Sorry for this taking so long, but its realllyy long.
Ok it said on a L.J. smith website that Keller and Rashel are twin sisters and both are half shifter half human just Keller has more shifter and Rashel more human – have no idea if its true but sounds cool so ill just go with it. So just bare with it ok
So im going to do some of this Keller's POV and some Rashel's POV
Keller POV
I still couldn't believe it, I had been holding the piece of paper for five minuets now just staring at it, footsteps came up the corridor and I hastily returned it to the desk, I could talk to Lord Thierry about it later, for now I would pretend I had never seen it. I wouldn't worry though, there was no way I would let this happen, I loved her too much to let her go, I would stop it, if that was impossible; I would take her place.
Thierry POV
She was smiling, a glint in her eyes which I couldn't believe; glory wasn't Keller. She didn't care what people thought, as long as the job was done. I studied her face for a moment as she practically begged me for the job, I must admit this was a first for me, even glory seekers didn't sign up for jobs like this, it was rare enough that someone would accept it, much less ask for it. I wondered who they were going to ask, maybe they were asking Keller anyway, so she could sound better by asking for it before hand, no, vanity or attention wasn't Keller either, but now I was thinking about who they were asking….
"Who are you protecting Keller?" she smile slid off the girls face, the glint in her eyes had already vanished and her face became stone again, she had stopped her act completely.
"Look, she knows nothing about them anyway, this is so stupid! She's not going to learn in a couple of days, I've fought them before, I know who they are, what they can do-"
"Who?" I said cutting off her speech, she closed her eyes for a moment, it was the first time I had seen her show a trace of emotion that wasn't faked, and if she took this job, probably the last. "Were they asking Nissa?" I asked quietly, I doubted they would give Winnie the job, don't get me wrong Winnie was good, but she would rush into things, this job just wasn't her.
Keller sighed sadly; I knew she was close to the girl, but to take this for her? Galen was right; she was as selfless as she was brave. A slight shake of her head confused me, they HAD asked Winnie then?
"Rashel" her voice was devoid of emotion again but I knew the pain she felt, to lose her sister, so soon after finding her….she cut off my thoughts with another rant, "she doesn't know anything about them, this is a suicide mission for her! Not for me though, I can do this, I know I can."
"You're a brilliant liar Keller."
"Im not-"
"I don't want to lose my best agent"
"You wont, I told you I-"
"And your team will be one short" at that she laughed,
"Fine, you wanted a job for Rashel didn't you?"
"Rashel doesn't work well in teams" I said cringing at the memory of last time.
"Only because she's competitive, Nissa and Winnie aren't like that, they can handle her." I was going to regret what I said next I knew it. But I didn't have a choice Keller was right, she had more experience fighting them and she knew there tricks.
"Fine" if Keller was surprised I had agreed so quickly she didn't show it.
"Thank you" she said, the trace of a smile on her lips; the second time she'd shown emotion now, Galen really had changed her. She bowed formally and left. Thinking of Galen had brought the guilt crashing down, Galen was my friend, to sign his soulmates death warrant like that… I shook my head and sighed.
"What's wrong?" a gentle voice said beside my ear, I hadn't even heard Hannah come in, I looked at her and remembered all the times I had lost her, I thought about losing her again, only this time for her not to come back, I lowed my head back onto the desk again. "What's wrong?" she asked again,
"Everything"
3rd person POV (couldn't get one to work sorry)
She ran into the building, he was stood there waiting for her,
"what's so important Kell?" he asked as she ran into his arms, she kissed him, as silver swirled through both their minds she cut hers off, walling it up where he couldn't see. Confusion and worry flew through the link, she hadn't done this before, she'd always let him in, never cut him off. She searched through his memory's; he let her, but he had to wonder why.
What's wrong Keller?
I need to know
Know what? I would tell you anything you don't need to do this. Her guilt sailed round him.
Im sorry, did you know?
Know what?
She pulled back from him "doesn't matter, and your right, im sorry, you wouldn't keep this from me."
"Keep what from you? Keller what's going on?" she shook her head
"Forgive me" she whispered as she kissed him again.
"What did you do?" she shook her head again but he ignored her "what have you done? Kell?" she broke from his frightened grasp and ran out the building. Leaving him scared and confused.
Rashel's POV
The room was silent when I walked in, I was on edge, I didn't like being constantly called into cramped little rooms full of night world people only to be told what to do, who to kill, who to protect. A moody looking vampire stood in the corner, Keller's colleges were there; Nissa and Winnie, hang on, where was Keller then? She was always with them, I frowned,
"Where's Keller?" they looked as confused as me
"She's-" the vampire paused searching for the right word, which only worried me more, "-busy" he concluded,
"Mission?" Nissa asked
"Yes" he said smiling, part of me wondered who he was, the rest didn't care.
"Why weren't we informed?" Nissa snapped, either she knew who this guy was, or she had a serious problem with authority.
