Dragon's Blood
Chapter one: Duty Lost
"Get in that house!" The man shouted.
Penn cradled the baby close to her chest; desperately searching for a way out. The only problem was, there were armed men at either exit. The baby was screaming; terrified and unable to understand. Penn had to get out of here.
She knew that if she made a run for the stairs; they would open fire. But she couldn't leave until she had the bag. That was upstairs.
Penn closed her eyes, trying to centre herself, she needed to focus. They were slamming against the door, trying to get in.
"Activate seals," In her mind she saw the doors and windows flare with violet light. The house glowed purple as the wards and seals activated. They would have a hard time getting in now; it would slow them down. But eventually they would get through.
Clutching the child close, holding her tight; Penn ran for the stairs. Gunfire chased her up the stairs; she tripped, catching herself on one hand. Bullets bit at her heels; she pushed herself up and ran. Down below wood shattered and glass smashed. Someone had gotten in. She was running out of time.
Penn waited to hear shouting orders; to hear feet storming her house. Instead she heard nothing, except the scream of the child. Something had made them stop. She turned and hurried into the child's room. She grabbed the backpack; struggling to put it on; while holding a frightened infant. She found the navy blue baby carrier; and slung it on. Gently depositing the frantic infant into the secure holder; her hands now free, she ran for the window.
"Don't!" A man ordered
Penn stopped, her limbs frozen as her heart slammed inside her chest. Her hands were shaking; her breathing was ragged.
"Slowly turn, put the child on the ground, and kneel down."
"In that order?" She asked.
He answered by cocking a gun in her face, "Now!"
She turned to face him. Keeping her hands up in the air. The man was frightened and she didn't blame him; so was she. Despite training for this her whole life; she was still afraid.
"I'm sorry," She told him. She brought her hands downward in a quick motion; like a fast push outward. "Exodus!" Blue fire funneled out of her palms; slamming the man backward. He went through the wall and slammed into the hallway. He lay on the floor, and didn't move.
Penn sucked in a breath, shaking all over. She felt awful for doing that; but she had a duty to fulfill. Turning she opened the window; climbed out, carefully stepping onto the roof. At this height; she could feel the wind; the trees whispered to her. It was like she was standing atop the world for a moment.
"Core is down, core is down. The Guardian is on the move; repeat, guardian s the child and is moving."
Penn glanced back at the house; she could hear them coming up the stairs. Sucking in a deep breath she approached the edge of the roof. She wasn't sure how far it was exactly; but it was far enough. She hated heights.
The noise of gunfire filled the house. Penn reached into her pocket; pulling out the only thing she had. The image was a set of wings; the card felt heavy in her hands as if it wasn't just made from paper. There was a thin, waxy covering on it, it made her fingers sticky.
She tossed the card out, it spun like a top in mid air, "Release!" She commanded. A blinding flash of light surrounded her; she felt pain and there was no time to think. She jumped. Eyes closed, arms around the child; she threw herself from the roof. But she never hit the ground; instead she felt air wash over her.
Penn opened her eyes; she was soaring above the tree tops; looking left and right she saw huge white angel wings on either side. They moved and tilted on their own; keeping her airborne. The child had calmed now that they were away from the chaos. She looked down and saw the infant asleep in her carrier. Penn still had her arms crossed over the carrier.
She focused on her surroundings; trying to get a sense of where she was. It took a moment but she knew what direction she was heading in. Angling the wings slightly she changed direction and headed toward Louisiana. It would take a while to get there; even flying as she was, it would take time. Time she didn't have; and it would suck up all her energy; which was bad.
Walking was an option; but too much of a risk. Those after the child could grab them more easily. At least this way; she could maintain an advantage; that was until she either reached her destination or passed out from exhaustion. Penn pushed herself to fly faster; there was no telling how long this would last. She had never used the Fly Charm before. But she did know it took a tremendous amount of power and concentration to maintain. She had to hurry.
The scenery flowed under her; trees changes, the land shifted. She was heading south; already into the United States; she wasn't sure how much further it was. But she could feel herself draining. Her head was filled with pain; her muscles were burning. She felt nauseous.
