Waaah! Only got one review for the last chapter! :( I am soo depressed!
Ooh, don't forget that the NW series and all it's characters and concepts
and stuff belong to LJ Smith, not me! I swear it! But do not even think
about laying a finger on the stuff I created all on my own, unless you ask
nicely.
Dulce Ambrosia: I know! It's so scary! He's so scary! Thanks for reviewing, I really, really appreciate it. *sniff sniff*
Well, if I don't get many reviews for this chapter, I may get demoralised (even more than I am now) so I might just scrap this sorry little piece of rubbish fanfiction forever, and concentrate on my other story. Is it really that bad? Tell me the truth, I need to know! This is my first NW fanfiction you know. I am very bad at judging my own stuff, and the indication is that this story isn't so good.
*Wipes tears away and sniffles* I think I'll just go write this chapter now...
Oh, and *Please review my story!* is a telepathic message.
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Ella was slightly anxious as they followed Orlana into the dormitories, but at the same time, she kept a cool, calm and impassive façade at all times. She had finally realised the cost of letting emotions get in the way of cohesive thought. That was what Sophia had done, let her feelings rule her head, and the result was that she'd been drained dry by Daegan Redfern. She hated herself for wincing at the memory of her bloodless face grey with customary death-pallor, eyes glazed over and unyielding, like chips of muddy ice. Her fiery hair looked dulled in death, like flaking rust, her body, soft and doughy-pale, limp and lifeless.
Orlana turned smartly upon her heels, and surveyed the group with a malicious smile of bloodthirsty anticipation. Her eyes were like emeralds, glimmering coolly, showing a shocking, stony lack of compassion. Under her fierce and corrosive gaze the four girls shrunk away, huddling together, sheltering themselves from the malevolence in her intense scrutiny.
"These are your chambers," she purred, gesturing elegantly to the massive room. "Rest well and eat well. Tonight, we begin the next phase in your initiation. By sunrise we shall have the agents we desire. True Bleeding Thistles assassins. As for the rest of you." she said wickedly, not bothering to finish off her sentence as she swept out of the room. Her mocking laugh echoed from the hallway to where they all stood.
Ella looked around, trying to get Orlana's laugh out of her brain. It's cruel, sadistic ring lingered on in her head even as she distracted herself. The room was made up of the customary sandstone walls and floors, utterly cold and impersonal. At this end, there were several couches and armchairs situated round a TV set, and large bookshelf occupied one wall. There was a small kitchen area, more of a kitchenette really, and many doors leading off this main room.
The first one to make a move, Ella collapsed on a couch, closely followed by Yazmin. The exchanged a look of quiet acceptance of the situation. Ella closed her eyes, then opened them again, blinking back childish tears that made her dark blue eyes shine with ethereal opalescence.
*C'est la vie.* she 'pathed, mainly to Yazmin, but it was the sullen, grey- eyed girl who responded.
*Yeah, true. Doesn't mean we have to like it though,* she 'pathed loudly, leaping upon a shabby chaise-longue, passionate disgust evident in every line of her body, her unruly dark hair flying everywhere. Clearly she was a vampire.
The small, fairylike girl, not wanting to be left out of the conversation, wandered dreamily over to the chaise and sat on the other end of it, shaking her tousled blonde head.
"Hey," she said softly, lazily, "don't speak fuckin' French. I can't understand a word you guys are saying."
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, we're not guys at all," Yazmin responded sharply, dark eyes flashing. "Who are you two, anyway?"
"You first," said the small blonde, narrowing her baby-blue eyes.
Frowning in disgust, Yazmin introduced herself sarcastically. "Yazmin Arlin. I am so damn pleased to meet you."
"Ella Pinefrost," said Ella tiredly, stifling a yawn.
"OK," said the blonde with a satisfied smile. "I'm Katie Arnold." An eagle 'shifter, Ella thought.
"Jo Black," said the wild, sullen girl, grinning savagely. Ella guessed she was a made vampire, due to her normal-sounding name. "This is great, isn't it?" she said, only half joking.
"Did you hear what that bitch Orlana said? By the time the night is out most of us will be dead!" exclaimed Katie, surprised at Jo's relish of the situation.
