Prt III: Destiny

Chapter IV: Nightmares

The setting appeared hazy, like one had entirely doused the scenery in fog or smoke. Heavy bass-concentrated music pulsed from the background, making it feel like there was something crawling under the floor.

There was a long line of people waiting outside to the doors of the club, most of which, were teenagers. All of them were looking eager for a party. Guys clung to their girlfriends, and the occasional single guy would steal a glance in her direction.

She looked good, and she knew it. Wearing scant clothing and applying her makeup to perfection, she knew she was easily the most attractive girl in the area. She had donned little feathery angel wings, to add to her innocent look.

But the feather wings portrayed the wrong image, underneath everything, this girl was a devil. A devil with a mind for partying.

She had had a terribly long day, waking up with a hangover, and having to deal with everyone she despised at her high school. She wanted some time to unwind and get away from her brother. Especially her brother.

He meant well, but it felt like he was constantly smothering her, pressuring her to move on with her life and drop all of her rather unfortunate habits.

But those habits were just too fun.

She eased to the front of the line, where the security guard let her in free with a smile. She smiled back playfully, and slipped into the club.

Strobe lights and glow sticks were the most obvious thing about the place. The strobe lights provided a slow motion effect, while the glow sticks did the exact opposite, seeming to speed everything up. The result of this was one mind-boggling headache, and a huge craving for drugs.

As soon as she entered, a man with a certain uneasy stance threw his arm around her shoulders. She smiled once again, and the man slipped a few pills into her palm.

Ecstasy. Nothing like it could start a party better.

She eagerly popped them into her mouth, and began to do the most exciting thing she knew how to do.

She began to dance.

Throughout the night she danced, with various guys, at various speeds. The fun never seemed to stop. Not even when the teeth chattering kicked in and caused her tongue to accidentally bleed. And not even when black spots from dehydration creeped into the corners of her eyes.

After a few hours, she left the building, walking helter-skelter due to her pills and the alcohol she had consumed. She found a place in an alleyway where she sat and threw up, only worsening her dehydration. She sighed and leaned her head against the brick wall. What a night. Somewhere in her deep subconscious, she knew that what she was doing would have serious repercussions the morning after, but for now, the adrenaline was to high to give a damn about anything else but the party.

Her gaze shifted to the night sky, where a few stars were glowing brightly. She then noticed that there was no moon, and something about that fact made her extremely uncomfortable.

A few seconds after she had departed, a man exited the building. He had blonde, almost white hair, with multiple piercings that shined in the light.

"Hey Goddess," He crooned, moving away her sweat soaked hair from her face.

The girl could do nothing as she felt herself being pulled into his eyes.

Jimena woke up, breathing heavily and clutching her chest. "Dio!" She cried, sitting straight up in her bed. She hyperventilated for a few moments, and rubbed her temples.

This had been another warning from Selene, similar to the ones she had gotten the night prior to Imy and Riley's almost enslavement.

The Moon Goddess never lied, and had used Jimena's gift of premonition to warn her.

The girl had to be the fourth Daughter, the missing one. Imy and Riley had been first, then Aria. Now all that was left was her.

Jimena sighed as she shifted off of her bed and made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water from the sink and sat back down at the kitchen table. She put her head in her hands and took a deep breath. The role of Magna Mater was getting to her, she seemed to be constantly on edge, and it was obvious from the few strands of gray hair that it was causing her to stress out.

Jimena sighed and once again contemplated why she was doing this. The job had cost her friends, her job, her youth,-

-her marriage.

And for what? To ensure that the oh-so special Daughters were never harmed? It was through this role in the fight between Selene and the Atrox that Jimena discovered just how much Maggie had given up to aide them.

This batch though, was easily more interesting than the previous two. Mainly the fact that they were Daughters of other Daughters, Aria confessed to her mother being Tianna, a friend Jimena had not talked to in years, and Imy's mother was Catty. The fact that a child of Cassandra could ever be on the side of good still baffled her, but Riley seemed the exact opposite of her mother. She was quiet, modest, and for the most part, afraid.

Jimena slowly shook her head as she swirled her water glass, doubt lingered the most on her mind tonight.

But at the same time, she knew she could never give up, not until Selene willed it. There was too much at risk without a Mater, and simply the thought of her son, Carlos, living in a world without hope was enough to keep her pressing on.

She had lost much, this was true. Even her best friend had succumbed to the powers of the dark side. Yet at the same time, there was so much more to be gained.

Her thoughts were interrupted, however, when Riley came into the kitchen. Jimena took one look at her and sighed. Her eyes had the same haunted look, and her skin looked paler than before. Her hair was matted down from a cold sweat.

"Another dream?" Jimena asked carefully.

Riley joined her at the table, "Another nightmare." She corrected.

"What was this one about?"

"They're always the same one," She replied, her voice a harsh whisper, "I see flames everywhere. At first it's small, but then they keep growing larger and larger until they consume everything." Her voice grew shaky as she continued, "Each time, though, I see it swallow another person."

Jimena looked at her with concern, "Who was it this time?"

Riley sighed, "This time it was my mother."

Jimena rose an eyebrow, "Who else have you seen?"

Riley swallowed, "The first was a man with blonde hair, as soon as he stepped out, he was awarded with something."

Jimena tried to conceal her surprise. "Anyone else?"

"Another girl, with dark red hair and green eyes. Once she stepped out, she through a necklace to the ground and joined the blonde man." Riley held her head, "That was the time I passed out."

Jimena sighed, "I will try and ask Selene for guidance, Riley." She eyed her with curiosity, "Until then, I recommend sleeping pills or tea or something to calm you down before you go to sleep."

Riley nodded, "More than eager to not have these......" She paused, "These nightmares."

"Tomorrow, I need to speak with you, Imy, and perhaps Aria, if she is ready," She gave a small smile, "But for now, try to get some sleep."

Riley sighed, "I'll try."

"That's all I need." Replied Jimena gently.

Riley returned to her room and fell almost immediately asleep, this time, she did not dream.

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Dun dun dun............... lol ok not really. Happy birthday to me! Sry, I'm terribly excited. As a present, you all get a new chapter. Yay!

Next Up: Prt IV: Revelations Chapter I: Fear

Reviewers:

Highlanderfanatic: Lol I updated! (Please don't hurt me : ) )

CC: oooohh, Perhaps Tianna is Taemestra? It could happen......lol She did have amnesia, perhaps she didn't remember everything? I don't know, it's a long shot, and I'm sure theres holes, but I am 90% sure that Tianna is somehow linked to Taemestra. I forget, is Aura still possessing Morgan, or did she get free? The rest of that makes sense, but it makes me sad to think that the series will be over soon. Sigh, then I may have to read SOTD. Groan. That'd be terrible.

Toodles

!nym!