Moon Demon
By: Princess Ashley
(AN: Loooooooooooong chapter)
Stanton's car was parked on the sand, a little ways outside of Hollywood. About the same place he had last seen Vanessa. The Dungeon was only about five minutes from here, so he could get back in good time for the ceremony. The moon was full, and the craters were blacker than they normally were. The goddess Selene was angry. She had lost a daughter to Atrox by the worst means. Vanessa was a demon now, and the only way for her to get out of it was to die. There was no crossing over to the light for demons, like the Followers. Vanessa was bound to a life of servitude to the Atrox.
Just like him. Stanton's devotion was as permanent as Vanessa's. The Prince of the Night was the highest honor given to a Follower. He was more than happy to accept it. His feelings for Serena were wavering, and he could feel it as much as she could. But still he would seek out the daughters, for every night since Vanessa vanished to see what they were doing now. To see if they were plotting to bring her back, and if they were, warn them that there were only two outcomes to it. Either Vanessa would die, or they would. The Atrox had already enfolded Vanessa into its grasp, much like it did himself. Vanessa's soul was lost to the moon's light, and only under the moon could her true self show again.
It had been almost two months since Vanessa left. He had been searching out all of the people she had used to hang out with, just wanting to know what they were thinking about.
Michael had been his first target. The real Michael. He was back and the first thing he did was try to get in touch with Vanessa. He tried in vain, and when he asked the Daughters where she was, Catty burst into tears, Tianna wouldn't look at him, and Jimena wouldn't answer. Serena had been the one to tell him. "She's gone."
He had looked shocked. "Gone? On a vacation or something?" Numbskull. If she was on a vacation, how would that have explained the girls' reactions.
"No. She's gone." Michael seemed to get the picture after that.
"She's dead?" He asked again, hoping against hope that hadn't been the fate that had taken his girlfriend.
"She's as good as dead." Jimena whispered, and then they all took off, unable to look at the wounded look on Michael's face any longer.
(Stanton's POV)
I admit; I had a fanning jealously for Michael. He seemed to be able to get everything I couldn't. Vanessa being one of those things. I had been assigned to watch her, make sure that everything was going to plan before we could take down two of the Daughters and gain the favor of the gods. But fate had another plan for me. I felt the purity in her before I felt anything else. I had never been in love before that, but I imagined that that must have been what it felt like. She reminded me of the purity I once had. In a way, she represented everything that was me. She was pure, but I could also feel a sense of darkness when I looked harder. She was pure past, and my dark future. Everything that I was reflecting in her eyes every time she looked at me. I didn't want to look into her eyes, because I would have been almost afraid that she would reject me when she saw the deadness there.
~*
I died, many years ago
But you can make me feel
That it isn't so
So why you come to be with me
I think I finally know
*~
But Vanessa already had Michael, she liked him before me, maybe loved him even. I was there second, so she stuck with the first. But I could feel for a brief few minutes that she loved me like I loved her. I had taken her into my memories, and with the purity in her heart, she had tried to save me from the Atrox. She still failed, and I was still taken. But I couldn't hurt now, not only because she showed me kindness, but also because I didn't want to. I wanted her to be with me, so I offered her to become a Follower like me. But didn't do it. She was in love with the light, and like me, now she was the worst of the side that she had put so much effort into fighting. And it only made me want her more.
Serena had been one of those girls that are the kind you can have a crush on. She was loveable, artistic, smart, and dark. I could feel the soul of Hekate when I saw her. I met her before I met Vanessa, but Vanessa was the one that struck full force. But it was clear that I couldn't have her. I needed love, and Serena seemed to be the one that was willing to give it to me. I needed someone to love me, to make me feel again. I desperately wanted to love her like she loved me, but every time I looked at her, I saw Vanessa. I saw her eyes, and the feel of her skin every time I kissed Serena. I felt dirty and heartless feeling like this. It was completely unfair to Serena, and completely unfair to me. I spent many nights hating myself for it, forcing myself to say that I could end that façade. But I couldn't. So when Cassandra tricked me into almost turning Maryanne, I felt strangely relieved, until I felt the dislike radiating from my real love. Vanessa was mad that she had stuck up for me, and I felt great searching through the memories where Vanessa had stood against them when they talked about me, and I knew she cared. But she was angry, and I knew I couldn't leave it like this.
But I was completely unprepared for when they tried to cross me over back to the light. All the pain almost killed me. But when they succeeded, and Serena hugged me and kissed me, I felt even worse, wishing it was Vanessa. Serena loved me, and I couldn't love her the way she and I wanted to. Vanessa was always there in Serena's place. In fact, I know I sound completely horrid but when Serena finally told me she hated me, it was the happiest moment in my life.
~*
You're scared, ashamed of what you feel
And you can't tell the ones you love
You think they couldn't deal
Whisper in a dead man's ear
It doesn't make it real
*~
Of course, I felt the coldness in my body for the first time in a while, but I was free. I was tired of hurting her, and I was proud that she left me. She was too precious to let me do that to her. But then there was that same problem about Vanessa. And now I had no one, even though I felt Serena constantly starring into the shadows, wishing I was there, hoping that I would go after her, and tell her that I loved her, and make it all better. I couldn't, even though it would have made Vanessa happy, I couldn't.
That was why I was so eager to help when I learned that the demon was coming to dispose of her. I grew jealous when I heard him talk of her like a man in love. The way I would talk of her if I didn't have my pride. I couldn't go myself; the Daughters would drive me away. So I sent Finis, disguised as her beloved Michael to help her, to protect her in a way that I couldn't. But I could feel her feelings for Hector, and I couldn't stand it. But I must say, I couldn't have been more thrilled when I heard her in my mind, trying to find me. She was in the Dungeon, and I could hear her asking the Followers for me, and they didn't know. I was enraged to see the twists and swirls and peacocks on her arms, neck and chest. Hector had her, and the demon would take her. I couldn't interfere with the Atrox's will.
