Chapter 1: Human Sacrifice (by Sweetbox)
Erik
He was in the deep sleep that meant nothing should really bother him, unless it was important to him like his health. But he felt something. Something odd that couldn't be explained. Whatever that something was, it was trying to pull him out of his sleep. He didn't want to go and leave the sleep that was peaceful compared to all the shit that was hitting the fan at the moment around him.
He didn't want to think of that. It didn't concern him that was someone else's problem. Simple as that.
As if someone snapped their fingers in his ear or blew a horn, he almost shot out of bed. He could have fell out of the bed with the crimson dyed covers following him because of how fast he sat up in surprise and fear. He never felt fear before, at least until he met Kalona for the first time. That seemed like ages ago though.
Feeling his pulse pound in him to the point it felt and sounded like his heart was in his ears, he knew something was wrong. Part of him swore he was on the verge of a heart attack with the way his heart was acting so violently at the moment. That wasn't a good sign. He just couldn't distinguish between the two from his half asleep state.
Either way he was annoyed at the feeling that woke him up earlier than normal. Wiping his face with his hand, taking the sweat away from his face, Erik shook his head. This shouldn't be happening. His life was just getting back to normal. Sure the last bump in his life was becoming a Tracker but that was it. Nothing else has tried to screw up his life.
Kicking the covers off with a grumble, just revealing the barely hanging on his hips sweats, he continued his grumbling one-sided conversation. Staring at the ceiling with his feet still covered, he didn't want them to turn cold as he tried to think of what woke him up. He wasn't dreaming. Was he?
Turning to his side, he thought the sound of more sleep sounded heavenly compared to figuring out why his heart was racing. It felt like he just finished running from a bull or something that wanted to kill him. He had a big day, possibly, and he had to be ready for it along with looking good. No one would want to see their teacher almost asleep because of something. That wouldn't be the greatest thing for that day.
Laying his head back down onto the pillow and his eyes closing, he swore it was just a dream that excited him. It probably wasn't the dream he was hoping it would be but that was beside the point. That was all it had to be. He had nothing to worry about.
"Just a dream." The Tracker grumbled to himself as he kept his eyes closed. "Nothing but a dream."
Well he did have one thing to worry about: Tracking down then Marking someone when the time came.
At the thought of his job, another speed bump in his actual desired career, he growled. He was supposed to become the next Brad Pitt, instead he was tracking down and Marking human teens when Nyx thought it was time for the next four years. It pissed him off that things weren't going the way that they were supposed to be. He was supposed to be in Hollywood by now and giving the actual Brad Pitt a run for his money.
No, he had to stay at the House of Night for four more years. He had to track down people like a private detective that was looking for someone that had gone missing or something along those lines. He did one up the private eye when searching for the person they desired. He already knew where the person was.
It still sounded creeper material to him. That was the only downside of the job he was handed to by the previous Tracker. It made a lot of people turn away from him because of it. It didn't matter, well it mattered a little to him. The thought of the girls not being attracted to him like he used to be annoyed him a little. But he just needed to do this job and then off to Hollywood he would go hopefully.
No more weird shit going on, since that all started with Zoey came. No more worrying about some crazed person trying to kill him because he knew her. She was just walking with disaster following it seemed like. First Loren Blake, Kalona, Neferet, and everything else that was going on with her. IT had to end somewhere and sometime. It better be soon. He wasn't sure how much he could take.
Since then and becoming a Tracker, his life had gotten a little normal. If turning peoples' lives upside down was supposed to be normal. Then he didn't know what is normal. It even seemed cruel to him. He knew what they were going through but he didn't have to worry about completely the Change. He already did that and it felt great to be alive.
He just didn't want to remember that day; the day he first Marked someone. That itch wasn't something he wanted to think about either. None of his first time Marking someone was memorable but it was still there, imprinted on his mind for him to think about as he laid awake in bed.
Since he Marked Shaylin, Erik was getting better at speaking what needed to be spoken. That first time fluster didn't help any for his memory. Neither did not knowing that the teenage girl was handicapped. They needed to know that but that was kept from him for who knows what reason.
