Before The Shadow Fell

by Sara Angeldust

The prequel to 'Tainted Vengeance' Before Raven was bloodbonded she was a normal 17 yr old girl. Or as normal as a shifter could be

1. The Clan's Honor

"Before The Shadow Fell"

By: Sara Angeldust

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Part 1

"The Clan's Honor"

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"Papa Can You Hear Me?"

-Charlotte Church

God…

Oh God…

May the light,

Illuminate the night,

The way your spirit,

Illuminates my soul…

Papa can you hear me,

Papa can you see,

Papa can you find me in the night,

Papa are you near me,

Papa can you hear me,

Papa can you help me not be frightened,

Looking at the skies I seem to see a million eyes,

Which ones are yours?

Where are you now that yesterday has waved goodbye,

And closed it's doors?

The night is so much darker,

The wind is so much colder,

The world I see is so much bigger now that I'm alone,

Papa please forgive me,

Try to understand me,

Papa don't you know I had no choice,

Can you hear me praying?

Anything I'm saying?

Even though the night is filled with voices,

I remember everything you taught,
Every book we've ever read,

And all the words in all the books,

I need to face what lies ahead,

The trees are so much taller,

And I feel so much smaller,

The moon is twice as lonely and the stars are half as bright,

Papa how I love you,

Papa how I need you,

Papa how I miss you kissing me, goodnight.

***********

The moon hung high in the dark sky. Clouds billowed as they passed casting shadows across the forest floor. Alone, a pair of hazel eyes stood shining in the night. Forty feet away, hidden by dark debris sat a darkly colored panther, a gray streak along it's back the only color. The eyes watched instinctively as the panther moved with no fear through it's normal night time activities. As the eyes passed from behind the shadows a figure came into the dim moon light.

The creature was large and fierce. Muscle's tensed and relaxed across the black pelt and the chest rose and fell with it's slow even breaths. Paws tread lightly across the leaf covered ground, leaving behind no sound. As the feline crouched low into the under brush the panther looked up. The other cat, a panther as well froze immediately knowing that any movement could cause the other large cat to run. It eyed it's prey warily as the panther looked around suspiciously, stalling for a heart stopping moment, right where the feline was hidden. Turning it's head the opposite way, the panther continued walking. The cat's eyes followed the gray streaked cat as it began to walk out of the line of vision. Slowly the panther rose and followed.

The night air was thick with the smells of autumn. The air had begun to take on the stiff smell of leaves and decay which left the panther with an inhibited sense of smell. The moon became clouded over and the night became still. Stopping in it's tracks the panther froze. Something was wrong. As it looked around for it's prey the other panther was no where to bee seen. Turning it's head the panther looked around the cold night. Suddenly a small breeze passed by it's left ear and the cat jumped to the right. As it landed so did the panther. Missing the large cat by milliseconds.

Manacle laughter reverberated in the panther's head as it lunged playfully for the gray streaked panther. As it grabbed the scruff of the panther's neck so did the other grab its own, which sent them both tumbling down a small hill. In a ball of fur and mental laughter the two reached the bottom of the hill and staggered off of one another. The panther was the first to change. Bone and sinew twisted and contorted to form more human like arms and legs and the spine cracked and reformed to make the creature walk upright. As the panther finished it's change back to human wild laughter erupted from the now human girls throat. Her hair was dark brown black and her eyes a healthy shade of dark blue. Her muscular body was tall and as she tried to stand she doubled over with laughter. As she fell to the ground the panther also finished his change. The now tall brown/blonde haired boy was handsome by any standard and looked more like the type to not fall over laughing. But contrary to the belief he did and both young adult twisted on the ground laughing.

"You're….you're getting…getting pretty…pretty good Raven." The boy said trying to control his laughter. Had anyone else been near or this been different situation the 18 year old boy would never have laughed so much.

Raven was off set by the amount of laughter that the boy was giving off. She had to do a double take of sorts and ended her fit of laughter almost suddenly.

Turning to lean against a tree to regain her composure Raven stared at the boy. She had never heard him be so relaxed with anyone else to be able to laugh the way he was.

"You really mean that David? You think I'm getting pretty good?" Raven said to the now calming down young man. She watched as he too slowed his laughter and went to sit next to her against the hug red wood tree.

"Of course I do Rav, the clan will be ten times stronger when you join the hunts." David said with a smile on his face. Raven turned her head forward to hide her reddening face and to see where their mock hunt had landed them.

