Chapter Eleven: Beautiful Darkness

Serena: You're evil, you know that?

Starlily11: Flatterer…

Serena: Nutcase!

Starlily11: This'll take a while…anyway, next chapter!

It was late morning at the large, luxurious manor, and all of the servants stood before their master, trembling. They could feel their master's rage, and they all knew that some of them would be dead by six o'clock if they weren't careful. Zoisite and Kunzite stood at their master's side along with Beryl. All three were silent, not daring to speak for fear of incurring Darien's wrath. Darien himself was cold and unreadable as always, and no one in the room could discern his thoughts. His dark blue eyes were cold, like the depths of an ocean in the middle of a bleak winter. His face was calm, but his displeasure was palpable. Finally, he spoke.

"Kunzite."

Kunzite felt his stomach sink, and he moved from Darien's side and knelt before him. "Master?" He locked eyes with Zoisite briefly. Zoisite was as worried as he himself.

"Would you care to explain to me how those…dogs…managed to find our location so quickly?"

Kunzite knew he would have to tread carefully. "Master, I ask that you remember that werewolves have an incredible sense of smell…I believe that they stumbled upon us by chance."

"And in doing so, they destroyed two of us. How long before they attack again in full force and destroy us all?"

"Master, I do not believe that will happen. I know for a fact that we outnumber the mutts by dozens."

"Very true. Still, this is a concern, considering that Amara and her lot have made their appearance. Suppose they band together and strike as one?"

"I understand your concern, Master. The scenario you describe is realistic, but I am certain that not even Amara would stoop so low as to consort with dogs."

"Even separately, they are each a threat. The little one…what is her name? Ah, Hotaru, has visions of the future, and Trista can stop time for brief periods. Add this to Amara's uncommon speed and strength, as well as her ability to manipulate the weather, and Michelle's ability to manipulate the emotions of those around her, and we have a great threat. The dogs may act like little more than beasts, but they can be quite cunning. Either group could be my undoing."

"Yes, Master, but remember…you have power, too. You have your shape-changing abilities, and your compulsion, as well as your control over fog and beasts of various kinds. You cannot control the wolves, but you can control the species of bat known as the vampire bat. The dogs fear it…the threat the bats pose is enough to make any wolf think twice about attacking you."

"You make some excellent points, Kunzite. Very well…I shall forgive this one incident, but if it happens again, I shall not be so gracious."

"Understood."

Darien raised his voice for all to hear. "That goes for all of you. If anyone sees one of the dogs sniffing around, kill them, or suffer the consequences. Jadeite and Nephrite were spared my wrath; do not do anything to bring it on yourselves!"

A murmur of voices submitted to his orders, and they were dismissed. Darien turned to Beryl.

"Beryl?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"Bring me one of the girls from the basement…judging the stupidity of my minions always makes me a bit peckish."

"Of course." Beryl disappeared for a few moments, and when she returned, she brought a slender, petite brunette with dark, velvety green eyes. The girl looked at Darien fearfully, trembling.

Darien smiled, a beautiful, capricious smile, and gently raised the girl to her feet. Looking her in the eyes, he murmured, "You're not afraid." His voice was compelling, and the girl's trembling ceased.

"I'm not afraid," she whispered faintly, her eyes locked with Darien's.

"You want this."

"I want this…"

Softly, Darien brushed her hair away from her neck, exposing her throat. Still looking into her eyes, he embraced her rather like one would a lover, and lightly sank his fangs into her neck. The girl moaned, but didn't struggle. He was careful not to spill a drop, and sank even deeper into the contented haze caused by the taste of fresh blood. Kunzite and Zoisite looked at each other uneasily, not trusting themselves not to seize the meal. The smell was positively mouth-watering. Beryl didn't bat an eye, so focused was she on her lord. He was beautiful in that moment, a piece of beautiful darkness, the epitome of what they all were.

Finally, Darien was finished, and he casually tossed his meal aside. "Kunzite, Zoisite, clean this up. Beryl, make sure none of the humans catch them disposing of the body."

All three bowed and chorused, "Yes, my lord."

Darien left the room, and retired to his private chambers. He pulled the black velvet drapes open, and stared at the moon. He grimaced as he realized how brightly it was shining. As a vampire, he loathed the light of the sun, even reflected off the moon, despite the fact that it could do him no harm. He much preferred new moons, when the blackness of the sky was uninterrupted, and not even the stars shone brightly. To him, darkness was incomparably beautiful. He pulled the drapes closed, and turned to the portrait of his bride-to-be.

"Soon, my bride…we will be together," he whispered. "You will forget your false love, and you will belong wholly and completely to me."