"I wonder how they're gonna select us," murmured Ella, more to herself than to the other girls.
"That's easy. They make us fight each other, and the people who aren't dead or show the best technique in the battles, they become the BT assassins," Yazmin said, seeming proud of her knowledge. She enjoyed being superior. "We'll have to fight the guys too though. Should be fun. Wouldn't fancy goin' up against that dragon boy Aethelmaer, would you?"
"Yazmin, dragons do not exist anymore," Ella stated flatly.
"Y'know, that's not strictly true nowadays," said Jo. She looked about to say more, but Yazmin interrupted her.
"Yeah, didn't you hear about the whole Wild Power thing?" she said. Jo scowled at Yazmin, giving her a poisonous look, but Yazmin either didn't notice, or didn't care. "One from the hearth that still holds the spark, or something like that," Yazmin said. "The third Wild Power."
"Yup. That one. The Daybreakers and Nightworlders had found her. Lost Harman witch. Night World sent a fucking dragon after her, apparently. But the girl's blue fire was enough to toast him," said Jo, taking over the story. "And then off she went to the Daybreakers."
"Is that true?" gasped Ella, now interested in the story. "How did they awaken that son-of-a-bitch dragon?" And, she thought, how does Jo know so much about Daybreaker current affairs?
"Obviously, it was a witch who did it," said Katie with a smirk. "But which witch?"
"A witch who wasn't a witch, so they say," replied Jo. "Pretty powerful, he or she must be. And still alive." And there again, thought Ella, thinking that Jo knew an awful lot. Enough to make anyone suspicious.
"I dunno about all these Wild Power prophesies and suchlike," Ella mused. "Three down, one to go, so they say. Personally, I can't believe that the fate of the world lies in the hands of four people. And, I can't believe that so many vamps, witches, 'shifters and 'wolves would want to side with Daybreak. If the Night World wins, then it will be so much better for us all. Imagine a world where you could hunt when and where you wanted! No secrecy! That is a better offer that what Daybreak are hoping - vainly - to achieve."
Slyly, she glanced sideways at Jo. Jo looked, well, outraged for a split second, and disgusted. Plain as day, thought Ella. She must be, without a doubt, a true-blue Daybreaker.
"Yeah. Daybreakers are scum," agreed Yazmin ferociously.
"At least we all concur on that point," smiled Katie.
Jo gave her a slightly strange look, almost involuntary, before quickly turning away. Ella had caught the expression on her face. It was as if she was appalled, worried, anxious, and tense... Now she knew, it was unmistakable. Jo was more than just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill vampire. She was a Daybreaker spy. But what was Daybreak doing here? Bleeding Thistles may have been the premier Night World assassins' agency, but Daybreak was more concerned with finding Wild Powers, wasn't it?
"What do you think, Jo?" asked Ella, a meaningful look glowing in her midnight-dark eyes.
Jo looked flustered. "Well, it's obvious. Circle Daybreak is a weak, stupid, and false," she said harshly.
"Yup. But that doesn't make much difference to us now, does it?" said Yazmin, stretching with a fluid grace as she stood up. "I'm gonna pick out a room and get some rest," she announced as she sauntered away. "I suggest you guys should too," she added. "We've got a hell of a night ahead of us."
"Yeah, I'm coming," said Katie, springing from the chaise-longue and hurrying away.
*I know who you are...* 'pathed Ella venomously to Jo, before she could escape. *That's how you know so much about the whole Wild Power thing...*
*No, uh, I'm just well informed.* Ella flashed a humourless, savage smile, revealing her sharp teeth. *Yazmin knew some stuff too.*
*You knew more that her. I checked.* Ella chuckled, acting like a cat playing cruelly with a doomed little mouse.
*Wha... I know nothing!* Jo was wringing her hands now, distress plain on her face.
*Uh huh. And I'm a fucking lunatic.*
*You said it. Anyway, Daybreak are idiotic! They're stupid!* Her mental voice was shrill and definitely guilty.
