Note: I do not own HellBoy or any of the original characters, but Danica is MINE.
Warning: This story will be rated M for a reason during later chapters. I will put up warnings when a chapter calls for it.
Also spoilers for those who have not seen the beginning of the movie! Be warned!
4-7-15
I updated and changed a few/ a lot of things in this chapter and the next, I really am going to try and update once a month, hopefully sooner but with my new job working midnights at the hospital….yeah bear with me please! I do want to get this story back up and going so here we are!
Enjoy and if anyone sees any mistakes PLEASE TELL ME.
"Know that without night there is no day; without lies, no truth; without despair, no hope. Beware above all of hate, but call to its opposite too. For all things have an opposite and, if you choose it, with will and care, you may turn one thing into its reflection." -David Clement Davis, The Sight.
That quote rang through Danica's mind as she slowly pulled her hair back into a simple, yet elegant fishtail, smoothing out her dull chocolate brown braid so not a single strand was out of place. Removing her hands and bringing them in front of her to lie across the top of her vanity desk, she stared at her own reflection.
Hair pulled off to the side, the braid hanging heavily off her shoulder and coming to a stop below her breast, only her side swiped bangs hung in her eye just a bit, her mother would not be happy with her new look. Skin a soft caramel in color, a thanks to all the time she had stayed outside during the summer marred with freckled kissed shoulders and beauty marks here and there. Her face slightly round in shape, giving her a younger appearance along with her plump lips painted in a light coral was not too attention grabbing, she did not want to use the deep red lipstick that was sitting in front of her. Light brown eyes surrounded by black mascara, beige and gold eyeshadow and a light flick of eyeliner made them pop out just a bit more.
Perfection, just like her mother would like.
With a small smirk on her face Danica glanced down at her left shoulder, where she could see the thin scar that ran about two inches in length across decorated her skin just below her collarbone.
'Almost perfection.'
God she hated that word, it always seemed to follow her no matter where she went. Her mother would never let her live it down…Danica wasn't perfect, no one was. Save for her mother who believed that the Romes were on par with the ancient gods themselves. Yes she was fit, but years of running and eating healthy did tend to make one lean and in shape. Her hair was hardly ever stylish and flashy, mostly pulled back in ponytails or buns. Her skin would never be blemish free, the freckles and scar made sure of that…something she never did ever know how she came to have it. Odd. But her memories as a child were unknown.
Pretty, Danica would call herself, but never gorgeous or perfect. She was just a normal person.
Without a look at her reflection once more she rose up from her chair and made her way across her room towards her closet. Pulling open the blue double French doors, she scanned the floor until she found what it was she needed; her beige satin heels. Slipping them on her outfit was complete. Taking a quick glance at her vanity mirror once more, she made sure everything was in place.
Oh how she hated going to galleries and auctions that held no interest at all to her. Yet her mother demanded her presence be there as being the only daughter to one of the richest families in Manhattan. She never felt as though she belonged in the social groups her parents did. Did not like the looks the men, young or old, gave her when she walked into a room and had even put a few of them in their place with a sharp tongue that immediately sent them running.
But thank god she no longer lived with her parents. Her simple apartment was more than enough for her, only one floor, being at the very top, with a kitchen and living room in one area, a bathroom and shower down the hall and then her room. That was all she needed. All she wanted.
But looking at herself now made her remember that no matter what, she would always be a Romes. The gown she wore proved it. Pure silk was what it was made from, the color bringing out the best in her features; an olive green that complemented her skin tone and really made her eyes stand out even more so. The strapless corset was pure steel bone that made her body feel stiff and awkward but years of having to wear gowns such as this came second nature to her as she allowed her body to slowly relax and to breathe normally. The deep golden ties zig-zagged through the small loops into a tight yet fancy knot near the curve of her butt and as the rest of the gown simply flowed down her hips and legs, giving her a regal appearance. The gown was simply beautiful.
Shaking her head, she moved over to her bed and grabbed her small beige clutch and with a flick of her finger turned on her phone. One missed call; Daddy. Looking at the time she swore as she realized how late it was. She had maybe about thirty minutes before they started the auction. Good thing Blackwood's was literally right down the street a few blocks from where she lived.
