Creatures of the Light
**LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I own everything but VHD characters and songs that are marked with this (*). Now read on and don't forget to review!**
It was close to midnight when D halted his horse and they dismounted. He set to setting up a camp and getting a fire going while Reen watched. Finally, after the fire was going strong, Reen went to sit, yawning tiredly. She watched as D tethered Nightmare, then came over to join her by the fire.
The night air had a bone-penetrating chill to it, and Reen was surprised when D removed his heavy cloak and moved to set it behind him. He paused, however, noticing Reen watching him, and held it out to her instead.
"Cold?"
"Just a little. Aren't you?"
"The cold doesn't bother me too much. It'll get worse, so you had better take this."
Reen nodded and gratefully took the cloak, wrapping up in it and watching the fire. After a while she shot D a look. He too was gazing absently into the fire. Reen sighed softly and looked past the small blaze, into the darkness.
That was when she saw the glow of eyes.
With a growl and more grace than should have been possible with the heavy cloak around her, Reen stood, eyes narrowing. D stood as well, his sword instantly in hand.
"What is it?"
Reen didn't answer. Letting the cloak fall away to the ground, she set off in a crouch for where the glowing eyes had just been. They had disappeared, but Reen still knew where the beast was. She broke into a run, crouched so low to the ground D was amazed that she didn't fall over. She then skidded to a halt, grabbing something. D heard a squeal of fear, a shout of pain, and after a moment was at Reen's side.
She was holding something. It looked like a big furless bat with huge yellow eyes. Its claws and fangs were deep in Reen's hand and arm, but she ignored the blood flowing down her arm and held the creature by the throat. There was an anger in her eyes.
"Ethanos," she hissed softly, and the little creature gave another squeal. D watched, curious, wondering what this ugly beast was. The thing tried now to free itself from Reen's grip but D could see her knuckles going white and knew she had an iron grip on it.
"Ethanos," she said again, her eyes suddenly flaring white as her hair, which began to billow around her. Thin tendrils of blue-silver fire began to dance around her form. D took a step back, not knowing what was going on.
"ETHANOS!" she screamed, and a huge wave of energy slammed into D as the blue-silver flames covered Reen's body, her clothes burning away, her eyes glowing so bright D couldn't look into them directly. The fire lanced at the beast she held in her hand, blowing over it as the beast screamed. Reen released it, watched it fall and writhe in agony as the fire ate at its soul. Then, the fire died away, leaving a blackened form of the thing lying there. Reen stared, her hand still outstretched, blood pouring from the many small yet deep wounds. Suddenly, the glow faded from her eyes and the fire around her burned away.
D turned and went to retrieve the abandoned cloak, then returned, trying to find something else to let his gaze fall upon other than Reen's naked form. He had to look up, however, to see where he was going.
He held it out as he reached her, and Reen took it and quickly covered herself. She then looked back down at the dead creature, glaring, before wincing. She held up her hand and gave a little gasp at all the blood, as if just now realizing she was injured.
Without warning, D suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her a bit closer. Reen gasped again as D reached into the cloak and grabbed a piece of fabric from one of the pockets. He proceeded to wrap Reen's arm, tying it snugly afterwards. He then released her and turned away.
"Oh, but you gave me a shock there!" Reen said with a nervous laugh.
"The wounds are deep, but they will heal quickly since they are small." D said simply, before heading back to where the little fire still burned.
Reen never noticed that D had kept his head down the whole time, because if he hadn't she would have seen the glint of fangs, and the faint glow of Bloodlust.
***
Reen soon headed into the makeshift tent D had set up. She sat there, looking up at the moon through the opening. A full moon tonight. It was blocked as D came in as well.
"Christion would be out right now, and maybe I'd be with him. And we'd be having fun, just messing with people, playing tricks only werewolves can, if he were still alive," she said softly, feeling tears prick at her eyes. D said nothing, and after a moment reached out and zipped the tent up, hiding from Reen's view the moon she once adored, but would now forever be reminded of her lost friend.
"What was that thing?" D asked a while later as he lie on his back, eyes closed.
"A Vesio. A rare demon, and one of Zaicondii's spies," Reen answered.
"Zaicondii… the one, I presume, trying to gather all the Creatures of the Light?"
"Yes."
There was silence. After a few moments, D asked softly, "I thought you said you couldn't prove you were a Dracolye?"
