I'm horrible with punctuation. FAIR WARNING LOL. This is my first story in a long time so NO FLAMES please. I have a ton of chapters to post but little time to get it all off paper and on to a computer.
I don't know if the whole Black Hat/OC thing is a little overdone but I just HEART him lol. Be gentle on me! And remember….If you're not commiting sin, You're not having fun? ~wink~
Disclaimer…I do not own the Priest characters. But I do wish I owned karl urban. REVISED
This Chapter is Over.
He's Not Coming Home
Her Heart In Her Throat As She Falls To The Floor
She Shuns Every Memory Every Letter And Call
Just to get through each second, She's slowly shutting off
Where Is Her Sweet Revenge? Who Is She To Blame?
Where's Her Freedom Now? How Can She Reclaim It?
...Natalie Walker ~Circles~
Prologue…..
Lightening struck outside the window of the one bedroom apartment in the walled in city, casting light briefly over the rooms two inhabitants. The couple lay naked on a small mattress on the floor. Holding on to one another, they spoke no words but watched the storm making shadows on the wall. Both wondered if the silence was from the exhaustion of the nights activities, if the guilt they said they wouldn't feel was slowly creeping up on them, or if because these moments that were so few and far between didn't need words. They just knew it's right where they wanted to be. Together.
Finally propping herself up on her elbow, the young woman turned to look at her male companion, still lying next to her with his eyes closed and a small satisfied smile on his lips.
"You're staring" the man said, continuing to keep his eyes closed.
The woman chuckled "I thought you were asleep."
The mans eyes fluttered open as he rolled on his side to face her. She looked beautiful. Especially in the midst of a storm. Her long black hair that usually fell in soft curls to the center of her back, was now slightly messy and tossed over one shoulder. Her sleepy bright green eyes stared at him with amusement as the lighting continued to flicker across her face causing almost an angelic glow. Even if their current situation made them anything but.
"I leave tomorrow. I had no intentions of sleeping tonight." He said, running his fingers down the side of her soft face.
She placed a finger gently onto his forehead tracing his tattoo down to the tip of his nose. Lowering her eyes from his gaze, the small smile left her face.
"What's wrong Eve?" he asked, sitting up concerned.
"When does this end James?" She questioned "When do I not have to worry about you leaving? When does the sneaking around stop? I feel like time stops when I'm not with you."
James wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer and wiping the tears that were starting to fall with the other hand.
"Hey. Look at me." He said, tilting her head up to look into her beautiful eyes "We didn't plan this. It just happened. And we knew it wasn't going to be easy. Tomorrow we leave for Sola Mira. It's the last of the hives. When this is all over the need for the Priests will be over as well."
"You're a Priest James!" She interrupted "Your purpose will never be over with. You were chosen. You made vows. Monsignor Orelas will banish me from the city and it's protection and you will be put to death."
James lowered his head turning over the things that Eve had said, knowing she was right. He slid his hand over hers, stroking the top of it lightly. The corners of his mouth turned upward into a smirk. He maneuvered himself so that Eve was laying on her back and he was able to look down at her. Searching her face for a brief moment before placing a small kiss on her lips.
"When this last mission is over with the Priests will be disbanded. Monsignor Orelas will have NO say in what we do if we're no longer in the city. We'll make a place in the wastelands. No one has to know. Not Michael and not the other Priests. It'll be just you and me. Maybe I did make vows to god. But if this is what he really wanted for me then why did he create you?"
James placed his palm against hers, raising it up to their faces.
"Maybe I'm a test of your faith." Eve responded with a sultry look, moving underneath him "Maybe I'm the real evil that you're suppose to defeat."
James lowered his mouth down to hers, kissing her passionately before tearing the sheet away that was keeping their bodies apart. His hand drifted down past her breasts, running down her stomach before stopping between her thighs.
"Evil shouldn't look OR feel this good." He said, looking down at her with pure lust in his eyes.
Eve ran her fingers through his hair as their lips crushed against the others hungrily.
"I love you James." Eve said breathlessly
"I love you too Eve. I'll be back when this is over. I'll be back for you" He said, kissing her again.
They made love for the rest of the night.
Eve woke the next morning to an empty bed. On the pillow next to her lay a note from her lover that read "Wait for me…."