At that thought, as if to tease him, the spiral like labyrinth tattoo that was on his palm from the time the last Tracker gave it to him, started to itch. Groaning in half asleep slumber that should be in a deep sleep by now, he went to itch it like it was just some mild irritation. That's all it came off as to him. He wouldn't worry about it until he started to feel that panic rising up in him again.
Curling up, bringing the blankets up to his chest in the process, he peeked over at the clock. Three thirty p.m.. This caused another groan to slip from his parted lips. This one was from frustration that he couldn't fall back asleep. Cursing his body, he rolled over and away from the blaring red numbers on his chronometer.
That had to be the reason behind his lack of sleep, or getting back to it. Or his mind was racing with trifling thoughts and memories. Damn his body.
As if a time went off as he tried to drift back into dreamland that involved beautiful women, beaches, Hollywood, and whatever else his imagination could come up with, the itch increased tenfold on his right palm. Jerking up into a sitting position, his widening eyes jumped to the hand that had the itching increasing. Like before the tattoo was raised like it was a freshly done piece of art. It was a sign of what was to come.
Getting out of bed, pulling his shoes on without any socks, he heard his thoughts turn frantic. Just another sign that he was destined to Mark someone. It almost reminded him like he just saw someone get injured and tried to keep calm on the outside. That wasn't the case. Not by a long shot.
This was just ruining his plans again. He wanted to go back to bed, sleep what time he could, and get up for the day. Then he would teach and do it all over again. That wasn't going to happen. He was getting pissed more at the fact that he could barely do whatever he wanted or finish it because he had to take care of the business that Nyx intended.
He knew what else was coming next. He was going to turn someone's life upside down again. As his memories drifted to when Charon told him what to expect, his palm burned as if it was ablaze by something. That wave of compulsion hit him like before, almost knocking him from finishing tying his shoe. Grabbing his keys, he was getting ready to bolt out the door since that was going to happen next. The need to grab a shirt and hurry up to put it on didn't matter.
He jogged out the door like the way he went to bed. "Twenty-two South Main Street. In the yard. Get there. Gotta get there. Come on Erik."
If they didn't know he was a Tracker then people might have thought he was going if not already insane. Luckily he lucked out on that. It was the middle of the day but the middle of the night for fledglings and vampyres. No one would see him rambling to himself, almost running to his mustang unless they couldn't sleep. That was a small blessing but it meant he was going to be attracting stay eyes and ear that didn't need to bother with his business.
He just hoped that he wasn't going to where a bunch of People of Faith lived. That was another mess he wished to avoid. It was one of his least worries at the moment though. The only thin that mattered was getting to the address that was running through his head like a cat on cat nip. That was a little bit of a scary thought that distracted him momentarily.
It wasn't enough to turn his mind from getting into the car which was almost impossible. His hands were trembling with the adrenaline from the urge to Mark that he almost dropped his keys. Mentally cursing at himself, another small distraction, he narrowed his eyes just as the keys slipped into the hole. Unlocking the door, he slid in with ease and tried to resist gripping anything with his right hand. That wasn't something he wanted to enjoy and experience again.
"Jacinda Swanson. Twenty-two South Main Street. Jacinda Swanson." Erik mumbled to himself as he tried to get the keys into the ignition now. That was just another challenge he needed in his life at the moment. Almost dropping them twice because of the burning sensation in his palm and the fact that his hands were trembling, he just wanted to yell out in frustration.
Curse this duty, he thought with a small hint of malice. It should have been bigger but he didn't want to ensure the wrath of the Goddess of Night. He didn't need an immortal's wrath again.
The musing of the four or so years disappearing behind him and freeing him of this duty sounded amazing. The sable haired man just wanted out of this pledge so badly. He just wanted to live out his life the way he intended it to be. That meant going to Hollywood, getting to have the hottest women by his side and dazzling people with his charisma. That was how he was supposed to be living at the moment, not at the place that could be defined as hell.
Finally getting the keys in and starting the car, he was hesitant about getting the seatbelt secured but did it anyway. He was not about to get a ticket for that because he was in this huge hurry to Mark this girl. Mentally cursing how slow everything was seeming, Erik took a breath to calm himself. He had to be calm. He had to appear professional for whoever this girl was so she wouldn't freak out.
Like that wasn't going to happen. They all freak out, especially if they were religious nuts. He hated Marking those kind of people and it made him want to shoot himself in the foot. That sounded like the better idea than going through with turning a religious nut life upside down.