~*
That's great
But I don't wanna play
'Cause being with you touches me
More than I can say
And sense I'm only dead to you
I'm saying stay away
*~
Now she was a demon, and once again, Hector and Vanessa were summoned by the Atrox to return to earth. They're pleasure cruise was done for the moment. I went into her mind briefly, stretching all the power the Atrox gave to me, and I saw what she saw. The moon, the planets, the stars, and the colors. I wished I could have been there with her to see all of it. Me and her, instead of her and Hector. I could hardly wait to see her again.
That was my last thought as I looked at my digital watch and saw it was time to get to the ceremony. I would be seeing Vanessa shortly. I hoped into my car, and sped away, spraying sand behind the wheels.
~*
And let me rest in peace, Let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep, let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six foot deep, I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release, so let me rest in peace
*~
The ceremony took place in a clearing in the woods behind the Hollywood Bowl stadium. It was where I first let Vanessa see me. I had read her thoughts and smiled when I found out she thought I was good-looking.
It was the same small clearing that she and Michael had been in. There was a bonfire there, and the lower Followers were dancing around it. It reminded me of the Indians celebratory dance. Then I saw something hanging on a metal pole in the middle of the fire. I recognized it as the same charm that expelled and exposed the Followers. It was Vanessa's necklace with the charm of Selene on it. The drums were pounding hard in a lunar song that called to the universe to open and gift them with the demons that would be their victory. The necklace was black, with silver wisps on it, which in my opinion made it look better than before.
The Regulators, in their natural look, with excess skin, and mossy color, took my black shirt, leaving me in only my baggy black pants and cuffs on my wrists. Then they put black paint on my chest and arms, and circling my eyes with it, giving me raccoon eyes. They put the ceremony oil on my skin, making me look wet, and my hair was drenched with it as well, making it shiny and limp, but still thick. I looked to the other immortals. The males were all the same as I, and the females had on a loose cropped sleeveless black halters on. I could see the lower females and males eying us with lust at our appearances, but still being respectful.
The drums silenced, and then rocked harder, making the ground shake. Yvonne, Sparta, the twins, Ravyn and Faylin, Dixie, and the Lecta from last month, Craven gathered around the fire, signaling the start of the dance, and waiting for me to join. It was the immortal's dance, and the Prince was also required to dance, to please the gods enough to grant the Atrox's request to open the gates to time and space, and let Vanessa and Hector pass through. I walked towards them after taking off my shoes, and walking on the soft warm sand that had been put there for the dance. I walked in between Yvonne and Craven, and put my hands into the fire. It was hot and comforting, and lifted my hands as they caught the flame. It didn't burn, just rose from my hands as if on a match. I gave one hand to Yvonne and the other to Craven. They placed their hands in mine, and the fire spread to their hands, and they continued the fire circle, till all the immortals hands were alight with the fire. Then the drums broke into a fast beating, and we danced.
I spread my hands to align with Sparta's. His hands twined with mine and we twisted and bent as one, and before we knew it, we were lost in the beat. It wasn't long before I was dancing with Yvonne and Dixie. Craven and Sparta were sandwiching the twins. They were very limber, and were able to bend all the way backwards and come up between each other's legs, and still keep their feet. And I felt the time to end the dance was near, and a shot a looked at Yvonne through half-lidded eyes, and took the hint, and spread the message. Soon the drums came a sudden stop, and stood still in time with them, stone still. The smoke from the fire was burning higher and higher, till I was sure it almost reached the heavens. Then I felt a familiar tune coming down as I saw a shaking in the earth. And then there was light. All the Followers looked up to see what looked like a crack in the sky, and a white light was shining through it, like a rip in time, and the faint music still played.
~*
I know I should go, but I'll follow you
Like a man possessed, there's a traitor here
Beneath my breast, and it hurts me more than you've ever guessed
If my heart could beat it would break my chest
But I can see you're unimpressed
*~
I could hear a voice in the wind, whispering into my ears. I was overcome with the sorrowful light that overtook us all, but I could sense another presence. It wasn't dark, and then I knew what it was.
The Daughters were here, watching the ceremony. They were for Vanessa. But I could feel their eyes on my back. And one was burning into my flesh. I slowly went into the person's mind, making it as natural as I could as the fissure in the sky widened. Serena was watching me. Her thoughts flooded me, and I slowly wandered around, careful not to mess up her train of thought. Sadness, she wanted me. Anger, I wasn't helping them get Vanessa back. Betrayal, she was still stuck that I had tried to turn a human into a Follower. And one more emotion, and I was afraid to name it. The fissure was almost the size of a doorway. Love. She still loved me. My heart wretched. 'No, please, no.'
And then I felt it. The crack had opened wide enough for two people to walk through. And I felt Vanessa's presence before I saw hers and Hector's silhouettes against the light. I heard the faint gasps behind me. Yvonne heard them to. I went into her mind and told her not to say anything. She looked at me confused. I told her that the ceremony must be completely ended until anyone could move. We would take care of them later.
It was only their ghostly figures that floated down to earth. Their transparent bodies were shimmering in the moonlight. I watched transfixed at Vanessa. She was beautiful.
Her luxurious thick blond hair was blowing away from her face, and her eyes were closed. I could tell from here that there was gloss and glitter on her face, and she looked generally like he had when I took her to save Catty, almost a whole year ago. Except for a few things. Her dress, instead of blue, was black, and her shoes were lace up boots, and her wrists were circled with dozens of light metal bracelets. But it was only when her ghostly figure touched the ground that it became fully solid. She opened her eyes, a looked straight at me.
