A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's….though I wished I owned the rest….*sighs*
I apologize if this is a bit shorter than normal but I wanted to get this posted...
The Solanum reservation was half the size of Nightshade.
The solid confinement of steel, concrete, iron, and wire housed 35 vampires, each within their own prison of solitude. Over the duration of their confinement, the lack of blood had started ripping at their bodies and minds in the manifestations of wails and shrieks that fell upon the deaf ears of the Church sanctioned guards. What trivial group of familiars that resigned within the impenetrable walls had no power to break free or meet the end of the shrapnel filled bullets resting in the guards' high powered weaponry.
The disgusting motto of the Church, Faith, Work, Security, stared down to any visitors reminding them the Church was always watching. The stark white lettering set against the black background made some feel as though it was a pair of predatory eyes boring down into their souls as they crossed the suspended walkway over the old quarry then into the depressive realm within. It was farce to those like Alessa and Black Hat for it was nothing more than lie.
Alessa laced the scabbards to her vest, eager to run the ancient blades through human flesh. She had no desire to feed off the vile blood of the clergy that may be present but any other human was fair game in her eyes. They were awaiting the return of the scouts that had raced ahead to assess the situation.
"How are you feeling?" Black Hat slipped behind her nuzzled the side of her neck. Her skin was light and crisp from the luxurious bath they had shared earlier in the day.
"Much better," she leaned back pressing into his waiting arms which locked around her waist. "It's like I'm a brand new person."
"Well you are in a way Lessa. You're stronger now; faster and more powerful."
"Thanks to you," she spun around and locked her hands behind his neck. "I would've been stuck on that patch of wasteland if you had not come along that night. I suppose in a way you were my own angel of the night."
The train started to slow signaling they were near the reservation.
"Master," the familiar returned from his scouting mission.
"Yes," Black Hat didn't relieve his hold on Alessa as the creature drew closer.
"We bring news of Solanum. There is a contingent of six guards on the outer perimeter; heavily armed."
Alessa snorted at the last note. "Those guns won't protect the humans."
"But they can still injure us," Black Hat gently reminded her. "We have to exercise vigilance."
"Which I will," Alessa shot back. "But remember what I am capable of now."
Her eyes glowed amber gold before calming down beneath the steady hold of his gaze.
"I am more than aware of what you can do but never underestimate humans."
"You're preaching to the choir on that one."
Black Hat couldn't but help to smile at his mate. Alessa knew she was right.
"Once the sun sets we strike. You should rest Lessa."
"Probably not a bad idea," she shrugged and flopped down on the bed. "But I have one request: You join me. You can look at your maps after we raid the reservation."
"Go," Black Hat waved his hand dismissively at the familiar. The blue grey skinned creature slightly bowed before taking his absence. Alessa had stretched out on the bed with eyes closed but fully alert. He slipped the duster boots and hat off before crawling behind her. The invisible blanket of his scent made her body relax though Alessa didn't realize she had tensed up. Her mind started to wander but the path it followed she couldn't block.
The Sais were comfortable in her hold as she stayed in the center of the group. She was one of the few, the special ones who started to turn the tide even harder in favor of the humans. Alessa was 16, a battle hardened veteran of the Wars before she had lived half of her twelfth year. Long ago she had learned never to grow too close to any of her comrades for they could easily fall or worse.
Still her heart ached for the loss of Rebecca. The older woman had assumed the role of sister; teaching her and mentoring her as they waged bloody campaign after bloody violent campaign against the enemy. While others had been supportive and protected her, Alessa always carried the emptiness inside since that day.
"Stop," she shot her head up. The others froze as she pushed her way to the front of group. "They know we're here. They're watching us right now."
The other Priests secured their weapons even tighter around them. Alessa had the gift to sense the vampires which had proven powerful when the creatures were planning an ambush or trap. Her right hand went up indicating the vampires were in the corridor to the right and the one above them. The others waited with bated breath, listening for the tell tale clawing or scratching of claws against hardened walls.
