Night's Children: Cetera Desunt

AN: Sorry this chapter was so late, but I was prodded (I.e. forced) into doing NaNoWriMo with my friend. So that basically equaled no writing for a month. On the plus side, I'll have an original fic done! A woo haw! Anyways…here's Chapter Nine! Please review!

Also, a little side story between books 2 and 3 called De Rerum Natura (The Nature of Things) is finished! It's just focusing on Zahi and Art after the…events of book 2, and it's not important to read for the story line, but take a peak if you like those two!

(Really) Short chapter, sorry! It took a long time to write, because whenever I do romance or 'tense' scenes, I get embarrassed o.o

Chapter Nine: Lust

When they were launched from the train car, the impact when they hit was jarring. Immediately, Aria's hand slipped out of Chuck's as they began a violent somersaulting down the hillside that framed the tracks. Her breath was wheezing and harsh as she attempted to inhale, her neck rolling at uncomfortable angles and harsh rocks piercing her sides.

When her tumbling finally stopped, she gave a wheezing cough, blood coming out. Groaning as she rolled on her side, she pressed her hands on her abdomen and began to quickly heal the wounds she had accumulated. The process was slower this time, almost hesitant, and she knew that she was just about spent for the rest of the night. As soon as it was complete, she collapsed back down, her head facing skyward.

The stars were beautiful in the night sky, and the moon was glowing strongly. A sense of nostalgia came over her, and she sighed. Tonight, far too much had changed, and she knew now she could never look at the moon the same way she used to.

She heard a stifled moan of pain, and reality came crashing back on her, "Chuck!" She yelled, "Are you alright?"

There was a rustle of grass, and a muttered, "So…many…stupid…rocks."

Aria pushed herself up off of the grass and hurriedly tried to follow the source of Chuck's voice. Her eyes scanned the area and she felt her heart plummet slightly when she didn't see him, "Where are you?" She called, not really wanting to yell again as it could attract the attention of the others if they had decided to pursue them. Her foot landed on a twig and almost rolled off, but she ignored it and quickly caught herself.

"You're on my arm," Came a mumble a lot closer than she had expected it to be, and Aria looked down to see an incredibly annoyed surfer. Rapidly, she jumped off of his arm.

"I'm so sorry!" She apologized, kneeling down and placing a hand carefully on Chuck's chest, as she leaned his face closer to his. "Are you okay?"

"Pain, from stupid rocks." He breathed, tilting his head to show that his legs were at awkward angles, and Aria inwardly hissed when she saw a tiny sliver of bone peaking out of the skin on Chuck's shin.

"Shit," She muttered, her mind scanning through the minimal knowledge she had at her disposal from general health class. She deducted that the bone was Chuck's tibia, and if it was through the skin that meant it was a simple fracture. Or was it a green stick? Compressed? Compound? Something? She chewed her lower lip, "Hold still." She quietly commanded.

He gave her a thumbs up, "You got it."

Nimbly her hands settled over the bone, and gently as possible she realigned the bone, using the intuitive powers that came along with her healing to guide her movements. The familiar periwinkle color formed in her palms, and she pressed down gently, refusing the fractured bone site. Chuck gave a tiny hiss when she moved the bone, but other than that he gave no indication that he was in pain. After a quick inspection, Aria nodded to herself, before asking, "Anywhere else?"

"My stomach, and sides," He panted.

Gingerly, Aria shifted her hands' pressure from the leg to Chuck's abdomen, and her eyes widened fractionally when she felt the well-built muscles underneath her move slightly from the touch. Taking a deep breath and praying to the goddess that Chuck couldn't see the humiliating blush that was spreading over her cheeks like wildfire, Aria carefully closed her eyes. Upon a few seconds, the healing process began again, erasing the bruises that had formed.

"That feels nice," Chuck muttered absently, totally unaware of the effect his words were having on the poor little Daughter of the Moon as her cheeks went an even deeper shade of vermilion.

"Uh, I'm glad," She finally sputtered out, trying to avoid having a conniption, her hands inching slightly over his stomach to get to the other spots of damage.