Penn felt something brush against her face; it made her snap her eyes open. She was inches from the trees! She had to grit her teeth and force herself upwards. The effort required split her head with agony. The need to vomit seized her stomach. She had to land and fast or she was going to crash.
Instinct told her she was close to her destination. She angled herself downward; desperately trying to control the descent. She saw the tops of buildings and street lights. She had no idea where she was; only that she was supposed to be here. Her feet touched and her legs collapsed. Her chest ached, her body was on fire. She sat on her knees; arms around the infant carrier. Pain blinded her eyes as it raged in her skull. She couldn't breathe.
"Release," She whispered; the wings vanished. She fell forward, catching herself on one hand.
"What the hell is that?" A male voice asked.
Penn lifted her head; her vision swam. She tried forcing herself to focus; but her mind refused.
"Don't get any closer," A female voice ordered, "Get Eric, now!"
Penn felt the presence of a vampire near her and looked up. The woman was beautiful; her dark eyes were and hair set off her white skin. "We were expecting someone else, but you'll do."
"I am the Guardian Dragon, I am-"
"I know what you are." The female whispered, "You're dying."
That was true, Penn admitted that to herself. "Eric, that is the name of my contact here."
"I know that." The vampire told her, "We heard about the raid on the house. We didn't expect you so soon."
"I flew." Penn felt her heart skip a beat; her chest was burning. "The child…"
Another vampire joined them, "She's early."
"She flew," The female vampire muttered, "Do we call them?"
"The sooner the better, I don't want that thing in my territory."
Penn fell to the side; hitting the ground. The child safe in her arms. She lay on her side; her vision was nothing but watery colors. She had no sense of shape or mass; just colors that ran together and blurred. Her body wanted to quit; her heart wanted to stop. She had no energy left to keep her body alive. Still she fought it; she fought herself. Until the child was safe, she couldn't die. Penn knew the vampires around her wouldn't hurt the child. Neither of them would survive if they did. The child's blood was poison to vampires.
Pam stared at the human lying on her side, "What is she?"
Eric ended the call on his cell phone, "Who?"
"The woman, what is she?"
"As good as dead."
"But she's a Guardian, a powerful one. She flew over two thousand miles with an injury. I have never met a Guardian that powerful."
"She must be a Dragon." Eric stared at the woman on the street; had she not been what she was, he would have considered making her a vampire. But as it was, he wouldn't. Guardians weren't known for their loyalty to their vampire Maker. They were loyal to their family and their cause; so much so, it over powered the innate loyalty to one's Maker.
"She said her name was Guardian Dragon." Pam glanced at Eric, "Does that matter?"
Eric frowned, "She is the last of her family. When her heart stops, the family Dragon will cease to be."
"Aren't they the most powerful of all? Why can't she just heal herself of the injury? It's only a gunshot."
"She used all her energy maintain the Fly Charm." Eric muttered. He crouched down near the woman; out of reach. Within her chest he could hear the slowing of her heart. The catch of her breath in her lungs as they filled with fluid. It was a painful way to die; but she would live until the others got here. He had met another Guardian Dragon, back when he was still a young vampire. The man had been powerful alright. Eric studied the woman in front of him. She wasn't beautiful; but there was something attractive, albeit subtly. He admired her will to live.
"They're here," Pam watched a black car drive up. Two men in jeans and t-shirts stepped out. They were in their thirties.
One of them men spoke up, "Get the child,"
The second one crossed to Penn, he reached over her body and took the child from the carrier. It was asleep. He reached into his boot, pulled out a knife, and cut the backpack from her shoulders. He stood up, child in one arm, backpack in the other hand.
"Many thanks, Sheriff." He turned to leave.
Eric stood up, "What about the body?"
He looked back, "Burn it, she's of no use anymore." The man returned to the car and the second man got in behind wheel. The car pulled away.
Pam frowned, "Do they normally do that?"
"No," Eric stared at the woman on the road. Her heart beat slowed and stopped. "They never leave their dead behind."
"Why now?"
"Perhaps she pissed off the wrong people." Eric looked around, "We can't just leave it here."
"We could burn it ourselves, she's dead. "
Eric sighed and reached down; he picked up the body and threw it over his shoulder. "She did die for her duty; it's the least we can do."