As he started the car up which seemed like a blessing itself and pulled it out of the parking lot, it just meant he was one step closer to achieving what needed to be done. That was good but he wasn't in the homestretch like he wanted. Not yet anyway. As he drove, he felt the drowsiness set in but not enough to make him want to close his eyes and fall asleep behind the wheel.
He just wanted to be in bed like everyone else. People might call him a child but it was part of the truth. He was being a child and seeing that it was unfair that he had to be awake while everyone else was asleep. He just wanted slumber, which was all he was asking for. Even the music on the Sirius radio wasn't helping any to calm his mood or the fact that each second that passed he was losing more sleep.
He and Nyx had to have a talk about this whole Tracking and Marking deal. That made him snort to keep his laughter contained.
She would probably laugh in his face when he would say he wanted out. He envisioned it happening that way. She might even go as far as calling him a spoiled brat but that was a skeptical situation.
So he'll keep on doing the duty that was put on him by Nyx and Charon. "Lucky bastard." He grumbled to himself as he thought of the previous Tracker.
The Tracker wasn't sure if a smile being plastered on his face would help any. It would be forced, like most of the others that he kept. The real happiness that people felt seemed to evade him most of the time. So it made being a good actor a trait to have. Being an actor during things could only go so far until he had to show his distaste. If not, then he might lose his mind or something would happen. But for now, he'll do this job without any protest.
Like that'll be listened if he did protest about it.
Jacinda
"Wonderful. Just wonderful. I don't need this." Jacinda hissed bitterly as she thought of the predicament she was in. She hadn't expected to come down with the summer flu and here she was with the damn illness. She was even half tempted to go around and find out who gave it to her then give them a lecture for breathing on her. She was going to make them regret doing that.
So now here was the brunette haired teen sitting farther away from her family then usual while they enjoyed the pool. She should be in the water like them, enjoying it and some sun. Instead she was sitting under an oak tree with the family dog laying its head on her calves as if it was a pillow. She couldn't understand how that was comfortable but wasn't going to ask the canine. She even went as far as trading her bathing suit for something warm; something used for the colder months.
Like she needed more stares. She got plenty of those when she did what she thought was normal, or felt normal. Now she was getting more for wearing clothes that were meant for when the weather turned cooler.
Glancing at the dog, she whined before coughing up a lung it felt like. Now Jacinda swore she wasn't getting better but worse. The thought of going to the hospital sent shivers up and down her spine. She dreaded going to that place and that was a last resort. If that had to happen, her parents would have to drag her into that place. That was how much she hated going to that place.
"Jace I'm gonna strangle whoever gave me this damn cold." She whispered so her mother wouldn't hear her. She was not about to put up with her yelling about cursing. Her head probably wouldn't take it.
Shaking her head, the brunette knew she had to beat this cold one way or another. If not, she was going to be miserable for the rest of the week if not longer. That was not about to happen either. That was something she was not looking forward to. The thought of staying in bed sounded like a good idea compared of crawling out of bed like she had school or something. She might even crawl back into the house because the staring was getting on her nerves.
"How are you feeling?" Her mother asked with a smile that still scared her child to this day. It was being part of the People of Faith just gave people creepy smiles. If that wasn't it then she was just used to have a smile that had that creepy side effect to it. Either way, her smile was creeping out her only daughter.
"The same like when you asked me five minutes ago Mom. I'm going to be fine as long as you don't keep bothering me." She let a little hiss of irritation leak into her tone as she looked away from that smile. Even picturing it was sending chills up her spine now.
She had to get away from that smile. Jacinda would do anything to get away from that smile that seemed like something a pedophile would have. It just came off like that to her. How her father and brother could stand it was beyond her to the point she questioned their sanity.
A shiver raced down her spine again at the thought. She was not about to go there even if she wanted to. She told her mother not to smile at her for any reason because it scared her. She even lost track of how many times she told her not to do it. Her mother didn't listen though. She kept on smiling like there wasn't a problem in the world; as if being part of People of Faith took care of everything.
There was a problem though. Her damn smile.
