Title: David's Revenge (Part 7)
Author: ImhotepsGoddess
Summary: David isn't dead. And he wants revenge. How will he get it, and could he possibly find a way to bring the Pack back to life?
Disclaimer: As we all know, the WB owns The Lost Boys and all of the characters therein. The only thing I own is Annabelle but don't tell her that. However, if they wanted to give me Dwayne I wouldn't object ::sigh::
Part 7
Sam and Edgar were sitting in the den reading some old comic books when they heard a strange rustling outside of the house. They instantly stilled, listening intently for anything that might indicate danger. Nanook starting growling, his fangs glistening in the lamplight. Sam and Edgar looked at each other, suddenly very frightened. Sam then mouthed, "Where are the others?" to Edgar, meaning Laddie, Lucy and Grandpa. They knew where Michael was; he was at the Boardwalk. It was then that they knew they were in trouble.
All at once everything happened. David burst into the house through the repaired fireplace. Nanook was thrown across the room and into the kitchen, breathing but barely. They heard rustling and a thump upstairs and knew where Annabelle was. "So, boys, ready to die?" David sneered.
"Not yet, fang-boy!" Edgar yelled, pushing past Sam and charging at David.
David simply smiled and caught Edgar by the throat, hauling him into the air and tossing him into the banister, sending wooden shards everywhere. Sam froze, his eyes wide. Why did Michael have to leave them? How could he possibly take on David *and* Annabelle all by himself? He gathered up all of his courage and took a stake from in between the couch cushions. "You'll never win David. We won't let you," he said before running at David with all his might. It wasn't enough. David grabbed and wrenched the stake from Sam's hand and knocked him down and out with one single punch.
"David, can we go now?" a voice from the top of the stairs asked.
"Did you do what I told you?" David asked Annabelle.
"Yes. I didn't kill the old man. I only drained him enough to make him go unconscious," she answered.
"And Laddie?"
"Laddie isn't here. He must've gone out with the woman."
"He isn't to be touched, do you here me?" David had liked Laddie and didn't want him killed. If Laddie needed a family, then he would let Lucy and the old man live.
"Of course, David. This is your revenge."
With that, Annabelle walked down the stairs and picked up the unconscious Edgar Frog. David slung Sam over his shoulder and together they made together they made their way back to their home.
-----------------------
Michael didn't understand. David and Annabelle had come out to the Boardwalk at this time for three days. Why wouldn't they be here now? Suddenly Michael felt a chill run down his spine and he realized what had happened. It was a trap. They were over at *his* house, possibly right now, and he had left his family unprotected. He ran to where he left his bike and hopped on it, willing it to go faster than ever before so that he could save his family.
When Michael returned home he knew that it was too late. He could sense it from the stillness and darkness of the house. He opened the door cautiously. "SAM!! EDGAR!!" he shouted, hoping that he was wrong.
He heard a whine from the kitchen and ran into the room, his heart stopping when he saw Nanook lying on the floor on his side. He kneeled down on the floor and gently put a hand on the dog's side. "Nanook?" he whispered.
The malamute opened his eyes and peered at Michael sadly. Michael breathed a sigh of relief. Nanook had been stunned but otherwise seemed okay. The dog slowly got to his feet and ran as much as he could into the den. Michael knew he was looking for Sam and grew angry with himself for not being there to protect all of them. All of a sudden Michael heard a soft thump coming from the upstairs bedrooms. Walking softly up the stair, ready for a fight, Michael cautiously opened the first, his, bedroom door and scanned the room. Nothing. Traveling down the hallway he put his hand on the doorknob of the door that led to Sam's room and slowly turned it. Opening the door, he scanned this room and once again found nothing. He checked the third room and still nothing. Finally, he came to what had to be *the* room. He flung open the door and was shocked to see Grandpa lying on the bed. He ran to his grandfather's side and gently shook him. "Grandpa?" he called, praying that he was not too late. Grandpa opened his eyes slowly and looked at Michael. "Mike, the boys....." his voice grew soft.
"Grandpa, what happened to the boys?"
"David, a girl....they took them Mike." Grandpa said sadly.