2 Weeks Later…..
The bells to the church rang out alerting the city that the Priests had returned. For the past 3 days there were rumors that the war between man and vampire had finally come to an end. All seemed to be going as James had said. Eve pushed past people in the streets heading for the large church in the middle of the city. Lines had already begun to form as anxious towns people waited for the news. She passed the others in line, causing a few protests. She didn't care. She knew she and James couldn't have the reunion that they wanted. That would have to wait till he called upon her later. For now, she would have to be content with just a glimpse of his face. She took a spot on a pew towards the front of the church, lowering her hood so he would be able to see her when he entered. After the church was filled and the people had quieted down, the head clergy took their places. Monsignor Orelas taking his place in the center. He looked almost menacing despite the large smile on his face.
"Members of this congregation." He said loudly "God has finally answered our prayers and taken mercy upon his most loyal children."
With every pause of his speech, Eve was worried that he might hear the clicking of her boot heals in her inability to sit still.
"Our holiest of warriors. Our bringers of the light. Our brotherhood of Priests have finally brought an end to the war between man and vampire."
The church erupted in celebrations. People were raising their hands to the heavens in praise. Some were hugging their friends and family. Others sat quietly. Perhaps remembering the people lost to them during the war.
"Let us all give thanks to our saviors of men and pray for those that sacrificed their lives for the cause.
Eve's brow furrowed in concern and confusion. Sacrificed? she thought. Not James. He was one of the fiercest and most gifted Priest in the brotherhood. He couldn't have been one of the unfortunate.
Just then the church doors flew open, breaking Eve from her thoughts. Five Priests walked in heading straight to the front and knelt down to the clergy. The church quieted down as Monsignor Orelas began to speak.
"The people of this city are grateful and are in your debt Priests. The loss of your brothers and sisters will not go unnoticed. We will hold a special mass in their memory tonight."
Eve stretched her neck as far as she could, trying to see the faces of the remaining Priests who were still hooded.
Finally, one of the cloaked figures lowered their hood revealing himself to be Michael. Head of the Priests and one of James' good friends. Eve's breath caught in her throat, her eyes slowly closed. She started saying a prayer silently to herself.
"Monsignor Orelas. Members of the clergy. We must take confession and ask not only forgiveness from god, but forgiveness from the church itself" Michael spoke.
The other remaining Priests now removed their hoods. Eve opened her eyes and moved from face to face. A tear made it's way down her cheek. James was not a part of the returning party.
"The vampires set a trap for us at the hive in Sola Mira. There were casualties." Michael finished, casting his eyes to the ground.
Eve's heart was pounding in her chest. She suddenly became aware of all the people that were in attendance and felt a desperate need for air. She covered her mouth to stifle the sobs that were about to escape.
"No. No. No." she whispered under her breath
"The attack was quick and we lost two Priests and a Priestess in mere minutes." Michael continued "In the midst of the retreat to the surface, Priest James was attacked from behind by these creatures in the hive."
I can't listen to anymore. Eve thought, as she rose from her seat on shaking legs and began pushing people out of the way towards the exit.
"I had Priest James by the hand, but as more vampires attacked, I lost my hold on him and he was pulled down into the hive." Michael admitted.
The last of his words echoed in the silent church, ringing in Eve's ears.
"You let him go?" Eve said aloud, causing a few people to turn and look at her curiously "YOU LET HIM GO?" She now shouted, catching the attention of the entire congregation and pushed her sorrow down as anger started to boil up.
The clergy and Priests turned to look at her as members cleared a path to the young woman,who was now marching to the front of the church.
"He was your friend. Your brother! And you just left him to die?" She yelled, now coming face to face with the sorrowful Priest who was staring down at the hand that held onto his friends in the last moments of his life.
The remaining Priestess known as Mary stepped forward in his defense.
"Michael did everything he could to save James! He tried to go back into the hive for him but we restrained him. He was bitten. Therefore, he was infected! He was lost to us" She said regretfully.
"YOU LEFT HIM TO SAVE YOURSELVES!" Eve shouted back.
"SILENCE!" Monsignor's voice cut sharply through the air causing everyone to bring their attention back to the clergy.
"Who are you child?" one of the older clergy members asked.
"Eve Daniels, Monsignor." Eve said, tears forming in her eyes once again.
"Well Miss Daniels. We are all upset at the loss of more lives at the hands of these creatures, but Priests are chosen by god as soldiers to turn the tide of evil. The Priests understand that their sacrifice might be at the sake of themselves or others. But the rewards are far greater than the loss as we now know on such a joyous day."