*Whoever said I thought you were a Daybreaker? But since you insist on telling me these things...* She couldn't help but be amused. Jo had just walked right into her trap and had fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
*What's it to you anyway, Pinefrost?* Defensively, she stood up, trying to look menacing and threatening. But, it wasn't working for Ella.
*Just curious. But I'd love to know just what you're doing here. This is a Night World facility after all...* Ella stood slowly, keeping an eye upon Jo all the while.
Jo made to scramble away, but Ella leapt up and delivered a powerful crescent-kick to the back of her thighs, forcing her legs to give way, making her crumple to the floor. Ella sighed. It was not that she wanted to be in BT or to protect it; it was just that she hated Circle Daybreak, the whole concept and it's members.
Pushing her face close to Jo's, she whispered; "You'd better tell me or I'll be forced to beat it out of you, or worse, I'm sure that Daegan will be interested in news of your misplaced allegiance."
Ella was surprised at herself. She was playing the powerful, evil little bitch to perfection.
In retaliation, Jo head-butted her, and shoved her roughly aside. Ella recovered almost at once and managed to dodge Jo's punch that had been aimed at her midsection. It was a shame that all BT initiates had learnt kickboxing.
Resuming the fighting stance, Ella felt her canines lengthen and sharpen.
Blocking a powerful side-kick, she staggered slightly, which was why Jo's forceful uppercut connected with her jaw. It sent her flying to the back of the room, where she landed. Every bone in her body thrilled with bittersweet pain as she landed upon the sandstone. Aware of the dangers of languishing upon the ground, Ella dragged herself upright and made for Jo again, determined to make her pay.
Ella faked a left, making Jo block, then aimed a high front-kick to the girl's head. Blood flowed, and Jo visibly swooned. Ella glanced at her shoe, noticing the blood there.
"I'm bored now, Daybreaker," she spat as her body fell to the ground with an almighty thud. Out cold, she grinned.
Suddenly, Ella heard slow, sarcastic clapping. Scared out of her skin, she whirled around.
Shit. It was the dragon boy. Aethelmaer.
He leant against the doorframe, laconic, lazy and amused, his eyes swallowing all light in their chilling opaqueness. His tawny hair was messed up in a careless way, which enhanced his unreal natural beauty. He looked predatory, and Ella could place the smile that tugged on his lips. The smile of a cat playing with a doomed mouse. Feeling her spirit quail, and her heart flutter like a bird in a cage, she cursed life in general. He looked, well, extremely attractive, in a pair of black trousers and a t- shirt that emphasised powerful muscles.
*Nice work, little lady.* His voice sounding in her brain was so formidable that she winced, feeling the beginnings of a forceful migraine pound her skull. Why was he being so pleasant? Even though his tone was heavily laced with sarcasm, it was a far cry from the abrupt abusiveness she had felt from him earlier.
*I don't think you're supposed to be in here.* Her telepathic voice was weak, dazed.
*Whatever do you mean?* He chuckled darkly.
Ella tried to open her mouth to reply, but she couldn't. Velvety blue eyes wide with astonishment and fear, she simply stared. He was influencing her, destroying her defences with his mind.
*Why so silent? Don't you want to talk?* Shit, he was approaching, coming towards her, into the room. He walked with the innate grace of a wild animal. Ella was aware desperately that she needed to escape. That dragon was nothing but trouble. But it was strange how her legs refused to move, and she felt a vague sensation of dizziness. What was she doing again? He was closing in, and Ella was utterly helpless.
He came up close to her, very, very close, a superior smile dancing on his lips. Ella's breath caught, and she felt very, very peculiar...
"Wha... what do you want to talk about?" she said, trying to put a note of authority into her voice, but it ended up sounding soft and breathy. Aethelmaer was far more powerful that her, by a long way, but still she struggled in the grip of his mental power. His face was inches from her own, and her frightened, beguiling blue eyes couldn't help but stare up into his dark, devilish ones. "I don't think..." she said, raising her voice stubbornly, but he simply forced her into silence simply by willing her to shut up.
Ella had never been controlled in this way before. Being a lamia, she was usually top of the food chain, so to speak. But now, she felt utterly terrified as Aethelmaer's long, pale eyelashes drooped mockingly, his searing gaze focused solely upon her. She was the prey now, and it was not a nice feeling at all. She trembled in his grasp.