"I…" Reen sighed and sat up. She looked at the ground as D sat up as well, watching her. "When I was very young, only about five or so, my family was attacked by a Vampire. My parents and brothers were killed right off by him, he was so strong…I tired to fight him but I was the youngest and had just discovered some of my weaker powers. I was bitten…and most of my powers lost. The Vampire virus causes some shift in a Dracolye's DNA, making them lose their ability to use magick, or return to their TrueForms.
"I was lucky. I survived somehow, and I still had a few of my powers, my Healing powers and my lowest level of Elemental magick. Still…I cannot return to my TrueForm…I would give anything…just to feel the wind beneath my wings again…even if it was just for a second…"
D said nothing. He didn't know what to say. He had heard tales of Dracolye not being able to become their TrueForms and slowly becoming mad with grief.
"How long ago was this?"
"Nearly one thousand years ago."
D cocked and eyebrow. Reen didn't look that old at all. But then he remembered what she was. Dracolye were like Vampires. They aged very slowly. Reen would probably look like this even after another seven or eight hundred more years.
"I'm sorry."
"Why? You didn't do this to me…I don't even remember anymore…"
She unzipped the tent and went outside. D followed. Reen looked up, then down. She turned to D.
"Maybe we can get going? I'm suddenly not so tired."
"Are you sure? You should rest, even if you can't sleep."
"No, I'm sure."
D studied her, then nodded. He went to get Nightmare, sighing.
"What are you doing? Even if she doesn't want to sleep you need to," the symbiot said suddenly. D narrowed his eyes.
"Be quiet," he snapped, not in the mood to listen to advice at the moment. The symbiot sighed and did as it was told, knowing when to be silent.
D walked Nightmare over to where Reen was waiting, looking here and there, almost as if expecting something to jump out at them. D helped her up into the saddle, and mounted up behind her. With a flick of the reins, they were off once more.
***
The darkness was so evil that even the werewolf kneeling before it feared to venture too close. A voice dripping with evil so complete it made the werewolf's fur stand on end came forth.
"What news do you bring me?"
"Sire, the sentry reports that the two Creatures of the Light are moving due-east, towards the Forsaken Isles. And that the Vesio spy has been killed."
"Good…they will prove themselves to be easy prey…" the cold voice said, chuckling softly. The werewolf shuddered and slowly inched back a bit. All it wanted was to get away from this utter evil. But it was not to be.
A wave of the icy blackness shot forward and engulfed the werewolf, dragging the howling beast into its depths. The voice laughed hysterically as the werewolf was devoured, still screaming, by the living darkness all around him
"Soon…they shall all be under my grasp…and I will have the world…"
Anyone walking by would have been driven mad by the screams of the dying werewolf and the laughs of the Vampire coming from within the evil veil of shadows…
***
It was morning when the attack came.
D was running Nightmare at a steady pace, Reen asleep against him, when something exploded from the earth beneath them. Nightmare gave a neigh of shock as Reen cried out. D was thrown to the earth, Reen landing with an 'oof' next to him. Nightmare wasn't so lucky. The huge beast that had attacked them held the cyborg horse in its jaws.
"A Cani'to!" cried Reen as the huge worm-like creature dropped the mangled horse to the ground. D narrowed his eyes, drawing his sword. Reen grabbed for him, her eyes full of fear.
"You can't! It'll kill you!"
"It destroyed Nightmare," D snarled angrily, and Reen released him, watching as the Dunpeal lunged forward. The Cani'to turned, its black eyes full of fury, screaming as D leapt, his sword flashing in the morning sunlight. The Cani'to ducked under D's attack and shot underground as D landed, going to one knee and standing slowly. He looked around, unable to tell where the Cani'to was. He looked down, wondering why the earth wasn't moving with such a huge beast tunneling through it. He suddenly darted off, but that was the worst thing he could have done.
"D NO! Don't move! That's how they find you!" Reen screamed, but it was too late. The Cani'to exploded from the earth, D clutched in its jaws. Blood ran down its large neck as it gave a shrill scream of triumph. Reen gave a cry and rushed forward, eyes flashing.
Just then, the Cani'to gave another scream, this time one of pain. It began to thrash, then dropped D and pulled back beneath the earth.
D hit the ground hard, and didn't move. Reen screamed and hurried over to him, dropping to her knees.
