Part 2
When the bell rang for afternoon classes Elysia didn't bother going. She couldn't face the rows of curious eyes of students, asking her about her fight with Desio. She remained where she was, sitting under the tree, the braches overhead, thick with leaves, providing a good shade from the blazing sun. So normal.
Normal. What a nice word. If only her life could be normal.
There was something going on between Automne and Desio. There was more to it than met the eye. What, she had no idea. Automne claimed it was over, but was it? What could bring her to have feelings for leeches?
They were monsters. All of them. They all deserved to die. She thought about the Desio's attack on her. She'd killed a lot of monsters, but only one human. And she'd killed the human because she'd known the girl was seeing a vampire.
Against Night World law too. Since when did she give a fuck about Night World law. Any old excuse to kill. It was a driving force behind her. The thrill of death, the thrill of the hunt. It was deep in her bones, hidden in her past.
The high to her wasn't like it was for the monsters. For every monster she killed, it seemed more came up to take its place. The war had been going on for centuries, and not just with vampire hunters like her. It had been going on long before her, and would be going on long after her. The war between the Light and the Dark seemed eternal.
Unless the millennium prophecies came true. She'd heard whispers about them, whispers of four special powers who would save the world. Banish all the darkness. It was a nice thought.
Would it come true?
Would all the darkness disappear?
It seemed like a thing for Daybreak idealists, but seemed unlikely to happen. And if it didn't happen, what would happen to the world?
It didn't matter now. Why waste time worrying about something that wasn't going to happen for another four months. Worry about the secrets Automne was hiding from her. Worry about her own secrets. Even she had secrets she would rather die than reveal. Worry about what was going to happen with these assassins hunting them down.
She was so deep in her thoughts she never heard anyone come up behind her. She never even felt the blast of magic energy that knocked her out.
* * *
Something was wrong. Automne knew it instinctively. She wasn't sure what was the matter, but she knew something was. She couldn't sense Elysia's presence anywhere within the school. She always knew where her friend was, and if she was in trouble. One advantage of her - condition.
She wondered if Elysia had gone to class. When her own had ended she waited outside her friend's room. She saw Orchid, Nyrissa and Aurelia come out, no sign of Elysia.
"Where's Elysia?" she asked.
Orchid shrugged. "She never came to class."
"Did you find out why she was fighting with that new guy?" Nyrissa asked.
Automne shook her head. They didn't need to know. "So no one knows where she is."
"Is it something to worry about?" Orchid asked.
Automne frowned. She didn't know yet. She followed them to class, still unsure what to do. Again, not sure why, she let her senses expand, trying to see if she could somehow sense Desio's mind, could she still get in contact with him?
Nothing. He wasn't in school either. He wasn't around, Elysia wasn't around. They'd fought that morning. Did that mean Desio had done something to Elysia? He was going to rue the day he'd been born if he had.
* * *
Desio smiled proudly to himself, looking at the unconscious little witch at his feet. Unfortunately for him, Trinity had insisted he bring the Serpents to her once he got hold of them, so he couldn't kill her yet. She'd been an easy target, all alone with no where to run to. He would have thought the better of her. He'd never have suspected her to be the type to get so into her thoughts that she lost track of what was happening around her.
But she had. And now she was really in for it.
What to do about Automne...
He didn't know that yet. He still had things to sort out about her. Aurelia and Orchid and their friends would do something about her. Leave it to them.
His lip curled as the limo pulled into Trinity's headquarters. Things were looking up for the bad guys.
* * *
Something was wrong. Elysia wasn't sure what. Her head ached like hell. Something had happened. Her muscles all ached and hurt. She could hear a faint dripping sound somewhere. And she was cold. Her eyes moved around the small room she was in. Huh? The last thing she remembered was sitting under tree at the front of the school discussing what to do with Desio and Aurelia with Automne.
Then the bell had rung, and Automne had gone to class, and she had remained where she was. Looking around, the room was almost like a cell. There was a small barred window in the door, and her wrists were shackled to the wall in old iron chains. She tugged and struggled, but it was pointless. So. The Night World had finally caught her.
Did they have Automne too?
She didn't know. She needed her friends help, and there was only one way she could call for it. But that meant letting out the secret she'd been keeping for so long....
Would Automne understand? She should...but...
There was no choice. Either spill or die. She didn't want to do either. Finally, she decided she had no choice. She didn't want to die by the hand of Night World scum.
~Automne?~ She called out with her mental voice. Automne should hear her. ~Automne I'm in trouble, I need help. Now.~
A sound of keys jangling outside snapped herself back to attention. She could only pray that Automne would get here soon.
The cell door opened, and she found herself face to face with a woman in a dark business suit, an almost soft expression on her face. Her ever changing Redfern eyes were a dark green, and then glacier green, then gentle brown, and now soft blue.
She looked at Elysia, shaking her head, raven hair cascading around her like a cloak of black silk. "I still can't believe it's really you," she said.
Elysia didn't say anything. She didn't understand. "Who are you?" she asked.
The woman looked at her and smiled. "I am Trinity Harman-Redfern. I'm you're mother."
* * *
Automne wasn't sure she was hearing straight. The voice in her head sounded exactly like Elysia's. But Elysia couldn't use telepathy. Only vampires and shapeshifters could do that. Right? She ran to the front grounds to the tree she had Elysia had been sitting under less than an hour ago. Elysia wasn't there.
She wasn't in class. Where the hell was she? What was going on? Desio was gone, Elysia was too. Orchid was acting like she couldn't give a damn, hut that was just typical aloof Orchid. Automne headed back inside to her final class. Her mind was in turmoil. Could she actually sit there listening to some shit about chemistry when her friend's life was possibly at stake? If Elysia was in trouble, she didn't even know how to start finding her friend.
She slumped into her seat with the rest of her group, gossiping idly as they waited for the teacher to come in and start the lesson. She noticed Aurelia watching her. Something about the way her eyes narrowed and the scowl on the pretty face made her nervous.
