The next morning Nyx was miserable and distracted, images of her past with Trya were flooding through her mind, the good, the bad...particularly the bad. The torture...the agony he had caused her.
And now he had the nerve to walk back into her life and expect her to fall at his feet? After what he *did* to her?
No way. Never. She would *never* go back to him. Never...
She hadn't talked to anyone about this, hardly ever. She wondered maybe if that was part of the problem. She had been keeping so much inside for so long...
She had been planning on staying home and hiding, but now she thought about it, maybe she was safer with people. Trya couldn't do anything to her in broad daylight in front of people. He wouldn't want to risk exposure.
She showered, dressed and headed to school, knowing she'd already missed homeroom. She hurried into her first class, and took her regular seat at the back, away from everyone. Cassie was there, and waved as she passed.
When the bell rang for lunch she found Cassie and Lacey at a secluded table. But it wasn't enough; she didn't want to risk being overheard.
"What's up with you?" Cassie asked, a frown marring her delicate features.
"You've been out of it all morning," Lacey added, biting on a carrot stick.
"Where'd Diamond?" Nyx asked, her eyes scanning the crowd in the cafeteria. She couldn't see her friend's silvery head anywhere; in a crowd Diamond was unmissable.
"Probably off with that yummy new boyfriend of hers," Cassie said with a smile.
"What new boyfriend?" Nyx asked, sitting down.
"The new boy," Lacey said, finishing off her carrot stick. "Trya."
Nyx froze. No. Diamond was innocent, likely to fall for hot, sexy guys like Trya, never thinking of what he might be like underneath the looks.
"You've gone white," Lacey said, frowning. "What's *wrong?* Tell us."
Nyx frowned. "We need to talk, but not here."
She waited while her friends packed up their lunches and led them to a deserted classroom. For the first time in almost a century she told the story about Trya, how he'd seduced her, and what she was like, and what he did to her.
When she'd finished the story, she couldn't quite bring herself to meet her friends' eyes. She wasn't sure if they'd like her anymore, now they knew who she really was.
"Oh God," Cassie whispered. "Diamond is with that bastard *right* *now*."
"We have to get rid of this jerk," Lacey agreed.
Nyx finally looked up. "You're not mad at me?"
They exchanged glances. "Why would we be mad at you?" Lacey asked. "None of this is your fault."
"We'll have to get permission from Thierry first," Cassie said. "We can't just go around killing people, but I'm sure once Thierry hears that story we won't have any problems." Her tone was reassuring, but for some reason Nyx didn't feel reassured.
"Do you want to tell or shall we?" Lacey asked.
Nyx straightened her shoulders. "I'll make the call. Trya's my problem, I'll deal with him."
She could do this. She could. As long as Trya was alive, she would never feel safe. She had to eliminate him once and for all. Eve with her decision made, somehow she didn't feel any better.
* * *
After hearing her tale Thierry had instantly agreed that Trya must be killed, and her given Nyx his express permission to do whatever she thought was necessary. It had also fallen to Nyx to give Diamond the news about who Trya really was.
Nyx took a deep breath, not happy about what she had to do. She knocked on the door to Diamond's house. She knew Diamond's parents were on vacation. The house was dark, but there was faint light coming from around the living room picture window. She could hear faint music coming from inside with her enhanced vampire hearing.
She took another deep breath and knocked on the door. She was a little surprised when Trya answered, looking rather pissed off. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"I could ask you the same question," she said tartly, pushing him out the way and walking in without being invited.
The lights in the living room had been turned off and the room was lit by candle light, incense with a spicy scent was burning, and soft music was playing in the background. Diamond was sitting on the couch, looking rather confused.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"We need to talk," Nyx said bluntly.
"Then talk."
Nyx shuddered at the sudden sound of Trya's voice behind her. She turned and glared at him. "Without you," she snapped. "Go away."
Trya leaned against the doorjamb, scowling at her. "You can't order me about."
"This is private," Nyx snapped at him.