D gave a weak moan, and Reen pulled him upright. She placed her hands on the wound, concentrating all her energy into them. She then began to slowly release the healing energy into D's body. But just as she did, D jerked and screamed. Reen jumped, losing her concentration and looking up at him.
"Something's wrong…" she muttered, then groaned. Cani'to could be poisonous or non-poisonous, but there was no way to tell the difference. She knew that the poison of a Cani'to was highly deadly. It moved slowly, causing massive amounts of pain as it did. And the one thing to cure it, she didn't have, as it was the only thing a Dracolye could not Heal themselves. And with Nightmare destroyed, Reen knew they would never reach the next town in time. She gave a soft cry and then took a deep breath.
"Okay…hold on…there has to be something…"she muttered, fear clutching her. She looked up and over to Nightmare. She then saw that the cyborg horse wasn't as badly damaged as they had thought. Slowly, she lowered D back down and hurried over to Nightmare. She knelt beside him and reached out. She had never tried to Heal a cyborg before, and she wasn't sure it would work.
A faint glow surrounded her hands, and much to her surprise, Nightmare's damages began to disappear. She gave a cry of relief, and as soon as the cyborg horse was back on his hooves she led him to where D lie. The horse knelt down as Reen lifted the Dhampire onto his back, then mounted up and gave the reins a hard jerk.
"Hurry, we don't have much time!" she cried, and Nightmare whinnied, taking off like a bolt of lightening across the sky.
***
"D, wake up. D! Hey, wake up!" the symbiot said loudly. D moaned and slowly came to, sitting up and wincing. He looked down and saw his entire midsection covered with gauze. Blood showed through on the right side. He winced again as a wave of pain lanced through him.
After the pain receded, D realized he was in a dark room. The only window was covered with a thick curtain, and he could see it was night. He wondered as he looked to the door how he had gotten here, and where Reen was.
The door opened at that moment, and Reen stepped in. She was holding something he couldn't see very well. She said nothing, but then came over, sitting down beside him and looking to the floor.
"I'm glad you're okay," she said softly. D winced again as another wave of pain raced through him, then looked to her.
"How did you get us here?"
"I Healed Nightmare and rode him here. It was a good thing it worked, or you'd most likely be dead by now."
She looked back up at him, and then she held out what she was holding. It was his cloak, folded neatly. D realized that Reen was wearing white robes, and that her hair was wet. Slowly, he took his cloak and set it beside him. Reen looked down at his wounds.
"Your dressing needs to be changed again," she said, but made no move to stand. Instead she looked back to the floor.
"Where are we?" D asked, breaking the uneasy silence between them.
"An Inn in the Forsaken Isles. I got the room for free when the Keeper saw how badly hurt you were. He was the one who got the cure for the Cani'to poison as well. We owe him much, but he told us we don't have to worry about paying him."
More silence. D shook his head for no real reason.
"You tried to Heal me…"
"It didn't work…Dracolye can't heal Cani'to poison. It's the only thing that can resist our powers."
D nodded slowly. He looked to her, and saw that she still looked worried.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh nothing. Just thinking." She smiled weakly. "And I'm glad you're okay, like I said. I was worried…you were going to die before we got here…"
"Why?"
Reen didn't answer. She shifted slightly, then shrugged.
"I need your help," she said after a few seconds. D narrowed his eyes.
"I don't think that's just it."
Reen stated silent this time. Finally she stood, turning without a word. D stood as well.
"Where are you going?"
"I…your dressing. It needs to be changed." She then walked out of the room, and D sat back down, trying to ignore the pain in his body.
"I think you may of upset her," said the symbiot softly. "Did you really need to say that? She's only been with you a few days."
"Shut up," D said as he waited for Reen to come back.
"Really D. I don't think this is one woman you should mess with."
"I said shut up," D said, his voice angered. The symbiot sighed and did as it was bid. About ten minutes later, Reen returned. She carried a few things with her, a bowl of water, some scissors, a roll of gauze, and some dried herbs. She went to the curtain and opened it, allowing the light of numerous torches and the moon outside to light the room.
