AN: I'm sorry this took so long, but I just haven't been finding the time to write. I haven't been able to think of much to write. I'll try to get the next one up sooner, but I can't make any promises.
Disclaimer: I own all the new characters in this story except Adam. All the others are either borrowed from other places, or from Underworld.
The Rise of a Species
Chapter 2 Second Life
Nine years have passed since the birth of Axsis. Nine years since Selene, Michael, Tynan, and Bridgette moved to Hungary. During the past nine years nothing really happened. Their lives remained quiet, and they lived normal lives. Well, as normal as immortal lives can be. Two years before, Selene had given birth to her and Michael's second child, Satarah. The four of them were fairly happy. Adam was true to his word and got Michael a job at the hospital, and she stopped by as often as he could. Tynan was over practically everyday. Sometimes with Bridgette, but most of the time without. She usually stayed home and took care of their four kids. First there were the triplets, Derden, Ilia, and Trinni, who were seven. Their youngest was Gathran, who was eighteen months old. It was a peaceful time. Little did the group know, but their peaceful lives were about to come to a screeching halt.
"Mom, where are my shoes?" Nine year old Axsis asked as he frantically look through the house for his shoes. He was going to be late for school id he did not find them, and he couldn't get detention again. Unfortunately, this was a daily occurrence for the young boy.
"I don't know, but did you check under the couch?" Selene called from the kitchen as she finished wrapping up a sandwich and placing it in her son's lunch.
Axsis ran to the couch, and falling onto the floor in front of the couch. He peeked under and grinned, "Found them!" Hr exclaimed pulling his shoes out from under the couch.
Selene chucked pouring some blood into a thermos for him. One rule she always told him was never trade, or share your lunch, it could kill someone. She placed it in the lunch box feeling someone tug at the hem of her pants. She looked down and smiled at her two year old daughter.
"Mommy,"She said tugging on her pants again. "I can't find my teddy,"She said with a pout.
Selene chuckled again picking her up,"Can no one find anything in this house?"She remarked gently pushing her index finger against her daughter's nose. "Isn't that right Satarah?"
"Yep,"She replied with a grin.
She looked at the clock and sighed,"Axsis, hurry up. You have to be at school in ten minutes." She sat Satarah on the table, and put the two year olds shoes on.
"Coming Mom!" He called from his bedroom as he shoved things into his backpack. Quickly, he grabbed the bag and ran out to the living room. "I'm ready."
She smiled ruffling his hair,"Alright kiddo," She replied setting Satarah on the floor, and grabbing the keys to her car. "Let's go shall we?" She said holding her daughter's hand.
After strapping Satarah into her car seat, they took off in the direction of Axsis' elementary school. It was a fifteen minute drive from their house. Axsis looked out the window scolding himself in his head, because he was going to be late again. Once She dropped him off, she turned the car around, and headed for home.
"Mommy,"Satarah called her gaze traveling from the fast moving scenery outside the car, to her mother.
"What is it sweetheart?"She asked grabbing her sunglasses and placing them over her light sensitive eyes.
"Why daddy go 'way 'gain?" She asked with a pout playing with the small stuff penguin they left in the car for Satarah when the family traveled long distances. It kept her entertained when she got bored with the scenery.
Selene sighed. During the last few years, Michael had taken the habit of traveling back and forth from Budapest to Bayville. This was a fairly frequent thing. It upset both her, and their children. Axsis always got the most upset with his father. She shook her head, "Well daddy had to go away for a few days to see some friends. That's all sweetheart," She lied, but it seemed to appease the two year old.
Selene wasn't stupid, though sometimes she think that Michael this she is. His real purpose of going to New York was to see Tanya. She knew about his affair with the hybrid woman, but she wouldn't say anything. No matter what happened with him in New York, he always came back. At least he didn't abandon them for her, when she already had Marcus as her husband.
She sighed once again as she pulled into the driveway, and shut off the car. Even though he comes back, it still bothers her. She helped Satarah out of the car and watched her run into the house laughing happily. It amazed her that among all the violence, crime, and hatred in the world, everything was forgotten when you have children. You realize that there is nothing as pure as the innocence of a child.
"Mommy, you coming?"Satarah called from the steps, looking back at her mother, who was leaning back against the car starring of into space.
