. 

He heard me and kept his distance. Fire was within touching distance of me now. I put up my shield. 

"Such power. She'll do." They were both now almost touching me. They were running their hands on my shield. I could feel their power trying to cut through. I put all I had into the shield and pushed outward. They were thrown back, but only momentarily. Earth reciprocated by pulling the vines tighter and I couldn't keep the scream in me. I pick the fire, I'm voting now and I would rather be set on fire then ripped limb from limb. The muscles in my arms and legs were at the tearing point. I tried to breath past the pain and maybe figure out a way to get myself out of the enormous mess I had just created but nothing was working and I couldn't even teleport. Bullocks! 

Nicklas. He was standing in front of me. 

"Who are you, intruder?" 

Nicklas backed up so that he was completely blocking my view and his voice filled my mind, "Can your shield cover us both?" 

I answered that I would try, hell if I knew. He threw the last two bottles and I projected my shield around him. They were caught off guard by his speed, but the explosions were only temporary. It did how ever give Nicklas enough time to pull me free. I fell into his arms and the pain began to dissipate as I muffled the 'thank god' that was my form of a 'thanks for helping me keep my limbs'.

They were back. 

The ground started to shake and then we were thrown up in the air by a land uprising. I couldn't keep the shield up any more we were both now out in the open. I tried to stand as best I could but the vines grabbed me again and this time pulled me in between two trees. Visions of being flailed flashed through my mind and if it wasn't about to be actually happening I would have laughed.

I looked over to find Nicklas being drug to the tree next to me. He was using all of his super human abilities and they were to no avail. I was beginning to think that I might have gotten in too deep. Too deep had past. If the vines had managed to trap a vampire, actually a Master Vampire who could crush skulls with a thought, then we were screwed. I looked up just in time to see Earth's scepter shoved in to my abdomen. 

"Alexis!" Nicklas was shouting. 

Pain shot all over my body and I could feel her trying to draw my power out. If she was going to be ruff I was going to go out fighting. I drew all my power inside and focused it on the scepter inside me. I started to push it out and she was struggling trying to hold it in. I kept concentrating and shoved it out all of the way and into her. She flew back against the ground, shoving the spear into herself and disappeared in a large explosion of soil and leaves. 

Fire spoke, "That was interesting. Never before has a mortal been able to ground us." 

I looked up at him "Yeah well, everyone needs a hobby." 

He stepped right in front of me, anger flashing dangerously in hie eyes and ran his hand down my cheek. "Is that what this is to you? A hobby? We are the very essence of this world! The very essence from which you were created." He grabbed my neck and I spit at him. "Not very lady like." He waved his arm and set Nicklas on fire. 

"NO!" I tried to pull the vines from the trees, but the wound started to ache badly. I remembered the rain conjuring bottle. It was worth a shot. I mustered all the energy I had left and brought the bottle up from the pocket and smashed it with such a force into Fire that he stumbled backwards, began to smoke and he too disappeared. 

When he vanished, the vines dropped and the fire encasing Nicklas ceased. I ran to him collapsed by his side and pulled him into my lap. His skin was burnt, not as badly as I thought, but he was unconscious. I had to heal myself before I could help him. I sat up as straight as I could muster and placed my palms to the ground. I drew up all of the energy from the ground as I could hold, held it in myself and focused it on my wound. I felt the pain decreasing and my body was healed. I held on to the energy.  

I opened my eyes and focused on Nicklas. Nothing. He was there, but he was wounded beyond his healing factor. These things were powerful. I had never heard of anyone ever being able to take down a Master. If I didn't think of something fast, he would die. Think. Come on! I have a dialogue with everything I should be doing going on in here all of the time but the one time I needed it, nothing was talking... 

Blood! He would need blood, and a lot of it. I pulled him up to a sitting position and faced him toward me. He was going to need my neck and not some puney cut on the wrist. I leaned him into the other side of my neck and reached for the athame on my calf. What the hell was I doing? I was going to let him feed off of me. I had never let anyone or thing for that matter feed off of me. Now I'm trying to rationalize everything. Stop this and heal him. AS the realization that I was willing to sacrifice myself for him crossed my mind, I felt worried but determined. Odd. This was going to change things between us and we were definitely going to have to talk now. I stopped thinking and just went for it. With one smooth motion I cut the opposite side of my neck and I felt my blood start to run down my neck and back. This needed to happen fast. I shifted his head to the wound and he stirred. I opened my mind and entered his. "Nicklas wake up. You need to wake up!" 

He woke and as the smell of blood covered him, he used what was left of his strength to move to my neck. He paused briefly and I yelled, "Hurry!" 

He started licking my neck where the blood had gone and then he started to drink from the wound. Never having experienced this before I was a bit taken aback at what I was feeling. It was the most intoxicating thing I've ever felt and I really liked my wine and whiskey. He was in my mind, in my body and his warmth and power covered me and then seemed to push into me until I was a complete mess of goo in his arms. My heartbeat was pounding in my head and while I was half expecting the voice to come back and tell me I was a bloody idiot, nothing. Just warmth and it was amazing.

I could feel him start to heal and his beast started to regain its strength and it was clawing through. His arms wrapped around me as a growl rumbled through his chest and my last thought was that he wasn't going to stop. My body felt completely numb and as the hazey feeling covered me, I went limp. He was almost completely healed. 

He rose to his knees, ashed clothing crumbling at his movement, still feeding and picked me up with him. He cradled me in his arms and I closed my eyes. I could feel myself starting to slip away and then his voice was there, echoing in my mind. 

"Alexis." 

I tried to move but couldn't. The warmth was telling me to stay, stay and let the sinking feeling take over.

"Alexis, focus on yourself." 

I tried and then felt the energy I had pulled from the ground. It was like an instant boost. I opened my eyes. He was still holding me and his skin was perfect and silvery again. "Are you okay?" 

I had found my voice, but it came out in a raspy whisper. He smiled at me and then pulled me closer. 

"I am, thanks to you. Now rest. I need to get you home." 

I passed out in his arms feeling the rush of air as he flew into the sky. 



Light and Dark Ch. 04



Hey guys! Sorry for the wait. I made this one a bit longer and have typed most of the next one as well so it won't be so long between submission. Thanks again for the comments and if you have any suggestions, hit me with those too! :-) 

*****

I remember being lowered to a bed and hearing voices. Dreaming, I must be dreaming. I tried to focus on them. One of the voices was Nicklas, "This is going to have to be dealt with soon. I had absolutely no power over them." 

His voice sounded slightly muffled, then the other voice chimed in and I recognized it as Charles. "She let you feed on her?" 

Nicklas answered him. "Yes." 

Charles continued, "This has to change things for you. Mona is going to be upset."

Nicklas laughed, "She has known how I felt about Alexis since the beginning. She will respect my wishes." 