She sat beside D, using the scissors, and cut away the old dressing. She dipped a small rag she had into the water after crushing the dried herbs and putting them into it. She wrung it out and cleaned the still-bleeding wounds softly. D looked down, watching her work, amazed how gentle she was being. He had been healed plenty of times before by people, but none of them had been so kind in doing it. After a few moments, Reen took the blood-soaked rag away and set to wrapping D's wounds. He watched her intently, wondering why she was being so kind to him. Maybe he was right…
Reen had just finished wrapping his wounds, when she shoved her hair out of her eyes, baring her neck. D gave a tiny gasp Reen didn't notice as she tied the dressing off. She didn't realize how his gaze followed her as she bent over, the hair falling in just a way that D still had a clear view of her tender, pale flesh…
"No…" D muttered weakly, squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his teeth, trying hard to keep his Bloodlust in check. But another wave of pain tore through him, and he winced, sucking in a breath. Reen looked at him, worried, and saw him, his head turned to the side a bit, eyes shut tight. She quickly set the bowl and other items on the floor and kneeled before him.
"D, what's wrong?" she asked in fear. D couldn't keep himself from opening his eyes and looking at her, or more correctly, her neck, just inches from his face. He could smell her blood, almost taste it even. He felt himself reaching out against his will. He wanted to tell Reen to leave, leave before he hurt her without wanting to, but the only thing that escaped was a shuddering moan. He felt his arms lock around her, heard Reen give a tiny gasp of surprise as he drew her to him, his head tilting back, his whole body shaking with the effort of trying to hold back his Bloodlust. But he was fighting a losing battle. He was injured and it was hard enough to fight of his lust when he was in full health.
Reen wasn't helping matters. She was standing there, all too aware of what was happening. But she wasn't afraid…
"D…"
That one word snapped his resolve. With a pained cry, his head came down, fangs flashing in the light of the moon and the torches, piercing the Dracolye's flesh.
Reen gasped and gave a tiny whimper of pain as her blood rushed into D's mouth. He gave another moan, muffled, and bit down harder, driving his fangs in as far as they would go. Reen gave a weak cry, but she didn't try to get away.
She soon started to feel weak. Her vision blurred a little, and she felt a bit dizzy. "D…" she murmured weakly. "Stop…please…" But he didn't hear her. Reen tried to pull away, but D's grip was too strong. She felt the life draining away from her…she felt no pain as the world faded away as D held her in his arms…
**Miyah! Hope you liked this chapter! Three will be coming soon! Remember to review!**
**LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I own everything but VHD characters and songs that are marked with this (*). Now read on and don't forget to review!**
It was close to midnight when D halted his horse and they dismounted. He set to setting up a camp and getting a fire going while Reen watched. Finally, after the fire was going strong, Reen went to sit, yawning tiredly. She watched as D tethered Nightmare, then came over to join her by the fire.
The night air had a bone-penetrating chill to it, and Reen was surprised when D removed his heavy cloak and moved to set it behind him. He paused, however, noticing Reen watching him, and held it out to her instead.
"Cold?"
"Just a little. Aren't you?"
"The cold doesn't bother me too much. It'll get worse, so you had better take this."
Reen nodded and gratefully took the cloak, wrapping up in it and watching the fire. After a while she shot D a look. He too was gazing absently into the fire. Reen sighed softly and looked past the small blaze, into the darkness.
That was when she saw the glow of eyes.
With a growl and more grace than should have been possible with the heavy cloak around her, Reen stood, eyes narrowing. D stood as well, his sword instantly in hand.
"What is it?"
Reen didn't answer. Letting the cloak fall away to the ground, she set off in a crouch for where the glowing eyes had just been. They had disappeared, but Reen still knew where the beast was. She broke into a run, crouched so low to the ground D was amazed that she didn't fall over. She then skidded to a halt, grabbing something. D heard a squeal of fear, a shout of pain, and after a moment was at Reen's side.
She was holding something. It looked like a big furless bat with huge yellow eyes. Its claws and fangs were deep in Reen's hand and arm, but she ignored the blood flowing down her arm and held the creature by the throat. There was an anger in her eyes.
"Ethanos," she hissed softly, and the little creature gave another squeal. D watched, curious, wondering what this ugly beast was. The thing tried now to free itself from Reen's grip but D could see her knuckles going white and knew she had an iron grip on it.
"Ethanos," she said again, her eyes suddenly flaring white as her hair, which began to billow around her. Thin tendrils of blue-silver fire began to dance around her form. D took a step back, not knowing what was going on.