Diamond had stood up and walked over to Trya and placed a hand on his muscular arm. "Maybe you should go. We can make this up another time."
"Fine." Trya took her in his arms, and kissed her deeply. Nyx turned away, refusing to be intimidated. Finally, Trya left. Nyx wasn't prepared for the overwhelming rush of relief she felt to be out his presence.
Diamond turned on the lights and blew out the candles and incense. "You want to tell me what the hell is going on?" she demanded.
Nyx sighed. "You might want to take a moment and think about what you're doing here. Trya's not as great as he's cracked up to be."
Diamond folded her arms stubbornly. "I don't care. I like him. He's gorgeous, cool." She smiled dreamily. "Bad..."
Nyx could feel anger and impatience rising. Diamond really could be clueless sometimes. "You want to know how bad that bastard is?" she snapped. And told her life story for the second time that week. The vow she'd made never to think about him again had been broken, and as she talked, the memories surged up around her, particularly the agony of the torture. She could feel it all again, as if it were happening to her right now. Her breathing was starting to come in short gasps. She made herself stop, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
She glanced over at Diamond, who was looking at her, stunned. "No," she whispered. "No. Trya wouldn't do that."
Nyx stared at her. "Oh yeah?" She turned around and lifted up the back of her shirt, revealing a back that she knew was grossly twisted and disfigured from the torture she had suffered at Trya's hands. She heard Diamond draw in a sharp breath. She pulled her shirt down and turned to face her friend. "Trya was the one who made me a vampire - three hundred years ago, and he hasn't changed a damn bit."
Diamond was shaking her head, completely in denial. She didn't want to believe her new boyfriend was so...completely heartless and evil and cruel.
Nyx sighed. "I have permission from Thierry to kill him."
"You can't do that?" Diamond exclaimed, staring at her with wide silver eyes, beading with tears.
"Why not?" Nyx asked evenly.
"Because I'm in love with him!" Diamond blurted out.
Nyx sighed. She'd expected this. She stood up and left Diamond to deal with the news however she wanted. Trya did this type of things to girls, made them fall in love with him, and then took complete control of them. Determination filled Nyx. Diamond was not going to end up like she had. She was going to get Trya out their lives for good, no matter what the costs.
* * *
Giving up with Diamond Nyx had no choice but to go home. She could feel her anger at Trya growing every second. How dare he pick on someone innocent and impressionable like Diamond!
She entered her building and headed up to her apartment. As she got closer to her home, she felt uncomfortable. Something was tingling along her skin, a sense that something was wrong.
She opened her door cautiously, and froze.
Trya was sitting there on her couch, a bottle of beer in his hand, looking as if he belonged there. "You took your time," he said.
"How the hell did you get in?" she demanded. "I had this place warded against you. I made sure you had to be invited in."
Trya smiled. "I was invited in," he said smugly.
Nyx frowned. "By who?"
Trya gestured faintly. Nyx looked down, and tried to control her shock. Lacey lay dead on the floor, wide eyes staring blankly in fear.
"You killed her," she whispered.
Trya just shrugged, smiling.
"You bastard!" Nyx hissed. "How could you? Kill my friend? Pick on someone stupid and innocent like Diamond."
Trya stood and moved closer to her. Nyx felt all her muscles freeze in terror. He didn't make any move to touch her, however. All he did was shut the door and go back to sitting on the couch, sipping his beer.
"I'm just doing what I do," he said casually, as if that would make everything all right.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"I told you," he said, smiling at her in that annoying way. "You're mine."
"I'm not yours!" Nyx almost shrieked in fury at him. "I never will be again!"
"And I'm not stupid!"
Nyx turned in surprise to see a figure coming out of the shadows. Diamond stood there, silvery hair flowing around her, eyes shining brightly.
"How did you get here so fast?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"
Diamond just shrugged, and moved to sit next to Trya on the couch. His arm snaked around her shoulders. Diamond almost sighed with contentment.
Nyx stared at her friend in disbelief. As she studied them, she realised Trya was controlling Diamond. Controlling Diamond as he had her.
