Disclaimer/- I do not own any of the Guardians of Eternity series characters, they belong to Alexandra Ivy. I only own Mira and Daemon...and Tucker.

Mira closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had twenty minutes before the cafe had to be closed and all she had to do was stand behind the counter. She hoped no one walked in so she could close a little early. Her only choice was to endure it since she was the one left to close up. Everyone had already left...bastards. The nerve of the lazy sons of ... She wanted to yell at them but Mira was better then that, she wasn't going to curse them for bailing when they had the chance. Heck! She would have done the same. Who would want to be stuck here until ten at night?

The thing that really bothered her was the fact that the cafe was completely empty. Of course!...who would want to eat here this late into night while it was raining. Raining! As if that made her life any easier. Looks like she was walking home eight blocks in the rain, at least the cafe had an umbrella she could use. She would just return it tomorrow.

Mira counted every second in her head while tapping her fingers on the counter. It was nine fifty and the clock was being stubborn. She looked around the cafe. It was small and cozy with wooden floors. The tiny tables were made of glass while the chairs were a honey brown with light green cushions. On top of each table sat small sunflowers cut only inches from the stem their lifespan however was coming to an end. Mira admitted the place wasn't half bad but it was still a pain in her ass. The only thing that was keeping her here was the fact that she was making better money than most of the places around New York City were offering. She was able to pay rent and keep up her lifestyle while finishing an internship.

She looked back at the clock, it said ten fifty five and that was her salvation. She walked to the back of the cafe to grab her bag and the umbrella. She shut off the lights, setup the alarm and walked out the door. Mira dug up the keys and locked the door. The rain had gotten worse,the streets were empty and dark besides the occasional light posts. It was creepy and the sort of setting in the horror movies where the innocent people get stabbed or kidnapped. She shuddered at the thought and erased it from her head. She was stronger than most people, actually way stronger than the average person. She could probably take down a fully grown man with one hand...maybe it was two men? She had never tried and she didn't want to. She was faster as well along with other weird characteristics, she didn't want to think about, clearing up that thought she quickened her pace.

The rain tapped against the umbrella and the lamp posts flickered causing dark shadows in the alleys to move. There weren't any people around the darkness was playing tricks on her. Mira wasn't a coward or a sissy but she was sort of scared at this point. She had covered three blocks and had another five blocks to go. If she sprinted she could get to her apartment in less than a minute( the ability of being faster than a normal is quite useful). She prayed she wouldn't slip and fall, because with her luck something like that would happen.

Mira looked around to make sure no one would see her running abnormally fast. No one was around and the dark covered her like a blanket. She was unnoticeable so she put her right foot back and ran at full speed. She had paced two blocks, now three and four. She was so close and it had taken less than ten seconds. Mira was a block away and she could feel herself in her cozy apartment, taking a hot shower. She slowed her sprint to a jog when she suddenly hit something or someone. She wasn't sure what the heck she had hit but if she had been sprinting she would have broken her nose. She looked up to see a tall, broad shouldered man. The man hadn't even taken a step back when she hit him. He should have been on the floor or crying in pain from a broken rib but nothing he was as stiff as a tree. She tried to make out his face but all she saw were glowing yellow eyes. Shit! This was not a normal man. Mira took a step back she didn't realize that she had dropped the umbrella until her hair was soaking wet. The man took a step towards her and that was her cue. She turned around and was ready to run the opposite direction. However he grasped her wrist with brute strenght that she could not escape from. She tried to pull away her wrist but it only made him tighten his hold on her and it hurt like hell!

"Let me go, damnit!" she shouted.

The man did nothing, he kept his hand tight and Mira knew if she tried to move he would break it. "Shit," she cursed under her breath.

Damn it and here she was hoping not to run into any wierdos. She quickly turned herself to face him and punched him as hard as she could in the gut. He gasped in shock and released her wrist. Mira wasn't going to stand around to see what he would do next.

She turned back to the opposite end of the block and started running, her apartment was the other way but she wasn't going the same way just to run into that freak. She had managed to run half way to the end of the block when the man reappeared in front of her. Shit.. How was he so fast? She quickly stopped and backed away. The yellow eyes were glowing and it wasn't because he was happy.

