I finally took advice and got a beta reader. Big thanks to .net/u/684266/ for helping me edit this chapter. It looks and reads better than all my others. Now go read her stories. I'm sorry this chapter is so long I shall make them shorter from now on.
Chapter 14 – Blood Lust
Sydney was in her wolf form and was running as fast as she could through the woodland. Her ears pricked as they listened for any sign of danger ahead. Her nose twitched as she tried to catch scent of what hunted her. Her four legs burned and her chest heaved painfully with each gasp for air. Her paws practically bled as they pounded the frozen snowy ground but she had to get away, far away. She had to leave her home or Lukas would kill her and the others.That cunt would kill them all. He would suck the life out of them with his fangs. He would leave her tilllast so she could watch them all die. The wolf growled, she wouldn't allow that. She would lead him away and fight him herself.
With the quarter moon as her only source of light, her only real guide through this land was her knowledge of its twists and turns. She knew these parts well and knew ideal fighting ground across the river. Though what chance did she stand against a fully formed vampire? Very little in her case, she was hopeless at duelling. Sirius and the others had proved that in the few days that had passed. Even Ahsoka was better than her. In fact everyone in the house was better than her, apart from Alison that is but the worst Alison could do was hit her with a frying pan. Then again the duelling practice between her and her friends was nothing compared to this. This fight would be real. This meant life or death.
A shiver ran down the spine of the white wolf as she remembered how Lukas had come at her. He was pretty scary normally but without his long black coat, he was far worse. He had large bat like wings that were bigger than her. Also it wasn't until now she had noticed how claw like his nails were or how pointed his front teeth looked. Vampires were like that though she remembered. They were good at disguising themselves and skilled at deceiving people into thinking they were human. They kept to the shadows and wore cloths that helped hide their appearance. This was a skill that seemed pointless, after all what could anyone do against a creature like that anyway? He was bigger, faster and stronger than most living things, simply because he wasn't really living any more. To her knowledge, Vampires gained their strength from the blood of the living and the purity of its life force made them almost unstoppable.
Sydney felt her legs buckle under her speed but she pressed on. Lukas wanted her dead. He never really told her why, he just told her to run. Sydney guessed he was planning on draining her as dry as old troll skin. Then he would suck out her very life and take it for himself. Telling her to run seemed pretty pointless but perhaps he wanted to make a game of it. Well she would show him a game or two. Sydney knew she was doomed but she wouldn't go down without a fight. She would leave that pointy toothed bastard a few scars before the end. First however she had to lead him away from the others. She couldn't let any of them get hurt on her account, she wouldn't let anyone get hurt defending her. She was a Gryffindor, brave and true, willing to die in place of her family. The girl believed this was her fault somehow so she had to take the responsibility.
Sydney felt her heart clench and she whined pitifully. She hoped to Merlin she had put enough distance between her and the house. There was a clearing ahead. Higher ground too, there she would at least see him coming. With another push she urged her limbs to the centre of the hill, where she skidded to a halt. Here she would make her last stand. Here she would almost certainly die. The wolf raised her nose to the sky and howled out a long farewell to the ones she loved. The sound echoed through the trees and into the cool night air. There hadn't been so much despair to her song since her father had kicked her out.
As the call ended she shifted back and the howl broke off into a broken sob. Bitter sweet tears stung her eyes but the girl clenched her fists. Tightly gripping her cherry wood wand she conjured up a fire for protection. She would need the light and heat to fight in this cold.
"Remember what they taught you. Aim and focus," the girl said to herself
She thought back to her boyfriend and Raebeart's training, the idea she wouldn't see them again hurt her deeply. She regretted that she had never even gotten that far with Sirius. She hadn't told him she loved him more than anyone in her life. She choked back another sob as tears streamed down her cheeks. She had to fight, she had to try and win no matter the odds, "for Sirius, for Raebeart and her brother, for Alex and Alison and even for Ahsoka". She was still her best friend even if her brother was trying to eat the wolf. With her death almost certain the girl thought back to that morning and how wonderful things had been. How she and Ahsoka both had greeted the day in the best way possible.
Earlier that morning...
It was early in the Christmas Eve morning. Two days after she had arrived, Ahsoka Lupin awoke to a keening sound from above her. She opened her dark blue eyes and surveyed her surroundings sleepily. She was tucked up under the soft blue covers on a camping bed in Sydney's room. The room had light purple walls apart from one that was white. The white wall was covered in photos, posters and magazine cuttings. In the middle of the wall there was a very large poster of a Quidditch team called "Falmouth Falcons". The poster had two rather brawly looking beaters with their names written beneath them. Apparently they were called, "Kevin Broardmoor" and "Karl Broardmoor". Beneath them was the team's motto, "Let us win, but if we cannot win, let us break a few heads". Ahsoka scowled at the poster, trust her friend to support one of the most violent teams in the history of the sport.
On the other side of the room there was a large book case and an oak wardrobe. There was a battered white chest of drawers that had a mirror on it. The desk was covered in paper and scribbly ink drawings of animals, each one covered in notes on that animal. On one side lay an old hair brush, a box full of nail varnish and other bits of junk. As Ahsoka continued to look around curiously, she noticed Sydney's Puffskein who went by the name of Fuzzball the Third. Fuzzball was licking its master's face with its long sticky tongue. The girl giggled and rolled onto the yellow creature and squeezed it in her arms like a teddy bear. Then she carried on snoring. However the creature didn't seem to mind, in fact it hummed along quite happily.
The soft keening noise that woke her up called out again and Ahsoka looked up to see Sky sitting on the shelf above her bed.
"Hey there, Sky," the girl smiled.
The falcon cried a greeting and bobbed up and down on his perch. Sky flapped his wings happily and flew down to Ahsoka, landing neatly on her knee. Ahsoka smiled as she stroked his feathers. She touched his face and beak softly and whispered complements to him. The bird closed his eyes in pleasure and leanedagainst her hand. Ahsoka grinned at Sky.