"Whoever is in the heavens, I don't care if they're a God or Goddess I beg that you take me away. Anyone take me away from here. I'll even take a grade-A jerk if it means getting away from my mother." She begged as silently as she could which was possible with how sore her throat felt from coughing. Even a part of her hoped that it would appear as a silent prayer to her mother. She didn't need her causing any trouble with her. It would then cause the interminable questions to begin which would piss her off.
Running a hand through her short hair, she hoped that her small entreaty would be heard by any of the deities that were around in every religion. She didn't want to pretend that she was part of the People of Faith community anymore. She was sick of pretending that she was praying to their God just to satisfy her mother. This woman shouldn't even be called her mother with how judgmental she was toward others because of this religion she loved so much. She loved it more than her own family.
Everything was so senseless that she swore her mental stability was declining because of it. None of the procedures the People of Faith had made no sense to her. Nothing was right to her, especially with the way they judged others that weren't part of the religion. She was done with it all.
"Who the hell is this?" The sound of her father's voice broke her from her musing. It was a good thing because she completely forgot about him and how he shared her views on things. He never understood why people bigoted others based on something they did, their lifestyle, or worshiped. He was the biggest reason why she wasn't like her mother or brother.
"Language." Her mother threatened but it was a useless threat.
Both her father and she knew it was useless. He paid no mind to it and that was shown by the cold shoulder he gave his spouse. Jacinda watched him as he got out of the pool with no problem even if he had a back problem going on for at least a week now. She could tell that from his stride and other bodily functions that should be smooth but some were jerky with him. It worried her but he told her not to worry. He was fine, he said but she didn't believe him.
He was just putting up a mask – a front – to keep her from worrying herself sickly or to death. It made her wish that he would let it down, even for only a little while. She wanted to see that human side of him that was hidden away when he was in pain and didn't want to admit it.
Her gaze turned sharply to the carmine mustang that was sitting in the driveway. Picking herself up with a hack following suit, she tucked the newest issue of Cosmo under her arm and glanced at Jace. She knew she irritated him for moving but he was the best bet to find out if this stranger was friendly or not. It was one of the main reasons why she relied on the canine so much.
He just stayed where he was with his ears perked with attentiveness that came natural for creatures that were closer to the earth than humans. He wasn't barking or showing any obvious sign that this person couldn't be trusted so that was a good sign. It was all she needed from him. So that meant this person had to be a regular person that was trying to sell something or looking for a certain house because of reasons that didn't concern her.
Looking away from the family pet that had been around since she was young to the car, seeing and hearing the door close behind the person, she was waiting for her father to say they weren't interested in whatever they were selling. That wasn't the case when she saw her father stop in his tracks like he was hit by something or his back pain was bothering him again.
That didn't make any sense to her. It was rare that something would stop her father in his tracks. Unless it was something extremely serious that it couldn't be ignored or joked around about without harming someone's feelings.
This isn't good, Jacinda thought as she watched her father and the stranger. She didn't even know she was walking until she came to a halt halfway to her father and the stranger that was walking toward her father. She could barely tell what he looked like since she didn't have her glasses on like she should. That thought surprised her because normally her mother would bitch at her for not using them like she was supposed to.
Maybe her mother was focused on something else like a future meeting with the cult. This religion seemed like a cult to her with how extreme they would go. How her older brother could get brainwashed by them was a big question. It was almost impossible to get him to do something with how stubborn he was. Her mother must have done something to get his attention which seemed a good possibility.
"Jacinda Swanson?" His voice, whoever this person was, was smooth, clear and held power. It sent chills down her spine as if it was ice cubes pressed against her skin. It was like this person was powerful in some way. Or it was like someone powerful was seeking her out for reasons that she didn't understand.
Whoever he was, he probably was nuts if he thought she could do something like cure an incurable disease. She couldn't. She was only sixteen. She could barely pass Algebra two with a B minus. How could someone expect her to cure something that was incurable? It seemed nuts to her.
Looking at the visitor as if he was something of interest, she had no recollection of anyone by that face. Of course she rarely got out unless it dealt with her health, schooling, and anything else that she thought was important. So it was rare for her to go out since the people she thought was her friends weren't really her friends. She should have seen it coming but it sideswiped her a few days ago.