He bent his head to reach hers, as slowly as the sunrise. She couldn't escape it. But she still tried to get free, as futile as it was. Ella wondered why the dragon boy was picking on her all of a sudden.
As his lips brushed hers, softly, Ella almost felt detached from it all, as if it wasn't really her in the situation; that it wasn't really happening. But another part of her was devastatingly aware of it all, the warmth of his hated body encircling her, his lips devouring hers. It was dark, terribly dark, and it was seeping into her soul.
"Ella!" She was aware of someone calling her name. The voice was very familiar, she felt an odd sort of painful yearning when she heard it. Wasn't that John? Dimly, she tried to turn, to confirm her suspicions. But it was so agonizing! Her head burned in anguish, but she would not stop trying. Then, with all her strength, she pulled. Pulled herself free. She felt hands helping her, voices calling her name. That gave her hope, it gave her courage. She strained, ignoring the pain and the darkness, striving for the light...
An explosion of lightning, white and blue, lit up the darkness. She tried to shield her eyes, but the burning vision would not be blocked away. It grew, roaring, throbbing with pure energy and heat. Her eyes watered, her skin tingled, unable to cope with it all.
Then, as if by magic, it all disappeared, leaving a murky wash of pale colour. Ella tried to stay still, but she staggered. She couldn't see. She couldn't hear. It was all grey. Feeling weak and drained, she let herself collapse. Blinking, she tried to clear her vision. Blurred images were coming to her, slowly merging into a coherent picture.
"Are you alright?" said that familiar voice.
"John?" she whispered, reaching out with a shaking hand.
"Yeah," he said. She could roughly distinguish his hazy outline, and she caught his hand, her fingers intertwined with his.
"Where did the blue lighting come from?" she asked weakly, foreboding creeping into her voice.
The silence stretched out like a chasm between them, and Ella just felt like she wanted to die. She knew that the answer was not going to be good news at all.
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Gasp! Blue lightning? What is that all about? Please would you take the time to review my story. I would appreciate any sorts of comments, be they nice or nasty. Thanks! The greater the number of reviews I get, the more cheery I get, and so, the faster I write! ^_^
Dulce Ambrosia: I know! It's so scary! He's so scary! Thanks for reviewing, I really, really appreciate it. *sniff sniff*
Well, if I don't get many reviews for this chapter, I may get demoralised (even more than I am now) so I might just scrap this sorry little piece of rubbish fanfiction forever, and concentrate on my other story. Is it really that bad? Tell me the truth, I need to know! This is my first NW fanfiction you know. I am very bad at judging my own stuff, and the indication is that this story isn't so good.
*Wipes tears away and sniffles* I think I'll just go write this chapter now...
Oh, and *Please review my story!* is a telepathic message.
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Ella was slightly anxious as they followed Orlana into the dormitories, but at the same time, she kept a cool, calm and impassive façade at all times. She had finally realised the cost of letting emotions get in the way of cohesive thought. That was what Sophia had done, let her feelings rule her head, and the result was that she'd been drained dry by Daegan Redfern. She hated herself for wincing at the memory of her bloodless face grey with customary death-pallor, eyes glazed over and unyielding, like chips of muddy ice. Her fiery hair looked dulled in death, like flaking rust, her body, soft and doughy-pale, limp and lifeless.
Orlana turned smartly upon her heels, and surveyed the group with a malicious smile of bloodthirsty anticipation. Her eyes were like emeralds, glimmering coolly, showing a shocking, stony lack of compassion. Under her fierce and corrosive gaze the four girls shrunk away, huddling together, sheltering themselves from the malevolence in her intense scrutiny.
"These are your chambers," she purred, gesturing elegantly to the massive room. "Rest well and eat well. Tonight, we begin the next phase in your initiation. By sunrise we shall have the agents we desire. True Bleeding Thistles assassins. As for the rest of you." she said wickedly, not bothering to finish off her sentence as she swept out of the room. Her mocking laugh echoed from the hallway to where they all stood.