"You're a softy," she teased.
The girl looked over at her friend again and wondered whether she should wake her.
Just then there was a very soft knock on the door. Before Ahsoka could answer Sirius padded quietly into the room, followed by a disgruntled looking tabby cat
"Hey flea bag is my girl awake" he grinned as jack the cat flopped on Ahsoka's bed. As he saw Sydney's snoozing form he sighed, "Oh never mind...Wow you don't know how much I wish I was that yellow ball of fluff right now" he sighed "Maybe we could find a way to turn you into one," Ahsoka said with a grin as she stroked both Sky and the cat.
"If you do, I would love you forever. I would even catch Nikol for you and wrap him up in a ribbon for your Christmas present." Sirius grinned and added. "I'll even stick some mistletoe on his face to so you can give him a big ole Christmas snog"
Ahsoka blushed as she remembered the kiss she and Nikol had shared just last night.
"Aw shut up Pads, go wake up Baron Von Snorepants over there," Ahsoka grumbled indicating to Sydney.
"Can I really?" Sirius asked with an insanely happy look on his face.
"Well you're already in here when you're not meant to be. So I don't see how it can hurt, just no games of kissy face, ok? I want to eat my breakfast, not be put off of it," the girl teased.
Sirius smirked and tiptoed over to Sydney. The boy sat down on her bed and watched her sleeping form.
"Aw I can't do it, she looks so sweet," he gushed.
Ahsoka promptly made a gagging sound and giggled as Pads frowned at her.
"I'm sorry Pads but you're just so sappy sometimes. You need to be teased," Ahsoka chuckled.
Sydney groaned as she heard laughing in the corner of the room.
"Shut up I is trying to dream..." Sydney mumbled.
She sighed and buried her face in Fuzzball who hummed contently in her ear.
"Aren't you hungry, love?" Sirius asked.
"No," Sydney yawned, though her stomach growled otherwise.
"Ok then if you don't want breakfast you can have a nibble on me again, like you did yesterday," the boy purred.
Ahsoka watched with mild horror as Sirius tried his moves on Sydney. The girl decided to leave them to it and make a hasty exit. She let the two love pups to their sappiness and went into the hallway. In her rush to escape she bumped headlong into Nikol.
"Ow! Oh I'm so sorry Ahsoka. I didn't see you," the boy said hurriedly.
The girl grinned at him nervously. This hadn't been the way she planned on meeting him this morning but it would do.
"That's ok, it didn't hurt too much," she replied rubbing her forehead.
She looked up at the boy and they both blushed awkwardly as they remembered the night before.
"Ahsoka about what happened last night. I... I'm sorry that I put that on you so suddenly," Nikol whispered shyly, "You know that I kinda just sort of grabbed you and kissed you and all that. It was rather forward of me."
The girl blinked up at him cutely.
"That's ok. I didn't mind, I eh... Liked it," Ahsoka said, fidgeting on the spot with embarrassment. With a smile she added, "I mean... I did kiss you back, didn't I?"
"I thought that maybe you were just being polite," the boy said quietly.
He had been up very late talking to Lukas but he had been up even later worrying about their kiss. Nikol had been so anxious that Ahsoka might have changed her mind. He even wondered if he had just imagined the whole wonderful event.
"Nikol, you bird brain. There is no one in the whole world who kisses because they are just being polite," Ahsoka said with a giggle.
Nikol smiled back, his amber eyes sparkling with happiness as he wondered, "Really... you mean it and it wasn't awkward or anything?"
"Well no, it was certainly awkward but still good. Besides we can always practice some more later," Ahsoka smiled at Nikol, her blue eyes full of laughter. The boy blushed and scratched the back of his head nervously as she shyly added, "Truth be told I've kinda been hoping you would kiss me for a while now,"
"Really, you mean you knew I liked you?" Nikol said.
"Well no... not really but I hoped you did," the girl whispered.
She smiled and stepped toward the boy. She leaned up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Nikol looked into her eyes and smiled back, before pulling her close. He brought his lips to hers and kissed her softly. Ahsoka smiled against his mouth and brushed her lips back over his. Nikol gave a light groan as she nipped him playfully on his lower lip.
"Hey no biting," the boy said pretending to scowl.
Ahsoka giggled teasingly, "Sorry I'm a werewolf, I can't help myself."
Nikol grinned playfully back at her. He took her hand in his and began to lead her away. Ahsoka wondered if it was safe to leave Sydney at the mercy of a permanently perverted Padfoot. However as Nikol squeezed her hand and led her away, she found that she didn't really care.
"Where are we going?" she asked shyly.
"Downstairs, everyone besides the two love puppies are outside. So we can sneak into the living room and have it all to ourselves," the boy grinned slyly and with a heart stopping smile added, "It is appropriate as boyfriend and girlfriend that we get to spend alone time together, isn't it?"
Ahsoka nodded and followed him excitedly.
"What about Lukas?" she asked with a trace of worry in her voice.
"His(he's spelling error) asleep and what he doesn't know won't hurt us," Nikol whispered in her ear.
Ahsoka smiled sheepishly but she let herself be led away by the boy she was now officially dating.
Back in the room, Sydney had woken to Sirius pushing his mouth to hers. The girl flinched away shyly
"No I haven't brushed my teeth," she mumbled.
"Don't worry you don't have wolf breath or anything," Sirius smirked, kissing her again.
Sydney sighed into him as he snuggled closer. Sirius trailed his hands up her t-shirt, unhooking the clasps on her working jeans on route.
"Bad dog," Sydney muttered
"Oh I'm bad, am I? Well at least I'm not lazy. Look who couldn't even be bothered to get undressed last night yet again," the boy teased as he kissed her neck.
Sydney sighed and pouted, "It's not my fault you and Raebeart wore me out with your fucking training."