It had seemed less then a minute that David had surprisingly volunteered to take Raven out and show her the ropes of hunting. Though mostly solitary and dark David's kind side had come out once in awhile, this time being one of those. He was 18, almost a year and 6 months older then her. Raven couldn't help but be like a 13 year old child in his presence. Though he was more likely to be on his own then most she had known he excited her more then any of the other boys that were to be possible mates. She often dreamed of kissing him and what it would be like to be near him all the time. But those dreams were often shattered with the reality that David would never go for such a child as herself.

Raven sighed pushing the thoughts from her head an looked out past the trees to see the beautiful plains of the Pennsylvanian meadows. Their Shifter territory was located less then twenty miles from the nearest town and yet they could still not hear the sounds or see the lights of the medium sized place. A blessing in disguise for her family. If they couldn't see the humans of the town then that meant that they couldn't see them either. As Raven took a better look at the large meadow she noticed that the familiar smells of her clan had worn thin in the area. Fear gripped her heart slightly as she realized that they were on the edge of their Shifter territory. If her mother had found them that far from the small village she would have more then just a stern talking too.

Gathering her lavender skirts Raven stood, using the tree to get her tired body up from the ground. A soft wind blew past her bringing to her nostrils the sweet smell of grasses and night flowers. How she wished she could just change and run through the meadows of the humans. Not to have to worry about being seen or hunted for that matter. Suddenly Raven found herself walking towards the edge of the invisible boundary and caught herself before she could walk past it and down into the field.

She sighed deeply as she turned back to David who she could tell, was also thinking of a long run through the field. Raven frowned slightly at the reality that David would probably take the risk and actually dare to take the run. She had noticed the defiance as it slowly grew within him. He had been defying his parents more often lately and had confided in her the reason's for doing so. He had said that there was no adventure left in the clan anymore. That the clan was so much of a pacifist group that the raw tenacity and instincts of shifters had been bred out of them. And that he yearned for the adventures of others of their kind, unlike the sheltered life the clan provided.

During these times Raven had just sat and listened not denying any of the accusations he placed on the clan. She also had realized that the clan was not as active as others they had come into contact with, but Raven had no quarrel with that. She had never known any of these adventures he talked about and clung to her so called sheltered life. She had heard from her great Grand Nan that many of the clans with such adventurous tendencies were killed off quickly. Whether it be by vampires, witches or humans. The fear of coming so close to death by creatures that shared the instincts of her people frightened her and caused her to stay in line unlike David. She often wished that he could be less of an adventurous type and just settle with what he had. Every time she thought of his tenacious attitude all she could see in his future was pain and sadness.

Sighing and shaking her head Raven turned from the beautiful meadows and back to the familiar forests of her clan. She took a deep breath of the fresh night air and felt the change as she turned back into panther. As she fell to the ground she could feel her muscles ache and she stretched like a lazy cat, trying to get the kinks out of them. As she turned her head toward David she could see he was still caught up in the idea of taking a run through the meadows.

Hey kitten! Raven said using one of her favorite nicknames for him.

Race ya! And with that Raven took off on her panther legs, streaking across the night like a dark shadow on an alley wall. The soft thumps of panther paws far behind her.

***********

Raven could smell the village before she ever got close to it. The smells of roasting meat and rising bread caused some of her animal instincts to kick in but she held firm on the mind of the panther. She had been taught long before how to and now that she had been changing for more then four years she could suppress all of the feelings that came from her forms.

Raven ran into the village square coughing for breath but not exhausted. Less then thirty seconds later David came lumping in and fell tired on the ground.

Aw what's the matter Davie. I've always been better then you at running but not that good! Raven said laughter in her voice.

Ha yeah right! I'm just…tired that's all. I think I'm going to need more sleep is all.

Raven's eyes turned down a bit in worry. As David lay exhausted Raven saw a small figure appear from behind his panther body. The child was no more then 9 years old and female. Her name was Marit, David's little cousin. The girl made a shush sign with her finger as she grabbed the wolves tail and yanked. Raven tore up in laughter as David jumped and switched into human form, chasing after a squealing Marit.

As Raven's laughter subsided she heard her name being called. As she looked up she saw her mother, Gwen looking at her a bit sternly. Her mother was tall and brunette, her dark blue eyes complementing her daughters. Raven's mother was young for her motherly status as were most in her clan. The average age to have a first child was 18-21 and Gwen had been 20 when she gave birth to Raven. Ten years later Raven's father died during an attack on the clan. He had fought off the vampires bravely but was killed non-the-less. Young as Raven had been she remembered distinctly the change in her mothers' persona. Her smile faded and her laughter that she had been known for left for more then three years. It hadn't been since Raven was 14 that she heard her mother laugh again. So as her mother looked at her with her also famous cowl Raven couldn't help but put her panther tail between her legs and cower.

