Hey!! I'm back with chapter 7. YEAH!!! And the crowd goes wild (Ok maybe
not, but a girl can dream right?) I'm going to cut this short since you
guys never read these things anyway, including me. Sorry if it took so long
to get this chapter out, many things got in the way, including my other
fics, but now I'm inspired and ready to write.
Disclaimer: I don't own SM and we all know this.
Side note*** Many of you had questions about the end of chapter 6, the scene where Serena accepts the proposal over the phone. She was just going over the emotions in her head after Darien kissed her and now she is confused, yet because Darien doesn't remember, it makes the situation easier because now she doesn't have to deal with it. So, in a way, she's saying goodbye to what could happen with her and Darien and accepting Diamond's invitation. Get it? If not e-mail me and I'll explain it more thoroughly. ^_~
Chapter 7
The birds chirping in rhythm to their own song mingled with the car horns that beeped loudly outside, disturbing the woman who slept peacefully in her bed. She turned over to her side and was jerked awake as soon as the sunlight met her closed lids.
She cursed inwardly and scowled at her window, it was really beginning to bother her. Her legs swung over the edge as she yawned and rubbed her eyes, she was more tired than usual and she wondered what she did last night to make her so tired.
She stopped suddenly, "Wait, what DID I do last night?" She closed her eyes in concentration trying to remember her actions from the night before. She just couldn't trace her steps after 8:00 pm and that puzzled her.
"What the hell….I know I was with Nicholas last night, but what happened after? How did I get home?"
She placed her fingers on her temples, massaging them, she hoped, would bring back the lost memories.
After several minutes passed without a result, she shrugged and stood up, her legs wobbly as she made her way to the bedroom door.
"I must've had more wine than I thought." She said paying no heed to the absence of her hang over.
She entered the bathroom and turned on the light. She put toothpaste on her toothbrush and began brushing her teeth like every morning. Rinsing her mouth, she wiped it with her towel and prepared to battle with her hair as she looked in the mirror.
She did a double take and gasped. There was a dark blemish on her neck, it was reddish-pink and was as big as a hickey, and she was sure that everyone would assume so if she left it exposed. So after she got dressed she went searching through her jewelry box.
"Where the hell are you? I know you're in here!" She took out a few pieces and placed them on the dresser, she was desperate, pigs would fly before she let Darien see this thing on her neck; she wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Aha!" she smiled as the black choker came into view; this was definitely her ticket out of humiliation-ville. She put it on and nodded in satisfaction that it covered the blotchy area and turned to leave, rushing out the door seeing that she was late…..again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The doors jingled as another person from the street entered the café. He walked up to the counter to place his order when he turned to see the blonde he knew all too well. Serena stood in line with her arms crossed over her chest as she waited impatiently for her turn. She grumbled to herself watching the three persons whom stood in line ahead of her; she was definitely not a patient person.
Darien chuckled at her as he watched her tap her foot in annoyance. "That won't make them move faster, you know." Serena jerked her head to the right to face the owner of the voice. When Darien met her view, she rolled her eyes. I should've known
"Damn, do you have a tracker device on me something? You're every where I turn." He lifted a brow, with a smirk on his face he answered, "Serena don't lie, you know you hired someone to write down my daily schedule just so you can run into me on purpose."
She frowned up at him, "p-u-lease! As if you're even worth the trouble. And even if I did, I wouldn't have to pay the additional fees of him having to follow you around since you don't have a life."
Both eyebrows rose at her comment as he rocked back and forth on the heels of his shoes. "This coming from a woman whose life ends beyond the doors of the Starbucks Coffee House." He grinned and put his hands in his pockets, while still continuing his rocking.
She snorted softly, "Yea, and look who's standing next to her." He stopped rocking and looked at her. After a few seconds he was able to register the meaning in her words, he shook his head; "I hate you." Serena just smiled and held up one finger, "One point for me. The day hasn't even started yet and I've already shut you up. Damn I'm good."
"Well the day isn't over yet, I still have a chance." They walked up to the counter together, which caused Serena to look at him strangely, he noticed. "What?" He recognized the look immediately, "Oh come on, you're gonna make me go to the back of the line!? Have a little heart." He said with a little pout, which had the girl behind the counter melting with emotion.
Serena rolled her eyes, "Fine! But enjoy this while it lasts cuz' this is the last piece of generosity I have left." He smiled proudly and turned to the girl to order. Serena breathed in deeply, Darien just had no idea how incredibly cute he was when he made that face. get a hold of yourself, Serena. This chapter of your life is now closed
She was brought out of her reverie at the sound of the girl's question. "excuse me?"
"What would you like?" Serena shook her head lightly trying to shake away her thoughts, "Oh..um."
She leaned her head to the side as she tried to decide what she wanted or in this case, what she was in the mood for. Darien looked over at her; he glanced at her again when he noticed the black band around her throat. "What the hell is that?"
"What?" He brought his hand up and pointed at it, "That." Her eyes showed fear as she touched the band with her fingers and rubbed them over it, "Oh this thing? It's called a choker." She said in relief, thanking God that he didn't mean the hickey she had on her neck.
He leaned in to get a closer look at it, "well, can you breathe?" She gave him a look of disbelief; "if I couldn't breathe then I wouldn't be wearing it, Darien."
"Hey, don't look at me, I'm not the one who gave it the name 'choker'" She rolled her eyes, "You have no sense of fashion at all."
"Fashion? Those things should go back in stock, if you ask me."
"Well no one asked you so shut up!" The girl behind the counter looked at them in amusement, "let me guess, you two are involved."
They looked at her with wide eyes, "No!" they both answered simultaneously. "We're just friends." He said. Serena snorted, "not even." He threw a glare at his partner.
The girl smiled and leaned on the counter, her loose black hair, which had pink highlights fell over her shoulders, looking at the raven-haired man, "In that case, may be you can meet me after work." Darien was startled by the girl's boldness.
Serena stared wide eyed at him as a goofy grin broke out on his face, she was beginning to feel real uncomfortable; part of her was happy that he was meeting new girls, but the other part was really beginning to hate the Starbucks employee.
She shook her head, she couldn't let it happen, she slapped her hand on the counter, "Um, excuse me. But if you don't get me my Double Late, then the only people you'll be meeting will be the ones who stand next to you on the unemployment line!" (AN: sorry for the spelling, I don't drink anything coffee related so I have no clue if this drink even exists, if you have a better drink then tell me and I'll add it in)
The girl jerked back and walked away quickly to retrieve the beverage. Darien glanced at his partner, she was tapping her nails on the counter top, her face was turning red and her eyes were glowing a stormy blue. "What's wrong with you?" he asked
"Nothing!" she snapped. He was about to comment, but the girl had already come back with their coffee.
Serena dropped her money on the counter and walked through the doors. Darien's gaze followed her.
"It seems to me that you two are more than just friends." With that said, the girl walked away. Darien stared back at the door and sighed, "true……but we're not." He picked up his cup and walked outside.
*******(That night)*******
She lay on her side; her arm was bent, holding her head up as she looked at her lover next to her. She watched his chest rise and fall while he slept peacefully having his own sweet dreams. She sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her naked form stood exposed until she covered it with a red silky robe that had Chinese designs printed on it.