"What?" Diamond asked, obviously seeing her expression.
"And I didn't kill your friend over there," Trya added, nodding to Lacey's body. He nodded over at Diamond, who just smiled.
Nyx stared, not wanting to believe this. Diamond wouldn't. She wasn't a killer...but under Trya's control...he could make her do anything he wanted.
"I was hungry," Diamond said simply, flashing her fangs.
"He's doing this to you," Nyx whispered, hoping she could make Diamond see the light.
Diamond just looked confused. "Huh?"
"He's controlling your mind," Nyx snapped. "He's making you do this. I know you, Diamond. You would never kill anyone, especially not a close friend."
"Hey, she came to me," Trya protested.
"But you're just having a little extra fun," Nyx said dryly, glaring at him.
Trya smiled again, and Nyx felt like slugging him. But she was smart enough to know that was a bad, bad idea. She felt so helpless, just standing there glaring at him. "Why not?" Trya said. "It doesn't have to be this way, you know. You could always come and join us."
Nyx laughed derisively. "Go to hell," she sneered.
Tyra chuckled. "Already been. Several times."
Nyx glowered in frustration. Did he have a come-back for everything? "Doesn't surprise me. And if I don't want to join you?"
Trya reached for something beside the couch. A long stick of wood with a pointed end. A stake. He handed it to Diamond. "You're little friend here is going to kill you."
* * *
Nyx stared at Diamond, holding the stake Tyra had given her. Diamond looked a little confused, as if she didn't know what was happening. Maybe she was starting to realise that Tyra was controlling her mind.
"Come on, fight him," she encouraged. "You can do better than him. He'd bad - evil. You don't want him."
Tyra looked at Diamond, his dark eyes sparking. His expression was rather blank. "You said you loved me," he said. "You said you'd do anything I asked you to."
"Come on Diamond!" Nyx almost shouted. "You know better!" She stared at her friend trying to will Diamond to believe her. She didn't want to die. Not by the hand of someone she had liked and trusted.
"You promised me," Tyra continued. His voice was deep, almost beseeching. Under most circumstances no girl could have resisted him.
Diamond was looking from one to the other, not sure what to do.
Before anyone could do anything, Tyra suddenly gave a girlish shriek. Nyx watched in amusement as Tyra jabbered uselessly, arms flailing, his skin was starting to fall in on his bones, going leathery and withering away. Within seconds Tyra was nothing but a sack of old bones lying on the floor.
Nyx laughed. "Saved him right."
"What's going on? Why am I here?" Diamond looked completely baffled. Nyx couldn't really blame her. Trya's hold on her was broken. Diamond dropped the stake.
"Bastard," Cassie said, stepping over the dead body. "He did deserve it."
Nyx looked at her, a wave of relief washing over her. "How did you get in here?"
"I came with Lacey, we wanted to see how things went with Diamond. But they'd already beaten us here, they knocked me out, before they could kill me you showed up. I woke up and, well." Cassie shrugged, grinning proudly. Well, she'd saved them, Nyx guessed she had a right to be proud.
"What happened to Lacey?" Diamond asked, kneeling down beside the dead boy.
Nyx and Cassie exchanged glances. "What are we going to do about her?" Cassie said in an undertone to Nyx.
Nyx sighed. "I guess we call headquarters and see where we go from there."
* * *
Epilogue
At lunch the next day Nyx and Cassie sat at their regular table. It was quiet, without Diamond and Lacey there. Nyx felt a certain emptiness inside her that would probably never be filled.
"So what happened with Diamond?" Cassie asked.
"Some officials from Daybreak came and took her, they were going to take her headquarters where they thought some healing with the witches would do her some good." Nyx sighed. She couldn't help feeling responsible for what had happened.
"It wasn't your fault," Cassie said. "Look on the bright side, Tyra's dead - for good."
Nyx felt a bit more cheerful. That was something to be pleased about, at least. She could finally forget about him. She could live without fearing that he'd come back and find her. She could finally leave the dark behind once and for all.