I heard Tymmie whistle behind me, and I smirked. He always liked Vanessa the best out of all the Daughters. Karyl, who was beside Tymmie was having some pretty X-rated thoughts right then, so I won't say anything, but I did send a shock wave through his head to make him refrain from his fantasy. Vanessa could read minds now.
Hector stood beside her, but they didn't look at each other. In fact, the first thing Vanessa did was start walking towards me. I saw her smile sweetly, as she always did. She urged me to read her mind, and my heart soared with what I found. She was really happy to see me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I pulled her to me in a hug. I heard the Daughters suck their breath behind me, but this was my moment. I would deal with them in a minute.
"How was space?" I asked, teasingly as I could. My worst fear was that she had fallen in love with Hector, therefore ruining my chances once again. 'My life sucks.'
She smiled. "It was good. There's no time in space, but I would say it was a pretty good vacation." Then she frowned. "Are you blocking your mind from me on purpose? I just get this power and all you can do is block me." She pouted adorably.
I smirked deviously at her, and saw her weaken in the knees as she always did. 'Damn, I'm good.' "Sorry, why don't you go read Karyl's mind? I'm sure you'd be interested in what he's thinking right now."
I laughed as Vanessa made a face that was something between embarrassment and disgust. Yep, the same old Vanessa, no matter how evil she gets. Then she brightened.
"Is this a party? Do we get to dance! I haven't danced in the longest time! Or, at least it seems like it." She looked around, taking in the drums and the fire and the sensual attire the immortals were in, and the Followers looked like they wanted to party.
I smiled at her again, and Yvonne came up to us. "Welcome to the group, gal. Let's see the moves you got." She took Vanessa's hand and moved in front of the fire where a few Regulators were waiting.
Vanessa giggled as they started to paint her arms, chest and face. Hector seemed to be catching up with a Follower named Kelly. Last I heard, she was his favorite, and also next in line to become Lecta. I couldn't read any emotions besides friendship in his and her mind, so as far as I was concerned, she was fair game. And I was going to make the most of it. After Vanessa was drenched in henna and oils, Yvonne grabbed her and they started to dance. The drums banged in a body-banging pace, and I watched as Vanessa and Yvonne slinked around each other sensuously. I could see the newer and more vulnerable Followers sweating as they followed their movements with their eyes. Tymmie was dancing with Cassandra, who was recently turned back into a Follower by yours truly. Karyl was dancing close with them. Hector danced more slowly with Kelly, who was enjoying her new boy toy. But my eyes were fixed on Vanessa as she and Yvonne made vigorous movements with their stomachs, and bending their knees impossibly long to be able to keep their balance. I finally couldn't take it anymore.
I walked slowly into the mass of dancers, making my way towards Vanessa. Then I could feel an etching in my mind, and I knew Serena was straining to see what was happening. I would let her go in for a while. The only thing I cared about was Vanessa, and that dress that was clinging tightly to her curves. I came up behind her, and she saw me. She smiled and started moving against me. She was now sandwiched between Yvonne and me. Her wet back was pressed firmly on my slippery chest, perfectly in line with the whole of my body. Yvonne was still moving against her front until she was swept away by one of her own Followers. I had Vanessa to myself now. She wrapped my painted arms around her stomach, letting me feel the belly-dancer-like movements. She reached her hands behind her to loose her hands in my damp hair, and I turned my head around to rest in the crook of her neck. I went into her mind, and smiled as I found she was going weak with my breath on her neck.
Then the thoughts in my mind started scrambling around as Serena was frantically searching around, apparently alarmed by my thoughts on Vanessa. I had to let go of Vanessa abruptly to keep my balance as I tried to shove Serena out of my head. But I had let her stay to long. She was already to far in for me to get her out. 'Damn it.'
~
Serena looked alarmed as she tried to get out. But she was too lost in his thoughts that she found herself stuck. She had been searching for the meaning of the ceremony, and to see what he was thinking. She was surprised when she got in easily. 'Must be too distracted.' She thought.
The Daughters had all watched as the gateway to the universe opened again, for the third time in the year, and were all equally shocked to see Vanessa, no longer Vanessa. And what had shocked them even more was that the first thing she did was go to Stanton. Serena had felt a pang of jealousy as he held her tight, and it only grew when she saw the way Stanton was looking at her. 'It's only lust. He loves me.' She thought. She calmed down when she saw Yvonne take Vanessa away from him, but she had frowned again when she saw Stanton take off to dance with her. She took to his mind to make sure her thoughts were true. There was no way Stanton didn't love her anymore. Right?
But her hopes were shattered when she saw what Stanton felt towards the new demon in a Goddess' body. Her eyes started to tear as she found all Stanton's feelings in a rushing surge as he neared Vanessa, fully intending to dance with her. She found the feelings towards Vanessa from the first time he'd seen her. But Stanton had said he'd loved her. Was he lying? Then why hadn't she read any lies in his thoughts?
She was determined to believe that Stanton still loved her, but right now she had to focus on getting out of his thoughts. But it seemed that she wouldn't have to, sense a voice in Stanton's thoughts cause her to fall back in shock. "GET THE HELL OUTTA MY HEAD!!!!!!" Serena stumbled back, falling against a nearby tree, and the other Daughters quickly tried to hide themselves before the Followers saw them. But it was too late. Stanton had found out who was in his mind. And it seemed he had for a while, because Yvonne and the rest of the Followers were already in a gang to bring them into the little party.