Alessa slowly closed her eyes and slowly inhaled.
The ground shifted around and above the group as the ungodly shrieks of the vampire legions shattered the heavy silence. A bright but brief flash blocked the vision of all as the fireball consumed the creatures that were trapped. The acrid stench of smoke and flesh flooded the tunnels as the legions were exterminated with a simple thought.
"There will be more," she spoke in an ominous tone. "We move….NOW!"
The Priests rushed the small enclave at the center of the hive, spying the Guardians that awaited the war party. Alessa stepped forward with hands flying closed then open. The Guardians bled from every orifice while writhing in agony along the ledges above. Alessa leapt forward then off the wall landing before the dying Guardian in a crouched position. The stance of hunter and hunted. Her dance of death was short as the blades sliced through the creature's sides spilling out the black blood that once traversed its veins. The second Guardian bellowed in agony as the life saving fluids continued rushing from its former stronger stature. The Sais tore through its head, splattering the walls and ground with bone, brain matter, and flesh.
The young queen was defenseless.
Her protectors were dead as were her offspring.
The Priests finished off the fleshy sacks of future generations while the small girl set them on fire with her mind. The short cry caught her attention as the queen attempted to seek refuge deeper in the hive. Alessa closed her eyes and channeled her energy around the last vampire. The queen shrieked and wailed as she couldn't break free, leaving her open to the humans encircling her.
Alessa didn't open her eyes until the death blow had been dealt. It was a clean shot in the center of the skull. Alessa felt her body shaking as she had never exerted so much force in one shot. The trickle of blood ran down her nose then over her upper lip. Her muscles felt as if someone had reached in and squeezed the essence from them like a cloth. Her head was pounding blocking out the concerned calls of her comrades. Her fingers clawed at the sides of her hands as the pain amplified threatening to rupture her skull if it didn't stop.
The surrounding hive grew dark as her body, depleted of strength, collapsed to the ground.
Alessa opened her eyes to see the sun had been expelled beyond the Wastelands for another night.
"You saw," she whispered.
"All of it," Black Hat pulled her closer against him. "They abused your gifts."
"I didn't fully recover until three days later. I was in my chambers, unable to move or even eat. I was treading the line between consciousness and unconsciousness. I remember one of the Priestesses visiting me and tending to me. She was very warm and I could feel her compassion for me. It was genuine."
"Was it the one you dreamt of losing?"
"No," Alessa shook her head. "It was another."
Black Hat felt the hatred for the Church escalating inside of him. The more he knew of Alessa's painful past, the greater his need to destroy it became. He could sense the turmoil as though he was experiencing a rare summer storm. The winds of emotion blew strong throughout but like its counterpart, the wind would run its course before going silent once again.
"I'll be okay," she knew she was kidding herself. "I just have to focus on tonight."
Black Hat said nothing but worried about Alessa. Her iron will and steel determination were propping her up against the pain. That was the downside of their connection. He could sense her true feelings despite the image she chose to project to others. She wouldn't be able to cover her true emotions from him no matter how hard she would try.
"Who am I kidding?" She rolled around to meet his concerned look. "It's a double edged sword for me. Facing my past is like reliving it again. But every member of the clergy that falls at my feet kills that monster inside of me."
Black Hat just lay there while carding his hand through her hair.
"But don't go all overprotective on me please? I have to face this, these demons."
"You won't do it alone."
"I know," she looked up and smiled. "I have you."
"But you forget about the others."
"What do you mean?" She frowned at his words.
"The vampires," he clarified and watched her shake her head in self admonishment. "They may not speak as you and I but they know…."
"But didn't you say they didn't make good company?" She lightly teased.
"But that was before you," he leaned in softly kissing her forehead.
His eyes lifted up to the window across the room and watched as the sun dipped behind the rocky outcrops in the West.
"But it is time Lessa."
The name of the reservation I got from part of the scientific name of the nightshade family some of which are poisonous to humans :)