Aria wasn't like most other girls at her age, she didn't get all flustered and starry eyed whenever a good looking guy came into view. She wasn't like Amanda, or Yvonne, or hell even Imy or Tessa, in the sole fact that she was remarkably cool and collected whenever someone made a pass at her or gave her compliments. Aria wasn't above appreciating the opposite sex, however, and she couldn't help but feel a tiny thrill of excitement when she noticed the space, or lack thereof, that were currently between her and Chuck.

She evaluated Chuck again, his mahogany hair was untamed and wild from the fall off the train, bits of grass stuck in it. His shirt had a tear, most likely due from the fighting between himself and Suiren, and his eyes were peacefully shut. Aria just sat there for a few extra moments, healing and observing.

She owed this handsome stranger her life, if he hadn't have shot Kiriak, she and the other Daughters of the Moon would have been goners. What was amazing her, more than anything else, was the fact that he seemed to be taking the bizarre occurrences of the night all in stride, even managing to joke and retain a good sense of humor. She slowly shook her head, there was a lot this guy was hiding from her, she was sure of that.

"Aria?" His voice, mellowed out now as he appeared to be resting, shook her from her musings.

"Yeah?" She asked, hating how her voice came out panicky and pitched.

"Um, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore."

Quick as lightening, her hands withdrew from his stomach, as she realized that she had run out of things to heal about a minute ago, "Um, well it's all, uh, internal." She stammered, trying to rid herself of the mortification.

Chuck leaned up on his elbows, his mouth cracked into a grin and his eyes twinkling with mischief, "Uh huh. Aria, it's obvious." He sighed, tossing his head back wistfully, "But I guess I can't fault you for wanting me, I'm practically irresistible."

Aria's jaw dropped open as anger replaced shame, "Someone's egotistical." She huffed, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest.

He laughed, standing up as well, "Chill, I was just joking." He paused, before his eyebrows wiggled, "But, you know, there was an awfully defensive tone in your voice-"

Her response, purely instinct, was to punch him harshly in the arm, "You're such a jerk!" She proclaimed.

Chuck winced, nursing his injury, "Man, you have a funny way of showing gratitude if you punch people after they save your life." He muttered flatly.

Aria's irate temper quickly flickered out, "Well," She mumbled sheepishly, "Don't be such a jerk then."

He rolled his eyes, "Apology accepted."

Silence reigned between the two, and they unknowingly began to stare at each other. The awkward moment seemed to stretch into infinity, before Aria started to say something, "Why-?"

"How-?" Chuck asked simultaneously.

Both turned away from each other, and he coughed uncomfortably into his hand.

"So-?"

"When-?"

Aria sighed, a tiny blush on her cheeks, "You go first."

Chuck scratched the back of his head, "Well, it's been kind of a weird night," He began, "And, uh, well….y'know?"

"Why am I able to heal people? Why are those others gifted with supernatural powers? Why did they want to kill me? Why are those cards so important?" Aria supplied.

"Something along those lines."

Aria exhaled slowly, and sat down, gesturing for Chuck to do the same. Reluctantly, he complied, stretching and leaning back. "You're going to think I'm absolutely insane-" She whispered, horrified.

"Actually, I already do." Chuck replied none too helpfully, "But I'm still hanging out with you."

She stared at him for a moment, trying to determine how to take that. She decided to take it as a compliment, "Well, ok then. So, I guess there's no way to flatly say this, so I'm just going to say it, I'm a goddess sent down by the Greek Goddess of the Moon, Selene, to protect the world against a hopeless evil incarnate named the Atrox."

Chuck slowly blinked, but made no move to interrupt, so she continued.

"It's kind of like a generational thing, every cycle there's four different Daughters of the Moon, each of us with a different power, and we have a mentor who guides us, our Magna Mater." She rambled on, "There's me, I can heal obviously, and then there's Tessa, who does this mental illusionary thing, the third is Imy who can teleport, and finally there's Riley who's an empath that can influence others' emotions as well." She inhaled, "Am I making sense so far?"

