Disclaimer: I own nothing only Sotoria and Fang
"What am I doing here?" Sotoria looked around the dense forest, finding nothing of interest. She had already noticed all the cameras, trip wires, and death traps. Quite the place, just screaming come visit. Snorting at her own joke Sotoria continued her trek up the forested hill.
For the last three months she had been pulled to this desolate place. Though she knew slightly of the source behind it, she could not for the life of her figure out why it was happening. It was a man, she knew that much. A strong warrior, who projected pain and loneliness. It was so strong that it reached her in the mountains she called home. Sotoria had never felt these feelings before, well besides pain. Absently rubbing her newest wound, she thought about her life. Being a Carpathian she had everything she ever needed or wanted. She had a great family, even if the few she had left were majorly over protective. An image of her older brother, and the only living relative left, popped into her head. He was her rock. Dimitri- the oldest, strongest Carpathian male, and a huge teddy bear to her. Smiling she instinctively reached her mind out to his, just brushing his thoughts. Instantly feelings of love and reasurance washed over her. She loved her brother, and through her he loved her. Having lost his ability to feel emotions long ago. Sending the feelings back she closed off her mind to him, not wanting Dimitri to know where she was.
"Budapest, Budapest, Budapest! That's all my mind will think about. The man in Budapest." sighing and shacking her head at the stupidity of it all, Sotoria proceeded toward the mysterious castle at the top of the hill.
The people in the village regarded the occupants of that castle as either angels and demons. Sotoria reserved judgment, "I mean how can a man that is so sad be evil?" She turned around to be her companion. A pure black wolf shook his head in reply. Smiling she patted his head. Fang was a large wolf. Partly because of her. She had found him as a pup. When she came upon him, he had had a large gash in his side, and Sotoria couldn't just let him die. So she had healed him, and gave her blood to the poor pup. Which she came to find out over the years altered him. He was more intelligent than a mere animal, he healed fast, and he could connect with her mind. He has also lived centuries, always by her side, keeping her sane in the hard world of the Carpathians.
She felt confusion come from his mind. She could have easily entered his mind to find out specifics but she refrained. The ability to read minds and feelings came in handy during battle, but she hated to do it even then. It was an invasion of privacy. Dimitri made fun of her for it, but her privacy had been invaded enough to not willingly do it to another. So she smiled at Fang, and scratched him behind the ear, his favorite spot. Walking through an opening in the trees, she gasped. Looming above her was a magnificent castle, like the ones from her childhood. The modern age had forced her people to change from beautiful sprawling castles, to small cramped houses. She loved the castles she lived in through her childhood years. This one was truly captivating though. It screamed doom and evil, but with great magnificence. "Creepy…cool!" With a slight bounce in her step she headed toward the massive front door. Reaching it, she gave a good, hard knock. Figuring even the dead could have heard that, she turned back to Fang, siting down so she was eye level with him. "Do you suppose this strange man will allow us to help try to heal him?" the wolf's eyes sparkled, and he sneezed shacking his head, his expression of a laugh. Fang projected amusement into her head. Smiling and laughing at his antics, she patted his head, "Your are probably right Fang, he is a human male, of course he wont. Most stubborn species there is."
"I would have to disagree, that would be women." Jumping up, Sotoria spun around on her heel, dark hair flying around her, and her body instinctively going on the offensive, ready for an attack. Fang let out a feral growl, positioning himself between the man and his master. Sotoria's deep blue eyes narrowed on the man standing in the doorway looking at her. She could not believe she had let her guard down! Years of fighting and staying alive had taught her to never, NEVER allow that to happen. Yet she had. Ashamed, she straightened, relaxing her body. The man was not a threat, that much she could tell. The man in question raised an elegant brow at her actions. Unlike her, his body was tense, ready.
Sotoria looked him over, her hands still but ready if he made a move toward her, and she better be ready. This man was huge! Not even among the Carpathians could you find such a man. His muscles bulged under his skin, which was a tawny brown color. Not only was he built, but he was tall, like really tall, and coming from a woman who was almost 6' 1" that was something. Gawd, and he was gorgeous. "Oh yummy." When a smirk came over his lips, Sotoria realized she must have spoken aloud. Oh well, she thought shrugging. Plastering on a smile, she looked him in the eye. "Hello love, how are you this pleasant evening?"
"How did you get all the was up here?" his voice was low, deep, seductive. Sotoria gave him a Duh look.
"I walked. You know using these two things the call legs, it's a new invention." her eyes caught a movement, his hand and immediately zeroed in on it. It was very slight, a human eye would not catch it. Discretely examining his hand she say the glint of a dagger blade. Pretending she was oblivious to the act, Sotoria brought her eyes back to his face again. "Well except for when I fell into this huge pit. Came out of no where! Really, someone could get really hurt!" she slowly started moving toward the man and the entrance, she needed in there. Sotoria never took her off him, all her senses were tuned into getting past him.
That's how she caught his mumbled, "That's the whole point." it actually made her smile. Shaking his head, he stood straight , the blade held tight, "What are you doing here woman?"
"I am here to see somebody." she spoke quietly, making herself seem meek. Men always feel for that act.
"Oh really? And who would that be, luv?" he gave a mocking smile.
Sotoria's eyes slowly wandered over the rest of his body, when he had stood straight his clothes hugged tight to him, but it wasn't his body she noticed. It was the weapons. The man was a walking armory. Along with the blade he had in his hand, he had guns, throwing stars, daggers, and Zues only knows what else. Her lips twitched, holding back a smile, for even if he chose to use them he still wouldn't have a chance against her.
Before he did something stupid, she advanced, tiring of the games. "It's none of your business, darling. Oh, and I wouldn't draw that gun if I were you." his hand had whipped to the waistline of his jeans at her sudden movement. "It wont do you any good, neither will the blades," she stopped as if thinking, "On second thought I'll be nice and allow you something to defend yourself with. Even if it's a puny gun." Sotoria watched with amusement as his hand dropped from hovering over the gun, then he flipped the blade, that had been resting in his palm, around and pointed it at her.
His stormy green eyes met her tranquil blue ones, "Leave here woman, before I have to do something I'll later regret." he growled out, tightly gripping the handle of his dagger.
"Oooo, scary." she gave him a wink, then her face turned serious. Her voice a low, deadly monotone. "Now I will give you a warning in return. Move out of my way and allow me to enter, before I am forced to do something I wont regret later."