Ella looked around, trying to get Orlana's laugh out of her brain. It's cruel, sadistic ring lingered on in her head even as she distracted herself. The room was made up of the customary sandstone walls and floors, utterly cold and impersonal. At this end, there were several couches and armchairs situated round a TV set, and large bookshelf occupied one wall. There was a small kitchen area, more of a kitchenette really, and many doors leading off this main room.
The first one to make a move, Ella collapsed on a couch, closely followed by Yazmin. The exchanged a look of quiet acceptance of the situation. Ella closed her eyes, then opened them again, blinking back childish tears that made her dark blue eyes shine with ethereal opalescence.
*C'est la vie.* she 'pathed, mainly to Yazmin, but it was the sullen, grey- eyed girl who responded.
*Yeah, true. Doesn't mean we have to like it though,* she 'pathed loudly, leaping upon a shabby chaise-longue, passionate disgust evident in every line of her body, her unruly dark hair flying everywhere. Clearly she was a vampire.
The small, fairylike girl, not wanting to be left out of the conversation, wandered dreamily over to the chaise and sat on the other end of it, shaking her tousled blonde head.
"Hey," she said softly, lazily, "don't speak fuckin' French. I can't understand a word you guys are saying."
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, we're not guys at all," Yazmin responded sharply, dark eyes flashing. "Who are you two, anyway?"
"You first," said the small blonde, narrowing her baby-blue eyes.
Frowning in disgust, Yazmin introduced herself sarcastically. "Yazmin Arlin. I am so damn pleased to meet you."
"Ella Pinefrost," said Ella tiredly, stifling a yawn.
"OK," said the blonde with a satisfied smile. "I'm Katie Arnold." An eagle 'shifter, Ella thought.
"Jo Black," said the wild, sullen girl, grinning savagely. Ella guessed she was a made vampire, due to her normal-sounding name. "This is great, isn't it?" she said, only half joking.
"Did you hear what that bitch Orlana said? By the time the night is out most of us will be dead!" exclaimed Katie, surprised at Jo's relish of the situation.
"I wonder how they're gonna select us," murmured Ella, more to herself than to the other girls.
"That's easy. They make us fight each other, and the people who aren't dead or show the best technique in the battles, they become the BT assassins," Yazmin said, seeming proud of her knowledge. She enjoyed being superior. "We'll have to fight the guys too though. Should be fun. Wouldn't fancy goin' up against that dragon boy Aethelmaer, would you?"
"Yazmin, dragons do not exist anymore," Ella stated flatly.
"Y'know, that's not strictly true nowadays," said Jo. She looked about to say more, but Yazmin interrupted her.
"Yeah, didn't you hear about the whole Wild Power thing?" she said. Jo scowled at Yazmin, giving her a poisonous look, but Yazmin either didn't notice, or didn't care. "One from the hearth that still holds the spark, or something like that," Yazmin said. "The third Wild Power."
"Yup. That one. The Daybreakers and Nightworlders had found her. Lost Harman witch. Night World sent a fucking dragon after her, apparently. But the girl's blue fire was enough to toast him," said Jo, taking over the story. "And then off she went to the Daybreakers."
"Is that true?" gasped Ella, now interested in the story. "How did they awaken that son-of-a-bitch dragon?" And, she thought, how does Jo know so much about Daybreaker current affairs?
"Obviously, it was a witch who did it," said Katie with a smirk. "But which witch?"
"A witch who wasn't a witch, so they say," replied Jo. "Pretty powerful, he or she must be. And still alive." And there again, thought Ella, thinking that Jo knew an awful lot. Enough to make anyone suspicious.
"I dunno about all these Wild Power prophesies and suchlike," Ella mused. "Three down, one to go, so they say. Personally, I can't believe that the fate of the world lies in the hands of four people. And, I can't believe that so many vamps, witches, 'shifters and 'wolves would want to side with Daybreak. If the Night World wins, then it will be so much better for us all. Imagine a world where you could hunt when and where you wanted! No secrecy! That is a better offer that what Daybreak are hoping - vainly - to achieve."
Slyly, she glanced sideways at Jo. Jo looked, well, outraged for a split second, and disgusted. Plain as day, thought Ella. She must be, without a doubt, a true-blue Daybreaker.
