Title: Dark Moments
Author: Ageless Light
Beta-ed by:Nobody right now! But I'd like one! A special thanks to my new editor like reviewers, Code Bando, and Lady Katanya!
Characters/Pairing:Zacarias De La Cruz and OC
Genre: Romance/Fantasy/Supernatural
Word Count: 3,895 (Total so far- 10,779)
Rating: T (Contains content suitable for older/mature teens)
Summary:Zacarias De La Cruz meets his lifemate a most inopportune time. When he re-awakens he discovers she is gone, and vows to find and claim her at all costs. Their possible union has gained the attention of powerful forces but are they friends or foes?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark Series Universe or any of Christine Feehan's characters. I do own the OC's though. I went to babynames . com for my character names though. A nice reviewer PMed me and told me that the book the original concept of the Ways came from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series. I however, have altered their purpose, make-up, and description to fit my fic. They are very different since I havent even read the story, but if you like epic fantasy books, I encourage you to check them out.
Status: Continuous (Incomplete)
Created on: August 02, 2009
Spoiler: Up to and including Dark Slayer (The most recent novel in Feehan's Dark Series).
"Talk" – regular talking
Talk- Inner thoughts
"Talk"- Spoken telepathically
Chapter Three
Decisions and Missions
Despite the fact that it was mid afternoon the grey clouds obscured the sun and darkened the skies of New York City making it seem later than it really was. A unique shade of purple eyes hidden behind dark sunglass traced the droplets of water on the glass as they slowly weaved their way down the window. The heir to the Sole family, known as Brooklynne to many, Ashelia too few, was sitting at a table in one of Chinatown's infamous bakeries. Of all the bakeries that littered Canal Street the TaiPan Bakery was by far her favorite because of their delectable miniature cakes. In need of serious comfort food and with limited money on hand she opted to slowly make her way through their dollar menu. Currently she was eating a little vanilla cake filled with custard. A half eaten chocolate shaped panda face decorated the top of what remained of her dessert.
After speaking with Iris she needed time to herself and to collect her thoughts. She started walking out of her apartment deep in thought, when she felt the familiar energy signatures of other KATT members nearby. The recent kidnapping of elementals and other psychics under their protection at the hands of the fanatical humans belonging to the Morrison Center had everyone on edge. Although, she understood that they were assigned to protect her, she needed her space and sometimes lost her patience. After all how was one to find a moment of peace in a city with over eight million people? Not to mention, I am a member of KATT. I am pretty sure I can handle anything in this city by myself. With that thought, she had found herself in the busy corner bakery in less than an hour. Her aura was calm and her energy was supressed from the KATT members that had the ability to detect her. Out of all the places in New York, Chinatown is the easiest to hide in.
With a sigh, she picked up her spoon, took another bite, and continued brainstorming. Iris had visions of vampires all the time. While the Kylierions did their best to find and eradicate them, it was difficult unless they made their self known and which usually came with a high body count. Normally, Iris had glimpses of vampires going on killing sprees in a city, but a specific kill was unusual. The location was odd enough to begin with. The Carpathian Mountains? There was nothing there now. The Ottoman Turk Invasion leveled the place and they annihilated the immortals who had lived there. We don't know much about the once powerful race other than the fact that they were a warrior race with strong psychic abilities and on top of that no one has seen nor heard of them since the war. Not only ours, but many of the other races believed they were wiped out because there was no evidence they have been surviving for centuries. Is it possible that the scrolls our historians and the protectors of our culture gathered after the Carpathian's downfall were not the only things that survived? Most of their scrolls, which are now books, only focused on medicine and healing abilities,and they were practically useless because we heal naturally and historically aren't affected by human disease. Just like the other preternatural races. Well those with purer blood anyway.
Millennia ago, the ancestors of my people were the original elementals. As time passed they changed. Whether it was for good or bad, we don't know yet. It all depends on who you talk to. Some believe we evolved but others feel the opposite. Regardless, my people have changed and have taken on a more psychical form. It's probably due to genetic and emotional attachments to humans and our weakening bond to our traditional culture.