"I guess it's too late to apologize for that punch?" Mira muttered. The man let out a growl before grabbing her and tossing her over his shoulder. Did she just hear him growl? Maybe this is a secret filming of a sequel to the twilight series. Yeah.. Sure that had to be it. Where else would a man with glowing yellow eyes, unnatural speed, and wolf like characteristics appear? She wasn't going to be kidnapped tonight, it wasn't on her Things To Do list. She kicked and punched as hard as she could, until she felt her knee make contact with his stomach.

"This is not a good way to pick up girls, literally."

He growled again but still held her over his shoulder. This wasn't going to be easy, maybe she could reach her cellphone without him noticing. She bent over a little and reached for her pocket. The pocket was empty, maybe it was in her other one she moved as slightly as possible and searched through the pocket. Nothing...but how? She was positive she had put her cell in one of her pockets.

"Looking for this?" the man hissed. He held up her thin Samsung.

"Nice try sweetheart" he crushed the cellphone in his hand and dropped in the corner trash can.

"Hey that wasn't cheap you ass!" Mira Squirmed under his arm. "I hope you are paying for it because with my salary I can't afford a new one for the next six month"

"You won't need a cellphone anymore." He turned to face the building we were standing in front of. He took a big leap and grabbed the edge of the fire escape with his free hand then pulled them both up on the metal rail. Shit...what had she gotten herself into. He walked up the flight of stairs and jumped unto the roof, "Its nighty night for you."

"What the hell you better let me go or I will..." Mira felt a sudden jolt of pain at the back of her head before everything went black.

Daemon walked through the large mansion. The place was decorated with too many lavish things for his simple taste. He shook his head and continued walking. The Anasso, king of vampires, Styx had requested his presence. If it were not for Styx he would not have entered the mansion. However as a Raven he had a duty to his king. The Ravens were personal soldiers of the Anasso. They were the finest vampires, with skills that could make any demon shudder with fear. It was their duty to obey the commands of thier Anasso.

Daemon was one of the fiercest warriors of the Chicago clan and the Ravens. He knew everyone cleared his way when he walked in the room and yet he still felt as if this immortal life was meaningless and a waste of time. He had lived the past four hundred years in solitude hoping his body would slowly fade into the darkness. But of course Viper the Chicago clan leader showed up and offered a place for him in the clan. Daemon wanted to refuse but knew he could not be without a clan forever. Sooner or later clan chiefs would try to kill him in order to secure their positions. A strong vampire without a clan is seen as a threat and a vampire knows a threat needs to be wiped out.

He stopped in front of the large wooden doors. They had swirling lines and intricate patterns carved into them. He shoved open the doors and walked in. Styx sat at his desk with his feet up and hand under his chin. He looked annoyed...very annoyed. The Aztec resembling vampire had his raven hair braided behind his back and wore a custom suit by Roberto Cavalli. No stores would carry a suit large enough to fit him. He was a towering vampire with broad shoulders and sculpted muscles, he would have ripped the largest size in the store. Opposite of his desk stood Jagr and Viper. Jagr had recently joined the Ravens and was one of the strongest warriors he evr fought along side with. He had pale blond hair that reached his waist which he also currently kept in a thick braid, ancient vampires preferred the ancient ways. Daemon however preferred his hair to stay shorter than his shoulders.

Styx looked up and smiled. "Brother glad you could make it."

Daemon bowed. "Of course you requested my presence."

"Yes, I was just discussing the matter with Viper and Jagr." He put his feet down from the desk and stood up.

"Matter?"

"The matter of the traitor Gaius." Styx walked around the desk and leaned one hand on it. It's a good thing the furniture was custom, holding the wait of the Anaso was no easy task. "Gaius's location is known and I would like The Ravens to hunt him down. He is a thorn in my side that I would like removed."

"I will get the finest warriors and leave right away." Daemon was dying for some action.

"Hold on old friend." Viper turned to him. "As much as I would love to run after Gaius and rip his head off, I would not do it blind and with my hands tied."

"You wouldn't have to I can rip his head off for you."

Viper smiled and shook his head. "That is what I am afraid of."

"I'm aware of what you are getting at, you don't want us charging in blindly without knowing who and what we are facing."