THE END
And now he had the nerve to walk back into her life and expect her to fall at his feet? After what he *did* to her?
No way. Never. She would *never* go back to him. Never...
She hadn't talked to anyone about this, hardly ever. She wondered maybe if that was part of the problem. She had been keeping so much inside for so long...
She had been planning on staying home and hiding, but now she thought about it, maybe she was safer with people. Trya couldn't do anything to her in broad daylight in front of people. He wouldn't want to risk exposure.
She showered, dressed and headed to school, knowing she'd already missed homeroom. She hurried into her first class, and took her regular seat at the back, away from everyone. Cassie was there, and waved as she passed.
When the bell rang for lunch she found Cassie and Lacey at a secluded table. But it wasn't enough; she didn't want to risk being overheard.
"What's up with you?" Cassie asked, a frown marring her delicate features.
"You've been out of it all morning," Lacey added, biting on a carrot stick.
"Where'd Diamond?" Nyx asked, her eyes scanning the crowd in the cafeteria. She couldn't see her friend's silvery head anywhere; in a crowd Diamond was unmissable.
"Probably off with that yummy new boyfriend of hers," Cassie said with a smile.
"What new boyfriend?" Nyx asked, sitting down.
"The new boy," Lacey said, finishing off her carrot stick. "Trya."
Nyx froze. No. Diamond was innocent, likely to fall for hot, sexy guys like Trya, never thinking of what he might be like underneath the looks.
"You've gone white," Lacey said, frowning. "What's *wrong?* Tell us."
Nyx frowned. "We need to talk, but not here."
She waited while her friends packed up their lunches and led them to a deserted classroom. For the first time in almost a century she told the story about Trya, how he'd seduced her, and what she was like, and what he did to her.
When she'd finished the story, she couldn't quite bring herself to meet her friends' eyes. She wasn't sure if they'd like her anymore, now they knew who she really was.
"Oh God," Cassie whispered. "Diamond is with that bastard *right* *now*."
"We have to get rid of this jerk," Lacey agreed.
Nyx finally looked up. "You're not mad at me?"
They exchanged glances. "Why would we be mad at you?" Lacey asked. "None of this is your fault."
"We'll have to get permission from Thierry first," Cassie said. "We can't just go around killing people, but I'm sure once Thierry hears that story we won't have any problems." Her tone was reassuring, but for some reason Nyx didn't feel reassured.
"Do you want to tell or shall we?" Lacey asked.
Nyx straightened her shoulders. "I'll make the call. Trya's my problem, I'll deal with him."
She could do this. She could. As long as Trya was alive, she would never feel safe. She had to eliminate him once and for all. Eve with her decision made, somehow she didn't feel any better.
* * *
After hearing her tale Thierry had instantly agreed that Trya must be killed, and her given Nyx his express permission to do whatever she thought was necessary. It had also fallen to Nyx to give Diamond the news about who Trya really was.
Nyx took a deep breath, not happy about what she had to do. She knocked on the door to Diamond's house. She knew Diamond's parents were on vacation. The house was dark, but there was faint light coming from around the living room picture window. She could hear faint music coming from inside with her enhanced vampire hearing.
She took another deep breath and knocked on the door. She was a little surprised when Trya answered, looking rather pissed off. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"I could ask you the same question," she said tartly, pushing him out the way and walking in without being invited.
The lights in the living room had been turned off and the room was lit by candle light, incense with a spicy scent was burning, and soft music was playing in the background. Diamond was sitting on the couch, looking rather confused.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"We need to talk," Nyx said bluntly.
"Then talk."
Nyx shuddered at the sudden sound of Trya's voice behind her. She turned and glared at him. "Without you," she snapped. "Go away."
Trya leaned against the doorjamb, scowling at her. "You can't order me about."
"This is private," Nyx snapped at him.
Diamond had stood up and walked over to Trya and placed a hand on his muscular arm. "Maybe you should go. We can make this up another time."