"What about Mom and Laddie?" Michael asked, his voice growing strained.
"They went to the store...be back soon, I hope," said Grandpa, closing his eyes briefly.
"I have to go save them, Grandpa," Michael said, his voice sad but firm.
"I know Michael. I'll tell them when they get home. I'll be okay...just go."
Before Michael left he helped Grandpa down the stairs and onto the couch. "Don't worry, Grandpa, I'll find them," Michael said, then hugged his grandfather and started towards the door.
Nanook sat at Grandpa's side and nudged his head under his hand. He smiled weakly at the dog and watched as his grandson left the house, perhaps for the last time.
----------------------
At the cave Annabelle was preparing the ritual. David brought the remains of Paul, Dwayne, and Marco into the main room and laid them out softly onto the floor.
Annabelle was setting out candles that she had charged just for this night and was lighting them one by one. The two boys had been hung upside down from a low rafter on the ceiling; they would have to bleed directly on the remains for this to work right. After David had lain out the Boys, he went into a back room and brought out a fairly ancient dagger, its silver blade shining in the candlelight. On the handle of the blade were carved ancient runes, used to give the user of the weapon power. David smiled at his mate and handed her the dagger. She thanked him softly and turned it in her hands, admiring the beauty of it. She looked of at David and quietly whispered, "It is time."
David nodded and stepped back. Annabelle would need complete concentration in order to begin. Once she did, however, she told him that she wouldn't be able to stop.
Almost reverently Annabelle stepped up to the unconscious body of Sam. She drew a thin line across his naked chest and watched as the blood fell from him onto the body of Dwayne. She then turned to Edgar and made thin cuts in his forearms, which were positioned over both Paul and Marco. The blood needed to come out slowly, as the words of the incantation were spoken slowly as well. She stepped back and watched for an instant. It had begun.
--------------------------
Michael was pushing his bike so hard, he almost feared it would spin out of control. He hadn't even gotten past the Boardwalk yet and he could feel that time was growing short. There was something in the air, something powerful. Michael shook his head and pushed his bike faster.
-----------------------------
Annabelle kneeled on the ground in front of the remains and began the incantation. "What has not left this world shall never leave it. From the blood of the defilers so raise the dead to the living. Let the blood nourish their spirits and make them strong. The bonds that tie the dwellers to the earth shall give them strength to return to the physical world. I lift my voice on this night of the full moon to implore the ancient ones to release these souls to me."
A faint humming started. The blood that had already dripped onto the remains started to seep into them and a glow began to surround them. The blood from the boys seemed to be coming faster and faster, the hum was growing louder and louder. Annabelle raised her arms and shouted over the din, "I implore the ancient ones to deliver the souls of these dwellers to the earth once more. Let justice be delivered! I implore thee! By the moon and the life-blood that is sacrificed here tonight, I beseech thee! Ancient Ones, hear me!!"
---------------------------
Michael was almost there, just a minute or two and he would be in that cave, and he would kill David. Then it could be all over.
---------------------------
The light was pulsating now with raw energy. It was washing over the bodies of the Lost Boys like a wave. Annabelle abruptly stopped yelling and slumped onto the floor. David stepped forward to see what had happened but before he could do that he saw something incredible. The light stilled and engulfed the bodies of his Boys completely. He couldn't see them, the light was so dense and so bright. He was frozen in place. He tried desperately to move but it was like he was glued to the floor. Then the light started moving again. It rolled like a wave going out with the tide. It grew paler and paler until there was nothing. The humming stopped and all was silent. David opened his eyes, although he could not remember closing them. He blinked once or twice, trying to refocus them. When he did what he saw was the most amazing thing he could ever remember seeing. His Pack was lying where the remains had been, looking peaceful, as if they were in a deep sleep. Interrupting his joy was a strangled cry.