Where have you been? Grand Nan has been waiting so we can begin the ceremony!

Raven had already begun to change when her mom walked away towards the fire and group of people gathered around it. She noticed at least 20 people gathered and in similar trances.

Raven had grown up with these people since she was born. Though the clan consisted of over 50 members most of them came from less then 5 families so it was no big thing that Raven knew all those around the fire.

This group consisted of 95% of the hunting group. As a shifter grew older his or her role was changed from a play mate for the younger ones to a hunter in the clan. Raven looked in awe at the group members surrounding the fire. She noticed Hannah and Gavin, David's parents, John and Pheona, two people that her mother knew since she had been young, and Grand Nan. Grand Nan was the oldest of all the clan members. Her husband had died three years before from old age and had given the clan to her. She was an amazing leader and an even more amazing healer and friend. Though she was more then 8 times Ravens' age she loved to talk to her. Grand Nan possessed a wisdom she had never seem before and yet still seemed to be carrying the weight of all the shifters and not just the immediate clan.

It hadn't been more then a week since that day that Grand Nan told her of this very night. The Ratearn Ritual was a major turning point in a young shifters life. It was the time when they no longer were regarded as a child but a true member of the clan. Grand Nan had prepared her best she could, telling her that during the ritual she would receive the clan's symbol, a panther with a cloud on it's side, in the form of a tattoo on her wrist from her mother. It was a tradition that had been passed down from mother to daughter, father and son, for as long as even Grand Nan could remember.

Even though she had spent many a night beside Grand Nan preparing for the mental task the ritual would be, she was still doubtful. Grand Nan explained the best she could the emotions that were supposed to come over her and how she needed to control them, but Raven couldn't see how she could. Her elder told of a feeling of great openness towards all things and how she must control it or else she could lose her mental stability. Grand Nan had seen it happen before.

So as Raven began to come closer to the fire, a distinct hum filled her ears. She was a bit hesitant to go near, for what she knew would happen, and from this strange sound she was hearing. Fully human, Raven had nothing of the hearing senses of her panther form but did posses powers that connected her to the clan. With this she could feel the pains and pleasures of the members. She knew this was a new sensation, since only those in the hunting party possessed it. It startled her at first to be able to hear the mental stir which came to her mind as a hum, but nonetheless she accepted it. What more could she do but accept?

Raven sat quietly in an open spot near the fire. She closed her eyes and tried to quiet her mind like those around her had. She found it more difficult then she had thought it would be. Her constant fears of what was to come flew into her head, and she could feel the tension building between the other members as they sensed her nervousness.

My child. Raven was a little startled to hear Grand Nan's voice, but it was a comfort. Unblinkingly she concentrated on her.

Quiet your mind, it is alright. Do not pay attention to those around you, it will only make you hesitate more. Just think of a place in your mind. Concentrate on exact things, sounds, smells, even mental and physical touches. This will help.

Raven listened to Grand Nan thoroughly and tried to do as she said. She tried to picture the woods she had heard about from a long time ago. A place where trees grew so tall that the canopy could not been seen from the ground. Where the sun shone lightly across the soft leaf bed and a cool wind blew. She could suddenly see and feel it all. The sounds of the mid afternoon birds chirped in her ears, the smell of cool water from a near by stream wafted past her nose and Raven fell into peace.

Raven was in a deep trance when her mother began to draw the imprint of a panther on her wrist. She was so into her vision, that even as the hot iron stick drew searing lines on her flesh, she felt nothing. All Raven saw was the beauty of the forest. The smells, sights, and beautiful sounds. Suddenly, a huge gust of wind blew through her forest. She fell over with the force of it, her hair bellowing in every which direction. The birds stopped, the running water was abruptly silenced, and she could not longer feel her way through the forest.

Before her eyes a huge black shadow towered over Raven and her forest. It engulfed the light, and she could no longer see anything. She sat blindly in the darkness. Though she could still feel the soft moss beneath her, Raven could no longer sense it, nor could she tell if anything but the moss still existed in her blank world. Her breath came in puffs now and she could hear the rasping of her lungs. Somehow Raven swore she could also feel the laughter of the blackness reverberate through her soul. What was she saying? Darkness could not have a life of it's own. Could it?

As Raven crawled on her hands and knees through her now dead forest, she could feel an ever baring presence. She felt it as it breathed down her neck and made her intire body shake.

You know I am here. Why do you not acknowledge my presence child?

Raven heard the voice clearly in her mind. She stood on shaking legs to face the shadow. The air around her began to grow cold and she shivered. As the light wind blew past her so did the laughter of the shadow. She couldn't believe that she was even standing at that moment. She was so scared at that moment that not even the growing warmth on her hand could comfort her.