Charles voice was softer this time; "A Master has never chosen a mortal over another clan member. I am worried about the consequences to the clan. You remembered what happened when they found out you were dating her? Mona would have helped to strengthen you, does Alexis have enough power to stand next to you?" 

There was a long pause, and then Nicklas answered. "A union with Mona and I would have been enough, but with Alexis it is different. She has so much power that she doesn't use. When she is around I actually feel weak. I don't feel that around the other Masters. You have to feel her power too." 

Charles laughed this time, "Of course I do. She could have ripped Mona's throat out earlier and it wouldn't have surprised me. I was, however, surprised that you let it carry on as far as it did." 

Charles was getting bolder, but Nicklas didn't mind. "I was curious. I wanted to know what she would do." 

Charles voice was a little bolder this time, "I really think you should reconsider choosing her. The other Masters won't agree, plus the Council..." 

"I've already made my decision. I am the Master of this continent and I will chose my own mate." His voice had lowered and was rumbling the whole room. 

Charles voice showed his scolding. "Do you think she will agree?" 

Again Nicklas paused before he spoke, "I don't know. I've been trying to read her for the past couple of months, but I can't get past her turmoil. Something has been bothering her and it is blocking me out." 

Charles laughed, "Have you thought of the consequences for her? The other side won't sit back and let one of their own join with a Master? I am worried that you are clinging to her humanity for some way to reconstitute yours and it is going to be our downfall!"

Nicklas was quick to respond, "I will respect what ever decision Alexis makes. She will not take it lightly and I know she will turn to her coven." 

Charles had been scolded again and his voice showed it, "I will return to the house and call for a meeting tomorrow night." He paused and then continued, "Will you be telling anyone of your decision?" 

Nicklas answered right away, "No. Not yet. We have a few months till the Sabbath. Have the clan leaders bring their two strongest men tomorrow. If Alexis doesn't figure out how to defeat these things, we are going to need all the strength we can get. As an addition, send out invitations to the Demon, lycanthrope and warlock leaders. I am sure they've felt what is going on and it affects them also. See if they have anything to add." 

"As you wish. Will you be back tonight?" Charles was ready to leave. 

"No. I am going to watch her. I've never taken that much blood from a human before with out killing them. I don't know what is going to happen." 

Charles spoke one last time, "If she is as strong as you think, she will find her way back. Let me know if you want anything else." 

The voices stopped and I felt like I was falling into a void. I had used almost all of the strength I had left into listening to them. I still wasn't sure if I was making them up, but I was happy that he chosen me over Mona. What the hell was I talking about? We weren't together anymore. Plus from the way it sounded he was after my power... or something like that. Damn you Freud, had to be a dream. So tired. I couldn't let myself slip into the void. I concentrated on the room I was in and I pulled myself out of the void and opened my eyes. I was in my room and in my bed. So groggy... and there was a burning sensation in my neck. I put my hand to my neck and found a thin scab forming. 

All of a sudden I remembered why the scar was there. I sat up as fast as I could and instantly regretted it. The rush to my head made me feel nauseous and I thought I was going to pass out again. 

"Whoa there." Nicklas's arms were on mine. I looked up. His eyes were there. Blue perfection.

I smiled. "You're okay." I wanted to hug him, but I couldn't move. I fell forward into his arms. This would do. 

He held me to him. "You need to rest. You'll get your strength back." 

I couldn't sleep right now. I needed to do more research and try a different potion. "I need to..." Yeah, my body wasn't going to let me do anything other than sleep. He laid me back down on the bed and pulled the covers up. He went to stand. 

"Nicklas?" 

He sat back beside me. "Yeah?" I pulled my hand out from under the covers and held his. "Please stay." 

He smiled, "I will." He was going to sit in my chair and watch me and that wasn't what I wanted. I figure since I was near unconsciousness I could at least have him in the same bed as me. What am I thinking? I squeezed his hand, "Will you lie with me?" 

He almost smiled again, but tried to keep his face serious and it wasn't working. I took a breath and just blurted it out, "Just get in the damn bed with me." 

He laughed as he stood and took off his jacket, boots and climbed into bed. Did I take a blow to the head as well? What was going on with me? He lay on his back and I rolled over, put my arm over his chest and pulled myself to him as he wrapped one of his arms over my shoulder blades and put his other hand on top of mine on his chest. I felt his power wrap me in warmth and I laid my head on his chest. God I missed this. 

Well this was defiantly not good. I could feel myself getting comfortable with him again. Although I did save him when I could have let him die. That was defiantly a lie, I did still care for him, a lot, and maybe in saving him I was trying to see if we could be together. Right. I felt like I was going to burst. Somewhere in the rambling voices of my head had to be the one I wanted to hear, but I couldn't. Oh well. 

He sighed and spoke, very slowly and low. "Alexis, I am very grateful for what you did. I want you to know that I am in your debt." 

I was half unconscious now, but still was able to find my voice. "You don't owe me anything." I curled into his chest, held him tighter and let myself bask in his scent, his warmth. Well that was odd. 

He was stroking my hair. "You will be back to normal in the morning." His voice was light and I realized that I was slipping into sleep. Normal. Right. Normal is such a funny word, if I was back to normal in the morning, he wouldn't be there. I closed my eyes and let the darkness wash over me. 

I woke to the sounds of laughter floating through my house. I sat up slowly and looked around. Nicklas's warmth was still here. I loved when he did this. When we had been together before and I would wake up with out him in the bed with me, he would let his warmth remain here. It was hard to explain how, but it was like he was still here. I hugged myself and let his strength fill me. I felt completely recharged. I listened for the laughter and heard it coming from the kitchen. Mrs. Cooper was here and it sounded like she and Nicklas were bonding downstairs. Great, he was going to make friends with my house keeper. That would definitely make it harder for me to kick him out. She had only met Nicklas on one other occasion about seven months ago. I was surprised she had warmed up to him already. I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. The scar. I put my hand to my neck and walked to a mirror on the far wall. There wasn't a scar, not even a red line. Good! 

A small flashing red light caught my eye. My cell phone had a voice mail. I walked over to my nightstand, picked it up and checked the messages. Three in all and they were all from Madison. She wanted to know how the night went. Boy would the night have been a disappointment for her. I called her back. 

"SO! What happened?" 

I walked into my closet. In my dresser, picked out a stretchy cotton nightgown, consisting of dark green pants and a matching tank top. "Not much really. We argued, then I got a vision and almost died, then he almost died but I think that I grounded the elements."

There was a long pause on her end so I changed quickly and then assessed my hair. Poofy. I brushed it quickly and twisted it into a knot at the back of my head. 

"How did you guys almost die?" 

I laughed. "Well I was stabbed in the abdomen and Nicklas was set on fire." 

She sounded worried when she continued, "Are you okay?" 

I looked at myself in the mirror, decently presentable. "Yeah I healed myself." I pulled up my shirt to expose my abdomen, no scar. 

She jumped right back in, "Is he okay?"