In those dusty old tomes, the texts spoke of how the Carpathians were of the ground which was opposite of our ancestors. The healing properties of the sun and its rays generally keep us in good health and lengthen our lifespans. Having a bond with the elements does have its perks. To strengthen their bond with the elements the military and those with purer blood generally chose to live farther south, in order to have as much exposure to the sun as possible. There is a particularly large community in South Beach, Florida. Where I would TOTALLY be if it weren't for my various and boring military assignments. The only reason we have such a large base in New York City is because the citizens are either ignorant of everything around them or so used to the weirdness that nothing fazes them anymore. The undergrounds of the city are also a big asset when dealing with transportation of squads and hiding. New York City for some unknown reason also has the most Way entrances for such a small area. Whether coincidence or accidental, most of the Way entrances are in or near a cemetery. The many entrances are probably the reason our race has been continuously drawn to this city, and it's probably why the city has become more than a long term assignment to those of us in service to the Empire. In fact all of the other remaining psychic races who are also more physically advanced than humans are attracted to this city as well. Sometimes the gaps in physical abilities cause problems between the different psychic races…usually in such small quarters as here. Sometimes I wish the Carpathians hadn't died out so they could help clean up the mess, especially with the Jaguar People and the vampires. I remember reading that the Carpathians where infamous for their heighted senses and shape shifting. While my people don't have those abilities we are known for our unnatural physical strength, on par with the Lycans, despite our slender body frames. Our infamous ties to the earth and the elements added with our knowledge of the Ways made us the perfect candidate to be in charge of them. Sometimes it is a good thing the leaders of the other races appointed our people with this task, but it can also be a bad thing depending on how our day is going.
Our task of guarding the Ways, requires us to be mostly nomadic. Entire squads, families, and citizens' can be moved to infiltrate a town that has an entrance near it. Others are scattered across the globe and are in charge of keeping our people secret or being liaisons to the other races. With KATT squads coming and going, most of our people need to provide cover stories with them and it is easier if the majority of a town is of our blood. Those long term assignments become more than a job. They become a lifestyle. All of our people take great pride in our task and everyone does what they can to maintain the balance, aid the humans, and protect the earth. It was not unheard of to hear fellow Kylierions settle into their new community, marry a human or outside, and start a family there. If requested they are usually granted permanent assignment so they can stay with their families. Thankfully, I still have enough sway with the right people to still be able to take various missions forcing me to move around instead of being stuck in some backwater foreign town forever.
Centuries later, because of situations like these our society had become one giant melting pot. This is what makes us unique because the other races focus on preserving the bloodlines. Even to the point of cruelty, but not us. Most of my people suffered from rejection, torture, or abandonment, until they were found by the Empire and given a home with others that were also never accepted. Putting a whole new meaning on the old phrase, "Only those who have walked the same path as you can truly understand you story and share your pain." Our blood is also diluted because we befriend and shelter those with psychic abilities. Often females of the Jaguar race run from their people and seek sanctuary. We have never turned another away in need and because of this we also accept other stray shifters, even humans that have abilities they don't understand. Iris while completely trashed, on assignment no less, had laughingly once stated how the Empire had become the Island of the Misfit Toys. But really if the other races want to abandon their own people, I am glad we take them in. They find happiness and in turn bring happiness to others.
However, we may have done irreparable damage to our people. As our blood dilutes and the majority our history continues to remain unknown, our bonds with the elements weaken. Fear of the unknown brings out the worst in people. Even among my people. The politics have gotten especially bad over the past century or so. Certain groups have merged spouting nonsense about only those with pureblood deserve the gifts we were given. Even the radicals that dislike humans and hate how they are destroying our home, are growing in numbers. Which is why I am so glad to be away from it all and focused on vampire killing and only vampire killing. Destroying those creatures is always cut and dry and there is rarely any shades of gray, of indecision, during those assignments.
Whatever. I do not want to think about that. This vision is what is currently important. I am glad that Aunt Lu grilled history into my head. But all I remember is that after the Invasion by the Ottoman Turks, the Carpathian Mountain was silent in terms of the paranormal. No one from the Empire had been assigned to the Carpathian Mountains since before father took the throne. That was because after the Carpathian's downfall the mountains were inhabited by just the humans. No other preternatural races moved in after the Carpathian's destruction. It wasn't really taboo, but the shifters had their own territory and those with psychic abilities just wanted to fit in and be safe. The world was changing at that time and so everyone focused on their own people. Understandably. I do remember that around 1500 a.d. all of the Way entrances near that mountain range were sealed. KATT squads patrol regularly and everything was silent until Xavier started poking around there in the past few years. He is so determined to know the secrets of the Ways. By the Stars, he is like a cockroach. We smoke him out, destroy his labs and hideouts, and he still lives, unfazed. But that doesn't explain why this fight was so important and why I am in it. Could the vampires be working for Xavier? Was the man being targeted for specific reason?
From an investigative point of view it's like finding a needle in a hay stack. The Carpathian Mountains are located in Central and Eastern Europe and almost 1000 miles long, making them the largest mountain range in Europe. How are we going to cover that distance when we don't know where to look? What if the vampire wasn't working alone or there was just more than one in the area? Traveling through several countries under the radar with large groups can be hard enough, but we don't even have a possible date of occurrence. Not to mention that the human man has no distinguishable features. It would near impossible to pick him out of a crowd or even locate him within that stretch of land. All we know is he is tall, dark, and handsome. Well, according to Iris anyway.