They were the eyes that had been watching her in the library. The eyes of someone meant to hurt her. She could feel anger beginning to boil inside. Before she knew what she was doing she had leaped up from her seat, grabbed the smaller girl and slammed her into the wall.
~Who are you?~ she said directly to the other girl's mind. ~Who sent you?~
Aurelia looked at her, a slight frown wrinkling her forehead as if she'd just found fly in her salad. With a casual gesture she threw Automne off her, sending her flying over the desk tops, crashing into a bank of chemistry equipment. Students were on their feet screaming and fleeing in terror.
Automne blinked, looking over at Aurelia who stood in front of her, blue eyes almost glowing with a hidden danger and menace. What the hell *was* this girl. Nyrissa and Orchid had joined Aurelia and were also looking at Automne.
Automne was on her feet, but her friends weren't moving to help her. Instead, they were backing Aurelia.
"Let's face it," Aurelia said with a smile. "You're not going to get out of this one. Your powers are too weak. You haven't been feeding properly."
"Tut tut," Orchid said, shaking a disproving finger.
Automne looked from her to Nyrissa. Nyrissa was smiling, her eyes going an animal's silver, her canines lengthening. "What the hell is this?" she demanded.
"An ambush?" Aurelia said, as if stating the obvious.
"We've had our eyes on you and your friend for a long time," Nyrissa said with a smile. "You two have been bad."
Automne stared. Her mind had gone into some sort of crazed whirl. Was this really happening? The people she'd thought were her friends were all Night People? That had been relaying info on her and Elysia to the Council? Why hadn't she sensed it? What was the matter with her?
"Now then," Aurelia was saying, as if talking to a young child. "We do have your little friend. We haven't killed her yet. But if you make any trouble we will. All it takes is a single shout of telepathy."
Automne looked around. More night people in their dark uniforms were coming in, surrounding her. They were all pointing guns at her. Loaded with silver bullets probably, for the shapeshifter half of her. The part she'd been neglecting to feed. Would silver bullets kill her? She wasn't sure. And didn't want to find out. She had no choice.
Cold tears slid down her cheeks as the bile of failure filled her as she surrendered to the bad guys.
* * *
Elysia stared from her spot chained to the wall. "You're...my...mother." The words came out slowly. She stared at the woman in front of her. The most powerful half-breed in the Night World, head of the Council? A blood relative? Her *mother*?
No. No. It couldn't be...
"And I must say," Trinity was continuing, shaking her raven head. "You have disappointed me. You had so much potential. And you ruined it all. Things could have been different. You could have ruled the Night World beside me and Hunter. Up until he got blasted. Jerk," she snorted. "He deserved it."
"Don't tell me Hunter's my father," she whispered. "This is bad enough."
Trinity sighed. "Hate to disappoint you..."
Elysia's closed and her head fell back against the brick wall, causing a sharp rush of pain, enough to send tears coursing down her cheeks. She shuddered. God, this was a nightmare. So. The two most evil people in the Night World were her parents. The ones she'd spent a life time trying to destroy. Well, Trinity was right about one thing. Hunter had deserved what he got.
"You could have been so much better," Trinity said, sounding almost sad.
That got Elysia's attention. Her head snapped up and her eyes opened. "No," she said firmly. "No. I'd never become like you. Never. You're a monster."
Trinity smiled, her head tilting to one side. "How different are you from us, really?"
Elysia frowned, not liking where the conversation was going. "What?"
Trinity shrugged. "You're just as much as a monster of the rest of us, if you think about it. How different are you? You kill and kill and kill. Vampires, shapeshifters, witches...humans..."
An image flashed through Elysia's mind. A human girl who'd fallen in love with a vampire. Stupid girl. So she'd punished the girl for being so dumb.
Other memories were beginning to surge around her now. When she was a tiny baby, in her mother's arms. Her mother had accidentally cut herself with a sharp knife, and her vampire senses had smelled the blood. Her tiny fangs had sharpened and she'd fastened them to the wound, sucking the blood.
Another memory flashed. She had been twelve years old. She had heard screams coming from the basement. Screams full of terror and pain. She had gone to investigate, to find her mother hurting another person. Deliberately, and laughing.
And that was when she had run away. When she had turned her back on the Night World and become what she had. She had buried all those memories deep inside her. When she had become the Serpent she had focused on one thing: ridding the world of monsters like her mother. And for a century she had been successful.
And now...
"That friend of yours is a monster too, you know," Trinity said, bringing her out of her reverie. "It's such a shame too. She - "
There was a knock on the door then. Trinity opened it, annoyed. And then her expression changed to one of delighted surprise. Automne was being led down the steps, hands tied behind her, Night World assassins keeping her at gun point to stop her making any trouble. Automne didn't say anything as they chained her up besides Elysia. The girl who was leading the group was the other new girl who had started school that morning.
Trinity was obviously pleased.
"You wanted the Serpents?" the girl was saying. "Here they are."
"I'm impressed, Aurelia," Trinity said. "That was quick."
Aurelia just shrugged. "Why dwell on it? The sooner the task is done, the better, right?"
"I guess so." Trinity turned to look at her prisoners.
"What are you doing to do with them?" Aurelia asked.
"Burn them, I think," Trinity said. "That's slow and painful. Tomorrow at dawn. Burn them at the stake."
And with that the bad guys left, locking the door behind them.
Elysia glanced at Automne, who looked away. So. This was it. She glanced over at the high barred window in the wall. The sky was just beginning to darken.
Would tomorrow really be the dawn of death?
* * *
Automne wasn't sure how long had gone by. An hour? Two? Maybe more, maybe less. The sky was fully dark now, and a full moon bathed them two of them in a white coat. They hadn't exchanged a single word. Tension was heavy in the air. Would they really die?
"How did you use telepathy?" Automne asked finally, breaking the uncomfortable silence. She glanced over at her friend, wondering what she was hiding.
Elysia looked at the floor, she seemed ashamed. "I...I'm a vampire. Trinity and Hunter Redfern are my parents."