The girl pushed against him and rolled him over onto his back. She grinned against his skin as she began to kiss and nipped lightly at his neck. Sirius rolled her back over and growled very lightly, she felt it vibrate in his chest as he pressed against her.
Sydney blushed and pulled back but Sirius caught her mouth back in his. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip then tugged on it gently with his teeth. Sydney gasped, opening her mouth and the boy slipped his tongue in as he began exploring. He felt her moan into his mouth. His hands pulled at her clothes eagerly. By Merlin he wanted her.He couldn't explain why but she drove him mad. He had been enchanted from the moment he saw her. He tried to tell her but the words wouldn't form in his mouth so he kissed hungrily at her neck instead. His hands roamed up her top and across the small swell of her still forming breasts. Beneath him, Sydney gave a small unsure whimper.
"Sirius no..." Sydney panted, pushing his hands back.
"What, why?" the boy gasped, his eyes dark.
"You know why. We are too young to have sex and besides everyone will hear us," Sydney blushed.
"Not if I cast a silencing spell. I can do that if you're planning on being noisy," the boy grinned as he kissed her neck.
Sydney frowned flatly, "No!"
Sirius sighed loudly, the expelling of air from his mouth blew his hair out of his sliver eyes.
"Ok... ok... I'm sorry, I can't help it. I'm a teenage boy. I'm full of horniness and desire to bang what I can," he pouted.
Sydney smiled at his discontent and asked. "Don't look so butt hurt. You know that I want to do it as much as you, don't you?"
"Yeah I know," Sirius grinned widely and snickered, "I mean you're only human and I am very pretty."
Sydney scowled at him, her arms across her chest. Sirius smiled at her and pulled her hands free.
"I'm just kidding. We can wait for you to feel ready," he said, lacing his fingers between the girl's.
The boy sat quietly next to her, swinging her hand in his. Sydney watched him carefully. He looked rather meek now, like she had taken the wind out of his sail. Sydney smirked at him.
"Black, I said no sex, it's not like I'm banning the kissing or anything," Sydney said with a purr as she snuggled closer.
"Oh? Good, I wasn't finished," Sirius whispered with a grin, cupping her face in both hands and bringing her mouth to his.
Back in reality, Sydney shook her head and tried to concentrate on the here and now. She growled and pointed her wand at the sky as a flying object came into view. As Lukas flew toward her, his figure cast a strange silhouette on the night sky. If circumstances had been different, it would have been something fascinating to witness a vampire at flight. The boy drew closer and landed on the grass without a sound. Sydney took a step back, nervously keeping herself close to the fire. Lukas landed just outside the fire as he smirked at her evilly.
"I'm impressed you covered so much ground in so little time. You even made yourself a good place to fight. However fire won't help you," he whispered darkly.
The boy raised his wand and pointed it at the burning orange flames and exclaimed, "Aguamenti!" Sydney watched in horror as a jet of water dispelled her only shield.
"Shit!" Sydney cursed.
She should have known that her fire would be simple to stop. The boy remained where he was, staring at her hungrily. The girl knew he was waiting to see what she would do next. Sydney thought quickly to what Raebeart had told her. Fight to your strengths and if an opponent is stronger than you, use their power against them. So far she didn't know who was stronger, all she knew was he had underestimated her. The girl watched as Lukas raised his wand arm again.
"I'm sorry about this but as you know I have a job to do," he sighed but added, "Just stay still and we can get this over with, as little pain as possible."
"Oh no that's fine, I understand. I'll just stand here and fucking die already. I mean I'm being rude just breathing after all," Sydney spat sarcastically.
Lukas smirked and stepped forward slowly, like a hunter playing with its prey. "Bombarda!" he yelled.
Sydney growled and jumped back out of harm's way.
"Bombarda Maxima!" he boy growled.
Sydney dodged again. She was lucky that her wolf seemed to be helping with her reaction time somehow. Yet another thing she didn't understand. The girl raised her own wand and pointed it at the vampire's head. "Avis!" she yelled. A mass of yellow birds burst out her wand tip and flew at the vampire aggressively. They squawked and swarmed around his head pecking and tearing at his skin and hair.
Lukas yelled and blasted the birds away with a stunning spell. He raised his wand to her but Sydney was ready. She shielded herself as he sent his own stunning spell followed quickly by a disarming one.
"Expelliarmus!" she yelled.
Lukas however countered her with his own blocking spell. Sydney gasped but recovered quickly.
She aimed her wand at the boys face and called, "Scorchio!"
A torrent of blue boiling water raced out of her wand and hit the boy's upper body. The vampire let out a cry of pain. He recovered himself by knocking the water away with a blast of air from his wings. He glared, raising his wand but Sydney was already attacking. A blast of yellow light flew from her wand and hit his face.
Lukas snarled as he felt his jaw bone shudder and thick black blood flew from his fresh wound.
"See vampire, I'm not as weak as you think I am," Sydney growled triumphantly.
Lukas spat blood onto the floor, "Not bad, runt but you're still gonna die!"
The vampire's eyes gleamed as he studied her and he suddenly looked even more menacing. It was like he was toying with her. Lukas grinned and bared his fangs.
"Enough games! I'm going to make you sorry you were ever born," he snarled.
Sydney raised her arm, ready to defend herself but nothing could have prepared her for what the boy did next, nothing at all.
"Crucio!" Lukas called out.
Sydney fell to the floor, the pain that erupted through her body felt like someone was stabbing her all over. Her skin burned and her body shook as her muscles began to bend and break. The girl screamed and writhed on the floor in front of him. She dropped her wand as her hands clawed painfully at the cold earth. Her cries echoed eerily through the trees as he tortured her. Lukas smirked and stopped his attack. He watched as the girl drew back her breath. She tried to get up but he knocked her down with a hard kick to the stomach. The vampire laughed at her. Sydney felt weak, she couldn't fight anymore. Her arms wouldn't move and her chest felt like lead.
Sydney coughed up blood and curled herself into a tight ball against the trauma. She shook violently from the pain Lukas had inflicted.