The only reason the vision was getting this level attention anyway was because I am somehow involved, though only those with the proper clearance knew that. By the Stars, I hope that the council doesn't get wind of this. They will find some way to use it to their advantage and against me. We will be unable to send more than a few teams to the site. The Empire has more important things to focus on anyway. I remember Aunt Lu telling me that one of the KATT squads found a recent trail from Xavier and was following him in the hopes to have some current and useful information. Now that would be an ideal assignment. But at least Caleb was temporarily assigned to that team and one of us is where the action is. I can't wait to hear all the details. The "vampire hunters" as the humans liked to call themselves were also being heavily monitored, especially, after the incident in the south. So far, the retrieval of those kidnapped went off without a hitch and there was nothing leading the humans back to them, as was expected. The Empire was nicknamed the Landless Empire, because we were the only secret race that didn't choose a specific location to inhabit. Maybe in the future though that could change, and we could stop policing over the other races. We could reunite and go back to the way we were.
But even though we are scattered all over the world, we are not that different from others. Regardless of distance or location, my people have everything any other normal society has. We have developed our own culture and it has differed from our traditional one, but it works for us now, and that is what's important. My fellow Kylierions own businesses, have hobbies, and work in companies. We make laws and our children are educated. We own hospitals, have civilians working in the postal services, and a lot of our military work in law enforcement. Our religion and most of our traditions are maintained. Overall, we do what most people try to do when hiding something important. We hide ourselves in plain sight.
"Are you going to answer that? It's distracting." Ashe was ripped out of her musings as the lady next to her spoke with a slight Asian accent. Bewildered, she meant to ask if she was talking to her, when she followed the lady's line of sight....to her hip; where her cell phone was blaring the song "Around the world" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers at an obnoxious volume.
"Oh. I am sorry; I didn't realize it was mine." Giving her an apologetic smile she reached for her iPhone. The reason I didn't notice was because Tia changed my ring tone. Sighing in annoyance she silenced her cellular device, without even looking at the caller ID. She would remember to thank Tia later for changing her ringtone to that song again. With honey blonde colored hair and steel blue eyes no one would suspect Tia Larkspur of being a member of KATT, and one of the most upcoming tacticians of her generation. While her apathetic personality was the opposite of her own, Tia Larkspur was one of her best friends. An odd quirk that most people didn't know was that Tia happened to think the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the greatest thing since sliced bread. She swore that Anthony Kiedis had to be a part of the Empire, otherwise the song "Around the World", was just some big cosmic joke at their expense. No matter how many times she was told that the leader of the Red Hot Chili Peppers wasn't a apart of the Empire nor under its protection, she wouldn't buy it.
The alternative rock song started playing again and she reached for it, but quickly turned towards the entrance. With baited breath she waited, but no one she knew entered the bakery. She frowned sure that she had sensed-
Knock. Knock.
Whirling back to the window she faced three figures. Iris, Tia, and the ever faithful Jaeden stared back at her each showing varying degrees of concern and annoyance in their gazes. Absently, she turned her phone off and frowned. Back to the real world. After all my life was not my own. She had been granted with far more freedom than one of her status usually would, especially after the betrayal. After The Great Split, a betrayal of over a hundred Kylierions, including her own mother, the council and the remaining loyal important families wanted her to be protected from harm constantly. Most wanted her to act as a figure head rather than actually being of use to her people. Her aunt had since taken over the position of ruler once her father fell. She was only 12 at the time and it was hard to come to terms with her father's death and her mother's betrayal. Not able to face her own thoughts she had trained endlessly to master her primary elements.
By the time the council was about to force her return and start her duties as heir apparent, her powers as a healer were unrivaled. Regardless of the council's individual beliefs and wants for her return they couldn't ignore how much of an asset she had become. She was allowed to stay and continue her education only because it would benefit the Empire. Something, she was sure her aunt had planned all along and was forever indebted to her for. The heir to the Sole family's destiny had been forever changed when she walked upon a new path. Before her second tattoo even healed she had submitted her application for KATT and spent the last 10 years as a legendary healer and acted as an ambassador for her people. Determined to do whatever she could to be of use to her people.
Deciding to give the cake to Jaeden she hooked her remaining hand in her belt loop and stepped out into the rain. She headed back towards the subway station and knew the others would fall in step beside her. Wordlessly she handed off the cake, knowing that he would not say anything and neither would Tia. There was nothing to say, they would support her regardless of her choice. She earned their respect and friendship years ago. If KATT decided to do something about this vision and not send her, she could use her political power, the weight of her family name, and abilities to sway them to assign her the mission. Likewise, she could refuse the mission or let others take it. Iris was the only one that always voiced her opinions intent on getting her point across before any decisions were made. Like an elder nagging sister. Even now she couldn't contain herself. Thankfully as soon as she opened her mouth, Tia covered it with her hand, bracelets jangling. Ashe glanced up at the sky, and watched as the water droplets exploded upon her sunglasses. It was a moment before she answered, refusing to look at them.
