"Tainted Vengeance"

By: Sara Angeldust

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Chapter 8:

"Live For Death"

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"The wolf has caught the chicken,

And now I feel unsteady,

Emotions on the blink again,

So kick me when you're ready,

Here lies a violet coffin,

The death of my control,

Along with all my skeletons,

They put them in the hole."

"Butterflies"

-Natalie Imbruglia

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Raven stood motionless behind the large elm tree. She could hear the hurried breathing of her prey and licked her lips. Suddenly a smirk came to her face.

This would be so much more fun if…

Before Raven had finished the thought she began to change into a panther. Since she had been turned into a vampire the physical change had become different. She no longer felt her bones crack, her organs move nor her hair grow. It was a less emotional change now that she was no longer a shifter. At first she had been saddened by it and missed the feelings, but after changing many times she had gotten used to it.

Now as a panther Raven began to shadow the wary girl through the dank woods. She had convinced the girl to take a short to her house and had successfully gotten her utterly lost. By fine tuning her powers in the past month Raven became as deadly as any vampire. As Raven gained on the girl she thought of sending fear to her to get her to run. But deciding she was too hungry to chase the girl she sent sleep to her instead. The girl slowly stopped by a tree and feel to the ground. Seemingly exhausted. Raven loomed over the girl still in panther form and sunk her teeth into her neck. She could have changed back but she had been finding that she never felt like doing so. Panther form felt comforting to her and reassured her. As Raven finished off the girl and listened as her heart beat stopped she thought of what to do next.

For the past month all she had been able to think of was killing Vailor. To her surprise he had never tried to contact her once since she had been changed. As she thought of this she realized that Vailor must not have been able to find her. Her aura was different now and no longer held any traces of his blood anymore. She had smiled gratefully for her hiding. It had given her more time to train her mind and not have to worry about him. So that was what she had done. With the help of Nikolas, Christopher and Sarah she had finely tuned her senses to be everything the hunter she was. Now all she needed was a test. She knew fully well that she could kill Vailor. It was just a matter of finding him and squeezing the life from him. She relished the thought of his body lying dead in some alley or even better, in a cave of wild animals being torn apart piece by little piece. She would have to consider that as a thought when she finished him off.

Not bothering to change back, Raven transported herself back to Nikolas's house and into the kitchen hallway. The loud sound of hard rock music filled her ears and unnerved her panther body. Not only were her vampire ears sensitive to the sound but also her panther ones. She could hardly stand the music but decided not to leave.

As she began walking into the kitchen, Raven felt a strong threatening aura that filled up the room like a bad smell. Hiding her own strong aura she pounced on the person, teeth bared and all the power she could gather pushing the creature to the floor. It was Vailor.

What are you doing here you leech?

Raven forced her thoughts into Vailors head, shattering whatever walls he had tried to erect. She knew it was simply luck that she had surprised him or else the situation might have been totally different.

Raven? You little bitch what did you do!?

Raven could feel Vailor's anger rising. If he got to angry it would be hard for her to keep him pinned down. Silently she uttered a curse. Of course she wanted to kill him but she had been ill prepared to see him. Oh well. This time would be as good as any. Slowly Raven stepped off of Vailor's chest and watched him brush himself off. She eyed him as he stood next to the door. From her parifarial vision she saw Nikolas enter, a smile smug on his face.

You let him in didn't you?

Raven said sizing up the situation between Vailor and herself. He was getting angry and she could tell getting ready to jump on her. Nikolas stared at them both then gave a small laugh.

"Of course I did. He came looking for you and I thought I'd just let him find you himself. Did you find what you were looking for Vailor?"

Raven looked at Vailor, a growl on his lips. Silently she smiled. Vailor had also been ill prepared to meet her as she was to meet him. She could tell he had no idea she had become a vampire. Now smiling Raven changed back to human. She watched Vailor's eye grow wide as he saw her now perfect vampire form. Raven could sense the small amount of fear from him. She had changed so much both physically and mentally that had he not known what she looked liked or acted like before, he would never have recognized her. She watched as his hands balled into fists and he gave Nikolas a severe look. She was sure he could sense Nikolas's blood flowing through her veins. With the same guile Vailor turned to Raven.

"You bitch. You were mine! He had no authority to change you." Vailor said visibly shaking with anger.

Raven smiled. This proved that she had been scared of nothing her intire life. She still held her everlasting hate for him, but the fear she once had possessed was gone. Raven had seen the true nature of Vailor. She was sure he had once been strong, probably stronger then Nikolas. But now that she saw him from her predator's point of view he seemed no more then a cat who's mouse had turned into a dog. While he had long lost his true powers as a vampire he had still held fear over her head. Anger flew through her body. Now that she had the power to kill him she wanted more then anything to see him dead. Calming down Raven decided to start the dance. The dance that would end one person's life tonight.