She walked over to the window and pushed back the thick curtains and peered through the glass into the dark depths of the sky. Her stormy violet eyes looked toward the horizon, which was beginning to turn pink, as the sun slowly made its descent underneath the surface. She sighed and flipped her raven hair behind her shoulder.
Her eyes shifted to the right and she could see Justin's reflection in the window; this brought a smile to her face. There was so much she wished she could tell him, things that she eventually would, but only when the time was right. She knew that there never really is a right time for anything, however in this case, she couldn't just blurt out the very thing that ended his life the first time and could very well happen again.
She knew he wasn't Jadeite, he may look, smile and talk like him, but the two were different, yet she couldn't help but love them both. She decided to take a different approach then Nicholas, he was using the same strategy that he used all those centuries ago, which got him no where.
She on the other hand went in a different direction in hopes that Justin would fall in love with her the natural way, not by eliminating her obstacles and forcing her love on him, like she had did with Jadeite.
This was something she had disagreed with Nicholas about, she didn't want to relive the past, he, on the other hand, did.
Raychel knew she loved Jadeite the first time she saw him, as cheesy as it may have sounded, but she didn't believe in love at first sight until he came into her life, then everything changed.
It was noontime, the wind was little and the temperature was warm as it always was in the month of March. The sky was clear with no signs of clouds and the sun was bright.
The young woman tapped her foot impatiently waiting for her companion to come. She stood in a lavender dress of lace, which hugged her frame loosely and as she walked the metal-plated belt and beaded bracelets jangled with noise. This was an unusual look, for women these days were interested in a more sophisticated demeanor. To them she looked like a gypsy or in more insulting words; a witch.
It was easy to suggest such things; her hair was midnight and reached below her back, it was straight and held no bounce. Her skin was ghostly pale and she rarely smiled. The only things that held any form of life were the stormy violet eyes that held a fire of wisdom.
She was not like other girls, she wasn't born into wealth, nor did she live out in the open, touring the city in carriages or attending elaborate parties where no one even knew the host. No, she lived in the solitude of the trees with those like herself. They weren't outcasts, just avoided.
Just because she could walk through flames without being burned or heal with unexplainable reasons, didn't necessarily mean she was a witch.
She felt alone until she got knocked over by a bubbly blonde who just so happened to be the same age as her, the two 4-year olds became close friends fast.
Serenity, she thought, the only person she knew who could become friends with anyone, the one who never judged another. Serenity was the complete opposite of Raychel. She had curly blonde hair, laughing blue eyes and a smile that made you feel like you were the most important person in her life when it was directed at you.
So there she stood waiting for her beautiful friend to come introduce her to another one of her child hood friends, a boy. They knew each other as long as Raychel knew Serenity, but they never did cross paths, though Serenity talked about the other constantly stirring up curiosity between the two.
She spotted two patches of blonde hair in the distance. Serenity and her gentleman friend walked up to Raychel, stopping whatever chatter going on. "There you are! What took you so long?" Raychel asked.
"Sorry, we got a little ahead of ourselves, just trying to catch up on lost time." Raychel nodded and turned to the man that stood next to her best friend. He had short sandy hair that was brushed back and out of his face. He looked over at her with his bright emerald eyes and Raychel submitted.
"Raychel Landry, this is Jadeite Valone." She said. Jadeite smiled and nodded in her direction, which had Raychel restraining her astonishment. Serenity, waited for the raven-haired girl to answer and it took a few seconds for Raychel to calm down and ask the question that had been plaguing her.
"If you don't mind my asking, but 'Jadeite' is an unusual name. Where did it originate?" This wasn't an odd question for him since many times during the years he was asked the same question from various people. "My mother named me." He said, his eyes growing melancholy as he spoke of his past.
"She thought that my eyes reminded her of the rare gem she carried around her neck, but she died soon after." Raychel bit her lip as nervousness took over, she didn't mean to make him upset. Serenity grabbed his hand and began to caress his skin; the action had Raychel yearning to do the same.
Raychel's eyes, too, became sad as she watched Jadeite turn to Serenity and give her a smile that Raychel wished he would give her, a smile of love. That was when she knew that Jadeite thought of Serenity as more than a friend; he wanted her to be his mistress, but of course, this was unnoticed by Serenity.
For weeks, Raychel witnessed Jadeite's attempts to gain Serenity's attention and getting no where since Serenity was too oblivious to even realize the love he held for her; he was and always would be one of her best friends.
Raychel wanted Jadeite and wanted him to want her too. The day she actually got the confidence to show her interest in him by asking him if he wanted to join her for a picnic she was planning for the following night, he wanted to spend his evening eating dinner with Serenity and her parents. Her jealousy then turned to envy.
The envy soon transformed into disgust as she viewed Serenity's dishonesty toward her lover Endymion Vladimir and her new gentleman caller, Nicholas Demando, which was his name then. Serenity shuffled between the two and it made her nauseous to see Jadeite do such sweet things for someone who didn't appreciate them.
She's met Nicholas several times before and each time he gave her weird vibes. His whole aura radiated dark energy, which confused her many times since that kind of energy only came from demonic creatures, or so she was told by her ancestors while growing up. Demonic creatures, then were only myths, but her family believed every tale.
She needed to know so she went to the only place that would give her the answers she desired.
With the fire blazing as the flames lick at the air above, the midnight gypsy sat Indian style in front of the fire. Her eyes were closed and sweat covered her brow as she concentrated on the light within, the power to call upon the divinity within the flame
"I call upon the great Goddess of the Fire, come forth to thee and grant me the gift of knowledge. Come forth, Hestia."
The fire flickered to a bright red and then darkened to blend once again. Her eyes opened, the shadows bounced in her violet orbs. It was time to voice her question.
"What is it that I am missing? Please guide my soul to the answer."
**What is it that you want to know, child?**
"Please tell me why his life force holds so much darkness."
**He holds no morals, he only knows death, he needs the blood to satisfy**
"Does he not have a soul?"
**My child, he has no life force, therefore, he has no soul**
Raychel's eyes grow wide, how can a human not have a soul?
"What does he want?"
**He wants the one with the hair that matches that of the sun**
"Serenity." She whispered to herself, more of a fact than a question. The fire flickered once more and Raychel knew that the enmity was gone.
He needs the blood to satisfy… "What does that mean?"
Raychel pondered that conversation for many days; she still could not understand what the goddess was trying to tell her. Though, she should be used to the cryptic hints that she constantly received, it irked her to the highest degree until she could figure it out. It wasn't until the evening walk she took, did she begin to comprehend.
Raychel shook her head and turned away from the window. She walked back to the bed, sliding the robe off her shoulders and climbed into the king size bed to lay next to her lover. She put her head on his chest but didn't close her eyes, for her mind was still drifting to the past to the day she was created, the day she asked to be created.
She shivered involuntarily, if only she knew what that decision would've cost her, she would have never chosen the life she now led. But she wouldn't have gotten her chance to be with the green-eyed gentleman.