"Crystal," Chuck's eyes were looking slightly glazed over.

"So, our main purpose is to fight this evil demi-god named the Atrox and its Followers." She sighed, "The Atrox exists to steal the hope from mankind, as its jealous of the Gods' gift to humanity. It's the Daughters of the Moon's job to stop that from happening." She looked at him, and he was paying attention, even if his face was totally blank, "Anyways, a few nights ago, we were battling what we thought was a Follower who was trying to rob a bank. He wiped out Riley and Imy almost immediately, and Tessa passed out, so it was all up to me." Aria stared at her hands for a moment, "Remember that strange, burning thing I did to the Guardians?"

Chuck nodded slightly.

"Well, that Follower was the first one I did it to. I didn't really have a choice, seeing as it was either my survival or his." She licked her lips in thought, "Then the strange things started to happen."

"All of that's not strange?" Chuck cut in, but Aria ignored him.

"Tessa went comatose next, then my mentor, and after our confrontation with those Guardians, well, you know the rest." She trailed off.

Chuck cleared his throat, "So, let me get this straight." Aria nodded at him, signaling that he had her attention, "You think that those crazy people on the train were trying to avenge the supposed Follower that you destroyed? And that those tarot cards hold your friends inside of them?"

"Well, not exactly, their spirits."

"Uh huh."

"I know it sounds insane, but you have to believe me when I say it's the truth." Aria blurted, feeling frustrated as she knew what she had originally thought when she first heard the story told to her from Jimena.

Chuck shrugged, "Ok."

Aria's eyes widened, "Ok?! That's all you've got."

He shrugged again, "I've seen you heal, it actually makes a lot of sense."

"You're insane, aren't you?"

"Irrevocably."

She sighed, "My turn. Why did you shoot Kiriak and side with me?" She asked, genuine confusion shining in her eyes.

Chuck looked at her, and said with the straightest face imaginable, "You're hot."

If Aria had been eating or drinking anything at that moment, she was positive that she would have choked on it, "Excuse me?" She sputtered.

"Honestly, hot girl, or crazy trigger-happy Russian? I wonder which one any teenage guy would side with?" Chuck said sarcastically.

She gaped at him, "That's incredibly lame."

"Yeah, well, I ended up picking the right side, didn't I?" He smiled, his face lighting up handsomely and Aria felt her face heating again. It was silent yet again as the two just stared at each other, before he cleared his throat, "Truthfully, you just had this easy vibe about you," He stated calmly, and Aria noticed that her blush was being shared, "You seemed a little edgy, sure, but for the most part you just seemed scared." He ruffled the top of his hair, "And it's obvious from the way that you reacted when Kiriak started shooting, and how you helped all of those people, that you just screamed naivety."

Her eyebrows drew together, "You think I'm naïve?"

"It's not a bad thing in this case," Chuck said quickly and defensively.

She exhaled and plopped down on the grass. Chuck hesitantly sat down next to her, close enough that she could feel his body heat. "I don't think I'll every be naïve again." She mumbled sadly, cradling her face in her hands.

Chuck's face was drawn in uncertainty, but he placed his hands over Aria's and drew them away from her face, "That's not always a bad thing either," He said softly, Aria just stared at him wide-eyed, bewildered at the sudden shift in the mood. Chuck placed their hands on the ground, fingers intertwined, and he looked at her, "You did the right thing," He reassured.

Aria tried to feign a smile, but the conflicting emotions within her were too much. She missed the old way of life, and was terrified of the new one that she had accepted that night. She was also feeling slightly uneasy at how Chuck's warm breath was intermingling with hers, and the way his eyes were unyieldingly staring into hers. She noticed that he was leaning in…

"So I don't know how to free my friends' souls," She said, far too quickly, as she jerked her head back in a panic.

"Huh?" Chuck mumbled in a daze, his mouth parted slightly.

Aria immediately wanted to pummel herself in the face. She had just blown it with a sheer instinctive reaction! She was attracted to Chuck, obviously the feeling was mutual, and she owed him her life. If that weren't enough, she just wrecked her only chance of a kiss from him! She was flustered now, as she stood up and wrung her hands together, "Uh, I mean-"

Chuck blinked and slowly stood up as well, the weight of her 'rejection' making it clear to him, "What…what was that?"