"Precisely, we know Gaius has with him a couple of curs and a witch"

Daemon bit his lower lip. "So there is a chance he could have made more friends."

Viper and Styx nodded in agreement. That was a chance Daemon was willing to take, Styx and viper on the other hand would not risk it. Even if it was a couple of measly curs and a witch they were inclined to be prepared.

"Gaius lost his mate long ago. I've seen what happens to a vampire who losses his other half." Styx shook his head. "They either turn into an empty shell or lose their right state of mind. The later is most likely what happened to Gaius."

"How do you know that is what happened?" viper mocked.

"Because old friend an empty shell of a vampire would not go around draining the blood of innocent human females."

"Hell... He wouldn't have become a traitor to his own kind either." Jagr muttered.

"Love makes you do crazy and unreasonable things," Styx said as all three vampire sighed in agreement.

All three of them were mated. Daemon didn't find it as exhilarating or as full filling as his comrades. He couldn't understand it at all. Then again he had no mate.

"It may be crazy on some levels but I would not change it for anything. Darcy is my other half, she makes me complete. I humble myself in saying I would go mad without her." Styx's mate Darcy was a were who could not shift due genetic mutilation, along with Jagr who was mated to Darcy's sister Reagan. Viper's mate Shay, was a rare shalott demon.

The last thing on Daemon's mind was finding a mate to fill the piece of the puzzle. He had no intention of sealing himself to one women when he could have his way with numerous beautiful women who would gladly throw themselves at his feet.

"That would never happen," Daemon reassured. "The Ravens would sacrifice their very lives before they let their queen be harmed in anyway."

Styx put a hand on Daemon's shoulder. "That is what worries me friend."

Daemon raised a brow. "It worries you, that we are sacrificial in the name of our King and Queen?"

Styx closed his eyes and sighed, "Yes, I would rather not lose my most esteemed fighters. The Ravens are the most formidable vampire soldiers however you are also reckless with your lives."

"I am hurt my king, and here I thought I was as careful as a cat falling out of a tree." A smile touched Daemon's lips as he took a seat on one of Styx's leather chairs. It grunted before adjusting to his weight.

"The vampires with mates tend to be more careful knowing that they must return to their beloved." Styx folded his arms across his massive chest. "Those without mates tend to be more reckless."

All gazes shifted towards Daemon.

"I disagree." Daemon raised his hands innocently. " I may not have a mate but I like to keep my head on at the end of the day."

"We all disagree with you," Styx muttered.

" If you command it I will be as careful as a Gargoyle."

Viper snorted. "That little demon will not only get himself killed one day but will drag someone along with him."

"Let's hope we are not in the crossfire." Jagr's laughter roared through the room.

"It's too bad our mates are fond of Levet," Viper drawled, "or I would have done the job long ago."

Styx stood up straight "In all serious matters Daemon its my wish that you are more careful."

A smile touched Daemon's lips "Is that a command, my king."

"No it is but a simple request from a friend."

"But of course and we will find Gaius and bring him to you..."

"No! Once you find him...kill him. Waiting will give him an opportunity to escape."

Daemon nodded and bowed before making his exit, with Jagr only a few steps behind him.

"Well this will be a joyride." Jagr caught up to Daemon and growled, "I have been wanting to hunt him down so I could rip his throat out."

Daemon shrugged. "I have no personal feelings involved in this business therefore I don't care who we are hunting as long as he is killed, after all Styx made it clear."

Jagr stopped. "Are you aware of the madness a vampire is capable of when he has lost his mate?"

"No I am not," Daemon stated as he proceeded to the lobby of the mansion.

"Madness can be dangerous, take it from someone who knows."

Daemon sighed. "I know and sometimes I pity Gaius."

"As do I." Jagr stretched his arms. "I don't pity the fact that he his draining humans, that has to be stopped."

Daemon lip's turned up as he realized they both were in unison about the matter. "Indeed."

Thank you for reading, I love the series so this story is possible because of the amazing characters in the Guardians of Eternity. Styx is my favorite 3 Now its been awhile since I read the older books but this story may be different than the original...then again it is fanfiction. i put my own twist on it so hopefull you all enjoy it.