His gaze focused on her with it glancing at her father. Erik was almost expecting the older man to tackle him later on when he completed the task that was set before him. This man might complicate things later on just like the rest of her family. For now, however, he was just going to focus on each step that was in front of him. If it comes to that then he'll face it head on like every other family he turned upside down.
Her father recognized the tattoos that were framing the stranger's eyes, creating a mask almost. It made him wonder if whoever this vampyre was going to tell the truth or lie through his teeth in front of them. Was he going to Mark his only daughter and take her away from her family? He knew that his wife wasn't going to enjoy it because she was the type of person that didn't take well to vampyres and fledglings.
It didn't matter though. If she was going to, then he was going to stand by her. He would be with her until she completed the Change or passed on from rejecting it. He was not going to be his wife and turn his back on their child because she was chosen by the personification of night. Again that didn't matter to him.
"That's me. If Penelope and Blake sent you, you can turn around and go back to wherever you were. I have no time for any of their crap. Got it?" Jacinda hissed, letting her malice toward the two, her used to be friends, leak into her voice. She wasn't in the mood for anything because she had plenty enough drama from her mother. She didn't need anymore.
Erik was a little taken back by her words. They were bold but he wasn't about to let his surprise show. He had to be professional, as if he was auditioning for the biggest role in a play or movie. This wasn't a movie though. This was real life and anything could happen then.
Like he was going to Mark this girl, which could only end in two ways. Survive the Change and go on to be a vampyre. If that doesn't happen then reject the Change and die. That could happen unless Neferet didn't see anything that could be useful for her and bring her back as a red fledgling. That wouldn't be a good thing especially for Zoey and her gang.
There he went again; worrying about someone he shouldn't because she was barely in his life anymore. Mentally chastising himself, he tried to turn his attention to what was going on at the moment. Zoey was supposed to be in the back of his mind, just like everything going on with her. It didn't pertain to him so it didn't concern him.
"Did Penelope and Blake send you or not? Answer me." Jacinda raised her voice to catch his attention. He looked like he was staring off into space, as if he was trying to come up with a lie. That wasn't going to be good. Glancing at her father, she could see discomfort dance on his pink face.
"No, I don't even know whoever they are." Erik answered calmly like before.
Did she have a grudge against the two she was talking about? Or did they do something to her that made her want to stay away from them. It made him worry but wasn't about to ask. It wasn't his concern and getting into drama that contained two girls was the worst thing to do. That was almost wanting a death wish or something along those lines.
"Then why are you here for? Are you lost?" Her father decided it was best to play it clueless instead of stating that he knew that this guy was a vampyre and possibly here to take his daughter away. He looked pale even if his skin was burnt pink from being out in the sun. His eyes were wide in surprise as he kept his gaze focused on the tattoos that formed what looked like a mask. "Let me guess, you're a vampyre?"
It was supposed to sound like a question but it barely did to himself. He just felt a little fear of whoever was Marked though didn't mind the vampyre community. That was a given since one of his closest friends was Marked and survived the Change which was a relief on his part.
Turning his blue eyes to the older man, he nodded. Pushing back his hair, revealing the rest of the tattoos he was granted when he completed the Change, he sighed softly. This was wasting time. He wanted more sleep until the day for them began. The thought of being exhausted for class was an irritating thought. That will not happen. He was going to make sure of that.
Looking back at the girl, he used one of those heart melting smile to charm her. He could already hear her swooning in his head which should happen. That was how it usually worked. It also seemed cruel to lead her onto one direction then suddenly pull her into another. He was running out of time so he had to cut to the chase like he should have from the beginning.
"Jacinda Swanson, Night has chosen thee; they death will be thy birth. Night calls to thee, hearken to Her sweet voice. Your destiny awaits you at the House of Night!" Erik continued to sound professional even if on the inside he felt nervous as if he was doing this for the first time again. That was a while ago but he still felt restless under his skin.
Pointing his finger at her, he watched as the teen fell to her knees, clutching her head as someone screamed. It wasn't her but he knew that she was probably experiencing the worst headache she will possibly feel for the rest of her life. Again, if she survived the Change echoed in his mind.
Though that didn't matter now. All he had to do was give a ride to Jacinda if she needed it or couldn't drive back with her own vehicle. He hoped she didn't need a ride but only the Goddess knows what was going to happen. Which had to be the scary part.