Automne wasn't sure what to say to that. A vampire hunting vampire? She'd wondered why her friend had Harman traits. She'd just thought it was a coincidence. Obviously it was more than that.
"I'm the original Serpent. Not the descendant."
"You killed Desio's soulmate," Automne said. "That's why he attacked you. That's why he hates you so much."
Elysia didn't say anything. But she didn't have to. Automne could feel her friend's guilt at that.
"Was she really his soulmate? Or just something new for him to have fun with?" Elysia asked.
Automne frowned. "I don't know," she admitted. "He told me they were soulmates, and I guess I just believed him. I never could sense the connection between them. Normally soulmates are easy to spot."
Elysia glanced over at her. "I've told you my secrets. Why don't you tell me yours?"
Automne sighed. She really had no choice. It was only fair. "I'm a Glittawitch," she admitted.
Elysia looked confused. "What's that?"
"It's an immortal fae-like creature from Ireland."
"You're a *fairy*?"
Automne smiled. "Not quite. I'm also half shapeshifter. Glittas have that ability. We can shapeshift, we're not limited to any animal."
"What made you turn to vampire hunting?"
Automne shuddered. It had been so long since she'd been forced to think about this. The memory was so unpleasant she'd shoved it deep into the back of her mind. Now everything was resurfacing...the pain...the humiliation..."I'm older than Trinity is. My house - Frost - we're sort of crazy and wild. I used to be as bad as you could be. And I used to love it. And then one night I was attacked by a pack of vampires and shifters looking for something new to play with. They hurt me - tortured me - did - things - to me. They left me for dead. And after that I despised the Night World and all it's creatures. I decided to make it my business to destroy them all. You?"
Elysia didn't say anything for a moment, an expression of shock and horror on her face. "I saw Trinity torturing someone, and I ran away, deciding I'd never want to be like that. So I'd get rid of monsters like her."
They remained silent for a long time, both thinking about their past experiences. Both had done things they weren't proud of, and it had led them to this - finally being captured by the bad guys. But was this really the end for them?
"So what now?" Elysia asked.
Determination was slowly beginning to build inside Automne, like a burning sun inside her, waking the magic she'd kept hidden for so long. "Now? We figure out a way to get the hell out of here. I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want to burn at the fucking stake."
Elysia smiled a little. "I'm with you on that one. But how do you propose getting out of these chains?"
Automne smiled, a secret little smile. She concentrated on the magic growing inside her. She let it bloom until there was too much of it to keep contained with in herself. The magic brought a tingling heat to her body, and when she could stand it no longer, it burst out of her in a blast of bright light.
When the light had vanished, Automne blinked away after images of little dots, dancing in front of her eyes. The chains were melted. She smiled fully. "That's how," she answered.
Elysia was staring at her. "You have got to teach me how to do that."
"You're half Harman. You have your own witch powers to nurture. Maybe that bit won't be so bad," Automne suggested. She looked over at the door, blown off its hinges by her powerful magic blast.
Elysia was hesitating.
"What?" Automne asked. Now was not the time to start being difficult.
"Can you still trust me?" Elysia asked.
Automne didn't say anything. Were they really all that different now? So they both had revealed the parts of them they'd kept hidden for so long, out of fear the other would kill them. It was all out in the open now. Did that really make much of a difference? Their ideas were still the same: The Night World were monsters that needed to be destroyed.
"How different are we? Really? Does it matter that you're a vampire and I'm a witch? Who says that'll be a disadvantage?"
Elysia stood still and silent for a long time, and Automne knew she was thinking about the same things that she had just thought of. Her eyes met Automne and she smiled then, a full, real smile. Automne's own lips cracked into a smile, and both of them knew then, what they were on the outside didn't matter. They were the Serpents. They killed Night People. And they were back in action.
* * *
Desio was unhappy, and he didn't know why. He stood in Trinity's office staring out the window. He had no idea where she was right now. And to be completely honest, he didn't even care. He and Aurelia had done their job and captured the Serpents, the most notorious vampire hunters any Night Person had ever encountered. They were going to suffer a slow and painful death tomorrow morning.
So why wasn't he jumping for joy?
"What 's your problem?" Aurelia said, joining him at the window. "We won. They're going to die. Why aren't you happier?"
Desio shrugged. "I'll be happy when I see that bitch scream and beg for mercy." That part was true at least. His hatred for Elysia was still strong.
Aurelia sighed and shook her golden head. "You damn Redferns are always impossible."
He shrugged. "So kill me then?"
"I was planning to," she admitted. "But can't be bothered now. I have more important things to do."
"New assignment?" he asked.
"Yep." She picked up her duffle bag and slung it over her shoulder. He watched her as she left. "See you." Shame she was such a bitch. She was really gorgeous, all that tight leather emphasising all her perfect curves. He smiled to himself, watching her as she walked out the door and out his life forever. He wouldn't mourn not seeing her again.
He turned back to the window, and his thoughts drifted to Automne. He didn't understand it. What was the matter with him? Why could he not stop thinking about her? Ever since he'd laid eyes on her earlier she'd been in his mind constantly. Why did he suddenly care so much?
Because he did. He just did. One thought was striking him now...he couldn't let her burn. He grabbed the keys to the basement from Trinity's desk draw and headed down stairs, and almost ran into Automne, as she and Elysia made her way up them.
* * *
Automne stopped dead at the sight of Desio. The three of them stood in silence, no one making a move. He looked sullenly at them, and they stayed back at him. Desio was glaring at Elysia, hatred sparking in his blue eyes.
Before she could do anything, he had thrown himself at her, sending Elysia flying backwards down the stairs. They both hit the stone wall, Desio on top, with a hold on Elysia's arms, pinning her. He laughed, and Automne had a glimpse of his fangs.
She threw herself at him, grabbing a handful of his hair and yanking him off her. He howled in rage and annoyance, turning his wrath on her. She was ready for him. They stood still for a moment, circling each other. Automne was watching him careful, looking for any hint as to which way he would move.
