Chapter 2: A New Dawn

That night soon turned to days and Zelman found himself traveling through the forest at midday. He glared towards the treetops, his eyes shadowed by the bright green leaves and face speckled by the light coming through. He had been traveling for a week now and had just traveled overseas into China. He was growing weary and frustrated, for as soon as he had arrived he lost the signal on Mika's necklace. He was also growing worried for he cared for the little girl dearly and at least with the signal he knew in which direction she lie. Now he was left with no way of finding her. He paused as he looked up into the trees, letting his pack slide from his shoulder as he removed his hat. He wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed placing the hat in his pack and taking out his pill bottle. Quickly taking one dry before beginning again.

Suddenly he felt a mass of vampires and magic nearby. They had the same type of blood that the group he had been following had. Curious, he changed his direction and stalked closer, his ears perked for any kind of sound. Within moments he came across a clearing and paused, his eyes narrowing slightly at the scene before him.

Surrounded by two dozen vampires stood a woman with a large horse. From the look of her slightly gaudy appearance and scarved figure she was a gypsy. A dark burnt orange scarf pulled her long, dark, maroon hair back and her golden tunic was billowed with puffed sleeves. She wore black pants with tall brown boots and a light brown belt with a sheath around her waist. She wore bangles around her wrists and gold earrings, similar to his own, which sparkled on her light olive complexion.

She stood holding the reins of her large black and white Gypsy Vanner in one hand and a silver sword in the other. He focused his gaze on her face as she looked up and felt his heart stutter as their eyes met. They burned the same as his, with a crimson flame only known in his bloodline. Her heart shaped face held a pert nose, arched eyebrows, plump lips, high cheekbones, and a stubborn chin. She looked around at the vampires distastefully before glancing in his direction and arching a brow.

Zelman's gaze shifted as one of the vampires, presumably the leader, stepped forward. He was of average height and covered head to toe in black. The only sign of color was his hair, which was an unnatural shade of bluish purple. "Are you the one they call 'Roxanne, The Dawn of Fire'?" he growled, his voice sounding mangled like when Zelman's subordinate had been given diluted Kowloon blood.

"Who wants to know?" She replied her eyes narrowing as she turned towards the speaker.

"The leader of the Maxima's!" he said righteously and Zelman's ears perked up at the name.

"Oh," the girl replied thoughtfully, "if that's who is asking; then no, I'm not she."

Zelman smirked and she glanced towards him again.

"Don't you dare take your eyes from me." The man yelled as he launched towards her, an axe raised for battle in his hand.

Still keeping eye contact with Zelman she blocked the axe with her sword before countering and slicing his arm clean off. The vampire screamed in agony as he held his smoking stub, before yelling at his companions to attack. Sliding her gaze from his, she fought them back, using her sword with expert precision.

Zelman leaned back against a tree and watched her as she fought them off. He was quite impressed with her skills and had a feeling she wasn't even using her full strength against them. His smirk faded, however, when he noticed the patterns she used when swinging her sword, patterns only taught by he himself to his men.

As if his gaze unnerved her she glanced back in his direction, her bright red eyes shining with curiosity and the fierceness of battle. Zelman felt his groin tighten at the look in her eyes. With the amount of passion she was displaying in her fighting skills he could just imagine how passionate she would be in response to him. As if reading his thoughts her cheeks flushed and her eyes broke away from his.

Taking her distraction as an advantage, a young vampire knocked the sword from her hand. Zelman stood up straight, ready to aid her when he once again felt the pendant's presence nearby. His head swung to the right focusing on the direction in which he felt it. He made to step forward when a bright light and sharp cry caught his notice from the clearing. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the same vampire who had knocked her sword away consumed in flames. His gaze jerked back to the woman and he watched in amazement as her eyes began glowing bright red. Her gaze shifted between the vampires who had not yet met her sword, and with each glance the vampire burst into flames, dropping to their knees and screaming in agony, begging for mercy. She stared at them without pity or remorse as they were incinerated before her.

When the last one had perished, she stooped to pick up her sword and turned to her horse, sliding the blade into the sheath by her side. When she stepped into the stirrup he began making his way towards her, brows furrowed with confusion. She swung into the saddle and he ran to catch up as she began turning her horse. Suddenly she snapped her gaze towards him, her eyes glowing bright red and he responded in kind.

