Shadow of the Past
Ch. 8: Shadow and Light
Sulpicia
Sulpicia and the two other elder Volturi stared at Shadow in shock at the revelation that Light was her son. The younger vampire went on to explain that during her reconnaissance she learned that Vladimir, the Romanian leader, had managed to steal one of Sulpicia's harvested eggs. He had fertilized it then had it implanted in an unwilling host. The ancients were angered at learning of yet another violation against their family.
After all of them had calmed down, they returned to the safe house so that everyone felt included in planning their next move. The debate over what it would be raged for days. With at least two-thirds of the known vampires that could offer assistance destroyed, their prospects hadn't looked good. Months of planning and re-planning had disheartened all of them. Finally, Shadow made the decision for a full on frontal assault in spite of everyone's protests.
The day had been chosen for what it symbolized to the enslaved people of Volterra. The thirty-five remaining Newborns had dragged helpless citizens into the square to feed under the noon day sun.
Marcus
Despair, sorrow and hopelessness hung heavy over the once beautiful city of Volterra as Marcus and rest of the Liberators where pulled through the shadows by his daughter. The sun glittered off his exposed flesh and his simple priestly robes fluttered in the warm breeze as he walked confidently into the square. He raised a small wooden cross and shouted, "By All That Is Holy, Demons Be Gone!"
The Newborns turned to the foolish man as whispers of the return of St. Marcus rippled through the surviving victims. They began to move toward him when the rest of the attack force ran into the square. The battle raged in earnest but the Newborns were no match for seasoned vampires. Sounds of screeching metal and screams filled the air as they were torn apart.
Movement attracted Marcus' attention and he watched a young vampire walk from the direction of the castle. His features were almost an exact copy of Sulpicia's. The youth sneered and raised his right hand then pointed at the former King. Death flew from the extended finger in the form of a beam of light. Marcus knew his time had come; his only regrets were that he would never see his child lead their race into the future and his loving wife would suffer losing another mate.
Shadow materialized in front of him and the beam struck her dead on in the chest. His scream of anguish died in his throat when nothing had happened to his daughter. The vampire known as Light stared in shock as none had stood against his power before. She looked at her father and growled, "Get the Romanians, HE is mine."
Shadow
Shadow smiled in satisfaction as her father led the others to the castle to deal with the Invaders while she dealt with their pet. It had been obvious that Light was shaken by her lack of dieing. He attempted to flee back the way he had come but she shadow walked and blocked his path. Every time he moved to escape, the young Queen intercepted him. This was her city; she knew every inch of it so as he became more desperate to flee, Shadow herded him into a small enclosed garden.
She watched as the knowledge that he was trapped dawned in his expression. If his light powers hadn't worked on her, then her shadow powers wouldn't work on him. The poor boy looked terrified; Shadow doubted he had ever had to face an opponent in hand to hand combat. Light had relied heavily on his power to destroy anyone he faced.
Shadow watched the pathetic excuse for a vampire and almost had pity for him. Then she remembered all those in her family who had been killed; in addition to the townsfolk that had been drained mercilessly. There could be no pity or mercy, not for the Romanians and certainly not for their favorite weapon.
Pain seared through her as she pulled all the pain and sorrow from the town into her. Blood and Venom tears flowed from her eyes and she pushed it at her would be cousin. Light crumbled under the weight of the emotions and he sobbed uncontrollably. On shaky legs, Shadow made her way to the prone vampire. She leaned down and grabbed his head.
"Goodbye, Gregori. May your find peace in death that was not granted to you in life," Shadow whispered then tore her enemy's head from his shoulders.
Shadow collapsed from the strain of absorbing so much pain and sorrow. As she lay curled up on the ground, citizens of Volterra surrounded her. One of the crowd was a member of the city's Police Force. He carried her to the castle with the others in tow. The throng was met at the gate by Marcus and Jane. Reverently, the Officer placed Shadow in the arms of her father then stepped back. Everyone bowed, and then stepped forward to kiss her hand before they headed home.
