WINTER SONG

A FanFic By

K.E. THUNEY

Note- I DON'T OWN HE DARK HUNTER LABEL OR SERIES. REMEMBER, THIS IS COMING FROM MY OWN IMAGINATION, SO IF IT SUCKS, I'M SORRY.

CHAPTER ONE

"You're trying to kill my little sister, aren't you?" Sam, my oldest brother, snarled into the phone he held to his ear. His face was slowly turning from a ruddy red color to a violent shade of purple. "Admit it! You're still blaming her for the things she never caused, aren't you?" I sighed as I turned back to my computer screen, shutting down the programs as I picked up the laptop and strode to my room. If my brother was to explode in his rage, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. (Knowing my luck, that's probably exactly what would happen.)

I also had knowledge of what he'd shout at Acheron next, and I wanted to not hear the lies that he insisted were the truth. I closed the white wooden door of my bedroom shut, but not before hearing Sam bellow,"She had absolutely nothing to do with those deaths! She was going through unimaginable trauma! She still is!"

In reality, I had gotten over my father's death from lung cancer long ago, since it had been two long years. What I couldn't actually get over were the untimely deaths of Branwen, Eli, and Akori. My 'bosses', each at a different time.

I'd failed them- I was the most clumsy, forgetful, and stupid squire who'd probably walked this earth. And I let them die, though I could have done something- anything- to prevent their deaths. I winced as the reality of this hit me again, like a bullet to the back of my aching head.

Eli was gone.

Dad was gone.

Branwen was gone.

Hell, even Akori was gone.

I was, once again, alone. My mind wandered to a time, not so long ago, when my life had changed forever...

The biggest secret I'd ever had came to me the eve of January 13th, 2006. My father lay dying in a hospital bed, coughing painfully from the reactions he had from the medication they gave him- no matter what they injected, the pain that his lung cancer caused would not go away. He had mere moments left, if that. he had called me to his side, since I was the only child in the family who understood his pain and lived close enough to Miami to see him the most.

"Ivy," He wheezed. "I have no time left here. I have to tell you...the legacy will continue..." He trailed off, his eyes blank and pale. I wiped back tears, probably streaking my mascara across my face, though I didn't care.

"Dad," I wispered, "Please don't talk like that. It's not that bad- they're going to opperate, and you'll be fine. Just hold on for a few days. The pain will be gone."

"Yes, it will;" He agreed, his voice raspy and thin. "For I will not be here longer. I need to tell you though, my daughter, what your future will hold..." He trailed off again, until he snapped back to attention. "You will be a squire, as I was, once I am gone. You shall serve at least one Dark Hunter, as I did. You shall be the eighth generation, and you will live and die for it, as I have..."

I watched him, thinking it was only the medication speaking. Though he was hallucinating, of course, I nodded, humoring the ailing man. "Of course I will, dad," I said, though I had no clue what he was talking about. "Of course I will. I'll carry on the tradition. Like you." He beamed over at me, the old father I knew shining through the cancerous mask.

"I am proud of you, Ivory Emerald Scarlet," He said, "You will carry on the tradition." I nodded, though I had no idea what tradition that was. Suddenly, he began to cough. He wheezed and choked, not stopping, and I noticed a small stream of blood coming out of his mouth...

Just like mom.

I ran out into the hall, my sneakers squeaking against the linoleum floor and I searched frantically for Debra, his nurse, and when I couldn't find her, I began screaming for someone- anyone- to help.

"Nurse!" I screamed, "Help! My dad's dying!"

They had tended to him, and a nurse's assistant had escorted me from the hospital, calling my brother, though I refused to go with him- I had my own car, and besides, I needed some alone time. I think they thought I was going to hurl myself off a cliff, but I eventually persuaded them to let me leave unattended, and I strode through the hospital doors, leaving my past behind me.

Times had changed, I thought looking up at my ceiling as my memory faded into nothingness. I turned my gaze to the dust-covered window, the full moon slightly visible above the tops of illuminated buildings and the palm trees, and another memory bloomed in the window of my tired mind. These were the kinds of nights that I remembered spending near Eli- He would spend all of his time talking to me. Boston was not a hot spot for Daimons, so he would usually sit on the roof of his pre-colonial home with me, looking up at the moon and speaking for hours on end. He understood everything I was going through- before he became a Dark Hunter, he was perfectly happy with his family, in Berlin, until the Holocaust began. They were killed, and Eli was willing to do anything to avenge them... Even sell his very soul.

He was one of the best friends I'd ever had- and now he was...I didn't want to think about it. It made me sick, the very thought of him dead.

But that was the past. He was gone. And so was Branwen.

She had been the very first Dark Hunter I had been assigned to, in Santa Monica, California. She was very sympathetic about my father's death, but still regarded me with strictness which made me feel as though I'd been dropped into a boot camp. Her death really had come as a shock to me- I'd expected her to be much tougher, and I never thought that she'd let her guard down enough to be attacked. But she had, and I was shipped off to Eli, in Boston, without even seeing my family again. I became so attached to him that I didn't want him to meet the same end as Branwen had. But try as I might, time repeated its cruel cycle and yet another tragedy struck.