Pressing redial, Danica made a final sweep around the room with her eyes as the phone was pressed against her ear. Everything was picked up and clean. Good.
"Hi Daddy…I'm sorry I miss…Yes I know this is an important night for you and Mother but I got held up at work later than I thought…yes I know you understand but really Daddy, Mother needs to calm dow…yes sir…love you too." With a soft sigh, she pressed end and with a frown on her lips left her room and before leaving her apartment grabbed an umbrella. Looks like it was about to be a long night.
It was a shame she didn't know how right she was.
OoOoO
As soon as she entered through the large doors she knew she should have just told her parents to leave her out of this one social event…just this once. The cab there hadn't been bad and she had made it in plenty of time, but already a headache was beginning to form in her skull at the music they had chosen for the night along with all the colors that swam across her eyes. Lowering her umbrella and handing it to the gentleman at the front entrance, she thanked him before making her way into the crowd, thankfully spotting her parents right away and making a b line for them.
Her mother was dress to perfection, no shock there. Her dress the color of frosted mint ice matched her eyes perfectly and made her seem younger than what she really was. Her dark black hair was curled and pulled back, the graying hairs standing out. Around her neck lay an expensive pearl necklace, she should know seeing how that was her gift to her for Mother's Day this year.
Looking beside her was her father, a tall man around six feet; he was a gentle giant, the complete opposite of her mother. Dressed in a black tux with a matching ice blue tie, he looked every part of a high up man there could be. His blue eyes found hers and with a smile that made crow's feet appear around his eyes, he met her half way to greet her.
"Aw there she is. Always better late than never right Dani?" his voice brought a smile to her face as she returned his hug. The familiar smell of Old Spice bringing back wonderful memories of back when she was a little girl and never had to worry about public appearances.
Flashing him a winning smile Danica pulled away from him to face her mother and immediately had to hide the frown that wanted to grace her lips as her mother's sharp green eyes taking in everything from head to toe on her, looking for any mistakes.
'I am my own person mother, when will you let me be?' her voice ran out through her mind. Don't get her wrong…she loved her mother very much, but she just wished she would leave her be. She was twenty-five after all and had a degree in Law. She did not need her mother still trying to control her life.
Nodding her head slightly towards her daughter, Natalie made her way over to her husband and child as she spoke in her bored tone, "Well at least we know you can look presentable on your own when it calls for it."
Feeling the anger begin to rise up, Danica firmly shoved it away with a forced smile on her face as she sneered out, "And it is so refreshing to see you somewhat resembling a human being Mother, even when we all know otherwise." A feeling of triumphant entered her eyes at the red that decorated her mother's cheeks, but that was soon cut short as a loud voice soon echoed though out the entire room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now be beginning the auction if everyone would please make their way towards the second floor. Thank you."
As soon as the last two words left the unknown speakers lips, everyone was making their way towards the grand stairs. Glancing back down at her mother, Danica merely nodded her head in the direction of the crowd and said, "After you."
With a glare at her only child and a look that said we-are-not-done-here she began making her way into the crowd with her shoulders back and chin high. Looking very much like the Ice Queen she tried to be. Hearing her father's sigh made her turn to look at him, noticing the tired look in his eyes she couldn't help but feel guilty as the look was directed towards her.
"I really wish you two would stop butting heads." Though he kept his deep voice soft, Danica couldn't help but also feel offended. Did he not see what had just happened?
"Well I really wish she would stop starting it." Bringing a hand up to her face, she slowly rubbed her index finger in between her eyes, trying to ease the pain that was forming again.
"We haven't seen you since Father's Day baby girl, she misses you…I miss you."
Keeping her eyes closed she bit out, "Yeah well I am really not in the mood to talk about this in public." And with that began making her way towards the stairs as well only to stop and glance over her shoulder at her father and allowed a small smile as she said quietly, "I miss you too Daddy."
Smiling at his only daughter, Robert made his way next to her and held out his arm for her to take and with a laugh she did, just like old times and the pair made their way up the stairs.
The room they found themselves in was large and very crowded. Two sections on either side of the isle way were made up of about five rows, each with computers, chairs and iPads to use to bid on. The very front of the room had a large screen projector that had the words WELCOME written in fancy writing on the front of it. To the left was a large doorway that lead to the other room, both rooms connected but separated but the walls.