"I'm going. I do not know for how long, but I will try and slay the vampires before the man dies. As an elemental I can do no less. This mission will take time that I do not have. I will have to take on more missions before and after to have this authorized. Anyone is free to join me, but know that they will have to do the same." Tia, in a rare display of affection placed one hand on each of her best friend's shoulders.
"I am deeply wounded that you would think that I would pass up the opportunity to slay vampires. Besides it will probably be more like a vacation anyways." Jaeden stated as he ruffled her hair and proceeded to shove the cake into his mouth in one big gulp with crumbs flying.
"There is something you are not telling us. What is the real reason you pushed so hard to take this? This could easily be given to another squad." Iris questioned.
"Something isn't right. I know that all of you have sensed me being...off lately. It's true. Even with regular mediation, I feel restless and constant unease. It's like forgetting something important, or missing a piece of me." The platinum haired blonde answered truthfully, unafraid of revealing something she had been concealing from everyone, including those she considered family.
"Taking on more missions won't be anything new, but where to first?" Tia asked, ever the planner.
Ashe took her cell phone out and checked her list of most recent text messages. By the stars, do I love technology, and am glad I was born in this era. It was rare for other Elementals to contact her along their common physic bond. Most didn't want to be in her head, or let her have access to theirs. Civilians lived in a mixture of awe and fear of her. They had loved her father, and praised him to be one of the greatest rulers of her people, but she was also her mother's child. Her people had seen firsthand what her mother was capable of during The Great Split. Because of their union she was one of the more pure blooded Kylierions in generations. In the past few decades the more powerful families had taken an interest in genetics in the hopes of furthering their bloodlines and gaining more elemental affinities. Also with the goal of returning to their roots. My generation as a whole is one of the strongest and having purer blood the Empire has seen in centuries.
There was a reason why she was a Sole, she had mastered all of the elements, and with ingenious tactics developed attacks and defensive maneuvers that never would have occur to her people. People called her a prodigy but really she worked herself into exhaustion since a teen to get to where she currently was. She used the simplest aspects of the elements to cause severe damage. However, that was rare but still, most of her people were wary of her. They loved her, sure, but they were always on their guard. A fact I don't really fault them for. Thankfully the military knew her better, her fellow soldiers respected her, followed her, and more importantly trusted her to watch their back, patch up their wounds, and lead them to victory. After scrolling through her inbox she had her answer.
"Germany. Specifically, the Hainich National Park. We've been there before. Remember the castle there. It was important in their history and assisted in the development of Christianity. Any of this ringin' a bell?" She questioned as Jaeden looked at her as if she told him the sky was green. "In fact, a vampire has been pickin' off those on their pilgrimage and harassing the local town."
"I don't remember a castle, but we have been to the country before. What is the name of the town?" Iris frowned as she tried to remember the details to their last assignment in Germany. An impressive feat since it was years ago.
"Eisenach and we have been there before too. Remember Jaeden forced us to go to that museum about cars. The town over from that had confirmed "vampire hunters" and we were on reconnaissance." Tia stated, in a monotone voice as if reading a report. She spoke again, and most wouldn't notice the minute difference in her tone, "I was never able to figure out if Kiedis visited there. It would be nice to find out." That was her way of saying she would guard her lady's back.
"Wasn't there that really great bar on the corner…?" Jaeden left the rest hanging and now only Iris had to choose.
"Now I remember! Well luckily we have extra packs always prepared. So let's hit the Ways." Sky blue eyes lit in excitement as Iris cheered. Smiling slightly and glad to have them at her side, Ashe rolled her eyes at the precog's antics. They were a family, highly dysfunctional, but one that she was determined to keep even into her next life.
The four would have to pick up their belongings and journey to the nearest Way entrance, which oddly enough was in a cemetery in Manhattan's East Village. The closest doorway that would get them to Germany was in the famous New York Marble Cemetery deep in one of its underground vaults.
Hello! This ends Chapter Three. I have finally brought in the Kylierion Empire and her people the elementals. Sorry for the late update, but I spent all weekend in Hartford at the Anime Convention (My First One!)
Thanks to all my readers! I welcome your questions! Your comments/advice/reviews fuel my passion for writing. Please review and leave me your thoughts!
~ Ageless Light
**
Next Chapter: The Meeting of the Lifemates. This chapter will tell have Ashe scouring the mountain range to find Zacarias in time and their eventual meeting.
