Ok, so i finished this a few days ago but my computer was compressing itself and later my sister was on the computer so it took me a while to type it up. But i finally got it, took all day but I got it. Oh and I'd like to thank FantsyandStevieRae'sBiggestFan for giving me ideas for this one. Without you this story wouldn't get updated so...*gives you a cookie.* Now for the ending, let me explain. I wanted to give them a connection, a bond. But i wanted it to be unique and their own. Not like Stephaim, or Stoey, or AyaxKalona. Something different that they can say is their own. But I couldn't think of what. Then my mind started to drift to the Soulmate Principle in the Nightworld books and I thought, "that's it!" Besides, that's what they are, soulmates. If any of you read Nightworld you know what I'm talking about if not, don't sweat. I'm just saying if it sounds a little bit to much like that, that's why. Just something that lodged in my brain and wouldn't get out. Now if ya'll want me to change it, I'll give it my best shot. But really I feel proud of this chapter, I can really feel it deep in here ya know. *thumps fist over heart* this feels so right to me and I really think I did a good job. And ya'll know I don't complement myself to often.

Disclaimer: I don't own HoN...or the Soulmate Principle

R&R

Chapter 2: Invasion

My eyes shift and dart around the group of enemies. Taking in all of them, but looking at none of them. I looked at them objectively, they did look pretty powerful. A formidable enemy, a true challenge, it would be an honor to test their strength and hunt them down.

Then I paused in my analysis. There was something that was drawing my awareness. Whatever it was demanded my full attention. My eyes traveled across the ranks of Raven Mockers till I found him. As soon as my eyes found his I couldn't look away. It almost felt like something was pulling me to him. No, that's exactly what it was like.

All the sudden the whole world seemed to melt away. And in it was only him and me. I took a step forward and I found myself reaching for him. I didn't even know him and all I could think of was getting closer to him. Oh Goddesses what am I doing? Artemis would string me up a pole for sure.

I felt Rephaim grab my arm and pull me back. "Stay back Malina!" He snapped stepping forward s that way he was between them and me. Kalona threw back his head and laughed. "Foolish child must have a death wish." I hissed and snapped. "Hey watch yourself. Don't talk about me like that!"

All the Raven Mockers looked at their father waiting to see what he'd do. Even Rephaim was staring at him intensely. Well, glaring is a better word for it but you know what I mean. Kalona's jaw was clenched tight and his hands were balled into fists.

"How dare you speak to me like that child? You do not know who you are dealing with. I suggest you stay silent before something very bad happens to you." Everyone around me shouted in outrage. And they closed in tighter around me. Rephaim shot me a "shut up now, before you do something stupid "look.

But see, I wasn't about to let someone like Kalona bully me around. That wasn't the type of person I am. And besides, I've dealt with enough bullies in my life; I can deal with this one. So I squared my shoulders, looked him straight in the eye and said.

"I'm not a child. In fact, you'd be surprised at how old I am. And I'm no fool. I'm actually very wise for my years. And besides Kalona, you couldn't harm me even if you wanted to."

Kalona's face turned red flushed with rage. To enraged to even speak he pointed at me and made a slit-the-throat motion with his finger. One of the Raven Mockers hissed and lunged forward; prepared to do his father's bidding. Stark moved forward, clamor raised ready to strike.

I sighed and pulled from the power and magic of the moon and stars and the spirit of the hunt. A bright flash of moonlight surrounded my hands and immediately I felt the smooth wood of my Goddess –given bow. I reached behind me and plucked an arrow from its quiver and pulled the bow back.

Before anyone could blink I snapped the string and sent the arrow flying. It zinged through the air making a distinct sound as it cut the air and rode the wind. It connected with the Raven Mockers forehead. But it didn't just pierce him, oh no, it went straight threw his forehead; entering the front, and exiting the back. He gave a shrill shriek of pain before collapsing dead on the ground.