Selene shook her head, knocking her out of her daze. She smiled,"Yeah sweetheart, I'm coming," She replied walking over to her. She picked her up and unlocked the deadbolt of their front door.
Once Satarah was on the ground, she ran over to the Tv, and opened the cupboard in the stand it was sitting on. "Mommy help!"She called pulling a movie from the cupboard.
Selene laughed and walked over to her daughter. She put the movie in and sat down at the computer. She sighed tucking her hair behind her ears, her eyes fixed on the screen. It was something she did often enough.
About a week later, Selene stood in front of the stove. She sighed as she put chopped onion into the butter greased pan with a sizzle. With a quick stir, she walked back over to the counter, and began cutting up some hot dogs. She put a pot of water on the stove with only about three cups of water in it. She walked back to the stove an stirred the onions again. She jumped when she felt arms wrap around her waist, and a kiss was placed on her neck.
"Smells good,"Michael said resting his hands on her hips from behind her.
She smiled turning her head and kissing him, "Thanks. So, how was New York?" She asked moving over to the counter again. He had just arrived back that morning. "As soon as you got here you went to work, and when you came back, you went straight to the shower."
"Sorry about that. Something happened at the mansion yesterday, and I couldn't get away,"He replied resting his hands on her hips again.
"Oh, like what?"
"Tanya had her kid,"He said crossing his arms over his chest after letting go of her hips.
The knife in Selene's hand slipped and cut into her hand. "Shit,"She cursed bringing her hand to her mouth. "Another one?"
"Yep,"He replied amused by his mate's reaction. A smile graced his lips.
"How man is that now?"She asked pulling her hand away from her blood smeared lips. She ran her tongue over her lips taking the blood off.
Michael sighed closing his eyes in though,"Ah shit I know this." Selene laughed as he placed his fingers on his temples. "Ok, there's Auron, Thessa, Shyn, Charna, Corita, and now there is Kyrre."
"Holy shit,"She said blandly dumping the cut up hot dogs into the pan with the onions. "So far, she has six, four of which are girls,"She remarked putting the rice in the pot with the water, placing the lid on the pot.
Michael set the timer on the microwave for her,"I know. It's crazy. In nine years we've had two kids, and that's more than enough for now. She has had five. That dwarfs our family."
"Mmmm hmmm,"She replied tucking her hair behind her ears, as she stirred the hot dog and onion mixture.
He smiled sliding his arms around her waist again, his hands resting on her stomach."Where are the kids anyway?" He asked nuzzling into her neck. He pulled her back against his chest.
She giggled slightly,"Axsis took Satarah to the park," She told him as he nuzzled her neck more. "Please Michael, I'm trying to cook," She said turning off the burner for the rice as the timer beeped.
"Awww, come on Selene," He somewhat whined in her ear. "We never get anytime alone anymore," He said kissing her neck.
"And whose fault is that?" She asked getting out of his grip and resuming her cooking.
He sighed,"Selene you know I have to work."
She let out a frustrated sigh,"Michael, you know that's not what I meant,"She growled a little irritated by her mate's behavior.
"Look I..."He was cut off by the front door opening, and Axsis, and Satarah ran into the house.
"Daddy!" the two year old squealed as she saw her father in the kitchen. She ran to him.
He smiled and picked her up with an exaggerated grunt. "Hey sweetheart. My you've grown since I've been gone."
She nodded vigorously,"Uh-huh, and I ate everything Mommy made for me, and told me to eat," She stated with a proud nod. They had, had a hard time getting Satarah to eat anything, so when she did eat everything, she was proud of herself. "I'm a big girl now."
He chuckled,"That you are sweetie," He said putting her on the ground. "And how about you?" He asked his son, leaning on the doorframe of the kitchen with his arms crossed over his chest.
Axsis looked at his father, as he hung his coat on the coat hook. He shrugged,"I'm good," He said blandly with a small nod.
Michael's eyes softened a little,"Hey little buddy, what's up?" He asked sitting down on the chair next to the coat hooks.
"Nothing," Axsis said before walking into the kitchen.
"Ackis, we get tayaki rice for dinner,"Satarah exclaimed with a big grin on her face.