She saw him that night walking with his cane tapping on the ground; his hat propped upon his head, which swung from side to side as if looking for something. She could see the woman walking ahead of him, only a few feet, just out of his reach. She didn't know why, but she felt as if something was going to happen, she wondered what he was doing out there so late.
She watched him disappear behind the trees of the park and followed. The sight she saw was oddly expected as she watched him rip open the woman's throat with his sharp fangs, his hand pressed her to the ground, preventing escape. When she stopped moving, he rose to his feet and wiped the blood off with the cloth from his pocket.
"He needs the blood to satisfy." She whispered. His cold violet eyes turned in her direction, looking over her slowly sending chills up and down her spine. They hardened when he realized who she was; she, unfortunately, would have to die.
She stepped forward ignoring her beating heart, she wasn't afraid of him, she was afraid of what she was about to say; she was willing to sell her soul to get what she wanted and she wanted Jadeite. She knew what he was, she heard tales about the Vampire race, about their power and she wanted it.
"Nicholas, grant me that power." His brows furrowed, he was not expecting those five words to come from her mouth; he wouldn't have to kill her after all.
Raychel clenched her eyes closed; she could see her standing in his mansion facing his naked figure as she did the same. He had told her, that the only way for her to succumb without difficulty would be sexually, or she would be in tremendous pain and might not survive. It was a different procedure for females they weren't strong enough to deal with pain
.
Raychel really hated the laws of those days, she was a human being, a civilian, yet had no rights.
She knew why there weren't many vampires running around the world, they chose their kin carefully, those who were worthy of the title. In her case, she promised to hand over Serenity if he gave her the power of immortality.
She knew by doing this she would have to get rid of Endymion, but in her view, Jadeite was worth it. He would not pursue Serenity if she was engaged to another; in this case, Nicholas would be the one she would marry. She knew it was wrong and deceitful but she would have done anything to get what she wanted; the plan made it unnecessary to kill Serenity.
She would finally be beautiful; while Serenity's died with age, she would be able to outshine her. However, Raychel knew that Nicholas was planning to make the blonde one of them, but what he didn't know was that Serenity was destined to die an early death, which she failed to mention to her creator; the day walker. So either way, she would win . . . or so she thought.
She never admitted it then, but living for 10 centuries gave her time to think; she was jealous of Serenity since the day they met and that, to her, was pathetic.
She remembered so clearly, the day when Serenity came running into her cottage in the woods. She was out of breath, which gave Raychel the impression that she had ran all the way there. Her cheeks were flushed and there was brightness in her eyes that she had never seen before.
"Raychel, I've been looking for you. I rarely see you anymore and when I do, it's always at night. My dear friend, are you ill?" Raychel looked away from the blonde when she mentioned it. But the gesture went unnoticed by Serenity, as she was too busy trying to make sure her friend was all right.
"I'm fine. I've just been quite busy in the afternoons." Serenity accepted that answer and continued with her purpose for being there.
"I've been wanting to inform you on my decision." Raychel's brows furrowed.
"What decision?" Serenity smiled a cheerful and excited smile. "I've chosen to marry Endymion."
Raychel almost choked, "Pardon?" Serenity sat down on the stool facing Raychel. "I've thought about my situation very carefully and I've realized that there isn't a future for Nicholas and I, it has and always will be Endymion, I've just been so distracted that I forgot that very thing and I thought that you, as my trusted friend, should know that."
Raychel knew that this decision of hers would fuck up her plans, in order to get what she wanted, Serenity had to end up with Nicholas. Now she definitely needed to get rid of Endymion and if not, she needed to get him out of Serenity's life, and she knew how.
"I'm happy for you, Serenity and I hope that you and Endymion will be happy together." Serenity smiled and hugged her midnight- haired friend and made her way to the door; she turned back and gave Raychel a curious look. "You…look different somehow, your eyes are glowing. Are you sure you're not ill?"
When Raychel nodded, she shrugged and made her exit. Raychel's hands clenched the arms of the seat with a force that caused them to crack and break off completely, "Shit!"
For days after that evening, she plotted her scheme. Instead of killing him she wanted Serenity to reject Endymion. Raychel would play with Endymion's mind luring him into a lustful venture using Serenity as bait. What he saw on the outside was Serenity, but inside, was a vampire gypsy in disguise.
She calculated Serenity's time of entrance where she would walk in and witness Endymion's sin as well as Raychel's. She would not see her face, but only the act, the act that would send her running into the arms of Nicholas. Who knew that it would back fire, giving her shame for many centuries after?
Raychel clenched on to Justin's body with a desperate grip, she couldn't lose him again; it was bad enough she lost Jadeite as well as her best friend, but she refused to lose Justin.
A trail of blood ran down her cheek and landed on the sleeping man's chest. She squeezed her eyes closed tighter. Somehow she would fix things, she couldn't turn back time, but she could fix her guilt and maybe her soul; she needed to, for her sanity…. she needed to.
*~*~*~*~*~*~(Next Day)*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Darien walked down the sidewalk, his hands in his pockets and his head down facing the ground. His thoughts were on the previous morning at the Starbucks Café. He just couldn't understand Serena's actions, he knew they were just partners, but there was something more there.
Was she jealous? He shakes his head, of course not. Why would she be jealous, all they do is fight and throw insults back and forth; there isn't any indication that the two had any feelings for each other whatsoever. Then why were people taking bets back at the Daily Globe on how long it would take for the two to get together?
But that was just people passing time, to overcome boredom; there wasn't any truth in those piles of money that were continuing to grow every day and now filled two drawers of a desk.
Ok, he had to admit, Serena was attractive and sometimes she could send his hormones raging out of control; but so did every other attractive female in New York, why was she so different? *because she's not like every other girl you've met*
He groaned at his conscience, it always made him think about things he was trying so hard to avoid.
He had to admit Serena was definitely one of a kind. She was honest, caring, determined, and the girl had spunk mixed with this attitude that had him on his knees withering with admiration. But his question was what did she feel about him?
He looked to read the advertisements that were posted on the wall; one in particular caught his eye. It seemed there was some small carnival going on in Central Park; it was going to be there for one more day
He looked at his watch that read 11:50, he knew that Serena would be getting up soon, maybe, he thought she would come with him. He knew that it would be the perfect opportunity to ask her about that incident from the morning before. He just needed to get enough courage to open his mouth.
Without bothering to call, he made his way toward Serena's apartment building.
****************
With a few yanks and bribes, he managed to get his partner out of bed, dressed and walking through the entrance of Central Park to the carnival. She was quiet and she wasn't wearing that stupid choker thingy around her neck this time. Serena had almost went crazy until she looked in the mirror and saw the blemish gone.
Darien hadn't noticed her reaction, but most men usually don't. They had walked in complete silence, which was nerve racking for the both of them. Darien cleared his throat and spoke for the first time.
"Serena, were you all right yesterday? You seemed a bit…high strung." She bit her lip and looked straight ahead; at first he thought, she wouldn't answer, but she proved him wrong when she spoke. "I'm fine."
