Jaden
Prologue
1024 BC
Jaden stood in the aftermath of battle. His hair whipping across his face mercilessly, as his cold eyes surveyed the battle.
Thousands of bodies littered the sand, their blood turning the golden waves black.
The screams of the dying were long gone, the thundering clash of weapons now silent.
Nothing remained here; but the dead.
Even the soldiers standing tall, were not truly alive.
Tall, dark and deadly, they lacked anything that would mark them as human. Any weaknesses they possessed had been beaten out of them years, even centuries, ago.
Jaden watched as one soldier drew his sword to his mouth, as elongated incisors glistened in the moonlight, before he licked the fresh blood from the blade.
For as far as his eyes could see they were alone, even the moon was being shielded by silver clouds.
Death and silence was all they would find here.
He watched as the black river of blood seeped into the sand, spreading out across the miles of emptiness that was vast before him.
A black spreading stain, that seemed to mark the earth with their crimes.
He winced at the vision it made. This was what he had come here for?
No, he mused, he had come here for her, and this was her will.
He watched as a young soldier withered to his right, barely alive, his heart and hope for life were faltering.
Jaden watched as fresh blood was coughed onto the sand, adding to the blood already there.
He envisioned her in his mind, the way she had been earlier that night, her silken wrap granting him sneak glimpses of her womanly flesh … smooth and perfect.
His mouth watered as he recalled the taste of her blood... he had promised her no one would live... turning his attention to the dying soldier, he swore to her image once again, that no one would survive his wrath.
His blade slashed through the night air, delivering a final, devastating blow...
Turning his back on the dead, he walked away, even though his armor was heavy, his footsteps were light. His body perfectly balanced, never once sinking into the sand.
The wind picked up bringing sand with it, the grit filled wind slashed their cold faces, and yet none of them seemed to notice.
Especially, not him, his heart was heavy. His only wish was to return to her.
He lifted his sword, glistening with fresh blood into the air; the blade seemed to slice the moon, as he gave out the call…
Soldiers lifted their own swords, giving out inhuman screams and howls as they disintegrated, their bodies flaking away on the wind.
They turned into a black mist that swarmed along with the sand storm. It's color and shimmer unnatural, before everything fell silent, sand returned to its resting place, covering the bodies and blood beneath it.
Jaden lowered his sword, and looked out over the vast dunes.
Just like that, the world was swept clean of the blood and bodies, and so the soldiers had returned to their resting place.
Piecing his sword down into the sand he pledged his allegiance to her, before he howled to the dark moon, before he too, turned to dust…
1969
Marina Watson walked into the small shop, her hand rested protectively over her stomach. The store was surprisingly busy as the young woman walked through the assorted shelves containing ornaments, incense and ancient books.
This store had fascinated her as a child and still did.
Her face lit up with a teasing grin as she saw a small face pressed up against the window. Fran had never liked to come into the store. Marina pulled a face at the little girl, who giggled against the window, her laughter causing mist to cloud on the glass.
Marina circled a young couple and pushing colored beads, and hanging sequins from her way, she walked into the small room at the back of the store. Her lifelong friend Cassandra sat in her chair, a small round table before her, and as always she wore a large welcoming smile.
"I swear you glow with happiness and hope, Marina!" She grinned as she embraced Cassie. Cassie had been like a mother to her, since her parent's death, and she loved the older woman, dearly. She trusted Cassie with her very fate, and now she came to hear the fate of her next child.
Marina's hand rubbed her distended stomach as she took her place opposite her friend.
"Right, sweetie, do I even need to ask why your here?" Cassie's teasing smile lit the darkened room thick with incense smoke and burning fragrant candles.
Marina gave her hand, and smiled as Cassie concentrated, Marina didn't know how, but through touch, Cassie could see many things…
Cassie's grip tightened as she concentrated, her winkled brow creasing further as she focused on something Marina wasn't sure of. Marina's heart lept, she loved this! The excitement of finding out the unknown…
She held her breath and looked at their joint hands, as if to see what Cassie seemed so intent upon.
"The Three..." Cassie's whispered response was full of awe and curiosity.
The Three?
Leaning forward Marina tilted her head, her dark locks cascading around her face, as she waited desperately for Cassandra to reveal more…
Suddenly Cassie's hand tightened to the point of pain, her eyes flying open as she began to scream something to Marina, that she didn't understand. Marina tried to pull back in horror.
What was wrong? What language was that?
Cassie, who she had known for year's looked evil, almost demonic, with the glow from the candles casting flickering shadows.
Marina tugged harder, desperate to remove her hand and whatever had caused such an abrupt change in her old friend.
"The Crossroads! The Crossroads!" Cassandra screamed over and over. So loud and with such terror, Marina began screaming for help.
"Somebody help us!" She cried as Cassie began to full out scream. The sound was deafening, and Marina burst into tears. What was happening?! Somebody help us!
Marina managed to pull her hand free, it instantly shot to her stomach protectively as she backed away from her friend. Customers rushed into the small room to help, some just gasped in horror, some looked accusingly at Marina, whilst others rushed to aid the older woman.
Moments later Cassandra was convulsing on the floor, her face red… before everything stopped.
Cassandra, her only friend, was dead.
Thank you for reading... :)
x Emmalisa x