Ah the moment of truth. Do I tell her I let him drink from me or not. "He is. I had to let him drink from me though." 

She took a deep breath and I knew that I had made the right decision in telling her. I told her everything, so what would make me think differently? 

"This has to change things for the both of you." 

I shook my head at the thought. "I know. I just don't know how it will. I do have feelings for him, but you know what goes on in my head. All of this rambling and I...I just don't know." 

She laughed. "Well I'm sure the both of you will be able to tell how you want to handle it." 

"Yeah I suppose we will." 

"OH! I almost forgot!" When she yelled it into the phone I was sure she blew out my eardrums. "I have a book for you. It is an, well it is a history book. But I think you might find its contents pertain to your current demon troubles." 

I was instantly interested. "Really? What is it?" 

"I'm not quite sure, but we received it this morning in part of a shipment for our Etruscan collection." She was very excited about her find. As well she should be. Working at the Portland Natural History Museum has been a great catch for her. She loved it and they loved her. Plus I benefited from time to time with these little finds. "Do you want me to bring it over?" She was really excited about this. 

"Sure! How about around four or five?" I should be alone by then. 

"Great I'll bring it over as soon as I get off! See you then!" She hung up with out waiting for my salutation. 

I put my cell phone back on the nightstand, left my room and headed down the backstairs leading to the kitchen. I paused at the landing and sat atop the remaining six stairs. Nicklas and Mrs. Cooper were standing in front of the stove. He had changed and was now wearing jeans and a t-shirt. He must have gone home again, which means he talked to Charles again. I don't know why he irritated me, but he always seemed to have ulterior motives. My attention went back to Nicklas; he had pulled only the top of his lightly curly hair back, leaving the rest to fall down his back. His tucked in t-shirt was dark blue and it was just clingy enough for him. His belt, black leather with a silver buckle fit nicely with the light denim jeans. He was a very attractive man, even when he wasn't trying. I smiled and brought my knees to my chest. He was so engrossed in what Mrs. Cooper was saying that neither of them noticed my watching them from this perch. He pulled a pan of potatoes out of the oven and she tossed them with some seasonings and he put them back in. 

"Now the perfect scrambled eggs." Mrs. Cooper headed toward the refrigerator and came back with her choice of ingredients: eggs, cream, a few mushrooms, a bunch of spinach and an onion. "Mr. McManus, if you wouldn't mind chopping these very finely." She handed him the mushrooms. 

"Certainly Mrs. Cooper." He took the mushrooms and placed them on the cutting board and started to chop. 

I almost exploded laughing. They were both trying to be so proper with one another.

"The secrets to these eggs are in the size of the cut of vegetables. It must be very fine. So it will melt into the eggs." She was working on the onion. 

When they were finished with their respective vegetables she motioned for him to toss them into a huge wok she had started to heat on the stove. 

"Just toss them into the wok with a little olive oil." 

He scraped the mushrooms into the wok and swirled a little olive oil in. She followed with her onions and she grabbed a wooden spoon from a drawer. She stirred for a moment and then covered the wok with a glass lid. 

"Now let's move onto the spinach. It needs to be chiffonade." She started stacking the leaves of spinach on top of themselves and rolled them like a cigar. She showed him how to cut them producing little strips of spinach in uniform size. He was really enjoying this lesson. I could see the light in his eyes and the smile that had graced his face was very enjoyable. I missed seeing him happy. 

She motioned for him to get the eggs. "Now there are two of you eating, so you will need to crack four eggs." She handed him a bowl and he started on the eggs. She grabbed the cream and put a splash into the eggs, seasoned with salt and pepper and handed Nicklas a whisk. He whisked the eggs together and handed her the bowl. She removed the glass lid from the wok and stirred the vegetables. "If you would kindly see if Miss Dominick would be joining us soon." 

Nicklas turned toward the stairs and saw me sitting there. Busted. I smiled at him and he smiled back. "I believe she has already joined us." 

He laughed as I stood and finished descending the final stairs. "Good morning Mrs. Cooper." 

She looked up at me. "Good morning dear. Would you care for coffee or tea this morning?" 

"Tea would be wonderful." I stood in front of the island where their little class was being held. 

"Mr. McManus, if you would escort her to the dining room I believe breakfast will be out shortly." 

He hopped to and walked around the island toward me, motioning for me to walk toward the dining room door. He came up behind me and put one of his hands over my eyes. "Close your eyes." 

I did as I was told and he led me through the door. 

"Okay." 

I opened my eyes. The dining room table had been set for two and adorned with lilies and daffodils. It was such a beautiful arrangement of whites and yellows. He had always been romantic and I loved it. "It's just lovely."

He turned me to face him, keeping his hands on my waist. He had something to say and I could feel it."Good morning." That was not it at all. His voice was low and sexy and it was focused on me and if 'good morning' was all he was going to give me, that was all I would give him.

"Good morning Nicklas." 

He leaned in and kissed me, soft and gently. Well this was better than a 'good morning' but I was feeling very confused as I melted in his arms and grabbed onto him to keep myself up. He hadn't kissed me in almost a month and this was almost like my body was remembering how good it was. His kiss was both strong and soft and with just his lips I swear he claimed my soul. This was no good. I couldn't think clearly around him. I wanted to tell him about the book that Madison had found, but I had nothing. 

He pulled back slowly, "How do you feel?" He took my hand a led me to one of the place settings as he waited for me to answer. 

"I feel wonderful, thank you." 

I sat, he pushed in my bench and then sat next to me at the head of the table. He took my hands in his. He was about to speak, when Mrs. Cooper came through the door with breakfast. "All right. Here you two go." 

She was carrying a large tray that contained two plates, already dished up, a teapot and an assortment of loose-leaf teas. She walked around the table and sat the tray down across from us. She placed one plate in front of each of us and then placed the teapot in front of me. I reached over and grabbed one of the teas off of the tray and slid it in the pot. It was a beautiful blend that left a sweet taste on the palette. I picked it up the last time I was in India. 

"Now you two enjoy! Don't be afraid to leave the dishes when you're finished. I'll be around to get them later." She paused by the door. 

"Thank you Mrs. Cooper." I smiled at her and she headed out the door. 

I looked over at Nicklas. "So she taught you how to make scrambled eggs." 

He looked up at me, "Do you think it is a skill I should not possess?" 

He started to smile and I started to laugh. We ate slowly, each of us savoring the breakfast for our own reasons. I suddenly had a strong assurance that everything was going to be okay. I smiled and continued to eat my eggs. I had spoken too soon. A chill ran down my spine. Another vision. Why did they always have to happen when I was with Nicklas? I felt the fire start in my feet and run up my body. This one was going to be painful. I grabbed the table. Nicklas was already at my side. Oh god, I felt like I was on fire. I looked down at my hands. They were glowing red. 

