Crystal approached the morose shaking form and lifted his chin up to look at her. "I can't believe you knowingly kept this from me all this time, while I sat there confused as to why these certain things were occurring. I thought it was all my fault somehow, for some reason. And you knew, and you kept this from me, both of you. You've taken me away from my normal life and my family." She looked at Gerard, "And I hate you both." Crystal glanced at Garan one last time, and burst into tears. She took off quickly. "No, darling...stop!" Garan called to her. But it was too late, she was already gone. "Wait Gar, I'll go after her." Danielle said.
Nolan sat perched on the rooftop of the mall, silently watching. He looked down at his childe and thought to himself, No one is so accursed by fate, No one so utterly desolate.
I can't believe it, Paul and Garan are brothers?! I never expected this. And he lied to me, to the one person he loves. I can't deal with this! A plethora of emotions flooded her mind. Crystal ran on, not knowing where she was headed. She could feel Garan's soul weeping for her; it made her whole body tingle. Yet on she ran, into the wooded area behind the mall. Branches ripped at her clothing and skin. She was crying so hard now her vision was beginning to blur. Suddenly she hit something hard enough to make her stumble backwards and fall on the ground. The beautiful pale face looked upward to see Paul standing there grinning at her. "Lost?" he asked. Her eyes went wide and she gasped out of sheer surprise. Crystal jumped to her feet and tried to run, but ran right into him again. "Where do you think you're going? The fun hasn't even started yet."
Crystal slapped him, her palm hit the stone-like white flesh hard. It appeared not to faze him. "I hate you! Why can't you leave me be?!" she cried.
"Simply because I wish to torment him, through you." he replied with a twisted smile.
"Why do you hate him so? He was your mortal brother. He loved you."
"You call that love? Snatching me from the arms of death and turning me into some kind of monster! I will make vampires the dominating species now, let the humans cower and hide in secrecy. Join me, and we'll create a new world."
Crystal scoffed at his offer. "I'd rather die."
Paul lunged at her and picked her up by the throat. His eyes reflected the moonlight that filtered through the treetops. "Insolent bitch! Would you really? After you were separated from Gareth for so many centuries? I don't believe you!" Crystal kicked at him but she was too young to fight one older than she. He seemed distracted suddenly, as if something or someone was watching him. He hastily flung Crystal aside toward a tree trunk and disappeared. Nolan stepped out from behind the tree and caught her. "What are we going to do with you?" he sighed gently as he looked at the beautiful young vampire in his arms. "Let's get you back to the others." With a bit of concentration he vanished with Crystal.
Marc was trying to console Garan. "You did the right thing at the time, you kept the truth from her to keep her from getting hurt." Garan looked up at him, eyes rimmed red. "No, it was not the right thing. For the truth always comes out one way or another. I hurt the one I love and care for the most in this world. If she never forgives me, I will understand." Gerard leaned against his Mustang quietly, legs crossed at the ankles, arms folded. Nolan appeared in their midst with Crystal still in his arms. Garan quickly got up and ran to her side. "Are you ok?" he asked her. Nolan laughed, "She was just a little shaken up." Crystal smiled. "I'm fine." she said.
"Wait, where is Danielle?" Marc inquired. "She went to look for you Crystal."
Danielle was in the midst of the woods still looking for her old friend. She felt there was something wrong so silently she called to Majin. She continued on for a bit but eventually decided to turn around and head back. Paul had sensed her presence. He snuck up on her and swiftly knocked her to the ground. She stood up and glared at him. "You piece of shit! I'll kill you!" she yelled at her attacker. He started to laugh at her. "You, one so young...think you can destroy me?" he said. Majin was prowling about in the background and Danielle spotted him. The large cat pounced on Paul's back and then ran to Danielle's side. "Good boy." Danielle said as she grabbed her sword off of his back. She poised herself for attack and Paul disappeared. He reappeared behind her but she had been ready and stabbed the sword through his heart, right into the bark of the tree. She knew that that would not stop him, but it bought her time. She ran as quickly as she could back to the rest, in the hopes they had already found Crystal and that she was unharmed.
Chapter 20 >>>