Luckily, he was not officially declaired dead. He was merely missing. For almost a year and a half.

My latest 'Boss', the fiery tempered Egyptian Dark Hunter Akori, had been much less sympathetic, and more cruel. He had a nasty habit of kicking the crap out of his squires, which is why he went through them so quickly. I had been his last squire, though- he died mysteriously a few days after I received a particularly malicious beating, and they tried to blame me. Honestly, I had nothing to do with his death- I received the call about his death while over at my best friend (And fellow squire) Jen's house, and I was relieved (But nonetheless horrified) about his death.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my left pocket. I rolled over, pulled out the small phone, and looked at the mini front screen. I groaned, putting it to my ear.

"What is it, Jen?" I snapped. The young girl paused before she spoke, her french accent more noticeable over the phone.

"A little birdy told me that they're sending you on a new assignment," She taunted. I glared out the window.

"Oh, how strange!" I said sarcastically. "A little birdy told me that you need to get a life." She'd become used to my sarcasm and acidic comments, so she did not take offense to my words.

"I wonder how long it'll take this one to die," She said, her tone cruelly excited. I sighed.

"1-I've heard that he's tougher than you'd think. And 2- I think you have what's called sadism, my friend." I laughed, my voice bitter, and surprisingly, she laughed, too.

"What does that mean?" She finally asked. I laughed again, shaking my head.

"Never mind." I muttered. "Oh good lord, what am I supposed to do?" I whispered, burying my face in my pillows.

"Fake your own death," She suggested, not too helpfully, I might add. I snorted slightly.

"Yes, because that would work so well. I'd probably end up accidentally killing myself, anyway." I noted, My voice grim.

"It worked for me," She told me. I laughed.

"You don't have my luck," I reminded her. She paused, considering this.

"That's true. So, there's no way to avoid it?" She inquired quietly,"You leave tomorrow?"

I fought back tears as I replied. "I leave tomorrow," I agreed quietly, my voice losing what happy note it might have had. The note my heart had lost long ago.

"I will be there," My best friend said, her voice strong. "Before you leave. We all will."

"I'll appreciate it," I said, wiping the tears form my eyes, my voice now thick with sadness. "Thank you."

"It's just to get one last look at you," She admitted. "You might not come back."

On that happy note, Jen hung up her phone, leaving me with a dial tone and many thoughts about how many ways I could die, where they were sending me. The possibilities were, truly, endless.

The next morning, I was wide awake at excactly 1:05 a.m, after getting about 3 hours of sleep. I reorganized my bags about five times, making sure that I'd cleare out all of my drawers and cabinets, and watched television for about 10 minutes before I became bored. I looked over at my clock.

1:17...

My flight left at six, and we'd leave for the airport at four. I knew I should have gotten some sleep, so I was wide awake and alert on the plane, but my mind would not rest, and I soon found sleep to be impossible. It flashed between Branwen, Eli, My father, and, most disturbingly, Akori. How they'd died, and how I might die. Who knows- maybe Jen was right. Maybe I should have just faked my death and ran. But I couldn't. I wasn't weak, and I wouldn't fail my father.

Not again.

I looked back up at the digital clock.

1:18...

Time was dragging by at a snails pace, minutes elongated into years. After about five more minutes of staring at my clock, I decided to go for a run, to clear my head and take in the sights of Miami's suburban area, one more time. I pulled on sweatpants, jogging shoes, and a tee shirt, leaving he house quietly and shutting the door behind me.

Running across the empty streets and sidewalks of Miami, hearing the pavement under my feet, I began to relax. My breathing calmed, my eyes grew heavy, and soon I was yawning every five seconds. I pulled off to the side of the road, sitting on the curb on Mulroney st., trying to catch my breath and avoid passing out on the side of the road.

"Having a nice run?" A voice said from behind me. I jumped to attention, pulling a small dagger out of my pocket (Always be prepared for anything, kids. That is my only advice to you.). As I realized who spoke, I lowered the dagger and glowered at Acheron.

"You just scared the crap out of me, ash! " I hissed, my tone warning. Though I was mortal, I was leathal. "Please, don't do that again, especially on an empty Miami street at 2 in the morning. I might not hesitate next time."

He nodded, smiling at my almost meaningless threat. Though I was deadly, I was nothing compared to him. He was deadly. To anyone.

"Sorry," He said, though he really didn't sound sorry. I nodded, accepting this.

"What did you need?" I asked, struggling to keep my tone polite. He shrugged slightly, looking for the entire world like a regular American teenager.

"I heard that you were anxious about your latest assignment," He said truthfully. I nodded again, agreeing with him.

"He's going to kill me," I whispered, " I know it." He chuckled darkly.

"You and Sam share the same fear. Don't worry, I'm sure that if you're killed, your friends will avenge you." I stared at him, wide eyed with disbelief, until he laughed again, the sound lighter than before. "He won't kill you, I'm kidding. Just, please, give him a chance. He's got a good heart, underneath the hatred."