"What's the matter Vailor," Raven said putting her hand on her hip. "don't like what you see?"

Slowly, she began to circle Vailor, sizing him up in every way. She determined she could definitely kill him, but not here. The house was far too crowded with people attending Nikolas's party. People who could potentially be hunters or witches. Fighting vampires were easy targets since their minds weren't on their surroundings as much as their opponent. No, she would have to move this duel.

As Raven came around to face Vailor again she could see his anger and fear slowly fall. He still held it at the surface but was controlling it, also sizing up the situation. She almost laughed as a small smile came to his lips. Did he really think he stood a chance? She knew he felt her urge to fight and had given into it himself.

"Do you really think you can beat me shifter?" Raven cringed at the use of her old nickname. She would really love this fight. She licked her lips in response.

"Why don't we just find out? You're such a strong vampire and I'm so young compared to you." Raven said playfully. "Why don't we go outside and find out huh?"

Raven watched as a smile played at the corners of his mouth. So he really thought he could beat her? Well she would show him. She watched as Vailor turned out the door and into the dark woods. She followed his every move until he disappeared from her sight. She would give him a head start, just for an added bonus.

"Hey Raven." Raven turned as she heard Nikolas talk to her.

As she looked at him he tossed her two twin blades. They weren't large knives as she had seen some vampires use but looked just as deadly as any. One of the blades handles was made of black ivory with a white vine twisting around. It held small budding white roses and thorns. The other knife mirrored it's twin with a white handle and black vines. She stared at the gifts for a minute before placing them in her jeans.*

"They're gifts from Christopher and me. Give that bastard a couple wacks for me ok." She heard Nikolas say before he disappeared back towards the party. As she looked down the darkened hallway where he had headed she could sense both Christopher and Sarah watching her. So now she had a fan club. Raven nodded to them both as she walked out the back door and into the black soulless night.

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The darkness enveloped Raven and all her senses seemed to come to life. She could still sense Vailor but not without some difficulty. He had hid himself well and she was at her ends at where he could be.

Well, this will end everything. Raven thought.

A smile couldn't help but play at her lips as she thought of the idea of not having Vailor around anymore. A dream come true. As Raven looked around the dark forest the light from Nikolas's house became dimmer and dimmer. She could barely even sense the large aura of people and vampire that huddled around the house. Good for camaflouge but bad if something happened. She had to give Vailor credit for knowing how to strand someone but in all other aspects he was stupid. Suddenly Raven felt a huge jolt come from behind her and she skidded across the ground. She felt the impact as she hit the opposing tree hard. A break that would have immobilized anything less then what she was began to heal almost immediately as she reached for her daggers.

Shakily she stood in a fighting position looking around for the source of the psychic hit. Raven moved just in time as another wave of power came towards her and instead hit the tree behind her. Her eyes darted to a low slung branch in the northern most tree and she jumped and swiped at it. As she hit the ground she heard something fall from the tree and stagger a few feet before standing. She turned around smiling.

"Well is that what I am to expect out of this fight? Underhanded blows? I thought you were better then that Vailor." Raven said cleaning off the blade in her left hand. A small line of blood was left on her jeans mirroring the deep cut that cut a hole in Vailor's left shoulder and drew blood.

She watched him idly as he took a few seconds to address the wound and make sure it was healing. She smiled at the wound healed then scared lightly. Her knifes were defiantly enchanted, silently she thank Nikolas. Raven stared at Vailor as he began to speak.

"Huh, you must not know me that well Shifter. You're weak. I just thought I could get this over quickly, but I see you've had practice. No problem. It just makes it all the more fun."

Suddenly Vailor rushed at Raven. She barely had time to move as he came millimeters from her stomach with a large knife. Before she could regain her balance Vailor hit her in the back of the head with a fist. Had she been any less quick the fight would have been over right then. But her newly adapted agility gave her the ability to move away long enough to let the knot in her head heal before Vailor struck again. This time she was ready and grabbed his arm and twisted. She heard the bone and cartilage crack and snap as she broke his arm neatly in two pieces. Before he could move away to nurse the wound she gave him a hard kick to the stomach that send him sprawling on the ground. It took him longer this time to get up and Raven wiped the blood from her lip.

"That was for my sister you bastard." Raven said staring Vailor down. She heard a small laugh escape his throat and growled.

Before he could completely recover Raven lunged at him, her dagger ready to stick in his dead heart. Seconds before she hit him Vailor grabbed her wrist and squeezed. She mentally gasped at how he had played sick just long enough for her to get close to him. Raven tried to pull her hand away but Vailor's grip grew tighter.

Damn him.