Pam followed him back across the lot toward Fangtasia. "Bill and Sookie will be here shortly, do you want me to burn the body?"
Eric shook his head, "Tell them to wait. I will handle this."
Have you ever died? It's not fun. Your body shuts down; your heart stops; everything turns off. And in that suspended stasis, you remain. Calm, waiting, peaceful. Until something horrid and painful drags you back. For me it came as a shock to my chest. I felt it sear through my body; eating at my flesh.
Opening my eyes, I screamed. It took a moment for my vision to clear; flames licked at my arms. I sat up and started batting at them. I threw myself on the ground; rolling around.
The flames went out; I lay on my back, staring at the night sky. My skin hurt; my bones hurt. I had never felt pain like this; it was inside of me, everywhere. Breathing was hard and I struggled not to scream again. All I wanted to do was scream. Instead I lay there. Blinking and trying to remember where I was. In the distance I felt something familiar. Turning my head I looked over at the lights of the city. It wasn't that far from me; a mile perhaps. I could walk one mile.
It hurt to roll over; it hurt to do anything. But I had no choice. Slowly I came to my hands and knees, crawling my way toward the lights.
Eric sat in his office, staring at Sookie and Bill. This meeting hadn't gone as he had hoped. They rarely did.
"You can't be serious?" Sookie grumbled, "What do you mean?"
"It's simple, I need you to talk to a few people. Find out if they are lying."
Bill frowned, "Glamour them instead."
"I have," Eric shook his head, "Someone has blocked their memories; we need to know what those two people know."
"Why?" Sookie demanded, "Why not just let them go?"
"It is not recommended." Eric sighed stood up, "I will of course, pay you and you don't even need to leave your home. I will bring them to you."
Sookie considered, arms crossed. "What if I don't find anything?"
"Then they go home and you still get paid." Eric sat on the edge of his desk, looking at the blonde in front of him. "Agreed?"
"Fine."
There was a knock and the door opened; he glared at Pam as she walked in. "What?"
"Dragon, she's alive."
Eric kept his shock off his face as he stood up. "Where is she?"
Pam stepped aside, Dragon came into the room. Eric stared in amazement. Her flesh was smooth; her hair long and thick around her thin frame. Her eyes were a deep, rich purple framed by thick lashes. She wore a red Fangtasia t-shirt and black leather pants. The clothes were borrowed; her feet were bare. There wasn't a mark on her flesh; not a single burn.
The expression in her eyes was pained; it was confused and even a touch terrified. She looked at Bill and Sookie; her gaze lingered on the blonde human. She looked to Eric. Penn bowed, from the neck, going to one knee.
"Sheriff," She kept her gaze on the floor, "Please, explain why I am here?"
Eric stood up, "You don't remember?"
"I only remember flying over the trees, that is the last memory I have."
"You landed here," Eric ignored the company in his office, "You died on my parking lot; the call was made to replace you. The child was taken by the assigned team and you were burned. As were my instructions should one of you die here."
Penn lifted her head; clearly confused, "If my duty is done, they why am I alive?"
"I don't know." Eric told her flatly. "You should not be."
Penn dropped her gaze again, "Then please, kill me."
Eric looked to Pam and nodded, she stepped up behind Penn.
"Wait!" Sookie shouted, running over to Penn. "You can't just kill her. I don't understand a thing that's happening. I won't let you kill her."
Penn gave her a confused expression, "Why are you stopping him?"
Sookie looked at her, "It's murder!" She frowned, "Don't you understand that?"
"But it's not murder," Penn told her, "My duty to my people is finished, this our way."
"Your people?" Sookie shook her head, "No, you're family cannot want this to happen."
"My family is dead. I am the last of them." Penn looked to Eric, "Sheriff?"
Eric held up his hands, "She is rather fond of human life, she doesn't take well to life ending."
"Then why did you bond yourself to her?" Penn asked.
Sookie looked at her, "What you talking about?"
Penn focused on Sookie, "His blood, it's in your veins. You are his, are you not?"
"No!" She shook her head, "That's disgusting."
Penn frowned, "Disgusting? He is very powerful and a Sheriff. He is a good choice."