"Get back!" I shoved him off to my left just in time. My whole body was encased in flames and I was lifted into the air as the vision started to flash in front of me. I could feel the cold air around me and hear voices in the distance. I wasn't sure were I was, but it was a time long past. There were little huts off to my right. I turned and started to walk toward the village. A small child walked up to me and tugged at my clothes. I looked down and found myself clad in animal skins, my arms covered with metal bands and my hands were painted red. Well this was getting interesting and the Powers that Be better be putting me back in my pajamas, those were my favorite pair.

The child spoke, " Have you come to help us?" 

I knelt in front of her. "What is it that you need my help with?" 

The child started to cry. "They are abusing their powers. They are killing all of us." She paused for a second as if she were contemplating how bad it really was and then the flood gates opened and she started to sob, "I can't find my mommy!" 

I picked up the little one and held her to me. "Shh. It will be okay. I will help you find her." 

I started to walk toward the huts I had noticed just a bit earlier. Even before we reached the first hut, I could smell the stench. Burning flesh. I tried to hold my gag back but that smell just sunk into my nose and then my soul. I wanted to run, run as far away as I could and take this child with me but try as I might, I couldn't turn. I couldn't deviate from the path I was on. We reached the huts and as the smoke billowed around them all I found myself transfixed on the huts themselves. As I looked closer the huts were covered in what I was assuming was blood. Why all of the death and destruction? 

The child pointed to a clearing. "That is where they came from! They..." 

I looked to the child, but there was no one in my arms. Looking around for her I found the huts were gone and I was in the clearing. Two large stone pillars rose to either side of me, covered in a lite moss and gouged with carvings. I walked over to the one on the left where I could read the symbols. "Here lie the watchtowers of the elements. In the night we banished them here." How I knew what it said, not one clue but the words had come out of my mouth regardless. 

I walked over to the other pillar and found a Wiccan protection spell carved on this one. "Lord and Lady we return to you, that which was made of you. Only in light and dark combined may they be banished. This is our will so mote it be!" An odd spell and one that I wasn't at all familiar with, which meant I should probably talk to Barbara again. 




Light and Dark Ch. 04



Looking back toward where I had come from I felt like I was being sucked into a vacuum and I looked around me to find the source, nothing. I was surrounded by darkness and the pillars. This was the weirdest vision to date and now it was reminding me of a really bad haunted house. The only way to walk was through the pillars so I headed through them and felt a cold rush of air. 

"Illuminate!" I called, focusing my power and even though I wasn't sure it would work, oil wells on the walls lit and slowly the darkness began to give way revealing the room. It sure was a tall cave. Funny. I don't remember seeing any mountains. I walked forward into the light and ahead of me there was an alter set up. Around it was huge statues in each of the four corners of the circle. The watchtowers. Okay, this was starting to make a bit more sense so I walked to the circle. It had been cast and I could feel the power in front of me. Reaching out with my right hand, I opened myself a door in the circle, walked through and closed the circle and felt tingles all over me. 

The power here was so raw, so strong. I looked to the watchtowers. They were the images of the ones I had fought the previous days and the only one I did not recognize was wind. I had yet to battle with him which is why I was assuming his statue was holding a large crystal. I looked at the others. None of them were hold crystals. Had he not been released yet? I walked to the altar. It was set up traditionally with the left side being dedicated to the Lady and the right to the Lord. In the center however, was an athame, resting on a bowl of blood. A voice came from behind me, "They said you'd come." 

I turned to face the voice. A small man was standing outside of the circle. He was wearing the same thing I had been clad in. His hair was long, white and hung braided. His face was painted with the four colors of the watchtowers. Blue, Green, Yellow and Red.

"We have been waiting for you." He paused looked around me and then continued, "You have not yet found the dark?"

I looked around me and then back at him. Holy crap! He was now standing right in front of me. I jumped back slightly and he held out his hand. "It is not me you have to worry about child. I am only the guardian of the watchtowers. I pose you no harm." 

I looked around. "If you are supposed to be guarding them then why are they free?" 

He laughed. 'Everything happens for a reason child. They were destined to free themselves, The Sage saw that much. He also foretold of you and the dark. The universe has a way of making sure that balance will be restored." He pointed to the metal bands on my arms. "You will need these. There is one for each element." He touched my arm, "Why have you not found your dark?" 

I was confused. "What are you talking about?"

He laughed again and I was finding it really irritating. "You come from the light of the world. In order to banish them and restore balance to this world you must find the dark. Only a perfect balance from the Lord and Lady themselves." He walked over to the altar, picked up the athame and dipped it in the blood. "You already know who he is. I can feel his energy all over you. Your essence flows through him." 

"Nicklas." I whispered. That would explain why I was always getting the visions when he was around. 

"It is more than that child. You have the ability to fill his void as he does yours. He brings you the calm that you need to control yourself." 

I thought for a moment, "I can fill his void? What void?" Better yet, what calm? Everytime I'm around him I am anything but calm!

The little man walked over to me. He held out his hand and I put mine in his as he led me over to the altar, turned with the athame and before I could do anything sliced my palm open. "This is the blood of the Ancient Ones. You walk with them now. Find your dark and put into motion the demise of the watchtowers."

I looked down at my palm; it started to glow with a red hue. I looked back up at the man. "I don't know how to defeat them." 

He put his hand on my head. "Yes, child, you do. You have had the strength all this time. You just needed to be reminded of whom you come from. With the dark at your side, your powers combined are the only thing that can stop them." 

I was so overwhelmed, "How are we supposed to combine our powers?" 

He stepped closer to me, "You will feel it when the time is right." He touched the metal bands on my arms. "Now go! You are about to meet the fourth element. After that you will face them all." He pointed to the statue of Wind. The crystal was glowing. "Touch him! See where he is going!" 

I jumped up and ran to the statue, placing my hands on the crystal. A cold chill ran down my spine. A vision in a vision, this was new. I was in the middle of a very large and stretching bare field. Just in front of me was a banshee and he was eating a... well I didn't want to know what he was eating, so I didn't take a closer look. It was the middle of the day, what in the world was he doing out? I didn't have much time to debate that fact when the wind around me started to pick up and covered me with dust and dry grass. It only took a few seconds for the wind to gain enough momentum that I was trying to stand still and keep my focus on the banshee, who had also realized something was wrong. In another second the wind focused on the banshee, surrounded him and a shriek cut through the wind and then blood was flying everywhere. The wind stopped as the banshee dropped to a pile at the Elements feet and the life force of the banshee floated out of him and into the Element. I turned my focus to myself and pulled my hands off of the crystal and a huge light surrounded me.

I was back in my dining room and the hall clock just struck eleven. I looked around, found that I was standing in the middle of the table. Well at least I had my pajamas back on and as I looked down at my hands, they were not red anymore, but the cut on my palm was still there. "Seriously." 

I hopped off the table, grabbed my napkin and wrapped it around my hand. "Why does it always have to be the hand? Don't they know it hurts the most?" 

"Would you care to tell me what the hell just happened to you!" 