He lunged suddenly, taking her by surprise, knocking her back into the wall, his arm against her throat, choking her. She raised her own hand and grabbed his wrist.
As their bare flesh touched, sparks shot out, as if she'd electrocuted him. He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Oh no. Before she knew what was happening he had released his hold on her, his dry lips and pressed against hers and a hidden heat and fire was igniting all over Automne, and a white light was starting to grow, pulling them into each other's mind, merging them together, so they would never be apart.
"What the hell are you two *doing*?"
Elysia's voice, full of shocked surprise shattered the sudden illusion, and Automne suddenly burst into a stream of derisive laughter as she realised how ridiculous the situation had become. She glanced over at Desio, who was starting to chuckle insanely too. Oh, this was so pathetic.
"What the fuck is so funny?" Elysia demanded, getting to her feet, looking from one to the other, completely baffled.
"That goddamn soulmate connection picks really bad times to show you who you're one and only is," Desio said with a snort.
"Tell me about it," Automne muttered, pulling herself together.
Elysia's eyebrows rose. "You two are....soulmates?"
Automne and Desio exchanged glances. "I guess so," she said.
"It's just a shame you won't be for much longer."
All three heads turned to the top of the stairs to see Trinity had appeared, a large stake in her hand.
* * *
Trinity glared at Desio. "You really are a fucking idiot, you know that?" she snapped.
"So you keep telling me," he said sourly.
She sighed heavily, shaking her head. Why did all her best assassins end up finding soulmates? Ugh, this was such a pain. At least Aurelia still had some sense in her. Even if she was blonde. She handed the stake to Elysia.
"What are you doing?" Elysia asked, confused.
"You don't need to die," Trinity answered. Vampire hunter or not, the girl was still her own flesh and blood. A little brain washing and she'd be the daughter Trinity had always wanted. She grabbed Desio, pinning his arms. He didn't struggle or try to fight. He knew Trinity out matched him. Smart man.
"All you need to do," she said, "is kill him. Kill him, and you can go. You're friend over there - " glancing at Automne " - broke Night World law, so that means she has to be punished. But after that, you can both go."
Trinity smiled, hoping she looked convincing enough.
* * *
Desio frowned, not even bothering to try and fight Trinity. She could flatten him in a single blow. He looked over at Elysia. He knew full well that he deserved to die. Why would she want to save him? He glanced over at Automne. His soulmate. He had always thought Sapphyre was his soulmate. Maybe not. Now he had his real one, and he was about to die. He would have liked a few minutes to make peace with her. He looked back at Elysia, his face blank. At least he hoped he'd die with some dignity.
* * *
Elysia looked around. The stake in her hand was trembling. Trinity was up to something, she had to be. Would she really let a pair of vampire hunters who'd terrorized the Night World walk loose? No way. She'd gone to so much trouble to capture them and now she was letting them go? What was she planning?
She looked over at Desio. He was a vampire. He was scum. He'd attacked her twice already. He'd kidnapped her, brought her to the bad guys. Then again, she was as much scum as he was.
She looked over at Automne. Automne's golden eyes were pleading. Desio was her best friend's soulmate. Could she really do that to Automne?
A wash of anger suddenly ran over her, and she lunged forward, she grabbed Desio, pulling him towards her. Trinity was laughing and released her grip on Desio's arms. Elysia shoved Desio to one side, and with a movement faster than lightning plunged the stake into Trinity's black heart.
Trinity full to her knees, a scream of terror escaping her. She looked up at Elysia, her ever changing eyes a shocked silver. Elysia didn't say anything. She just stood there, watching the light die out of Trinity's eyes. Her skin was slowly starting to wither and die, shrinking off the bones. Trinity was collapsing in on herself, and in the end, she was nothing put a pile of leathery bones on the basement floor.
It was over.
* * *
Epilogue
Elysia, Desio and Automne sat outside Trinity's mansion. Despite the late hour, people were bustling about. It had turned out that a couple of the girls in Automne's chemistry class were Circle Daybreak witches. They had recognised Aurelia and figured she was up to something, so they had called Daybreak headquarters for backup.
Backup had arrived, and they were sorting out the mess left behind after Elysia had killed Trinity. She felt no remorse or regrets. Trinity had deserved what she got.
"So what happens now?"
Rashel "The Cat" Jordan joined them. Rashel was another vampire hunter, with a reputation similar to their own, just as good at getting vampires as they were.
They all exchanged glances. Desio was chuckling slightly.
"Now what?" Automne asked.
"I just think the idea of becoming a damned Daybreaker is very funny," he said.
That made Elysia smile. If someone had told her six months ago she would end up as Daybreak she'd have probably killed them.
"Daybreak isn't all about singing about love and hope and mushy crap like that," Rashel said, her nose wrinkled slightly in disgust. "We have a fighting arm too. They need people like us for dealing with the monsters they can't deal with."
Elysia looked at Automne. "What do you think?" she asked. Personally, she thought, (and she couldn't believe she was actually thinking this) that maybe a little Daybreak healing might not be all that bad. Rashel had done it. And she still got to have her fun hunting the vampires.
Automne smiled. "I guess we could try it."
Desio groaned. "I can't believe I'm becoming a damned Daybreaker."
Automne was still smiling. "I guess everyone can change," she said.
He was studying her. "I guess so. There are things we need to learn how to deal with, without deciding that killing them isn't the only option."
Automne had snuggled closer to him. "And we've got each other to learn about too. That's going to be fun."
Elysia made a gagging gesture. "Stop, you two are making me sick."
So one Serpent had become two and had now become three. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having Desio join their little group. They were the best. They had a whole new team to work with. Rashel was right, they could join the Circle Daybreak fighting arm. They could still do what they did best - destroy the Night World.
Sometimes the good guys did win. There were happy endings. And this seemed like one to Elysia. A conclusion to one part of life, and an opening to a whole new chapter. Who knew what would happen next?