~
I felt hands come down on my shoulders, and I looked up to see Vanessa holding me, asking what was wrong. I didn't answer, I just sent a message to Yvonne to get the Followers together and bring me the Daughters. I could feel Vanessa's power come into me, and I felt like I had the strength to get Serena out. Vanessa cleared my mind with hers, slowly sorting out everything, and managed to trap Serena in my thoughts. I finally grabbed Serena's telepathy and finally thought straight enough to yell at her. 'GET THE HELL OUTTA MY HEAD!!!!!!' I screamed, and forced her out. I could feel her fall out, and my thoughts came back into focus. I stood straight again, just in time to see the mob of Followers raid the bushes. I heard the yells and grunts of the Daughters, but I knew that the Followers had them.
I looked at Vanessa, who was looking at me with confused eyes. "The Daughters." I said, and she seemed to understand. She turned to Hector, who was watching the mob with mad eyes, flames forming at his feet. I decided to move back to give the Followers room to bring the Daughters to me. I walked over towards the fire, standing there with flames at my back. It felt really refreshing, but I was still pissed. Pissed that the Daughters had ruined the dance, his dance with Vanessa. The Followers had formed what looked like a pickup line. He smirked as he saw them bringing the squirming Daughters to him from the tops of their heads. They were unwilling crowd surfers.
Jimena came first. Yvonne and Craven had to hold her still, her struggles were getting weaker. But their powers were stronger under the light of the moon. Catty came second. They sat her down on the ground. She had gotten caught in a thorn bush in her struggle to get away. There were thorns up and down her legs. Tymmie held her shoulders and she rolled up her caprices and try to get the dozens of splinters from her leg. Tianna was next. Her hair was in a tangle, looking a bit like a rat's nest. Her arms and legs had to be held she was struggling so much. Then Serena came. She had lost her shoes in the fight. Her blouse was open so the light from the amulet was shining in their eyes. So they kept her front from their faces as they carried her and held her arms down as someone threw a cloth over the amulet to keep it from blinding them. All four of them looked up and saw Stanton starring at them with anger and contempt in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice returning to the usual calmness, but they could all see the madness behind my eyes.
Catty was the only one who answered. "We want Vanessa back!" She cried, tears forming in her eyes. I felt my eyes soften, but only for a moment. She was Vanessa's former best friend, or at least until she found that Tianna was a much better companion. I sneered at her.
"Your tears are vain, Goddess. You chose your path and Vanessa chose hers. It is no longer in your power to tell her what is right and wrong."
"Why are you doing this, Stanton?" Serena cried out. "Why are you taking our friend from us? Don't you care? Are you changed that much that you won't even listen to me!" She yelled, watching me with disbelief.
I could only looked at her. "You're saying it was my idea that Vanessa leave? I believe that it was your fault she left. Or are you looking for someone to blame it on?" I scoffed.
She looked at me with a furiousness that surpassed any feeling I had ever felt from her. Her mind hit me with all the power she had, but it was not enough. I was still angry from how they treated Vanessa and had the nerve to pin it on me. I stuck her with my mind and she flinched, but she finally looked at me with red eyes, and, wrenching her arms free, tore off the cloth that covered her amulet, at the same time, Tianna, Catty, and Jimena did the same. The light came hard on my eyes, and I growled in pain. I could still see the light behind my eyelids.
But then something else happened. I felt the light start to loose its power. I looked up. The Daughters had equally confused looks on their faces. Even without Vanessa, they still should have been able to hold up the light barrier long enough to try to get away. Then I saw Catty turn her eyes and gasp. I looked to my left, following her sight. What I saw made me smirk.
Vanessa's eyes were closed, and her arms outstretched towards the sky. I could feel her power and I looked towards the sky. The moon was dispersing into a half moon, crescent moon, and then finally an eclipse appeared. The goddesses' power was at its weakest now. The amulets slowly began to loose their power, and the Followers took their holds on the girls once again.
Serena let out a sob. "How could you do this? Vanessa was the one that almost saved your life." Her head was bent to the ground.
I started, but I felt a hand on my shoulder. Vanessa stood there, looking even more beautiful now that the light was gone, leaving only the stars to reflect on her wet skin. She looked at the girls briefly before looking at the Followers holding them.
"Let them go. We just got here." Vanessa gave me a lingering gaze. "No need to relieve me of my fun so early. I need a reason to stay." She smiled at me, letting her innocence take over again. I looked at the Followers, made a quick gesture, and they released their captures.
Then Hector addressed them. "Now leave. You'd better hope that next time we meet; Vanessa is here to save you again. But I doubt it." His tone was nasty and rude. But the Daughters got the point. They slowly got up to walk away through the path that the Followers had conveniently made for them. They took one last look at Vanessa, and then ran as if flames were on their heels.
Vanessa sighed, and turned away. The Followers were still looking at me, Vanessa and Hector, as if awaiting instruction. Then Vanessa looked up, and turned around again, a cheery smile on her face. "Hey, the Dungeon's nearby right? Come on! This is a party that ain't gonna stop till I get my fill! You all coming?" She smiled as they all seemed to brighten and started to leave from the clearing behind the Hollywood Bowl. She watched them all leave, until it was only she and I.
I walked up and touched her shoulder. She looked up at me, and I questioned her in my mind. She smirked like the minx she was. "What? I have a hankering for dancing." I took her hand and lead to her my car. I opened the door for her on the passenger side, much like I did before when she was trying to save Catty. I jumped into the driver's side, and immediately took off towards the Dungeon. The party wasn't over yet.
~* So leave me be
And let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep, let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six foot deep, I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release, so let me rest in peace
So let me rest in peace, why won't you let me rest in peace?
*~
TBC
(AN: Song: Rest in Peace, Album: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once more with feeling soundtrack.)