I turned to find where Nicklas was. He was standing by the door to the kitchen, arms crossed on his chest. 

I walked over to him. "Where you hurt?" I hoped I hadn't set him on fire earlier. 

"I'm not the one who was hovering over the table engulfed in flames." He stood up straight, but kept his arms on his chest. 

I remembered that Mrs. Cooper was still here, "Did Mrs. Cooper see anything?" 

He exhaled and walked around me. "No she didn't. I told her you said she could have the rest of the day off." He stopped on the other side of the table, putting his hands in his pockets. 

"Nicklas." I went to walk over to him. 

He held up his hand. "What happened?"

I could feel his anger. I walked to him anyways. I didn't know what he was so upset about. He didn't just have the flaming vision. If he wanted to know, I would show him. He dropped his hand and I put mine on his face. 

"Nicklas?" He turned toward me. I grabbed both of his hands and placed them on my face. "See for yourself." 

I wanted him to see what I had seen. I closed my eyes and opened my mind to him as his power washed over me and he was in my thoughts. When he finished, he stayed where he was. I opened my eyes. His head was lowered and his eyes were closed. I reached my hand up and touched his forehead. "Are you okay?" 

He opened his eyes and slowly the black jewels rose to meet mine. He stood there staring at me. He wasn't in my mind anymore, but I could still feel his powers. He took my hand that had been cut and slowly unwrapped it, looking at it for the longest time. 

"Nicklas?" I tried to read his thoughts, but he was blocking me. 

He lowered his face to my hand and smelled the cut as his grip tightened on my arm.

"Nicklas!" He looked at me. 

His eyes were so black, nearly drowning me in their intensity. For the first time I felt completely overcome by him. He was towering above me gripping my arm, his power was strong and washing over me. 

I closed my eyes, opened my mind and tried to reach out to him. "Nicklas. Please let go of my arm." 

He was so strong. I opened my eyes to meet his as he dropped my arm, but still was towering above me with black eyes. Great first his goons, then him. I was starting to think that I wasn't welcome around him. 

I widened my stance. "Nicklas!" I reached out with both arms and grabbed his face. He was breathing heavily and his eyes stayed on mine. "Where are you?" 

The eyes I was looking in were not his, I mean I know they weren't his usual blue but there was nothing of him and I swear his appearance was slowly changing into something dark and horrible. What the hell was happening? 

"Nicklas! If you can hear me!" 

He grabbed both of my arms and lowered them with such force; I thought he was going to shove them right through my rib cage. He was growling. He shoved my arms into my sides and pulled me into him, bringing his head so close to my neck. At this distance my empathy kicked in automatically and I could feel the one emotion he had. He was going to kill me. Dear god, I couldn't fight him. I closed my eyes and focused. I projected my force field outwards. He was thrown backwards into the wall five meters away on the opposite side of the dining room. He came crashing down on his feet and was back up in a matter of seconds. He paused only briefly to regain his balance and then launched himself at me. 

I stepped into a defensive stance and held him in mid air with my telekinetic power. "Nicklas! Stop this!" 

He continued growling and I felt his power pushing out. I couldn't hold him anymore. I dropped to my knees and sent him over my head. I stood as fast as I could and put up a shield. He was on top of me, just as fast trying to claw through the shield. This was definitely not working. Every time I used my powers against him, I could feel him growing stronger. I could try to freeze him but then I would have to let the shield down. Plus I wasn't even sure that would work. I had never been able to use that power on him before. He was too strong. I had to try anyways. Now, how could I catch him off guard? Teleport! This was going to have to work. I teleported myself behind him and tried to freeze him. Damn! I kept trying. Nothing. 

He turned and slowly started to walk toward me. What ever had control over him, had control over the evil. I backed up as far against the wall as I could. I was going to have to hold him off as long as I could, but I didn't know how much longer I could. I looked around the room. A clay vase on the mantle caught my eye. With its weight and the weight of the plant and dirt inside, it might pack enough of a punch to knock him out. I concentrated on it and sent it barreling into the back of his head. If it worked it would only knock him out and I could figure out what the hell was going on. The vase smashed into the back of his head with a sicken thump, sending dirt and plant pieces everywhere. He paused briefly, shook off and jumped at me. Well that did absolutely horrible. I focused all my energy on a shield. 

"Nicklas! Listen to me! I can't keep fighting you; I don't have much left here to work with. Somewhere inside of you, you know you don't want to hurt me." 

I tried to put as much feeling into my words as I could. He paused briefly, then launched at my shield and I was thrown back against the wall. I felt the pain shoot up my arm and then through my body. I was pretty sure my arm had just been smashed. I screamed in pain and then channeled all of it into a force field. He was standing above me snarling and then he started to claw at the force field. Every time he touched it I felt the power surging through me. God, I was glad Mrs. Cooper wasn't here. 

When the pain and the power were too much, I dropped the shield and tried to push him back telepathically. He faltered briefly and then grabbed me by the arms and pulled me up. I was sure my arm was broken now. The pain brought tears to my eyes and I knew I was going to pass out soon if I couldn't heal myself. He pinned me against the wall and leaned in to bite me. I tried one more time, "Please don't. Not like this." 

He growled, cocked his head back and I could see the fangs in his teeth. I had nothing left but my feelings. It was worth a shot so I took a deep breath, tried to block the pain and spoke as steady as I could. "Nicklas, I love you."

His mouth paused above my neck and his grip loosened slightly as the power started to draw back. "Nicklas! Look at me!" 

I wasn't sure if I was actually speaking the words anymore but he turned his face to meet mine. His eyes were still black, but I swear somewhere in that deep void I could see him. I kept going, "I do love you. I was afraid to admit that to myself. I was afraid to need someone. Please don't do this. Come back to me." 

His head dropped, he pulled back and fell to the floor. He was yelling and growling and I slid down the wall to sit on the floor as his hands went to his head. "NO!!!" A black cloud formed around him and started to push outwards. Well if I didn't pass out soon, it looked like he was going to self-destruct. Nicklas stood and I felt a wave of power wash over me and out through the entire house as it seemed to vibrate with his growling scream. He collapsed on his knees and then looked over to find me still crumpled against the wall and wasn't about to move.

"Alexis?" His voice was week and he crawled towards me. I tried to sit up but couldn't use my arm as a lever and I winced trying to push past the pain to speak but he went again. 

"Oh god! Are you okay?" He was beside me now. "Alexis?" 

I looked up at him. Blue eyes, his bright blue eyes were back. 

"Nicklas," I sighed, "Thank God." 

I put the hand that was still functioning on his face and he went to hug me to him but my arm reminded me with a searing pain that it needed attention. I groaned as I leaned back into the wall again, closed my eyes and tried to focus on myself. Slowly and I mean slowly, I found the strength to heal myself. Every second that passed seemed like an hour. I focused harder on my arm and projected the energy to the bone. Splinter by splinter, tendon-by-tendon, nerve-by-nerve and muscle-by-muscle my arm worked its way back to its original appearance. I felt a power inside of me start to rise and my hand started to burn. I looked down at the cut that had been caused earlier and it was healed also. I felt brand new. 