"Fine." Trya took her in his arms, and kissed her deeply. Nyx turned away, refusing to be intimidated. Finally, Trya left. Nyx wasn't prepared for the overwhelming rush of relief she felt to be out his presence.
Diamond turned on the lights and blew out the candles and incense. "You want to tell me what the hell is going on?" she demanded.
Nyx sighed. "You might want to take a moment and think about what you're doing here. Trya's not as great as he's cracked up to be."
Diamond folded her arms stubbornly. "I don't care. I like him. He's gorgeous, cool." She smiled dreamily. "Bad..."
Nyx could feel anger and impatience rising. Diamond really could be clueless sometimes. "You want to know how bad that bastard is?" she snapped. And told her life story for the second time that week. The vow she'd made never to think about him again had been broken, and as she talked, the memories surged up around her, particularly the agony of the torture. She could feel it all again, as if it were happening to her right now. Her breathing was starting to come in short gasps. She made herself stop, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
She glanced over at Diamond, who was looking at her, stunned. "No," she whispered. "No. Trya wouldn't do that."
Nyx stared at her. "Oh yeah?" She turned around and lifted up the back of her shirt, revealing a back that she knew was grossly twisted and disfigured from the torture she had suffered at Trya's hands. She heard Diamond draw in a sharp breath. She pulled her shirt down and turned to face her friend. "Trya was the one who made me a vampire - three hundred years ago, and he hasn't changed a damn bit."
Diamond was shaking her head, completely in denial. She didn't want to believe her new boyfriend was so...completely heartless and evil and cruel.
Nyx sighed. "I have permission from Thierry to kill him."
"You can't do that?" Diamond exclaimed, staring at her with wide silver eyes, beading with tears.
"Why not?" Nyx asked evenly.
"Because I'm in love with him!" Diamond blurted out.
Nyx sighed. She'd expected this. She stood up and left Diamond to deal with the news however she wanted. Trya did this type of things to girls, made them fall in love with him, and then took complete control of them. Determination filled Nyx. Diamond was not going to end up like she had. She was going to get Trya out their lives for good, no matter what the costs.
* * *
Giving up with Diamond Nyx had no choice but to go home. She could feel her anger at Trya growing every second. How dare he pick on someone innocent and impressionable like Diamond!
She entered her building and headed up to her apartment. As she got closer to her home, she felt uncomfortable. Something was tingling along her skin, a sense that something was wrong.
She opened her door cautiously, and froze.
Trya was sitting there on her couch, a bottle of beer in his hand, looking as if he belonged there. "You took your time," he said.
"How the hell did you get in?" she demanded. "I had this place warded against you. I made sure you had to be invited in."
Trya smiled. "I was invited in," he said smugly.
Nyx frowned. "By who?"
Trya gestured faintly. Nyx looked down, and tried to control her shock. Lacey lay dead on the floor, wide eyes staring blankly in fear.
"You killed her," she whispered.
Trya just shrugged, smiling.
"You bastard!" Nyx hissed. "How could you? Kill my friend? Pick on someone stupid and innocent like Diamond."
Trya stood and moved closer to her. Nyx felt all her muscles freeze in terror. He didn't make any move to touch her, however. All he did was shut the door and go back to sitting on the couch, sipping his beer.
"I'm just doing what I do," he said casually, as if that would make everything all right.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"I told you," he said, smiling at her in that annoying way. "You're mine."
"I'm not yours!" Nyx almost shrieked in fury at him. "I never will be again!"
"And I'm not stupid!"
Nyx turned in surprise to see a figure coming out of the shadows. Diamond stood there, silvery hair flowing around her, eyes shining brightly.
"How did you get here so fast?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"
Diamond just shrugged, and moved to sit next to Trya on the couch. His arm snaked around her shoulders. Diamond almost sighed with contentment.
Nyx stared at her friend in disbelief. As she studied them, she realised Trya was controlling Diamond. Controlling Diamond as he had her.