-----------------------------
Michael skidded his bike to a halt and barely gave himself time to get off of it. He ran towards the mouth of the cave when suddenly a bright, blinding light froze him. After what seemed like forever he was able to move again and he ran as best he could down the uneven and steep steps into the cave. He gave a strangled cry when he saw the scene before him. Sam and Edgar had been hung from the cave's ceiling and were the pale of death, the blood having been drained from them by shallow looking cuts on their chests and arms. The girl Annabelle was unconscious on the floor in front of them and when he saw what was below them he gaped in unadulterated horror. It was the bodies of the Lost Boys, whole and looking how he remembered they looked, in what seemed like all those nights ago when this whole nightmare had started. David was standing off to the side and Michael saw the happy smile on his face. Then David tensed and Michael knew that the fight had begun.
"Michael, so nice of you to join us. This is a big night, you know," David sneered, a cruel smile on his face.
"What have you done to them? You'll pay for this David!!" Michael shouted.
"And how will you do that? You're not like us anymore, Michael. You can't defeat me. Don't even try."
David saw that Michael was not going down without a fight. Well, if it was a fight he wanted then a fight he would get. David's face shifted to his vampiric visage and he growled at Michael. "Well, let's get this over with *Mikey*."
Michael screamed and charged at David. David was caught by surprise as Michael drove him into the far wall. "That was pretty good, Mike, but you're going to have to do better," David said, seemingly unfazed.
David snarled at Michael and landed a punch on his jaw, sending him flying back into a shelf full of books. Michael groaned and tried to clear his head as David stalked toward him. As he neared him, Michael kicked David in the stomach and ran over to one of the empty barrels, grabbing it and throwing it at him. David caught it easily and threw it to the ground. He took to the air and grabbed Michael, throwing him against a chandelier and making it fall to the ground. David landed near Michael, who was almost unconscious. "So, Mikey, give up yet?" he asked sarcastically.
Michael groaned and whispered fiercely, "I'll never give up, David, never."
"Oh, never say never my boy," David's lips curled into a sneer as he bent over Michael. Finally he would have his revenge. He grabbed Michael by the collar and hauled him to his feet. Lowering his head, he sunk his fangs into his ultimate prey's neck. He drank deeply, never had he enjoyed a kill so much before. When he felt the weak protestations finally cease he heard a light coughing. Snarling he dropped Michael's body and turned around. Paul grinned at him. "So, you gonna be done anytime soon?"
David just stared as he took in the sight of his Pack. Paul was smiling at him with his eyebrows slightly raised, the corner of Dwayne's mouth was lifted into his usual half-smile, and Marco looked almost as dazed as David himself did.
"Well, it's good to be back," Marco commented after a what seemed like an eternity of silence.
David wanted nothing more than to hug his family, but he didn't want to appear weak. Dwayne finally spoke up. "What, no hug?" he asked with a laugh in his voice.
The four members of the Pack embraced, their laughter ringing through the cave. Paul howled with joy and the other's voices soon joined him. "So, who do we thank for bringing us here?" Marco asked after the noise had died down.
David suddenly remembered Annabelle. Fuck, he swore to himself, I promised that I wouldn't forget her. She's my mate! He looked around and started to panic when he didn't see her. Had she quietly left during the celebration? Where could she be? The Pack watched as their leader seemed to grow more and more frenzied, his eyes darting around the room and his body tensing up. He could feel her pain through their bond and it hurt him to know she was feeling that way. "David, who are you looking for man?" Paul asked.
"My mate! She performed the ritual, she's not here!" he practically shouted.
Dwayne raised his eyebrows. "Your mate? You'll have to tell us when this happened. But we'll find her," he said, feeling the need to comfort his sire.
"Yeah, where would she go David?" asked Marco, the celebration all but forgotten.
David remained silent for a moment and then ran off in the direction of the "pool." The boys took off after him.
--------------------------
Annabelle sat silently at the edge of the pool, the water lapping around her feet. The tears coursed their way down her cheeks but she did nothing to wipe them away. When she had awoken she had been disoriented and confused. Then she saw the Pack standing their, David in front of them with pure happiness written on his face. Then they embraced and her heart dropped. He hadn't even looked for her, wondered where she was. She had watched them howl and celebrate together and the sadness overwhelmed her. She was glad she had not believed her mate's promise. She wondered if he could feel her sadness and emptiness.