(AN: Loooooooooooong chapter)
Stanton's car was parked on the sand, a little ways outside of Hollywood. About the same place he had last seen Vanessa. The Dungeon was only about five minutes from here, so he could get back in good time for the ceremony. The moon was full, and the craters were blacker than they normally were. The goddess Selene was angry. She had lost a daughter to Atrox by the worst means. Vanessa was a demon now, and the only way for her to get out of it was to die. There was no crossing over to the light for demons, like the Followers. Vanessa was bound to a life of servitude to the Atrox.
Just like him. Stanton's devotion was as permanent as Vanessa's. The Prince of the Night was the highest honor given to a Follower. He was more than happy to accept it. His feelings for Serena were wavering, and he could feel it as much as she could. But still he would seek out the daughters, for every night since Vanessa vanished to see what they were doing now. To see if they were plotting to bring her back, and if they were, warn them that there were only two outcomes to it. Either Vanessa would die, or they would. The Atrox had already enfolded Vanessa into its grasp, much like it did himself. Vanessa's soul was lost to the moon's light, and only under the moon could her true self show again.
It had been almost two months since Vanessa left. He had been searching out all of the people she had used to hang out with, just wanting to know what they were thinking about.
Michael had been his first target. The real Michael. He was back and the first thing he did was try to get in touch with Vanessa. He tried in vain, and when he asked the Daughters where she was, Catty burst into tears, Tianna wouldn't look at him, and Jimena wouldn't answer. Serena had been the one to tell him. "She's gone."
He had looked shocked. "Gone? On a vacation or something?" Numbskull. If she was on a vacation, how would that have explained the girls' reactions.
"No. She's gone." Michael seemed to get the picture after that.
"She's dead?" He asked again, hoping against hope that hadn't been the fate that had taken his girlfriend.
"She's as good as dead." Jimena whispered, and then they all took off, unable to look at the wounded look on Michael's face any longer.
(Stanton's POV)
I admit; I had a fanning jealously for Michael. He seemed to be able to get everything I couldn't. Vanessa being one of those things. I had been assigned to watch her, make sure that everything was going to plan before we could take down two of the Daughters and gain the favor of the gods. But fate had another plan for me. I felt the purity in her before I felt anything else. I had never been in love before that, but I imagined that that must have been what it felt like. She reminded me of the purity I once had. In a way, she represented everything that was me. She was pure, but I could also feel a sense of darkness when I looked harder. She was pure past, and my dark future. Everything that I was reflecting in her eyes every time she looked at me. I didn't want to look into her eyes, because I would have been almost afraid that she would reject me when she saw the deadness there.
~*
I died, many years ago
But you can make me feel
That it isn't so
So why you come to be with me
I think I finally know
*~
But Vanessa already had Michael, she liked him before me, maybe loved him even. I was there second, so she stuck with the first. But I could feel for a brief few minutes that she loved me like I loved her. I had taken her into my memories, and with the purity in her heart, she had tried to save me from the Atrox. She still failed, and I was still taken. But I couldn't hurt now, not only because she showed me kindness, but also because I didn't want to. I wanted her to be with me, so I offered her to become a Follower like me. But didn't do it. She was in love with the light, and like me, now she was the worst of the side that she had put so much effort into fighting. And it only made me want her more.
Serena had been one of those girls that are the kind you can have a crush on. She was loveable, artistic, smart, and dark. I could feel the soul of Hekate when I saw her. I met her before I met Vanessa, but Vanessa was the one that struck full force. But it was clear that I couldn't have her. I needed love, and Serena seemed to be the one that was willing to give it to me. I needed someone to love me, to make me feel again. I desperately wanted to love her like she loved me, but every time I looked at her, I saw Vanessa. I saw her eyes, and the feel of her skin every time I kissed Serena. I felt dirty and heartless feeling like this. It was completely unfair to Serena, and completely unfair to me. I spent many nights hating myself for it, forcing myself to say that I could end that façade. But I couldn't. So when Cassandra tricked me into almost turning Maryanne, I felt strangely relieved, until I felt the dislike radiating from my real love. Vanessa was mad that she had stuck up for me, and I felt great searching through the memories where Vanessa had stood against them when they talked about me, and I knew she cared. But she was angry, and I knew I couldn't leave it like this.
But I was completely unprepared for when they tried to cross me over back to the light. All the pain almost killed me. But when they succeeded, and Serena hugged me and kissed me, I felt even worse, wishing it was Vanessa. Serena loved me, and I couldn't love her the way she and I wanted to. Vanessa was always there in Serena's place. In fact, I know I sound completely horrid but when Serena finally told me she hated me, it was the happiest moment in my life.
~*
You're scared, ashamed of what you feel
And you can't tell the ones you love
You think they couldn't deal
Whisper in a dead man's ear
It doesn't make it real
*~
Of course, I felt the coldness in my body for the first time in a while, but I was free. I was tired of hurting her, and I was proud that she left me. She was too precious to let me do that to her. But then there was that same problem about Vanessa. And now I had no one, even though I felt Serena constantly starring into the shadows, wishing I was there, hoping that I would go after her, and tell her that I loved her, and make it all better. I couldn't, even though it would have made Vanessa happy, I couldn't.
That was why I was so eager to help when I learned that the demon was coming to dispose of her. I grew jealous when I heard him talk of her like a man in love. The way I would talk of her if I didn't have my pride. I couldn't go myself; the Daughters would drive me away. So I sent Finis, disguised as her beloved Michael to help her, to protect her in a way that I couldn't. But I could feel her feelings for Hector, and I couldn't stand it. But I must say, I couldn't have been more thrilled when I heard her in my mind, trying to find me. She was in the Dungeon, and I could hear her asking the Followers for me, and they didn't know. I was enraged to see the twists and swirls and peacocks on her arms, neck and chest. Hector had her, and the demon would take her. I couldn't interfere with the Atrox's will.