But the arrow didn't stop there. It flew through the air and ripped through another Raven Mocker's head. Then it tore through the wing of another; before finally imbedding itself into the tree across the field from me.

Kalona gave a cry of shock, grief, and outrage. He spun around to face me. "You" he snarled. "You will pay for that!" I gave him a ferial smile and sneered. "I'd like to see you try and make me." Rephaim whipped around and snapped "enough Malina!" I laughed bitterly but stayed silent. Kalona continued to glare at me and said. "She has a good aim. She is highly blessed by her Goddess." His eyes traveled across my black tattoos and his eyes widened and he murmured something in ancient language.

His sons turned and looked at him quizzically. Rephaim raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I myself tipped my head back and laughed. "You have no idea Kalona, you have no idea." Kalona shook his head and said. "You never learn do you kid?"

I clinched my jaw and snapped "Malina." "Excuse me child?" Kalona asked. "My name is Malina. And I am not a child. Stop calling me that, I have a name and I'd appreciate it if you would use it." Everyone was giving me those "shut up!" looks. I sighed and nodded, figured there was no use in pissing him off further.

Kalona hissed in annoyance and took a few steps forward. Immediately everyone crowded around me and Zoey's circle started to call their elements. "Wind," Damien called. "Push him back, don't let him get Malina." Just then a huge gust of wind raged pushing Kalona back and keeping him away from us.

"Fire!" Shaunee cried. "Come burn for me. Create a wall between us and them." Just then there was a roaring sound and a wall of fire irrupted in between the space between the two enemy groups, right at the half way spot between them.

"Water," Erin summoned. "Come to us. Wash these evil creatures away from us." The water raged and bubbled over. Spread out and over the banks and creating a moat between us and Kalona and the Raven Mockers.

"Earth" Stevie Rae said. "Come to me please, we need you. Keep them away from us." The earth rumbled and shook as it did her bidding. The trees moved there branches as they shot out to restrain the bird-boys. And the ground split open making a gap between good and evil.

"Spirit" Zoey called. "Come help us, come protect us. Fill us and strengthen us. Do not let their evil touch us and fill us with doubt. Create a barrier blocking them from us. Don't let them enter this school."

This time it wasn't really a physical thing. But it was still just as powerful. It was an overwhelming sensation that seemed to fill and embody me. It was an overwhelming feeling of strength and peace and safety. It seemed that I knew with everything inside me that those things were not going to harm me.

There was a flash and a barrier appeared. Then it wavered and turned transparent and invisible. Though just as powerful, and I knew they couldn't get passed it. Kalona's eye's turned to slits and his lips turned down in distaste.

All the sudden something in my spirit flared and I felt a surge of strange feeling and emotion and that feeling said. "Look at him." As if my head had a mind of its own it slowly turned and my eyes locked with his.

As soon as I did my stomach flattered and my heart started beating much too fast. My breathing deepened and my blood pumped hard and fast through my veins. I felt almost dizzy and my sight narrowed till I saw only him. My knees felt week and wobbly, but my feet felt restless, they wanted to run to him. My body wanted to melt into his arms and stay there. Forever lost in his embrace.

Oh my Artemis, what was the matter with me? Why was I feeling like this? Why was I, so thoroughly devoted to you, feeling things like this, for a man? No, not even a man, a beast, and that made it 10 times worse. Oh sweet Nyx take it away, I don't want this!

As I shouted things in my head the Raven Mocker watched me, studied me. With an odd look on his face that I could only decipher as a mix between fascination, confusion and frustration. He hissed and shook his head, as if to clear his mind. But he still looked muddled, like there were too many thoughts going on in his head. Now that hiss should have repulsed me, made me feel disgusted, but it didn't. It intrigued me; the beastly sound was almost…alluring.