"Confidential" he said looking smug (obviously he wasn't authority then), but the smile washed off his face when Nissa smiled, I did too, we could always ask Galen, who never seemed to have a problem with just giving out confidential information to us. "For now Rashel will be helping you with your team"
"WHAT?" the word snapped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
"You've been in teams before surly, when you were a vampire hunter perhaps?"
"No, the cat ALWAYS works alone, if your going to stalk a vampire you need to be silent, stealthy, so they don't suspect, no groups, then you can creep up behind them, and stake their heart before they even know your there." I was smiling cruelly, moving toward him as I did so, noticing the paleness that his face had now gone. "And there's no 'were' about it, once a vampire hunter, always a vampire hunter." I watched the fear grow in his eyes.
"We can't not have Keller, she's our boss" Nissa snapped, still eying me warily he said,
"Yeah well, you're in charge now Nissa and its only temporary." He was suddenly politer now; I smiled slightly for a moment.
We walked out the room when they turned to me, Winnie, who had stayed silent through out the 'interview', now rounded on me
"Spill!"
"I don't-"
"Where is she?"
"I don't know any more than you guys do, she didn't tell me anything!" Nissa sighed "look, I don't want to be stuck here either" Nissa gave me a sideways look and a grin,
"Were fine with having you Rashel, we just want Keller back as well" that surprised me. "Hey! How come he gets scared when you threaten him? I tried that, I didn't work."
"I dunno. who is he anyway?" I said laughing.
Keller's POV
I closed my eyes, feeling the breeze go through my hair as it flew over my face, listening to the wind hit the trees, finally I concentrated on what I needed, ignoring the desire to shift and run through the park as free as the wind was, and caught the sent I was tracking. I ran silently through the grass, keeping to the safety and shadow of the trees, even though it was night and I wouldn't be seen; to be caught in the open like that would mean almost certain death.
I had reached the top of the path and was now in a more industrial area. The sent was stronger here, almost pure, I held back a cough. A small cluster of warehouses were scattered around, creating small alleys, and even darker streets; perfect. There was a small loading areas beside one of the buildings, as it was the largest area around I guess they would come to here to meet unless they were inside one of the warehouses, but a hunch along with the smell told me it was here I would find them, I crouched in a alley; close enough to hear them but far enough away not to be seen. I settled into a comfortable position and readied my muscles to run if needed. Then I waited.
Rashel's POV
"WHERE IS KELLER?"
"Ummmm….?" I gave Nissa a 'help' look "who is this girl?" I whispered to her.
"I CAN HEAR YOU KNOW!" she snapped glaring at me then turning her back to me as she spoke or rather yelled at Winnie. "Where is she!" Winnie who was obviously better trained at handling this angry girl smiled softly at her and shrugged.
"A mission somewhere"
"Oh" the girl said quietly, looking sad,
"It's only for a bit they said" Winnie murmured to her. The girls face brightened, at least shed stopped shouting now.
"This is Illiana" Nissa said smiling,
"THAT'S Illiana?" no way! The girl glared at me again, "she's nothing like Keller described" at that Nissa laughed;
"Yeah well she's not usually this moody, its only because Keller's not here" Illiana stuck her tongue out at Nissa and grinned. Maybe she just doesn't like me?
Three hours later we were walking down the edge of the island, my gaze kept sweeping the empty waters and gazing up to the main house; I kept getting flashbacks of the said house on fire, of a screaming Timmy, of Quinn with soot in his hair looking worried.
"Relax! You're worse than Keller! Besides this place is tighter than fort Knox and securities not our job." Nissa said she was laughing but it died when I said;
"I know, sorry. Last time I was on an island like this it was an enclave." Nissa went pale and Winnie gasped, Illiana looked confused,
"What's a- an clave? Encave?"
"Enclave. And you don't want to know." She frowned but dropped it
"Was it one of hunter's? It's a good job that bastard is dead" Nissa hissed
"I would have liked to kill him myself. That bastard killed my mom"
"No offence, but your mother wasn't the nicest person either" I twisted my head to look at her; my eyes were full of anger, why would she say that? She didn't even know her!
"HOW DA-" I broke off remembering how she had abandoned Keller "she wasn't like that! I don't know why she- she wasn't like that" I said shaking my head sadly, I still didn't understand how she could just leave her like that, "what she did to Keller I'll never understand, but she really wasn't like that." Nissa shrugged sadly and turned away, I sighed.
"Who did what to Keller? What?" Illiana sounded really confused, maybe she didn't know.
"My mum dropped her in box and left her in a parking lot?" now she looked even more confused,
"Oh, I thought that's what her mum did"
"Ummmm yeah, that's what I said"
"Keller didn't tell you, did she?" Winnie broke into the argument. "Rashel is Keller's sister; her real sister, not blood sister. She only found out a couple of months ago."
"Oh, that must be it then, ive not seen her in a while." Illiana murmured but she looked sad. I felt sorry for her; she must be close to Keller.
Keller POV
There was
No, this cant be right
They must be shifters
Maybe that one there is a vampire he looks the type.
But no, I knew I was right.