~*
That's great
But I don't wanna play
'Cause being with you touches me
More than I can say
And sense I'm only dead to you
I'm saying stay away
*~
Now she was a demon, and once again, Hector and Vanessa were summoned by the Atrox to return to earth. They're pleasure cruise was done for the moment. I went into her mind briefly, stretching all the power the Atrox gave to me, and I saw what she saw. The moon, the planets, the stars, and the colors. I wished I could have been there with her to see all of it. Me and her, instead of her and Hector. I could hardly wait to see her again.
That was my last thought as I looked at my digital watch and saw it was time to get to the ceremony. I would be seeing Vanessa shortly. I hoped into my car, and sped away, spraying sand behind the wheels.
~*
And let me rest in peace, Let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep, let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six foot deep, I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release, so let me rest in peace
*~
The ceremony took place in a clearing in the woods behind the Hollywood Bowl stadium. It was where I first let Vanessa see me. I had read her thoughts and smiled when I found out she thought I was good-looking.
It was the same small clearing that she and Michael had been in. There was a bonfire there, and the lower Followers were dancing around it. It reminded me of the Indians celebratory dance. Then I saw something hanging on a metal pole in the middle of the fire. I recognized it as the same charm that expelled and exposed the Followers. It was Vanessa's necklace with the charm of Selene on it. The drums were pounding hard in a lunar song that called to the universe to open and gift them with the demons that would be their victory. The necklace was black, with silver wisps on it, which in my opinion made it look better than before.
The Regulators, in their natural look, with excess skin, and mossy color, took my black shirt, leaving me in only my baggy black pants and cuffs on my wrists. Then they put black paint on my chest and arms, and circling my eyes with it, giving me raccoon eyes. They put the ceremony oil on my skin, making me look wet, and my hair was drenched with it as well, making it shiny and limp, but still thick. I looked to the other immortals. The males were all the same as I, and the females had on a loose cropped sleeveless black halters on. I could see the lower females and males eying us with lust at our appearances, but still being respectful.
The drums silenced, and then rocked harder, making the ground shake. Yvonne, Sparta, the twins, Ravyn and Faylin, Dixie, and the Lecta from last month, Craven gathered around the fire, signaling the start of the dance, and waiting for me to join. It was the immortal's dance, and the Prince was also required to dance, to please the gods enough to grant the Atrox's request to open the gates to time and space, and let Vanessa and Hector pass through. I walked towards them after taking off my shoes, and walking on the soft warm sand that had been put there for the dance. I walked in between Yvonne and Craven, and put my hands into the fire. It was hot and comforting, and lifted my hands as they caught the flame. It didn't burn, just rose from my hands as if on a match. I gave one hand to Yvonne and the other to Craven. They placed their hands in mine, and the fire spread to their hands, and they continued the fire circle, till all the immortals hands were alight with the fire. Then the drums broke into a fast beating, and we danced.
I spread my hands to align with Sparta's. His hands twined with mine and we twisted and bent as one, and before we knew it, we were lost in the beat. It wasn't long before I was dancing with Yvonne and Dixie. Craven and Sparta were sandwiching the twins. They were very limber, and were able to bend all the way backwards and come up between each other's legs, and still keep their feet. And I felt the time to end the dance was near, and a shot a looked at Yvonne through half-lidded eyes, and took the hint, and spread the message. Soon the drums came a sudden stop, and stood still in time with them, stone still. The smoke from the fire was burning higher and higher, till I was sure it almost reached the heavens. Then I felt a familiar tune coming down as I saw a shaking in the earth. And then there was light. All the Followers looked up to see what looked like a crack in the sky, and a white light was shining through it, like a rip in time, and the faint music still played.
~*
I know I should go, but I'll follow you
Like a man possessed, there's a traitor here
Beneath my breast, and it hurts me more than you've ever guessed
If my heart could beat it would break my chest
But I can see you're unimpressed
*~
I could hear a voice in the wind, whispering into my ears. I was overcome with the sorrowful light that overtook us all, but I could sense another presence. It wasn't dark, and then I knew what it was.
The Daughters were here, watching the ceremony. They were for Vanessa. But I could feel their eyes on my back. And one was burning into my flesh. I slowly went into the person's mind, making it as natural as I could as the fissure in the sky widened. Serena was watching me. Her thoughts flooded me, and I slowly wandered around, careful not to mess up her train of thought. Sadness, she wanted me. Anger, I wasn't helping them get Vanessa back. Betrayal, she was still stuck that I had tried to turn a human into a Follower. And one more emotion, and I was afraid to name it. The fissure was almost the size of a doorway. Love. She still loved me. My heart wretched. 'No, please, no.'
And then I felt it. The crack had opened wide enough for two people to walk through. And I felt Vanessa's presence before I saw hers and Hector's silhouettes against the light. I heard the faint gasps behind me. Yvonne heard them to. I went into her mind and told her not to say anything. She looked at me confused. I told her that the ceremony must be completely ended until anyone could move. We would take care of them later.
It was only their ghostly figures that floated down to earth. Their transparent bodies were shimmering in the moonlight. I watched transfixed at Vanessa. She was beautiful.
Her luxurious thick blond hair was blowing away from her face, and her eyes were closed. I could tell from here that there was gloss and glitter on her face, and she looked generally like he had when I took her to save Catty, almost a whole year ago. Except for a few things. Her dress, instead of blue, was black, and her shoes were lace up boots, and her wrists were circled with dozens of light metal bracelets. But it was only when her ghostly figure touched the ground that it became fully solid. She opened her eyes, a looked straight at me.