He shook his head. "No you're not. If it's PMS, then I'd understand but….." she swung her head to the side and gave him a glare, "I'm not PMSing!" He held up his hands as if surrendering. Serena shook her head, why did men always blame a girl's bad day on PMS?
"Ok, ok. Just forget!" He shook his head and continued walking next to her, she glanced at him and could see that now he was angry but the way he pouted and his eyes were glaring at every passerby. She licked her lips and bit the inside of her mouth, she had no idea why she blew up at him.
"Look, I don't know why I blew up at that girl yesterday. I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed." She shrugged, but knowing that there was more to that explanation than she cared to admit. "She thought you were acting like a jealous girlfriend." He commented.
"I wasn't jealous." She said all to quickly causing Darien to stop and look at her confused. "You said that a little fast, Serena."
Her eyes wandered around nervously, why was she acting so strange? It's like she couldn't keep her hormones in check, they were raging none stop. "I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just….." her gaze met the ground. "What?"
"I have this sudden craving for a steak, a very rare steak." His brows furrowed at her, "rare?" She nodded and began to walk again. Her eyes stared off into space, as she couldn't understand the strange feeling that overcame her, "weird?"
Darien eyed her funny and followed her wordlessly. Too busy trying to bring up the question that was in his mind and the reason for her invite, he never witnessed the flash in her eyes; the dark, stormy blue turned back to sapphire.
Serena looked over and saw a sign that read, 'Fortune Teller,' in black painted letters. She smiled and turned to Darien who eyed her suspiciously. "What?"
"Lets go get our fortunes told." He shook his head, "No, I don't do fortunes, they're a waste of time and money. I've seen enough Miss Cleos to last me a lifetime."
She ignored his comment and began top drag him over to the booth. "It might give us a lead for our story." Well, I see she's back to normal now he thought
They walked to the stand to see a guy with his back turned to them, he had long blonde hair pulled into a pony-tail and seemed to be talking on cell phone. This made Darien roll his eyes; a fortuneteller with a cell phone just wasn't something he saw all the time.
The scene didn't affect Serena whatsoever, she just leaned on the booth, "psst!" He held up one finger without turning around and continued with his conversation. Serena wasn't satisfied with that gesture and tried again, "Excuse me, sir."
He turned all the way around, "Just one sec…on..d…." his voice trailed off as soon as his eyes landed on her. He seemed unbelievably perplexed, like he saw a ghost for his face soon went pale. He brought the phone back to his ear, "Um, I'll call you back," then hung up.
Darien frowned at the man; the guy seemed to know her. Serena could only stare back, but her look was filled with confusion and she was beginning to feel uncomfortable underneath his hazel gaze.
He cleared his throat and walked over to them, "I'm sorry, may I help you?" Darien turned to see Serena's reaction but it seemed she had forgotten all about the weird incident that just took place. "Yes, we would like to get our fortunes told." Darien grunted. Serena glanced at him and turned back to the man, "Correction, I would like to get my fortune told."
The blonde man nodded and reached under the surface to reveal a pack of cards; they were bigger than regular playing cards and fewer. He shuffled them without skipping a beat and laid them face down on the surface. "Choose six cards from anywhere in the pile."
Serena nodded as he picked up the deck and spread them with his fingers. She picked out six cards and placed them face down on the surface side by side. He put the deck aside and began to flip over the first card.
"This is the High Priestess; this card is telling me that you have a very big decision to make that could affect your future. You need to know the right path to follow and the most wisest; your life can grow prosperously or come tumbling down out of control."
Serena stared into his hazel eyes and for some reason she got very scared. He flipped another card, "The Lovers card, this shows that you are capable of finding love, but there are different kinds of love and you need to decide which one suits you best. This relates to the High Priestess, you might be in a predicament where you have found two loves; however, love can be disguised, you need to find the one that is truest."
Serena's gaze faltered How did he know?
He looked at her to see her reaction; he had to warn her some way.
He continued to the fortune and flipped the third card. "The Chariot card, this shows that you need to have full control of your mind, you can't let jealousy or desires to take over. Those desires may not be the best thing for you and in some form you already know that, yet you can't help but to succumb. Jealousy usually means that you feel things that you are trying to avoid, the best thing for you to do is face it head on."
Serena thought back to yesterday at Starbucks, was she really jealous of the girl who hit on Darien? She didn't want to know, which made the fortune true.
He flipped another card, "The Strength card relates to The Chariot, you have to have control of not only your mind, but your body as well. You have to know how to read your bodily actions, its pleasures can tell you what you need. Listen to them." She nodded.
"The Devil card…" Darien's brows rose in surprise. "…this is showing you that there are underlying desires that circulate your life, they're not necessarily yours but you may be the object of those desires. And if this is true, that person has not admitted or hasn't properly taken it into account, this person is in denial."
When he flipped over the last card, Serena's eyes widened. He cleared his throat as a lump suddenly formed, "The Death card relates to The Devil card, if the person acts on those desires, it will lead to his/her death, a death of a close friend, a death of an innocent or even your own. You need to pay close attention because it may be already happening."
By the end of the reading Serena was biting her lip as she stared at the cards. Could all these be true?
Darien gave an impatient sigh and looked at his watch, he really wasn't buying the crap, but it scared him to think that she would. Darien looked at the man, who was staring at Serena with a look of familiarity, like he her well. "How much is it?"
He turned to Darien confused, "pardon?"
"The card reading, how much?"
He shook his head, "no charge." He then turned back to Serena who stared up at him, "you must listen to these cards, they speak the truth. Remember, things are not always as they seem." As he said that he reached over and touched the side of her neck, tapping the area twice with his finger, the same spot where her blemish used to be.
Serena eyed him curiously, he couldn't know about the blemish, could he?
Darien began to pull Serena away from the booth. "Come on Serena, he doesn't know what he's talking about." She tugged her arm out of his hold and turned back to the blonde man. "What is your name?"
"Many know me as Zoicite." She nodded and didn't resist when Darien began pulling her again out of his sight. His gaze met Darien's and Darien almost paused out of confusion and possible understanding. It almost seemed that Zoicite was relaying him a message.
"Take care of her….. Endymion."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*(Diamond's suite)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nicholas sat in his velvet chair, drinking his favorite wine. He could hear footsteps above his head and knew that Raychel was entertaining a guest, Justin, no doubt. He was beginning to get disgusted each time he watched her smile at the blonde man with that human emotion in her eyes.
Raychel was no longer human and even though he felt the same for Serena, he wouldn't become a mortal to get her. Mortals were for feeding him, not to become objects of human emotion.
Serena would no doubt be one of them soon and that passion that disgusted him would be no more. Raychel wasn't even going to turn Justin, he was going to remain mortal, an ignorant one at that.
Nicholas smiled deviously, he wondered what would happen if Justin found out, he wouldn't want her then, would he? Would he run scared after seeing her as a demon and nothing else?
This was what Nicholas wanted, he wanted Raychel to accept who she was and stop trying run from it, she was a killer and she didn't need Justin, he was in the way of her accomplishing what she was supposed to finish 10 centuries ago. She had failed and now she had a chance to fix it, if not she would regret it.