Who, who are you shadow? Answer, answer me!

Raven's voice quivered as she tried to steady herself in the dark. It seemed like eternity before the voice replied to her, it's tone light with laughter and yet angered all the same.

It does not matter what I am child Shifter. It matters what you are. You have yet to prove yourself a worthy adversary to me. I have destroyed many like you. Those too unsure of themselves to make a difference. Those too frozen with fear to make a move towards me. I have smote many and yet I do not wish to do the same to you.

Raven stood still. Hadn't the shadow just said it was going to kill her? Then again, it said it didn't want to.

I do not understand Shadow. You wish to kill me because I am weak, yet you say that you do not. Explain this to me.

Raven heard a chuckle so loud she almost fell to her knees. It pounded all around her, as if it was the air itself. She began to become intrigued by this faceless shadow and less frightened.

Silly child. You have such potential and yet so much pain follows you. Your elder will explain to you what you have experienced this night of Retearn, but I am going to tell you something she shall not be able to.

Raven stared into the blackness as the air began to thin. She could feel the heavy cloak of the darkness fly away and yearned for it to return. She felt almost at home within it's comforting walls and yet it still moved away from her.

Raven, daughter of Verian, mother of faith in the dark, your life is not your own. While most live to further enhance their souls you do not. Your soul was not born as just yours, but as one linked to all. It may seem strange to you at first, but I have faith that you will come to understand what I say here. Remember this your intire life Raven. You are a vessel of your Shifter gods, a child of Verian above and Demortai below. I will leave you now, I have not the authority to destroy one such as you.

Suddenly the wind cleared. The blackness and it's cloak fell away so fast it left Raven cold and lonely. She could again see the bright morning sky of her forest. Birds chirped from a distance and the water again beat in her ears. Yet Raven was cold. She felt colder then she ever thought possible. Down to her very soul.

As she tried to move she noticed a small red flower next to her. It gleamed like a star and as she looked closer she gasped. The flower had been frozen solid. It's red petals were covered in a hard layer of ice. Raven tried to move to get away from the phenomenon and found she couldn't move her skirts. Looking down she saw why. Like the flower, Raven's skirts were frozen solid, bundled as they were around her legs.

At that moment Raven began to feel her forest drift and fall away. The trees turned a shade of brass purple and began to fall and splinter. The grass withered and died, and the ground fell out beneath her. As she fell, the face of what could be nothing less then the devil himself brought himself to Raven's mind. She was too cold to even scream as she fell into the oblivion of her mind.

This is it. This is what Grand Nan was talking about. I'm never going to wake from this.

*********

Child you cannot sleep now, you must wake up dear.

Raven come on open your eyes. Grand Nan she's so cold!

Yes I know, I can't understand it.

Will she be alright?

If she ever wakes up. Raven please child, say something!

Voices and lights flickered outside of Raven's eye lids. She could hear two definite voices, one male and one female. Her head felt like someone had hit her with a hammer and as she tried to open her eyes she found even that difficult. It felt as if she was floating on a cloud. She knew deep down that she was in an in-between. Not yet awake yet not totally asleep either.

Suddenly Raven felt something fall from underneath her. She no longer floated but lay on hard ground. She felt so cold that she was almost positive she was in another place entirely. Her home had never been that cold. Raven's body twitched with her efforts to move and this caught the eyes of those watching her. Someone touched her hand and soft voice filled her head.

"Raven dear are you awake?" It was her mother. Raven tried to respond but her attempt to move her hand to hold her mothers failed her since she could only raise it a couple of inches from the ground. As she dropped it back down someone else grabbed it and squeezed. Raven knew David's hand from it's large width the second she felt it. A small sigh almost escaped her lips. Just knowing he was there somehow made her feel better.

"She's so cold Grand Nan. What happened during the Ritual, I've never seen that happen before. She was fine and then all the sudden she turned blue, and was freezing cold."

Raven heard her mom's voice say with worry. She also heard Grand Nan sigh defeatedly and grab for something near Raven.

"I have no idea. I've seen this once before but not during a Ritual. The person had been touched by one of the Gods. They're body temperature was down at least fifteen degrees for almost a week. I just hope that Raven can recover faster. Here child,"

Raven felt something warm touch her lips. As she opened them best she could, a slightly hot liquid was poured down her throat. It almost seemed to warm her from the inside out. She sighed as some of the cold went away but most of it still dwelled deep in her body.

"Good she looks a little more the normal color. That should have done just that. I'd say she should be better in no less then a week. Sleep now Raven, we'll take care of you."