As the two of them found their seats, a bald man was fixing his tie on the podium. Staring into the crowd, the man smiled and introduced himself as Felix Bader and explained the ways of the auction.
Already feeling bored, Danica just sat there like the good little daughter she was supposed to be portraying as only one thought ran through her mind. The only sound other than the man's boring voice and the sounds of keys moving, was the sharp sound of the thunder and the occasional brightness of lightening from outside the widows.
'Oh what a long night it shall be.'
OoOoO
An hour went by and already it felt as though Danica was about to lose it. So many items…so many people fighting over who got them. Pathetic. With a sigh, she turned her head towards her father and very softly told him she was going to the washroom to freshen up only to have her mother answer in reply, "Do try to hurry dear."
Translation: don't even think about leaving the building.
Covering the snarl that so badly wanted to escape her lips, she just nodded her head and swiftly made her way out of the room. Sweet sweet freedom greeted her when the doors closed once again behind her. She would not leave the building, as her mother's warning, but she would take her time getting to and from the washroom.
Smiling to herself, Danica walked at a slow pace down the hall of the large building, her heels echoing against the blue walls and ceiling. It seemed like only a few seconds went by before she found herself opening the doors to the ladies room and entering the pure white tiles of the room. She did not go to the stalls that aligned the walls, but only made her way over to the counter to take a good look at herself. Her face seemed pale and for some reason she felt hot, as though she was about to be sick.
No doubt from being around so many ill-mannered snobs who thought it was ok to spend millions of dollars on something that they would never need nor use.
Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Danica did this a few times before she felt ready to head back towards the Auction of Hell. Straightening her shoulders and keeping her head high, she strolled towards the door and made her way into the hall once again. She only made it a few feet before she stopped in her tracks, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end at the feeling of someone watching her. Twisting her head over to glance over her shoulder, all she saw was endless hallways. Nothing more. Shaking her head, she once again started her way down the floor, the feeling though of something was about to happen never left her body even as she made it to the door and with a firm push entered back into the auction room.
Ah now this was a sight to see. A large statue…how the hell did they even get that in the room...stood off to the side as Mr. Bader announced it to be a fertility goddess from back when who knows. Taking her seat, Danica couldn't help but think, 'Who in their right minds would want that?'
And she got her answer as she heard a few people typing away at the computers to place their bids. Rolling her eyes at the rich snobs that they were, she waited as Mr. Bader announced who won the bet and began with the next item. And suddenly the bad feeling came back again and had Danica straighten her spine even more and quickly glance around for what was making her feel this way only to lock eyes on the simple wooden box that a server was wheeling in on a cart.
"And for our next item we have a piece of the royal crown of Bethmoora. Origin is of the Sons of the Earth and its fate of the Golden Army." Pausing, he slowly nodded his head towards the servant who opened the lip, revealing a piece of a crown that was set in pure gold. From where she sat she could see the designs that ran throughout the piece and the coil in her stomach made itself more pronounced. The golden piece looked…familiar. And that that thought a sharp ache made itself known on her left shoulder where her scar was. Letting out a hiss through clenched teeth, she brought a hand up to sooth the ache and ignored her mother and fathers questionable looks.
It couldn't have been a few seconds the lid had been opened before suddenly the lights went out, caused most likely from the storm from outside, yet Danica didn't believe it was. She was a person that followed her instinct and right now it was all but screaming to run. But run from what?
Hearing the panic gasps and shrieks from the ladies, Mr. Bader tried to calm everyone down by telling everyone to keep to their seats, for those who had begun to rise up, and that the show would restart shorting for all the computers had shut down.
Feeling her father's hand grasp hers, Danica responded with a squeeze to let him know she was fine. Watching Mr. Bader move his way away from the microphone and next to the item that was being auctioned, she listened as he began to explain its origin, "The piece of the royal crown of Bethmoora has come to use from a long lost culture."
"Lost?"
All eyes turned to their right at the owner of the dark, smooth voice only for some people to gasp at the new comer. Danica felt her father's hand grip hers even more firmly as a gasp was torn from her throat as she looked at the man…no…not a man but something else, walk into the room carrying a large steel crate on his back.
He was beautiful. He was deadly.