"It's Eric!" Sookie insisted, "No way. I am with Bill." She nodded to him.
Penn looked to the Sheriff, "Explain."
"I don't owe you an explanation. You're duty is done. Pam will fulfill your death request and it will be finished." Eric told her.
Sookie shook her head, "Forget it; I won't let you kill her."
Eric grit his teeth, "I am tired of this. Dragon, you are free to go and do as you wish. Pam will end your life if you so wish it. But I have had enough."
Penn stood up and looked at Sookie, "You do not wish for me to die?"
"No, it's wrong."
"I am not sure what you mean. But if you wish for me to live, then I will."
Sookie frowned, "It's not that big a deal."
"Take it out of my office!" Eric snapped.
Sookie and Bill left the office, Penn followed them. They came to Bill's car in the parking lot.
"So what's your name?" Sookie asked.
"My name?"
Sookie looked at her, "I am Sookie Stackhouse, what's your name?"
"I was given the name Dragon, Penn Dragon."
"Penn, with two n's right?"
"Yes," Penn looked to the vampire, "The Sheriff called you Bill, correct?"
Bill nodded, "Can we drop you somewhere?"
"I have no where to go," Penn said flatly, "I am dead to my people; my things will be given to the next Guardian."
"Guardian, what is that?" Sookie asked.
Penn frowned at her, confused, "We are Guardians."
Bill spoke up, "This is small town Louisiana, they don't know what this is."
She looked at him, "Ah, so I have to explain it?"
He nodded, "But first, let's get on the road. I want to get back to Bon Temps while it's still dark."
"Bon Temps, what is that?" Penn asked.
"It's the place where I live." Sookie opened the back passenger door, "Climb in."
Penn looked to Bill, asking permission. He nodded. She climbed into the car. Once everyone was loaded, they pulled onto the road and headed home.
Sookie turned in her seat, "So a Guardian, is that like the Coast Guard?"
Penn didn't understand, "What is that?"
Bill spoke up, "Sookie, a Guardian is a sacred duty. It's a calling; like being a priest."
"You're a priest?" Sookie asked.
"I am not." Penn took a moment, trying to explain. "I am other."
"You said you flew here. But where's your luggage?" Sookie asked, "Do you have your ticket stub, perhaps we can get your home town off that?"
"I did have a backpack but the new Guardian has it. It was meant to be passed to him upon my death."
"So the ticket is in your backpack." Sookie thought for a minute, "Can you call your family? Let them know you're okay?"
"There is no one to call." Penn told her again.
Bill spoke up, "You can stay with me until you find your own place."
Sookie looked at him, "She can?"
"Thank you, Bill." Penn spoke carefully, "I am not sure how long I will be without home. I am very confused."
He nodded, "I gathered that. We'll figure something out."
"What about Jessica?" Sookie asked, "She is still living with you."
Bill frowned, "That's right, I'll talk to her."
"Jessica is your wife?" Penn asked.
"No, I am her Maker." Bill muttered.
Penn nodded, "I see."
They arrived at Sookie's house; Bill stepped out and opened her door. He walked her up the stairs. Penn watched as he kissed the human and whispered to her. They kissed a second time and he came back to the car.
"You love her," Penn commented.
"Yes," Bill looked at her via the rearview mirror, "Have you ever known love?"
"It is not required," Penn looked out the window, "I feel very out of place."
Bill parked at his house; Jessica had recently bought herself a car. It was in the driveway. He led Penn up the stairs and paused. He heard the sounds of lovemaking from inside.
"Bill?" Penn looked at the house; she frowned, "What is that sound?"
Bill opened the door and Hoyt scrambled to his feet. "Damn, you keep catching us."
Penn stepped in; she regarded the naked female and half naked man. They were hurrying to find their clothes; embarrassed at having been caught. She had seen men and women naked together before. At the yearly Festival of Mothers; she understood now what had been happening. But did not understand the embarrassment; such an act was to be celebrated. Or perhaps that was just her upbringing.
Bill took Penn's arm and led her to the kitchen. "All I have to offer is Fresca."
"Is it good?" Penn asked.
"I have no idea, but they say it is." Bill handed her a can from the collection the counter. She opened it and sipped, "It's good."
