If it comes down to vengeance or your safety, come home big sis.
I will.
Cole pulled a long sword from its strap on her back. It was at least four feet tall. The handle was a beautiful piece of metal work. Metal curved and gently swirled to cover where her hand would grip the handle. The wooden sheath was a stark black. Cole loved the rapier. It was one of the weapons she used in the show and it was her first successful attempt to make such a sword. She smiled at the weapon before making it float in front of her. The sword twirled in the air until the handle was pointing at the ground and hovered just above the snow. She stepped onto the cross guard and directed it toward where the song was coming from.
Gale-?
Already shielding you from anyone who might see you.
None of them wanted to draw the attention of the Carpathian hunters. Even if Cole and her siblings had their blood running through their veins, their family still held the hunters in great distain for what they had done to her family.
Thank you. Cole leaned forward and her weapon zipped forward across the snowy landscape. It would have been beautiful if anger and vengeance hadn't burned through her mind. Memories were threatening to overtake her. Cole ruthlessly shoved them down before they could overwhelm her. She would not fall into them while it was unsafe to do so; not yet anyway.
The forest passed by her quickly until she hit a wall. Not a physical wall, it was a sudden overwhelming feeling of dread; a safe guard used by both vampire and Carpathian. A gasp welled up, and she nearly crashed into the snow. Then it was gone as she hung in the air, clinging to her sword. She drew shaking breathes into her starved lungs.
Sorry Cole, I didn't see the barrier until you rammed head first into it.
I noticed. Cole shook off the dread and pressed forward towards a cave. It's odd.
What?
The song, I know I'm getting close to it, but the song isn't getting any clearer. She felt her brother's unease ripple through their connection.
Maybe that's part of the trap.
Maybe. Cole stepped off her weapon and commanded it back into its carrying strap above her other three swords she had brought with. Cole inspected the rock formation until she found an opening. The cave she found wasn't steep, but it gradually sloped down into the depths of the earth.
In a house not that far away, the Prince of the Carpathian people stood brooding. He like all of his kind in the area had felt the vampire's presences briefly. Then it was gone. He had sent a call to find out who it was that killed the vampire, but there was no response. So he had sent, Andre, the ghost, to investigate. Andre's report had little to no information to offer. There had been a short battle, where a vampire had been killed. The area had been cleansed in a way that was customary of their warriors, but the smell of the person who had been was one neither Andre nor Mikhail had recognized. The only two sets footprints that were present started and ended in the clearing, but that in and of itself didn't mean anything. His people could fly with the birds and even hover in they so desired. Yet something was nagging at his mind. Gregori, or the Dark One materialized next to him.
"Any news," his grim faced son-in-law asked,
"No."
It was then that Andre reached out again through the common telepathic link of their people.
Mikhail, I found nothing of the warrior here, other than scraps of metal that have been melted. But as I was circling around I found a small girl wandering through the woods. She can't be more than nine years old. She has the feel and smell of a Jaguar, and something shields her mind from me. It's like nothing I've seen or felt before.
Watch where she goes, but don't approach her. Keep her safe.
She is heading towards the warrior cavern.
That moment Mikhail felt someone breach the barrier around the Warrior Cavern.
Looks like she's already made it.
No Mikhail, the one I am following is still a ways out.
Mikhail blinked, no normal human, Jaguar, or otherwise could enter the warrior's without serious help to get around the safe guards.
Then someone is already there. To Gregori he said, "Someone has entered the Warrior Cavern." Both Carpathians as one took the forms of owls. They flew out the door and over the land towards the Warrior's Cavern.
What is it my love? Raven's soft voiced slid through Mikhail's mind, spreading warmth and light through his soul.
I'm not sure, but someone unknown has entered the Warrior Cavern.
He felt Raven's confusion.
Why is that a problem?
We do not know who it is. But they aren't Carpathian.
Do you want me to come with?
His instant urge to scream no was almost overwhelming. He clamped down on it. Raven's soft laughter curled through him like a warm breeze.
You cannot coddle me forever Mikhail.
I can try. He thought it before he could restrain it.
Raven gave an indignant snort and left his mind leaving him feeling rebuffed. God help him, how did he mange to mess everything up? He knew she had been teasing him. Sighing, he turned his focus back to steering the bird's body. They came to the entrance of the cavern and instantly their bodies stretched to become men. Quickly with Gregori leading the way, they made their way through the tunnels. Then they turned into the crystal cavern and saw a figure with their hand on the crystal.
It was a young boy, probably just in his twenties. A thick fur lined coat hung over his shoulders. He had long blond hair that was braided into one thick braid that hung over his shoulder and draped down in front of him. Flashes of color framed his face, the boy's bangs were dyed a vivid red. Swords hung on his back in a make shift sling of straps. The first was a rapier, the second a scimitar, next a pair Chinese hook blades, lastly there was a simple European style short sword. Concealed just below his coat were several throwing knives. Thick baggy pants covered the boy's legs and no doubt hid more weapons. He probably even had knives in his big boots, Mikhail thought with no small amount of amusement.
Gregori stepped out into the open and the boy whirled around. He bared his teeth at Gregori and Mikhail, but showed no signs recognition. The boy was muscled, his hands had scars from working with knives, and fighting the undead. Then they noticed not only were two locks that framed his face red, but the tip of his braid was also the same deep red. Joseph would like this boy, Mikhail thought with a smile.
This one also has the feel of a Jaguar.
I noticed, but the stone has accepted him, it even greeted him like he is one of us. It urges him to give a blood oath.
But he is Jaguar, protested Gregori.
Yes, so how did a Jaguar get here and not leave prints in the snow. They may have strong psychic gifts, but not that strong.
I wonder. You suspect he might be half Carpathian?
Mikhail gave a mental shrug. I doubt even that. He smells and feels Jaguar, one of his ancestors might have been, but we have no record of such a pairing until recently.
"It's rude to talk about someone when they standing right in front of you," the boy snarled at them.
Mikhail got the impression of a scruffy dog with its hackles up and teeth bared.
"As it is rude to enter a sacred grounds without permission?"
The boy snorted.
"I wouldn't have come if this damn thing," He said gesturing at the crystal. "Hadn't called me here with that damn song! I should smash the thing for its tricks."
Mikhail and Gregori both growled, they would not allow this child to even attempt to scratch the crystal that allowed them to commune with all those who had passed on. The boy dropped down in a crouch and bared his teeth in response. His hands inching towards the weapons at his waist.
Mikhail! Andre's voice echoed over the common path.
What?
I lost sight of the girl.
What do you mean?
She was entering the tunnels and then she simply vanished from sight.
"Cole?" A soft childlike voice echoed through the cavern. Everyone turned to see a young girl with blond hair, bright blue eyes, dressed in only a thin pajamas and snow boots. She stood rooted to the spot and just watched them.