-----------------------------
When David got to the archway that led to the pool he knew even before looking in the room that she was there. He breathed an unneeded sigh of relief and walked quietly into the room. She was sitting with her back to the entryway so he couldn't see her face, but he knew that she was crying. He walked as quietly as he could up behind her but she turned before he even got close. "Don't," she whispered.
His undead heart broke at the sight of her, the tears staining her cheeks and the sadness in her every feature. "Don't what, my Belle?" he asked.
"Don't call me "my Belle" and don't try to explain. I know the truth."
The Boys were standing by the entry and silently watching the scene. They wouldn't interfere.
"So what is the truth, Annabelle?" he asked.
"That you don't need or want me anymore. That it is over. I can leave now. You *want* me to leave now," she said, a sadness in her voice.
"I do need you, I do want you. Annabelle, I love you, you're my mate. We are bonded, for eternity, remember? I can never let you leave, I'll never *want* you to leave," he explained quietly.
Annabelle stepped close to him and put her hands on his shoulders, searching his eyes to try to see the truth. If her heart was alive it would've stopped. He was telling the truth. He really was. She reached up and ran her fingers over his cheek and he nuzzled into her touch. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her close, once again licking the sweet blood-tears off of her face. When he was finished he softly pressed his lips to hers in a gentle, loving kiss. She responded instantly, pressing herself to him and deepening the kiss. She pulled away from him when she sensed the presence of others in the room. "I think we have an audience," she whispered, laughter in her voice.
David turned towards the door and smiled when he saw the rest of his family. "Boys, I'd like you to meet my mate, Annabelle."
Paul smiled and took her hand. "Very nice to meet you, Annabelle. Thanks for bringing us back," he said, kissing the back of her hand lightly.
"Yeah, thanks for bringing us back. Now you'll be able to take a break from David. We know he can be annoying," Marco said, grinning at his elder who just growled good-naturedly at him.
"Welcome. And thanks," said Dwayne, bowing his head slightly.
"Well, what now?" Annabelle asked, turning to look at her mate. The others vampires turned to David questioningly.
"Hunt?" suggested David, smiling.
The suggestion was met with a roar of approval and the now complete Pack made their way back into the main room. They all stopped when they saw who was there.
Author: ImhotepsGoddess
Summary: David isn't dead. And he wants revenge. How will he get it, and could he possibly find a way to bring the Pack back to life?
Disclaimer: As we all know, the WB owns The Lost Boys and all of the characters therein. The only thing I own is Annabelle but don't tell her that. However, if they wanted to give me Dwayne I wouldn't object ::sigh::
Part 7
Sam and Edgar were sitting in the den reading some old comic books when they heard a strange rustling outside of the house. They instantly stilled, listening intently for anything that might indicate danger. Nanook starting growling, his fangs glistening in the lamplight. Sam and Edgar looked at each other, suddenly very frightened. Sam then mouthed, "Where are the others?" to Edgar, meaning Laddie, Lucy and Grandpa. They knew where Michael was; he was at the Boardwalk. It was then that they knew they were in trouble.
All at once everything happened. David burst into the house through the repaired fireplace. Nanook was thrown across the room and into the kitchen, breathing but barely. They heard rustling and a thump upstairs and knew where Annabelle was. "So, boys, ready to die?" David sneered.
"Not yet, fang-boy!" Edgar yelled, pushing past Sam and charging at David.
David simply smiled and caught Edgar by the throat, hauling him into the air and tossing him into the banister, sending wooden shards everywhere. Sam froze, his eyes wide. Why did Michael have to leave them? How could he possibly take on David *and* Annabelle all by himself? He gathered up all of his courage and took a stake from in between the couch cushions. "You'll never win David. We won't let you," he said before running at David with all his might. It wasn't enough. David grabbed and wrenched the stake from Sam's hand and knocked him down and out with one single punch.
"David, can we go now?" a voice from the top of the stairs asked.
"Did you do what I told you?" David asked Annabelle.
"Yes. I didn't kill the old man. I only drained him enough to make him go unconscious," she answered.
"And Laddie?"
"Laddie isn't here. He must've gone out with the woman."
"He isn't to be touched, do you here me?" David had liked Laddie and didn't want him killed. If Laddie needed a family, then he would let Lucy and the old man live.