As Raven lay stiff the potion Grand Nan gave her began to take affect and she slowly drifted off into sleep. Images of those she had seen during her ritual played over and over in her head.

*************

Raven walked softy through the forest, her feet nothing more then feathers on the ground. The stars shone brightly and the moon lay high in the sky. She had never see colors so keenly before. Sometimes she wondered what had really happened to her the night of her Ritual.

Gathering some of her skirts in her right hand Raven looked at the scar on her left wrist. The image of the panther had not only been etched deep enough so not to heal up but also drenched in magic that would let all know what clan she was from. She smiled to herself thinking of the other magic's that had been given to her that night. Not only were sounds and sights more keen now, but she also somehow, no longer felt like a child. It was as if all the worldly knowledge had been in a closed door that she now possessed the key to. It made her giddy and she would often take advantage of the rare opportunity to grasp what information from the Gods that she could. He mother often scowled her for using the Gods gift so recklessly but Raven couldn't quit get the feelings to care. She was an adult member of the clan now. That's all that really mattered to her.

As she walked closer to the village Raven could hear the sounds that emanated from it. She could hear music and laughter and the feelings of joy took her. She couldn't help but smile at the thoughts of the party that was going on. It was for her younger sister Amelia, who was just turning 13. Though Raven sensed that Amelia was not her biological sister she cared for her anyway. She had pretty much raised her by herself since her mother had been to much in sadness as the death of their father. She had gotten Amelia out of her little tussles with older members and been there the many times she had fallen and hurt herself. No matter how old Raven got, Amelia would always be her little sister, and in need of protection.

Suddenly a strong cold wind billowed past her. Raven's hair and skirts flew ahead of her as the power surged past her and seemingly towards the village. She stopped dead in her tracks, her hand subconsciously tucking her hair back behind her ear. Her eyes tried to focus on the entity but it had disappeared.

What in the world was that?

The thought blew through her head and brought a twang of fear and knowing with it. She sensed the power was dark and fierce, one unlike any other and yet strangely familiar to her. As she began to walk again a sense of urgency filled her body. As she gathered her dark blue skirts to run a presence touched her back and she whirled to look behind her. There stood David, looking unblinking towards the village. Raven saw a cold luster in his eye and gave him a quizzical look.

"David…?"

"Be quiet!"

Raven's eyes widened. He had never been that forceful to her before. Fear again rose like bile in her throat as she turned in the direction of his eyes. He stared coldly at the village as if waiting. Raven too took up the stare and squinted to see what he saw. Turning back to him she saw his eyes widen and she whirled her head. A streak of black flew from the village and disappeared into the woods. She watched as David looked in the direction of the streak. She could feel his sense of urgency to follow it and grabbed his arm.

"David don't do it." Raven said still searching the woods. David lightly shook her hand off taking a step towards the darker woods.

"Raven get back to the village. Grand Nan has called a meeting."

"What about you? Don't tell me your going to go after that thing. You could get yourself killed!"

In the darkness David smirked, and took another step from her.

"I am fully aware of the Death's promise. Just get yourself back to the village, I'll handle this."

As he finished David took off at a run, following the invisible trespassers trail. Raven had never sensed the stillness of his heart, nor seen the jet black color of his eyes.

*************

The fire crackled as Raven stared, transfixed in it's burning gaze. She feared for David's safety. He was all alone out in the woods chasing after some invisible foe. She had an urge to tell someone but felt deep down that she shouldn't. So there she sat, worrying herself over something she couldn't really control.

The fire licked closer and closer to her hands as she stared unblinkingly. So entranced was she that she never felt the arms go around her neck. The only thing she noticed about it was the sudden warmth that entranced her.

"What's troubling you sister? You seem taken away."

A smiled graced Raven's lips as she held her sister's arms. No matter how horrible she felt her sister always seemed to be able to cheer her up. Amelia had only turned 13 that past month and had been troubling over the first time she would be able to change. Raven had briefly talked to her about when the change would come and how to handle it but she could tell Amelia still felt wary of it. As if she somehow doubted that the change would come at all. Raven smiled at the stupidness of her thoughts and directed her attentions back to her sister who still awaited her reply.

"Nothing's wrong Amelia. I guess I'm just tired is all."

Raven said half heartily. As she turned to face Amelia she could tell that she too saw it was a lie. Raven looked hard at her sister. Amelia was beautiful in all senses. She did not have the black hair that Raven shared with her mother but instead had dark red hair that flamed as if on fire. It reached almost to her waist which Amelia prided herself in. She grew from the strength of knowing that she had the longest hair in her clan. Not only was her hair not as her mothers, but her eyes were also a dark shade of hazel which made her seem more like a tiger then a person.