"It's Teriyaki Satarah,"Axsis corrected his sister blandly. He usually didn't act like this. He was usually very happy.
Selene could tell that something was bothering her son, but she knew not to pester him about it. Especially in front of Michael. Axsis would tell her, or Michael when he felt like it. Though she highly doubted he'd tell his father. She smiled at him earing a half smile back. She gave him his food and watched him go and sit at the dinning room table.
"Selene," Michael called walking into the kitchen. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked.
She nodded handing Satarah a plate,"Sure Michael," She replied closing the cutlery drawer. "What is it?" She asked leaning back against the counter.
"Why is Axsis acting differently?" He asked curiously.
"I don't know, but he appeared to be fine until you came home," She explain dishing out two more plates of food.
"Oh," Michael fell silent, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
"Michael, I think he's just upset at you for being away all the time. I mean, you're rarely here anymore. He misses you," She explained handing him a plate of the steaming hot rice she had prepared.
"But I can't help it if I..." He started, but she cut him off before he could say anything more.
"Michael, stop using that excuse,"She snapped."Do you know how much of an ass it makes you sound like?" She scolded tucking her hair behind her ears. "We all know you have to work, but Michael, you go away every month for a week, or two. When you are home, either the kids are in bed, or not home. You don't even know your own children anymore Michael."
"Stop lecturing me," He growled his blood beginning to boil as he placed the plate down on the counter.
"Michael I'm not lecturing you," She replied with a tired sigh. "Michael, we only get a few special years with our children when they're the ones who want us around. Axsis will be ten in four months."
"Really?"
Selene glared at him," Yes. See Michael, you don't even know when your own son's birthday is. I bet by now you know all of Tanya's kids birthday's but not your own kids."
"Look it's not my faul..."
"Do you know what he said to me last night after I told him you were coming home any day now?" She asked placing her hands on her hips.
"No, what?" He asked angrily, still glaring at his raven haired mate.
"That he doesn't want you to come home," She said her voice rising a bit in her anger. " He said that you'll just go away again, so he doesn't see the point in you coming back. He said that he doesn't need you Michael. Do you have any idea what your absence from home is doing to our children?"
"Stop with the goddamn lecture already!" He snarled. "Don't you think I fucking know all this already? I'm not fucking stupid!"
Selene grabbed her plate brushing past him,"You sure don't act like it," She said walking out into the dinning room, and sitting at the table beside her nine year old son.
Michael sighed and picked his plate up, and joined them in the dinning room.
Later that night Axsis sat on his bed, in his room. It was past his bedtime, but he couldn't sleep. His parents argument in the kitchen earlier that night had stayed in his head. His mom was right, his dad didn't spend enough time home, and it was having an effect on all of them. However, that's not why he was still awake. He turned his beside lamp on, and leaned back against the pile of pillows behind him. He usually fell asleep rather quickly, but something seemed wrong to him. It felt as is someone was watching him and his family. He had, had this feeling for a while now, but never this bad. He picked up the book he was reading for class, and opened it to the page he had marked.
About an hour later, he heard a knock at his door," Axsis honey," It was his mother, "It's past bedtime sweetie, time to go to sleep," She called through the door.
"Ok mom," He replied putting his book down and turning the map off. He settled into the bed, and pulled the blankets over himself, yet he still couldn't fall asleep. It couldn't have been more then five minutes before his bedroom door opened slowly.
"Axsis," Michael said walking into the room, "Is something wrong?" He asked sitting down on his son's bed.
"No," He replied as he sat up, "Nothing's wrong," He lied shaking his head. He knew his father wasn't dumb, but it was worth a shot .
"Are you sure? Your mother never has to tell you to go to bed. Well, she does, but never at eleven o'clock. What's up kiddo?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest, no fooled a bit.
Axsis sighed, he knew his dad wouldn't believe a lie. " Tell me you won't brush this off like you do everything else I tell you," He said tiredly.
Michael shook his head," I don't know what you're talking about, but alright, I promise," He said with a nod. "What is it?"
"I feel like someone is constantly watching me. It's like someone wants to hurt me," He confessed pulling his knees to his chest, and resting his chin on his knees.
"Like who buddy?" He asked knowing that Axsis wasn't pulling his leg this time. It was when his son was serious like this, that he saw the most Selene in the boy.