"Yeah. Daybreakers are scum," agreed Yazmin ferociously.
"At least we all concur on that point," smiled Katie.
Jo gave her a slightly strange look, almost involuntary, before quickly turning away. Ella had caught the expression on her face. It was as if she was appalled, worried, anxious, and tense... Now she knew, it was unmistakable. Jo was more than just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill vampire. She was a Daybreaker spy. But what was Daybreak doing here? Bleeding Thistles may have been the premier Night World assassins' agency, but Daybreak was more concerned with finding Wild Powers, wasn't it?
"What do you think, Jo?" asked Ella, a meaningful look glowing in her midnight-dark eyes.
Jo looked flustered. "Well, it's obvious. Circle Daybreak is a weak, stupid, and false," she said harshly.
"Yup. But that doesn't make much difference to us now, does it?" said Yazmin, stretching with a fluid grace as she stood up. "I'm gonna pick out a room and get some rest," she announced as she sauntered away. "I suggest you guys should too," she added. "We've got a hell of a night ahead of us."
"Yeah, I'm coming," said Katie, springing from the chaise-longue and hurrying away.
*I know who you are...* 'pathed Ella venomously to Jo, before she could escape. *That's how you know so much about the whole Wild Power thing...*
*No, uh, I'm just well informed.* Ella flashed a humourless, savage smile, revealing her sharp teeth. *Yazmin knew some stuff too.*
*You knew more that her. I checked.* Ella chuckled, acting like a cat playing cruelly with a doomed little mouse.
*Wha... I know nothing!* Jo was wringing her hands now, distress plain on her face.
*Uh huh. And I'm a fucking lunatic.*
*You said it. Anyway, Daybreak are idiotic! They're stupid!* Her mental voice was shrill and definitely guilty.
*Whoever said I thought you were a Daybreaker? But since you insist on telling me these things...* She couldn't help but be amused. Jo had just walked right into her trap and had fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
*What's it to you anyway, Pinefrost?* Defensively, she stood up, trying to look menacing and threatening. But, it wasn't working for Ella.
*Just curious. But I'd love to know just what you're doing here. This is a Night World facility after all...* Ella stood slowly, keeping an eye upon Jo all the while.
Jo made to scramble away, but Ella leapt up and delivered a powerful crescent-kick to the back of her thighs, forcing her legs to give way, making her crumple to the floor. Ella sighed. It was not that she wanted to be in BT or to protect it; it was just that she hated Circle Daybreak, the whole concept and it's members.
Pushing her face close to Jo's, she whispered; "You'd better tell me or I'll be forced to beat it out of you, or worse, I'm sure that Daegan will be interested in news of your misplaced allegiance."
Ella was surprised at herself. She was playing the powerful, evil little bitch to perfection.
In retaliation, Jo head-butted her, and shoved her roughly aside. Ella recovered almost at once and managed to dodge Jo's punch that had been aimed at her midsection. It was a shame that all BT initiates had learnt kickboxing.
Resuming the fighting stance, Ella felt her canines lengthen and sharpen.
Blocking a powerful side-kick, she staggered slightly, which was why Jo's forceful uppercut connected with her jaw. It sent her flying to the back of the room, where she landed. Every bone in her body thrilled with bittersweet pain as she landed upon the sandstone. Aware of the dangers of languishing upon the ground, Ella dragged herself upright and made for Jo again, determined to make her pay.
Ella faked a left, making Jo block, then aimed a high front-kick to the girl's head. Blood flowed, and Jo visibly swooned. Ella glanced at her shoe, noticing the blood there.
"I'm bored now, Daybreaker," she spat as her body fell to the ground with an almighty thud. Out cold, she grinned.
Suddenly, Ella heard slow, sarcastic clapping. Scared out of her skin, she whirled around.
Shit. It was the dragon boy. Aethelmaer.
He leant against the doorframe, laconic, lazy and amused, his eyes swallowing all light in their chilling opaqueness. His tawny hair was messed up in a careless way, which enhanced his unreal natural beauty. He looked predatory, and Ella could place the smile that tugged on his lips. The smile of a cat playing with a doomed mouse. Feeling her spirit quail, and her heart flutter like a bird in a cage, she cursed life in general. He looked, well, extremely attractive, in a pair of black trousers and a t- shirt that emphasised powerful muscles.