"What?" Diamond asked, obviously seeing her expression.
"And I didn't kill your friend over there," Trya added, nodding to Lacey's body. He nodded over at Diamond, who just smiled.
Nyx stared, not wanting to believe this. Diamond wouldn't. She wasn't a killer...but under Trya's control...he could make her do anything he wanted.
"I was hungry," Diamond said simply, flashing her fangs.
"He's doing this to you," Nyx whispered, hoping she could make Diamond see the light.
Diamond just looked confused. "Huh?"
"He's controlling your mind," Nyx snapped. "He's making you do this. I know you, Diamond. You would never kill anyone, especially not a close friend."
"Hey, she came to me," Trya protested.
"But you're just having a little extra fun," Nyx said dryly, glaring at him.
Trya smiled again, and Nyx felt like slugging him. But she was smart enough to know that was a bad, bad idea. She felt so helpless, just standing there glaring at him. "Why not?" Trya said. "It doesn't have to be this way, you know. You could always come and join us."
Nyx laughed derisively. "Go to hell," she sneered.
Tyra chuckled. "Already been. Several times."
Nyx glowered in frustration. Did he have a come-back for everything? "Doesn't surprise me. And if I don't want to join you?"
Trya reached for something beside the couch. A long stick of wood with a pointed end. A stake. He handed it to Diamond. "You're little friend here is going to kill you."
* * *
Nyx stared at Diamond, holding the stake Tyra had given her. Diamond looked a little confused, as if she didn't know what was happening. Maybe she was starting to realise that Tyra was controlling her mind.
"Come on, fight him," she encouraged. "You can do better than him. He'd bad - evil. You don't want him."
Tyra looked at Diamond, his dark eyes sparking. His expression was rather blank. "You said you loved me," he said. "You said you'd do anything I asked you to."
"Come on Diamond!" Nyx almost shouted. "You know better!" She stared at her friend trying to will Diamond to believe her. She didn't want to die. Not by the hand of someone she had liked and trusted.
"You promised me," Tyra continued. His voice was deep, almost beseeching. Under most circumstances no girl could have resisted him.
Diamond was looking from one to the other, not sure what to do.
Before anyone could do anything, Tyra suddenly gave a girlish shriek. Nyx watched in amusement as Tyra jabbered uselessly, arms flailing, his skin was starting to fall in on his bones, going leathery and withering away. Within seconds Tyra was nothing but a sack of old bones lying on the floor.
Nyx laughed. "Saved him right."
"What's going on? Why am I here?" Diamond looked completely baffled. Nyx couldn't really blame her. Trya's hold on her was broken. Diamond dropped the stake.
"Bastard," Cassie said, stepping over the dead body. "He did deserve it."
Nyx looked at her, a wave of relief washing over her. "How did you get in here?"
"I came with Lacey, we wanted to see how things went with Diamond. But they'd already beaten us here, they knocked me out, before they could kill me you showed up. I woke up and, well." Cassie shrugged, grinning proudly. Well, she'd saved them, Nyx guessed she had a right to be proud.
"What happened to Lacey?" Diamond asked, kneeling down beside the dead boy.
Nyx and Cassie exchanged glances. "What are we going to do about her?" Cassie said in an undertone to Nyx.
Nyx sighed. "I guess we call headquarters and see where we go from there."
* * *
Epilogue
At lunch the next day Nyx and Cassie sat at their regular table. It was quiet, without Diamond and Lacey there. Nyx felt a certain emptiness inside her that would probably never be filled.
"So what happened with Diamond?" Cassie asked.
"Some officials from Daybreak came and took her, they were going to take her headquarters where they thought some healing with the witches would do her some good." Nyx sighed. She couldn't help feeling responsible for what had happened.
"It wasn't your fault," Cassie said. "Look on the bright side, Tyra's dead - for good."
Nyx felt a bit more cheerful. That was something to be pleased about, at least. She could finally forget about him. She could live without fearing that he'd come back and find her. She could finally leave the dark behind once and for all.
THE END