I heard Tymmie whistle behind me, and I smirked. He always liked Vanessa the best out of all the Daughters. Karyl, who was beside Tymmie was having some pretty X-rated thoughts right then, so I won't say anything, but I did send a shock wave through his head to make him refrain from his fantasy. Vanessa could read minds now.
Hector stood beside her, but they didn't look at each other. In fact, the first thing Vanessa did was start walking towards me. I saw her smile sweetly, as she always did. She urged me to read her mind, and my heart soared with what I found. She was really happy to see me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I pulled her to me in a hug. I heard the Daughters suck their breath behind me, but this was my moment. I would deal with them in a minute.
"How was space?" I asked, teasingly as I could. My worst fear was that she had fallen in love with Hector, therefore ruining my chances once again. 'My life sucks.'
She smiled. "It was good. There's no time in space, but I would say it was a pretty good vacation." Then she frowned. "Are you blocking your mind from me on purpose? I just get this power and all you can do is block me." She pouted adorably.
I smirked deviously at her, and saw her weaken in the knees as she always did. 'Damn, I'm good.' "Sorry, why don't you go read Karyl's mind? I'm sure you'd be interested in what he's thinking right now."
I laughed as Vanessa made a face that was something between embarrassment and disgust. Yep, the same old Vanessa, no matter how evil she gets. Then she brightened.
"Is this a party? Do we get to dance! I haven't danced in the longest time! Or, at least it seems like it." She looked around, taking in the drums and the fire and the sensual attire the immortals were in, and the Followers looked like they wanted to party.
I smiled at her again, and Yvonne came up to us. "Welcome to the group, gal. Let's see the moves you got." She took Vanessa's hand and moved in front of the fire where a few Regulators were waiting.
Vanessa giggled as they started to paint her arms, chest and face. Hector seemed to be catching up with a Follower named Kelly. Last I heard, she was his favorite, and also next in line to become Lecta. I couldn't read any emotions besides friendship in his and her mind, so as far as I was concerned, she was fair game. And I was going to make the most of it. After Vanessa was drenched in henna and oils, Yvonne grabbed her and they started to dance. The drums banged in a body-banging pace, and I watched as Vanessa and Yvonne slinked around each other sensuously. I could see the newer and more vulnerable Followers sweating as they followed their movements with their eyes. Tymmie was dancing with Cassandra, who was recently turned back into a Follower by yours truly. Karyl was dancing close with them. Hector danced more slowly with Kelly, who was enjoying her new boy toy. But my eyes were fixed on Vanessa as she and Yvonne made vigorous movements with their stomachs, and bending their knees impossibly long to be able to keep their balance. I finally couldn't take it anymore.
I walked slowly into the mass of dancers, making my way towards Vanessa. Then I could feel an etching in my mind, and I knew Serena was straining to see what was happening. I would let her go in for a while. The only thing I cared about was Vanessa, and that dress that was clinging tightly to her curves. I came up behind her, and she saw me. She smiled and started moving against me. She was now sandwiched between Yvonne and me. Her wet back was pressed firmly on my slippery chest, perfectly in line with the whole of my body. Yvonne was still moving against her front until she was swept away by one of her own Followers. I had Vanessa to myself now. She wrapped my painted arms around her stomach, letting me feel the belly-dancer-like movements. She reached her hands behind her to loose her hands in my damp hair, and I turned my head around to rest in the crook of her neck. I went into her mind, and smiled as I found she was going weak with my breath on her neck.
Then the thoughts in my mind started scrambling around as Serena was frantically searching around, apparently alarmed by my thoughts on Vanessa. I had to let go of Vanessa abruptly to keep my balance as I tried to shove Serena out of my head. But I had let her stay to long. She was already to far in for me to get her out. 'Damn it.'
~
Serena looked alarmed as she tried to get out. But she was too lost in his thoughts that she found herself stuck. She had been searching for the meaning of the ceremony, and to see what he was thinking. She was surprised when she got in easily. 'Must be too distracted.' She thought.
The Daughters had all watched as the gateway to the universe opened again, for the third time in the year, and were all equally shocked to see Vanessa, no longer Vanessa. And what had shocked them even more was that the first thing she did was go to Stanton. Serena had felt a pang of jealousy as he held her tight, and it only grew when she saw the way Stanton was looking at her. 'It's only lust. He loves me.' She thought. She calmed down when she saw Yvonne take Vanessa away from him, but she had frowned again when she saw Stanton take off to dance with her. She took to his mind to make sure her thoughts were true. There was no way Stanton didn't love her anymore. Right?
But her hopes were shattered when she saw what Stanton felt towards the new demon in a Goddess' body. Her eyes started to tear as she found all Stanton's feelings in a rushing surge as he neared Vanessa, fully intending to dance with her. She found the feelings towards Vanessa from the first time he'd seen her. But Stanton had said he'd loved her. Was he lying? Then why hadn't she read any lies in his thoughts?
She was determined to believe that Stanton still loved her, but right now she had to focus on getting out of his thoughts. But it seemed that she wouldn't have to, sense a voice in Stanton's thoughts cause her to fall back in shock. "GET THE HELL OUTTA MY HEAD!!!!!!" Serena stumbled back, falling against a nearby tree, and the other Daughters quickly tried to hide themselves before the Followers saw them. But it was too late. Stanton had found out who was in his mind. And it seemed he had for a while, because Yvonne and the rest of the Followers were already in a gang to bring them into the little party.