His pale skin and long light blonde hair stood out against his black and red outfit. The shirt looked as though it was silk, yet the front had a sort of harder material…armor? But who needed armor these days? Loose trousers made of the same material as his shirt covered his lower half; a deep red sash was tied around his slim waist and the ends hanging down to his knees.
As he slowly made his way into the room he continued talking as though he belonged there, "Forgotten by you perhaps. But we are very…very much alive." And with that said he shrugged off the straps that held the crate and allowed it to fall to the ground with a loud BANG and watched as the golden tree symbol that once again seemed so familiar to Danica, turn clockwise slowly.
The sound made Danica flinch and bit her bottom lip to keep herself from making any noise, this was not good.
"Sir…who are you? Identify yourself…sir!?" Everyone could hear the slight panic in Mr. Bader's voice as he took a few steps toward the unknown man.
Glancing up into the crowd, murmurs and whispers rang out at the pure gold eyes that stared towards them. That color was not normal…not human, seemingly like wolfs eyes…unnatural and definitely not normal. They were cold and emotionless as they turned to stare into the bald man's eyes.
"I am Prince Nuada Silverlance, Son of King Balor and I am here sir, to reclaim what is rightfully mine." His voice was smooth, yet Danica couldn't help but shudder at the darkness that followed with it as she kept her eyes locked onto his form.
Seeming to think this was all a joke, Mr. Bader began to call for security, only to be interrupted by a loud growl that was not human at all coming from near Danica was. All eyes turned towards the closed doors only to scream as two guards were thrown through the glass doors and fell limp on the ground. Choking back a scream, Danica and her parents stood up and backed away from their seats, which were right near the isle way of the mess and watched in fear as a large, very large creature made its entrance.
It was so big! And so very blue! Its face mushed up slightly and two short horns hung near his mouth. He was wearing pants…which for some reason seemed odd but she was actually glad she didn't have to see if he had a…monster appendage or not. Long black hair sprouted from his back and shorter ones on the back of his head. Pure black eyes glanced around the room and when they reached her, it seemed he stopped and really stared at her for a second longer before shaking his head and looking towards the man up front.
'This isn't possible…there are no such things as monsters!'
Add more pressure to her scar, which was going from a sharp ache into full out pain, Danica turned her wide eyes towards the acclaimed 'Prince'. Only to have her gaze drawn down to the floor where something was moving. Oh dear god it was a hand! Looking back at the large monster, she watched as the metal hand reattached itself to its wrist before it took brought forth a large steel crate, but like the one in the front, to the floor where its symbol began to move as well.
Terrified screams filled the room as the beast let loose a large roar that seemed to shake the room. People began to slowly rise from their chairs and move away from the creature. Only Mr. Bader was brave, or foolish, enough to speak out.
"You have no right being here. You must leave. Immediately…"
He was still talking as the Nuada reached into his pant pocket and took out an item the size of a softball and held it on the flat side of this hand out near Mr. Bader. And just like in all the horror films Danica had watched, the thing began moving and before she could shout out a warning to the older man, the thing jumped from the being's hand on attached itself to Mr. Bader's face, its tentacles wrapping around his head and only muffled screams of pain could be heard before the man dropped to the floor.
Bile rose in Danica's throat as more screams rang out along with a sob from her own throat, and suddenly people were panicking all around the room. Tear filled brown eyes moved from the dead body to watch as the Prince turned his back on the crowd to pick up the piece of the golden crown, before twisting around so gracefully to shout out, "Sit down! All of you!"
Almost immediately every one sat down…everyone except for Danica. Feeling her father try to bring her down with a tug on her hand, she couldn't. She just couldn't move. Not when suddenly those vicious golden eyes locked onto hers and the ache in the shoulder began even more painful.
To say Nuada was shocked would have been an understatement. As soon as he had turned around and had shouted and watched as all the vile creatures sit, the still standing figure in the back of the room made him look up and lock eyes with the female who dare defy him, only to stare in shock at the woman. He had to do a quick double take to make sure his eyes did not trick him as at first, there was a human woman there…and then with a blink of his eyes a fae was in her place. Gone were the human brown eyes and instead two bright amber gems shown, her hair no longer dull and disgusting but luscious and seemingly coming to life with its rich molten honey brown color. She was beautiful with her tanned skin and slim hourglass shaped body draped in the gown she wore. It was her eyes though that told him exactly what she was.