Eve's anger began to rise once more. "Rewards? What rewards did they have? To sacrifice everything only to be abandoned by the people that they trusted the most? Men and women chosen by god but are to remain as emotionless as demons? Well humans aren't built like that. Human beings feel and care! And more importantly love." Eve's voice quieted as she finished the last words. Her eyes gazing off as James' face passed through her thoughts.
Michael and the Priestess Mary both shared a look from the corners of their eyes.
"What was Priest James to you Miss Daniels?" Monsignor Orelas questioned, eyeing her suspiciously.
Eve began to open her mouth but no words came out. She thought carefully about her answer. She didn't care what they did to her. With James gone there was nothing left anyway. But she would not have his name soiled by the church he died defending.
"Monsignor Orelas" An older woman in the back of the church stood uneasily as the eyes of everyone in church were now on her. Eve stiffened when she recognized the woman from her apartment building.
"Yes Mrs. Hull" Monsignor Orelas sighed, clearly becoming irritated at the drama that was now unfolding on what was suppose to be a celebration.
"Well…" Mrs. Hull continued nervously. "I live in the same building as Miss Daniels and I have seen the Priest known as James visiting her room late at night." Mrs. Hull fidgeted with her purse trying not to look over at Eve.
"What are you trying to say Mrs. Hull?" Monsignor asked
"It's my belief that Miss Daniels and the Priest were lovers." She stated,taking her seat again as a loud gasp filled the church.
"Miss Daniels. Knowing the penalty for these accusations is sever, don't let me accuse you of lying to this church as well. Is this true?" A clergy member asked.
Eve looked down at the ground, tears now rolling down her face.
"Yes" she admitted "Yes. the Priest and I were lovers."
The church erupted in outrage at the admission as the clergy began talking amongst themselves. Michael looked at Eve, his face a mixture of shock and sympathy. He had to leave the woman he loved when the church came for him to begin his training. However, once a Priest takes his vows he pledges his purity and remains celibate. Breaking the vow meant death.
After a few minutes of discussion between the clergy members, Orelas spoke.
" Members of my congregation. Tonight's mass will continue as planned for the lost members of the Priesthood. However, the Priest known as James will not be mentioned from here on out. Clearly God has punished him for his crimes against the church."
"WHAT?" Eve screamed "HE SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR THIS CHURCH! HIS ONLY FAULT WAS FALLING IN LOVE WITH ME. OUR GOD DOESN'T TAKE LIFE! HE CREATES IT! THIS ISN'T GODS WORK! IT'S THE DEVILS!" Eve turned to face the clergy her eyes falling on Monsignor Orelas "AND YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN HE IS!" she spat in his direction.
The church rang out once again with anger. People now headed to the front of the church towards Eve. The Priests formed a circle around her, pushing anyone that tried to enter back.
"Miss Daniels!" Orelas yelled over the growing mob "It is the clergy's decision that you be removed from the protection of the city walls and banished to the city known as Leone where you will carry out the rest of your days, never to return to this city again. Failure to obey this sentence and return to the city will mean death. So Say The Clergy!"
In an instant, Eve was being put into handcuffs. She turned to see Michael behind her "Don't say a word." He said, as they began pushing their way through the crowd and out to the ally.
"Get your hands off me!" She said sharply, pulling herself away from his grasp. Michael stepped back and looked at her, sighing in defeat.
"I know you don't believe me about James. I haven't giving you a reason to trust me. But I really did everything that I could to save him."
"What does it matter now?" Eve said coldly "My life was over the day that his ended."
Michael reached in the pocket of his robes and handed her a small silver cross "It was his." He said
She took the small object from him, holding onto it tightly as if it would disappear.
"Michael" The priestess Mary interrupted "We must get her to her destination before they come looking for her. We will go to your living quarters and collect your belonging."
Michael nodded to Mary as the Priestess headed in the direction of Eve's apartment.
He tried to put a hand on Eve's shoulder but was immediately shrugged off.
"Come child." he spoke "We will take you to Leone."
"Yes Priest." She said, completely void of emotion "Lead me to my doom. Just as you did to him."
He said nothing but walked quietly next to her as the other Priests kept watch.
She looked down at the cross in her hand, gently rubbing her thumb over it.
"I'll still be waiting for you my love." She said in a whisper, as she and the Priests disappeared into the night.