"Why are you doing this?" she sobbed.
"Because it's my job," Lukas said quietly, resting his foot on her head and pushing it into the ground.
He smirked at his fallen victim, a madness taking over his mind. The smell of blood in the air had turned an unpleasant task into a game. Is this what it is to be a vampire? Was this how they all felt when having prey at their feet? The boy smirked and pointed his wand at the girl, it couldn't hurt to play with her just a little more. The boy gripped his wand and cast the curse yet again.
"Crucio," he whispered.
He felt his body shudder in delight as Sydney's sobs reached his ears.
A little way off from the battle, Nikol sighed to himself as he searched the woods. His friend couldn't have gotten too far ahead and he was sure he could find Lukas before he killed Sydney.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me about this. We could have stopped this sooner," Ahsoka growled angrily.
"I'm sorry, Lukas made me promise not to tell you," the boy said with the faintest trace of annoyance in his tone.
"Don't snap at me, Nikol, this is partly your fault. If you would have just told me I could have stopped him. I would have talked him out of it," the girl snapped.
"No you wouldn't. He believed he was doing this to save you," Nikol sighed as he pushed through some thorn bushes.
He had already explained the situation three times tonight and was getting annoyed with repeating himself. It wasn't like it made a difference anyway.
"I know but that's so stupid of him. Rurik is insane if he thinks a thirteen year old girl is a threat to him and his master," Ahsoka sighed.
She understood that Lukas was being used as a pawn, a weapon for killing wizards or witches in the way of creating Voldemort's perfect army. What she didn't understand was how Sydney or her brother could be involved in anything like that.
"Severus can't be that important to them, can he?" she asked.
Nikol glanced at her sadly in response, "Yes, as much as I would hate to admit it. Her brother has a love for the dark arts and is very good at using them. Sirius as I understand it has been trying to convince her he is dangerous but to no avail."
"So that's why they keep bickering?" said Ahsoka thoughtfully.
Nikol sighed, "Yes, it's the fact Sydney is trying to make Severus the best he can be that bothers them. They don't want her taking away someone that will be so useful to them."
"But that's ridiculous," Ahsoka sighed and then remarked, "Don't get me wrong I think her brother loves her but he's clearly more interested in being pals with that gang from Slytherin,"
"Yeah I know that, you know that, everyone knows that. I think even Sydney does deep down but Lukas and your asshole of a father seem oblivious," Nikol said with a sad smile.
Ahsoka looked back at him sadly. The day had been going so well up until that evening. She had been having a wonderful holiday at her friend's house but now it looked like they would soon be leaving. They couldn't stay after all this. Ahsoka groaned, she hated how things had changed so abruptly and she wished she had known about this all sooner. The girl and boy sighed sadly and thought back to their blissful morning.
Flashback
It was lunch time by the time Sydney and Sirius ventured downstairs. Ahsoka and Nikol were sitting together in the living room. The room was blue and was full of books and other clutter, just like every other room in the house. The two had curled themselves around each other in a squashy brown armchair and were needless to say enjoying each other's company. Nikol had his arms around Ahsoka and they were talking quietly between kissing. However they both stopped as Sirius and Sydney came into view. Both of them looked at their rather ruffled looking friends as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Sydney waved at them brightly before heading to the kitchen, Sirius just grinned and followed her.
"I wonder what they were up to up there?" Ahsoka wondered out loud.
"Judging by that look on Black's face, I think I can take a guess and I think we should have a go as soon as we get a chance," suggested Nikol.
He grinned and kissed her cheeks whilst the girl blushed. The boy grinned all the more and pushed his mouth to her kissing her deeply. While his mouth was busy, his hands meandered up and down the girl's back. Nikol only pulled back when she was gasping for air.
"You're as bad as Pads really, aren't you?" Ahsoka sighed.
"Don't compare me to that mutt," the veela pouted.
The girl giggled but then looked serious as she asked, "So do you think you know what Lukas is up to yet?"
The boy stared at her and replied quietly, "Yes and no..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" the girl asked.
Nikol sighed and wrapped his hands up in hers, "It means I have talked to him but he wasn't very helpful."
"Lukas rarely is," Ahsoka sighed.
Her brother had locked himself in his room and barely talked to anyone. He seemed to be spending all his time alone. The few times he did show up and socialize he kept glaring at Sydney for long periods of time before disappearing again. Ahsoka had wondered whether her brother was trying to muster up the apology Sydney deserved from him. After all he had scared the shit out of her in the forest that night. Then again Lukas rarely said sorry to her, let alone anyone else. This left the girl wondering just what Lukas had come here for and more importantly what it had to do with her friend?
Nikol looked at the girl sadly. He had known Lukas' plan for days now but didn't know how to stop him. He had tried his best to convince him that Severus had no desire in his heart to change and that Sydney wouldn't ever be able to change him. Nikol fully believed that she would eventually give up altogether. Sydney was blind when it came to her brother but not blind enough that she would accept his attitude to muggle borns.
"Despite my argument Lukas is reluctant to leave your father's wishes unhindered," the boy sighed.
"And just what are those wishes?" the girl asked.
Nikol frowned, "I told you he made me promise not to tell you."
Ahsoka smiled and brushed her fingers over his cheek.
"I know... I know... It's ok, we can think of something. But If you think anyone is in any danger you have to tell me, no matter what" she soothed, running her fingers though his silver hair.
The boy nodded weakly. Nikol smiled at her as she touched him.
"Ok, I will. That's a promise," he chuckled as she tickled his neck playfully.
The boy grinned and wrapped his arms tightly around the girl.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things," he said gently.
"Thanks, I am here though you don't have to do it alone. He is my brother and I should be there for him as much as you are," Ahsoka whispered.