THE END.
When the bell rang for afternoon classes Elysia didn't bother going. She couldn't face the rows of curious eyes of students, asking her about her fight with Desio. She remained where she was, sitting under the tree, the braches overhead, thick with leaves, providing a good shade from the blazing sun. So normal.
Normal. What a nice word. If only her life could be normal.
There was something going on between Automne and Desio. There was more to it than met the eye. What, she had no idea. Automne claimed it was over, but was it? What could bring her to have feelings for leeches?
They were monsters. All of them. They all deserved to die. She thought about the Desio's attack on her. She'd killed a lot of monsters, but only one human. And she'd killed the human because she'd known the girl was seeing a vampire.
Against Night World law too. Since when did she give a fuck about Night World law. Any old excuse to kill. It was a driving force behind her. The thrill of death, the thrill of the hunt. It was deep in her bones, hidden in her past.
The high to her wasn't like it was for the monsters. For every monster she killed, it seemed more came up to take its place. The war had been going on for centuries, and not just with vampire hunters like her. It had been going on long before her, and would be going on long after her. The war between the Light and the Dark seemed eternal.
Unless the millennium prophecies came true. She'd heard whispers about them, whispers of four special powers who would save the world. Banish all the darkness. It was a nice thought.
Would it come true?
Would all the darkness disappear?
It seemed like a thing for Daybreak idealists, but seemed unlikely to happen. And if it didn't happen, what would happen to the world?
It didn't matter now. Why waste time worrying about something that wasn't going to happen for another four months. Worry about the secrets Automne was hiding from her. Worry about her own secrets. Even she had secrets she would rather die than reveal. Worry about what was going to happen with these assassins hunting them down.
She was so deep in her thoughts she never heard anyone come up behind her. She never even felt the blast of magic energy that knocked her out.
* * *
Something was wrong. Automne knew it instinctively. She wasn't sure what was the matter, but she knew something was. She couldn't sense Elysia's presence anywhere within the school. She always knew where her friend was, and if she was in trouble. One advantage of her - condition.
She wondered if Elysia had gone to class. When her own had ended she waited outside her friend's room. She saw Orchid, Nyrissa and Aurelia come out, no sign of Elysia.
"Where's Elysia?" she asked.
Orchid shrugged. "She never came to class."
"Did you find out why she was fighting with that new guy?" Nyrissa asked.
Automne shook her head. They didn't need to know. "So no one knows where she is."
"Is it something to worry about?" Orchid asked.
Automne frowned. She didn't know yet. She followed them to class, still unsure what to do. Again, not sure why, she let her senses expand, trying to see if she could somehow sense Desio's mind, could she still get in contact with him?
Nothing. He wasn't in school either. He wasn't around, Elysia wasn't around. They'd fought that morning. Did that mean Desio had done something to Elysia? He was going to rue the day he'd been born if he had.
* * *
Desio smiled proudly to himself, looking at the unconscious little witch at his feet. Unfortunately for him, Trinity had insisted he bring the Serpents to her once he got hold of them, so he couldn't kill her yet. She'd been an easy target, all alone with no where to run to. He would have thought the better of her. He'd never have suspected her to be the type to get so into her thoughts that she lost track of what was happening around her.
But she had. And now she was really in for it.
What to do about Automne...
He didn't know that yet. He still had things to sort out about her. Aurelia and Orchid and their friends would do something about her. Leave it to them.
His lip curled as the limo pulled into Trinity's headquarters. Things were looking up for the bad guys.
* * *
Something was wrong. Elysia wasn't sure what. Her head ached like hell. Something had happened. Her muscles all ached and hurt. She could hear a faint dripping sound somewhere. And she was cold. Her eyes moved around the small room she was in. Huh? The last thing she remembered was sitting under tree at the front of the school discussing what to do with Desio and Aurelia with Automne.
Then the bell had rung, and Automne had gone to class, and she had remained where she was. Looking around, the room was almost like a cell. There was a small barred window in the door, and her wrists were shackled to the wall in old iron chains. She tugged and struggled, but it was pointless. So. The Night World had finally caught her.
Did they have Automne too?
She didn't know. She needed her friends help, and there was only one way she could call for it. But that meant letting out the secret she'd been keeping for so long....
Would Automne understand? She should...but...
There was no choice. Either spill or die. She didn't want to do either. Finally, she decided she had no choice. She didn't want to die by the hand of Night World scum.
~Automne?~ She called out with her mental voice. Automne should hear her. ~Automne I'm in trouble, I need help. Now.~
A sound of keys jangling outside snapped herself back to attention. She could only pray that Automne would get here soon.
The cell door opened, and she found herself face to face with a woman in a dark business suit, an almost soft expression on her face. Her ever changing Redfern eyes were a dark green, and then glacier green, then gentle brown, and now soft blue.
She looked at Elysia, shaking her head, raven hair cascading around her like a cloak of black silk. "I still can't believe it's really you," she said.
Elysia didn't say anything. She didn't understand. "Who are you?" she asked.
The woman looked at her and smiled. "I am Trinity Harman-Redfern. I'm you're mother."
* * *
Automne wasn't sure she was hearing straight. The voice in her head sounded exactly like Elysia's. But Elysia couldn't use telepathy. Only vampires and shapeshifters could do that. Right? She ran to the front grounds to the tree she had Elysia had been sitting under less than an hour ago. Elysia wasn't there.
She wasn't in class. Where the hell was she? What was going on? Desio was gone, Elysia was too. Orchid was acting like she couldn't give a damn, hut that was just typical aloof Orchid. Automne headed back inside to her final class. Her mind was in turmoil. Could she actually sit there listening to some shit about chemistry when her friend's life was possibly at stake? If Elysia was in trouble, she didn't even know how to start finding her friend.
She slumped into her seat with the rest of her group, gossiping idly as they waited for the teacher to come in and start the lesson. She noticed Aurelia watching her. Something about the way her eyes narrowed and the scowl on the pretty face made her nervous.