~
I felt hands come down on my shoulders, and I looked up to see Vanessa holding me, asking what was wrong. I didn't answer, I just sent a message to Yvonne to get the Followers together and bring me the Daughters. I could feel Vanessa's power come into me, and I felt like I had the strength to get Serena out. Vanessa cleared my mind with hers, slowly sorting out everything, and managed to trap Serena in my thoughts. I finally grabbed Serena's telepathy and finally thought straight enough to yell at her. 'GET THE HELL OUTTA MY HEAD!!!!!!' I screamed, and forced her out. I could feel her fall out, and my thoughts came back into focus. I stood straight again, just in time to see the mob of Followers raid the bushes. I heard the yells and grunts of the Daughters, but I knew that the Followers had them.
I looked at Vanessa, who was looking at me with confused eyes. "The Daughters." I said, and she seemed to understand. She turned to Hector, who was watching the mob with mad eyes, flames forming at his feet. I decided to move back to give the Followers room to bring the Daughters to me. I walked over towards the fire, standing there with flames at my back. It felt really refreshing, but I was still pissed. Pissed that the Daughters had ruined the dance, his dance with Vanessa. The Followers had formed what looked like a pickup line. He smirked as he saw them bringing the squirming Daughters to him from the tops of their heads. They were unwilling crowd surfers.
Jimena came first. Yvonne and Craven had to hold her still, her struggles were getting weaker. But their powers were stronger under the light of the moon. Catty came second. They sat her down on the ground. She had gotten caught in a thorn bush in her struggle to get away. There were thorns up and down her legs. Tymmie held her shoulders and she rolled up her caprices and try to get the dozens of splinters from her leg. Tianna was next. Her hair was in a tangle, looking a bit like a rat's nest. Her arms and legs had to be held she was struggling so much. Then Serena came. She had lost her shoes in the fight. Her blouse was open so the light from the amulet was shining in their eyes. So they kept her front from their faces as they carried her and held her arms down as someone threw a cloth over the amulet to keep it from blinding them. All four of them looked up and saw Stanton starring at them with anger and contempt in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice returning to the usual calmness, but they could all see the madness behind my eyes.
Catty was the only one who answered. "We want Vanessa back!" She cried, tears forming in her eyes. I felt my eyes soften, but only for a moment. She was Vanessa's former best friend, or at least until she found that Tianna was a much better companion. I sneered at her.
"Your tears are vain, Goddess. You chose your path and Vanessa chose hers. It is no longer in your power to tell her what is right and wrong."
"Why are you doing this, Stanton?" Serena cried out. "Why are you taking our friend from us? Don't you care? Are you changed that much that you won't even listen to me!" She yelled, watching me with disbelief.
I could only looked at her. "You're saying it was my idea that Vanessa leave? I believe that it was your fault she left. Or are you looking for someone to blame it on?" I scoffed.
She looked at me with a furiousness that surpassed any feeling I had ever felt from her. Her mind hit me with all the power she had, but it was not enough. I was still angry from how they treated Vanessa and had the nerve to pin it on me. I stuck her with my mind and she flinched, but she finally looked at me with red eyes, and, wrenching her arms free, tore off the cloth that covered her amulet, at the same time, Tianna, Catty, and Jimena did the same. The light came hard on my eyes, and I growled in pain. I could still see the light behind my eyelids.
But then something else happened. I felt the light start to loose its power. I looked up. The Daughters had equally confused looks on their faces. Even without Vanessa, they still should have been able to hold up the light barrier long enough to try to get away. Then I saw Catty turn her eyes and gasp. I looked to my left, following her sight. What I saw made me smirk.
Vanessa's eyes were closed, and her arms outstretched towards the sky. I could feel her power and I looked towards the sky. The moon was dispersing into a half moon, crescent moon, and then finally an eclipse appeared. The goddesses' power was at its weakest now. The amulets slowly began to loose their power, and the Followers took their holds on the girls once again.
Serena let out a sob. "How could you do this? Vanessa was the one that almost saved your life." Her head was bent to the ground.
I started, but I felt a hand on my shoulder. Vanessa stood there, looking even more beautiful now that the light was gone, leaving only the stars to reflect on her wet skin. She looked at the girls briefly before looking at the Followers holding them.
"Let them go. We just got here." Vanessa gave me a lingering gaze. "No need to relieve me of my fun so early. I need a reason to stay." She smiled at me, letting her innocence take over again. I looked at the Followers, made a quick gesture, and they released their captures.
Then Hector addressed them. "Now leave. You'd better hope that next time we meet; Vanessa is here to save you again. But I doubt it." His tone was nasty and rude. But the Daughters got the point. They slowly got up to walk away through the path that the Followers had conveniently made for them. They took one last look at Vanessa, and then ran as if flames were on their heels.
Vanessa sighed, and turned away. The Followers were still looking at me, Vanessa and Hector, as if awaiting instruction. Then Vanessa looked up, and turned around again, a cheery smile on her face. "Hey, the Dungeon's nearby right? Come on! This is a party that ain't gonna stop till I get my fill! You all coming?" She smiled as they all seemed to brighten and started to leave from the clearing behind the Hollywood Bowl. She watched them all leave, until it was only she and I.
I walked up and touched her shoulder. She looked up at me, and I questioned her in my mind. She smirked like the minx she was. "What? I have a hankering for dancing." I took her hand and lead to her my car. I opened the door for her on the passenger side, much like I did before when she was trying to save Catty. I jumped into the driver's side, and immediately took off towards the Dungeon. The party wasn't over yet.
~* So leave me be
And let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep, let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six foot deep, I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release, so let me rest in peace
So let me rest in peace, why won't you let me rest in peace?
*~
TBC
(AN: Song: Rest in Peace, Album: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once more with feeling soundtrack.)