Raven said trying futilely to kick him. Vailor just held her arm up above her head, her feet now a good 6 inches from the ground. An unnatural breath caught in Raven's throat as Vailor kneed her dead in the stomach and dropped her cowering to the ground. She wrapped her arms around her aching stomach as her broken and bruised ribs tried to heal as fast as they could. Had she had to take a breathe like a human, this injury too would have been fatal. It amazed her that she could heal from wounds a mere human would have been long dead from. Suddenly Raven heard Vailor laugh. Anger surged in her body as the urge to get back up and fight him flew through her body. She pulled it back into check and decided to play the same game Vailor had done moments before.

"What's the matter. Finally realize you can't beat me? It runs in the family doesn't it." Raven wearily watched as Vailor began to circle her. Still trying to play hurt she stopped herself from following him with her eyes and used her other senses.

"I prey attitude I mean. It has always been so easy to manipulate you Raven, and you know why? Your emotions." Her eyes widened. He was mocking her. The bastard was using her emotions against her. Rage again surged in her body but she remained calm, it was not time yet.

"It's funny to watch you squirm Raven. So much fun to watch your eyes go blank at the mear mention of your poor, little, sister."

She suppressed the urge to move as Vailor grabbed her by her throat. She could feel his hands choking her empty windpipe and the cold steel of his knife as he raised it to her stomach. If she wasn't careful he would slice her in half. Then her play would be worth nothing. Her muscles tensed as she checked her knives, they were still in her hands.

"Well guess listen closely Raven. Even I have a little secret." Raven tensed as Vailor raised her by her neck up to whisper in her ear. "She's still alive."

Suddenly Raven struck. Her hands whirled around Vailor giving him no chance to make a counter attack. Her left hand grabbed his throat and slammed him against a near by tree as her right pointed it's blade inches from his heart. This sudden movement caused Vailor to drop his knife to the ground with a sick thud. Raven's face was inches from his face and she stared him down. She watched him cringe and raise his hands to his throat as she squeezed his windpipe. The crunch was fulfilling and the severe pain in his eyes was enough to make her squeal. Now to the information he had leaked.

"What do you mean Amelia's alive." Raven spat in his face. She was in no mood for another one of his games. She wanted the truth.

There was no time to stop the mental blow as it flung her back a few feet. She watched unharmed as Vailor nursed his throat. He didn't even have time to attack her now, he was just buying time. This made Raven smile. He knew he was running out of things to do.

"Tell me what you meant leech!" Raven thundered fully finished with the bastard. Vailor just smiled.

"What's the matter Raven. Don't like what I said? Well it's the truth. You're sister was never killed, oh no much more."

Raven watched as Vailor tiredly stood. She could tell he was looking for ways out of the situation but Raven kept him in her sights. He wasn't leaving.

"See while your mother is defiantly dead you're sister isn't dear shifter. She's Triste."
Raven's eyes widened slightly. Triste? It couldn't be, he was lying. But then again memories came back to Raven. Memories of late night comforting talks of Amelia not being able to change, of how she never felt connected to the clan as everyone else seemed to be. The idea hit Raven like a bolt of lightning and it was then that she understood. One part of her screamed that Vailor was lying, and yet the major part of her confirmed it was true. All this time of grieving, of letting Vailors lies seep into her head an the intire time he had been lying. A final amount of rage surged through her body and this time Raven gave into it.
Quicker then lightning Raven ran at Vailor. There was no time for him to run, no time to react, or even to utter a word. With her left hand she sliced his throat and with her right she lunged the dagger into his heart, giving it a hearty twist to insure death. A smile played on Raven's lips at the shock forever on Vailor's dead face.
"Thanks for the Hell Vailor. Have fun in yours."
Raven sighed as she turned from his dead body and headed towards the house. As an after thought she wiped the blood from her dagger onto her jeans. Feelings of power and a new purpose filled the cavity that had once been filled with revenge for Vailor. Never more would hate for a useless vampire be in her mind, now she had more important things to take care of.
Raven smiled as the thoughts filled her head. Now she could live her life without having to worry about vengeance and killing those who hurt her. The one thing she had always hoped for had come back to her. Subconsciously she knew that it wouldn't be as easy as a good natured hug and an explanation but at the moment she didn't care. Amelia was back. Well rediscovered to be exact, but Raven could care less. Her time of tainted vengeance was done. More pressing matters and a new life lay ahead of her.
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*Authors Note:

Muhahahahahaha….! For all intense purposes this story is finished. Yes of course there is an epilogue but other then that it's done! YES. Questions? Comments? Review and or e-mail me TODAY. I'm done I'm done I'm done……

Hehe oh yeah, don't forget to read the Epilogue:

"And So The Journey Begins…"