They were the eyes that had been watching her in the library. The eyes of someone meant to hurt her. She could feel anger beginning to boil inside. Before she knew what she was doing she had leaped up from her seat, grabbed the smaller girl and slammed her into the wall.
~Who are you?~ she said directly to the other girl's mind. ~Who sent you?~
Aurelia looked at her, a slight frown wrinkling her forehead as if she'd just found fly in her salad. With a casual gesture she threw Automne off her, sending her flying over the desk tops, crashing into a bank of chemistry equipment. Students were on their feet screaming and fleeing in terror.
Automne blinked, looking over at Aurelia who stood in front of her, blue eyes almost glowing with a hidden danger and menace. What the hell *was* this girl. Nyrissa and Orchid had joined Aurelia and were also looking at Automne.
Automne was on her feet, but her friends weren't moving to help her. Instead, they were backing Aurelia.
"Let's face it," Aurelia said with a smile. "You're not going to get out of this one. Your powers are too weak. You haven't been feeding properly."
"Tut tut," Orchid said, shaking a disproving finger.
Automne looked from her to Nyrissa. Nyrissa was smiling, her eyes going an animal's silver, her canines lengthening. "What the hell is this?" she demanded.
"An ambush?" Aurelia said, as if stating the obvious.
"We've had our eyes on you and your friend for a long time," Nyrissa said with a smile. "You two have been bad."
Automne stared. Her mind had gone into some sort of crazed whirl. Was this really happening? The people she'd thought were her friends were all Night People? That had been relaying info on her and Elysia to the Council? Why hadn't she sensed it? What was the matter with her?
"Now then," Aurelia was saying, as if talking to a young child. "We do have your little friend. We haven't killed her yet. But if you make any trouble we will. All it takes is a single shout of telepathy."
Automne looked around. More night people in their dark uniforms were coming in, surrounding her. They were all pointing guns at her. Loaded with silver bullets probably, for the shapeshifter half of her. The part she'd been neglecting to feed. Would silver bullets kill her? She wasn't sure. And didn't want to find out. She had no choice.
Cold tears slid down her cheeks as the bile of failure filled her as she surrendered to the bad guys.
* * *
Elysia stared from her spot chained to the wall. "You're...my...mother." The words came out slowly. She stared at the woman in front of her. The most powerful half-breed in the Night World, head of the Council? A blood relative? Her *mother*?
No. No. It couldn't be...
"And I must say," Trinity was continuing, shaking her raven head. "You have disappointed me. You had so much potential. And you ruined it all. Things could have been different. You could have ruled the Night World beside me and Hunter. Up until he got blasted. Jerk," she snorted. "He deserved it."
"Don't tell me Hunter's my father," she whispered. "This is bad enough."
Trinity sighed. "Hate to disappoint you..."
Elysia's closed and her head fell back against the brick wall, causing a sharp rush of pain, enough to send tears coursing down her cheeks. She shuddered. God, this was a nightmare. So. The two most evil people in the Night World were her parents. The ones she'd spent a life time trying to destroy. Well, Trinity was right about one thing. Hunter had deserved what he got.
"You could have been so much better," Trinity said, sounding almost sad.
That got Elysia's attention. Her head snapped up and her eyes opened. "No," she said firmly. "No. I'd never become like you. Never. You're a monster."
Trinity smiled, her head tilting to one side. "How different are you from us, really?"
Elysia frowned, not liking where the conversation was going. "What?"
Trinity shrugged. "You're just as much as a monster of the rest of us, if you think about it. How different are you? You kill and kill and kill. Vampires, shapeshifters, witches...humans..."
An image flashed through Elysia's mind. A human girl who'd fallen in love with a vampire. Stupid girl. So she'd punished the girl for being so dumb.
Other memories were beginning to surge around her now. When she was a tiny baby, in her mother's arms. Her mother had accidentally cut herself with a sharp knife, and her vampire senses had smelled the blood. Her tiny fangs had sharpened and she'd fastened them to the wound, sucking the blood.
Another memory flashed. She had been twelve years old. She had heard screams coming from the basement. Screams full of terror and pain. She had gone to investigate, to find her mother hurting another person. Deliberately, and laughing.
And that was when she had run away. When she had turned her back on the Night World and become what she had. She had buried all those memories deep inside her. When she had become the Serpent she had focused on one thing: ridding the world of monsters like her mother. And for a century she had been successful.
And now...
"That friend of yours is a monster too, you know," Trinity said, bringing her out of her reverie. "It's such a shame too. She - "
There was a knock on the door then. Trinity opened it, annoyed. And then her expression changed to one of delighted surprise. Automne was being led down the steps, hands tied behind her, Night World assassins keeping her at gun point to stop her making any trouble. Automne didn't say anything as they chained her up besides Elysia. The girl who was leading the group was the other new girl who had started school that morning.
Trinity was obviously pleased.
"You wanted the Serpents?" the girl was saying. "Here they are."
"I'm impressed, Aurelia," Trinity said. "That was quick."
Aurelia just shrugged. "Why dwell on it? The sooner the task is done, the better, right?"
"I guess so." Trinity turned to look at her prisoners.
"What are you doing to do with them?" Aurelia asked.
"Burn them, I think," Trinity said. "That's slow and painful. Tomorrow at dawn. Burn them at the stake."
And with that the bad guys left, locking the door behind them.
Elysia glanced at Automne, who looked away. So. This was it. She glanced over at the high barred window in the wall. The sky was just beginning to darken.
Would tomorrow really be the dawn of death?
* * *
Automne wasn't sure how long had gone by. An hour? Two? Maybe more, maybe less. The sky was fully dark now, and a full moon bathed them two of them in a white coat. They hadn't exchanged a single word. Tension was heavy in the air. Would they really die?
"How did you use telepathy?" Automne asked finally, breaking the uncomfortable silence. She glanced over at her friend, wondering what she was hiding.
Elysia looked at the floor, she seemed ashamed. "I...I'm a vampire. Trinity and Hunter Redfern are my parents."