"Of course, David. This is your revenge."
With that, Annabelle walked down the stairs and picked up the unconscious Edgar Frog. David slung Sam over his shoulder and together they made together they made their way back to their home.
-----------------------
Michael didn't understand. David and Annabelle had come out to the Boardwalk at this time for three days. Why wouldn't they be here now? Suddenly Michael felt a chill run down his spine and he realized what had happened. It was a trap. They were over at *his* house, possibly right now, and he had left his family unprotected. He ran to where he left his bike and hopped on it, willing it to go faster than ever before so that he could save his family.
When Michael returned home he knew that it was too late. He could sense it from the stillness and darkness of the house. He opened the door cautiously. "SAM!! EDGAR!!" he shouted, hoping that he was wrong.
He heard a whine from the kitchen and ran into the room, his heart stopping when he saw Nanook lying on the floor on his side. He kneeled down on the floor and gently put a hand on the dog's side. "Nanook?" he whispered.
The malamute opened his eyes and peered at Michael sadly. Michael breathed a sigh of relief. Nanook had been stunned but otherwise seemed okay. The dog slowly got to his feet and ran as much as he could into the den. Michael knew he was looking for Sam and grew angry with himself for not being there to protect all of them. All of a sudden Michael heard a soft thump coming from the upstairs bedrooms. Walking softly up the stair, ready for a fight, Michael cautiously opened the first, his, bedroom door and scanned the room. Nothing. Traveling down the hallway he put his hand on the doorknob of the door that led to Sam's room and slowly turned it. Opening the door, he scanned this room and once again found nothing. He checked the third room and still nothing. Finally, he came to what had to be *the* room. He flung open the door and was shocked to see Grandpa lying on the bed. He ran to his grandfather's side and gently shook him. "Grandpa?" he called, praying that he was not too late. Grandpa opened his eyes slowly and looked at Michael. "Mike, the boys....." his voice grew soft.
"Grandpa, what happened to the boys?"
"David, a girl....they took them Mike." Grandpa said sadly.
"What about Mom and Laddie?" Michael asked, his voice growing strained.
"They went to the store...be back soon, I hope," said Grandpa, closing his eyes briefly.
"I have to go save them, Grandpa," Michael said, his voice sad but firm.
"I know Michael. I'll tell them when they get home. I'll be okay...just go."
Before Michael left he helped Grandpa down the stairs and onto the couch. "Don't worry, Grandpa, I'll find them," Michael said, then hugged his grandfather and started towards the door.
Nanook sat at Grandpa's side and nudged his head under his hand. He smiled weakly at the dog and watched as his grandson left the house, perhaps for the last time.
----------------------
At the cave Annabelle was preparing the ritual. David brought the remains of Paul, Dwayne, and Marco into the main room and laid them out softly onto the floor.
Annabelle was setting out candles that she had charged just for this night and was lighting them one by one. The two boys had been hung upside down from a low rafter on the ceiling; they would have to bleed directly on the remains for this to work right. After David had lain out the Boys, he went into a back room and brought out a fairly ancient dagger, its silver blade shining in the candlelight. On the handle of the blade were carved ancient runes, used to give the user of the weapon power. David smiled at his mate and handed her the dagger. She thanked him softly and turned it in her hands, admiring the beauty of it. She looked of at David and quietly whispered, "It is time."
David nodded and stepped back. Annabelle would need complete concentration in order to begin. Once she did, however, she told him that she wouldn't be able to stop.
Almost reverently Annabelle stepped up to the unconscious body of Sam. She drew a thin line across his naked chest and watched as the blood fell from him onto the body of Dwayne. She then turned to Edgar and made thin cuts in his forearms, which were positioned over both Paul and Marco. The blood needed to come out slowly, as the words of the incantation were spoken slowly as well. She stepped back and watched for an instant. It had begun.
--------------------------
Michael was pushing his bike so hard, he almost feared it would spin out of control. He hadn't even gotten past the Boardwalk yet and he could feel that time was growing short. There was something in the air, something powerful. Michael shook his head and pushed his bike faster.