Smiling, Raven dreamed of the day that those eyes would grow up and become an essential part of the clan. She always dreamed big for her sister.

One step at a time she thought

"Didn't Grand Nan call a meeting?" Raven asked getting up from her seat in front of the fire. Amelia gave her a side smile and nodded her head. Quietly they both walked towards the growing crowd of clan members.

****************

"They just keep coming. Even after we've killed so many, Vailor still seems to be able to gain a larger and larger group everytime!"

Raven sat ridged as she listened to Argo, an older member of the clan, as he tried to get his point across. This meeting was less then a happy one for Raven. Grand Nan had called them to discuss the problem they had been having lately with the roving vampires. This certain group seemed to have it out for the clan, since the first time their paths crossed, almost 50 clan members had died, her father included. Rain straightened as she thought of her father.

He had been the second in charge only to Grand Nan and was severely missed. She could still picture his face, lines still in pride and power and the ever increasing laugh lines below his eyes. Her mother told her stories of how he had been a troublemaker as a youth and how she always had to get him out of situations he had caused. Her had been the source of all her mothers laughter, and with his death it had ceased.

Throughout the clan they had been taught to be kind to all forms of life. May they be vampires, witches, or humans. But she could never forget what the vampires had done to her family, to her, that was why she hated them so and wished to do all she could to get rid of them. She would give all she could to protect her clan.

As Raven came back to the meeting she stared at Grand Nan. She had a stern yet concerned look on her face as she listened to Camiera speak about how she had lost her son two years before to the vampires. Raven swore she could see the thoughts in Grand Nan's head as she thought of an answer to the constant problem of the vampires that harassed the clan. She respected Grand Nan so much for all the pain and stress she endured for the clan. Even in times of such crisis she still kept her head.

As Camiera finished the circle went quiet. The fire crackled, seemingly with anticipation. It was then that Grand Nan sighed and spoke.

"My children. It has been a very long and hard time for us all. These vampires who constantly tear us apart and destroy our hopes of the future are growing too much for us I fear. Our laws clearly state that we must not kill others of the immortal or mortal worlds, unless in self defense. Many of you would say a hunt for these creatures would be one in just that, defense, but it is not. Yes I know the pain they've caused you and the family members we have lost, but we can not let them turn us into the black creatures they have become."

Raven shifted on her skirts as Grand Nan did the same then began to speak again.

"We must do something, that is for certain, but I will not risk lives or honors to go out and kill these creatures. So it is here and now that I decree that the law of Vampira is now in effect."

Whispers swirled throughout the fire. Vampira? What was that? Here? How could it be enacted here? Raven's head along with many others swam with questions about this new law. She could feel the confusion throughout the hunting party of the clan, causing her head to spin. It wasn't until Grand Nan sent a calming feeling to the group that they quieted.

"Many of you know what this is and many do not. It has not been our custom ever to discriminate against any other creature. I'm sure that everyone knows that any one of us who prefers to be vampire is not killed for their choice, or even publicly exiled. And many here know of our practice of taking in orphaned witches and even humans, but these times call for desperate measures. From this day forward any person or persons found to have been changed to the creature of vampire shall be killed. A trial shall be given and the convicted charged. Any person or person's seen or heard of having a relationship, business or other wise with a vampire shall also be put on trial. Banishment the least penalty and death the highest."

As Grand Nan quieted the whispers again swirled. Raven tried hard to stop her throbbing ears by putting her hands over them and closing her eyes. How would she ever live with the clan if she couldn't even control what went into her own head? As the talking escalated Raven began to feel cramped. She needed to get out. Quickly gathering her skirts she stood and walked from the circle. The only people to notice were her mother and sister Amelia.

Raven walked briskly from the village letting the cool fall night whisper through her hair. The voices of the clan grew softer as she descended deeper into the forest. Seeing a cluster of rocks Raven sat on the nearest one, placing her head in her hands.

The law of Vampira? She swore she had heard that name before. It was then that a memory surged in her head. She had heard her mother once talk of the Black Storm clan's taking in of the law. As Grand Nan had said, it was against the Shifter's moral codes to discriminate against other creatures like them. So it had been a huge eye opener when the Black Storm became the 20th out of 24 clans to take in the law. It meant huge things to the 4 clans not taking hold of the law. Shifter minds were changing. The once docile and free thinking Shifters were changing into watchful and suspicious creatures, no better then the vampires that plagued some of the smaller clans, and the witch huntress's that hunted them. What was the world coming to?