I guess its time to explain what my mission is; search and report – a simple newbie task wasn't even dangerous – until they put in the extra bit: if you see a (or two) dragons then kill them. And here I was, staring at six. That all came to me in one thought, the second thought was: im going to die today.
Galen, please.
I'm busy Keller, later?
GALEN IM ABOUT TO DIE. SO IM BUSY TOO!
Don't be so melodramatic Keller.
He wasn't going to believe me, he was still angry about me leaving him with all those questions.
Im not angry, im just fed up, can we talk about this later?
Tell Nissa she'll be brilliant with the team, tell Winnie not to cry, Illiana and Rashel that I lo-
Keller your being stupid
He was going to shut down the link, why did the one thing I can count on have to fail me now?
Fine go, just tell lord Thierry there's- he shut it. He really was angry with me, and he didn't believe a word I said. A tear fell down my face, but I stood up. I watched as three of the dragons left, I waited till they were far enough away not to be shouted back, three would be impossible enough, I didn't need another three coming.
I shifted and charged at the closest one, he spun in my direction shock in his eyes, but no fear; they thought they were indestructible, I vowed to prove them wrong.
Rashel's POV
"I could kill you girl, so easily, you humans are so fragile."
"Huh" I smiled distantly, considering whether I was human or not. The vampire gave me a strange look, they always did, they could never understand why I didn't run or scream or beg. "Kill me? Wow." I said completely distant still. Well technically I was half shifter right? "You could try I guess" I murmured. He gave up trying to scare the 'crazy girl' and stepped towards me, I was looking so distant and unaware of the world around me that he didn't suspect anything. The last half a second I spun and staked him through the back. Then went back to contemplating what species I was.
Nissa came through the door calmly spinning a fighting stick round her hand, she stopped and frowned, "you've done? Already? What happened to you distracting him until I got here to help you?"
"Yeah, sorry I got bored"
"That was meant to be hard!" I snorted, hard? That? "Are you ok?"
"Hmmmm? Oh yeah fine. Technically am I shifter, human or what?"
"Your insane that's what! Ummmm just half – half, but just say human it's easier, less questions. Were you even paying attention to what you were staking?"
"No sorry." I said giving the mummified body a sideways look.
Galen's POV
I couldn't believe her! She gets me to come to a random warehouse saying it was really important, apologises for nothing then leaves without telling me anything then randomly opens up the mind link for no reason other than to try to convince me that her current mission was so more dangerous than her other ones and again refuses to tell me anything!
I had convinced myself when I first met her that she was just putting on the heartless act, I then put up with her being emotionless and cold whenever there was other people around, her refusing to let anyone else know that we were soulmates because she said "if the night world finds out they could use you to get to me" which was stupid; I could defend myself, and I almost always was in secure areas, I had to deal with her disappearing on missions for weeks sometimes months at a time. I just couldn't cope with that anymore and now this as well. When she had calmed down and come home I would talk to her but for now…. A scream cut through my thoughts, or rather, entered my thoughts….
Thierry had been scared that there were two….
...Six of them…
…..three loose on the world, three here….
I must kill them!
Six…
Just random strange bits of thoughts got through the pain, I hadn't listened to her, oh no! What had I done?
"He's in a meeting"
"I don't care!" Lupe was nice and to be honest the smartest 'wolf I knew but right now I wanted to strangle her.
"Cant you come back in a bit?"
"Yeah, sure" she looked relived for a second "ill come back in a hour, when my soulmate is dead because of some stupid mission, that he put her on!" she gasped, then looked really sympathetic,
"Ill see if he'll come out" she said before knocking on the door.
"What is she doing?" I flinched, feeling her pain. "Where is she? What mission is she on?" I hadn't waited long; Thierry had interrupted his all important meeting, luckily for him..
"Im sorry, she was begging for the job, and she is the only one with a chance-"
"What is she doing?"
"We had a suspected dragon sighting; we think there are two of them"
…Six of them…
"What's wrong?" Thierry asked as my face went white.
"She said- she said earlier- that there's six of them. She's as good as dead, so are the rest of us, wild powers or not." I felt sick as I said the words, picturing the horrors, the death that we would face long before the apocalypse started.
Keller's POV
Blood was scatted everywhere, it looked like a massacre. How much of it was mine? Probably most of it. I lifted my head in time to see another blow coming; I rolled over to dodge it and scrambled up. One of the dragons had a chipped silver knife in his chest, he wasn't moving; I prayed he was dead. My other two knifes were snapped in half and scatted over the concrete. I dodged another blow. My only weapon now was my teeth, I had shifted human long ago, to attack all three at once. Now I shifted back to panther, and tried and failed to take off his head. Obsidian black energy threw my off him, how was he that powerful with only one horn left? There was half a dozen horns lying powerless on the ground but they still had ones left! I hit the ground with a thud; grey flooded my sight till I could only see tunnel vision.
I know that's not the end but I was taking forever over this so I will post this bit then write the second half later (may take a while) I will try not to be too long. Anyway cliff-hangers are fun!
As always please review
-casama3120