That urge to scream; to say something was there as the words formed in her throat but no words would come from her mouth as she opened it. All she could do was rant in her mind about what was happening to her. She couldn't be Marked because all from she heard were only the freaks and outcasts were Marked to be vampyres. Her life wasn't like that, it was just getting normal and this guy – this Tracker – decided to fuck it all up.
"Why me?" She croaked when she finally could get those two simple words out of her lips.
"Nyx has chosen you, Jacinda. It's an honor to have that happen."
Erik's head jerked with surprise to the older man that was standing there with them. Most of him was expecting that man to say something rude and spiteful instead of what sounded like calmness and a small hint of jealousy. Most parents shunned their child because they believed that being a vampyre or fledgling was a sin and that they should die in Hell. But this man wasn't that way, he appeared to open his arms for his daughter. He was completely taken back by this man but didn't show it.
"Dad, you're not flipping out." Jacinda stated softly as she finally pulled her head up to look at her father. Brunette hair was plastered to her forehead but large bits of the empty crescent could be seen to show that she was now a fledgling. Even the hints of fear were in her blue eyes that showed Erik that she was just like every other person out there.
Her father shook his head to answer her. He wanted to counter that with a question but decided against it. It was pointless to him, especially when his only daughter had just been Marked and was scared about what could happen. He had to be strong for her and show her that there was nothing to be scared of in the long run. "No, I'm not like your mother who thinks that vampyres are the seeds of Satan. I have my own secrets just like everyone else in the world."
He winked with a smirk. That secret was going to be kept because he promised that friend of his that he wouldn't tell that he was Marked long ago. She had to get used to the idea of being a fledgling in her own way, even if it meant it was the hardest way out there. It just meant that his daughter was going to get use to the lifestyle that she was entering as of today.
"Thanks dad. That tells me a lot." She grumbled with a hint of sarcasm then glanced to the Tracker that was standing there. Sitting up and crossing her arms in frustration, she shook her head at the irritation that was in her body now. Part of the cold was gone but that tickle in her throat wasn't going away. "Anything I need to get?"
"Anything of importance to you." Erik stated calmly, which seemed surprising to himself. Inwardly, he was still surprised by the fact that her father wasn't acting like this when most of the kids he's Marked so far had parents that wanted nothing to do with them once they were fledglings.
Then he had to add in the jitters that were causing his hands to tremble slightly. He had just Marked someone and there was a good chance that this girl would die of the Change. It made no sense to him; none of it did. The biggest confusing thing right now was her father not acting like a person that belonged to the People of Faith. It wasn't something he was expecting today.
This man, her father, seemed like the type of guy that would fit in with the People of Faith. It was stereotypical but he just looked like someone that was in the religion that shunned all vampyres. But he was the complete opposite of what he was expecting when he had shown up. Now that he could look at this man and try to understand him, he seemed like he was more down-to-earth compared to his spouse. It was odd.
Jacinda nodded and turned her back to the two. Clothing, electronics, anything that was of value and importance to her. She already had one of those things that she treasured around her neck but she wouldn't say anything. That was something that only she needed to know along with her father. It was one of those things that she would give her own life for and it was something she knew was final.
Nothing mattered to her. What happened to her then she would take it with a smile on her face even if it meant walking through Hell. It didn't matter if she survived whatever goes on that makes her a vampyre. Just as long as she had the thin metal chain with the locket attached, she didn't care. The memories it held were the most precious thing she had so nothing else really mattered.
As she walked to the house, her mind focusing on the prized recollections, she didn't hear the door open that led into the kitchen. It didn't matter because it wasn't something that concerned her.
It did matter within a matter of seconds when she felt a searing pain in her side and shouting that somehow sounded so far away from her. It seemed like she was on an island and people were calling out to her from a ship to get her attention for whatever reason. It made no sense why people were trying to get her attention as the pain became too much and she fell to her knees.
That was when he noticed panic, worry, and anger rose up to the surface. It seemed over the top what her mother did. Erik just couldn't believe that he witnessed it like Jacinda's father and brother. It seemed like a nightmare come true for most because it wasn't something that should have happened. But it did and now he had to do something quick.
It seemed like the world stopped spinning around her . . .