Nikol looked at her sadly, he had no idea how she would react to the danger Sydney was in. She might be angry with him. She might be scared and try to help Sydney. She might get injured in the fray, after all Lukas was a vampire. He wouldn't know who he was attacking, if he got taken over by bloodlust. Nikol finally had Ahsoka for a girlfriend. He finally had the relationship he wanted with her and now he could lose that if he told her the truth. Then again if she found out on her own she could hate him for keeping such a thing from her and he would lose her that way. As he looked into Ahsoka's pleading blue eyes, his heart softened. He had to tell her it was too cruel to do otherwise.
Nikol opened his mouth to speak but a sudden movement to his left made him stop. Lukas was standing in the doorway into the room. His dark eyes rested on his sister and the boy. He scowled at them. Nikol looked vaguely panicked as the vampire growled low in his chest.
"Lukas, you're up," Ahsoka stated cheerfully.
"Yes. Why are you and the bird brain sharing a chair? You should sit over there on the other chair, not on that moron's lap" the boy sneered.
The girl blushed and stammered, "Um... well it's just..."
"Oh never mind, I don't care!" Lukas said irritably, "Do what you bloody like!"
The boy turned quickly on his heal and left, his black coat billowing out like a pair of wings. Nikol and Ahsoka looked at each other worriedly.
"Well that wasn't quite the reaction I was expecting but rather that than having my head chewed off," Nikol said with a grin.
"Something's eating him and I don't think it's us," Ahsoka said quietly.
Nikol nodded, "I think I should keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
He sighed and lifted the girl off his lap.
"I'll be back soon," he said gently.
Ahsoka nodded and smiled at him with a grin, "Try talking him out of whatever it is, ok? And tell him I'll love him no matter what it is, ok?" she grinned.
Nikol nodded and smiled. He brushed his soft fingertips through her long brown hair and down her neck.
"You're the sweetest girl ever," he sighed, kissing her softly.
Ahsoka kissed back and brought her arms around the older boy's neck.
"Mmm you taste nice," she giggled cutely.
Nikol smiled against her mouth, "You taste better. I would love to spend all day kissing you but I have a moody vampire to babysit."
The boy kissed her once more and went looking for his target. Ahsoka watched him go and sighed heavily. Sometimes her brother ruined the best moments.
End flashback
Ahsoka groaned loudly as she and Nikol looked around the dense woodland. The night air was so cold that when she breathed, the air crystallised in front of her. The forest was silent and she knew it was because the rampaging vampire had scared all the creatures into hiding.
"Whatever possessed her to try and fight him alone? It could take us ages to find her and by the time we do, it could be too late" Nikol snarled as he kicked a broken branch.
"My guess is he threatened to hurt her family if she didn't. Maybe the others will find her first." Ahsoka shook her head sadly as she cast her wand light around. "Alex, Sirius and Raebeart are looking too and one of them is bound to hear or see something."
Nikol sighed and ran his fingers through her hair. He contemplated turning into his bird form and searching for Sydney by flight but he wouldn't leave Ahsoka alone on the ground.
"I hope so..." he said quietly.
He instead thought about how the others had reacted to his tale. He had explained everything Lukas had told him last night. Nikol had told them how the other boy felt he was doing what was best for him and for Ahsoka. The reaction had been needless to say mixed. Alison had cried. Raebeart had been understanding but worried. He wasn't sure Sydney had what it took to fight off a full grown vampire just yet. Sirius had been furious and had run off looking for Sydney, declaring that he would kill Lukas when he found him. Alex had taken action and led the others outside and spilt them into groups to find the girl. Only Alison stayed behind, the trip was too dangerous and the woman had no protection out of the house.
"I hope it's Alex who finds her. He will stand the best chance against Lukas without actually trying to kill him," Ahsoka said.
Nikol nodded in agreement, "True but Lukas will be putting up quite a fight, he thinks he is doing this for you."
The idea of anyone getting hurt was truly awful. This family had shown nothing but kindness to him in the time he was there. Nikol would feel hideous if they were killed or injured.
"Yes, I know I wish he had told Alex just how much dad was putting him through," the girl said, her voice laced with anguish.
She stopped and stared at the ground. Nikol looked at her sadly. He reached out his hand and clasped hers tightly.
"It's no time to think on it now. We have to find your friend before Lukas does, ok?" he said gently, pulling her along.
The girl smiled weakly and let herself be led deeper into the forest.
Lukas kept his wand firmly at the girl on the floor. Sydney had lost. He had tortured her into submission and now he was ready to kill her. The girl was covered in blood and her eyes had bruises. Her hair was a tangled bloody mess too and she was struggling to breathe after he had stamped on her chest. Blood lust had taken hold of him and the vampire enjoyed seeing her suffer. The boy tilted his head as he watched Sydney try and fail to pull her body up. She collapsed, her spirit broken and body bent. A silent sob racked her fragile body. The boy leaned his weight on her chest once more and stared down at her with interest. He hadn't thought he would find it fun to pick on something so defenceless. The vampire smirked and thought back to an hour ago when he had first attacked.
Flashback
The vampire had sat downstairs as the dark of winter drew in. It was nearly Christmas, a holiday that held no meaning for him anymore. Not since his mother had died and he had become a death eater. The boy watched his prey from the shadows of the kitchen. Everyone was too busy with their own thing to even notice him. Mr Prince was talking to the part giant about working on the farm over the next few days. His wife was tucked up reading some glossy muggle magazine. His sister sat snuggled up to Nikol. This would have normally bothered him but at the moment he was only concerned about his prey.
Sydney had been cuddling with that stupid, arrogant boyfriend of hers for the last few hours. However he had waited patiently and she finally left his arms. The vampire smirked as she went outside alone to lock up the animals as she had done every night so far. This was the only time of day she was alone. Lukas followed her. He watched as she led Butthead the goat and the fat pigs into their soft hay beds. He followed as she checked up on the owls and the Crups. He smirked as she convinced the large griffin into his barn with little ease. She had no idea the creature was panicked by the scent of him.