"ETHANOS!" she screamed, and a huge wave of energy slammed into D as the blue-silver flames covered Reen's body, her clothes burning away, her eyes glowing so bright D couldn't look into them directly. The fire lanced at the beast she held in her hand, blowing over it as the beast screamed. Reen released it, watched it fall and writhe in agony as the fire ate at its soul. Then, the fire died away, leaving a blackened form of the thing lying there. Reen stared, her hand still outstretched, blood pouring from the many small yet deep wounds. Suddenly, the glow faded from her eyes and the fire around her burned away.
D turned and went to retrieve the abandoned cloak, then returned, trying to find something else to let his gaze fall upon other than Reen's naked form. He had to look up, however, to see where he was going.
He held it out as he reached her, and Reen took it and quickly covered herself. She then looked back down at the dead creature, glaring, before wincing. She held up her hand and gave a little gasp at all the blood, as if just now realizing she was injured.
Without warning, D suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her a bit closer. Reen gasped again as D reached into the cloak and grabbed a piece of fabric from one of the pockets. He proceeded to wrap Reen's arm, tying it snugly afterwards. He then released her and turned away.
"Oh, but you gave me a shock there!" Reen said with a nervous laugh.
"The wounds are deep, but they will heal quickly since they are small." D said simply, before heading back to where the little fire still burned.
Reen never noticed that D had kept his head down the whole time, because if he hadn't she would have seen the glint of fangs, and the faint glow of Bloodlust.
***
Reen soon headed into the makeshift tent D had set up. She sat there, looking up at the moon through the opening. A full moon tonight. It was blocked as D came in as well.
"Christion would be out right now, and maybe I'd be with him. And we'd be having fun, just messing with people, playing tricks only werewolves can, if he were still alive," she said softly, feeling tears prick at her eyes. D said nothing, and after a moment reached out and zipped the tent up, hiding from Reen's view the moon she once adored, but would now forever be reminded of her lost friend.
"What was that thing?" D asked a while later as he lie on his back, eyes closed.
"A Vesio. A rare demon, and one of Zaicondii's spies," Reen answered.
"Zaicondii… the one, I presume, trying to gather all the Creatures of the Light?"
"Yes."
There was silence. After a few moments, D asked softly, "I thought you said you couldn't prove you were a Dracolye?"
"I…" Reen sighed and sat up. She looked at the ground as D sat up as well, watching her. "When I was very young, only about five or so, my family was attacked by a Vampire. My parents and brothers were killed right off by him, he was so strong…I tired to fight him but I was the youngest and had just discovered some of my weaker powers. I was bitten…and most of my powers lost. The Vampire virus causes some shift in a Dracolye's DNA, making them lose their ability to use magick, or return to their TrueForms.
"I was lucky. I survived somehow, and I still had a few of my powers, my Healing powers and my lowest level of Elemental magick. Still…I cannot return to my TrueForm…I would give anything…just to feel the wind beneath my wings again…even if it was just for a second…"
D said nothing. He didn't know what to say. He had heard tales of Dracolye not being able to become their TrueForms and slowly becoming mad with grief.
"How long ago was this?"
"Nearly one thousand years ago."
D cocked and eyebrow. Reen didn't look that old at all. But then he remembered what she was. Dracolye were like Vampires. They aged very slowly. Reen would probably look like this even after another seven or eight hundred more years.
"I'm sorry."
"Why? You didn't do this to me…I don't even remember anymore…"
She unzipped the tent and went outside. D followed. Reen looked up, then down. She turned to D.
"Maybe we can get going? I'm suddenly not so tired."
"Are you sure? You should rest, even if you can't sleep."
"No, I'm sure."
D studied her, then nodded. He went to get Nightmare, sighing.
"What are you doing? Even if she doesn't want to sleep you need to," the symbiot said suddenly. D narrowed his eyes.
"Be quiet," he snapped, not in the mood to listen to advice at the moment. The symbiot sighed and did as it was told, knowing when to be silent.
D walked Nightmare over to where Reen was waiting, looking here and there, almost as if expecting something to jump out at them. D helped her up into the saddle, and mounted up behind her. With a flick of the reins, they were off once more.
***
The darkness was so evil that even the werewolf kneeling before it feared to venture too close. A voice dripping with evil so complete it made the werewolf's fur stand on end came forth.
"What news do you bring me?"
"Sire, the sentry reports that the two Creatures of the Light are moving due-east, towards the Forsaken Isles. And that the Vesio spy has been killed."