After all, it was she who made the deal with him; she who wanted immortality, she who betrayed her so called best friend, and it would be she who would pay in the end.
**************************
I'm done!!!! Review, review, review!
Disclaimer: I don't own SM and we all know this.
Side note*** Many of you had questions about the end of chapter 6, the scene where Serena accepts the proposal over the phone. She was just going over the emotions in her head after Darien kissed her and now she is confused, yet because Darien doesn't remember, it makes the situation easier because now she doesn't have to deal with it. So, in a way, she's saying goodbye to what could happen with her and Darien and accepting Diamond's invitation. Get it? If not e-mail me and I'll explain it more thoroughly. ^_~
Chapter 7
The birds chirping in rhythm to their own song mingled with the car horns that beeped loudly outside, disturbing the woman who slept peacefully in her bed. She turned over to her side and was jerked awake as soon as the sunlight met her closed lids.
She cursed inwardly and scowled at her window, it was really beginning to bother her. Her legs swung over the edge as she yawned and rubbed her eyes, she was more tired than usual and she wondered what she did last night to make her so tired.
She stopped suddenly, "Wait, what DID I do last night?" She closed her eyes in concentration trying to remember her actions from the night before. She just couldn't trace her steps after 8:00 pm and that puzzled her.
"What the hell….I know I was with Nicholas last night, but what happened after? How did I get home?"
She placed her fingers on her temples, massaging them, she hoped, would bring back the lost memories.
After several minutes passed without a result, she shrugged and stood up, her legs wobbly as she made her way to the bedroom door.
"I must've had more wine than I thought." She said paying no heed to the absence of her hang over.
She entered the bathroom and turned on the light. She put toothpaste on her toothbrush and began brushing her teeth like every morning. Rinsing her mouth, she wiped it with her towel and prepared to battle with her hair as she looked in the mirror.
She did a double take and gasped. There was a dark blemish on her neck, it was reddish-pink and was as big as a hickey, and she was sure that everyone would assume so if she left it exposed. So after she got dressed she went searching through her jewelry box.
"Where the hell are you? I know you're in here!" She took out a few pieces and placed them on the dresser, she was desperate, pigs would fly before she let Darien see this thing on her neck; she wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Aha!" she smiled as the black choker came into view; this was definitely her ticket out of humiliation-ville. She put it on and nodded in satisfaction that it covered the blotchy area and turned to leave, rushing out the door seeing that she was late…..again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The doors jingled as another person from the street entered the café. He walked up to the counter to place his order when he turned to see the blonde he knew all too well. Serena stood in line with her arms crossed over her chest as she waited impatiently for her turn. She grumbled to herself watching the three persons whom stood in line ahead of her; she was definitely not a patient person.
Darien chuckled at her as he watched her tap her foot in annoyance. "That won't make them move faster, you know." Serena jerked her head to the right to face the owner of the voice. When Darien met her view, she rolled her eyes. I should've known
"Damn, do you have a tracker device on me something? You're every where I turn." He lifted a brow, with a smirk on his face he answered, "Serena don't lie, you know you hired someone to write down my daily schedule just so you can run into me on purpose."
She frowned up at him, "p-u-lease! As if you're even worth the trouble. And even if I did, I wouldn't have to pay the additional fees of him having to follow you around since you don't have a life."
Both eyebrows rose at her comment as he rocked back and forth on the heels of his shoes. "This coming from a woman whose life ends beyond the doors of the Starbucks Coffee House." He grinned and put his hands in his pockets, while still continuing his rocking.
She snorted softly, "Yea, and look who's standing next to her." He stopped rocking and looked at her. After a few seconds he was able to register the meaning in her words, he shook his head; "I hate you." Serena just smiled and held up one finger, "One point for me. The day hasn't even started yet and I've already shut you up. Damn I'm good."
"Well the day isn't over yet, I still have a chance." They walked up to the counter together, which caused Serena to look at him strangely, he noticed. "What?" He recognized the look immediately, "Oh come on, you're gonna make me go to the back of the line!? Have a little heart." He said with a little pout, which had the girl behind the counter melting with emotion.
Serena rolled her eyes, "Fine! But enjoy this while it lasts cuz' this is the last piece of generosity I have left." He smiled proudly and turned to the girl to order. Serena breathed in deeply, Darien just had no idea how incredibly cute he was when he made that face. get a hold of yourself, Serena. This chapter of your life is now closed
She was brought out of her reverie at the sound of the girl's question. "excuse me?"
"What would you like?" Serena shook her head lightly trying to shake away her thoughts, "Oh..um."
She leaned her head to the side as she tried to decide what she wanted or in this case, what she was in the mood for. Darien looked over at her; he glanced at her again when he noticed the black band around her throat. "What the hell is that?"
"What?" He brought his hand up and pointed at it, "That." Her eyes showed fear as she touched the band with her fingers and rubbed them over it, "Oh this thing? It's called a choker." She said in relief, thanking God that he didn't mean the hickey she had on her neck.
He leaned in to get a closer look at it, "well, can you breathe?" She gave him a look of disbelief; "if I couldn't breathe then I wouldn't be wearing it, Darien."
"Hey, don't look at me, I'm not the one who gave it the name 'choker'" She rolled her eyes, "You have no sense of fashion at all."
"Fashion? Those things should go back in stock, if you ask me."
"Well no one asked you so shut up!" The girl behind the counter looked at them in amusement, "let me guess, you two are involved."
They looked at her with wide eyes, "No!" they both answered simultaneously. "We're just friends." He said. Serena snorted, "not even." He threw a glare at his partner.
The girl smiled and leaned on the counter, her loose black hair, which had pink highlights fell over her shoulders, looking at the raven-haired man, "In that case, may be you can meet me after work." Darien was startled by the girl's boldness.
Serena stared wide eyed at him as a goofy grin broke out on his face, she was beginning to feel real uncomfortable; part of her was happy that he was meeting new girls, but the other part was really beginning to hate the Starbucks employee.
She shook her head, she couldn't let it happen, she slapped her hand on the counter, "Um, excuse me. But if you don't get me my Double Late, then the only people you'll be meeting will be the ones who stand next to you on the unemployment line!" (AN: sorry for the spelling, I don't drink anything coffee related so I have no clue if this drink even exists, if you have a better drink then tell me and I'll add it in)
The girl jerked back and walked away quickly to retrieve the beverage. Darien glanced at his partner, she was tapping her nails on the counter top, her face was turning red and her eyes were glowing a stormy blue. "What's wrong with you?" he asked
"Nothing!" she snapped. He was about to comment, but the girl had already come back with their coffee.
Serena dropped her money on the counter and walked through the doors. Darien's gaze followed her.
"It seems to me that you two are more than just friends." With that said, the girl walked away. Darien stared back at the door and sighed, "true……but we're not." He picked up his cup and walked outside.
*******(That night)*******
She lay on her side; her arm was bent, holding her head up as she looked at her lover next to her. She watched his chest rise and fall while he slept peacefully having his own sweet dreams. She sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her naked form stood exposed until she covered it with a red silky robe that had Chinese designs printed on it.