The vampire waited until she had done her last chore. Only then did he reveal himself from the shadows .The scent of all the animals made him hungry and the pupils of his eyes turned to slits as his body prepared to hunt. Lukas stepped toward her, the shifting of his weight disturbed the gravel path and alerted the girl. Sydney seemed to twitch as she heard him and she spun around, her expression aggressive.
"Lukas, what are you doing out here in the dark?" she said with surprise and fear in her voice.
"I came looking for you," Lukas said softly as he approached her.
"Why, what do you want?" Sydney growled.
Lukas smirked, he smelled her unease. He knew the creature inside her stirred wildly. He knew that Sydney often had animalistic tendencies due to her magical abilities. He knew about her childhood and that she was prone to attack and fight in wolf form rather than duel. He knew her powers were unstable and she was unfocused. Lukas knew pretty much everything about her and her life.
"I want to finish off what I started the night I met you," Lukas sneered over his fangs.
The boy removed his long black coat, revealing his leathery bat like wings. The girl stared at him, open mouthed and he saw a shudder of fear run up her spine.
"You're a vampire?" Sydney gasped with a choke, her eyes wide with fear.
"Oh, what a smart little bitch you are," Lukas snarled.
He advanced on her and Sydney opened her mouth to yell.
"Don't you dare call for help. If you do I will only kill your family too. Alex, Sirius that bloody half giant, none of them can help you, nether can Nikol or Ahsoka," Lukas growled, inching forward.
Sydney had tears in her eyes as she desperately cried, "But... but Ahsoka is my friend. Why would you want to kill me? What have I done?"
Lukas bared his fangs at her and sneered, "Absolutely nothing but you see it's my job to kill those in my master's way."
The boy stalked forward, as he drew nearer he heard her blood surge in her veins. The girl's heart raced through her body as it pumped her with the energy she needed to fight. Her limbs shook with the force of her upcoming transformation and a growl ripped through her throat. The girl snarled angrily at him and turned away. In one leap she transformed and began to race away from him. That was when he first felt the thrill of the hunt set in.
End flashback
Lukas had started after her as he stared now. She was a lot faster than he thought she would be. She had kept ahead of him by keeping to covered grounds and by losing her scent in a stream. She had been smart and found a high, open area to fight him. It was a place where she would see him coming and prepare fire for an attack. She was smart but weak and predictable. Sure she had gotten in a few good shots but he was a vampire, he could recover far faster than she ever could. Lukas smiled widely at his work. He had beaten her as he knew he would and now he could kill her. Once she was dead his job would be done and he could feed. The boy stepped around the girl breathing in the scent of her blood, how it teased him.
Sydney struggled as Lukas' spell weighted her to the ground. Everything hurt and a steady stream of blood was now running from the corner of her mouth and from her forehead. She groaned and shivered as the metallic taste of her own life force began to seep out of her. She watched through half closed eyes as the boy advanced on her. Lukas picked her up by the front of her shirt. His eyes gleamed as he lifted her high above his own head. She wanted to struggle and kick him but her body simply would not move. She just dangled helplessly in his hands.
"Sorry about this, squirt but it's just what I have to do," Lukas whispered.
Sydney glared at him. If it was only his job why didn't he kill her quickly? Why did he drag it out and torture her? Sydney felt rage take a hold once more. She detested being so weak, she detested being taken away from all the things and people she loved.
Sydney bared her teeth and spit blood in his face. Lukas felt his body go rigid as the girl's warm liquid spattered his face. She smelt so good. Until now he had resisted but as the warmth of her blood hit his skin, the scent falling so close to his nose he felt his control slip. A roar ripped though his chest and his fangs lashed forward. Lukas snapped his jaw down on the girl's neck. The force of the bite broke her collar bone. He felt it splinter beneath his teeth but he didn't care, he began draining her. He had never tasted human blood before, let alone a witch's. Sydney's blood was as delightful as it smelled. It was like a combination between wolf and something else he couldn't place. Her blood raced into him and he could taste her fear with it which made it more delectable. Each gulp was thick and sweet like honey only even better. He could feel the girl's very life flowing into him with every delicious gulp.
Sydney couldn't even struggle anymore. She couldn't even scream. She could hardly even breathe. Her vision went dark and she felt her heartbeat flicker. The wolf inside no longer barked at her to fight, it was silent and she felt herself slipping away with it. Her neck burned from the vampire venom and she could feel it slowly dissolving the flesh and skin. She was aware of her life being sucked out of her and she knew she was dying. Everything went fuzzy as her heartbeat stumbled again. Her chest felt like it would explode as the vampire sucked harder, bruising her body with each mouthful of her life. Sydney felt as if death would be a mercy. After so much pain in the last hour of her life she felt like she couldn't go on. The girl closed her eyes and wished it would end soon.
Just as Lukas could feel the girl's heart slow he was startled by a sound to his right. Nikol was standing there with none other than Ahsoka by his side. The boy released his jaws from Sydney and stared at them. His face was covered in the sticky red life force and he reeked of death. The girl's breath came in low gargling gasps as she struggled to breathe past her own bloody wound.
"That's enough, now drop her Lukas," the veela said softly.
Lukas carried on staring at them. Sydney's blood seemed to have slowed his thoughts slightly and he felt odd. He wondered if this is what it felt like to be blood drunk? He had heard of such things happening to vampires that drink the blood of other magical creatures. It caused them to feel dizzy and euphoric.
Ahsoka looked at Lukas with tears in her eyes.
"Please big brother, she's dying," she cried.
"She is meant to. If she lives she might turn her brother into a good guy and ruin our father's plans. And I can't allow that to happen, we both know he would take it out on you and others. Besides she tastes so good, perhaps I should drain her uncle to" Lukas smiled softly, his voice thick and sluggish.
Ahsoka sobbed lightly and Nikol gritted his teeth.
"It's the blood Ashy, it's just making him act weird. He doesn't really think that," Nikol said.
The boy's amber eyes fixed on a distant bush on the other side of the clearing.