A small explosion lit the air between them before sputtering out. The horse reared slightly before calming under her gentle touch. They stared at each other for a few moments in silence. Zelman took the time to take in his fill of her, and he liked what he saw. Granted he liked almost any woman who was feisty, but he absolutely enjoyed a curvy woman with a nice rack. And she had both. His gaze turned lascivious and lazy as his casual smirk crawled across his features.

She licked her lips nervously before speaking, her voice icy, "What do you want?"

Zelman slipped his hands into his trouser pockets, leaning slightly backwards. "Hmm… you." He said seductively, letting his eyes tell her how much. She flushed and glared, turning away.

"Get lost gaucho, I'm the last thing you'd want."

"Ah, but I believe that's a lie. In fact I know it is. I want you very much my flaming rose." He stepped closer.

"You can't have me!" She snapped at him, her hair whipping around her shoulders as she turned to leave.

With his vampire speed he quickly stepped into the stirrup, his face within inches of hers and his eyes filled with a fire not seen in years. Using her own vampire speed, Roxanne leapt off and ran towards the surrounding trees, abandoning her horse. Eyes widening with the thrill of the hunt he took off after her.

She was quite agile as she darted through the trees and leapt over small brooks. Zelman chased after her, growing closer with each step until he was within reaching distance. She cried out as he grabbed her arm and spun her around, pining her against a tree with his body plastered against hers, her arms raised above her head. He looked deeply into her wide eyes, his narrowed in humor.

"Looks like I can." He murmured before leaning forward to nuzzle her neck. Her spicy, cinnamon and vanilla scent engulfed his senses and caused his groin to tighten. He nuzzled her neck again, her silky hair brushing his face and causing more of her scent to fill the air.

"I wouldn't if I were you Crimson." She murmured back and his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Pulling back, he kept her arms pinned and his body completely against hers, feeling her curves cushioned against him and her body heat warming his own. "And why shouldn't I? Dawn of Fire, wasn't it?"

"You play with fire and you're liable to get burned." She glared and shifted, her breasts pressing up against his chest and her cleavage peeking from below her tunic.

"Lucky for you," he whispered, "I never do."

And as if a strong force was pulling them together, his lips met hers in a searing kiss he felt all the way to his toes. Her wine colored eyes fluttered shut as she moaned opening her mouth and angling her head slightly to receive his burning tongue. He gladly surged in, conquering her mouth with his as one hand drifted down to cup the back of her head. He leaned in closer, molding his body over hers as sparks of fire rolled through him and a memory tingled at the edge of his mind.

Roxanne moaned again and tangled her tongue with his, sucking on the muscle slightly and pulling a groan from him as well. She couldn't believe she was kissing Zelman Clock.

When she had first spotted him across the clearing she had been slightly shocked. She hadn't seen him for years, centuries even, and he suddenly showed up just as she was attacked, like some sort of wicked prince. For a moment she was nostalgic, remembering that day, so long ago, when he had come to her. That memory had cost her sword, and she was forced to use the Asura fire inherited in her blood. She rarely used it, for fear of more Maxima vampires finding her trail and to keep Zelman from finding her, the only other single Asura descendant beside herself that lived this side of the continent.

She shifted again and pulled away with a gasp as the bark behind her dug roughly into her back. Their breaths mingled between them as they panted, each staring into the others eyes. His eyes narrowed and his face grew seriously grim and puzzled. "Who are you?"

And with that she felt her heart shut down and her mind restore itself to the cold being she had become since that day so long ago. He didn't remember her? Of course! If he couldn't remember a promise then he would never remember the one he promised it too. "No one of importance." She replied breaking free of his hands and pushing him back.

"You are of great importance if you are of my bloodline." He growled ignoring her push.

She glared at him, her mouth forming a tight line. He stared back at her with an equally fierce glare before she looked away, her eyes falling shut. Sighing she replied. "I am known as The Lady of the Golden Flame, Dawn of Fire, and Princess of the Asura Bloodline," she mocked a bow, "Roxanne Cross," she nodded her head regally, "at your service, Crimson-Eye Zelman."

Author's Note: Well another chapter done! Let me know what you guys think about Roxanne and the plot so far! Look forward to more chapters soon!