-----------------------------
Annabelle kneeled on the ground in front of the remains and began the incantation. "What has not left this world shall never leave it. From the blood of the defilers so raise the dead to the living. Let the blood nourish their spirits and make them strong. The bonds that tie the dwellers to the earth shall give them strength to return to the physical world. I lift my voice on this night of the full moon to implore the ancient ones to release these souls to me."
A faint humming started. The blood that had already dripped onto the remains started to seep into them and a glow began to surround them. The blood from the boys seemed to be coming faster and faster, the hum was growing louder and louder. Annabelle raised her arms and shouted over the din, "I implore the ancient ones to deliver the souls of these dwellers to the earth once more. Let justice be delivered! I implore thee! By the moon and the life-blood that is sacrificed here tonight, I beseech thee! Ancient Ones, hear me!!"
---------------------------
Michael was almost there, just a minute or two and he would be in that cave, and he would kill David. Then it could be all over.
---------------------------
The light was pulsating now with raw energy. It was washing over the bodies of the Lost Boys like a wave. Annabelle abruptly stopped yelling and slumped onto the floor. David stepped forward to see what had happened but before he could do that he saw something incredible. The light stilled and engulfed the bodies of his Boys completely. He couldn't see them, the light was so dense and so bright. He was frozen in place. He tried desperately to move but it was like he was glued to the floor. Then the light started moving again. It rolled like a wave going out with the tide. It grew paler and paler until there was nothing. The humming stopped and all was silent. David opened his eyes, although he could not remember closing them. He blinked once or twice, trying to refocus them. When he did what he saw was the most amazing thing he could ever remember seeing. His Pack was lying where the remains had been, looking peaceful, as if they were in a deep sleep. Interrupting his joy was a strangled cry.
-----------------------------
Michael skidded his bike to a halt and barely gave himself time to get off of it. He ran towards the mouth of the cave when suddenly a bright, blinding light froze him. After what seemed like forever he was able to move again and he ran as best he could down the uneven and steep steps into the cave. He gave a strangled cry when he saw the scene before him. Sam and Edgar had been hung from the cave's ceiling and were the pale of death, the blood having been drained from them by shallow looking cuts on their chests and arms. The girl Annabelle was unconscious on the floor in front of them and when he saw what was below them he gaped in unadulterated horror. It was the bodies of the Lost Boys, whole and looking how he remembered they looked, in what seemed like all those nights ago when this whole nightmare had started. David was standing off to the side and Michael saw the happy smile on his face. Then David tensed and Michael knew that the fight had begun.
"Michael, so nice of you to join us. This is a big night, you know," David sneered, a cruel smile on his face.
"What have you done to them? You'll pay for this David!!" Michael shouted.
"And how will you do that? You're not like us anymore, Michael. You can't defeat me. Don't even try."
David saw that Michael was not going down without a fight. Well, if it was a fight he wanted then a fight he would get. David's face shifted to his vampiric visage and he growled at Michael. "Well, let's get this over with *Mikey*."
Michael screamed and charged at David. David was caught by surprise as Michael drove him into the far wall. "That was pretty good, Mike, but you're going to have to do better," David said, seemingly unfazed.
David snarled at Michael and landed a punch on his jaw, sending him flying back into a shelf full of books. Michael groaned and tried to clear his head as David stalked toward him. As he neared him, Michael kicked David in the stomach and ran over to one of the empty barrels, grabbing it and throwing it at him. David caught it easily and threw it to the ground. He took to the air and grabbed Michael, throwing him against a chandelier and making it fall to the ground. David landed near Michael, who was almost unconscious. "So, Mikey, give up yet?" he asked sarcastically.
Michael groaned and whispered fiercely, "I'll never give up, David, never."
"Oh, never say never my boy," David's lips curled into a sneer as he bent over Michael. Finally he would have his revenge. He grabbed Michael by the collar and hauled him to his feet. Lowering his head, he sunk his fangs into his ultimate prey's neck. He drank deeply, never had he enjoyed a kill so much before. When he felt the weak protestations finally cease he heard a light coughing. Snarling he dropped Michael's body and turned around. Paul grinned at him. "So, you gonna be done anytime soon?"