"Good…they will prove themselves to be easy prey…" the cold voice said, chuckling softly. The werewolf shuddered and slowly inched back a bit. All it wanted was to get away from this utter evil. But it was not to be.
A wave of the icy blackness shot forward and engulfed the werewolf, dragging the howling beast into its depths. The voice laughed hysterically as the werewolf was devoured, still screaming, by the living darkness all around him
"Soon…they shall all be under my grasp…and I will have the world…"
Anyone walking by would have been driven mad by the screams of the dying werewolf and the laughs of the Vampire coming from within the evil veil of shadows…
***
It was morning when the attack came.
D was running Nightmare at a steady pace, Reen asleep against him, when something exploded from the earth beneath them. Nightmare gave a neigh of shock as Reen cried out. D was thrown to the earth, Reen landing with an 'oof' next to him. Nightmare wasn't so lucky. The huge beast that had attacked them held the cyborg horse in its jaws.
"A Cani'to!" cried Reen as the huge worm-like creature dropped the mangled horse to the ground. D narrowed his eyes, drawing his sword. Reen grabbed for him, her eyes full of fear.
"You can't! It'll kill you!"
"It destroyed Nightmare," D snarled angrily, and Reen released him, watching as the Dunpeal lunged forward. The Cani'to turned, its black eyes full of fury, screaming as D leapt, his sword flashing in the morning sunlight. The Cani'to ducked under D's attack and shot underground as D landed, going to one knee and standing slowly. He looked around, unable to tell where the Cani'to was. He looked down, wondering why the earth wasn't moving with such a huge beast tunneling through it. He suddenly darted off, but that was the worst thing he could have done.
"D NO! Don't move! That's how they find you!" Reen screamed, but it was too late. The Cani'to exploded from the earth, D clutched in its jaws. Blood ran down its large neck as it gave a shrill scream of triumph. Reen gave a cry and rushed forward, eyes flashing.
Just then, the Cani'to gave another scream, this time one of pain. It began to thrash, then dropped D and pulled back beneath the earth.
D hit the ground hard, and didn't move. Reen screamed and hurried over to him, dropping to her knees.
D gave a weak moan, and Reen pulled him upright. She placed her hands on the wound, concentrating all her energy into them. She then began to slowly release the healing energy into D's body. But just as she did, D jerked and screamed. Reen jumped, losing her concentration and looking up at him.
"Something's wrong…" she muttered, then groaned. Cani'to could be poisonous or non-poisonous, but there was no way to tell the difference. She knew that the poison of a Cani'to was highly deadly. It moved slowly, causing massive amounts of pain as it did. And the one thing to cure it, she didn't have, as it was the only thing a Dracolye could not Heal themselves. And with Nightmare destroyed, Reen knew they would never reach the next town in time. She gave a soft cry and then took a deep breath.
"Okay…hold on…there has to be something…"she muttered, fear clutching her. She looked up and over to Nightmare. She then saw that the cyborg horse wasn't as badly damaged as they had thought. Slowly, she lowered D back down and hurried over to Nightmare. She knelt beside him and reached out. She had never tried to Heal a cyborg before, and she wasn't sure it would work.
A faint glow surrounded her hands, and much to her surprise, Nightmare's damages began to disappear. She gave a cry of relief, and as soon as the cyborg horse was back on his hooves she led him to where D lie. The horse knelt down as Reen lifted the Dhampire onto his back, then mounted up and gave the reins a hard jerk.
"Hurry, we don't have much time!" she cried, and Nightmare whinnied, taking off like a bolt of lightening across the sky.
***
"D, wake up. D! Hey, wake up!" the symbiot said loudly. D moaned and slowly came to, sitting up and wincing. He looked down and saw his entire midsection covered with gauze. Blood showed through on the right side. He winced again as a wave of pain lanced through him.
After the pain receded, D realized he was in a dark room. The only window was covered with a thick curtain, and he could see it was night. He wondered as he looked to the door how he had gotten here, and where Reen was.
The door opened at that moment, and Reen stepped in. She was holding something he couldn't see very well. She said nothing, but then came over, sitting down beside him and looking to the floor.
"I'm glad you're okay," she said softly. D winced again as another wave of pain raced through him, then looked to her.
"How did you get us here?"
"I Healed Nightmare and rode him here. It was a good thing it worked, or you'd most likely be dead by now."