She walked over to the window and pushed back the thick curtains and peered through the glass into the dark depths of the sky. Her stormy violet eyes looked toward the horizon, which was beginning to turn pink, as the sun slowly made its descent underneath the surface. She sighed and flipped her raven hair behind her shoulder.
Her eyes shifted to the right and she could see Justin's reflection in the window; this brought a smile to her face. There was so much she wished she could tell him, things that she eventually would, but only when the time was right. She knew that there never really is a right time for anything, however in this case, she couldn't just blurt out the very thing that ended his life the first time and could very well happen again.
She knew he wasn't Jadeite, he may look, smile and talk like him, but the two were different, yet she couldn't help but love them both. She decided to take a different approach then Nicholas, he was using the same strategy that he used all those centuries ago, which got him no where.
She on the other hand went in a different direction in hopes that Justin would fall in love with her the natural way, not by eliminating her obstacles and forcing her love on him, like she had did with Jadeite.
This was something she had disagreed with Nicholas about, she didn't want to relive the past, he, on the other hand, did.
Raychel knew she loved Jadeite the first time she saw him, as cheesy as it may have sounded, but she didn't believe in love at first sight until he came into her life, then everything changed.
It was noontime, the wind was little and the temperature was warm as it always was in the month of March. The sky was clear with no signs of clouds and the sun was bright.
The young woman tapped her foot impatiently waiting for her companion to come. She stood in a lavender dress of lace, which hugged her frame loosely and as she walked the metal-plated belt and beaded bracelets jangled with noise. This was an unusual look, for women these days were interested in a more sophisticated demeanor. To them she looked like a gypsy or in more insulting words; a witch.
It was easy to suggest such things; her hair was midnight and reached below her back, it was straight and held no bounce. Her skin was ghostly pale and she rarely smiled. The only things that held any form of life were the stormy violet eyes that held a fire of wisdom.
She was not like other girls, she wasn't born into wealth, nor did she live out in the open, touring the city in carriages or attending elaborate parties where no one even knew the host. No, she lived in the solitude of the trees with those like herself. They weren't outcasts, just avoided.
Just because she could walk through flames without being burned or heal with unexplainable reasons, didn't necessarily mean she was a witch.
She felt alone until she got knocked over by a bubbly blonde who just so happened to be the same age as her, the two 4-year olds became close friends fast.
Serenity, she thought, the only person she knew who could become friends with anyone, the one who never judged another. Serenity was the complete opposite of Raychel. She had curly blonde hair, laughing blue eyes and a smile that made you feel like you were the most important person in her life when it was directed at you.
So there she stood waiting for her beautiful friend to come introduce her to another one of her child hood friends, a boy. They knew each other as long as Raychel knew Serenity, but they never did cross paths, though Serenity talked about the other constantly stirring up curiosity between the two.
She spotted two patches of blonde hair in the distance. Serenity and her gentleman friend walked up to Raychel, stopping whatever chatter going on. "There you are! What took you so long?" Raychel asked.
"Sorry, we got a little ahead of ourselves, just trying to catch up on lost time." Raychel nodded and turned to the man that stood next to her best friend. He had short sandy hair that was brushed back and out of his face. He looked over at her with his bright emerald eyes and Raychel submitted.
"Raychel Landry, this is Jadeite Valone." She said. Jadeite smiled and nodded in her direction, which had Raychel restraining her astonishment. Serenity, waited for the raven-haired girl to answer and it took a few seconds for Raychel to calm down and ask the question that had been plaguing her.
"If you don't mind my asking, but 'Jadeite' is an unusual name. Where did it originate?" This wasn't an odd question for him since many times during the years he was asked the same question from various people. "My mother named me." He said, his eyes growing melancholy as he spoke of his past.
"She thought that my eyes reminded her of the rare gem she carried around her neck, but she died soon after." Raychel bit her lip as nervousness took over, she didn't mean to make him upset. Serenity grabbed his hand and began to caress his skin; the action had Raychel yearning to do the same.
Raychel's eyes, too, became sad as she watched Jadeite turn to Serenity and give her a smile that Raychel wished he would give her, a smile of love. That was when she knew that Jadeite thought of Serenity as more than a friend; he wanted her to be his mistress, but of course, this was unnoticed by Serenity.
For weeks, Raychel witnessed Jadeite's attempts to gain Serenity's attention and getting no where since Serenity was too oblivious to even realize the love he held for her; he was and always would be one of her best friends.
Raychel wanted Jadeite and wanted him to want her too. The day she actually got the confidence to show her interest in him by asking him if he wanted to join her for a picnic she was planning for the following night, he wanted to spend his evening eating dinner with Serenity and her parents. Her jealousy then turned to envy.
The envy soon transformed into disgust as she viewed Serenity's dishonesty toward her lover Endymion Vladimir and her new gentleman caller, Nicholas Demando, which was his name then. Serenity shuffled between the two and it made her nauseous to see Jadeite do such sweet things for someone who didn't appreciate them.
She's met Nicholas several times before and each time he gave her weird vibes. His whole aura radiated dark energy, which confused her many times since that kind of energy only came from demonic creatures, or so she was told by her ancestors while growing up. Demonic creatures, then were only myths, but her family believed every tale.
She needed to know so she went to the only place that would give her the answers she desired.
With the fire blazing as the flames lick at the air above, the midnight gypsy sat Indian style in front of the fire. Her eyes were closed and sweat covered her brow as she concentrated on the light within, the power to call upon the divinity within the flame
"I call upon the great Goddess of the Fire, come forth to thee and grant me the gift of knowledge. Come forth, Hestia."
The fire flickered to a bright red and then darkened to blend once again. Her eyes opened, the shadows bounced in her violet orbs. It was time to voice her question.
"What is it that I am missing? Please guide my soul to the answer."
**What is it that you want to know, child?**
"Please tell me why his life force holds so much darkness."
**He holds no morals, he only knows death, he needs the blood to satisfy**
"Does he not have a soul?"
**My child, he has no life force, therefore, he has no soul**
Raychel's eyes grow wide, how can a human not have a soul?
"What does he want?"
**He wants the one with the hair that matches that of the sun**
"Serenity." She whispered to herself, more of a fact than a question. The fire flickered once more and Raychel knew that the enmity was gone.
He needs the blood to satisfy… "What does that mean?"
Raychel pondered that conversation for many days; she still could not understand what the goddess was trying to tell her. Though, she should be used to the cryptic hints that she constantly received, it irked her to the highest degree until she could figure it out. It wasn't until the evening walk she took, did she begin to comprehend.
Raychel shook her head and turned away from the window. She walked back to the bed, sliding the robe off her shoulders and climbed into the king size bed to lay next to her lover. She put her head on his chest but didn't close her eyes, for her mind was still drifting to the past to the day she was created, the day she asked to be created.
She shivered involuntarily, if only she knew what that decision would've cost her, she would have never chosen the life she now led. But she wouldn't have gotten her chance to be with the green-eyed gentleman.
She saw him that night walking with his cane tapping on the ground; his hat propped upon his head, which swung from side to side as if looking for something. She could see the woman walking ahead of him, only a few feet, just out of his reach. She didn't know why, but she felt as if something was going to happen, she wondered what he was doing out there so late.