He shook his head," I don't know her name dad," He replied. "I've had dreams of her."
"Oh," Michael said moving so he was sitting next to his son. "Do you know what this woman looks like?"
Axsis though for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yes, I think I do, but I'm not too sure."
He wrapped a comforting arm around the small boy's shoulders. "Would you mind describing her to me?" He asked running his hand up and down his son's arm in a comforting fashion.
He nodded," She has long brown hair with bright brown eyes that turn green. Kinda like mom's but green. She has brownish skin too, but more yellowy, like copper," He explained with a shiver.
Michael nodded," Is that all son?"
He shook his head," She always says that she's coming for me, and that she's going to hurt me. Daddy, I'm scared," He said curling into his father's arms and nuzzling into his chest.
He ran his hands gently in circles on Axsis' back. "It's ok. No one is going to get you," He soothed the child. "At least not while me, your mother, uncle Tynan, and auntie Bridgette are here."
"You can't guarantee that," He replied quietly, curling up into a ball in his father's arms.
He sighed," I know, but I'll do my best to make sure that I do," He said standing up and putting him down on the bed. "Now get some sleep ok," He told him, turning off the bedside lamp.
Axsis yawned," Night dad," He said pulling the blankets over himself. "I missed you."
Michael smiled," I missed you too," He replied. "Night," He said closing the door.
He waited outside the door for a moment before walking the short length of hallway to the bedroom he shared with Selene. Once inside he closed the door with a sigh.
Selene rested her book on her lap," Something wrong?" She asked her eyes on him. Their argument that took place earlier had been forgotten, and it was as if neither of them said a thing.
"Axsis says that he feels like someone's watching him, and wants to hurt him. He's even had dreams about this woman," He explained pulling his t-shirt off.
She marked her place in her book setting it down. "Really? and what did you say about it?"
"Selene he wasn't kidding around. I get that feeling a lot too."
"I know that," She snapped, "You two aren't the only ones you know. Why are you always putting down my opinions before I even voice them?"
"I'm sorry," He sighed sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I'm just worried about the kids, and out safety. I've been having that feeling for a long time now. It's even worse now since Axsis can sense it too."
"Shh," She soothed wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. "Relax," She said softly caressing his cheek with her fingers. "Why don't you just lay down, and relax?"
He sighed and laid down on his stomach. He turned his head to the side looking at his mate. He folded his arms under his head, resting his cheek on them.
Selene smiled running her fingers down his back," I'm sorry for our fight before dinner. I just thought you were being an asshole."
"I kinda was, but you were right. I do go away too long, too often."
She gave him a small smile, and climb on top of him, sitting down on his legs. She gently began t massage his shoulders feeling the tense muscles beneath her fingers. He grunted as her fingers worked out the tough nots in his back.
"How did you get so tense?" She asked tucking her hair behind her ear with one hand while the other continued to work the knots out of his muscles.
"Dunno," He mumbled. "If you don't stop now you'll put me to sleep."
Selene chuckled," That's the point," She replied laying down on her side, beside her mate.
He smiled and kissed her. She kissed him back. He rolled back onto his back, and she kissed him again. She cuddled up to him, resting her head on his chest. Quickly, both fell into a deep sleep.
Glowing green eyes watched through the window as the even unfolded before it's eyes. 'So the child fears me huh? Excellent,' The figure mused in it's head. It moved away from the window, and the figure shook it's head, and disappeared into the darkness. Using the darkness as it's blanket.
An: Once again sorry this took so long. Who is this strange girl Axsis is seeing in his dreams? Keep tooning in to find out. I'm not making any promises on when I'm updating. I never make them anyway. Hopefully chapter 3 will be done in a couple weeks so I don't keep all you readers waiting so long.
Response to Reviews:
Dementia: Alright, but I do want to make one thing clear here. I don't mean to sound like a bitch, but I do know where Budapest is. I said flying over Austria, not landing in Austria. I've done research on that area back in sixth grade. Now I really don't mean to sound bitchy, I just wanted to clear that up.
Lezly: Thanks, and I plan on continuing. Chapters are just coming slower with my lack of time.
Phobe-halliwell-0777: Thanks, and I will.