A fae very much like him.
Confusion and anger as the why this lady would glamour herself to fit in alongside humans made Nuada snarl in anger as he held up his hand and pointed to her still form, "You…why are you amongst these creatures?"
All eyes seemed to zero in on her as Danica just stood there, not knowing how to respond to the man who had just questioned her. What did he mean? Glancing down at her parents who were just as shocked and confused as she was, she pushed back her fear and tried to keep her voice calm and steady, "My parents, they…"
"Surely you do not mean the humans at your side. They are nothing but empty shells of carcasses that need to be rid of. "Everyone flinched at his tone. It was so full of hatred.
Oh she would not stand for that. The only person who was allowed to insult her parents was her! Shifting her body so she was now standing taller and her chin slightly pointed up, Danica stared him down with a frosty glare as a calm anger spoke through her voice, "You will not insult my family. We are not carcasses that need to be rid of. I don't know what or who you are…but you got what you came for. The crown piece yes? Then take it and leave us alone!"
Had the moment called for it she would have patted herself on the back for sounding so sure and calm, not showing any of the fear she was feeling at the moment.
Prince Nuada really wasn't one to be shocked when time called for it…but twice now this woman had shocked him. She did not know what he was? Who he was? Then she dare put herself in the same category as a human? Could he have been wrong to think her fae? No…no still staring at her now he could see plain as day the slight point of her ears. Her beauty was that of fae too. But it was her eyes and the slight presence of magic that completed with her being a fae. No human had eyes like a wolf and from where he stood he would feel ever so slightly the current of magic that ran through her veins.
Yet…she did not know. How could she not see her own kind right before her eyes? Instantly Nuada thought that the humans must have done something to make her this way.
His mind made up in only a matter of seconds, Nuada took his eyes away from the strange fae to his good friend Wink, "Bring her please, Mr. Wink." Before he turned away from the crowd to make his way behind the crate he brought. All he had to do was open it and all would be ready.
Danica didn't know what to do when she heard what the man had ordered. Bring her…bring her! She didn't even have time to say anything before a large hand practically engulfed her entire left arm and she was being all but dragged away from her parents.
"Release her! "
"You can't do this!"
Hearing both her father and mother scream and shout made her struggle all the more, but as soon as her father went to grab her free arm, the creature…Mr. Wink…swung his free arm back and knocked her father into her mother, sending them both to the floor with shouts as those around them cried out and went to help them up.
Digging her heels into the carpet, Danica tried to free her arm but it only resulted in the hand to grip her even tighter making her cry out and clench her eyes shut from the pain. No doubt by tomorrow her entire arm would be a solid bruise…that is…if she even lived to see tomorrow.
The sudden feel of a smaller and warmer hand grabbing her free arm made her open her eyes as the large creature handed her to the Prince. Up close now she could see the dark circles surrounding his eyes and his lips a deep black. A think scar ran from cheek bone to cheek bone, crossing over his nose in the process. Even in heels she had to look up to look him in the eye, trying to keep her composure yet failing as she felt her body tremble. Turning her head down and way, Danica could only stare at the crate that came up to her waist and then glance back towards her parents, completely missing the way Nuada's eyes soften just a little bit at her clearly terrified form.
"Ná bíodh eagla ort."
Do not be afraid.
Eyes snapping back up at him, Danica could only be confused as to why it was she shouldn't be afraid and how did she know what he just said? She didn't even have a chance to respond or say anything before he twisted them around so they were behind the crate and placing one hand on the handle of it, Prince Nuada looked around at the humans he so despised and the cold look came back into his eyes as he calmly said, "Let this be a reminder of why you once feared the dark."
Danica only had a few seconds to lock eyes with her parents, both had gone as pale as a piece of paper and both were staring at her, not the crate and looking into their fearful eyes, she couldn't stop the sob that broke through her lips as she watched her father mouth one word to her.
Run.
Casting a glance to her left she saw that the doorway was empty and the other door leading to the hallway in the other room was opened before looking back at her parents.
For the last time.