I opened my eyes and found Nicklas standing above me. "You are towering. Would you please come down here?" He knelt in front of me and I spoke first. "So?" 

He spoke slowly, "I saw you, the child and then the cave. I went to follow you, but when I walked through the pillars, the little man met me outside of the circle. I saw you inside of the circle touching a crystal on one of the watchtowers. The man said you had learned what you needed to, he threw blood on me from the bowl on the altar and told me I was the dark to your light and you would know what to do. That is the last thing that I had control over. The blood consumed everything in me. I could see what was happening and I was trying to break through, but..." His voice trailed off and he dropped his head. I picked his head up with my hands and sat up to kneel with him. 

"You fought your beast and won. There is nothing to be ashamed of." 

His eyes met mine. "I promised you that I would never hurt you." His eyes were pleading for forgiveness. 

"YOU didn't." I let my telepathy kick in and decided to see if I could tap into his powers. I felt his walls drop and a cool breeze washed over me. It worked. I found the warmth that he had always used on me and brought it to his surface. I opened my mind to him and projected out all of my feelings for him and let them flow over him. He closed his eyes and exhaled as I held him to me and he threw his arms around my waist and buried his head in my shoulder. I stroked his hair and let the warmth and love surround us. We stayed like that for a few moments while he gained his strength and then he looked up at me. Laser blue eyes, God he is beautiful. 

He leaned in very slowly, kissed me and I felt a tingle shoot down my body. He pressed a bit harder, letting his tongue run over my bottom lips and I opened my mouth to his and our tongues met. I know I've said it before, but I loved kissing him. I loved the fact that he could claim my entire being just by kissing me. We stood and I could feel our powers surrounding us, pushing us together. I put my arms around his neck, he lifted me up and carried me to the table. Was I ready for this again? Could I handle the indifference? I caught myself. No thinking, no questions. My hands went to his belt buckle as he slid his hands up and under my tank top. I felt like I was going to burst if I didn't have my hands on his skin. 

This was taking too long. I pulled the shirt out of his pants, grabbed the bottom and yanked it up and over his head. He smiled and pulled off my top with as much enthusiasm. I ran my hands over his chest and shoulders. Smooth sleek skin over taunt, hard muscles, I loved touching him. His skin felt so cool under my touch. He lowered his mouth to my neck and started to kiss my skin as heat shot across me. It was like he was lighting a fire inside of me. Everywhere he touched tingled and burned for him. 

I unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his pants, trying to pull them down some how but his lips found my breast and started to bite at my nipple. I needed air. I gasped and threw my head back. He grabbed my hips, then my pants and slid them off in one quick motion leaving me completely stripped of any inhibitions. I grabbed at his pants pulling him closer to me as his mouth came up and met mine. I was trying to pull down his pants, but he just picked me up. I threw my legs around his waist and he started to walk toward the stairs. I pulled my mouth from his and looked into his eyes. I could see him, everything he was, everything we could be and I couldn't help the feeling of completion that covered me. He paused, seeming to catch the feeling as well and his blue eyes sparkled. I hugged him and teleported us to my bedroom. 

We stood, for a moment, above my bed just staring into each others' eyes. Our needs and wants passing to one another until the heat between us was too much. He threw me on the bed, took off his pants and boxers and slowly walked over to me, like he was hunting me. I held up my hands, he entwined his in mine and brought me up to him. I wanted to feel his hands all over me. I wanted to wrap myself in him and never come out. I put his hands on my hips as I ran my hands up his arms, shoulders down his chest, the small of his back and then over his thighs. He was absolutely delicious. 

He kneeled on the bed above me, I scooted further back and he followed above me. His hands were all over me, so slowly though they made their way over every inch of me with a purpose of finding a place he had never been. With him everything was about touch. His fingers, his hands, they both had such a power of their own. He could transfer emotions just with his touch and it was exhilarating. His mouth left mine and went down my neck and then my chest and stomach. He slowly, oh so slowly, ran his hand up my side, over my breast, up my arms and held both of my hands together with just one of his. His other hand he put under my head and on the back of my neck and brought me up to kiss him. He slowly brought my arms over his head so that they were resting on his shoulders. I let my hands run over them and onto his chest. I stopped right below his collarbone and he pulled his mouth from mine and rested his forehead on mine. 




Light and Dark Ch. 04



There was such a strong energy around us that both of us seemed to be wrapped up in our own little cocoon. I slowly retraced my hands up his chest, neck and cupped his head in my hands. He looked down at me with such passion that it was exhilarating to know that it matched my own. We were good together. Not just in bed, mind you, but as a couple. 

He let his fingertips glide down my spine and rest on the small of my back, took a breath and then spoke, almost as if he had to force the words out. "Alexis." 

I knew what he was going to ask and it's not like we both weren't thinking it. This meant more than just sex for both of us. 

"What do you want?" 

I had to make a decision, which I thought I already had, so this was easy. I sat up straight and pushed him against the headboard. He smiled and held his hands up for me. I had made the right choice, for him and me. I put mine just in front of them and could feel his power pushing out. He grabbed my hands and brought me to him. I straddled him, not taking him in just yet, and kissed him again. This time it was so primal, so urgent. I kept his gaze, reached down, grabbed him and slowly lowered myself onto him. 

He moaned as his hands reached out for me and pulled me closer to him. I paused for just a moment and then gently started to rock into him. He started to kiss my neck, shoulder and then went to my breasts again. My fingers dug into his shoulders when he started on my nipples. I arched my back as he moaned again, grabbed my thighs and started to push me harder. I kept kneading his shoulders and his breathing started to race. He was holding back. 

I had a sudden urge to connect with him mentally, so I opened my mind and let him enter. I let him feel everything I was feeling and he did the same for me. It was almost too much for both of us to be this connected. 

He gasped my name and I could feel his need almost at the breaking point but just behind his eyes and the pleasure was something dark. His beast was clawing its way to the surface and trying to break through. I looked into his now black eyes and I could feel the overwhelming urge he had to feed. It was stirring something inside of me. 

Dark, primal and needful, it was an urge to be free of this world. 

"You can fill his void."The little man's words filled my mind.

Blood, but more importantly was that my emotions and my soul were in my blood, he needed my blood to fill his void.

I opened my eyes and met his and he shook his head, "Alexis, no. I don't have the control now." 

I kept rocking into him and grabbed the headboard, leaning my neck as close to his mouth as I dared. "I trust you." 

He used his hands on my waist to push me back a bit so that I was looking into his black eyes again. The beast behind them was so strong. I could feel my pulse riding over his skin and I could feel its flow taunting him with each pump of my heart. I brought both of my hands up to his face and gently kissed him. 