"And if I don't want to?" I asked. He glared at me, looking terrifying.

"Do you really want to ask that question, Ivory?" He said, his voice warning.

I snorted in defiance, and turned away. "I'm still going to die, aren't I?" I asked.

"Well, of course you are, some day. You're mortal." I turned to him, my eyes alive with hatred, until I saw that he was gone. I threw the dagger with lethal accuracy at a tree, shouting and cursing in rage. I stood in silence until I crossed the lawn to the tree, pulling out the small, gleaming weapon before I turned and continued down the street, my fists clenched in hatred and anger.

"Wake up, Ivy!" Shaun called, stomping on my stomach. "You're leaving in fifteen minutes!" I jumped to my feet, noticing that I'd fallen asleep clutching my dagger in my hands. I wiped off the blood, cursing under my breath at the fact that I'd fallen asleep.

"By the way," Sam reminded me, "You're phone is almost charged. You'll call us when you get there, alright?" I nodded, looking around the room once more. I'd probably not be coming back- at least for a while. I pulled my phone off of its charger, glaring at my brother.

"You've told me that twice, Sam. I'm not a child, I understand." I strode into my room, looking once more at the blank walls. I sighed, picking up my suitcases in both of my hands. I continued walking, my bare feet padding against the linoleum floor of our villa.

"I'm leaving, now!" I yelled. Shaun came to me first, hugging me tightly.

"You'll come back, right?" He whispered. I nodded, and I saw tears as they lept into the young boy's eyes. I hugged my youngest brother once more before I left, shutting the door and hearing it slam shut behind me. I walked around to the garage, clicking on the light and walking to my small red corvette. God, I'd miss this thing when I was gone. It was the only indulgence I allowed myself, and one of the only things I couldn't bring with me. I'd raised serious hell over this, but no one would budge.

I climbed inside, only allowing myself to cry once I'd reassured myself that the windows were tinted and no one could hear me in the sound proof garage.

Feeling ashamed, I pulled my hair back from my eyes and dried them, revving the engine before opening the automatic doors and speeding down the crowed Miami streets, once again leaving my family and life behind me.

"You're very nearly late," Jen told me, a note of acid in her voice as I stepped from my car, pulling on my sunglasses. I shrugged, locking the door behind me as I continued down the dirt hill toward the landing spot, where a small, private helicopter waited for me. I grimaced as I realized she was following me. Continuing down the hill as though she was not bothering me at all, I saw my oldest brother, Todd, talking to the pilot. He was probably going over safety regulations, treating me as though I was a child, as Sam had been. I glared over at them, quickening my pace as I jogged toward them.

"You ready to go, kid?" Todd asked, smiling at me.

"No," I told him truthfully. He laughed, turning back to Mike.

"You'll take care of my sister, alright?" Todd said to him. He nodded, smiling again at my brother.

"For as long as I can. I'm not gonna be there the entire time. " I grimaced.

"Thanks, guys. Way to bring up my hopes." I muttered, pulling open the door to the chopper. I waved once to my brother, to the other squires, and to Jen before I shut the door and was, once again, cut off from society.

Mike's voice came to me through a speaker system as soon as we took off.

"Wow. What the hell did you do to get sent up here?" He asked sympathetically. I glared at the speaker, looking out the window.

"Nothing. I just have really bad luck." He snorted.

"Whatever." He muttered. "Grenade in a gas station," He breathed, his voice almost inaudible. I glared at the small box, resisting the urge to rip it out and throw it at him.

I cotinued to ignore him as I pressed a button and the thick glass screen went up, blocking him out. I put my headphones on, which I found to be playing the end of Evanescence's Hello:

" Suddenly, I know that I'm not sleeping, Hello, I'm still here, All that's left of yesterday,"

I flicked off the small mp3, throwing it so that it hit a window. I was in no mood for this.

I had enough death in my life as it was.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I pulled it out, and without even checking the caller ID, I opened it.

"What do you want?" I snapped. There was a pause on the other line.

"How did you know it was me?" Jen inquired softly. I sighed.

"Lucky guess. Now, what do you want?" I asked again.

"What was your problem today?" She asked. I gritted my teeth, looking out the window.

"How would you react to this situation, Jen?" I hissed. She laughed quietly.

"I wouldn't even react- I'd fake my own death as soon as they told me." I snorted before continuing.

"Do you think that would work for me, knowing my luck?" I asked, my laughter dark and cruel. She was quiet before her tone became more serious.

"Be careful, Ivy- really, try. This guy is unstable with a capital 'U', and I don't want you to get hurt." She whispered. I smiled bitterly.

"I can take care of myself, Jen. I'll be fine, please don't worry." I said, my voice cracking slightly under the weight of the lie I was telling.

"You know how many squires I knew who said things like that, then ended up dead a week later?" She whispered. I stayed quiet and she continued. "I hope you enjoy what time you might have left, Ivy. It was nice knowing you." With that said, she hung up, leaving me clutching my phone to my ear.