I shook my head and tried looking away from him. But I could not. It seemed the more I tried looking away the more I stared. I just couldn't help it. Just something about him pulled me to him. "Artemis give me strength," I whispered. I felt a strange but pleasant feeling in my stomach which soon replaced the butterflies. I pulled strength from the, if spiritual, presence of my Goddess and I was finally able to look away from him.

An odd noise came from him so I reticently looked back at him. There was an equally odd look on his face. I could barely decipher it but there were two emotions that I was positive of. Disappointment and annoyance that was the look on his face.

I shook my head and looked away again. No, do not look away from me. A voice in my head that was not my own said, a male voice. I whipped around and stared dumbfounded. He had the same weird, shocked look on his face, and he was shaking his head in denial.

"Avinash, is there something the matter?" Kalona demanded. Avinash, the name washed over me and heightened these strange sensations. The name wrapped itself around my body and enveloped my mind so all thoughts were on him. It thrilled me, and excited me. The name was like magic and right now it was working its evil spell over me. I was scared to death, what was happening to me? Why couldn't I banish these horrible feelings and make them cease to exist. I was a huntress of Artemis. Love was my enemy, men were barbarians, and beasts were my prey. I had locked my heart a locked my heart away in its prison and destroyed it's key.

Avinash's spin straightened, his face was blank and expressionless, and when he spoke his voice was dead and lifeless. "No, of course not Father. It is nothing; I am merely ssurprised that is all. At the skill of that fledgling."He pointed at me without looking in my direction.

Kalona nodded thoughtfully and said. "Yes it is surprising isn't it? That a common fledgling would have such talent and skill." I turned and faced Kalona, glad to be back on familiar ground again. "I'm not a common thing. Fledgling or otherwise, so I suggest you quit that now."

Kalona raised an eyebrow and said. "A talented fledgling who doesn't know how to hold her tongue. It seems we will have to put her in her place." Rage simmered within me and my hands shook with suppressed anger. Memories of my so called, "childhood", started to surface. I immediately squished them like a bug.

Instead I pulled my lips back in a sneer and spat. "You remember what happened the last time you tried to 'put me in my place?' Unless you want your sons to start dropping like flies I suggest you back the fuck off." Kalona opened his mouth to speak when Zoey snapped. "Kalona, I will ask you again. What are you do you want here?"

Kalona's face relaxed as he turned to face Zoey. As if he too, was back on familiar ground. "Why A-ya look at how you've grown. I have not seen you in years." He tipped his head back and laughed. "I have come to claim the House of Night for my own. I have not been seen for years it is time I make my presence known. I want the House of Night for myself. And as you know, my little A-ya, I always get what I want."

"Not always" Zoey said grimly. Kalona smiled and said. "We shall see my lost love. Now why don't you lower this elemental barrier so we can have a true battle? That is" Kalona raised an eyebrow and taunted. "Unless you're scared you will lose." Zoey opened her mouth to speak but I interrupted. "Yeah come on Priestess Zoey lets fight. Besides I've always wanted to hunt down Raven Mocker." I turned to face the bird-boys when I said. "I heard they taste like chicken." The Raven Mockers made noises of outrage at the spit I just gave them. And this time Rephaim joined in on their protests. I chuckled and murmured. "No offense Rephaim."

Zoey shot me a look and finally said. "Ok guys lets lower this barrier and show them what happens when you mess with our House of Night." Her circle exchanged a look before saying. "Right!" and letting lose their hold on their elements. As soon as the field went down the Raven Mockers sprang forward, posed for the kill.

"Kill them," Kalona commanded, "kill all of them." Just then a great battle ensued. Zoey's circle using their elements, Stark using his clamor and Darius a dagger. And Rephaim…Professor Rephaim was brawling with one of his brothers a few feet from me. They were rolling on the floor kicking and scratching each other. Finally Rephaim had his brother pinned to the ground, executioner style, and was slowly chocking the life out of him. The Raven Mocker hissed and clawed at his arms but it did him no good, Rephaim was to strong. He didn't stop throttling him until he saw the light leave his eyes.