*Nice work, little lady.* His voice sounding in her brain was so formidable that she winced, feeling the beginnings of a forceful migraine pound her skull. Why was he being so pleasant? Even though his tone was heavily laced with sarcasm, it was a far cry from the abrupt abusiveness she had felt from him earlier.
*I don't think you're supposed to be in here.* Her telepathic voice was weak, dazed.
*Whatever do you mean?* He chuckled darkly.
Ella tried to open her mouth to reply, but she couldn't. Velvety blue eyes wide with astonishment and fear, she simply stared. He was influencing her, destroying her defences with his mind.
*Why so silent? Don't you want to talk?* Shit, he was approaching, coming towards her, into the room. He walked with the innate grace of a wild animal. Ella was aware desperately that she needed to escape. That dragon was nothing but trouble. But it was strange how her legs refused to move, and she felt a vague sensation of dizziness. What was she doing again? He was closing in, and Ella was utterly helpless.
He came up close to her, very, very close, a superior smile dancing on his lips. Ella's breath caught, and she felt very, very peculiar...
"Wha... what do you want to talk about?" she said, trying to put a note of authority into her voice, but it ended up sounding soft and breathy. Aethelmaer was far more powerful that her, by a long way, but still she struggled in the grip of his mental power. His face was inches from her own, and her frightened, beguiling blue eyes couldn't help but stare up into his dark, devilish ones. "I don't think..." she said, raising her voice stubbornly, but he simply forced her into silence simply by willing her to shut up.
Ella had never been controlled in this way before. Being a lamia, she was usually top of the food chain, so to speak. But now, she felt utterly terrified as Aethelmaer's long, pale eyelashes drooped mockingly, his searing gaze focused solely upon her. She was the prey now, and it was not a nice feeling at all. She trembled in his grasp.
He bent his head to reach hers, as slowly as the sunrise. She couldn't escape it. But she still tried to get free, as futile as it was. Ella wondered why the dragon boy was picking on her all of a sudden.
As his lips brushed hers, softly, Ella almost felt detached from it all, as if it wasn't really her in the situation; that it wasn't really happening. But another part of her was devastatingly aware of it all, the warmth of his hated body encircling her, his lips devouring hers. It was dark, terribly dark, and it was seeping into her soul.
"Ella!" She was aware of someone calling her name. The voice was very familiar, she felt an odd sort of painful yearning when she heard it. Wasn't that John? Dimly, she tried to turn, to confirm her suspicions. But it was so agonizing! Her head burned in anguish, but she would not stop trying. Then, with all her strength, she pulled. Pulled herself free. She felt hands helping her, voices calling her name. That gave her hope, it gave her courage. She strained, ignoring the pain and the darkness, striving for the light...
An explosion of lightning, white and blue, lit up the darkness. She tried to shield her eyes, but the burning vision would not be blocked away. It grew, roaring, throbbing with pure energy and heat. Her eyes watered, her skin tingled, unable to cope with it all.
Then, as if by magic, it all disappeared, leaving a murky wash of pale colour. Ella tried to stay still, but she staggered. She couldn't see. She couldn't hear. It was all grey. Feeling weak and drained, she let herself collapse. Blinking, she tried to clear her vision. Blurred images were coming to her, slowly merging into a coherent picture.
"Are you alright?" said that familiar voice.
"John?" she whispered, reaching out with a shaking hand.
"Yeah," he said. She could roughly distinguish his hazy outline, and she caught his hand, her fingers intertwined with his.
"Where did the blue lighting come from?" she asked weakly, foreboding creeping into her voice.
The silence stretched out like a chasm between them, and Ella just felt like she wanted to die. She knew that the answer was not going to be good news at all.
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Gasp! Blue lightning? What is that all about? Please would you take the time to review my story. I would appreciate any sorts of comments, be they nice or nasty. Thanks! The greater the number of reviews I get, the more cheery I get, and so, the faster I write! ^_^