She watched him disappear behind the trees of the park and followed. The sight she saw was oddly expected as she watched him rip open the woman's throat with his sharp fangs, his hand pressed her to the ground, preventing escape. When she stopped moving, he rose to his feet and wiped the blood off with the cloth from his pocket.
"He needs the blood to satisfy." She whispered. His cold violet eyes turned in her direction, looking over her slowly sending chills up and down her spine. They hardened when he realized who she was; she, unfortunately, would have to die.
She stepped forward ignoring her beating heart, she wasn't afraid of him, she was afraid of what she was about to say; she was willing to sell her soul to get what she wanted and she wanted Jadeite. She knew what he was, she heard tales about the Vampire race, about their power and she wanted it.
"Nicholas, grant me that power." His brows furrowed, he was not expecting those five words to come from her mouth; he wouldn't have to kill her after all.
Raychel clenched her eyes closed; she could see her standing in his mansion facing his naked figure as she did the same. He had told her, that the only way for her to succumb without difficulty would be sexually, or she would be in tremendous pain and might not survive. It was a different procedure for females they weren't strong enough to deal with pain
.
Raychel really hated the laws of those days, she was a human being, a civilian, yet had no rights.
She knew why there weren't many vampires running around the world, they chose their kin carefully, those who were worthy of the title. In her case, she promised to hand over Serenity if he gave her the power of immortality.
She knew by doing this she would have to get rid of Endymion, but in her view, Jadeite was worth it. He would not pursue Serenity if she was engaged to another; in this case, Nicholas would be the one she would marry. She knew it was wrong and deceitful but she would have done anything to get what she wanted; the plan made it unnecessary to kill Serenity.
She would finally be beautiful; while Serenity's died with age, she would be able to outshine her. However, Raychel knew that Nicholas was planning to make the blonde one of them, but what he didn't know was that Serenity was destined to die an early death, which she failed to mention to her creator; the day walker. So either way, she would win . . . or so she thought.
She never admitted it then, but living for 10 centuries gave her time to think; she was jealous of Serenity since the day they met and that, to her, was pathetic.
She remembered so clearly, the day when Serenity came running into her cottage in the woods. She was out of breath, which gave Raychel the impression that she had ran all the way there. Her cheeks were flushed and there was brightness in her eyes that she had never seen before.
"Raychel, I've been looking for you. I rarely see you anymore and when I do, it's always at night. My dear friend, are you ill?" Raychel looked away from the blonde when she mentioned it. But the gesture went unnoticed by Serenity, as she was too busy trying to make sure her friend was all right.
"I'm fine. I've just been quite busy in the afternoons." Serenity accepted that answer and continued with her purpose for being there.
"I've been wanting to inform you on my decision." Raychel's brows furrowed.
"What decision?" Serenity smiled a cheerful and excited smile. "I've chosen to marry Endymion."
Raychel almost choked, "Pardon?" Serenity sat down on the stool facing Raychel. "I've thought about my situation very carefully and I've realized that there isn't a future for Nicholas and I, it has and always will be Endymion, I've just been so distracted that I forgot that very thing and I thought that you, as my trusted friend, should know that."
Raychel knew that this decision of hers would fuck up her plans, in order to get what she wanted, Serenity had to end up with Nicholas. Now she definitely needed to get rid of Endymion and if not, she needed to get him out of Serenity's life, and she knew how.
"I'm happy for you, Serenity and I hope that you and Endymion will be happy together." Serenity smiled and hugged her midnight- haired friend and made her way to the door; she turned back and gave Raychel a curious look. "You…look different somehow, your eyes are glowing. Are you sure you're not ill?"
When Raychel nodded, she shrugged and made her exit. Raychel's hands clenched the arms of the seat with a force that caused them to crack and break off completely, "Shit!"
For days after that evening, she plotted her scheme. Instead of killing him she wanted Serenity to reject Endymion. Raychel would play with Endymion's mind luring him into a lustful venture using Serenity as bait. What he saw on the outside was Serenity, but inside, was a vampire gypsy in disguise.
She calculated Serenity's time of entrance where she would walk in and witness Endymion's sin as well as Raychel's. She would not see her face, but only the act, the act that would send her running into the arms of Nicholas. Who knew that it would back fire, giving her shame for many centuries after?
Raychel clenched on to Justin's body with a desperate grip, she couldn't lose him again; it was bad enough she lost Jadeite as well as her best friend, but she refused to lose Justin.
A trail of blood ran down her cheek and landed on the sleeping man's chest. She squeezed her eyes closed tighter. Somehow she would fix things, she couldn't turn back time, but she could fix her guilt and maybe her soul; she needed to, for her sanity…. she needed to.
*~*~*~*~*~*~(Next Day)*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Darien walked down the sidewalk, his hands in his pockets and his head down facing the ground. His thoughts were on the previous morning at the Starbucks Café. He just couldn't understand Serena's actions, he knew they were just partners, but there was something more there.
Was she jealous? He shakes his head, of course not. Why would she be jealous, all they do is fight and throw insults back and forth; there isn't any indication that the two had any feelings for each other whatsoever. Then why were people taking bets back at the Daily Globe on how long it would take for the two to get together?
But that was just people passing time, to overcome boredom; there wasn't any truth in those piles of money that were continuing to grow every day and now filled two drawers of a desk.
Ok, he had to admit, Serena was attractive and sometimes she could send his hormones raging out of control; but so did every other attractive female in New York, why was she so different? *because she's not like every other girl you've met*
He groaned at his conscience, it always made him think about things he was trying so hard to avoid.
He had to admit Serena was definitely one of a kind. She was honest, caring, determined, and the girl had spunk mixed with this attitude that had him on his knees withering with admiration. But his question was what did she feel about him?
He looked to read the advertisements that were posted on the wall; one in particular caught his eye. It seemed there was some small carnival going on in Central Park; it was going to be there for one more day
He looked at his watch that read 11:50, he knew that Serena would be getting up soon, maybe, he thought she would come with him. He knew that it would be the perfect opportunity to ask her about that incident from the morning before. He just needed to get enough courage to open his mouth.
Without bothering to call, he made his way toward Serena's apartment building.
****************
With a few yanks and bribes, he managed to get his partner out of bed, dressed and walking through the entrance of Central Park to the carnival. She was quiet and she wasn't wearing that stupid choker thingy around her neck this time. Serena had almost went crazy until she looked in the mirror and saw the blemish gone.
Darien hadn't noticed her reaction, but most men usually don't. They had walked in complete silence, which was nerve racking for the both of them. Darien cleared his throat and spoke for the first time.
"Serena, were you all right yesterday? You seemed a bit…high strung." She bit her lip and looked straight ahead; at first he thought, she wouldn't answer, but she proved him wrong when she spoke. "I'm fine."
He shook his head. "No you're not. If it's PMS, then I'd understand but….." she swung her head to the side and gave him a glare, "I'm not PMSing!" He held up his hands as if surrendering. Serena shook her head, why did men always blame a girl's bad day on PMS?