Ripping open the crates lid, and watching Wink do the same once he made it back to the other side of the room, Danica didn't even get to see what had come out of the crates, everything was moving so fast that all she heard were the screams of pure terror…and screams of people dying.
When she was able to see what was happening, she had to cover her mouth to keep herself from throwing up. Little blue winged creatures were tearing up a guy in the front seat piece by piece. Hundreds of them were all over him, pulling apart skin and eating them, yanking teeth out and licking the blood and broken pieces of gum that fell out along with it. For but a second she froze as her eyes traveled up to see the same fate happening to her parents.
The blood was everywhere. Pieces of clothing and skin could be heard tearing and cries of agony broke her terror and with desperation Danica jerked her arm out of the warm hand of the Prince's and bolted for the safely of the next room. She did not hear the shout from Nuada as he called to Wink and made to follow her, for by then she was already out the door and into the hallway and making a swift decision chucked her shoes off and ran barefoot towards where the stair case would be.
She was going to through shock that much was obvious to her. She felt as though she was going to pass out but she couldn't. Wouldn't! If she did….
Tears ran down her face and her hair had begun to fall out of its braid, loose strands falling to her mid back in tangled waves but she paid no mind to it. All she had to do was get out of the building and run. Every instinct was screaming flight and damn it she would! Bending down to scrunch up as much gown as she could, she ran even harder, still hearing the fading sounds of the screams of those trapped with those monsters.
For a horrifying second she thought she heard the pursue of footsteps behind her and she made the mistake of glancing back to see if he was following but saw nothing. It was when she turned to face the front did she about faint.
'How could he have gotten in front of me!?'
She didn't have time to stop…she couldn't. So since flight was no longer an option her body now had to choose fight. Running straight towards him may have not been the smartest thing to do, but it was all she could do. She had no weapon to defend herself with other than her own body. So use it she would. Her eyes met cold golden ones for but a second before impact, to which she clenched her shut at the last second. Dropping her shoulder and aiming for his midsection, Danica shoved all her weight into the blow expecting him to topple over or at least be shoved out of her way.
What she didn't expect was for him to brace for impact and actually take the blow head on and then proceed to grab her around the waist and bring her down with him.
Making sure he landed first on the hard ground, Nuada kept a firm hold on the wild cat in his arms as she all but yowled, hissed and clawed at him before rolling over so he was straddling her lower body, making sure to keep her legs away from a certain part of him while doing do. Tossing her head side to side Danica screamed and flung every curse word she knew and tried to get her hands free but he only held them tighter above her head so she was defenseless. When he dared to bring his face just a little too close for her she retaliated by baring her pretty white fangs at him and lunging her jaws forward, but he just moved his head back out of her range and patiently leaving her to wear herself out with her struggles.
The sudden feel of helplessness hit her hard as she tired out rather quickly and where anger had filled her eyes, tears began and were soon streaming down her cheeks and into her hair as she looked up at the man who murdered her family.
With trembling lips, she couldn't help the fear that over took her voice as she tried begging, "Please…please."
With a softer look in his eyes, Nuada simply shushed the fae below him as he brought both her hands into one of his, freeing his other as he brought it down to cup her face gently, "An chuid eile ceann beag."
'I don't want to rest…I won't wake up if I do.' With that thought running through her mind she thrashed her head side to side again, the fear picking back up.
Nuada truly felt sorry for the woman beneath him. Through the link from her hands he could feel just how terrified she was. He was not going to harm her. Bringing his hand down from her cheek until he was touching her neck, Danica all but screamed in terror as her cries echoed down the halls before a sharp pain made her silent and limp.
Releasing the pressure point near her neck, Nuada slowly let her hands go and stood up over her calmed body. Hearing the heavy footsteps of Mr. Wink, he turned his yellow eyes towards his friend, knowing that if he was out of the room then the Tooth Fairies must have had their fill on the humans, before returning his gaze back to the woman on the ground.
He could not and would not allow one of his kind to live amongst the humans for as long as she had. Clearly being with them for so long has made the poor girl confused. Bending down and scooping her light form in his arms, Nuada turned to Mr. Wink and said, "It is done my friend, let us return to Bethmoora."
Letting out a rumble of agreement from his chest, both beings turned down a hall and turned to the right and by the time the police had arrived the three were long gone.
Please let me know what you think.