"Come now Lukas, put her down. I have to heal her before it's too late," Alex said gently as he walked out into the clearing.
Behind the vampire, Raebeart appeared.
"It's ok Lukas, we just want our friend back and then you can go rest somewhere safe. No one will hurt you or your sister. We know everything and we are going to help you," the part giant said carefully stepping closer. "As Nikol told you, Sydney has little influence on her brother so I think you can let her be."
The part giant was keen to convince the vampire that Sydney was no threat. He knew after Lukas had drained so much blood that the boy's mission wasn't the only problem any more. Lukas would have found her intoxicating and would struggle not to drink what was left of her.
Lukas sneered as his blood rate climbed. He could feel the girl's strength beginning to full his body but his scenes still seemed slow. The boy blinked as a final figure came into the clearing.
"Why if it isn't, Sirius Black, Looking for this?" the vampire whispered, waving Sydney like a rag doll.
Sirius glared at him and snarled. Unlike the others he had his wand raised and looked ready to kill. He looked at the vampire with the purest hated in his silver eyes.
"Give me back my girlfriend. Or I swear, I'll kill you!" Sirius whispered as he stepped forward, ignoring the worried looks from his friends.
"Sirius no... He can't help it, his dad made him do it. He threatened to kill Ahsoka if he didn't," Nikol reasoned.
"That's right Padfoot, you need to be calm now," Raebeart said as he took a step forward.
"Dragon shit, I don't care, Sydney is dying and it's that cunt's fault!" Sirius roared.
Lukas smirked, he lifted Sydney higher and studied her. She didn't move when he pressed at her torn and bloody flesh or when he ran his claws over the bruises on her face. The last of her life seemed to be holding on but that wouldn't last. She would be dead in a matter of minutes and he, his sister and Nikol would be safe for now. With his job seemingly done he threw the girl to the ground, hard enough for her to bounce and skid along the floor.
Nikol flinched as Sydney hit the frozen ground. He heard bone crack as she landed and as her body rolled along the floor a thick trail of blood covered the snow. Alex was there in an instant. He pulled out a vial from his pocket and poured it on the bite wound. The girl's neck began to glisten and burn with silver smoke. The veela turned back to Lukas who was watching with mild interest, he wore a strange expression on his sharp face. He looked like he was contemplating attacking the group.
"Don't think about it, Lukas," the veela whispered.
The vampire turned to him and scowled but kept to where he was. His eyes stayed hungrily on the fallen girl.
Raebeart was there too holding Sydney still while Alex worked silently.
"What is that?" the part giant asked.
"It's a cleansing solution, it will stop infection and some of the venom," Alex replied.
He cast his wand over the girl and began healing minor wounds with a healing charm. Raebeart studied her too, checking for wounds that needed the most attention.
"Her arm's broken," Raebeart sighed.
"I think you know how to handle that," Alex replied as he worked on the girl's bruised throat.
The part giant nodded and pulled the limb tight and pointed his own wand.
"Ferula," he commanded and the limb was bound and splinted tightly.
Alex smiled at him and nodded his approval.
Ahsoka slowly approached Sirius, he was still glaring at her brother and his wand was sparking furiously with red and gold flames. His wand arm shook with rage and he growled in a dog like way. The girl touched his arm and tried to lower it gently.
"Sirius, please stop this. Go help Sydney, she needs you," she pleaded.
Sirius looked at her then to Sydney. The pressure on his arm helped him focus.
"If he so much as looks at her again I'll kill him!" he whispered.
The boy glared at her then at Lukas before he ran towards his girlfriend. Ahsoka sighed and looked at her brother sadly.
"Don't worry, he will understand soon enough," Nikol said gently.
Ahsoka smiled at him and together they turned to Lukas.
"We aren't welcome here now Lukas, we must leave," Nikol said firmly. "We can talk about this when we are safely away from here."
Lukas ignored him, it seemed they were trying to heal his prey and as she stirred he believed they might well do so.
"No, she has to die first," he said taking a step forward.
Ahsoka ran out in front of him and shouted, "Lukas, you have done more than enough. You have lied to me and left me out when I could have helped you!"
"No one can help me!" Lukas snapped bitterly.
"Yes we can, the school castle is safe or at least it can be made safe. All we have to do is tell Dumbledore and he will protect you, like he has protected me," she cried.
Nikol looked at the two siblings and how different they had become. Lukas smiled at his sister.
"There is no help for me, little one," he sighed and added seriously, "I will await word from Rurik and see what he wishes me to do next. Ahsoka, you will stay with Nikol, he will protect you."
Nikol nodded and held Ahsoka's arm tightly.
"I promise to do my best. If you promise to look after yourself and not to harm this girl again," he said with the faintest trace of a threat in his voice.
"As long as what we talked about last night goes to plan then I won't have to but if I see no change I will have to try to kill this girl again. That is if she doesn't die this time," Lukas studied Nikol and then he looked over to Sydney as she gave a strangled moan.
"Raebeart, tilt her head up. Sirius, hold her shoulders for me. This will hurt her but it is the only thing that is sure to get rid of all the venom and help replace the blood in her system," Alex whispered.
Raebeart and Sirius did as they were told with expressions of concern etched on their faces. Alex placed a small bowl to the girl's lips which Alex had just mixed some potions into. He tipped the concoction down her throat slowly. Sydney choked and gagged but he kept pouring.
"Is she going to die?" Sirius asked as the girl beneath him shuddered.
"Our type has strong immune systems, we can take vampire and werewolf venom in small amounts without harm but this is overwhelming her. This however should do the trick. At least till we can get her more help," Alex said as he poured the rest of the mixture down the girl's mouth.
Sydney gagged again and rolled onto her side, curling into a tight ball. She began to cough loudly and her body shuddered as the potion set to work. Alex patted her as he whispered, "You will be ok, puppy. You will just fight it."
Raebeart patted Sirius gently on the shoulder.