"Ok, ok. Just forget!" He shook his head and continued walking next to her, she glanced at him and could see that now he was angry but the way he pouted and his eyes were glaring at every passerby. She licked her lips and bit the inside of her mouth, she had no idea why she blew up at him.
"Look, I don't know why I blew up at that girl yesterday. I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed." She shrugged, but knowing that there was more to that explanation than she cared to admit. "She thought you were acting like a jealous girlfriend." He commented.
"I wasn't jealous." She said all to quickly causing Darien to stop and look at her confused. "You said that a little fast, Serena."
Her eyes wandered around nervously, why was she acting so strange? It's like she couldn't keep her hormones in check, they were raging none stop. "I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just….." her gaze met the ground. "What?"
"I have this sudden craving for a steak, a very rare steak." His brows furrowed at her, "rare?" She nodded and began to walk again. Her eyes stared off into space, as she couldn't understand the strange feeling that overcame her, "weird?"
Darien eyed her funny and followed her wordlessly. Too busy trying to bring up the question that was in his mind and the reason for her invite, he never witnessed the flash in her eyes; the dark, stormy blue turned back to sapphire.
Serena looked over and saw a sign that read, 'Fortune Teller,' in black painted letters. She smiled and turned to Darien who eyed her suspiciously. "What?"
"Lets go get our fortunes told." He shook his head, "No, I don't do fortunes, they're a waste of time and money. I've seen enough Miss Cleos to last me a lifetime."
She ignored his comment and began top drag him over to the booth. "It might give us a lead for our story." Well, I see she's back to normal now he thought
They walked to the stand to see a guy with his back turned to them, he had long blonde hair pulled into a pony-tail and seemed to be talking on cell phone. This made Darien roll his eyes; a fortuneteller with a cell phone just wasn't something he saw all the time.
The scene didn't affect Serena whatsoever, she just leaned on the booth, "psst!" He held up one finger without turning around and continued with his conversation. Serena wasn't satisfied with that gesture and tried again, "Excuse me, sir."
He turned all the way around, "Just one sec…on..d…." his voice trailed off as soon as his eyes landed on her. He seemed unbelievably perplexed, like he saw a ghost for his face soon went pale. He brought the phone back to his ear, "Um, I'll call you back," then hung up.
Darien frowned at the man; the guy seemed to know her. Serena could only stare back, but her look was filled with confusion and she was beginning to feel uncomfortable underneath his hazel gaze.
He cleared his throat and walked over to them, "I'm sorry, may I help you?" Darien turned to see Serena's reaction but it seemed she had forgotten all about the weird incident that just took place. "Yes, we would like to get our fortunes told." Darien grunted. Serena glanced at him and turned back to the man, "Correction, I would like to get my fortune told."
The blonde man nodded and reached under the surface to reveal a pack of cards; they were bigger than regular playing cards and fewer. He shuffled them without skipping a beat and laid them face down on the surface. "Choose six cards from anywhere in the pile."
Serena nodded as he picked up the deck and spread them with his fingers. She picked out six cards and placed them face down on the surface side by side. He put the deck aside and began to flip over the first card.
"This is the High Priestess; this card is telling me that you have a very big decision to make that could affect your future. You need to know the right path to follow and the most wisest; your life can grow prosperously or come tumbling down out of control."
Serena stared into his hazel eyes and for some reason she got very scared. He flipped another card, "The Lovers card, this shows that you are capable of finding love, but there are different kinds of love and you need to decide which one suits you best. This relates to the High Priestess, you might be in a predicament where you have found two loves; however, love can be disguised, you need to find the one that is truest."
Serena's gaze faltered How did he know?
He looked at her to see her reaction; he had to warn her some way.
He continued to the fortune and flipped the third card. "The Chariot card, this shows that you need to have full control of your mind, you can't let jealousy or desires to take over. Those desires may not be the best thing for you and in some form you already know that, yet you can't help but to succumb. Jealousy usually means that you feel things that you are trying to avoid, the best thing for you to do is face it head on."
Serena thought back to yesterday at Starbucks, was she really jealous of the girl who hit on Darien? She didn't want to know, which made the fortune true.
He flipped another card, "The Strength card relates to The Chariot, you have to have control of not only your mind, but your body as well. You have to know how to read your bodily actions, its pleasures can tell you what you need. Listen to them." She nodded.
"The Devil card…" Darien's brows rose in surprise. "…this is showing you that there are underlying desires that circulate your life, they're not necessarily yours but you may be the object of those desires. And if this is true, that person has not admitted or hasn't properly taken it into account, this person is in denial."
When he flipped over the last card, Serena's eyes widened. He cleared his throat as a lump suddenly formed, "The Death card relates to The Devil card, if the person acts on those desires, it will lead to his/her death, a death of a close friend, a death of an innocent or even your own. You need to pay close attention because it may be already happening."
By the end of the reading Serena was biting her lip as she stared at the cards. Could all these be true?
Darien gave an impatient sigh and looked at his watch, he really wasn't buying the crap, but it scared him to think that she would. Darien looked at the man, who was staring at Serena with a look of familiarity, like he her well. "How much is it?"
He turned to Darien confused, "pardon?"
"The card reading, how much?"
He shook his head, "no charge." He then turned back to Serena who stared up at him, "you must listen to these cards, they speak the truth. Remember, things are not always as they seem." As he said that he reached over and touched the side of her neck, tapping the area twice with his finger, the same spot where her blemish used to be.
Serena eyed him curiously, he couldn't know about the blemish, could he?
Darien began to pull Serena away from the booth. "Come on Serena, he doesn't know what he's talking about." She tugged her arm out of his hold and turned back to the blonde man. "What is your name?"
"Many know me as Zoicite." She nodded and didn't resist when Darien began pulling her again out of his sight. His gaze met Darien's and Darien almost paused out of confusion and possible understanding. It almost seemed that Zoicite was relaying him a message.
"Take care of her….. Endymion."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*(Diamond's suite)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nicholas sat in his velvet chair, drinking his favorite wine. He could hear footsteps above his head and knew that Raychel was entertaining a guest, Justin, no doubt. He was beginning to get disgusted each time he watched her smile at the blonde man with that human emotion in her eyes.
Raychel was no longer human and even though he felt the same for Serena, he wouldn't become a mortal to get her. Mortals were for feeding him, not to become objects of human emotion.
Serena would no doubt be one of them soon and that passion that disgusted him would be no more. Raychel wasn't even going to turn Justin, he was going to remain mortal, an ignorant one at that.
Nicholas smiled deviously, he wondered what would happen if Justin found out, he wouldn't want her then, would he? Would he run scared after seeing her as a demon and nothing else?
This was what Nicholas wanted, he wanted Raychel to accept who she was and stop trying run from it, she was a killer and she didn't need Justin, he was in the way of her accomplishing what she was supposed to finish 10 centuries ago. She had failed and now she had a chance to fix it, if not she would regret it.
After all, it was she who made the deal with him; she who wanted immortality, she who betrayed her so called best friend, and it would be she who would pay in the end.
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I'm done!!!! Review, review, review!