David just stared as he took in the sight of his Pack. Paul was smiling at him with his eyebrows slightly raised, the corner of Dwayne's mouth was lifted into his usual half-smile, and Marco looked almost as dazed as David himself did.
"Well, it's good to be back," Marco commented after a what seemed like an eternity of silence.
David wanted nothing more than to hug his family, but he didn't want to appear weak. Dwayne finally spoke up. "What, no hug?" he asked with a laugh in his voice.
The four members of the Pack embraced, their laughter ringing through the cave. Paul howled with joy and the other's voices soon joined him. "So, who do we thank for bringing us here?" Marco asked after the noise had died down.
David suddenly remembered Annabelle. Fuck, he swore to himself, I promised that I wouldn't forget her. She's my mate! He looked around and started to panic when he didn't see her. Had she quietly left during the celebration? Where could she be? The Pack watched as their leader seemed to grow more and more frenzied, his eyes darting around the room and his body tensing up. He could feel her pain through their bond and it hurt him to know she was feeling that way. "David, who are you looking for man?" Paul asked.
"My mate! She performed the ritual, she's not here!" he practically shouted.
Dwayne raised his eyebrows. "Your mate? You'll have to tell us when this happened. But we'll find her," he said, feeling the need to comfort his sire.
"Yeah, where would she go David?" asked Marco, the celebration all but forgotten.
David remained silent for a moment and then ran off in the direction of the "pool." The boys took off after him.
--------------------------
Annabelle sat silently at the edge of the pool, the water lapping around her feet. The tears coursed their way down her cheeks but she did nothing to wipe them away. When she had awoken she had been disoriented and confused. Then she saw the Pack standing their, David in front of them with pure happiness written on his face. Then they embraced and her heart dropped. He hadn't even looked for her, wondered where she was. She had watched them howl and celebrate together and the sadness overwhelmed her. She was glad she had not believed her mate's promise. She wondered if he could feel her sadness and emptiness.
-----------------------------
When David got to the archway that led to the pool he knew even before looking in the room that she was there. He breathed an unneeded sigh of relief and walked quietly into the room. She was sitting with her back to the entryway so he couldn't see her face, but he knew that she was crying. He walked as quietly as he could up behind her but she turned before he even got close. "Don't," she whispered.
His undead heart broke at the sight of her, the tears staining her cheeks and the sadness in her every feature. "Don't what, my Belle?" he asked.
"Don't call me "my Belle" and don't try to explain. I know the truth."
The Boys were standing by the entry and silently watching the scene. They wouldn't interfere.
"So what is the truth, Annabelle?" he asked.
"That you don't need or want me anymore. That it is over. I can leave now. You *want* me to leave now," she said, a sadness in her voice.
"I do need you, I do want you. Annabelle, I love you, you're my mate. We are bonded, for eternity, remember? I can never let you leave, I'll never *want* you to leave," he explained quietly.
Annabelle stepped close to him and put her hands on his shoulders, searching his eyes to try to see the truth. If her heart was alive it would've stopped. He was telling the truth. He really was. She reached up and ran her fingers over his cheek and he nuzzled into her touch. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her close, once again licking the sweet blood-tears off of her face. When he was finished he softly pressed his lips to hers in a gentle, loving kiss. She responded instantly, pressing herself to him and deepening the kiss. She pulled away from him when she sensed the presence of others in the room. "I think we have an audience," she whispered, laughter in her voice.
David turned towards the door and smiled when he saw the rest of his family. "Boys, I'd like you to meet my mate, Annabelle."
Paul smiled and took her hand. "Very nice to meet you, Annabelle. Thanks for bringing us back," he said, kissing the back of her hand lightly.
"Yeah, thanks for bringing us back. Now you'll be able to take a break from David. We know he can be annoying," Marco said, grinning at his elder who just growled good-naturedly at him.
"Welcome. And thanks," said Dwayne, bowing his head slightly.
"Well, what now?" Annabelle asked, turning to look at her mate. The others vampires turned to David questioningly.
"Hunt?" suggested David, smiling.
The suggestion was met with a roar of approval and the now complete Pack made their way back into the main room. They all stopped when they saw who was there.