Chapter 11

One body stirred beneath the ground, and disturbed the sleep of a strong warrior. Scanning his immediate area, Daniel Casidine discovered a breach in one of his safe guards. Damn. I was hoping for at least a full days rest.

Rolling his eyes he started his attack on the obviously new vampire. It always seemed that it was Daniel that had to teach the newly turned a lesson in manners. You should never disturb a warriors rest unless you had a death wish, and then in that case he would be much obliged.

His senses told him that a single vampire was attempting to attack him from the surface. A clever trap was prepared for his waking, but unfortunately it was not clever enough. Transforming into a dung beetle, Daniel emerged from the rich soil and slowly climbed his way up a tree. Looking down upon his target he realized the extent of time and effort the vampire had put into the trap.

Nearly invisible lines of wire laid crisscrossed in every direction. A slight pungent smell told him the wires were laced with a toxin of some sort. Most likely a paralyzing formula, he quickly sent a call on the private path to his uncle Nicolae.

Uncle, forgive me I know it's early, but I think you should see this. Quickly the images were transferred. Something was off.

This is too precise to be the work of a solitary vampire. This one is too young to be so advanced. Nicolae's voice was calm and sturdy. He knew what this meant.

So this vampire is just bait then? Daniel asked curiously.

Bingo. Where is my daughter? Is she with you? Silence was his only reply.

She is with Addrick…They reunited last evening. She was still upset so I felt the best way to help her was to give her and her life mate some space. A small smile curved Nicolae's lips and at the same time he tasted fear. His daughter was in good hands but it wasn't enough. The danger was too close to her now because Addrick had not claimed her by the ritual words. Every vampire within a 30 mile radius would sense her ever growing strength and power. She has now become a beacon for the very thing they fought so hard to protect her from.

You have done well Daniel…your father would have been proud. Right now I need for you to alert my daughter and future son in-law of the new danger. Keep her in your sight at all times till I arrive. I will bring Gregori and Dimitri. Daniel sent his reply and broke the connection. He didn't want to get caught into a trap solo so he silently made his way out of the sight of the vampire, but not before he stumbled upon two other vampires. He was shocked that he had failed to sense them right away.

They were peering through the thick terrain and speaking silently to each other.

"What is the hunter waiting for? He should have arisen by now." The one said as he spit between his discolored fangs. "We should wake him up and take him for ourselves." Now Daniel had to smile to himself at that one. Newbies.

"Silence you fool! We had strict orders. First we bring back the pet and then we can get the female. He needs her alive to find the stone or our attack on the women will fail." Daniel's couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was disturbing enough that these vampires were plotting to take his only cousin, but now there was obviously a master involved plotting an attack on the females.

Counting his blessings the vampires were dense and dumb, Daniel started to discreetly make his way to Catharine's home. New dangers were heading her way and they all needed to evacuate immediately. Sooner or later they will figure out he is no longer underground and then they will head for Catharine. Not on his watch.

OooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO

Catharine's body shot straight up. Air rushed to her lungs with a burn and her head began feeling fuzzy. A side affect of her visions she could do with out. Grabbing her head with both of her hands she began to scream. A scene played through in her mind like a movie from the Hollywood screen.

2 men in cloaks hovered over something she couldn't see. Their speech was old and sounded more like a chant than a conversation. Figures with ragged clothes came in and started to fill the empty sections of the room. Their eyes were sunken in and their flesh seemed to rot on their very bones.

Nausea took over Cat when she saw what they all were standing over…it was her. Her body lay broken and battered, but she was still alive. Her head started to split again and her vision ended. Like a fog that has been lifted from the ground, her head was clear and free from pain. Addrick was sitting beside her holding her hand.

"You saw it through me didn't you?" She was scared. Addrick could hear it in her voice.

"Yes I did." His voice was soft and smooth. He wanted to hold her and tell her that it was never going to happen now that she was with him, but something grabbed a hold of his senses. He stared at the closed bedroom door and felt a body outside the apartment door.

Scanning the area, he found the stranger to be Daniel. Addrick walked to the front door and open it. "Hello friend. Please come in…we were expecting you." Daniel stood his ground.

"I am afraid we need to leave. We are all about to have more unwanted guests than we can afford." Addrick shook his head and understood. Walking back to the bedroom, he clothed Catharine, in the way of their people, and clasped her hand dragging her to the door.