He leaned on the counter; arms crossed over his chest. "I have heard of your kind." He watched her, "You're from the Dragon family; you're the most powerful of the Guardians."
"So they say," Penn sipped her drink, look at the can. "Is there a question in there?"
"Are you a threat to me?" Bill asked steadily.
"No." Penn met his gaze, "I am not a threat."
"Why should I believe you?"
Penn sighed. She held up one hand; set the can on her palm and dropped her hand. The can levitated in place.
"How does that convince me?" Bill watched the can.
"I have no magical powers. The flight here drained my magical skills. I can only use simple things; like this." She nodded to the floating can. "Child's games, Bill. That is all I am capable of now."
He arched a brow, "You call telekinesis a child's game."
"Of course, all children can do this." She held out her and again; the can rested in her palm. She wrapped her other hand around and took a sip.
"Right," Bill shook his head, "So no magic?"
"No, I am, how do they say…?" She thought for a moment, "Tapped out."
Jessica and Hoyt stepped into the kitchen, "Hey." He looked at Penn for a moment; before focusing on Bill. "Sorry about that Mr. Compton."
Bill looked at the human, "Best go home, Hoyt."
He nodded, he kissed Jessica and walked out of the house. She glared at Bill. "What are you doing back so soon? I thought you were spending the night with Sookie?"
"Plans changed." Bill indicated Penn. "Jessica meet Penn."
Jessica eyed the t-shirt, "You brought a fang-banger home?"
Penn looked at Bill, "A what?"
He shook his head, "No, Penn is not a banger. But she will be staying here a while." He looked at her, "You can sleep in the room upstairs."
She nodded, "Thank you."
"Jessica, she is off limits, do I make myself clear?" Bill stared at the vampire.
"Why?" Jessica kept her gaze steady on Penn, "She looks yummy."
Penn turned her focus to the vampire, "I do?" She looked down at the red t-shirt and leather pants. She still didn't have shoes; it hadn't occurred to her before now. She returned her gaze to Jessica. "I would not recommend biting me, young one."
"Why?"
"My blood is potent," Penn told her simply, "One as young as you would be rendered immobile quite quickly. Easy for staking." She wasn't afraid of the vampire, "And I know how to do that."
Jessica stared at her, really looked at her. "You're not human."
Penn shrugged, "I have never thought about it. We do use such terms where I am from. I simply am."
"Where are you from, outer space?" Jessica pressed.
Penn shrugged again, she looked to Bill, "May I retire?"
Bill nodded, "Sure, I'll show you the way."
He led her up stairs and into the room. "Should you wake in the daytime; you are welcome to leave. Sookie works tomorrow afternoon; but perhaps she can take you with her."
"Would her boss approve?"
"I don't see why not?" Bill took out his wallet, handing her some money. "In case you get hungry."
"But I cannot pay you back."
"You can find a job,"
Penn sighed, looking at the floor. Sadness over on her, she sat on the floor; pressing her face into her hands. "I had a job, a duty."
Bill crossed to her, setting the money next to her. He touched her shoulder. She looked at him. He felt for her. "I am sorry, Penn."
"Why? It is not your fault. No vampire is responsible for this. I am just not sure what to think. This is not happened before, not once in the history of my people."
"Have you ever worked a job, outside of your duty?"
She shook her head, "No; my only purpose was my duty."
"It will take time." He said gently, "Don't push yourself too fast; these are good people. They will help you if they can."
"Why would they help me? I am not their people; I am not one of them."
Bill understood her feelings and he sat on the floor in front of her. "I am not either; yet, I have a home and a woman I love. They have welcomed me here. I see no reason they would not welcome you as well."
Penn looked to the money on the floor; she picked it up. "I will pay you back."
Bill nodded, standing up. "I know." He went to the door, pausing as he looked back. "Rest well."
Penn lay on the bed, not sure what to do with herself. She was tired. But she was also confused; her mind felt overworked. Her sense of self was gone. She lay on the bed and wondered why she was alive. Sadness dwelled in her soul and she closed her eyes. There was nothing for her to do now except sleep. She hadn't slept in a few days. Perhaps she could do that and it would be enough.
**