Aria practically severed her lower lip, "What was what?" She said hastily, embarrassment filling her to the very core.

He eyed her for a moment, "I just tried to- you-?" He attempted to realize, before sighing, and laying back down, "Never mind." He said, and Aria could hear the tone of embarrassment in his own words.

She was torn between apologizing and ignoring what had just happened, if for nothing else than to save face, but Chuck ended up making the choice for her.

"So you were asking about your friends' souls?" He asked, his voice falsely cheerful again.

Aria dry swallowed, "Um, yeah, I was." She whispered, still feeling incredibly awkward from the almost kiss. "I don't know how to undo it." She admitted.

He paused, deep in thought, and looked at the top of the card that was peaking out from Aria's jeans pocket, "Can I see the cards?"

Aria just shook her head, relieved, but still feeling somewhat exposed and humiliated, "Sure," She spoke quietly, digging out the tarot deck and passing into Chuck's hands.

He shuffled through them, lifting one up, "Who's this?"

Aria's eyes narrowed at the card, which was an Eight of Cups, "That's no one." She said, grabbing for the deck, ignoring the brief electric sensation that passed through her as her hand brushed against his, and quickly withdrew the four cards containing her friends. "This is them, The Magician is Tessa, The Star is Imy, The Hermit is Riley, and The High Priestess is Jimena."

Chuck's eyes widened for a second, and Aria wasn't prepared when his hands viciously grabbed the last card she had shown, his eyes widening even more, upon inspection. An inspection that showed him the figure in the illustration looked far too familiar for comfort, with a pair of tattooed tears at the corner of her eye, and eye that was remarkably similar to his own in shape. "No way." He proclaimed.

Aria tilted her head, "What?"

He stood up abruptly, making Aria take a step back, "Look at this card again," He ordered, shoving The High Priestess at her.

She blinked, trying to comprehend his sudden and odd enthusiasm, "That's Jimena's card." She explained again.

"Jimena who?" He asked, his tone urgent and almost frantic.

"What's going on with you?" She questioned, all of the awkward emotion in the air from the 'almost' moment dispelled as she eyed him warily.

"What's her last name?" Chuck demanded now.

"Castillo," Aria replied, "Why?"

All movement ceased, "No way." He repeated again.

"Chuck?" She ventured, not sure how to react to what he was doing.

His head slumped slightly, "Jimena Castillo, Hispanic ex-gangster with a really scary glare, is your mentor?"

She carefully nodded, before it registered, "How do you know about the-?"

Chuck stared at her, "I haven't been completely honest with you, Aria. My full name is Carlos Veto Killingsworth, my dad's name is Collin Killingsworth, and my mom is-"

Her jaw dropped, upon recognition of the last name, "You're-!"

"I'm Jimena's son."

Shock vibrated through her entire body, the coincidence far too strange to understand. It all clicked, suddenly, the intimidating stance he could miraculously conjure up at the strangest of times, the familiar way he stood, even most of the facial structure could be compared to her Magna Mater's. "Then-" She started, but was cut off, when an oily voice reverberated throughout the area.

"Well, as much as I'd absolutely abhor cutting into your kiddie drama," Came Loki, who had suddenly appeared on the railroad tracks at the top of the hill they had previously rolled down from, "I believe we have unfinished business."

Aria tore her gaze away from Chuck, or Carlos now, to the orange haired man, feeling terror crawl into her heart. She gave a glance to Carlos, who just sent her a look, a look that seemed to be asking her a rather difficult question.

'What now?'

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Next Up: It's all or nothing now. Will Aria's discovery about Carlos's parents affect her trust in him? Will they be able to defeat Loki now that she's almost out of energy? And how, exactly, are they supposed to liberate the captured spirits of the rest of the DOTM? Will they ever freakin kiss? Find out next time!

Not my best chapter. My apologies, I hope you like it anyways though!

!nym!