"Addrick! What's going on? Where are we going?" Catharine looked up and saw Daniel. "Oh…its you." This day was turning out to be great. Just bloody freaking great.

"Please forgive me, but we need to leave now before we have company." Daniel was already taking the form of an eagle when Cat and Addrick followed suit. All three birds took to the sky and never looked back. Cat's entire life was in that apartment and now she had the strangest feeling that she would never see it ever again.

Catharine was weak but steady. Addrick stayed directly below her left wing and stuck to her like glue. He would not let her out of his sight for anything. He tried to sooth her mind but found it a complete mess. She was worried for everyone's safety, scared for her very life, and most of all confused about her feelings for Addrick.

Touching her mind with his, he sent her images of soft kisses on her neck and whispered sweet words against her throat. The female eagle's head looked down to the males and sent him a dissatisfied look.

Don't do this to me know Addrick. We are in danger and I want to see my mother right away…please just take me home. She was confused and upset. Not at anyone else but herself. She knew she brought this all on herself but couldn't figure out why. For 10 years now she had these pain splitting headaches and for ten years she always woke up in strange places with her place looking like a burglar came through.

She was ashamed that she couldn't ever remember what happened, but now that she knew for a fact she did do all those things to herself…it kind of made her scared. Someone had targeted her and obviously will never leave her alone. The man behind the puppet strings will continue to possess her body until he does or find what he needs. What she needed was some answers. Hopefully; when she gets home those answers will be revealed.

OoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO

Most of the flight was performed in silence. Daniel was concentrating on keeping their identities hidden while Addrick tried to keep Cat flying under the extreme strain.

She was still not too sure about what was going on with her but she felt a little better knowing that Addrick was by her side through it all.

Tell me Daniel. Cat began to say. I know my father had no other children but myself, and the last Casidine I knew was my uncle…He past away when I was a small child. She was patiently waiting for his reply when she felt him tense in mid flight.

My father, Stephen Casidine, was murdered by vampires when I was but an infant. Unfortunately I don't remember him, but I can see him trough the eyes of both your parents. Cat could have kicked herself in the ass with her thoughtless actions. Of course he was her cousin…Why didn't she put two and two together sooner. My mother only survived for 7 years without my father by her side. I only remember her smile and her gentle touch…She was beautiful but so sad.

Catharine stayed silent while he spoke. She felt horrible to bring him such sad memories. I am so sorry Daniel. I didn't mean to conjure such a sad memory for you.

Please save your apologies Miss Catharine. We are family and more recently friends, but please don't think you have caused me pain. I lost my emotions and color a long time ago. I can't even remember what sadness feels like. Daniel chuckled a little bit before he spoke again. As a matter of fact the only emotion I could feel was through you. Every car ride we went on exhilarated me. The body and emotions of a dog would always take over when we went on the joy rides.

Catharine was so happy to hear him say that. At least now she knew she had a friend and a cousin by her side. So what am I copped liver? Addrick asked a bit irritated.

Catharine glanced below her wing and gave him a wink. You will always be by my side Addrick, but now I feel as if I am losing you as my friend. You and I are changing into something more and it frightens me. Addrick felt her words like a stab to her heart, but then she soothed it away by sending him images of them together. She was softly stroking him shoulders while whispering against his ear. But please just give me some time and we will work everything out.

She smiled at him in a most becoming way. She felt different now, and sensed a different in him. They were closer than ever and she wanted more. Before she was justified with the amount of time they spent together, but now she wanted to be by his side in everything they did.

Addrick was pleased to hear her thoughts because it was the first step to admitting that they were life mates. It was also good because every moment he spent without claiming her; he became darker and more dangerous. It was as if he was propelling faster and faster and the only way to ensure the safety of the people he loved is too claim her as soon as possible.

All thoughts of him and her left when they crested the ridge above their old homes. It was a sight that he would never forget. He was home…no they were home.

(Author's Note)

So ok suprise number one was revealed! Yeah Cat has a cousin!! The wolf man returns!! And the whole possession thing will start to make sense as the story progresses...i promise :-)

All of your reviews make me so happy. Truly. And those of you who are writing Dark fics let me just say i am enjoying them greatly. Sorry for such a short chapter but it was either i make a super long chapter of a very short one...so i settled for the middle ;-)

Next 2 chapters are whoppers with even more suprises! Thanks again and keep reviewing!

Ashley