I pulled back slowly and whispered. "All that matters is that I love you." 

The beast in the black of his eyes was so strong. One of his arms wrapped around the back of my waist and the other he brought up, pulled the hair from my neck and tilted my head to the side. He nodded, closed his eyes, leaned in and then bit me. 

"Nicklas..." I barely got his name out as all of the heat and emotions slammed into me. Having someone in your mind is so much lighter than being consumed by someone's soul. All that he had was flowing into me, the same way that my blood, was filling him. If I had ever taken drugs, I imagined this is what they would feel like. I was busting at the seams, ready to explode. All the colors, loss of time and constant need for touch. Flashes of my life and his were passing through my mind in sort of a hazy mist. 

His grip on my waist tightened as his release rose. I wasn't too far behind. He kept feeding and started to push me harder on him. I couldn't handle it any more. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held on. I rocked harder and felt myself start to shake. I dug my fingers into his back and called his name. He stopped feeding, pulled his head back, buried it in my shoulder and we both let go. 

I felt like I had been pushed out of my body and was spiraling endlessly into oblivion. We had had sex before, but it was never this intense. All emotions were gone and it left us with just the sensations. Even during the release I felt like I was still climbing to the breaking point. We held onto each other, afraid to let go and just collapsed back into the headboard, shaking. 

We sat there, breathing, sweating and coming down for a long while until he put his arms around me again and lowered us to a laying position. He kissed my forehead and I hugged him tighter. "Alexis?" 

I could literally feel the exhaustion in his words. I looked up at him and answered as best as I could, "Yes?" 

"I just wanted to see if I could still speak." 

I tried to laugh, but every muscle in my body was screaming. I could feel him smile and he brought me up to face him. I pulled myself as close to him as I could manage and he just held me while we looked into each others' eyes. 

He spoke in my mind, "I am sorry about the past couple of months. I could feel that something was wrong but I never asked you what it was. You deserved more from me." 

I was the one who had left him and here he was apologizing to me for his actions. I had felt trapped, not by him, but by my powers. When I was with him, I had felt like the walls were closing in on me because I couldn't control them, I couldn't find a release. I couldn't find a balance. I knew it wasn't him, but I didn't trust myself to trust him. 

He brought his hand to my cheek. "Why didn't you just tell me?" 

I was mildly embarrassed that he had read my rant in my mind and I dropped my head. "I didn't want to hurt you, but I ended up hurting you more the way I left." 

All of the emotions I had kept bottled up inside me were starting to flow out. So much for speaking my mind, but this emotional outbreak was well deserved. He lifted my head up to face him. "There is always pain and confusion in life. You just need to have faith that you will get up when you fall. If you don't, I will always be there to pick you up." 

I just kept looking at him. "Nicklas." 

I didn't know what to say. He put his other hand on my face, leaned in and kissed me very gently. The floodgate opened in me and everything I had ever felt for him came to the surface. There was no doubt in my feelings now; I loved him so much. I felt tears running down my cheeks and his warmth surround me. He pulled away slowly and wiped away my tears. "I love you too." 

I laughed through my tears. This was the first time he had ever spoken those word. "Do you really?" 

He leaned in and kissed me gently, "I love you Alexis." 

I almost felt like jumping up and down on the bed. I really couldn't believe he had actually said it. He smiled back at me and pulled me closer to him. He spoke softly, "I've never felt this way for anyone, you make me feel so alive and I think that is why I feel so sure about this," he moved me so that I was looking into his eyes, "I would like to be with you, if you would have me." 

The voices that I had heard last night were real. God I thought I had been dreaming. He put his hand on my face, "You heard Charles and I?" He was in my head and while I would have normally been upset he was picking my thoughts I was glad because I was so sure that I had made the whole thing up. "I thought I was dreaming." 

He smiled again, "Would you be with me?" 

I didn't know what to say. Part of me was elated that he wanted to be with me, but the other part remembered what he was. I was supposed to vanquish evil, not be their mate. But I trusted Nicklas. I knew he would never expect me to ignore my calling. God what would happen if we were a pair? Good and evil combined. This would definitely be interesting. I looked back up at him and kissed him long and hard. His hands went to my waist and he pulled me right up against him. 

The heat started to form around us again, and I could feel him swelling. A few moments ago we were completely exhausted and now I couldn't wait to go again. He rolled over on top of me, lifted himself up with his arms and this time was kneeling between my legs. My hands went to his back and I ran them down and grabbed his butt. His mouth left mine and again went to my breasts. Still sensitive from last time, I moaned when he started to lick at them. I ran my hands back up the muscles on his back and dug my nails in when he started to bite at my breasts. He grunted with pleasure and looked up at me. I ran my hands up his neck and brought him down to me as he paused just above my lips, reached down and slid himself into me. I whimpered and he smiled at me, slowly starting to push himself into me. I raised my hips to meet him and his hands dug into the sheets. His breath was so hot on my face. I grabbed his hips and we found a steady rhythm. 

Again our minds connected but this time it caught both of by surprise. One minute I was looking at him, and then I was looking at myself through his eyes. So much power. I pulled his head down the rest of the way to kiss me. I wanted to have every part of him. I ran my hands over his thighs and then up his smooth chest. His breathing was picking up and I could feel us both start to come again. I put my hands on his face and pulled away from the kiss. His eyes were black again but this time there wasn't hunger for blood, just for me. 

He started to thrust harder and I put my hands on his hips to slow him down. "Slower." His breathing sped, but he slowed down. I wanted to feel this way forever and he agreed. I lay there just holding his face in my hands and stared into his eyes. His skin was hot and his power was riding all over me. His breath was racing. This orgasm caught me off guard. It hit me all at once and rode over him. I held onto him as tight as I could and he thrust himself into me one last time, letting his release go. I felt it combine with mine and I almost couldn't breathe. "Nicklas!" 

I held onto him tighter and he lowered himself to my left side. He held one arm on the small of my back, pushing me closer to him and the other he put behind my head. I tucked my head into the curve of his neck. I was shaking again and he held me. I felt completely consumed by him. I couldn't tell if I was the one breathing or if it was he. For the time being we were one person. Our breathing slowed and he gently pulled my head back so that I was looking into his eyes. They were blue again, but this time I could see myself in him. 

He smiled, "Does this mean you'll be my mate?" 

I laughed, "Will you give me a little time to think it over?" 

His smile grew, "Of course." 

I tucked my head back into the curve of his neck. There is nothing better than having someone holding you in bed. To have their skin against yours and to feel their heart beating into you. It's the little things in life that I enjoy and this I was going to enjoy until I was pried from his arms. 

We both lay on the bed, in each others' arms, until I heard the downstairs hall clock strike one. I sat up. "Oh my god, the vision." 

Nicklas rose beside me. "What about the vision?" 

I paused for a moment to clear my mind and then answered him. "In the cave, when you saw me with my hand on the crystal, I was having a vision." 