"Pick her up Pads, we need to get her to St. Mungo's," he soothed gently.
"Why, I thought you said she will be ok?" the boy said quickly.
"She will be but she will need supervision over night and she might need more blood rejuvenator. Believe me young man, hospital will be the best place for her tonight at the very least," Alex said gently as he gathered his things.
Sirius took a deep breath and nodded, trying to ignore the tears that threatened his eyes. He picked Sydney up bride style and held her to his chest. The girl leaned against him and tried to speak but gagged on her own blood. Sirius hushed her and kissed the top of her head.
"Its ok love, I will stay with you all night. Just think tomorrow will be Christmas and you can open all the presents you keep shaking," he laughed nervously as he followed the others.
Sydney leaned closer to him and nodded, her eyes still tightly closed. The boy glared at the vampire one last time before disappearing back through the trees.
Lukas watched as they carried the girl away, only Raebeart remained. Nikol watched too, he waited until they had left before speaking.
"Right, now they have gone we can talk properly. You have to leave, stay in the forest in Hogwarts grounds as near to the school as possible without being seen. Your farther cannot apparate there so you will have some degree of protection. I will speak to the headmaster and see if he can help. I don't know how this is going to work after the damage you have done but I will sort something out," he said firmly.
The vampire blinked at the other boy's confidence as he asked mildly, "Why bother?"
"Because you are my friend and although what you have done is monstrous to say the least, you were doing it to protect your sister," Nikol replied simply.
Ahsoka looked at Lukas sadly, "I wish you would have told me what was going on."
"I know," Lukas said with a scowl, "But you know now why I couldn't. However I am sorry. You must hate me for what I have done..."
His sister wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"I don't hate you. I never could. I hate what father has made you but I'm gonna help you. Somehow we will stop you becoming a true death eater," she whispered, her voice trailing off as she began to cry. As tears raced down her cheeks, she stammered, "Some way we will find a way to fix this..."
Lukas wrapped one arm around his sister and pulled her close as he sighed, "Talya hates me, I thought you would too. I hoped to kill Sydney without you knowing it was me. I planned to make her just disappear but she fought back and I lost control after I smelled her blood. I'm sorry."
The blood of the girl had settled in him by now and his thoughts were finally clear. He realised the full scale of what he had done and he regretted it. He could have turned her. He could have killed her and now that his head was clear he seemed to realize he had been foolish. He hadn't listened to his close friend who had offered him fair advice on the matter. In his hurry to kill, he had almost become his father.
Nikol patted his friend on the back.
"It will be ok, old friend. Tell your father what you have done and remind him how much Severus hates everything his sister loves. I hate to admit it but I have seen enough of that boy to know how he will turn out, he is a dark art loving bully," Nikol stated. "You are pretty much nocturnal so you don't see all the stuff him and his friends get up to during the day."
Raebeart frowned, "Severus isn't really a bad person at heart but he is unfortunately easily influenced and attracted to power. Your father was wrong to think Sydney has such an effect on him."
"Oh I don't doubt he loves her, like you said Nikol. But I think his loyalty lies away from her particularly since she is for one thing in Gryffindor and for another in love with one of his worst enemies," he finished darkly, his expression rather sad.
"Perhaps I was being to rash. I didn't wish to believe Nikol as I thought he was just trying to stop me becoming a murderer," Lukas nodded thoughtfully, while Ahsoka sobbed against her brother's chest.
All this fighting and misery was awful. She could barely stand it just as she thought things were getting better, just as she thought she was going to be happy, her brother turned out to be a pawn in some dark wizard's scheme. The idea of him getting involved in some war that would happen in years to come terrified her. She couldn't stand the idea of losing him just when she had got together with Nikol and made so many friends.
"Do you think Sydney will still like you if she lives?" Lukas asked curiously.
"Yes, she will but I would advise that you keep the fact Lukas is staying in the forest to yourself for a while. Just till she recovers and Sirius calms down," Raebeart said quietly, stroking his bushy beard. "Sydney is endlessly loyal and will not take your actions into account. Ahsoka matters to her because of whom she is not because of what you have done, Lukas."
The vampire nodded, "Good, if that is all I'll leave now."
Before the others could speak the boy spread his wings and leapt into the sky before flying off at a tremendous speed.
Ahsoka smiled at Nikol, "We should get the bus back, I doubt Alison would let us back in."
Raebeart nodded, "I hate to say it but it's for the best. They will be waiting for healers to take Sydney away. I can send you your things though."
Nikol nodded and thanked him.
"I will join you soon," Raebeart nodded and smiled, giving them both a bone crunching hug.
Their time at the farm and this event filled night had brought the group closer together.
"Both of you take care," the part giant said before heading back to the house.
Ahsoka and Nikol watched him go before making their own way to the road on the other side of the forest.
"I'll take you back to school and look after you," Nikol smiled, holding her hand softly.
Ahsoka smiled through the tears at him.
"Thank you. It's going to be lonely there after being at this place," she said weakly as Nikol led them back.
Part of her couldn't wait to get back so she could check up on Lukas and help him. After all he had been through she was determined to protect her brother as he had her when they were young. However another part of her worried about how this night would change things once term began. When would Sydney be back or would she even come back at all? Would Sirius go looking for trouble and was Nikol's and Raebeart's opinion of Severus Snape true? Would he abandon Sydney for the dark arts? The girl sighed deeply, all this paled in comparison to what she had learned tonight. War was coming, who knew what would be happening? In a few years time they could all be forced to pick sides. She only hoped those she loved chose the same one as her.
Ughhhhhh that was a long one but I got to beat up Sydney which was fun ha ha ha... I'm mean. I also got to mess with the timeline and use plenty of flashbacks and memories which I like doing. Linear stories are boring to write, anyway more to come sooner or later. Look out for over protective Padfoot and some Ashy and Nikol fluff cuz they need more. Also some more fighting cuz writing violence is fun... Thanks again to Kayla for helping me with this