Raven pulled her hands from her eyes and rubbed them. She was far too young to think of such huge problems in her clan. She should be thinking of how she would fit in with the hunting party, how she would find a mate, even how she could help Amelia prepare for her first change. Not the fate of all her people.

Yet you knew this was meant to be, did you not child?

Raven bared her teeth at the voice from her Retearn Ritual. How did she know it was the voice at all? Yet deep down she knew it was, it was back to remind her.

Yes I am here to remind you. Your time draws close Raven of Verian. Only your faith and trust in you spirit will allow you to succeed. Have faith dear child.

Suddenly a twig snapped to Raven's left. Rising and quickly turning towards the sound Raven's skirts swirled. All around her was darkness, no sign of the sound. Changing her eyes to that of an owl Raven saw it. David. Her eyes almost began to swell with tears but she controlled them. Instead she gave him a stern look as he grew closer to her, his soft footfalls no more then rain on the ground.

"David! Where were you! Are you alright?"

Raven couldn't help but feel concerned for him even if she felt mad that he had left her to chase after a shadow. As she looked at him harder there seemed something different about him. It was as if a black cloud hung around him. Raven ignored it and gave the idea to the darkness. She watched as David came ever closer to her, reaching for her hands and holding them in hers. It was then that she looked straight into his eyes. For a moment she swore they were black, but then they changed back to his hazel. Confused at the image Raven shook her head.

"I'm alright Raven."

David said, his voice as smooth as silk. Why did she all of the sudden feel weak? Why was her body so hot? Raven tried to keep her composure but couldn't seem to help it.

What's happening to me? I was fine just a minute ago. Could it be David?

Raven stared again at his face. Why hadn't she remembered all those beautiful laugh lines on his face before? Or the way his light brown hair floated over his eyes? Suddenly Raven came to. She stared blankly at David clearly frightened.

"What.. what were you trying to do to me!" Raven said pulling her hands away from him. David let her go but frowned.

"Raven…I."

It was then that she saw the truth. His eyes had turned a shade of death black, his aura changed to that of a blood red color. He was vampire. Raven covered her mouth to stop a scream from erupting, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.

"No. No David, you didn't."

David just stared at her, his face almost expressionless. Suddenly a small smile spread on his lips. Raven tried to move back as he came closer to her, but she couldn't move. He had trapped her with his mind, she could feel it heavy like stone on hers.

"Oh Raven, don't you see? Those people back there, they aren't your family."

Raven began to shake as David came closer to her. She wanted to scream or run, but neither of which she could do. Instead she just stared at him, eyes wide with fear, trying to block out his ever increasing voice.

"What they've done to you, what they tried to do to me. They don't deserve to be called a family!"

Suddenly he stopped. Raven still felt under his power, but also knew that his guard was down. If she could just get loose and run! She watched David closely, his black eyes darting, thinking as he sat on a large boulder not two feet from her.

"They disserted us Raven. They never told us the truths of our kinds, of our glorious pasts of being at the top of the immortal world. Of how shifters were once a creature to be feared, not picked on and scattered like lowly dogs."

David's eyes darted around until they landed on her. Raven felt a twinge of sadness for him. His eyes scared her and yet she still saw the part that had once been whole shifter. The vampires had tainted his mind, told him stories that were not true, just to get him to shift sides. Raven wanted to cry at the thought of her life long playmate now being the one thing she had been taught to hate. It was then that Raven seemed to get her voice back, and with what little courage she had left she spoke, her voice cracking.

"David, those vampires lied to you. They told you stories, not our clan. Don't you see what they are trying to do to us? They're trying to break the clan apart! Our family David, the people who raised us and taught us who we are. They're trying to destroy us from the inside out! You're fueling the fire of hate David, not burning it out!"

Raven felt the air around her grow heavy with his power. David was young in vampire years, less then 2 days old Raven supposed, but his power was unimaginable. The combing of two immortal bloods, shifter and vampire, had turned out to be a deadly combination. Raven was pushed back by the force of black energy that emanated from him. He raised from his seat on the boulder quickly, fists clenched, a snarl on his face.

"No Raven , it is you who does not understand, you who does not comprehend,"

David could barely talk he was so angered. Raven's skirts flew about her, his power was so great. Then suddenly, the wind died, the air again grew thin. Raven stared at David, a small smile gracing his face. As he raised his head to look at her Raven could see that he was thinking of something, laughing she thought.

"I was right, they did brain wash you. Don't you see? This is how they intended you to be, timid and weak."

Raven shook as David came closer to her. She tried to push him away as he wrapped his arms around her waist, but found she was still under his power. Tears fell anew down her cheeks as the chilling coldness of body and power flew over her. How could she have once thought that this cold young man was her best friend?