Automne wasn't sure what to say to that. A vampire hunting vampire? She'd wondered why her friend had Harman traits. She'd just thought it was a coincidence. Obviously it was more than that.
"I'm the original Serpent. Not the descendant."
"You killed Desio's soulmate," Automne said. "That's why he attacked you. That's why he hates you so much."
Elysia didn't say anything. But she didn't have to. Automne could feel her friend's guilt at that.
"Was she really his soulmate? Or just something new for him to have fun with?" Elysia asked.
Automne frowned. "I don't know," she admitted. "He told me they were soulmates, and I guess I just believed him. I never could sense the connection between them. Normally soulmates are easy to spot."
Elysia glanced over at her. "I've told you my secrets. Why don't you tell me yours?"
Automne sighed. She really had no choice. It was only fair. "I'm a Glittawitch," she admitted.
Elysia looked confused. "What's that?"
"It's an immortal fae-like creature from Ireland."
"You're a *fairy*?"
Automne smiled. "Not quite. I'm also half shapeshifter. Glittas have that ability. We can shapeshift, we're not limited to any animal."
"What made you turn to vampire hunting?"
Automne shuddered. It had been so long since she'd been forced to think about this. The memory was so unpleasant she'd shoved it deep into the back of her mind. Now everything was resurfacing...the pain...the humiliation..."I'm older than Trinity is. My house - Frost - we're sort of crazy and wild. I used to be as bad as you could be. And I used to love it. And then one night I was attacked by a pack of vampires and shifters looking for something new to play with. They hurt me - tortured me - did - things - to me. They left me for dead. And after that I despised the Night World and all it's creatures. I decided to make it my business to destroy them all. You?"
Elysia didn't say anything for a moment, an expression of shock and horror on her face. "I saw Trinity torturing someone, and I ran away, deciding I'd never want to be like that. So I'd get rid of monsters like her."
They remained silent for a long time, both thinking about their past experiences. Both had done things they weren't proud of, and it had led them to this - finally being captured by the bad guys. But was this really the end for them?
"So what now?" Elysia asked.
Determination was slowly beginning to build inside Automne, like a burning sun inside her, waking the magic she'd kept hidden for so long. "Now? We figure out a way to get the hell out of here. I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want to burn at the fucking stake."
Elysia smiled a little. "I'm with you on that one. But how do you propose getting out of these chains?"
Automne smiled, a secret little smile. She concentrated on the magic growing inside her. She let it bloom until there was too much of it to keep contained with in herself. The magic brought a tingling heat to her body, and when she could stand it no longer, it burst out of her in a blast of bright light.
When the light had vanished, Automne blinked away after images of little dots, dancing in front of her eyes. The chains were melted. She smiled fully. "That's how," she answered.
Elysia was staring at her. "You have got to teach me how to do that."
"You're half Harman. You have your own witch powers to nurture. Maybe that bit won't be so bad," Automne suggested. She looked over at the door, blown off its hinges by her powerful magic blast.
Elysia was hesitating.
"What?" Automne asked. Now was not the time to start being difficult.
"Can you still trust me?" Elysia asked.
Automne didn't say anything. Were they really all that different now? So they both had revealed the parts of them they'd kept hidden for so long, out of fear the other would kill them. It was all out in the open now. Did that really make much of a difference? Their ideas were still the same: The Night World were monsters that needed to be destroyed.
"How different are we? Really? Does it matter that you're a vampire and I'm a witch? Who says that'll be a disadvantage?"
Elysia stood still and silent for a long time, and Automne knew she was thinking about the same things that she had just thought of. Her eyes met Automne and she smiled then, a full, real smile. Automne's own lips cracked into a smile, and both of them knew then, what they were on the outside didn't matter. They were the Serpents. They killed Night People. And they were back in action.
* * *
Desio was unhappy, and he didn't know why. He stood in Trinity's office staring out the window. He had no idea where she was right now. And to be completely honest, he didn't even care. He and Aurelia had done their job and captured the Serpents, the most notorious vampire hunters any Night Person had ever encountered. They were going to suffer a slow and painful death tomorrow morning.
So why wasn't he jumping for joy?
"What 's your problem?" Aurelia said, joining him at the window. "We won. They're going to die. Why aren't you happier?"
Desio shrugged. "I'll be happy when I see that bitch scream and beg for mercy." That part was true at least. His hatred for Elysia was still strong.
Aurelia sighed and shook her golden head. "You damn Redferns are always impossible."
He shrugged. "So kill me then?"
"I was planning to," she admitted. "But can't be bothered now. I have more important things to do."
"New assignment?" he asked.
"Yep." She picked up her duffle bag and slung it over her shoulder. He watched her as she left. "See you." Shame she was such a bitch. She was really gorgeous, all that tight leather emphasising all her perfect curves. He smiled to himself, watching her as she walked out the door and out his life forever. He wouldn't mourn not seeing her again.
He turned back to the window, and his thoughts drifted to Automne. He didn't understand it. What was the matter with him? Why could he not stop thinking about her? Ever since he'd laid eyes on her earlier she'd been in his mind constantly. Why did he suddenly care so much?
Because he did. He just did. One thought was striking him now...he couldn't let her burn. He grabbed the keys to the basement from Trinity's desk draw and headed down stairs, and almost ran into Automne, as she and Elysia made her way up them.
* * *
Automne stopped dead at the sight of Desio. The three of them stood in silence, no one making a move. He looked sullenly at them, and they stayed back at him. Desio was glaring at Elysia, hatred sparking in his blue eyes.
Before she could do anything, he had thrown himself at her, sending Elysia flying backwards down the stairs. They both hit the stone wall, Desio on top, with a hold on Elysia's arms, pinning her. He laughed, and Automne had a glimpse of his fangs.
She threw herself at him, grabbing a handful of his hair and yanking him off her. He howled in rage and annoyance, turning his wrath on her. She was ready for him. They stood still for a moment, circling each other. Automne was watching him careful, looking for any hint as to which way he would move.