He ran his hand through my hair. "You had a vision in a vision?" 

I nodded and continued, "Yes and what is going to happen is going to happen around four." 

He jumped off the bed. "Well we better get going. Do you have a plan?" 

"The man said I would face the Wind and then all four, so my guess is that I can only save the innocents, not stop him. Then we will see." 

He walked around the bed and held out his hand to me. I took it and hopped off of the bed. "Where are we heading?" He asked and walked back around the bed to put his pants on. 

"I don't know. There was a field and a banshee, eating something. I didn't really get directions." 

He had pulled his pants on and buckled them. I was still nude. "Well, get dressed and we'll talk when we get there." He turned to walk out the door. 

"Nicklas, where are you going?" 

He turned around. "Downstairs to find my shirt and then clean up the mess you made when you broke that vase on my head. You get dressed." He opened the door and walked out. 

I couldn't help but smile. It was great being with him. I couldn't remember a time in my life when I really needed someone as much as I needed him. He completed me, brought strength to my weaknesses and loved me for who I was and that in itself was a lot. I walked over to my closet and to the workout clothes section. Black pants, and a dark green tank top. I dressed quickly. Socks, tennis shoes and then walked over to my vanity. God my hair looked like shit although if that was the side effect of having amazing sex, then I would make sure my hair was always messy. I brushed it out and pulled it back into a bun. If it was going to be windy, I wasn't going to worry about my hair smacking me in the face and blocking my view. I went to my bathroom, brushed my teeth and washed my face. I headed out the door, then the bedroom door and headed down the back stairs. I could feel Nicklas in the kitchen. I stopped. I could feel him and I didn't have to use my powers. I just knew he was there. This was different. I started walking again and headed down the stairs. In the kitchen, he had found his shirt and was loading the dishwasher, which for some reason made me want to laugh. I went to speak, but he started first. "I just noticed it too." 

I stopped. "Noticed what?" 

He laughed and looked up at me. I knew what he was thinking. He was in my head. "That we are connected" 

What the hell? This is too much. 

He spoke, "Yes, however, it is a bit interesting as to why this has happened." 

I walked over to Nicklas. Not only was he in my head, but his power was too. I could feel what he did on a daily basis. All the vampires of North America were floating around in there and he was connected to all of them. He shut the dishwasher and walked toward me. I could hear my pulse in his head. 

"Do you hear this all the time?" 

He paused, "Only when I am around humans. It is a reminder of what we need to live." 

I looked down at my hands and they were shaking. "Are their voices always in your head." This was getting to be a bit much. 

"I am their Master. They are connected to me by their blood." 

I almost couldn't take it. He walked over to me and took my hands. "How do you control their hunger? Even I feel the need." 

He put his hands around mine. "Just breathe." 

I looked up. "Does this change anything between you and them." 

He shook his head and answered, "I don't think so. We haven't been connected long enough for me to feel anything from them." 

I stepped back. The voices were pounding in my head. Screaming, talking, whispering, I couldn't even tell if they were voices anymore. Static. I put my hands to my head. I was beginning to feel nauseous. He stepped into me and held me to his chest. His warmth calmed the voices, but didn't chase them away completely. "Focus on yourself and you should be able to control what is happening." 

He always knew how to calm me down. I focused inward and centered myself. Slowly, the voices and his power left my mind. I was back to my own voice. He spoke, "We should get going, it is almost two and I need to stop at my house." He held out his hands, "Do you have a plan?" 

I took a step back and he dropped his arms. "Yeah, I guess I am out to save a banshee. We're meant to fight the Elements later." I closed my eyes and stretched my mind out to find the banshee and found him no where near a field, so perhaps he doesn't arrive there until later. I completely pulled back, turned and walked toward the hall closet. I needed a coat. Nicklas waited for me in the kitchen. I returned with my black pea coat and took his hands. "Your place?" He shook his head and I opened my mind and focused on his house. 

We were at his door instantly. His guards, this time, weren't trying to kill me. They instead didn't move from their positions on either side of the door. I dropped his hands and put mine in my pockets. I should have grabbed gloves. Nicklas walked up to the doors, I followed and he opened them. 

Charles was on the other side, "Nicklas! Are you okay?" I think Charles was the only one that called him by his name and not master. Nope, I take it back, Mona did as well. Charles glanced at me and then back to Nicklas. 

"What are you talking about? Of course I'm fine." He entered his house and I followed. Again, Charles looked at me and then back to Nicklas. 

"We lost our connection with you for a while." 

Nicklas was walking toward the staircase, but I stayed by the doors. Charles was on edge and I had a feeling that he was focusing that on me. Nicklas stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned back around. I could feel her before she came into view. Being connected with out warning to Nicklas was going to take a bit to get used to. Mona walked out of the conference room, saw Nicklas then Charles and finally locked her sights on me. I could feel her anger. She could smell Nicklas on me and I could feel her, smelling me. The smelling thing was kind of creepy, but then again who am I to judge? Her anger rose and she took a step toward me. 

"You are not welcome here!" 

I didn't move. This irritated her more and her thoughts were in my head. No they were in Nicklas's. I looked up at him, His hand was on the banister and he was waiting for me to tell him what I wanted him to do. I didn't know. Why do I have to decide? She's your friend, put her on a leash. I turned back to Mona. I hadn't given her the reaction she wanted and she was going to get it from me. She was ready for another match. Her eyes started to turn black and her hunger flashed through my mind as she jumped at me. Nicklas went to intercept her but I held him back, tapped into his speed, froze her and was at his side in a matter of seconds. He looked at Mona and then me. "Well now. Isn't that handy." 

I flashed a quick smile. I was too annoyed for a real one. "Is she going to try to kill me every time I'm here? I'm starting to take it personally." 

He laughed, started up the stairs and I followed. 

Charles spoke again, "Nicklas." 

He stopped, turned around, putting his hand on my shoulder as he turned. He wanted me to know what Charles was thinking. I was connected to the both of them. Nicklas answered, "Yes?" 

Charles walked to the bottom of the stairs. "What just happened? She had our speed." He looked at me, "You had our speed." 

I didn't know what to say. Charles was up the stairs and right in front of me. "There is something different about you." 

His gaze was inquisitive and pounding at the same time. He leaned in, ever so slightly and inhaled. Nicklas answered quickly, "Everything happened for a reason and yes there is something different. As soon as I understand what is going on I will let you know."

Charles looked at me this time and his thoughts started to roll to Nicklas. He was telling Nicklas that he was worried that my blood from last night had done something to him and Nicklas fired back that he would ask for his opinion if he wanted it. I could feel his strength reaching out to Charles. It felt like someone was standing on my chest. I took a deep breath and moved away from them. 

Charles shuddered and I knew that Nicklas was reminding him who the Master was. Charles dropped his head, walked down the steps and toward the conference room and turned back to us. "Am I allowed to speak freely?"