She looked back up at him, and then she held out what she was holding. It was his cloak, folded neatly. D realized that Reen was wearing white robes, and that her hair was wet. Slowly, he took his cloak and set it beside him. Reen looked down at his wounds.
"Your dressing needs to be changed again," she said, but made no move to stand. Instead she looked back to the floor.
"Where are we?" D asked, breaking the uneasy silence between them.
"An Inn in the Forsaken Isles. I got the room for free when the Keeper saw how badly hurt you were. He was the one who got the cure for the Cani'to poison as well. We owe him much, but he told us we don't have to worry about paying him."
More silence. D shook his head for no real reason.
"You tried to Heal me…"
"It didn't work…Dracolye can't heal Cani'to poison. It's the only thing that can resist our powers."
D nodded slowly. He looked to her, and saw that she still looked worried.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh nothing. Just thinking." She smiled weakly. "And I'm glad you're okay, like I said. I was worried…you were going to die before we got here…"
"Why?"
Reen didn't answer. She shifted slightly, then shrugged.
"I need your help," she said after a few seconds. D narrowed his eyes.
"I don't think that's just it."
Reen stated silent this time. Finally she stood, turning without a word. D stood as well.
"Where are you going?"
"I…your dressing. It needs to be changed." She then walked out of the room, and D sat back down, trying to ignore the pain in his body.
"I think you may of upset her," said the symbiot softly. "Did you really need to say that? She's only been with you a few days."
"Shut up," D said as he waited for Reen to come back.
"Really D. I don't think this is one woman you should mess with."
"I said shut up," D said, his voice angered. The symbiot sighed and did as it was bid. About ten minutes later, Reen returned. She carried a few things with her, a bowl of water, some scissors, a roll of gauze, and some dried herbs. She went to the curtain and opened it, allowing the light of numerous torches and the moon outside to light the room.
She sat beside D, using the scissors, and cut away the old dressing. She dipped a small rag she had into the water after crushing the dried herbs and putting them into it. She wrung it out and cleaned the still-bleeding wounds softly. D looked down, watching her work, amazed how gentle she was being. He had been healed plenty of times before by people, but none of them had been so kind in doing it. After a few moments, Reen took the blood-soaked rag away and set to wrapping D's wounds. He watched her intently, wondering why she was being so kind to him. Maybe he was right…
Reen had just finished wrapping his wounds, when she shoved her hair out of her eyes, baring her neck. D gave a tiny gasp Reen didn't notice as she tied the dressing off. She didn't realize how his gaze followed her as she bent over, the hair falling in just a way that D still had a clear view of her tender, pale flesh…
"No…" D muttered weakly, squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his teeth, trying hard to keep his Bloodlust in check. But another wave of pain tore through him, and he winced, sucking in a breath. Reen looked at him, worried, and saw him, his head turned to the side a bit, eyes shut tight. She quickly set the bowl and other items on the floor and kneeled before him.
"D, what's wrong?" she asked in fear. D couldn't keep himself from opening his eyes and looking at her, or more correctly, her neck, just inches from his face. He could smell her blood, almost taste it even. He felt himself reaching out against his will. He wanted to tell Reen to leave, leave before he hurt her without wanting to, but the only thing that escaped was a shuddering moan. He felt his arms lock around her, heard Reen give a tiny gasp of surprise as he drew her to him, his head tilting back, his whole body shaking with the effort of trying to hold back his Bloodlust. But he was fighting a losing battle. He was injured and it was hard enough to fight of his lust when he was in full health.
Reen wasn't helping matters. She was standing there, all too aware of what was happening. But she wasn't afraid…
"D…"
That one word snapped his resolve. With a pained cry, his head came down, fangs flashing in the light of the moon and the torches, piercing the Dracolye's flesh.
Reen gasped and gave a tiny whimper of pain as her blood rushed into D's mouth. He gave another moan, muffled, and bit down harder, driving his fangs in as far as they would go. Reen gave a weak cry, but she didn't try to get away.
She soon started to feel weak. Her vision blurred a little, and she felt a bit dizzy. "D…" she murmured weakly. "Stop…please…" But he didn't hear her. Reen tried to pull away, but D's grip was too strong. She felt the life draining away from her…she felt no pain as the world faded away as D held her in his arms…
**Miyah! Hope you liked this chapter! Three will be coming soon! Remember to review!**