He lunged suddenly, taking her by surprise, knocking her back into the wall, his arm against her throat, choking her. She raised her own hand and grabbed his wrist.
As their bare flesh touched, sparks shot out, as if she'd electrocuted him. He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Oh no. Before she knew what was happening he had released his hold on her, his dry lips and pressed against hers and a hidden heat and fire was igniting all over Automne, and a white light was starting to grow, pulling them into each other's mind, merging them together, so they would never be apart.
"What the hell are you two *doing*?"
Elysia's voice, full of shocked surprise shattered the sudden illusion, and Automne suddenly burst into a stream of derisive laughter as she realised how ridiculous the situation had become. She glanced over at Desio, who was starting to chuckle insanely too. Oh, this was so pathetic.
"What the fuck is so funny?" Elysia demanded, getting to her feet, looking from one to the other, completely baffled.
"That goddamn soulmate connection picks really bad times to show you who you're one and only is," Desio said with a snort.
"Tell me about it," Automne muttered, pulling herself together.
Elysia's eyebrows rose. "You two are....soulmates?"
Automne and Desio exchanged glances. "I guess so," she said.
"It's just a shame you won't be for much longer."
All three heads turned to the top of the stairs to see Trinity had appeared, a large stake in her hand.
* * *
Trinity glared at Desio. "You really are a fucking idiot, you know that?" she snapped.
"So you keep telling me," he said sourly.
She sighed heavily, shaking her head. Why did all her best assassins end up finding soulmates? Ugh, this was such a pain. At least Aurelia still had some sense in her. Even if she was blonde. She handed the stake to Elysia.
"What are you doing?" Elysia asked, confused.
"You don't need to die," Trinity answered. Vampire hunter or not, the girl was still her own flesh and blood. A little brain washing and she'd be the daughter Trinity had always wanted. She grabbed Desio, pinning his arms. He didn't struggle or try to fight. He knew Trinity out matched him. Smart man.
"All you need to do," she said, "is kill him. Kill him, and you can go. You're friend over there - " glancing at Automne " - broke Night World law, so that means she has to be punished. But after that, you can both go."
Trinity smiled, hoping she looked convincing enough.
* * *
Desio frowned, not even bothering to try and fight Trinity. She could flatten him in a single blow. He looked over at Elysia. He knew full well that he deserved to die. Why would she want to save him? He glanced over at Automne. His soulmate. He had always thought Sapphyre was his soulmate. Maybe not. Now he had his real one, and he was about to die. He would have liked a few minutes to make peace with her. He looked back at Elysia, his face blank. At least he hoped he'd die with some dignity.
* * *
Elysia looked around. The stake in her hand was trembling. Trinity was up to something, she had to be. Would she really let a pair of vampire hunters who'd terrorized the Night World walk loose? No way. She'd gone to so much trouble to capture them and now she was letting them go? What was she planning?
She looked over at Desio. He was a vampire. He was scum. He'd attacked her twice already. He'd kidnapped her, brought her to the bad guys. Then again, she was as much scum as he was.
She looked over at Automne. Automne's golden eyes were pleading. Desio was her best friend's soulmate. Could she really do that to Automne?
A wash of anger suddenly ran over her, and she lunged forward, she grabbed Desio, pulling him towards her. Trinity was laughing and released her grip on Desio's arms. Elysia shoved Desio to one side, and with a movement faster than lightning plunged the stake into Trinity's black heart.
Trinity full to her knees, a scream of terror escaping her. She looked up at Elysia, her ever changing eyes a shocked silver. Elysia didn't say anything. She just stood there, watching the light die out of Trinity's eyes. Her skin was slowly starting to wither and die, shrinking off the bones. Trinity was collapsing in on herself, and in the end, she was nothing put a pile of leathery bones on the basement floor.
It was over.
* * *
Epilogue
Elysia, Desio and Automne sat outside Trinity's mansion. Despite the late hour, people were bustling about. It had turned out that a couple of the girls in Automne's chemistry class were Circle Daybreak witches. They had recognised Aurelia and figured she was up to something, so they had called Daybreak headquarters for backup.
Backup had arrived, and they were sorting out the mess left behind after Elysia had killed Trinity. She felt no remorse or regrets. Trinity had deserved what she got.
"So what happens now?"
Rashel "The Cat" Jordan joined them. Rashel was another vampire hunter, with a reputation similar to their own, just as good at getting vampires as they were.
They all exchanged glances. Desio was chuckling slightly.
"Now what?" Automne asked.
"I just think the idea of becoming a damned Daybreaker is very funny," he said.
That made Elysia smile. If someone had told her six months ago she would end up as Daybreak she'd have probably killed them.
"Daybreak isn't all about singing about love and hope and mushy crap like that," Rashel said, her nose wrinkled slightly in disgust. "We have a fighting arm too. They need people like us for dealing with the monsters they can't deal with."
Elysia looked at Automne. "What do you think?" she asked. Personally, she thought, (and she couldn't believe she was actually thinking this) that maybe a little Daybreak healing might not be all that bad. Rashel had done it. And she still got to have her fun hunting the vampires.
Automne smiled. "I guess we could try it."
Desio groaned. "I can't believe I'm becoming a damned Daybreaker."
Automne was still smiling. "I guess everyone can change," she said.
He was studying her. "I guess so. There are things we need to learn how to deal with, without deciding that killing them isn't the only option."
Automne had snuggled closer to him. "And we've got each other to learn about too. That's going to be fun."
Elysia made a gagging gesture. "Stop, you two are making me sick."
So one Serpent had become two and had now become three. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having Desio join their little group. They were the best. They had a whole new team to work with. Rashel was right, they could join the Circle Daybreak fighting arm. They could still do what they did best - destroy the Night World.
Sometimes the good guys did win. There were happy endings. And this seemed like one to Elysia. A conclusion to one part of life, and an opening to a whole new chapter. Who knew what would happen next?
THE END.