"Raven," David whispered in her ear. "I can awaken your power too. Yours would be greater then any. More so then mine is. But more importantly we could be together again. I could show you how to live as a vampire."

Raven shakily raised her hands to push against him. She didn't want to be a vampire, she wanted to be out of his grasp and far away from him. Tears continued to fall as she felt his breathe on her neck. She panicked and her heart began to race at the thought of what he could do.

Oh no, it's over for me. David, David please stop.

Raven thought fear enveloping every part of her. She knew that David could hear her and she noticed a slowing in his movements for her neck as she thought.

Shhhh, be still Raven, this will only hurt for a bit.

Raven's head swam with panic. She could feel his lips on her neck and felt the pressure as he unsheathed his fangs, ready to bite her. She dug her nails into his chest and closed her eyes tight, waiting for that fatal moment.

I'm sorry Grand Nan, I tried to stop him.

Suddenly Raven felt a huge pain in her head. It boomed in her temples and sent shockwaves' through her body to her back. Unexpectently David let her go and she fell to the ground. Reaching for her neck Raven felt no marks on it. So what had happened? As she looked up she saw David facing someone, a knife in their hand.

As her head cleared she saw it was her mother. She stood in a fighting position ready to strike again. But what had she stabbed? Looking around Raven's eyes fell on David, a deep, bleeding wound was trying to close itself on his right shoulder, at the same place that Raven was feeling her own pains.

"Don't even think about it Gwen. I'm still connected to Raven. Whatever you do to me she can feel it, and I'm sure she's feeling great after that attack."

David's voice came in small gasps as he tried to suppress the pain the enchanted blade had caused in his back. Raven's own mental wound throbbed as she knew his did. She tried to rise but found it impossible due to the amount of pain she felt.

"You let my daughter go David, and maybe Grand Nan will make your death quick." Raven heard her mother say.

David laughed, pain evident in his voice.

"Make my death quick? I though that this clan didn't kill those who chose to change sides?" David said mockingly.

Gwen frowned but kept her stance.

"Not anymore. Had you still been part of this clan you would have known that Grand Nan has enacted the Law of Vampira this very night."

David's face went cold. Suddenly Raven felt his heavy hold on her mind slip away. The pain in her shoulder died to nothing and she quickly rose and ran to her mother. David was still stunned by the news her mother had told him and Gwen took no less then a few seconds to act. She lunged at him, stabbing as hard as she could into his stomach. Raven closed her eyes as she heard David scream out in pain from the attack. Tears threatened to fall as a warm hand held her shoulder. Looking up she saw Grand Nan standing next to her, eyes concerned and kind. Raven fell into her arms trying not to cry.

"There, there, it's alright child. It's all going to be fine now."

Raven felt the soft touch of Grand Nan's mind as it sent thoughts of sleep to her. As she fell into an induced sleep the last image she saw was the sad and guilty eyes of David, staring at her from across the trees, blood pouring from his wound.

************

The cold wind blew through the dark trees as a pair of eyes stared intently at the scene that had unfolded before it. He had known how powerful that shifter would be, so why had he left him unprotected? Oh well, it was his own fault he was caught by his clan, they would probably kill him no doubt.

The limbs of the tree swayed as the weight of the figure jumped down and landed with a soft thud on the ground. He had seen more then one possible fledgling this night, the loss of the male shifter would not be that big of a deal. The shadow watched unblinking as the dark haired girl was carried away from the scene, her mind silent, lost in it's own perils. He would soon change her way of thinking, he thought to himself.

"Watch yourself Raven. You never know what lurks beyond friendly eyes."

With a flicker of the wind and trees the figure was gone. Lost again in the deep reaches of the night.

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ANGELS! Nifty ne?

WOW I actually finished this before the year was over! DUDE!

See this is a great surprise to me since I have so much work going on in all my classes. (especially my Accelerated World History class!)

Please tell me you liked it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Don't hesitate to review the first part of Before The Shadow Fell! And triple please stay tuned for Part 2 "Dark Progression". I promise I'll write faster now that I got my mojo back. I was so in a bit of a hole with this story until I got my ideas back. Another reason why I thought I would never get it done.

Also, please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors you may find. I did run this story through with my spell checker but sometimes it doesn't catch all those annoying grammar problems.

AGAIN REVIEW PLEASE!!!!

I should be getting this story up on my website within the week so feel good that you guys are getting this thing first before my site! YAY!

Ok anyways I'll leave you now, remember I love comments, my e-mail is again: saiyengirl613@yahoo.com TTFN