I moved to go join the battle but suddenly something slammed into me. Knocking me back into the shadows and away from the battle. "No," it snarled when I tried dodging it and joining the fight. "Let go of me." I snapped kicking him and struggling violently in his grip.

"I cannot, he snapped. I looked up at him and my retort was frozen in my throat. "If I release you, you will surely join the fight. And you will get hurt. I cannot allow that." He gasped. His grip on me shifted, in a way that didn't hurt, but allowed for no escape. I looked at him and murmured. "You don't want me getting hurt?"

He nodded clearly annoyed at this fact. "And besides" he said quickly changing the subject. "You have some questions of mine to answer." His words dowsed cold water on me. Erasing the warm happy feeling I was getting by being in his arms, it almost felt like melting.

Well I was glad that feeling was gone. "Oh really, and what is that exactly?" I sneered. He gave me an odd look and snarled. "What you done to me?" I laughed and snarled right back at him. "I don't know what you're talking about." Avinash hissed "you know what I sspeak of. Do not lie. What is this evil witchcraft you have cast on me. Tell me now so I may find a way to banish it."

"Witchcraft? Ha, you're insane! I did nothing to you. If anything you've placed a spell on me! Besides, you are the one that invaded my mind. Not the other way around." "I do not know how I did that. I did not do that on prepuce. I just thought that I did not want you to stop looking at me and you heard me. You've done something to me. I do not like it; I want to know what it is so it can be put to a stop."

"I haven't done anything!" Now let me go." Avinash shook his head. "No I told you I cannot. You cannot be allowed to be harmed. I may not know what is going on here. But I know one thing: I cannot allow you to be hurt. I refuse to watch you in pain. And after the disrespect you caused him Father will kill you tenfold."

I struggled against his hold but found no break in his vice like grip. "I don't care; anyway, I don't need you to protect me." "That does not matter to me. You will not be harmed; I will make sure of that."

I struggled fiercely against his grip of steel. Hoping if I couldn't break free I could make enough noise to call for help. But it was no good, he had knocked me back further then I expected. No one could hear or see us. We were completely alone and I couldn't even break free to use my arrows.

"Ok look, how about we compromise. You let me go and when I go help my professors I make sure not to get tangled with Kalona OK?" Avinash shook his head and said "it does not matter. He will find you and kill you, or worse." His voice trailed off and picked back up again. "Besides even if you get lucky and my father does not seek you out you will still have to fight my brothers. And even with the skills you posses with your bow one will get lucky and you will get hurt. This I must prevent."

"Fine then" I said grimly and opened my mouth to scream. "No," he snapped moving to cover my mouth, but still keeping his, yeah, you all know the drill by now. "They mustn't find you. Not yet, not before my answers." Just when our bare skin touched something strange happened. (A/N: do not take this next paragraph/ that sentence dirty. My thoughts were perfectly clean and pure when I wrote this and so should yours.) When he had been grabbing me before my clothes had been between us. But has soon as his hand closed around my mouth there was a kind of spark. No more like a clap of lightning or thunder. There was that pulling sensation again, determined to suck me into him. And I do mean him, mind and soul. I got tunnel vision and when I looked into his eyes I got lost and found myself drowning in their crimson depth. I had a out of body experience and I could tell my body was going slack and I was falling into his arms but at the same time it didn't feel like it was actually me. Just then I saw a bright flash of light and I was gone.

You see what I mean? I'm not sure which couple you could relate it to but it definatly got's some Nightworld flare. I'm just fusing stuff from two of my favorite authors and putting it together to create something truly unique and compelling. Well you might not feel the same way but...if enough ppl say change it I will. But really I don't really see how I could betray it any other way. Plus she's a Huntress of Artemis. It's going to take a lot to get her to stray from her Goddess and her chose. So maybe this is it. *shrugs shoulders*